The aim of the present study is to improve the solubility and antimicrobial activity of 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin by formulating its inclusion complexes with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in solution and in solid state. The phase solubility study was used to investigate the interactions between 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and to estimate the molar ratio between them. The structural characterization of binary systems (prepared by physical mixing, kneading and solvent evaporation methods) was analysed using the FTIR-ATM spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin and inclusion complexes prepared by solvent evaporation method was tested by the diffusion and dilution methods on various strains of microorganisms. The results of phase solubility studies showed that 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin formed the inclusion complexes with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin of AP type. The solubility of 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin was increased 64.05-fold with 50% w/w of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin at 37 o C. The inclusion complexes in solid state, prepared by the solvent evaporation method, showed higher solubility in purified water and in phosphate buffer solutions in comparison with 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin alone. The inclusion complexes prepared by solvent evaporation method showed higher activity on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus compared to uncomplexed 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin due to improved aqueous solubility, thus increasing the amount of available 3-(3-(2-chlorophenyl)prop-2-enoyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin that crosses the bacterial membrane.

Aim: The chief aim of this study was monitoring of laboratory parameters of chronic kidney failure in elderly patients. Methods: All samples were taken and processed by standard methods and according to the principles of good laboratory practice. Data were collected in an organized and systematic manner in the form of a questionnaire with respect to ethical principles and as such were analyzed by statistical tests and analyses (Student's t-test, Analysis of variance-ANOVA, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients). The limit of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Mean values of creatinine clearance and proteinuria for the total study population were: 41.30 ± 21.43 mL/min, 1.5 ± 2.3 g/L/24 h, respectively. Hematological parameters did not significantly differ from normal values. The highest frequency of comorbidities was observed in subjects aged ≥ 80 years with an average of 2.03 comorbidities per subject. Serum creatinine and urea values as well as creatinine clearance are good indicators of disease progression. Conclusion: The results of the presented research suggest that old age is a predisposing risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease, and that in combination with comorbidities (hypertension and/or diabetes), it contributes to poor prognosis or disease progression.

The Western Balkan countries have been lagging behind in their transition process, which started more than 30 years ago. While some justification can be made in the fact that the countries went through wars in the 1990s, the real problem is that they have not been able to create efficient institutions. Inefficient institutions hamper economic growth, as the countries do not attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the extent they could and should. A lack of FDI affects three aspects of the transition process in the region: developing a functioning market economy, competitiveness, and convergence. Improvements in these areas can only be done by building efficient institutions.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) held presidential and parliamentary elections on 2 October 2022, amid the most severe political crisis since the 1992-1995 war. Inefficient institutions and problems created by political leaders led the country to the bottom of economic and political statistics in Europe. While citizens were hoping for a change, it did not come as the nationalist parties won the majority again. The change of the election law imposed by the High Representative during the election night did not bring much hope either. The country is still stuck in its nationalist rhetoric and the lack of dialogue among the decisionmakers. It is difficult to see how the newly elected political leaders will be the ones finally taking responsibility for bringing change.

Croatia, the newest member of the European Union, is set to introduce the euro as its currency in January 2023. Although it was announced that Croatia had fulfilled the Maastricht criteria for monetary union membership in May 2022, the country did not meet the criterion on the general government debt rate. This paper analyses Croatia’s readiness to join the euro area beyond meeting the Maastricht criteria. While monetary union membership has its positive sides, by joining, a country loses one of the most important tools of managing its economy – monetary policy. If the economy is strong and competitive enough, with efficient institutions and stable fiscal policy, the loss of monetary policy can be mitigated. However, Croatia’s decision to join the euro area is hasty, as if the country just wanted to join a prestigious club. This lack of preparedness could have major negative effects on one of the least competitive economies in the EU.

: In the regional historiography of World War II in Yugoslavia, written in both the socialist and post-socialist periods, Wehrmacht generals are mentioned almost exclusively in the context of war crimes. Almost nothing is known about their origin, personal life