Search Results (36)

Objectives: Acute drug poisoning represents a significant public health issue among the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of drug poisoning in children and adolescents in the Vojvodina region from 2018 to 2023. Methods: In a retrospective observational study, 82 patients with confirmed drug poisoning were included, and data was collected regarding demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, types of drugs involved, and the therapeutic interventions administered. The severity of poisonings was evaluated using the Poisoning Severity Score, and toxicological analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: The results indicated that poisonings were most prevalent in adolescent girls (72%), with 78% of cases resulting from intentional poisoning, while unintentional poisoning was more common in children. Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and analgesics were the primary drugs causing these poisoning incidents. The majority of patients (78%) experienced mild clinical symptoms, whereas 9% of pediatric patients suffered from severe poisoning, related to complications such as aspiration pneumonia and acute renal failure. Addressing pediatric drug poisoning in Vojvodina requires an increased focus on preventive strategies, including parental education and appropriate psychosocial support for the youth. Conclusions: Through collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers, prevention, treatment, and support mechanisms can be enhanced to combat this pressing public health challenge. Full article

The purpose of this research is to examine employee perceptions regarding the implementation of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices in financial institutions, with a comparative focus on urban and rural banks in the Republic of Serbia. The study investigates how employees assess environmental, social, and governance aspects of ESG, as well as their own role in applying these principles in everyday work. The results reveal statistically significant differences between the two groups; employees in urban banks report greater engagement, more access to training, and stronger involvement in ESG decision-making. These findings suggest the existence of more developed institutional support, infrastructure, and organisational culture in urban banks. In contrast, employees in rural banks highlight the need for enhanced training, clearer ESG guidance, and improved oversight mechanisms. The study underlines the importance of investing in employee development and internal communication, particularly in rural contexts, to improve ESG outcomes. By focusing on employee-level perceptions, this research contributes to the understanding of how organisational and geographic factors influence the implementation of ESG-related practices in financial institutions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs) are rare vascular lesions characterized by the disruption of partial disruption of the arterial wall, most commonly involving the intima and media. They have an estimated incidence of 0.1–0.2%, with the splenic artery most commonly affected. Their management poses unique challenges due to the high risk of rupture. Timely recognition is crucial, as unmanaged pseudoaneurysms have a mortality rate of 90%. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management strategies for VAPAs. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed across Pubmed for articles reporting on VAPAs, including case reports, review articles, and cohort studies, with inclusion of manuscripts that were up to (date). VAPAs are grouped by embryological origin—foregut, midgut, and hindgut. Results: Chronic pancreatitis is a primary cause of VAPAs, with the splenic artery being involved in 60–65% of cases. Other causes include acute pancreatitis, as well as iatrogenic trauma from surgeries, trauma, infections, drug use, and vascular diseases. VAPAs often present as abdominal pain upon rupture, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Unruptured pseudoaneurysms may manifest as pulsatile masses or bruits but are frequently asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Diagnosis relies on both non-invasive imaging techniques, such as CT angiography and Doppler ultrasound, and invasive methods like digital subtraction angiography, which remains the gold standard for detailed evaluation and treatment. A range of management options exists that are tailored to individual cases based on the aneurysm’s characteristics and patient-specific factors. This encompasses both surgical and endovascular approaches, with a growing preference for minimally invasive techniques due to lower associated morbidity. Conclusions: VAPAs are a critical condition requiring prompt early recognition and intervention. This review highlights the need for ongoing research to improve diagnostic accuracy and refine treatment protocols, enhancing patient outcomes in this challenging domain of vascular surgery. Full article

This case report describes the following scenario: A 56-day-old Arabian filly presented with classical symptoms of respiratory distress and a rapidly deteriorating condition, despite intensive antimicrobial treatment, resulting in death. The post-mortem examination revealed severe bronchopneumonia with characteristic disseminated pus-containing nodules. Microbiological tests and PCR confirmed the presence of R. equi carrying the virulence-associated protein A (VapA) gene. The isolate was sensitive to macrolides and fluoroquinolones but showed resistance or intermediate susceptibility to several commonly used antimicrobials. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by this intracellular pathogen and emphasizes the importance of early detection, targeted therapy, and biosecurity measures—especially in the absence of an effective commercial vaccine. Full article

Objective: Endovascular repair of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) and visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs) using covered stent grafts is a novel technique that preserves efferent vessel patency and prevents end-organ ischemia; however, long-term results are lacking in the literature. This study aims to evaluate ultra-long-term outcomes (>5 years) using CT angiography (CTA) and technical aspects of covered stents in treating VAAs and VAPAs. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients with VAAs and VAPAs treated with stent grafts between 2004 and 2023. The study included an ultra-long-term follow-up using CTA. Stent graft patency, aneurysm characteristics, technical success, 30-day and long-term follow-up clinical success, and mortality were assessed. Results: Among 23 patients presenting with VAAs and VAPAs treated exclusively with covered stents implantation, 7 (mean age: 68 years, SD 14), including 5 with VAAs and 2 with VAPAs, met the inclusion criteria for the study. Six of the seven patients underwent elective procedures with no significant periprocedural complications. Both technical and 30-day clinical success rates were 100%. The mean follow-up period was 10 years (125 months SD 53). At the 5-year follow-up, 71% of stent grafts remained patent. No patient experienced aneurysm sac revascularization or rupture. Stent obstruction did not affect survival. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that endovascular covered stenting is a durable and effective treatment for VAAs and VAPAs, even in the ultra-long term, with a patency rate of 71% at a mean CTA follow-up of 125 months, the longest reported to date and no cases of sac revascularization. Stent thrombosis was significantly associated with VAPAs. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGS) play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in urban environments by offering a wide range of ecological, psychological, socio–cultural, and economic benefits. This research addresses the multidimensional impact of functional characteristics of UGS on user satisfaction in Novi Sad, focusing on the various ways in which these spaces contribute to well-being. By integrating multiple perspectives, including ecological benefits like stress reduction, social and cultural aspects such as fostering community connections, and economic factors like enhancing property values, this study presents a holistic analysis of UGS. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and regression analysis, the research explores how different UGS functions interact to shape users’ perceptions. The findings highlight the importance of socio–cultural and ecological functions in improving the urban experience, providing key insights for urban planning that aims to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient green spaces. This study emphasises the significance of considering these diverse dimensions in the development and management of urban green spaces for long-term sustainability and user satisfaction. Full article

The membranes surrounding the eukaryotic cell and its organelles are continuously invaginating, budding, and undergoing membrane fusion–fission events, which enable them to perform functions not found in prokaryotic cells. In addition, organelles come into close contact with each other at membrane contact sites (MCSs), which involve many types of proteins, and which regulate the signaling and transport of various molecules. Vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein (VAP) is an important factor involved in the tethering and contact of various organelles at MCSs in almost all eukaryotes and has attracted attention for its association with various diseases, mainly neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the detailed mechanism of its functional expression remains unclear. In this review, we quantitatively discuss the structural dynamics of the entire molecule, including intrinsically disordered regions and intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, focusing on the vertebrate VAP paralogs VAPA and VAPB. Molecular phylogenetic and biophysical considerations are the basis of the work. Full article

Aeromonas salmonicida is a predominant pathogen that infects fish. The pathogen A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida (ASM) was isolated for the first time from diseased starry flounders (Platichthys stellatus). Our study aimed to isolate, characterize, and investigate the pathogenicity of ASM. Bacterial species were identified using 16s rRNA, gyrB, dnaJ, and vapA analyses. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the ASM strains were clustered with the ASM ATCC strain and other strains isolated from black rockfish. In the antimicrobial susceptibility test, the three ASM strains were considered non-wild types for enrofloxacin, florfenicol, flumequine, oxolinic acid, and oxytetracycline susceptibility. Histopathological analysis revealed bacterial colonies in the secondary lamella and heart, indicating that ASM strains are highly virulent in fish. Comparative analysis and annotation via genome sequencing revealed that, among the 1156 factors, adherence factors were the most prevalent putative virulence determinants, followed by the effector delivery system and adherence. ASM was found to possess 43 type III secretion systems, 22 type VI secretion systems, 11 antimicrobial resistance genes, 3 stress genes, and prophage regions. These findings provide new insights into the virulence profile of ASM and highlight the risk posed by emerging pathogenic strains to starry flounders. Full article

Biofilm formation of clinical isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies salmonicida was compared using scarce (minimal M9 and ABTG w/o amino acids) and enriched nutrient media (Tryptone Soya broth) at 8 °C, 16 °C, and 25 °C using direct enumeration of viable cells in biofilm (log CFU), crystal violet staining (ODc) of the formed biofilm biomass, and liquid–air border biofilm formation (pellicle test). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed with the usage of an Oxford nanopore system by Genomics and Transcriptomics Labor Düsseldorf (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany). A bioinformatic analysis was performed with the usage of Geneious Prime^® 2023.0.4 (Biomatters, Inc., Boston, MA, USA). All data were analyzed using Statistica software version 13.0, and changes in biofilm production in correlation to changes in the type of nutritional medium and temperature were compared between groups using a one-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey’s test. All isolates formed biofilms in minimal M9 at 8 °C and 16 °C, and nine isolates failed to form biofilms in minimal M9 at 25 °C. In an ABTG medium, all isolates produced biofilms at 8 °C; however, three isolates at 16 °C and seven isolates at 25 °C failed to form any biofilms. Significant biofilm formation was observed in TSB at all temperatures. Some strains that formed a good biofilm in solid–liquid interface did not have the ability to form a pellicle (liquid–air border biofilm), and vice versa. In all cases of nutritional medium and temperature changes, there were statistically significant differences in the intensity of biofilm production, especially in the detected number of viable cells inside biofilms (log CFU, p < 0.005). Multiple biofilm-production genes, including polar flagella (filM) LuxR family (transcriptional regulators) and VapA family of histidine-kinase-associated genes, were sequenced from all studied isolates. Genetic differences based on geographical origin were not observed among the isolates. Significant variations in isolates’ ability to form biofilms were observed, possibly due to epigenetic factors. The optimal temperature for biofilm formation of A. salmonicida subspecies salmonicida in scarce media was 8 °C, and the majority of isolates were not capable of biofilm formation at 25 °C without enriched nutrient media. Full article

A new approach to an automatable fiber impregnation and consolidation process for the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced composite parts is presented in this article. Therefore, a vacuum chamber sealing machine classically used in food packaging is modified for this approach—Vacuum Chamber Infusion (VCI). Dry fiber placement (DFP) preforms, made from 30 k carbon fiber tape, with different layer amounts and fiber orientations, are infused with the VCI and with the state-of-the-art process—Vacuum Assisted Process (VAP)—as the reference. VCI uses a closed system that is evacuated once, while VAP uses a permanently evacuated open system. Since process management greatly influences material properties, the mechanical properties, void content, and fiber volume fraction (FVF) are analyzed. In addition, the study aims to identify how the complexity of a resin infusion process can be reduced, the automation potential can be increased, and the number of consumables can be reduced. Comparable material characteristics and a reduction in consumables, setup complexity, and manufacturing time by a factor of four could be approved for VCI. A void content of less than 2% is measured for both processes and an FVF of 39% for VCI and 45% for VAP is achieved. Full article

An intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) or region (IDR) lacks or has little protein structure but still maintains function. This lack of structure creates flexibility and fluidity, allowing multiple protein conformations and potentially transient interactions with more than one partner. Caliciviruses are positive-sense ssRNA viruses, containing a relatively small genome of 7.6–8.6 kb and have a broad host range. Many viral proteins are known to contain IDRs, which benefit smaller viral genomes by expanding the functional proteome through the multifunctional nature of the IDR. The percentage of intrinsically disordered residues within the total proteome for each calicivirus type species can range between 8 and 23%, and IDRs have been experimentally identified in NS1-2, VPg and RdRP proteins. The IDRs within a protein are not well conserved across the genera, and whether this correlates to different activities or increased tolerance to mutations, driving virus adaptation to new selection pressures, is unknown. The function of norovirus NS1-2 has not yet been fully elucidated but includes involvement in host cell tropism, the promotion of viral spread and the suppression of host interferon-λ responses. These functions and the presence of host cell-like linear motifs that interact with host cell caspases and VAPA/B are all found or affected by the disordered region of norovirus NS1-2. The IDRs of calicivirus VPg are involved in viral transcription and translation, RNA binding, nucleotidylylation and cell cycle arrest, and the N-terminal IDR within the human norovirus RdRP could potentially drive liquid–liquid phase separation. This review identifies and summarises the IDRs of proteins within the Caliciviridae family and their importance during viral replication and subsequent host interactions. Full article

This research represents an attempt to systematically introduce the concepts of sustainable agriculture that shall address environmental attitudes and the risks for adoption related to agri-environmental practices. The substantial risks posed by climate change, loss of biodiversity, and other forms of pollution within the 21st century regarding global eco-systems, food production, and human health have emphasized the need to investigate this phenomenon. The agri-environmental practices are aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture; however, the adoption of these practices calls for a change in the farmers’ behaviors. As farmers are indispensable stakeholders in rural ecological systems, the factors that determine the adoption of agri-environmental practices have been taken into analysis. The research has been carried out on a sample of 246 farmers in the rural areas of the Republic of Serbia. The data has been elaborated on by the SPSS statistical package and PLS SMART software. The findings, in the framework of a farm as a business, point out that the farmers believe that environmental protection is an important segment of production and that good agriculture is a prerequisite for producers’ survival, maximum yields, and profits. The farmers, in the framework of stewardship, agree that good agriculture implies responsible management of the farms’ agricultural and natural areas, as part of the country’s heritage, for the benefit of future generations. The findings also show that the environmental attitudes of farmers in the stewardship frame and factors of risk adoption influence attitudes toward agri-environmental practices. The findings of this paper reveal up-to-date attitudes toward the adoption of further agri-environmental measures, directly contributing to raising awareness of the introduction of new AEM among practitioners in the agricultural sector, decision-makers, and policymakers. The proposed research is significant in the process of transposition of the CAP acquis communautaire in agriculture policy and the implementation of measures under IPARD III. Full article

Pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic formulations often contain binary or ternary surfactant mixtures with synergistic interactions amongst micellar building blocks. Here, a ternary mixture of the surfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and sodium deoxycholate is examined to see if the molar fractions of the surfactants in the ternary mixed micellar pseudophase are determined by the interaction coefficients between various pairs of the surfactants or by their propensity to self-associate. Critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of the analyzed ternary mixtures are determined experimentally (spectrofluorimetrically using pyrene as the probe molecule). Thermodynamic parameters of ternary mixtures are calculated from CMC values using the Regular Solution protocol. The tendency for monocomponent surfactants to self-associate (lower value of CMC) determines the molar fractions of surfactant in the mixed micelle if there is no issue with the packing of the micelle building units of the ternary mixed micelle. If a more hydrophobic surfactant is incorporated into the mixed micelle, the system (an aqueous solution of surfactants) is then the most thermodynamically stabilized. Full article

The subject of the research is focused on the application of agri-environmental management practices in the agricultural policies of the Republic of Serbia. The research, in the first part, addresses the current attitudes of the policymakers in the sector for agricultural policy, sector for rural development, and the department for the IPARD of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, regarding the introduction of agri-ecological measures. In the second part, the current attitudes of the agricultural producers and agricultural advisory employees regarding the main economic and structural factors, as determinants of the adoption of agri-environmental management practices, are analyzed. The findings show that the policymakers have put in place an adequate framework, providing the training and education for the introduction of future AE measures. The findings show that the agricultural producers and the agricultural advisory employees consider agri-ecological measures to be a good way to improve the state of the environment and promote the diversity of nature and organisms. The producers have shown a high willingness to adopt the agri-ecological measures. For them, the highest motivation for using the agri-ecological measures is agriculture-oriented training and education, while the potential obstacles are the complexity of measures, implementation of measures, property rights, purpose of land use, and full-time farm workers. The farmers that perceived that the agri-ecological measures treat all farmers equally contributed the most to predicting the willingness of the agricultural producers to adopt agri-ecological measures. On the other hand, the agricultural advisory service employees perceived as the highest motivations the responsibility of farmers towards future generations, previous experience in the application of similar measures, and agriculture-oriented training and education, while the size of agricultural holdings and the property rights were seen as the largest obstacles. The proposed research on the agri-environmental management practices is particularly relevant in the context of discussions on the reform of the Serbian agricultural policy in light of the EU accession process. The findings of the research shall directly contribute to raising knowledge on the agri-environmental management practices in the Republic of Serbia. Full article

On one hand, the main difficulties in establishing a wide, evidence-based consensus about the best approach to visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) and pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs) are the paucity of data, due to their rarity in the general population, and the extreme heterogeneity of this group of diseases, which encompasses different aneurysm types, with different degrees of rupture risks according to their anatomical locations [...] Full article