There has been significant progress in recent years aimed at the development of new analytical techniques for investigating structure-function relationships in hierarchically ordered materials. Inspired by these technological advances and the potential for applying these approaches to the study of construction materials from antiquity, we present a new set of high throughput characterization tools for investigating ancient Roman concrete, which like many ancient construction materials, exhibits compositional heterogeneity and structural complexity across multiple length scales. The detailed characterization of ancient Roman concrete at each of these scales is important for understanding its mechanics, resilience, degradation pathways, and for making informed decisions regarding its preservation. In this multi-scale characterization investigation of ancient Roman concrete samples collected from the ancient city of Privernum (Priverno, Italy), cm-scale maps with micron-scale features were collected using multi-detector energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and confocal Raman microscopy on both polished cross-sections and topographically complex fracture surfaces to extract both bulk and surface information. Raman spectroscopy was used for chemical profiling and phase characterization, and data collected using EDS was used to construct ternary diagrams to supplement our understanding of the different phases. We also present a methodology for correlating data collected using different techniques on the same sample at different orientations, which shows remarkable potential in using complementary characterization approaches in the study of heterogeneous materials with complex surface topographies.

Peripheral serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) synthesized in the intestine by enterochromaffin cells (ECs), plays an important role in the regulation of peristaltic of the gut, epithelial secretion and promotes the development and maintenance of the enteric neurons. Recent studies showed that the indigenous gut microbiota modulates 5-HT signalling and that ECs use sensory receptors to detect dietary and microbiota-derived signals from the lumen to subsequently transduce the information to the nervous system. We hypothesized that Clostridium ramosum by increasing gut 5-HT availability consequently contributes to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Using germ-free mice and mice monoassociated with C. ramosum, intestinal cell lines and mouse organoids, we demonstrated that bacterial cell components stimulate host 5-HT secretion and program the differentiation of colonic intestinal stem progenitors toward the secretory 5-HT-producing lineage. An elevated 5-HT level regulates the expression of major proteins involved in intestinal fatty acid absorption in vitro, suggesting that the presence of C. ramosum in the gut promotes 5-HT secretion and thereby could facilitates intestinal lipid absorption and the development of obesity.

Heavy metals disturb the redox homeostasis of the plant cell. The indolamine hormone, melatonin, protects plants from oxidative damage by directly scavenging reactive oxygen species or by stimulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidative role of melatonin in the leaves of two medicinal plants, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) that were treated with increased concentrations of Zn and Cd 24 h after sowing at an open field, were investigated. The plants were treated with Zn, Cd, melatonin and a mixture of melatonin with the mentioned metals. Exogenously added melatonin increased the endogenous melatonin concentration in lemon balm leaves. However, in the valerian leaves, lower or the same endogenous melatonin level was detected. The significantly higher concentration of endogenous melatonin in both plants was measured after treatment with Zn. As the results showed, changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities are species-specific and change depending on the plant development phase, and the type of treatment. Melatonin pretreatment induced alternation in SOD isoenzyme profiles and activities as well as POD activity in both plant species treated with heavy metals.

Introduction: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is one of the treatment options for stenotic and obstructive lesions of the subclavian artery. Aim: To evaluate initial and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of subclavian artery lesions. Methods: During period February 2016 to December 2017, 26 patients (12 men and 14 women) with significant subclavian artery stenosis and occlusion were admitted and underwent PTA. All patients were symptomatic. All PTA procedures were performed with the patient under local anesthesia, through the femoral artery (n=22), brachial artery (n=4), or combined route (n=6). In 7 patients, we performed direct stenting, while in the other 15 patients we performed predilatation before stent implantation. The follow-up protocol consisted of regular clinical examinations in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-procedural, and annually thereafter with duplex ultrasound monitoring. Results: Initial technical success was achieved in 22 of 26 procedures (84.61%), 100% in stenotic lesions and 55.5 % in total occlusions. Fourth of nine occlusions could not be recanalized by PTA. These patients were managed surgically. The 30-day mortality rate was 0% for the entire group. No patients required reintervention for recurrence of symptoms and the stents remain patent at period of 12 months post-procedural. Conclusion: The minimal invasive technique, the markedly lower complication rate, the high long-term patency, patient’s comfort and the decreased hospital stay have made endovascular repair the primary choice of treatment in the majority of cases, especially in patients with stenotic lesions and high-risk patients. We consider PTA of subclavian artery stenotic/obstructive lesions should be the first therapeutic option.

Aim To assess efficacy of omalizumab in moderate to severe asthma and notable factors affecting it, such as treatment compliance during the period of ten years. This retrospective, observational real life study is the first of this kind in the Gulf region and one of the worldwide rare long term omalizumab treatment studies. Methods The treatment for 35 patients started in 2008. Twenty patients (ongoing group) proceeded with treatment and were assessed annually until 2017. Reasons for treatment discontinuation in 15 patients (drop-out group) were also assessed. Results Before starting omalizumab the ongoing group of patients had history of ≥2 asthma exacerbations per year, which significantly decreased during the first year of the treatment (p<0.001), and for 14 (70%) patients ≤1 exacerbation stayed during the next 10 years. Since 2014 six (30%) patients had had ≥2 annual asthma exacerbations (p<0.05 in 2013; p<0.05 in 2014; p<0.001 in 2015; p<0.01 in 2016; p<0.001 in 2017). At the same time there was a significant drop in compliance index (CI) (p<0.0001). Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first 10-year study of compliance and effectiveness, which may help finalize some practical suggestions to improve CI in clinical practice and to note acceptable variation in CI. It is important to recognize factors that can possibly affect effectiveness of the treatment and identify the patients who will have the best benefit from a long term omalizumab treatment.

One of the major causes of ecological and environmental problems comes from the enormous number of discarded waste tires, which is directly connected to the exponential growth of the world’s population. In this paper, previous works carried out on the effects of partial or full replacement of aggregate in concrete with waste rubber on some properties of concrete were investigated. A database containing 457 mixtures with partial or full replacement of natural aggregate with waste rubber in concrete provided by different researchers was formed. This database served as the basis for investigating the influence of partial or full replacement of natural aggregate with waste rubber in concrete on compressive strength. With the aid of the database, the possibility of achieving reliable prediction of the compressive strength of concrete with tire rubber is explored using neural network modelling.

Aim To determine dietary habits of elementary school students in relation to a place of living and socio-economic status of the family. Methods A prospective study conducted in the Primary Health Center Zenica involved five family medicine teams in urban and five in rural settlement during 2015. Elementary school students aged 10-16 were interviewed by random selection using a questionnaire on the socio-economic status of parents and nutritional habits of adolescents. Results The survey involved 199 respondents, 103 from rural and 96 from urban area. There were significantly more pupils from employed parents who consumed non-carbonated drinks. Students from urban areas more likely consumed fruit every day than children from rural areas. More than half of the respondents did not or rarely consumed vegetables, in this case the village pupils, who consumed much less milk. It would be expected that rural students were more likely to consume fruits, vegetables and milk due to easier access to these foods in the countryside, but the results of this research did not confirm this assumption. Conclusion Changes in traditional family functioning (lower income, unemployment) could be linked with lifestyle changes (low consumption of fruits and vegetables, low consumption of milk both in rural and urban areas, consumption of carbonated drinks), especially in families in rural areas.

Abstract In the literature, two materials (such as water and phase change materials) have been studied frequently as potential heat energy storage medium in building applications. Many perspectives have been mentioned by researchers but there is too little information about significance of its application. In this experimental study, water and PCM glazing systems were tested simultaneously in natural environment using test chambers. Temperature histories were recorded in the corresponding chambers at interior glass surface for each sample. Time lag, temperature damping and average temperature for each glazing system were comparatively analyzed. It was observed that temperature variation at interior glass surface over a period of 48 h changes differently for each material. Compared to the traditional air filled glazing system, it was found that water glazing system has most promising temperature damping properties, but significantly unfavorable average temperature, while PCM glazing system has significantly promising average temperature and temperature dumping properties.

Aim To assess triglyceride - to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL)-C ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to verify its association with renal dysfunction. Methods A cross sectional study included 85 ACS patients divided in two groups with (ACS - RD) and without (ACS-nRD) presence of renal dysfunction, and 35 healthy subjects. Blood pressure, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, eGFR and serum lipids levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C) was measured in all participants. Based on the values of the measured lipid fractions TG/HDLc ratio was calculated. Results Patients in ACS group had significantly lower HDL-C level (p<0.0005) but significantly higher TG level (p=0.046) and TG/HDL-C ratio (p<0.0005) than controls. There was a significant increase (p<0.0005) in TG/HDL-C ratio in ACS-RD group compared to ACS-nRD group. The ACS-RD group had significantly higher level of TG (p=0.001), serum urea (p=0.02) and creatinine (p<0.0005) compared to the ACS-nRD group. With a cut-off level of 1.135 TG/HDL-C ratio had a sensitivity of 77.6% and a specificity of 62.9% in distinguishing between ACS patients and healthy subjects. With cut-off value of 1.905 TG/HDL-C ratio had a sensitivity of 75.9% and a specificity of 78.6% in distinguishing between ACS patients with and without renal dysfunction. Conclusion This study confirms the reliability of the TG/HDLC ratio as a simple, low cost and useful marker in distinguishing between patients with ACS and healthy subjects and ACS patients with and without renal dysfunction.

Introduction: Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) is associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications and mortality, as well as with longer hospitalization and increased treatment costs. We have designed and performed a randomized, trial of pharmacological prophylaxis in which the event of interest is POAF. Aim: The aim of this study is to reduce the risk of postoperative, complications associated with this arrhythmia. Methods: We included 240 stable patients with a coronary heart disease, who were referred to elective surgical revascularization of the myocardium. The patients were assigned into three groups of 80 patients each: group A (BB, beta blocker, comparator), group B (BB+ Amiodarone) and group C (BB + Rosuvastatin). The goal was to establish whether intervention by combination therapy was more useful than a comparator. Results: An event of interest (POAF) has occurred in 66 of the total 240 patients. Number of new POAF cases is the lowest in Group B, 14 (17.5%) compared to 25 (31.25%) new cases in the comparator group, and 27 new cases (33.75%) in group C. Absolute risk reduction was 13.75%, ≈14% less POAF in group B compared to comparator. Relative risk reduction was 56% (RR 0.56, p = 0.04). Number Needed to Treat was 7.27. In group C, 33.75% of patients developed POAF. Absolute risk was insignificantly higher in group C (2.5%, NS) compared to the comparator .The number needed to harm was high, 40. Conclusion: The results of our research show that prophylaxis of POAF with combined therapy BB + Amiodarone was the most efficient one.

Specimen‐driven intraoperative assessment of the resection margins provides immediate feedback if an additional excision is needed. However, relocation of an inadequate margin in the wound bed has shown to be difficult. The objective of this study is to assess a reliable method for accurate relocation of inadequate tumor resection margins in the wound bed after intraoperative assessment of the specimen.

Aim To compare the effects of endotracheal tube cuff inflation media, air, saline and alkalinized 2% lidocaine on increase of cuff pressure (CP) during nitrous oxide maintained anaesthesia and on incidence of postoperative throat symptoms (PTS), and to evaluate the incidence of postoperative throat mucosal injuries (PTMI) depending on cuff inflation medium. Methods Ninety patients who had undergone elective surgery were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups per cuff inflation media: air (group A), saline (group S) and alkalinized 2% lidocaine (group L). The CP was monitored immediately after cuff inflation and further 5, 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after intubation. The incidence and intensity of PTS, sore throat, hoarseness, dysphagia and cough were evaluated 2, 6 and 24 hours after extubation. The incidence and intensity of PTMI were evaluated 24 hours after exubation using indirect laryngoscopy examination. Results The highest increase of mean CP was recorded in the group A (18.7±4.9), it was significantly lower (6.4±1.1) in the group S, while it remained stable in the group L (0.7±0.7). All PTS occurred less frequently in the group L: sore throat (p<0.001), hoarseness and dysphagia (p<0.05), but the incidence of cough was not significantly different between the groups. The lowest incidence of PTMI was in the group L (p< 0.001). Conclusion The increase of CP contributed to incidence of PTS. The intracuff alkalinized 2% lidocaine was superior to saline and air in the prevention of an increase of CP and reduction of the PTS incidence. There was a strong correlation between the incidence of PTS and PTMI.

Leishmania infantum causes potentially life-threatening disease in humans. To determine the extent of the animal reservoir for this pathogen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we tested dogs and cats. We found that a large proportion of dogs were exposed to or infected with L. infantum, indicating endemicity in dogs and zoonotic risk for humans.