Serbia and regional stability

Serbian foreign policy, embodied in the formula “Kosovo and EU” is aimed at stabilising the region and resolving the problems that Serbia has on its way to gaining EU membership. In other words, it means the informal acceptance of Kosovo as a special Serbian neighbour and progress in the EU integration process

Characterization of the two novel Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strains KW1 and KW2, and exploration of their ability to surface display a Mycobacterium tuberculosis hybrid antigen

Many lactic acid bacteria are natural inhabitants of the human gut and are considered safe for human consumption. Food-grade lactic acid bacteria from the genus Lactiplantibacillus are generally tolerant to highly acidic environments, allowing them to survive and colonize the human gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, certain species can have vaccine adjuvant effects through direct interactions with the human immune system. Thus, Lactiplantibacilli are promising candidates for the delivery of antigens to mucosal surfaces. The aim of this study was to characterize the two novel Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strains, KW1 and KW2, isolated from table olives; and explore their capability to surface display a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived hybrid antigen. The L. pentosus strains were evaluated by analyzing cell morphology and growth analysis. The microscopy analysis showed that L. pentosus KW1 and KW2 were morphologically similar and rod-shaped. The optimum growth temperatures were found to be in a range from 33 to 39 °C. In addition, the present study conducted a functional analysis of the inducible gene expression system (pSIP) to evaluate its applicability for use in L. pentosus. It was shown that the pSIP system is strictly regulated in KW1 and KW2, where the protein production of mCherry, used as a reporter protein, increased more than 20-fold upon full induction. The protein production of mCherry was found to be highest at 37 °C and L. pentosus KW1 was the most efficient producer. Eight recombinant bacteria were constructed for surface exposure of the H56 hybrid tuberculosis antigen. Four different anchors derived from the genome of KW1 and KW2 were selected, and translationally fused to the antigen, generating the eight recombinant strains. The selected anchors were: (1) an N-terminal transmembrane (NTTM) anchor that non-covalently attaches the antigen to the cell membrane, (2) a lipoprotein anchor to covalently attach the antigen to the cell membrane, (3) a LysM anchor for non-covalently anchoring of the antigen to the cell wall, and (4) an LPxTG peptidoglycan anchor to covalently attach H56 to the cell wall. The recombinant strains showed only a slight reduction in growth, except for strains harboring NTTM-anchored antigens. Western blot analysis confirmed antigen production for seven out of eight recombinant strains. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis detected exposed antigens on the surface for all recombinant strains except for the KW2_LPxTG anchor. The strongest fluorescent shift was observed in L. pentosus KW1, especially with lipoprotein and LysM-anchored antigens. The successful secretion and surface exposure of the tuberculosis antigen show that these recombinant bacteria are promising candidates for antigen delivery. The analyses demonstrated that L. pentosus KW1 seems to be the most promising strain for further development as a vaccine delivery vehicle

Quo Vadis, Slovenia? Between Framework Conditions and Internal Capabilities

We consider the new EU member states as semi-peripheral countries standing at the development crossroads. We emphasize the sociocultural factors of development, present a model for bringing together several cultural and social influences, and test its validity by applying a fuzzy-set methodology, a rather novel approach in social sciences. We augment our analysis of internal socio-cultural factors by considering the likely changes in the external framework conditions. Focusing on demography, technology, and global economic and political structures, we outline possible scenarios for European development that will certainly affect the chances of individual countries. As our contribution, we discuss the interplay between such framework conditions and internal development capabilities and draw some implication for the case of Slovenia.development, socio-cultural factors of development, long-run scenarios

Bioakumulacija Cu i Zu u nekim akvatičnim makrofitama na području ribnjaka Bardača

The paper deals with Cu and Zn content analysis in water, sediment and tissue of Phragmites communis Trin., Salvinia natans L. and Utricularia vulgaris L. in the area of Bardača fish pond (Necik and Sinjak- active fish ponds). Based on the measured value of Cu in water, and according to the Regulation on Classification of Water and Water Streams, the researched localities belong to category II waters, and based on the Zn content they belong to category III/ IV waters. The content of copper and zinc in sediments did not exceed the maximum permitted concentration values according to the RS Official Gazette (23/1994). The obtained results indicate that Cu and Zn content in plant tissue significantly varied in relation to species, locality and sampling period. In the tissue of Salvinia natans during the researched period, the lowest Zn concentration was measured in September on both localities (32 mg/kg), while the biggest concentration exceeded the maximum permitted values (163,55 mg/kg) which indicates a certain degree of contamination of researched localities. Zn concentration in the tissue of Utricularia vulgaris on both localities ranged from 39,14 to 55,20 mg/kg, whereby the obtained values were by 35 % lower in relation to Salvinia natans on Necik locality, while on Sinjak locality the Zn concentration at both species was similar (44,55 mg/kg). The most significant difference in Zn accumulation was determined for Phragmites communis where 3-6 times lower Zn content was obtained in relation to Salvinia natans and Utricularia vulgaris. The Cu content in tissue of Utricularia vulgaris during the research period was in the range from 1,7-10,18 mg/kg, while in the tissue of Salvinia natans insignificantly lower values were measured as compared to Utriculara vulgaris. The Cu concentration in the tissue of Phragmites communis during the researched period on both localities was below the detection limit (<0,023 mg/kg). Species Salvinia natans has shown to be the best Zn bioaccumulator, while Utricularia vulgaris accumulated copper the best, which indicates the existence of different trend in terms of accumulation of certain heavy metals during the season in different organs and tissues. The role of different types of aquatic macrophytes in heavy metal accumulation during the season was emphasized here and their potential of application in phytoremediation technique.Rad se bavi analizom sadržaja Cu i Zn u vodi, sedimentu i tkivu Phragmites communis Trin., Salvinia natans L. All. i Utricularia vulgaris L. na području ribnjaka Bardača (Necik i Sinjak-aktivni ribnjački bazeni). Na osnovu izmjerenih vrijednost Cu u vodi, a prema Uredbi o klasifikaciji voda i kategorizaciji vodotoka, istraživani lokaliteti pripadaju vodama II kategorije, a na osnovu sadržaja Zn vodama III/IV kategorije. Sadržaj bakra i cinka u sedimentu nije prelazio vrijednosti maksimalno dozvoljene koncentracije prema Službenom glasniku RS (23/1994). Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da sadržaj Cu i Zn u biljnom tkivu znatno varira u odnosu na vrstu, lokalitet i period uzimanja uzoraka. U tkivu Salvinia natans tokom istraživanog perioda najniža koncentracija Zn izmjerena je tokom septembra na oba lokaliteta (32 mg/kg), dok je najveća koncentracija prelazila maksimalno dozvoljene vrijednosti (163,55 mg/kg) što ukazuje na izvjestan stepen zagađenosti istraživanog lokaliteta. Koncentracija Zn u tkivu Utricularia vulgaris na oba lokaliteta bila je u opsegu 39,14-55,20 mg/kg, pri čemu su dobijene vrijednosti za 35 % bile niže u odnosu na Salvinia natans na lokalitetu Necik, dok su na lokalitetu Sinjak koncentracije Zn kod obje vrste bile slične (44,55 mg/kg). Najznačajnija razlika u akumulaciji Zn utvrđena je za Phragmites communis kod koje je dobijen 3-6 puta niži sadržaj Zn u odnosu na Salvinia natans i Utricularia vulgaris. Sadržaj Cu u tkivu Utricularia vulgaris tokom perioda istraživanja je bio u opsegu 1,7-10,18 mg/kg, dok su u tkivu Salvinia natans izmjerene neznatno niže vrijednosti u odnosu na Utriculara vulgaris. Koncentracija Cu u tkivu Phragmites communis tokom istraživanog perioda na oba lokaliteta bila je ispod detekcionog limita (<0,023 mg/kg). Kao najbolji biokumulator Zn pokazala se vrsta Salvinia natans dok je Utricularia vulgaris bolje akumulirala bakar, što ukazuje na postojanje različitog trenda u pogledu akumulacije određenih teških metala tokom sezone u različitim organima i tkivima. U ovom radu je naglašena uloga različitih tipova vodenih makrofita u akumulaciji teških metala tokom sezone i njihov potencijal primjene u tehnici fitoremedijacije

The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Improving the Financial Performance of Hospitals

We are witnessing that the healthcare system of the Republic of Croatia is faced with numerous challenges, especially financial ones. Many activities are needed to improve the condition. In this paper, the emphasis is on the application of information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool for reducing costs and increasing income. The hypothesis of the work is that with the help of ICT we can directly, but also indirectly, by applying ICT through the so-called Dynamic Balanced Scorecard (DBSC) to influence business improvement. The DBSC method enables the evaluation of financial operations indirectly through employee education, optimization of business processes and increased patient satisfaction. In addition to the DBSC method, analysis of the collected literature, cost-benefit method and case studies are used to test the hypothesis. Regarding structure of the work, the introduction explains the context of the hospital\u27s operations, defines the goals, hypothesis and research methods. This is followed by a description of the conducted research. The conclusion contains final considerations as well as suggestions for future research