The acute and chronic effects of dehydration on athletes' health are well known, but it is less known about the relationship between dehydration and sports performance. There is an overall consensus in the literature that dehydration ≥ 2% body mass represents a threshold at which endurance, as aerobic performance, becomes impaired. Dehydration degrades aerobic performance by various mechanisms, such as a decrease in VO2 max, a decrease in circulatory volume and consequent decrease in cardiac stroke volume. At higher levels of dehydration, there is an increase in heart rate, body temperature, carbohydrate oxidation and muscle glycogenolysis. The effect of dehydration on anaerobic sports performance, such as muscle strength and power, is less known. The high osmotic stress that usually accompanies high levels of intracellular dehydration can modulate the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, alter the neuronal firing of osmoreceptor cells in the hypothalamus, and potentially affect the excitability of motor output pathways. Studies have shown that acute dehydration impairs muscle strength and endurance and increases the perception of fatigue but without changes in markers of central and peripheral neuromuscular function. In addition to the physical, dehydration also affects the mental performance of athletes. Symptoms of dehydration (dry mouth, thirst, headache, fatigue) affect the athletes' cognitive functions and their cognitive resilience. Therefore, personalized rehydration strategies play a key role in athletes' safety during sporting activities, as well as in optimizing sports performance. In this paper, the role of dehydration on physical and mental athletes' performance will be reviewed, as well as the latest recommendations for adequate rehydration.

Atherosclerotic diseases are among the leading causes of mortality in the world and in our country. In the last few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of the disease. Interest in risk factors for atherosclerotic disease began at the beginning of the last century when hyperglycemia, hypertension and hyperuricemia were first emphasized. In later research, the World Health Organization introduced the term metabolic syndrome (MSy). In 2001, the Expert Group for the Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) provided a new definition of MSy that is considered the most widely used in clinical practice, where the presence of MSy is determined by the presence of three of the following five risk factors: abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased HDL level and hyperglycemia. This definition has undergone a whole series of corrections, of which the definition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) should be singled out, which tightened the criteria for abdominal obesity, which became a mandatory risk factor and hyperglycemia. It is estimated that the frequency of MSy in the older population over 20 years is over 30%, and in the patients with atherosclerotic disease over 55%. In addition, healthy habits can also contribute to the risk of developing atherosclerotic diseases, primarily physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking and dietary habits. Early recognition and detection of risk factors for atherosclerosis is the most important way to prevent the disease and its complications.

Background: RV dysfunction has been recognized as a powerful independent predictor of poor prognosis. Therefore, accurate evaluation of RV function is helpful for risk stratification in patients with HF, so as to guide clinicians to choose the best treatment and improve the prognosis of patients. Therefore, assessment of RV function is clinically important in almost all patients with heart disease. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: We evaluated a prospective cohort of 126 patients with known or suspected HFrEF referred for echocardiographic evaluation. All underwent measurement of RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) by 2D transthoracic echocardiography. The primary study endpoint was the occurrence of death for any cause or hospitalization for heart failure. Results: From 126 eligible patients with chronic heart failure, 10 (8%) with RVFWLS not suitable for strain analysis were excluded, leaving a final study population of 116 patients. During the follow-up period of 24 months, 44 patients (38%) reached the composite end point: 18 patients died (15%), and 26 patients (22%) were hospitalized for worsening HF. Compared with patients without events, patients who reached the composite end point were older and prevalently men (P <0.05). Patients with events also showed higher LV volumes, lower LVEF%, increased left atrial volume index (LAVI), increased pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and higher prevalence of severe MR and TR than event-free patients. Diastolic RV diameter was also significantly greater in this group. In this study, we found that a RVFWLS less negative of -19.3% was associated to outcomes with 75% sensitivity and 67% specificity P < 0.001. A value of RVFWLS less than -19.3% was strongly associated to outcome with HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.487–2.7; P < 0.001. Conclusion: RV free wall longitudinal strain seems to be more sensitive and accurate for the diagnosis of RV systolic dysfunction in patients with HFrEF, therefore assessment of RV function should be implemented by analysis of RVFWLS in patients with HFrEF, to improve identification of patients who are at high risk for adverse events.

Mosquito surveillance which includes monitoring of their presence, developmental stage, abundance and species determination is the first step in the implementation of their control measures. Since 2020. continuous mosquito surveillance in the territory of the city of Belgrade is conducted by Department of Ecology and Environmental Improvement, PUC "City Sanitation" Belgrade. Surveillance is carried out every year from March to October on previously established locations in all Belgrade municipalities. Aedes japonicus (Theobald 1901) invasive mosquito species has become successfully established beyond its native distribution range. In Europe this species was first recorded in France in 2000. and in Serbia first detection of its presence was in 2018. in Ljuba at the border with Croatia. In 2024. both larvae and adults were recorded for the first time in the territory of Belgrade. Second and third instar larvae were found at the Lipovička šuma site on two occasions, the first time in March and again in April in used tyres where water had stagnated after rainfall. They were transported from the field to the entomological laboratory and left to reach the fourth-instar so that identification could be performed. After reaching the fourth-instar one part of larvae was identified based on morphology and the rest of the larvae were left to complete the developmental cycle to the adult stage. Emerged adults were then identified based on morphology. Identification of both larvae and adults showed that they belong to the species Aedes japonicus. Adult mosquitoes of this species were also found in July at three different sites (Banjička šuma, Hajd park, Filmski grad) during adult mosquito surveillance. Continuous surveillance in the following period will show whether these are individual cases or is the species already established in the city of Belgrade.

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the potential reduction in the likelihood of anastomotic leakage occurrence in patients undergoing open anterior resection of the rectum without a protective stoma for stage III adenocarcinoma, by employing a transanal tube after performing stapled colorectal anastomosis. Results: Considering the influence of all included risk factors, male gender (p=0.032; OR=2.873) and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (p=0.033; OR=2.873) demonstrated an increased likelihood of anastomotic leakage, while the presence of a transanal tube (p=0.043; OR=0.349; 95% CI: 0.126, 0.966) was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the likelihood of anastomotic leakage. T-test revealed that patients with anastomotic leakage without a placed tube had a statistically significantly longer mean postoperative hospitalization (20.94 days) compared to those with a transanal tube (19.43 days) (t=2.375; p=0.025). Kaplan-Meier analysis didn't show a statistically significant difference in the average estimated time to the occurrence of anastomotic leakage between patients without (3.86 days) and with a transanal tube (4.58 days) (p=0.057). Conclusion: Our study found that the placement of a transanal tube after colorectal anastomosis may be associated with a reduced likelihood of anastomotic leakage and shorter hospitalization in case leakage occurs. Additionally, although no statistically significant difference was found in the effect of the tube on the occurrence of anastomotic leakage depending on the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the indication for its use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may be of particular benefit.

Geopolymer is a type of inorganic polymer which hardens after being synthesized at ambient temperature. Geopolymers are synthesized by the reaction of poly-condensation of the geopolymer precursor and alkali activator. Ecologically, it would be more favourable to use industrial by-products since the hazardous waste is being taken care of. The most frequently used raw materials for geopolymer production are: kaolin clays, meta-kaolin, fly ash, blast furnace slag, fly ash and slag mixture, fly ash and meta-kaolin mixture and so forth. Fly ash from the Stanari Termal Power Plant, granulated slag from ArcelorMittal Zenica and quarc sand from Tuzla were used as initial raw material for the purpose of the study presented in this work. Based on the results obtained through research carried out in laboratory conditions at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences in Zenica and at the "Kakanj" Cement Factory, it can be concluded that fly ash from the TPP Stanari together with granulated blast furnace slag from ArcelorMittal Zenica can successfully use for the production of geopolymer. This test determined that the best compressive strength results were obtained by samples with a ratio of water glass/NaOH=2.0 and that the optimal heat treatment temperature was 60°C.

The discovery and introduction into practice of various substances that have a harmful effect on insects, known as insecticides, have undoubtedly achieved great, and one might even say grandiose, results in protecting people, animals and plants from numerous insects. As is known, their application eradicated certain infectious diseases, facilitated the suppression and treatment of ectoparasitises in humans and animals, and improved and increased agricultural production. In order to increase agricultural production, a large amount (millions of tons) of these funds are used in the world on an annual basis. This is primarily due to the prevailing opinion that agricultural production has become practically impossible without the use of insecticides and other pesticides. The facts just mentioned, that is, this kind of application of insecticides, which is often irrational, is causing increasing concern. In addition to the increasing development of resistance, and thus the decrease in the effectiveness of insecticides, there is also a growing concern about environmental pollution. There are not rare cases everywhere, even here in our country, that non-target insects, that is beneficial insects, ie. bees, but also other organisms in soil and water. The goal of this paper is to point out not only the possible harms of irrational use of insecticides, but also to list some of the insecticides that appeared on the market at the end of the last and the beginning of this century, and those of plant origin as potential substitutes for insecticides that are currently used.

During the three-year field research (2019-2022) in the area of the Canton of Sarajevo, we discovered many invasive plant species in localities where they had not been recorded before. Among them, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Reynoutria japonica Houtt. stand out in particular due to their abundance and coverage. This study aimed to provide data on the localities where these invasive plants were found, including altitude, longitude and latitude, soil type and their floristic and phytocoenological features. Data from these localities should contribute to the creation of a database that can be used for more a efficient fight against the aforementioned invasive species. In total, 42 new localities were recorded for Ailanthus altissima, 10 for Ambrosia artemisiifolia and 15 for Reynoutria japonica. Due to their abundance and appearance, Ailanthus altissima and Reynoutria japonica have already become a big problem for urban horiculture in Sarajevo, while Ambrosia artemisiifolia poses a health concern, and therefore, urgent measures and necessary to remove them.

Ragweed is a neophyte which inhabits various crops and ruderal habitats. That is the reason why this paper is dedicated to phytocenology and ecological relations of ragweed in such a habitat. Research was carried out in the area of a former railway freight and customs terminal, in the period from 2021 to 2023. Phytocenological image was made and all the parameters were assessed: life form, phytocenological affiliation, floral elements, indicator values, and soil analysis. The aim of the paper is to present the places where ragweed may be found, as well as under what ecological conditions and with what other species it occurs. This research yielded new data on the phytocenology of ragweed, determined in the vegetation of the order Chenopodietalia. A total of 69 species from 23 families were identified. The most numerous is the Asteraceae family. Phytocenologically, the largest number of species belongs to the order Chenopodietalia, and as far as the indicator values are concerned, the most numerous are the representatives of tertiary vegetation. Hemicryptophytes predominate regarding life forms, and concerning the floral elements, 40 different elements from 9 groups were noted. The most numerous group are Eurasian species, and the most numerous individual floral elements are euras-smed and eurassubozean-smed.