PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL IN FRUIT GROWING AREA TOPOLA (SERBIA)

The aim of the investigation was to assess the level of soil fertility and repair measures in order to enhance the productivity of fruit production in a traditional fruit growing area. (Municipality of Topola, Serbia). The following tests were performed: mechanical composition, physical and chemical properties of soil, total adsorbed base cation, capacity of adsorbed base cation, degree of base saturation, different types of soil acidity, contents of carbon, humus, total nitrogen, easily accessible forms of P2O5 and K2O. Results obtained have shown that soils from all studied sites are of “heavy” mechanical texture with 75,40-84,90% of physical clay. High capacity of cation adsorption, low to medium hydrolytic acidity and high to almost complete saturation of adsorbed bases, has been measured. In compliance with previous analyses, it has been assessed that soils are neutral and of low acid chemical reaction, with low carbon and medium humus content and total nitrogen. Easily accessible content of P2O5 and K2O varies depending on the food quantity on individual parcels with low to medium accessibility to parcels with no fruit plantations. Based on the parameters analysed, the tested soils demand repair of mechanical properties, which will facilitate greater nutrient uptake

Influence of fertigation on generative potential and pomological properties of different apple cultivars

The paper presents an investigation into the influence of fertigation on generative potential parameters and pomological properties of apple fruits. The study was done in apple orchard of Fruit Research Institute Cacak (Serbia) over two-year period (2009–2011) on three cultivars (\u27Morens Jonagored\u27, \u27Gloster\u27 and \u27Granny Smith\u27). Fertigation included fertilizers NPK 16:8:32, NPK 12:0:43 and PGPR – inoculum of diazotrophic bacterium Klebsiella. Results of the study suggest that fertigation with 12:0:43 NPK fertilizer had the most pronounced effect on all generative potential parameters, except abundance of flowering (initial fruit set – 3.71; final fruit set – 3.31). Similarly, this fertilizer had the same effect on all yield parameters in the apple cultivars studied, i.e. yield per tree – 9.60 kg/tree, yield per unit land area – 24.40 t/ha, cumulative yield – 19.20 kg/tree, cumulative yield 48.00 t/ha and yield efficiency – 0.77 kg/cm2. Mineral fertilizer NPK 16:8:32 gave the highest abundance of flowering (4.51). In terms of pomological properties the applied fertilizers had a significant effect on fruit weight (239.05 g), soluble solids content (14.78%) and ripeness degree (4.75)

Biološko-proizvodne osobine sorte jagode‘Leatitia’ na području Čačka

The paper presents results of the research of vegetative and generative potential, phenological properties and fruit quality of the promising strawberry cultivar ‘Leatitia’ in the 2016–2017 period. Significantly higher values of all tested parameters of vegetative, generative potential, productivity and fruit mass were determined in the second experimental year. High firmness values were determined in both years of the research, while significantly higher phenolics content and antioxidative capacity were registered in the fruits the second year after planting. Spread of the strawberry cultivar ‘Leatitia’ in production practices can be recommended primarily because of the late ripening, high productivity and very high quality of fruits.U radu su prikazani rezultati ispitivanja vegetativnog, generativnog potencijala, fenoloških osobina i kvaliteta ploda perspektivne sorte jagode ‘Leatitia’ u periodu 2016–2017. godine. U drugoj eksprimentalnoj godini, utvrđene su značajno više vrednosti svih ispitivanih parametara vegetativnog, generativnog potencijala, produktivnosti i mase ploda. Visoke vrednosti čvrstine ploda utvrđene su u obe godine istraživanja, dok su značajno veći fenolni sadržaj i antioksidativni kapacitet registrovani u plodovima jagode u drugoj godini nakon sadnje. Širenje sorte jagode ‘Leatitia’ u proizvodnjoj praksi može se preporučiti prevashodno zbog kasnog vremena zrenja, visoke rodnosti i veoma kvalitetnog ploda

Perspectives on the diagnosis and management of functional cognitive disorder: An international Delphi study

BACKGROUND: Current proposed criteria for functional cognitive disorder (FCD) have not been externally validated. We sought to analyse the current perspectives of cognitive specialists in the diagnosis and management of FCD in comparison with neurodegenerative conditions. METHODS: International experts in cognitive disorders were invited to assess seven illustrative clinical vignettes containing history and bedside characteristics alone. Participants assigned a probable diagnosis and selected the appropriate investigation and treatment. Qualitative, quantitative and inter-rater agreement analyses were undertaken. RESULTS: Eighteen diagnostic terminologies were assigned by 45 cognitive experts from 12 countries with a median of 13 years of experience, across the seven scenarios. Accurate discrimination between FCD and neurodegeneration was observed, independently of background and years of experience: 100% of the neurodegenerative vignettes were correctly classified and 75%-88% of the FCD diagnoses were attributed to non-neurodegenerative causes. There was <50% agreement in the terminology used for FCD, in comparison with 87%-92% agreement for neurodegenerative syndromes. Blood tests and neuropsychological evaluation were the leading diagnostic modalities for FCD. Diagnostic communication, psychotherapy and psychiatry referral were the main suggested management strategies in FCD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of distinguishing between FCD and neurodegeneration based on relevant patient characteristics and history details. These characteristics need further validation and operationalisation. Heterogeneous labelling and framing pose clinical and research challenges reflecting a lack of agreement in the field. Careful consideration of FCD diagnosis is advised, particularly in the presence of comorbidities. This study informs future research on diagnostic tools and evidence-based interventions

Thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and severe COVID-19: a study of ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to COVID-19 related poor outcomes, including thrombosis and death, due to the advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and the disease and treatment-related immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, including patients from 79 centers across 22 countries. Data collection was conducted between April and May 2021. The COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for SARS-CoV-2 on nasal or pharyngeal swabs. Severe cases of COVID-19 were defined by hospitalization and the need of oxygen or admission into ICU. Development and type of thrombotic events, presence and severity of bleeding complications were reported during treatment for COVID-19. Bleeding events were classified using ISTH definition. STROBE recommendations were used in order to enhance reporting. RESULTS: A total of 793 patients from 79 centers were included in the study with 593 being hospitalized (74.8%). Among these, 511 were defined as having severe COVID: 162 were admitted to the ICU while 349 received oxygen supplementation outside the ICU. Most patients (90.5%) were receiving thromboprophylaxis. During COVID-19 treatment, 11.1% developed a thromboembolic event, while 5.0% experienced bleeding. Thrombosis developed in 21.6% of patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis, in contrast to 10.6% of patients who were on thromboprophylaxis. Bleeding episodes were more frequent in patients receiving intermediate/therapeutic versus prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LWMH) (8.1% vs. 3.8%, respectively) and in elderly. In multivariate analysis, peak D-dimer level and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio were poor prognostic factors for thrombosis occurrence (OR?=?1.022, 95%CI 1.007?1.038 and OR?=?1.025, 95%CI 1.001?1.051, respectively), while thromboprophylaxis use was protective (OR?=?0.199, 95%CI 0.061?0.645). Age and LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration were prognostic factors in multivariate model for bleeding (OR?=?1.062, 95%CI 1.017-1.109 and OR?=?2.438, 95%CI 1.023-5.813, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19 are at a high risk of thrombosis if thromboprophylaxis is not used, but also at increased risk of bleeding under the LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration

Huntington-like disease caused by a novel RNF216/TRIAD3 pathogenic variant

The main objective of this case report is the presentation of a novel homozygous pathogenic variant of the RNF216 gene in a male patient diagnosed with Gordon Holmes syndrome. The patient presented with dominant generalized chorea, ataxia, dysarthria, and less pronounced hypogonadism accompanied by cognitive decline and psychological disturbances, which is additionally accompanied by pronounced leukoencephalopathy and generalized brain atrophy. Whole exome sequencing showed a novel homozygous pathogenic variant RNF216 NM_207111.4:c .986 G>A, and the diagnosis of Gordon Holmes syndrome was established. The new pathogenic variant of the RNF216 gene discovered in our patient is one of the few in the world that leads to this clinical presentation of the disease

Multifaceted Impact of CO₂ Laser Therapy on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, Vulvovaginal Atrophy and Sexual Function

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) encompasses a range of distressing symptoms in the vulvovaginal and/or bladder–urethral regions related to menopause changes, negatively influencing woman’s quality of life and sexual activity. Fractional micro-ablative CO2 laser therapy has shown the potential to reinstate the vaginal epithelium to a condition akin to the premenopausal state, thereby ameliorating the subjective symptoms associated with GSM. We conducted a prospective, pilot study in 73 sexually active postmenopausal women treated with CO2 laser for their GSM symptoms, while assessing Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS) and sexual function through the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire. The laser treatment resulted in a decrease in VHIS and patient-reported vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) symptoms, with a significantly lower prevalence of vaginal itching, dryness, and burning (p p = 0.002). The occurrence of urinary incontinence, urgency, and vaginal heaviness significantly reduced, with an improvement in the staging of cystocele, either to Stage 1 or complete resolution (p p 2 laser was an effective choice for reducing urogenital discomfort related to GSM in postmenopausal women