Local self-government in a crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic: the case of Serbia

This research examined whether there is an elaborate system of protocols, protection, and prevention in place at the local self-government level in the event of a crisis caused by an epidemic or pandemic. The core idea of this paper was to evaluate the protocol's effectiveness at the local self-government. Analysis was conducted using responses of 16 local self-government authorities. During a crisis caused by an epidemic/a pandemic of infectious illnesses, surveys were done as a cross-section documenting and detecting the current state of local self-government functioning. Methods used in the study are defining the objectives of the research, conceptualization, analysis of legal regulations, economic analysis, and decomposition of the problem. Key results and arguments of this paper expanded existing research thus there are only certain empirical data from areas that have been affected by the infectious disease caused by the epidemic/pandemic. Data was collected, processed, and systematized to serve in model formulation. As a brief conclusion, this study suggested protocol effectiveness at the local self-government level representing the idea that emergency and crisis management should be organized to preserve the health and livelihood of the population in the area affected by the pandemic of infectious diseases and thus enable the functioning of economic activities and society as a whole

Policy of raising the capacity of local self-governments for management of emergencies

Local self-governments (LSGs) cannot effectively manage emergencies. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to find action policies that would facilitate the increase of capacities of LSGs in such situations. The starting point for defining the policy was collecting data on the current abilities and capacities of LSGs in AP Vojvodina. The research covered 40% of the total number of LSGs and more than 64% of the population in the AP of Vojvodina. A combined open-ended survey questionnaire was constructed for data collection. The data was collected in field conditions through online procedures, direct sending of written surveys, and direct discussion of project implementation leaders. The statistical analysis of data identified that the legal aspect of LSGs and emergencies was not harmonized with other institutional documents at the level of LSGs. Most LSGs had serious difficulties in managing emergencies, especially civil protection. The platform is envisaged to facilitate raising the prevention capacity of LSGs by integrating all relevant information to provide early warnings and indications for implementing corresponding organizational, technical, and economic measures to deal with emergencies

Energy prices as significant supply-side shocks: The case of the Former SFRY and Višegrad group member countries

The influence of energy prices on macroeconomic stability is analyzed in this paper. Energy prices represent significant supply-side shocks, which have been leading cyclical fluctuation triggers through economic history. The analysis includes the countries that were the members of the former SFRY, as well as the countries the members of the Višegrad Group. The indicators under observation are presented for the EU27 for the purposes of comparison. In accordance with economic theory, the main conclusion of the paper is that supply-side shocks can be a significant source of cyclical fluctuations and an inflation trigger. Therefore, policymakers have a complex task to minimize the effects of these shocks. Nowadays, when energy prices are reaching historically high levels, the scientific contribution of supply-side shocks can be found in the deep analysis and well-grounded estimations of the role of those shocks in the preservation of macroeconomic stability and the economic policy measures necessary for the minimization of their negative effects

Attitudes and Knowledge of Nurses on Organ Legacy and Transplantation

Introduction Nurses represent an important link in mediating between the potential donors and their relatives'consent to organ and tissue transplantation.The message of the Health Department to potential donors about the importance of organ donation was supported by the Serbian Orthodox Church, the army and other institutions through media campaigns. Nurses could contribute to this action by their personal example. Objective The aim of this study was identification and bivariate analysis of nurse attitude about organ donation, their knowledge about the importance of transplantation as treatment methods, as well as the connection between work experience and education level with the formation of attitudes and new skills. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 291 nurses from the Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, filled in the questionnaire on the effect of correlation between the length of the service and level of education on knowledge and attitudes toward organ transplantation and organ donation. Results Out of 291 respondents, 67.4% have completed the nursing school and 32.6% have higher education. The majority (63.9%) of respondents knew that the EEG was the most valid method for determining brain death. The question regarding the possibility of buying organs was answered correctly by 68.7% of respondents. A large majority (91%) would accept organ transplant, if needed, but only 32.0% would be organ donors, and only 0.3% owned a donor card. In contrast, one third of nurses were already blood donors. Conclusion In case of necessary transplantation, nurses would accept someone else's organ, though they do not possess donor cards, but just few would donate their organs. It is possible that prejudice arises from ignorance and distrust in the health policy of the Republic of Serbia. However, besides negative attitude, nurses have expressed interest in learning and professional development in the area of transplantation

Transfer of Aflatoxin M1 From the Contaminated Milk Into Cheese and Whey

Aflatoxin M1 is a major metabolite of aflatoxin B1 which is formed when animals ingest contaminated feed. Aflatoxin B1, when ingested by an animal, is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and transformed into a metabolite aflatoxin M1, appearing in the blood after 15 minutes and then secreted in the milk from the mammary gland. Aflatoxin B1 shows hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects and aflatoxin M1 has a distinct genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and cytotoxicity. The resistance to heat treatment and mild acidic conditions used in the production of cheese or other dairy products (such as, for example, yogurt, cream, butter, and ice cream) has been accounted for the contamination of such products. It is known that aflatoxin M1 is bound to milk proteins, mainly casein, and therefore the toxin is more concentrated in the cheese than in the milk used in cheese production. In practice, aflatoxin M1 can be found in dairy products at levels that are 2-5 times higher than in milk. As a result of the binding of aflatoxin M1 to milk proteins the toxin is distributed more in curd than in whey. Control of samples of milk from the Vojvodina market was conducted during March and April of 2014, in the Dairy Laboratory and Laboratory for the Analysis of Animal Feed and Animal Products, the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad. The method used was HPLC with fluorescence detection with pre-treatment of milk on immunoaffinity columns. The analysis of milk was performed on milk of 12 dairies whose products can be found on the Vojvodina market. The manufacturer with the highest levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk was chosen and a semi-hard cheese was made of such milk. The results showed the expected increase of concentration of aflatoxin M1 in cheese and whey. Since Serbia has no regulation that determines the minimum allowable level of aflatoxin M1 in cheese and other dairy products, the results were compared with acceptable values for cheese in some European countries

The importance of combined NGS and MLPA genetic tests for differential diagnosis of maturity onset diabetes of the young

Introduction: Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a rare form of monogenic diabetes. Being clinically and genetically heterogeneous, it is often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, leading to inappropriate therapy. MODY is caused by a single gene mutation. Thirteen genes, defining 13 subtypes, have been identified to cause MODY. A correct diagnosis is important for the right therapy, prognosis, and genetic counselling.Material and methods: Twenty-nine unrelated paediatric patients clinically suspected of having MODY diabetes were analysed using TruSight One panel for next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay.Results: In this study we identified variants in MODY genes in 22 out of 29 patients (75.9%). Using two genetic tests, NGS and MLPA, we detected both single nucleotide variants and large deletions in patients. Most of the patients harboured a variant in the GCK gene (11/22), followed by HNF1B (5/22). The rest of the variants were found in the NEUROD1 and HNF1A genes. We identified one novel variant in the GCK gene: c.596T>C, p.Val199Ala. The applied genetic tests excluded the suspected diagnosis of MODY in two patients and revealed variants in other genes possibly associated with the patient’s clinical phenotype.Conclusions: In our group of MODY patients most variants were found in the GCK gene, followed by variants in HNF1B, NEUROD1, and HNF1A genes. The combined NGS and MLPA-based genetic tests presented a comprehensive approach for analysing patients with suspected MODY diabetes and provided a successful differential diagnosis of MODY subtypes

Evaluation of total antioxidative capacity in milk of mothers of preterm infants during lactation

Objectives and Study: Human milk (HM) is a complex biological fluid with an antioxidative function. HM feeding has an important role in prevention of antioxidative stress in preterm infants. Evaluation of total antioxidative capacity (TAC) in milk of mothers f preterm infants during lactation (colostrum, transitional and mature milk). Methods: Thirty mothers of preterm infants (infants born before 37 weeks of gestational age) who established lactation were enrolled in this cohort study. TAC of colostrum, transitional and mature milk of these mothers was evaluated using the fluorimetric method of determination of antioxidative capacity of oxygen radical absorption (ORAC). Study protocol was approved by Ethical Comittee of Institute for neonatology, all mothers gave their written consent prior to participation. Study was supported by Ministry of education, science and tehchnological development, Serbia. Results: ORAC method showed that TAC was highest in colostrum, gradual decrease was registered during lactation until reaching its lowest level in mature milk. Conclusions: Significant changes in antioxidative characteristics of human milk occur during the lactation period. Colostrum has a higher TAC compared to mature milk, as shown with ORAC method. This result distinguishes colostrum as a superior sample of HM, indicating its importance in nutrition of preterm infants.ESPGHAN 55th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 17-20 May 2023, Vienna, Austri

Impact of freezing and pasteurization on antioxidative enzymes in milk of preterm infants' mothers

Background and Aims: Human milk (HM) feeding has an important role in prevention of oxydative stress in preterm infants. Human milk is a complex biological fluid with an antioxidative function. Antioxidative enzymes present in HM are superoxid dismutase (SOD), glutatione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutatione reductase (GR). Evaluation of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, GR) in HM after heat treatment, ie pasteurisation of donor HM previously freezed for 7 days in HM bank, using spectrophotometric methods. Methods: Cohort study enrolled 30 mothers of preterm neonates (birth before 37 weeks of gestational age) that established lactation. Antioxidative activity of enzymes in milk samples before and after the heat treatment was measured with spectrophotometric methods. Study protocol was approved by Ethical Comittee of Institute for neonatology, all mothers gave their written consent prior to participation. Study was supported by Ministry of education, science and tehchnological development, Serbia. Results: SOD, GSH-Px and GR acitivity was significantly higher in fresh mature milk samples compared to mature, frozen for seven days and then pasteurised, milk of mothers of preterm infants (p<0,001). Conclusions: Process of heat treatment and/or storage of mature milk of mothers of preterm infants reduce enzyme acitivity of HM, thereby decreasing total antioxidative capacity. This implies that it would be optimal to feed the preterm infants with fresh fortified HM whenever possible