Aims Vegetation‐plot records provide information on the presence and cover or abundance of plants co‐occurring in the same community. Vegetation‐plot data are spread across research groups, environmental agencies and biodiversity research centers and, thus, are rarely accessible at continental or global scales. Here we present the sPlot database, which collates vegetation plots worldwide to allow for the exploration of global patterns in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity at the plant community level. Results sPlot version 2.1 contains records from 1,121,244 vegetation plots, which comprise 23,586,216 records of plant species and their relative cover or abundance in plots collected worldwide between 1885 and 2015. We complemented the information for each plot by retrieving climate and soil conditions and the biogeographic context (e.g., biomes) from external sources, and by calculating community‐weighted means and variances of traits using gap‐filled data from the global plant trait database TRY. Moreover, we created a phylogenetic tree for 50,167 out of the 54,519 species identified in the plots. We present the first maps of global patterns of community richness and community‐weighted means of key traits. Conclusions The availability of vegetation plot data in sPlot offers new avenues for vegetation analysis at the global scale.

Abstract This paper seeks to empirically examine the validity of nexus between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and poverty reduction in the context of twelve European transition and post-transition countries divided in two regions, between 2000 and 2015. The empirical analysis investigates whether some variations in poverty reduction are influenced by countries’ FDI performance and lead by progress in the EU integration process. The study finds that the nexus between FDI and poverty reduction varies between two regions (the Western Balkan region and the Central Europe region). While the relationship between FDI and poverty reduction has a positive effect in the Western Balkan region, it is insignificant and negative in the Central European region. In addition, the findings confirm some earlier assumptions that FDI impacts poverty reduction more strongly in poorer countries (the Western Balkan region) than in wealthier countries (the Central European region).

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of B cell population with excessive secretion of immunoglobulins and presence of free light chains (FLCs) that are by products of immunoglobulin synthesis. Free light chains play crucial role in causing renal damage. Interleukine-6 (IL-6) supports the survival and/or expansion of MM cells by stimulating cells as well as by preventing programmed cell death. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum and urine free light chains (FLC)measurement and compare with IL-6 levels in patients with different stages of Multiple Myeloma (MM) and control group of subjects and to determine their relevance in acute kidney injury occurrence. Materials and Methods: Recruitment of patients with MM (n=62) made the hematologist that followed clinical Solomon-Durie MM classification. Control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. Results: Patients with MM and renal function injury had significantly higher concentration of urine κ chains compared to control group and group of MM without renal function injury (p<0.005), whereas this difference was not observed when the patients were divided into disease stages groups. Concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in patients at MM steady stage compared to control group (p<0.001) and significant difference was also detected in patients with MM at relapse stage and control group (p<0.0005). Concentration of IL-6 in MM patients without renal function and with renal function injury was significantly higher compared to control group (p< 0.001; p<0.0005 respectively). Statistically significant correlation was determined between sera κ and urine κ chains (rho=0.437; p<0.01) as well as between urine λ and sera λ chains (rho=0.505; p<0.01) and between urine κ and urine λ chains (rho=0.364; p<0.01). Conclusion: Results showed that urine κ chains, sera κ chains and IL-6 are constructing a fine tuned net and point to conclusion that FLC and IL-6 are important for an early treatment response detection for patients with potentially reversible renal failure.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the differences in nutritional status and risk for malnutrition between nursing home and community-dwelling residents. Methods: Cross-sectional study included 146 nursing home residents and 300 community-dwelling elderly adults from four municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses, nutritive, functional and cognitive assessments were carried out. Nutritional status and risk for malnutrition were assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, version II (Screen II) and the food intake analysis for the past 24 hours. Functional status was assessed by the Lawton scale, the Katz Independence Index, Timed Up and Go test, the Functional Reach Test. Mini Cog test and Six-item cognitive impairment test were used for the evaluation of cognitive functioning. Results: The incidence of high nutritive risk by SCREEN II (100%) and being “at risk for malnutrition” by MNA (81.60%) was higher among nursing home residents compared to community-dwellers. Community-dwelling elderly people had higher BMI (27.94 ± 4.73), weight (78.40 ± 13.99), height (167.69 ± 9.74), waist circumference (97.77 ± 12.88), hip circumference (104.61 ± 11.47), mid-arm arm (27.54 ± 3.58), hip (27.54 ± 3.58) and calf circumference (34.02 ± 5.16 ). Statistical differences in regards to place of living were found in functional status (p<0.001), cognitive functioning (p<0.001) and hand grip strength (p<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of malnutrition and high nutritional risk was higher in respondents who were living in the nursing homes compared to community-dwellers. The results of this study showed that health professionals involved in the care for institutionalized elderly people should implement routine screening of malnutrition within the comprehensive geriatric assessment in their daily practice.

Introduction: : Diastasis recti abdominis is consequence of mechanical forces that, proportionally to uterus and fetus augmentation, make pressure on anterior abdominal wall. Muscle tonus in pregnancy is significantly impaired. Stress relaxation of connective tissues and modified statics often cause back and leg pain. Aim: To evaluate whether pregnancy augment the spinal column and abdominal muscles loading and to what extent, based on anthropometric measurements and software analysis. Methods: Twenty women participated in the study, having similar anthropometric measurements. Average height was 170 cm (mean), and weight 68.0 kg (mean). Three working postures were analyzed: upright (working posture 1), semi-bent (working posture 2) and bent (working posture 3) working postures by both non-pregnant and pregnant women. Simulation was made in software package CATIA. Results: Analysis was done for working postures at workplace in pre-pregnancy period (height 170 cm, weight 68 kg) and during pregnancy (height 170 cm, weight 80 kg). From analysis of posture 2 and posture 3 in pregnant woman, conclusion can be drawn that despite of the fact that our examinees did not carry any external/additional loads, in these two working postures the abdominal muscles suffered overloading. Conclusion: It is crucial to strengthen the entire musculature for women who wish to get pregnant. The pre-pregnancy exercises might improve the posture, tonus and boost chances for safe labor and delivery. Strong abdominal muscles are needed to unload the spine. It is highly recommended to prepare their musculature for pregnancy through various pre-pregnancy exercises.