BACKGROUND Limited joint mobility is the proven risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration when present in the subtalar and first metatarsophalangeal joints. Evidence shows that a foot-related exercise program, combined with a health-promoting program, can improve the signs and symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy, enhance gait, restore mobility in the foot and ankle joints, redistribute pressure while walking, and increase foot strength and function. As a result, these exercise programs can help mitigate the risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration. AIM To determine the effect of supervised stretching, strengthening, functional and walking exercises on joint mobility and muscle strength in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary hospital. The study included 82 participants allocated into the intervention group (alpha-lipoic acid and exercise on 15 consecutive therapeutic days, n = 42) and control group (alpha lipoic acid only, n = 40). Muscle strength included dorsal and plantar flexors dynamometry and strength score, while range of motion included ankle, subtalar and first metatarsophalangeal joint goniometry. RESULTS Change of motion range was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group regarding ankle joint on day 15 (9.9 ± 7.2 vs 0.1 ± 3.3; P = 0.006) and month 6 (2.8 ± 7.3 vs -0.9 ± 4.1; P < 0.001), subtalar joint on day 15 (7.5 ± 5.1 vs -0.25 ± 2.25; P < 0.001) and month 6 (3.9 ± 6.4 vs -0.13 ± 3.49; P < 0.001). Change in dorsal flexors was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group on day 15 (2.62 ± 1.69 vs 0.10 ± 1.35; P < 0.001) and month 6 (0.66 ± 2.38 vs -0.75 ± 1.94; P = 0.004) as well as plantar flexors on day 15 (3.3 ± 1.6 vs 0.3 ± 1.5; P < 0.001) and month 6 (1.8 ± 2.2 vs -0.9 ± 2.1; P < 0.001). Muscle strength score change was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group on day 15 (-1.45 ± 1.42 vs -0.03 ± 0.16; P < 0.001) and month 6 (-1.17 ± 1.53 vs 0.20 ± 0.56; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Exercise in combination with alpha-lipoic acid can improve joint mobility, as well as strength of the foot and lower leg muscles in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.

The present study was designed to evealuate the influence of different substrates on the yield and antioxidant properties of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostrestus) cultivated in 'bag-logs'. The substrates used in this study were: (1) maize straw, (2) beech sawdust mixed with wheat bran, and (3 and 4) maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds mixed in a different ratio. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total antioxidant acitivity of oyster mushroom were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, Aluminium chloride method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay, respectively. The highest fruiting bodies yield of oyster mushroom was obtained from substrate 4 (maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 50:50), while the least was from substrate 1 (maize straw). Total phenolic contents ranged from 3.80 mg in oyster mushroom grown on substrate 4 (maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 50:50) to 4.85 mg of gallic acid equivalents g-1 dry mass in oyster mushroom form substrate 2 (beech sawdust mixed with wheat bran). Total flavonoid contents were very low in all analysed mushroom extracts. There was no significant difference between total antioxidant activities of oyster mushroom grown on different substrates. 

U ovom radu analizirat će se upotreba diskursnih markera u spontanom govoru na suvremenom francuskom jeziku na temelju jednojezičnoga usmenog korpusa Les Vocaux na sveučilištima u Strasbourgu, Lorraineu i Liègeu. Analiza korpusa obuhvaća 745 audiodokumenata, odnosno više od deset sati glasovnih poruka koje su snimljene mobilnim aplikacijama. Rad će pokušati dokazati da diskursni markeri imaju ulogu artikulatora u govornim iskazima na francuskom jeziku. Iako se radi o neobaveznim partikulama u govoru na sintaktičkom planu, one su vrlo česte i važne su u primanju poruke na pragmatičkom planu. S obzirom na opsežnost korpusa i frekvenciju upotrebe markera, analizirat ćemo upotrebu samo jedanaest onih koji su najprisutniji u korpusu: du coup, genre, ben, mais, enfin, en fait, bon, voilà, après, quoi, donc. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da navedeni diskursni markeri imaju različite uloge na makrosintaktičkom planu te da, iako predstavljaju periferne elemente govora, doprinose razvoju i organizaciji ilokucijske snage.

Human activities cause global losses of soil microbiome diversity and functionality. Microbiota transplants offer a potential solution, but the factors influencing transplant success remain unclear. We investigated how microbiota origin affects microbiome mergers, hypothesizing that native strains through niche preference are better adapted to their habitat and will outcompete non-native ones. To test this, we contrasted transplants between soil microcosm-cultured topsoil or lakewater communities with a community of 21 soil bacteria (SynCom). In both cases, SynCom transplant increased resident productivity but permanently shifted compositions, although its abundance dropped from an initial 50-80% to <1% within two months. Both merged and non-merged communities resembled natural soil microbiota in comparisons with over 81,000 soil, sediment and lake compositional data. Our results show that habitat filtering and niche competition, more than microbiota origin, determine transplant outcomes. Despite the limited proliferation of SynCom transplants, their capacity to instill lasting community trajectory changes opens new paths for microbiome engineering. TEASER Even transiently present microbiota transplants can alter resident microbiome composition through processes governed by habitat filtering.

Objective. The goal of this research was to examine the morphological characteristics and exact anatomical positioning of the greater palatine foramen (GPF), with reference to nearby anatomical landmarks. Material and Method. The research was performed on dry human skulls belonging to the Bosnian and Herzegovina population, using digital vernier calipers. The study began by noting the GPF’s position relative to the maxillary molars, then measuring its distance from the median palatine suture (MPS), the incisive fossa (IF), the posterior border of the hard palate (PBHP), and the posterior nasal spine (PNS). Measurements were conducted bilaterally, and afterwards the data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and Chi-squared test. A statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results. The statistical analysis revealed that: the distance of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) from the midline is approximately 15.80±1.28 mm on the right side and 15.86±1.19 mm on the left side. The distance of the GPF from the incisive fossa measures about 40.12±2.19 mm on the right side and 40.34±2.08 mm on the left side. The GPF is positioned around 4.00±1.07 mm on the right side and 4.35±1.34 mm on the left side from the posterior border of the hard palate. Lastly, the distance from the GPF to the posterior nasal spine means 17.55±1.99 mm on the right side and 17.61±1.81 mm on the left side in the entire study population. The highest percentage of skulls (73.05%) showed the GPF positioned at the level of the third molar. Conclusion. The findings of this study further emphasize the variations in the location of the greater palatine foramen and underline the importance of thorough preoperative assessment in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgeries and regional block anesthesia.

This paper aims to investigate the status of alignment and harmonization of corporate reporting in Western Balkans (WB) countries with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Specifically, the research will focus on understanding the extent to which WB countries have initiated the adoption of ESRS, particularly in the context of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) that mandates its use for companies within the European Union (EU) and its branches. The paper will compare the achieved level of sustainability reporting in Western Balkan countries with other countries located in Europe that are not members of the European Union. Despite the mandatory nature of ESRS for companies within the EU, our preliminary analysis indicates a lack of progress in the alignment and harmonization process among the WB countries. Western Balkan countries are also lagging behind, compared to other non-EU member countries, such as Switzerland and Norway, which have been selected for comparative analysis. The research seeks to uncover the reasons behind this lag and to explore the potential challenges faced by companies in the WB region in implementing these standards. It is crucial to understand the current state of sustainability reporting practices in WB countries and the challenges faced in aligning with ESRS. It will provide valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders on the necessary steps to enhance sustainability reporting practices in the region and foster alignment with international standards.