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Solonchaks are soils characterized by high concentrations of soluble salts. These soils form unique ecosystems that provide habitats for organisms adapted to such extreme conditions. Invertebrates are one of the groups of organisms that inhabit these soils and play a significant role in ecosystem resilience contributing to soil health and fertility. However, the diversity of invertebrates inhabiting the solonchaks remains underexplored. The development of eDNA metabarcoding method has facilitated the detection of soil invertebrates, overcoming the limitations of conventional labor-intensive and time-consuming methods. eDNA metabarcoding made it possible to study/monitor changes in soil invertebrate diversity. This pilot study employed eDNA metabarcoding to detect soil invertebrates in solonchak soils at two agricultural fields in Vojvodina, Serbia. Furthermore, we compared two analytical methods of eDNA metabarcoding data – clustering and denoising sequences. eDNА metabarcoding method proved to be effective in detection of invertebrates. Using BOLD database, 0.21% OTUs and 0.11% ESVs were successfully assigned to expected Invertebrate phyla (Arthropoda, Annelida and Nematoda), with two specific species identified: Aporrectodea jassyensis and Sminthurinus elegans. Comparison of the two analytical approaches, denoising and clustering, revealed that these approaches identified the same taxonomic categories. However, given the limited sample size, further studies should compare these two approaches using a more extensive dataset to better estimate their usefulness.

Encyonema bonapartei Heudre, C.E.Wetzel & Ector is a diatom species originally documented in 2016, following its discovery in three canals in the eastern region of France. In 2021, an extensive hydrobiological survey in a mountainous part of southwestern Serbia led to the first finding of this taxon outside of France, i.e. in the Uvac Special Nature Reserve –in Lake Zlatar (Zlatarsko jezero) and in the Marić River (Marića reka). Detailed light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations of a large population recorded in Lake Zlatar confirmed the unique morphological characteristics of E. bonapartei, which is also the first record for the diatom flora of Serbia. The present work provides new information on the distribution and ecological preferences of E. bonapartei, taking into account physical and chemical characteristics of its habitats in Serbia.

This study focuses on the avidus–nigritarsis lineage within the genus Merodon, exploring morphological, genetic, and distributional aspects of two related assemblies within this lineage: the clavipes and pruni species groups. An integrative taxonomic approach was followed to ensure comprehensive species identification and validation, using adult morphology, wing geometric morphometrics, and genetic analysis of the mtDNA COI gene. In the clavipes group, seven species were identified, including three new species: M. aenigmaticus Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., M. latens Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., and M. rufofemoris Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov. In the pruni group, our revision revealed a new species, M. aequalis Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., and the revalidation of Merodon obscurus Gil Collado, 1929, stat. rev. Merodon pallidus Macquart, 1842 is redescribed. Diagnoses, identification keys to species, and distribution maps are provided, and neotypes for Syrphus clavipes Fabricius, 1781 and Merodon quadrinotatus (Sack, 1931) are designated. Additionally, the following new synonyms are proposed: M. clavipes albus syn. nov., M. clavipes ater syn. nov., M. clavipes niger syn. nov., and M. splendens syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M. clavipes; and M. velox armeniacus syn. nov. and M. velox anathema syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M. velox.

Water is one of the key ecological factors that has a great impact to development and productivity of lowland species such as Quercus robur. This paper deals with water regime influence to site conditions of these species and how actually changeable soil moisture affects Q. robur. Studied area includes a protective embankment built on the river bank in order to eliminate flooding effect, which means that all needs for water these associations provide from rainfalls and groundwater. Water regime was monitored during two critical years (extremely dry and extremely wet) on four soil types – Planosol, Fluvisol and Gleysol that belong to hydromorphic (three experimental plots) and Chernozem which belongs to automorphic soils (three experimental plots), respectively. It was studied the distribution of rainfalls and groundwater during the growing seasons and how it affects total and available water amount in the soil. The main focus should be given to available water, because it is located in capillary pores and plants can utilize it. Bearing in mind rainfalls makes just 15–20% of the total water amount in the soil it is much more significant to evaluate its proportion in available water. Based on obtained results, we can deduce that much more suitable site conditions for Q. robur are present on hydromorphic soils due to much greater proportion of groundwater.

From the onomastic and sociolinguistic aspect, this work examines the way of changing of hodonyms of Sjenica, considering the decision which was made in this city in 2019. which said that each street should have its own name (unlike the previous situation which meant that several different sections of space, that could be called streets, had the same name).The result of that was the increase of hodonyms in Sjenica from 51 to 204. By using on the spot work and analytical statistical method (which included the examination of material obtained on the spot), it was obvious that there were 24 hodonyms left, and on the other hand, 180 of 204 new names were completely new hodonyms. Considering that Sjenica is a multinational environment, it was important to notice the role of Serbian on one and Bosnian-Muslim provenance on the other side. It is very important to say that when we think of the issue from the linguistic point of view, it was examined to what extent the hodonyms of toponymic and anthroponymic origin are represented. It was also examined into which sphere of history and life we can place street names of anthroponymic origin.

To elucidate the involvement of glutathione in the mitigation of induced oxidative changes and the sequestration of perceived volatiles in cells, we exposed potato plants to French marigold essential oil. The formation of short-lived radicals, the determination of scavenging activity towards ascorbyl and DPPH radicals, and the assessment of the potato plants’ overall intra/extracellular reduction status were performed using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The results showed the presence of hydroxyl radicals in potatoes, with significantly reduced accumulation in exposed plants compared to the control group after 8 h. However, the kinetics of EPR signal intensity change for the pyrrolidine spin probe (3CP) in these plants showed very low reducing potential, suggesting that the antioxidant system acts lethargically and/or the probe has been reoxidized. Total glutathione and its reduced/oxidized form ratio, determined spectrophotometrically, showed that the exposed plants initially had lower glutathione levels with diminutive, reduced form compared to the control. Still, after 8 h, both characteristics were similar to those of the control. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the volatiles altered the expression of glutathione metabolism-involved genes, especially that of glutathione-S-transferase, after 8 h. Glutathione metabolism was affected by volatiles in the initial response of potato plants exposed to French marigold essential oil, and glutathione molecules were involved in the mitigation of induced oxidative burst.

Cultured meat technology is a form of cellular agriculture where meat is produced from animal cells grown in a lab, instead of raising and slaughtering animals. This technology relies heavily on fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cell media; hence, production is costly and contributes significantly to ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving the successful commercialization of cell-cultured food requires the critical resolution of manufacturing cost and safety concerns. Hence, our research efforts are focused on identifying commercially viable and ecologically sustainable alternatives to FBS. In this study, we evaluated the potential of twenty-six water-based algal and cyanobacterial extracts to stimulate cell growth for meat cultivation under 90% reduced serum conditions. The extracts were compared in viability, proliferation, and Trypan blue exclusion assays. In the first screening phase, the extracts were evaluated in a ZEM2S (zebrafish) cell culture in a 1% FBS regimen. Based on their ability to exhibit protein tolerance or promote cell proliferation, ten extracts were selected and further assayed in a QM7 cell culture. The QM7 cell line (myoblasts from Japanese quail) is highly relevant for meat cultivation because of its ability to differentiate into muscle fibers. Extracts derived from two microalgae species, Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) and Dunaliella tertiolecta, demonstrated the highest tolerance in cell culture, above 10 μg/mL (expressed as total protein concentration). Tolerance at a 100 μg/mL concentration was demonstrated exclusively using an extract of blue spirulina (commercially purified Spirulina), which supported cell growth through multiple passages.

This study explores the in vitro effects of cyanotoxins from the methanolic extract of the cyanobacteria Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa on human blood cells, with samples drawn from the Gruža reservoir in Serbia. These cyanobacteria, which made up 98.5% of the reservoir’s phytoplankton, reached densities of 4,656,450 cells mL−1, with A. flos aquae (3,105,120 cells mL−1) as the dominant species, followed by M. aeruginosa (1,480,130 cells mL−1). A cyanotoxin analysis of biomass detected anatoxin-a (3.56 µg g−1), cylindrospermopsin (6.86 µg g−1), microcystin LR (0.87 µg g−1), and microcystin RR (2.47 µg g−1). This study assessed the genotoxic potential of the methanolic extract of the cyanobacterial biomass by evaluating the DNA damage and the Genetic Damage Index (GDI) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from healthy donors. The results showed a dose-dependent increase in the DNA damage, from 35.67 ± 4.93% at 10 µg mL−1 to 95.67 ± 1.53% at 100 µg mL−1, with a corresponding rise in the GDI from 0.61 ± 0.02 to 2.39 ± 0.07. The extract also caused the concentration-dependent hemolysis of red blood cells, with 5.63% hemolysis at the highest concentration (200 µg mL−1). These findings underscore the significant genotoxic risks posed by cyanotoxins from biomass extracts of A. flos aquae and M. aeruginosa, particularly in water sources used for human consumption.

The subject matter of this paper is the analysis of the influence of international migrations on income convergence in European transition countries in the period 2000-2020. Convergence can be defined as the process of catching up richer countries by poorer ones, consequentially leading to the reduction of disparities in income per capita among countries. Theoretically, human migrations are a mechanism of the adjustment of the regional imbalance that contributes to the strengthening of convergence. The regression panel model was used in the research. The research results have shown that, if observed at the level of the entire sample of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkan countries (CEE-11+WB), there is a positive and statistically significant influence of emigration on income convergence. Also, there is a positive influence of emigration on the income convergence per capita of the CEE-11 countries towards the average income of the developed countries of the EU-15. On the other hand, observed only at the level of the Western Balkan countries, there is no statistically significant influence of emigration on income convergence. The contribution of the research study reflects in filling the gap that exists in the literature on this field, since there is no large number of papers that have examined the influence of migrations on income convergence in the CEE-11 countries, as well as the Western Balkan countries.

Current analytical free-flow speed models consider all rural two-lane highways as the same road type despite their different functional significance in the network. The aim of this paper is to develop a prediction model for free-flow speed as a function of speed limit and road geometric characteristics for different classes of rural two-lane highways. The research was conducted on 50 representative sections of the two rural classes of two-lane highways equipped with automatic traffic counters in Serbia. In order to develop the appropriate models, it was necessary to determine the threshold values of vehicle time headway in the free-flow for both classes of rural two-lane highways, based on the total number of 191,720 vehicles. The obtained results show that there are differences in the threshold values of free-flow time headway for different road classes. Namely, it was determined that the values of free-flow time headway for Class I amounted to 6.3 s, and for Class II to 8.4 s. The free-flow speed prediction model for different road classes showed that speed limit had the highest impact on free-flow speed for Class I and II highways, followed by horizontal curve radius and shoulder width.

The purpose of this paper is to define the communication, communication process, the concept of social networks and non-profit organizations, with special emphasis on how non-profit organizations use social networks for their work. Social networks are a form of everyday private or business communication. There are different types of social networks, and some of the most popular are: Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok. The goal of public relations is to provide the organization with an environment in which it will function best and where it will have the opportunity to build its reputation. In the second part of the paper, research methodology is to give through a comparative analysis of the use of social networks as a communication tool in the interpersonal communication of non-profit organizations with users. A descriptive analysis was conducted between ten non-profit organizations in the Republic of Croatia. Conducted analysis has shown that non-profit organizations use social networks in their daily work, for communication, but also for transparency of their work. In further research it would be advisable to detect who are stakeholders in such communication process and what is their opinion or suggestions for non-profit organization.

Microplastics (MPs) can effect terrestrial ecosystems (approximately 20% of the pollution rate), but it also strongly effect aquatic ecosystems, with an estimate of 80% of the marine pollution. In the present time, we are facing the fact that more and more agricultural land has been contaminated with MPs. Underground transport of MPs in the soil occurs through bioturbation with the help of plant roots and soil fauna, as well as plowing, soil cultivation, crop harvesting, water infiltration, etc. Literature data stated that the concentration of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems is multiple times higher than in the ocean, and due to this fact, the United Nations Environment Programme appealed for more research studies on the assumed effects.

The phytophagous hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae) presently comprises 205 described species distributed in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions, and it is differentiated into multiple species groups. In this work, we revise the Merodon tarsatus species group, providing an illustrated key to species, a detailed discussion on relevant taxonomic characters, and a morphological diagnosis. We summarize morphological characteristics of the 12 species in the M. tarsatus group, together with available distributional data. Moreover, we provide descriptions for five new species, namely Merodon angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. and M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. Additionally, we describe one more species, Merodon nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., that belongs to the same lineage and is related to the Merodon tarsatus group based on molecular markers and structure of male genitalia, but lacks modifications of the metatarsus and sternum 4 that are the main diagnostic features of the group. Furthermore, we redefine and redescribe seven taxa of the M. tarsatus group. Following detailed analyses of type material, we revise the status of all available taxa related to M. tarsatus and we propose the following new synonyms: M. ankylogaster Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. hypochrysos Hurkmans, 1993); M. persicus Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. oidipous Hurkmans, 1993); and M. xanthipous Hurkmans, 1993 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. marginicornis Hurkmans, 1993). We apply Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood analyses of the 5′ end of the mitochondrial COI gene sequences to genetically characterize species in the M. tarsatus group and the related species, M. nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov.

In every edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) until 2016, three levels of capacity analysis were defined: operational, project and planning analysis. The level of detail of each analysis is a function of purpose, breadth of access and available information. Planning analysis determines capacity in the earliest stages of planning, when small amount of data and information is available. The planning procedure is based on the AADT forecast and macro traffic simulation. Often, the usage of simulation models can lead to errors, and for these reasons, when analyzing traffic demands, it is necessary to carry out a check when more informations are available. Planning analyzes from the HCM manual are generally focused on broad issues such as initial problem identification, road design concept, and when alternatives are compared. These analyzes are suitable for evaluating proposed system measures, such as heavy vehicle lane usage control, highway ramp metering, and other applications of intelligent transportation systems. The methodology recommended in HCM implies the use of default input values, i.e. table of generalized values. Given that the recommended capacity values are based on typical road profiles and traffic flow characteristics in the USA, the paper provides a detailed capacity analysis at the planning level for local conditions - four standard geometric two-lane and highway profiles. Capacities are calculated for different values of design hourly volume, design speed, peak hour factor, commercial vehicle impact and terrain type, in order to compare with the generalized capacity tables from HCM2010. The comparative analysis indicates differences in the calculated capacity values, and for that reason the obtained values are recommended for use in model simulations for local conditions in the Republic of Serbia.

Since that 65% of the surface managed by the Public Enterprise (PE) “Vojvodinašume” are in some degree of protection, protected areas management is one of the key elements in the company’s business policy. The management of protected areas, especially in the current circumstances of the evident climate change effects, has become a challenge for nature protection and other sectors, and therefore also for PE “Vojvodinašume”. Protected areas are drivers of the rural economy and a key element in the development of rural area strategies. The aim of the work is to present examples of cooperation with stakeholders from the public, private and civil sectors, on the planning and implementation of activities that contribute to the sustainable protected areas management. The activities of PE “Vojvodinašume” protected areas management include: sustainable management of resources, protection of biodiversity, conflict resolution, provision of benefits for society, and especially for the local community, promotion of natural values, etc. Sustainable management of protected areas in PE “Vojvodinašume” implies multifunctional and long-term management that is adapted to local, i.e. regional conditions.

The oak forests in the area of the Special Nature Reserve “Obedska bara” are extremely valuable and unique at the national and European level, which is why they are recognized as the fundamental value of the reserve. The local name of the oldest complex of oak forests in the special nature reserve is “Debela gora rainforest” and it has been placed in the first degree of protection regime. Given that it is included in the first level protection regime, the priority goal of forest management is the preservation of biological diversity, which implies the absence of any management treatments. As a result of this approach, there is a loss of oaks and other species with higher demands for light, therefore other species such as hornbeam appear and take over, which is subject of analysis in this paper. Given that the replacement of species is not the goal of forest management in areas under the first degree of protection, this paper proposes forest management protective measures aimed at the restoration and revitalization of areas that could be implemented with the consent of the competent institutions.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II or Hunter syndrome is a hereditary, progressive disease that occurs due to the deposition of acidic glucosaminoglycans in lysosomes, due to hereditary deficits of specific degradation enzymes. A two-year-old boy was hospitalized and diagnosed with macrocephaly, hepatomegaly and at the age of four, an iduronate 2-sulfatase (IDS) gene analysis was performed and a mutation on the 3rd exon (c.262C>T, p.R88C) on the X chromosome was determined. Only four years after the diagnosis of Hunter syndrome, the boy begins to receive enzyme therapy - the drug Elaprase. During the period of receiving therapy, the boy's progression of the disease was significantly reduced.

The right to privacy is one of the fundamental human rights, as it encompasses a wide range of relationships related to the private life of the individual. Starting with the right to family life and the right to private life, many institutions that seem very important nowadays, such as data protection, find their place and are part of the right to privacy. Nevertheless, the right to privacy is one of the relative rights protected by the European Convention, which means that it can be derogated in specific cases and under certain conditions. The purpose of this article is to examine the conditions set out in the European Convention for the derogation of right to privacy and to analyse the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. This Court has, in its jurisprudence, restrictively derogated the right to privacy, with fulfilling three conditions: prescription by law, necessary in a democratic society and achieving certain legitimate aim. One of the examples of the possibility of its restriction is the epidemic of the Covid-19 virus. Considering that numerous countries around the world have restricted the right to privacy, the question is whether and to what extent the restriction was in accordance with prescribed conditions for derogation of this right.

The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery-ERAS) represents a multimodal approach to surgical treatment of patients, based on evidence, starting preoperatively and continuing postoperatively. The concept aims to improve patient recovery while reducing complications and reducing length of hospital stay. The ERAS concept has become the standard of care in colorectal surgery. It is also used in vascular surgery, especially aortic and carotid surgery. In 2022, the Society for Vascular Surgery and the ERAS Society published the latest recommendations for vascular surgery for patients undergoing open aortic surgery. The study included 590 abstracts. The recommendations refer to the period before the admission of the patient, as well as to the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative period. Among the most important recommendations are the introduction of preoperative patient education, screening of anemia and nutritional status, optimization of risk factors, reduction of the use of nasogastric tubes and drainage, use of multimodal analgesia, targeted replacement of fluid, early removal of urinary catheters, active and early mobilization, and early enteral nutrition. There is more and more evidence about the importance of the ERAS protocol in elective vascular surgery, as well as its impact on reducing the length of hospital stay, reducing complications and better recovery of patients, lower treatment costs. Its application depends on the medical staff, so the education of healthcare workers is needed in this field.

The jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the EU affects the understanding and protection of human rights in the European Union, including the right to property. Human rights in the European Union are regulated by the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights, and the standards established by the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights are also taken into account. This paper provides an overview of how the right to property is defined and how it was applied in certain cases before the Court of Justice of the EU, concretely, in relation to the fact whether a certain limitation of this human right is unlawful. In this way, an analysis of the procedure in which the proportionality test is applied in practice was carried out - that is, the balancing between general and individual interest, when it comes to the unrestricted enjoyment of the right to property. Some of the presented cases are atypical in terms of their facts and the legal context in which the selected decisions were given. It is precisely for this reason that the paper presents the evolving dimension of the Union law, that is, the legally creative and interpretive role of the Court of Justice of the EU.

Urban positioning, architectural conceptualization, and construction of health care facilities are parts of a complex process with a number of participants from fields of engineering, but also political and management structures on whose decisions the success of project implementation depends. In general, throughout history, the involvement of representatives of the medical profession in such endeavors has proven to be fruitful because in such a way they directly participate in the functional and formal design of their own work environment. In that sense, it can be stated that the collaboration of engineers, specifically architects, with medical doctors is all the more valuable for scientific research in the field of both the history of medicine and the history of architecture. This text deals with the implications of the collaboration between Primarius Dr. Svetozar Živojnović (1899–1981) and academician architect Nikola Dobrović (1897–1967) on the design and construction of several health care facilities, as well as the planning of urban zones in Igalo during the sixth and seventh decade of the 20th century. The paper emphasizes their respective contributions, which are considered crucial for the socio-economic development that has turned Igalo into a modern international health center, and one of the main centers of health tourism in the Mediterranean region.

During the »Neretva Science Week« in summer 2022, two larvae of Nevrorthus apatelios were found in Eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. These are the first confirmations of the species in the country since a single observation of one adult from Sarajevo almost 100 years ago. New records come from two sites of the upper course of the Neretva River, near Ulog village: one larva was found in a benthic fauna sample collected at the river bottom near Rastovac, while the second was pumped from the river interstitial at depths 30-60 cm, in the area near Cerova. Based on these findings we provide a description of the larva. Nevrorthus apatelios lives in highly oxygenated waters, and is a good indicator of clean waters. We discuss the potential reasons for rare observations of the species in the country, and conservation implications in light of ongoing environmental pressures in the currently pristine part of the upper course of Neretva River.

BackgroundHigh-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy emerged as the therapy of choice in COVID-19-related pneumonia and moderate to severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). HFNC oxygen therapy in COVID-19 has been recommended based its use to treat AHRF of other etiologies, and studies on assessing outcomes in COVID-19 patients are highly needed. This study aimed to examine outcomes in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia and severe AHRF treated with HFNC.Materials and methodsThe study included 235 COVID-19 patients with pneumonia treated with HFNC. Data extracted from medical records included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, clinical and oxygenation status, clinical complications, as well as the length of hospital stay. Patients were segregated into two groups based on their oxygen therapy needs: HDU group, those who exclusively required HFNC and ICU group, those whose oxygen therapy needed to be escalated at some point of hospital stay. The primary outcome was the need for respiratory support escalation (noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation) and the secondary outcome was the in-hospital all-cause mortality.ResultsThe primary outcome was met in 113 (48%) of patients. The overall mortality was 70%, significantly higher in the ICU group [102 (90.2%) vs. 62 (50.1%), p

The presence of microplastic particles in agroecosystems has profound implications for soil quality, crop yield, and soil biota. Earthworms are widely recognized as valuable soil bioindicators due to their abundance, fast reproduction, and easy manipulation. The aim of this study was to observe Eisenia fetida avoidance behavior and changes in biomass and mortality rate in soil samples spiked with polyethylene microplastic particles. Three types of soil sampled from the agricultural fields (“Banat 1”, “Banat 2”, and “Bačka”) were tested, as well as three microplastic concentrations (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%). The calculated avoidance percentages ranged from 18.67% for “Banat 1” and 23.70% for “Banat 2” to 27.40% in the case of “Bačka” soil samples. Generally, E. fetida specimens avoided the sections with plastic in all bioassays: 38.42% of the earthworms were in the chamber section that contained microplastics, as opposed to 61.58% in the control section. The changes in the earthworms’ post-test biomasses were directly proportional to the number of surviving earthworms, with the highest loss in “Bačka” soil samples with 0.3% MPs (−53.05%). The highest mortality rate (46%) was noted in “Bačka” soil samples spiked with the highest concentration of microplastic particles.

In this paper, the Merodon avidus (Diptera, Syrphidae) species complex was revised, whereupon we discovered and described four new species for science: Merodon atroavidus Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov., M. magnus Vujić, Kočiš Tubić et Ačanski sp. nov., M. nigroscutum Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. nov. and M. pseudomoenium Vujić, Kočiš Tubić et Ačanski sp. nov. An integrative taxonomy approach was used to delimit species boundaries. Two molecular markers (the mitochondrial COI gene and nuclear 28S rRNA gene—newly analysed marker for the complex) and geometric morphometry of the wing shape, together with morphological data and distribution, successfully separated all species from the complex. The morphological variability of the analysed species is described and discussed and an illustrated diagnostic key for typical morpho-forms of species from the M. avidus complex is presented. A distribution map of all investigated species from the complex is provided. The level of endemicity of the M. avidus complex was discussed.

Although the impacts of plastic pollution have long been recognized, the presence, pervasiveness, and ecotoxicological consequences of microplastic—i.e., plastic particles < 5 mm—contamination have only been explored over the last decade. Far less focus has been attributed to the role of these materials and, particularly, microplastics, as vectors for a multitude of chemicals, including those (un)intentionally added to plastic products, but also organic pollutants already present in the environment. Owing to the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in all environmental matrices and to the diverse nature of their chemical and physical characteristics, thoroughly understanding the mechanistic uptake/release of these compounds is inherently complex, but necessary in order to better assess the potential impacts of both microplastics and associated chemicals on the environment. Herein, we delve into the known processes and factors affecting these mechanisms. We center the discussion on microplastics and discuss some of the most prominent ecological implications of the sorption of this multitude of chemicals. Moreover, the key limitations of the currently available literature are described and a prospective outlook for the future research on the topic is presented.

The analysis of the large infrastructure projects effects reveals frequent errors in the intensity of traffic flows or investment costs estimation, which can jeopardize the established feasibility of the project. This reflects the importance of ex-post analyzes because they provide valuable information on the fulfillment of project goals, ie they are useful for the purpose of efficiency monitoring and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) improvement. A feasibility study for the construction of the second carriageway of the E75 freeway, on the section from Novi Sad to Belgrade, was done in 2003, and the results of a detailed traffic and economic analysis showed the absolute economic feasibility of this project. ex-post analysis of key factors enabled the identification of realized effects and the identification of all deviations, both in time dynamics and in economic indicators of costs/benefits. The results of the first conducted ex-post analysis of infrastructure projects in Serbia showed that the Mean Percentage Error (MPE) in the traffic forecast is -16.42%, and that investment costs are exceeded by 9.3%. The obtained internal rate of return (IRR) is less than 33% to 50% depending on the observed variant, but even the most critical value of 7.03% showed that the project was economically feasible.

Background / Aim: Up until ten years ago stage four melanoma was considered a disease with extremely poor prognosis. Standard therapy during this period of time was dacarbazine chemotherapy. Patients with better performance status were treated with immunotherapy cytokine IL-2. In the last ten years eight medications have been approved by the FDA for the therapy of melanoma. The goal of this study was to determine objective response rate (ORR), median overall survival (OS), median progression free survival (PFS) and safety in patients with advanced and metastatic cutaneous melanoma treated with targeted therapy and immunotherapy at the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska (Centre). Methods: A non-randomised observational retrospective/prospective trial was conducted to investigate first experiences with the use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy at the Centre and compare the results with the literature data. A total of 23 patients received BRAF targeted therapy for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma in the first line of treatment. Nine patients received vemurafenib, fourteen patients received a combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitor. Nine patients were treated with pembrolizumab immunotherapy. The trial was performed in a period from May 2017 until December 2020. Results: In patients receiving vemurafenib ORR was 44.4 %, median PFS was 5 months (95 % CI, 1 to 11) and the median OS was 9 months (95 % CI, 2 to 17). In the vemurafenib/cobimetinib group ORR was 71.4 %. Median PFS was 9 months and median OS was 12 months. ORR in patients receiving pembrolizumab was 22.9 %, median PFS was 3 months (95 % CI, 1 to 11) and the median OS was 4.5 months (95 % CI, 2 to 12). Results in all three groups were inferior compared to the results from the literature except for ORR in patients receiving vemurafenib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib. Adverse events were tolerable and manageable and were similar to those described in the literature. Conclusion: Based on the experience with the targeted and immunotherapy in the Centre, which was presented in this study, it was concluded that in conditions when there is limited access to drugs, the greatest benefit have the patients who meet the inclusion criteria in clinical trials.

A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a highly aggressive sarcoma. This disease develops in a number of people with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which is a common genetic disease. The paper presents a patient with typical manifestations of a malignant tumour of the peripheral nerve sheath, in the form of a large tumour of primary localisation in the distal part of the left thigh and left popliteal fossa and with significant dissemination into the lung parenchyma, which was accompanied by respiratory risk. The first operation of the tumour was done four years earlier, after which the patient did not come for regular check-ups. Nine cycles of chemotherapy were performed by Doxorubicin / Ifosfamide / Mesna protocol with clinical improvement and stabilisation, but without a significant impact on the dynamics of the disease and the overall survival was 14 months. It is of utmost importance to early recognise clinical presentation of the malignant form of this tumour and active supervision of a patient with a benign form by experts. In this way, it is possible to apply the optimal treatment modality in a timely manner.

Background/Aim. Standard treatment options for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) are 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, oxaliplatin (FOL-FOX4)/capecitabine (CapOx), plus bevacizumab (bev) and 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus bev. The aim of this study was to compare overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with mCRC who were treated in the first line with FOLFIRI/bev vs. FOLFOX4/bev. At the same time, the aim was also to compare the safety profile in the observed groups of patients and to investigate optimal treatment duration and characteristics of patients who had the best treatment outcomes. Methods. The retrospective-prospective study included patients with mCRC treated with chemotherapy protocols for the first line in combination with bev (FOLFOX4/bev, respectively, FOLFIRI/bev). Treatment efficacy was evaluated on the basis of ORR, PFS, and OS, and the safety of treatment was evaluated by monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADR). Results. ORR was 70% in the FOLFIRI/bev group and 50% in the FOL-FOX4/bev group. Median PFS for FOLFIRI/bev (n = 30) and for FOLFOX4/bev (n = 30) was 15.6 months and 12.1 months, respectively [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47–1.53; p = 0.5591]. Median OS for FOLFIRI/bev and for FOLFOX4/bev was 24.7 months and 19.9 months, respectively (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.37–1.23; p = 0.1552). In both patient groups, the patients who received more than 9 cycles of induction therapy had better treatment response compared with patients who received less than 9 cycles of therapy. In the FOLFOX4/bev group, PFS was 16.9 vs. 9.7 months, and OS was 22.1 vs. 17.6 months, respectively. In the FOLFIRI/bev group, PFS was 9 months for patients who received less than 9 cycles of therapy vs. 18.8 months for patients who received more than 9 cycles, and OS was 18.0 months vs. 27.7 months, respectively. ADR grade 3 and 4 had 7% of the patients in the FOLFIRI/bev group vs. 27% in the FOLFOX4/bev group. Conclusion. Patients who received FOLFIRI/bev compared to those treated with FOLFOX4/bev had better ORR (70% vs. 50 %, respectively), PFS (15.6 months vs. 12.1 months, respectively), and OS (24.7 months vs. 19.9 months, respectively). In both patient groups, the patients who received induction therapy for 4–6 months (more than 9 cycles of therapy) had a better treatment response.

The ne bis in idem principle as one of the most established legal rules, has been widely regulated by sources of national and International Law. By its very nature, it protects individuals from double punishment for the same act, regardless of its classification as a misdemeanor, criminal offence etc. Different legal traditions, together with a purely national criminal jurisdiction, led to a certain divergency among states. Moreover, such a problem has existed for a long time in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. However, regulation of this principle in the EU Law brought upon some novelties. In the end of 20th century and in the beginning of 21st century there was the process of a more detailed defining of conditions for the application of ne bis in idem principle. In parallel with that process, the European Court of Justice delivered its judgments, which clarified practical dilemmas of national courts in this particular field of law. These judgments resulted from the requests for preliminary ruling referred by national courts. In that regard, many important precedents have been adjudicated, defining essential elements for implementation of prohibition of double punishment, as for example concept of the 'same act'. On the basis of the analysis of the legal framework and relevant jurisprudence of the ECJ, we come to the conclusion that the principle ne bis in idem in the EU Law system has been interpreted extensively and this fact significantly impacts on the overcoming of formalities contained in national legal systems, which can bring about double punishment for the same act.

Background/Aim. When it comes to anesthesia, patient satisfaction (PS) is more difficult to assess than in any other medical specialty. The aim of this study was to construct a tool for assessing PS with anesthesia and then examine the effects of postoperative care provided by anesthesiologists on PS. Methods. The study included patients undergoing general anesthesia due to the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate knee ligament who were considered the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 1 and ASA 2 classes. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 included 74 patients who had a postoperative visit performed by an attending anesthesiologist; group 2 included 70 patients who had a postoperative visit performed by a nurse anesthetist after surgery; group 3 included 74 patients who did not have postoperative visit during postoperative care by an anesthesiologist nor a nurse anesthetist. The tools used in the research were the Anesthesia Patient Satisfaction questionnaire specially designed for this study and the Post Anesthetic Recovery Scoring System (PAS). ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to estimate the statistical significance of the obtained results between the groups. Results. Association between an objective assessment of the postoperative status of patients on day zero and satisfaction with the anesthesiologist’s patient management showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). Patients who had a postoperative visit by an anesthesiologist tolerated better preoperative and postoperative physical symptoms. Patients visited by an anesthesiologist were most satisfied with postoperative care (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The use of a highly reliable questionnaire for the evaluation of PS with anesthesia could improve the postoperative condition of patients and enable faster recovery during the postoperative period.