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Based on the results of 15 years of research on the physical and chemical parameters of 11 occurrences of thermal and mineral water in the extended area of the spa town of Vrnjačka Banja, diverse hydrochemical types of water have been identified, originating from different lithological formations (serpentinite, schist, marble, etc.). Currently, the total amount of abstracted thermo-mineral water is close to 70 L/s, with water temperatures up to 33.8 °C. However, interpretation of collected data indicates that the chemical composition of the mineral water is not exclusively related to the mineralogical composition of the host rock, i.e., aquifer material. To better understand the genesis of these waters, multivariate statistical analysis was undertaken in combination with hydrochemical interpretation of different ionic ratios. This approach revealed the existence of three distinct clusters of thermal and mineral waters: (1) low temperature, low mineral content and mild alkaline; (2) slightly acidic, with a moderate mineral content and elevated iron and fluoride concentrations; and (3) thermal, rich in CO2, with elevated mineral content and iron, manganese and fluoride concentrations. Two primary hydrogeochemical processes, which influence the composition of the thermo-mineral waters, were also identified: dissolution of serpentinite rocks and dissolution of schists, both enhanced by the presence of CO2 gas, circulating through fault zones. Estimates of available geothermal energy suggest a significant potential for expanding current uses of thermal waters of this most popular spa center in Serbia.

With an estimated < 50 adult individuals remaining, the Critically Endangered Balkan lynx Lynx lynx balcanicus is one of the rarest, most threatened and least-studied large carnivores. To identify priority conservation areas and actions for the subspecies, during 2006–2014 we conducted 1,374 questionnaire surveys throughout the potential range of the Balkan lynx to (1) evaluate human–lynx interactions and identify potential threats, and (2) determine the probability of site use in 207 grid cells through occupancy modelling. Human–lynx interactions were related mainly to poaching of lynx, and damage to livestock by lynx. Poaching was intense throughout the potential range of the subspecies, apparently having affected 50–100% of the total estimated extant population. Damage to livestock was recorded only in relation to sheep, mainly in the southern part of the lynx's potential range. Occupancy modelling indicated 108 grid cells with high probability of site use, which was affected mainly by increased terrain ruggedness and reduced forest cover. Based on the combined results of our study we identified five priority areas for conservation, as well as in situ habitat protection, community participation in the conservation of the subspecies, and the improvement and implementation of the existing legal framework as the priority conservation actions for the Balkan lynx.

Combining the results obtained by hydraulic (hysteresis) and hydrochemical (multivariate statistical analysis) approaches gives a better understanding of karst aquifer behavior, functioning of the hydraulic barrier and hydrogeochemical processes. The hydraulic approach is based on the principle that the relation of the groundwater levels in piezometers and the water level in a surface-water reservoir often follow certain hysteretic patterns that reflect a system of internal structure. This allows an analysis of the structure of the karst system as well as properties or functionality of the hydraulic barrier associated with the dam. Adequate understanding of the hysteresis diagrams is crucial to successfully addressing the issue of karst aquifer behavior and water leakage direction; normalized hysteresis data provided easier comparison between the data series and the interconnections among observed patterns. The application of the hydrochemical approach further contributed to an understanding of the karst system as well as the impact of the hydraulic barrier. Two-way hierarchical cluster analysis enabled the isolation of areas with similar hydrochemical characteristics, which was supplemented with circulation directions assumed by hydraulic methods. Factor analysis helped in identifying major hydrogeochemical processes in the various hydraulic regimes. The combined findings of hydraulic and hydrochemical approaches were successfully applied to a complex karst aquifer system where the reservoir (Lazići) was created for a reversible hydropower plant, situated in the Tara mountains, in the Dinaric karst of western Serbia.

The systematically varying properties and generally coherent and predictable behavior of rare earth elements (REE) make them potential tracers for studying water/rock interaction and weathering processes. In this work, a compilation and analysis of REE data in mineral and thermal waters were performed, focusing on their content and distributions in different hydrogeological systems, to quantify the natural REE variability and to discuss the controlling factors of REE concentrations. Quantitative challenges presented by multiply censored data were addressed with nonparametric and multivariate statistical methods. Considering a regional character of the research the application of Q and R mode Hierarchical Cluster Analysis with spatial analysis was an important approach for meaningful interpretation of large data set. An efficient approach to analyze differences between obtained HCA groups (clusters) was using a plot of reference-normalized concentrations. The results showed that REE data along with anomalies of Ce and Eu and inter-element ratios were good indicators of the aquifer lithology (hydrogeological systems formed in granitoid and volcanic rocks of various age, two main types of hydrogeological basins, and carbonate aquifers). The important mechanisms controlling REE migration in water were hydrochemical conditions in aquifers. The significance of the applied statistical analyses was represented by defining specific hydrochemical fingerprints of identified hydrogeological systems with distinct geochemical characteristics where REE showed the necessity of understanding of complex geological and hydrogeological settings, geodynamic evolution, and hydrogeochemical processes in fluid flow systems.

Biogenic amines are integral part of nearly every cell. In present study, we used method of acidic extraction of histamine (His), of polyamines putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and catecholamines epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE) from human serum; precolumn derivatization with dansyl chloride, and LC/DAD analysis of the biogenic amines, in aim to monitor differences of their levels in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic urticaria, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, compared to healthy subjects, and to observe them as possible markers for immune mediated diseases. Method of retention times was used for determination of serum biogenic amines. We found statistically significant differences in putrescine and histamine levels in diabetes mellitus patients; putrescine, histamine, spermidine and epinephrine levels in chronic urticaria patients compared to healthy controls, and putrescine and spermidine levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients, compared to controls. Norepinephrine was found only in serum of patients with chronic urticaria. The values of recovery, evaluated in controls, varied between 85.7% and 106.7%. The statistically significant changes in putrescine, histamine, spermidine and epinephrine levels in patients compared to healthy people reflects the existence of biochemical disturbances in mentioned immune-mediated diseases. nema

For the first time at a national scale in Albania, a winter bat population census in potential hibernacula has been implemented during the four winters (early 2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/15). 178 potential hibernation sites have been visited. During the visits of natural caves, bunkers, tunnels, buildings and mines we recorded at least 9 bat species: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (28 sites), R. hipposideros (36 sites), R. blasii (1 site), R. euryale (3 sites), Myotis myotis/oxygnatus (blythii) (4 sites), M. capaccinii (6 sites), Pipistrellus sp. (2 sites), Hypsugo savii (1 site) and Miniopterus schreibersii (9 sites). The data presented are substantial additions to knowledge on the distribution of these species and their roosts in Albania, and will form a basis for bat population monitoring and, at the same time, for improving conservation measures in Albania and the wider region. V štirih zimah (začetek 2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 in 014/15) je bil v Albaniji prvič na državnem nivoju opravljen popis prezimujočih netopirjev. Pregledanih je bilo 178 možnih prezimovališč. Med obiski naravnih jam, bunkerjev, tunelov, zgradb in rudnikov je bilo opaženih najmanj 9 vrst netopirjev: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (28 lokacij), R. hipposideros (36 lokacij), R. blasii (1 lokacija), R. euryale (3 lokacije), Myotis myotis/oxygnatus (blythii) (4 lokacije), M. capaccinii (6 lokacij), Pipistrellus sp. (2 lokaciji), Hypsugo savii (1 lokacija) in Miniopterus schreibersii (9 lokacij). Predstavljeni rezultati v veliki meri prispevajo k poznavanju razširjenosti teh vrst in njihovih zatočišč v Albaniji ter bodo osnova za monitoring populacij netopirjev in za izboljšanje ohranitvenih ukrepov tako v Albaniji kot v širši regiji.

The aim of research was to determine the effects of maximally therapeutically achievable concentrations of metformin on malignant cells and healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Eight patients with T2D or hyperglycemia and nine healthy volunteers were included in the study. For determination of the influence of metformin on the phenotype of breast carcinoma, 1,410 patients with surgically removed tumors were included. From this group 37 breast cancer patients had DM type 2 or hyperglycemia and were pretreated with metformin alone or sometimes in combination with other antidiabetic drugs. Our results proved that metformin at low concentrations induced mild decrease in survival of malignant cells and PBMC stimulated for proliferation, but it didn’t affect survival of resting PBMC. The effects of plasma of hyperglycemic patients who were under metformin therapy on autologous PBMC-induced decrease in survival of MDA-MB-361 cells, was noticeable in some patients. Metformin pretreatment for 24 h of HER2+ MDA-MB-361 cells, which were subsequently treated for 48 h with Herceptin, induced additional decline in cell survival. The analysis of influence of metformin on phenotype of breast cancer cells revealed significantly lower number of diabetic cancer patients treated with metformin with overexpressed HER2+ tumors ( p  < 0.013), while the number of patients with ER+PR+ tumors was not significantly changed ( p  < 0.832). In conclusion, therapeutically used concentrations of metformin exhibit mild cytotoxic action on malignant and dividing normal cells pointing to its preferred role in malignant and autoimmune diseases. The use of metformin was associated with pronounced decrease in HER2 overexpressing tumors.

Background: Metabolic bone disease in patients with chronic liver disease is called hepatic osteodystrophy and is primarily a sequel to osteopenia/osteoporosis, and rarely secondary to osteomalacia. The aim of this work was to define the influence of vitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the pathogenesis of hepatic osteodystrophy, as well as the predictive significance of biochemical bone markers. Methods: This prospective study included 58 male patients with alcoholic (49) and viral (9) cirrhosis. The concentrations of serum vitamin D3, PTH, osteocalcin and ß-carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX) were determined. Bone density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the L1-L4 spinal segment and the femoral neck. Results: Lower bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 41 patients (70.7%). There was no significant correlation between PTH and vitamin D3 values and T score in the femoral neck (p = 0.51; p = 0.063) and lumbar spine (p= 0.49; 0.064). Also, no significant correlation was found between the osteocalcin values in lumbar spine BMD (p= 0.944) and femoral neck (p= 0.161), or with ß-CTX values and BMD in the lumbar spine (p=0.347) and femoral neck (p=0.73). Statistically significant difference was confirmed between the stage A osteocalcin (p=0.000) and ß-CTX (p=0.008) values in relation to advanced stages B and C. Conclusions: PTH and vitamin D3 do not influence the development of hepatic osteodystrophy. In patients with cirrhosis, osteocalcin and ß-CTX are not valid indicators of decreased BMD, but their values correlate with the degree of liver insufficiency.

With an estimated < 50 adult individuals remaining, the Critically Endangered Balkan lynx Lynx lynx balcanicus is one of the rarest, most threatened and least-studied large carnivores. To identify priority conservation areas and actions for the subspecies, during 2006–2014 we conducted 1,374 questionnaire surveys throughout the potential range of the Balkan lynx to (1) evaluate human–lynx interactions and identify potential threats, and (2) determine the probability of site use in 207 grid cells through occupancy modelling. Human–lynx interactions were related mainly to poaching of lynx, and damage to livestock by lynx. Poaching was intense throughout the potential range of the subspecies, apparently having affected 50–100% of the total estimated extant population. Damage to livestock was recorded only in relation to sheep, mainly in the southern part of the lynx's potential range. Occupancy modelling indicated 108 grid cells with high probability of site use, which was affected mainly by increased terrain ruggedness and reduced forest cover. Based on the combined results of our study we identified five priority areas for conservation, as well as in situ habitat protection, community participation in the conservation of the subspecies, and the improvement and implementation of the existing legal framework as the priority conservation actions for the Balkan lynx.

Financial reports are a communication tool used to present a company 's financial position and business performance among other mandatory and voluntary disclosures. In the era of digitalization financial reports have also been faced the transformation from only humanreadable to both human and machine-readable documents. The XBRL standard plays a crucial role in that convergence. The IASB and IFRS Foundation have developed a structured classification system of IFRS disclosures in digital reporting - IFRS Taxonomy. The IFRS Taxonomy is based on the XBRL standard. When it comes to the listed companies on the EU regulated market, according to the Transparency Directive they are obliged to prepare their annual financial reports applying the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF), which was developed by the European Security and Market Authority, as of the financial year 2020 (postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic). One of the reasons for the conversion to digital reporting was an intention to improve the communication between preparers and users of financial reports. With the same aim, the IASB launched an initiative Better Communication in Financial Reporting a decade ago. The initiative still connects several ongoing projects meaning that the financial reports improvement is not easy to achieve, but it is rather a long-term process. To bring the benefits of reporting digitalization closer to the interested public, but also national standard-setters and preparers, this paper summarizes all the above taxonomies. Using the deductive method of description, the IASB's initiative Better Communication in Financial Reporting is briefly described. As to one of the initiative 's ongoing project, emphasis has been given to the IFRS Taxonomy. Since the IFRS Taxonomy is based on the XBRL standard, the XBRL is also described. Finally, the ESEF is presented due to the fact that all listed companies on the EU regulated market will have to report based on that technical standard. This paper is intended primarily to preparers to facilitate the understanding of the electronic formats which are possibly the future of reporting not only for listed companies but also for the SMEs. Accounting profession challenges continuous changes coming either from accounting standards amendments or legislative, which includes technical changes such as overall digitalization. Accordingly, all stakeholders of the accounting profession have to continuously follow the legislation and digitalization changes.