BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a potentially preventable complication after exposure to iodinated contrast media. In patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the incidence and clinical impact are poorly characterized, and no validated prediction tool is currently available. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and prognostic significance of CA-AKI in EVT-treated patients with AIS and to develop and validate a predictive score. METHODS A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted involving EVT-treated patients across 73 centers in 16 countries (January-December 2023). Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, absence of dialysis, availability of preprocedural and 48-hour postprocedural creatinine levels, and available 90-day follow-up (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score). The primary outcome was CA-AKI, defined by KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria;creatinine increase ≥0.3 mg/dL or ≥1.5 times baseline, within 48 hours). Secondary outcomes were (1) in-hospital mortality, (2) 90-day mRS score, and (3) 90-day severe disability or death (mRS score >3). Logistic models assessing associations with outcomes accounted for within-center clustering by applying robust standard errors. CA-AKI prediction models were developed across imputed data sets using univariable selection (p < 0.20), backward elimination (p < 0.05), and coefficient-based scoring after categorization of continuous predictors, with internal validation by bootstrap to obtain optimism-adjusted estimates. RESULTS Among 6,638 patients (median age 74 years; 48.7% male), CA-AKI occurred in 326 (4.9%) and was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.269; 95% CI 1.615-3.190), higher 90-day mRS scores (adjusted common odds ratio 1.584; 95% CI 1.110-2.258), and 90-day severe disability or death (aOR 1.530; 95% CI 1.057-2.216). A preprocedural risk model including 12 routine clinical variables-sex, ethnicity, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, antiplatelet therapy, NIH Stroke Scale score at admission, serum glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, mean arterial pressure, and IV thrombolysis-demonstrated acceptable discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.710 [95% CI 0.682-0.738]; precision-recall area under the curve 0.13 [95% CI 0.10-0.16]), good calibration (slope 0.870 [95% CI 0.759-0.928]), good overall performance (Brier score 0.045 [95% CI 0.042-0.049]). A second model that included EVT-related variables (e.g., contrast volume) showed similar performances. DISCUSSION In this large, international cohort, CA-AKI occurred in approximately 1 in 20 EVT-treated patients with AIS and was independently associated with poor outcomes. A simple preprocedural risk score enables early identification of high-risk individuals and may support preventive strategies.

C-reactive protein structurally belongs to the pentraxin family, calcium-binding proteins with immune defense properties. In the serum of healthy adults and adolescents, there is less than 5 mg of C-reactive protein. Its concentration is increased in inflammatory diseases where values up to 500 mg/l can be found. The main role of C-reactive protein is complement activation and prevention of inflammation. It binds to bacteria or damaged cells and thus helps the activation of the classic complement pathway, opsonization and phagocytosis. Binding depends on calcium. Antibiotics are products of the metabolism of bacteria, fungi and molds, rarely higher plants, which in small concentrations prevent the growth and development of microorganisms or kill them. They belong to the group of antimicrobial drugs, which are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics with the same mechanism of action as penicillin, which means that they block the synthesis of the bacterial cell

Background: Australia’s increasingly multicultural landscape has seen a rise in culturally and linguistically diverse populations, many of whom face subtle and systemic forms of discrimination known as “new racism”. Objective: Underpinned by a person-centred and holistic framework, which recognises individuals as experts in their own lived experiences and emphasises strength-based, culturally situated understandings of well-being, this paper reports on a study that explores how culturally and racially marginalised diverse people in Australia cope with the mental health impacts of new racism. Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed in this study. Participants: Thirty participants from ten culturally and linguistically diverse communities participated in eight focus groups, providing rich insights into their lived experiences. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured focus-group interviews conducted between March and June 2025. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’ method of thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis revealed four key coping strategies: (1) acceptance of immutable identity traits to foster resilience, (2) emotional ventilation within culturally safe spaces, (3) self-growth and empowerment through reflection and adaptive practices, and (4) assertive responses to racism when necessary. While some participants reported psychological distress, many demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, challenging deficit-based assumptions often found in the existing literature. Findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive mental healthcare, including peer support, emotional safe spaces, and strength-based interventions. Conclusions: This study offers a holistic understanding of how culturally and racially marginalised people cope with new racism and its mental health impacts. The findings highlight the critical need for person-centred, culturally responsive, and equity-focused mental health support, providing actionable guidance for nursing practice and policy development.

This study investigates white willow bark extract (WWBE) as a potential corrosion inhibitor for Cu-DHP in a 0.5 M NaCl solution, using a non-destructive electrochemical methods, namely electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrolytes consisted of 0.5 M NaCl solutions both with and without the addition of WWBE (0.1–0.5 g l −1 ). The 0.5 M NaCl solution containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE, both in the presence and absence of a copper plate, was analysed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The experiments were conducted at room temperature. The EFM results indicated that WWBE functioned as a cathodic copper corrosion inhibitor, with the highest inhibition efficiency observed for the 0.5 M NaCl solution containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE. The EIS results suggested the formation of a protective WWBE inhibitor film. The corrosion process was diffusion-controlled, both with and without the addition of WWBE. Both electrochemical methods demonstrated that WWBE adsorbed onto the copper surface in 0.5 M NaCl solution via physisorp-tion, following the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The Gibbs free energy values of adsorption were similar for EFM and EIS. The UV-Vis results showed that immersion of copper in an electrolyte containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE for 24 h led to a change in the absorbance maximum, indicating the formation of a copper–WWBE complex. Overall, the results indicate that WWBE is an effective inhibitor of copper corrosion in chloride conditions. Further research will focus on the identification of compounds and organometallic complexes in WWBE and their individual effects on the corrosion process.

Evaluating the somatic cell count (SCC) at the level of the herd or individual cows allows for efficient monitoring of mammary gland health. By analysing SCC, it is possible to identify subclinical cases of mastitis that do not manifest through visible clinical signs on the udder or changes in milk. This study was conducted on a modern dairy farm of the Holstein-Friesian breed in the municipality of Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total number of cows included in the study during 2022 and 2023 ranged between 325 and 335. Milk samples were preserved with azidiol and transported to the laboratory. Milk quality was assessed by determining the SCC in milk using the Fluoro-opto-electronic method, and by analysing the fat, protein, and lactose contents. The devices used in the study were CombiFoss 6200 – MilkoScan FT and Fossomatic FC 6000. A strong positive correlation was found between SCC and milk proteins, but not with milk fat. A significant negative correlation was found between SCC and lactose. There was no significant difference in the number of somatic cells by year, although there was a significant difference by season within the studied years. Winter stands out as the season with the lowest SCC, followed by spring and summer, while autumn had the highest count. Autumn also showed the largest oscillations in SCC, while spring had the smallest. Somatic cell counts over 200,000/mL were recorded from July to December 2022 and from May to November 2023. Zoohygiene conditions and milking hygiene measures should be additionally adjusted in summer and autumn to maintain the desired standards achieved in winter and spring.

significant median increase was also observed in proximal (z = -3.408, p < .001) and distal tibial M wave amplitude (z = -3.409, p < .001).

Introduction : Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) influence treatment outcomes, particularly in complex diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of DDIs in COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods : A study was conducted on 200 patients with mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 infections. Next, DDIs were classified into five risk categories (A–X). Results : Altogether, 1689 DDIs were identified (maximum of 64 per patient). Most interactions were category C (65.3%). Clinically significant DDIs (C–X) accounted for 73.6% of interactions. Positive correlations were found between the total number of DDIs and both the total number of drugs (very strong) and comorbidities/diagnoses (strong). Patients with severe COVID-19 infections had significantly more DDIs and drugs used. Polypharmacy was highly frequent (97.5%, average of 9.9 drugs per patient). Conclusion : Overall, COVID-19 patients often have clinically significant DDIs resulting from polypharmacy and comorbidities, especially in severe cases. Systematic DDI assessment is essential.

There is no medical field where the impact of medical evolution is more palpable than in kidney transplantation. The pioneers of this procedure, 70 years ago, laid out the foundation for organ transplantation in general and kidney transplantation in particular. Despite the incredible advancements that have been made since, huge differences exist worldwide in terms of access, equity and quality of care. Nowhere are these disparities more prominent than in developing countries with limited resources, underfunded healthcare systems and transplantation infrastructures, particularly the Western Balkans. This position paper delineates the biggest barriers hindering the development of kidney transplantation in the Western Balkans, put forth and agreed upon by a group of regional experts on the field, based on the Modified Delphi Method. Limitations in training, infrastructure, restrictive and outdated legislative practices, lack of a centralized coordination network and fragmented regional collaboration, emerged as the principal challenges. Endorsed by European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT), this paper outlines a pragmatic and practical framework to overcome these obstacles, towards building robust and sustainable transplantation programs that ensure high-quality and equitable access to kidney transplantation, for all patients in this region.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a high burden of complications, most of which first present to primary care.Objective: To assess the prevalence and predictors of diabetes-related complications among patients seeking primary health care.Methods: This retrospective study analysed records of 1000 patients with T2DM in primary care. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables were examined, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of complications.Results: Majority of the patients (58.3%) had at least one complication. Neuropathy (41.8%), retinopathy (32.3%), and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS)(22.3%) were most frequent. Independent predictors for complications included older age, longer disease duration and higher HbA1c (p<0.001 for all). Neuropathy was significantly associated with female sex (p=0.016), while myocardial infarction and CCS showed significant association with male sex (p=0.027 and p=0.002 respectively). All complications were strongly associated with hospitalisations (all p<0.001), except for retinopathy. Family history independently predicted retinopathy (p=0.039) and CCS (p=0.014).Conclusion: Diabetes-related complications remain highly prevalent and are strongly linked to glycaemic control, disease duration, and age. Sex, and family history also shape complication patterns, while treatment modality reflects disease severity. These findings highlight the need for early, individualised management and implementation of guideline-based strategies to reduce complication burden and improve outcomes in frontline care.