Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disorder that typically affects young adults and is primarily characterized by demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). According to the Revised McDonald Criteria, the clinical diagnosis of MS can be established based on a combination of clinical observations, the presence of focal lesions in at least two distinct CNS areas on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the detection of specific oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid. Conventional MRI remains a cornerstone of MS diagnosis and disease monitoring, providing high-resolution assessments of lesion burden and brain atrophy. In addition, advanced MRI methods are increasingly applied in research settings to probe myelin integrity, iron deposition, and biochemical changes, with the potential to complement established diagnostic workflows in the future. Despite remarkable advances in the management of MS over the past two decades, complex differential diagnoses and the lack of effective imaging tools for therapy monitoring remain major obstacles, thus channeling the development of innovative molecular imaging probes that can be harnessed in clinical practice. Indeed, positron emission tomography (PET) has a significant potential to advance the contemporary diagnosis and management of MS. Given the solid body of evidence implicating myelin dysfunction in the pathophysiology of MS, myelin-targeted imaging probes have been developed, and are currently under clinical evaluation for MS diagnosis and therapy monitoring. In parallel, ligands for the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) have been employed to capture neuroinflammatory processes by visualizing microglial activation, while other tracers allow the assessment of synaptic integrity across various disease stages of MS. Further, PET probes have been employed to delineate the role of activated microglia and facilitate the assessment of synaptic dysfunction across all disease stages of MS. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities of translational molecular imaging by highlighting key molecular concepts that are currently leveraged for diagnostic imaging, patient stratification, therapy monitoring and drug development in MS. Moreover, we shed light on potential future developments that hold promise to advance our understanding of MS pathophysiology, with the ultimate goal to provide the best possible patient care for every individual MS patient.

Mountain lakes are sensitive ecosystems that serve as natural indicators of ecological change and conservation needs. This study presents the first ecological assessment of Lake Šator (Bosansko Grahovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), a glacial lake situated at 1,488 m a.s.l. Field research in July and November 2021 included measurements of physicochemical parameters, water sampling, and analysis of littoral and sublittoral macrozoobenthos. The lake showed oligotrophic conditions with high oxygen saturation (101–134%), low organic load, and stable conductivity (208 µS/cm). Nitrate concentrations increased in November, reflecting seasonal dynamics. The macrozoobenthic community comprised 10 taxa in July (26 individuals) and 11 taxa in November (19 individuals). Characteristic taxa included Sympetrum flaveolum, Asellus aquaticus, Erpobdella octoculata, Limnephilus rhombicus,  Limnephilus flavicornis, Tubificidae, and water mites (Hydracarina). Functional Feeding Groups analysis revealed dominance of predators (42–46%), followed by collectors, shredders, and scrapers, indicating a balanced trophic structure. Saprobic Index values (2.24 in July; 2.14 in November) correspond to β-mesosaprobic conditions, while Shannon–Weaver Index indicated stable but seasonally variable diversity. These findings confirm the good ecological status of Lake Šator with preserved littoral dynamics. Given its sensitivity and limited prior research, the lake should be considered a priority for long-term monitoring and conservation in the Dinaric karst.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of cartilage, as well as by extra-articular manifestations. Rheumatoid nephropathy is a common complication of RA and its principal target is the renal corpuscle. Vitamin D and its analogs exert immunomodulatory actions throughout the body due to the widespread of their receptors. Our study aimed to compare the effects of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and alfacalcidol on renal corpuscle changes in pristane-induced RA model following a 28-day treatment, using geometric morphometrics. Forty female Wistar rats (190–210 g; 12–13 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four groups: the control (Cont) group (n = 10) received saline i.c., the PIA group (n = 10) was administered pristane i.c., PIA-ALF group (n = 10) was administered pristane i.c. and alfacalcidol orally, and the PIA-CH group (n = 10) was injected i.c. with pristane and received cholecalciferol orally. Pristane administration was used for RA induction. At the end of the experiment, the left kidneys were removed and processed by standard histological procedures for geometric morphometric analysis. Geometric morphometric analysis demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the architecture of the renal corpuscles was altered in the PIA (p < 0.0001) and PIA-CH (p = 0.0065) groups. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed in the PIA-ALF group (p = 0.3011). Geometric morphometric analysis demonstrated that alfacalcidol, but not cholecalciferol, exertedaprotective effect on the renal corpuscle architecture in pristane-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

Introduction: Noise is the leading cause of hearing loss worldwide. In recent years, reduced hearing ability among young people has been observed, along with an increased frequency of headphone use for sound transmission. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency and patterns of headphone use for sound reproduction among students and to analyze their impact on the occurrence of symptoms associated with hearing loss. Methods: The cross-sectional study included students from two public universities from three public faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were used to process the results. To test the statistical significance of the findings, the Chi-square goodness-of-fit test was applied, with the level of statistical significance set at 0.01. Results: The study sample included 246 participants and it was found that 77.6% of surveyed students use headphones for sound transmission. The longest duration of use was reported by 44.6% of participants, who had been using headphones for more than 5 years. The most common maximum daily use was up to 2 h (28.7%), while 67.5% of respondents reported using headphones every day, most often in the evening (46.4%). The Chi-square test showed statistically significant differences in the frequency of symptom occurrence following headphone use (χ2(6) = 55.466, p < 0.001). The most frequently reported symptoms were tinnitus (28.3%), a sensation of fullness and ear pressure (17.8%), and ear pain (16.2%). Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of headphone use among students, with many reporting daily use over several years. The analysis showed a statistically significant association between headphone use and the occurrence of hearing-related symptoms, suggesting a potential threat to the auditory health of young people. These findings highlight the need to educate youth on the safe use of headphones.

The Tracking Cancer Evolution Through Therapy (TRACERx) program represents the most comprehensive effort to characterize tumor evolution in real time. Through longitudinal, multiregion, and multiomic profiling of tumors—and particularly of non-small-cell lung cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma—TRACERx has illuminated the dynamic interplay between genetic, nongenetic, and (micro)environmental factors that drive cancer progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. A central insight from TRACERx has been that not all tumor evolution is genomic: Transcriptomic diversity, epigenetic alterations, RNA editing, and changes in cell–cell interactions also drive adaptation. Methodological innovations—including tumor-informed and ultrasensitive circulating tumor DNA assays, representative sequencing, and integrative immune–genomic analyses—have yielded biomarkers resistant to sampling bias and/or predictive of recurrence, metastasis, and treatment response. By demonstrating that intratumor heterogeneity is a key determinant of clinical outcome and revealing its molecular, transcriptional, and ecosystem-level drivers, TRACERx has established a framework for linking evolutionary dynamics to patient care. As both a scientific framework and a clinical paradigm, TRACERx demonstrates how adaptive, iterative research can refine evolutionary models, improve patient risk stratification, and inspire next-generation cancer evolution studies across malignancies.

Background: The symptoms of COPD differ based on the stage of the disease, becoming more noticeable in its severe stages and during exacerbations. They are associated with temporary incapacity for work and cause a decrease in working capacity. Also, occupations with special working conditions and exposure to pollutants at work cause increased bronchial secretion and cough. This research aims to identify the most common symptoms in COPD patients and evaluate their work capacity based on symptom prevalence. Methods: 200 subjects were included in the prospective study. Participants were divided into two groups: a study group and a control group. Within each group, subgroups were created based on smoking habits, a key risk factor for COPD development. Results: The dominant symptom in both groups was cough, with 34.67%. In subjects with preserved working capacity, the most common symptoms are chest pressure with 13.33% and shortness of breath with 9.33%, while in the group with reduced working capacity, fatigue (30%) and dyspnea with 26%. In the control group, most subjects had obstructive bronchitis, asthma and chronic simplex bronchitis. Conclusion: According to the GOLD classification, modified working capacity decreased by 51.33%, while retained working capacity declined by 48.67% in relation to disease severity. Cough was the dominant symptom in both groups, while other symptoms varied independently of the stage of the disease.

Purpose Anterior clinoidal meningioma (ACM) remains a challenging lesion to treat surgically due to its intricate neurovascular relationships with surrounding anatomy and often presents with ipsilateral visual loss. Anterior clinoidectomy (AC) by skilled skull base surgeons enables early optic nerve (ON) decompression, tumor devascularization, and radical tumor resection. The authors provide an update on ACM surgery, current views on the role of AC and its impact on outcomes in surgical treatment, as well as a new 2 stage 4 by 4 step concept of ON decompression involving AC. Methods A systematic review of PubMed and meta-regression of surgically treated ACMs was performed. Results In total, 908 patients were analyzed; 415 (45.7%) underwent routine AC (performed in all cases) and 493 (54.3%) underwent selective AC (planned preoperatively). The routine AC cohort showed higher risk for new cranial-nerve (CN) deficits (12.5% vs. 3.0%; p < 0.001), vascular complications (6.7% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.02), and new focal neurological deficits (5.5% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.04). No differences were found in visual outcomes, gross-total resection, mortality, recurrence, or other major complications. Random-effects meta-regression of routine AC showed increased odds of new CN deficit (odds ratio [OR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.51–7.38; p = 0.005; heterogeneity [I2] = 60.5%) and vascular complication (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.05–6.38; p = 0.04; I2 = 47.8%), with moderate and substantial heterogeneity among routine AC studies, respectively. Conclusions In experienced hands, AC remains an invaluable tool for ACM treatment as it offers more consistent tumor devascularization, prevention of tumor recurrence, optic nerve decompression, and increased working space, which facilitates optimal tumor resection and better long‐term control and functional outcome. We propose a new didactical structured concept of routine AC via 2-stage, 4 by 4 steps to improve the utility of AC and decrease associated operative risks compared to selective AC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00701-025-06742-x.

Background: A doubt that occupational medicine specialists face is whether exposure to solvents is an independent risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Aim: The present study investigates the connection between the length of work experience (exposure) at workplaces that are exposed to organic volatile substances with eventual changes in the morphological structure of the liver parenchyma or laboratory parameters of liver function, and to investigate whether organic volatile substances, as an independent factor can lead to liver steatosis or changes in laboratory parameters of liver function.  Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January to April 2023. and included 62 coke industry workers who were divided into two groups of 31 workers each (experimental with workers exposed to organic volatile substances at the workplace and control with workers who were not exposed). Laboratory parameters of liver function were monitored, as well as ultrasound findings of liver parenchyma in coke industry workers undergoing examination. Exclusion criteria were known history of liver disease, blood transfusion, alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus. Results: Changes in laboratory parameters of liver function and ultrasound findings of liver steatosis were found with high statistical significance in the workers of the experimental group, for which no statistically significant association with elevated values of lipid status was found. With diabetes as an exclusion factor and the insignificant prevalence of hypertension in the examined workers, it can be concluded that metabolic syndrome is not related to our results. During the correlation analysis, it can be concluded that organic volatile substances are an independent cause and trigger for fatty infiltration of the liver parenchyma and changes in the laboratory findings of liver function parameters. Conclusions: Exposure to organic volatile substances at the workplace as an independent factor causes liver steatosis with elevated values of laboratory parameters of liver function and it can be said that it is an independent cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Understanding how water-quality models perform across different hydrological and biogeochemical contexts is essential for managing nutrient losses in agricultural catchments. This study evaluated SimplyP, a parsimonious phosphorus model, adapted to better represent Irish agricultural catchments and implemented within the flexible Mobius2 framework. Long-term, high-frequency monitoring data from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) were used for two sites: Ballycanew, a grassland catchment dominated by surface runoff, and Castledockrell, an arable, groundwater-driven catchment. Model calibration and validation were performed for streamflow (Q), suspended sediment (SS), and multiple phosphorus (P) fractions, with performance assessed using Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE). In Ballycanew, the model reproduced Q, SS, and total P load well, with weaker agreement for total reactive phosphorus (TRP), likely reflecting unaccounted point sources during low flows. In Castledockrell, performance was moderate for Q and SS, but TRP and other P fractions were not adequately captured, highlighting the need for more detailed representation of subsurface P pathways in groundwater-dominated systems. Overall, SimplyP is well-suited to surface-runoff-dominated catchments with conventional phosphorus mobilisation. Its flexible implementation in Mobius2 allows relatively straightforward modifications, such as including groundwater-mediated P processes, to extend applicability to more complex systems. High-resolution ACP datasets were crucial for identifying model strengths and limitations, supporting refinement for improved nutrient management across diverse agricultural landscapes.

Abstract.