In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pančevo and Veliko Gradište), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The microfilariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n=21) and D. immitis (n=2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis seroprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradište (33.3%) than in Pančevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pančevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradište (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise- or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.

AbstractThe aim of the study is to investigate the most frequent cause of superficial mycoses in patients from the territory of city Niš Southeast Serbia in the period from 1998 to 2010. A total of 3223 samples from 2887 patients with suspected dermatomycoses were examined. Superficial mycoses were diagnosed using standard microbiology techniques (conventional microscopy and cultivation). Dermatophytes were determined on the basis of their macroscopic and microscopic morphological and morphometric characteristics. Morphometric characteristics were obtained by Laboratory Universal Computer Image Analysis system (Lucia M, 1996). Species of genus Candida were identified using the test of production of germ tube in sera, by growth on comertial chromatogen medium (Chromotogenic Candida, Liofichem/Bacteriology products, Italy) and by using Auxacolor TMBioRad, France. The results were elaborated with the statistical method of descriptive and quantitative analysis (SPSS 14.0 for Windows 2003). The prevalence of superficial mycoses was 25,1%. Dermatophytes were identified in 67.6% of all positive cultures. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent (50.3%) dermatophyte isolated, followed by Trichophyton metagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (35.4%). Yeast genus Candida has become a more frequent cause of superficial fungal infection since 2001. and C. albicans was the dominant yeast (61.1%).

AbstractThe original version of the article was published in Central European Journal of Medicine Volume 6, Number 5, 665–671, DOI: 10.2478/s11536-011-0052-y. Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains mistakes in the Authors names section. There should be: Suzana Otasevic1, Natasa Miladinovic-Tasic1, Jovana Đorđević1, Gordana Ranđelović1, Aleksandra Ignjatović1, Predrag Stojanović1, Dragan Zdravković2, Roberta Marković2

This paper presents the results of an action pedagogical research, conducted within the course Methodical practicum of teaching art with students, future preschool teachers, at the Faculty of Education in Jagodina. The aim of the research is to enhance pedagogical practice regarding practical preparation of students for planning and performing art activities with preschool children. The main focus was on students’ compe- tencies for defining art theme and pedagogical art problem of the activity. The research was based on the assumption that students find it difficult to imagine and extract an art theme from the generalized thematic scope, given by preschool teachers ‒ mentors. By changing this variable, the research tested correctness of the assumption by analyzing quality and correctness of students’ work developed on the basis of art-themed scope, instead of generalized ones. The research took three months of the fall semester in 2020/2021 and included 73 students’ written plans for art activities. Based on this sample, supported with an additional survey students took part in, the analysis resulted in conclusion that imply different factors affecting students’ efficiency regarding their work within Methodical practicum of teaching art course, but evidently supporting primary thesis that art-themed scope of tasks results with significant number of correctly defined art activity themes and problems. The results of the research can be utilized in order to reevaluate and improve methods and approaches to developing students’ competencies to work in the field of art educa- tion with preschool children efficiently by understanding difficult points in students’ learning proces