INTRODUCTION AND AIM Weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) represents a novel anthropometric measure for assessing obesity. Bearing in mind that there is insufficient data in the literature regarding gender differences in WWI values, the aim of the current study was to examine gender differences in WWI values among older adults.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is classified into Germinal Center B‐cell (GCB) and activated B‐cell (ABC) subgroups originating from different stages of lymphoid differentiation. Cell of origin dictates the behavior and therapeutic response of DLBCL. This study aimed to evaluate single and combinatorial effects of metformin and thymoquinone (TQ) in two DLBCL cell lines belonging to GCB and ABC subtypes. Metformin and TQ caused dose‐dependent responses in both ABC and GCB DLBCL subtypes. Metformin had a greater impact on the ABC subtype while TQ demonstrated more pronounced effects on the GCB subtype. Synergistic effects were observed in the DHL4 (GCB subtype) but not in the HBL1 (ABC subtype) cell line. This is the first study to compare the effects of metformin and TQ in ABC versus GCB subtype of DLBCL. It brings valuable results that could be utilized in further research aimed at reshaping treatments for subtype‐specific lymphomas.

Hepatic steatosis, a key factor in chronic liver diseases, is difficult to diagnose early. This study introduces a classifier for hepatic steatosis using microwave technology, validated through clinical trials. Our method uses microwave signals and deep learning to improve detection to reliable results. It includes a pipeline with simulation data, a new deep-learning model called HepNet, and transfer learning. The simulation data, created with 3D electromagnetic tools, is used for training and evaluating the model. HepNet uses skip connections in convolutional layers and two fully connected layers for better feature extraction and generalization. Calibration and uncertainty assessments ensure the model's robustness. Our simulation achieved an F1-score of 0.91 and a confidence level of 0.97 for classifications with entropy ≤0.1, outperforming traditional models like LeNet (0.81) and ResNet (0.87). We also use transfer learning to adapt HepNet to clinical data with limited patient samples. Using 1H-MRS as the standard for two microwave liver scanners, HepNet achieved high F1-scores of 0.95 and 0.88 for 94 and 158 patient samples, respectively, showing its clinical potential.

Background: High hypericin-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (HHL-PVP) constitutes a novel approach to utilize the promising characteristics of hypericin for photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and therapy (PDT) of brain tumors in an orally bioavailable formulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) camera-based fluorescence imaging system to selectively visualize HHL-PVP in glioblastoma tissue even in the presence of 5-Aminolvevulinic acid (5-ALA) induced fluorescence, which is widely utilized in brain tumor surgery. Methods: We applied a previously established system with a non-hypericin specific filter for 5-ALA fluorescence visualization and a newly introduced hypericin-specific filter at 575–615 nm that transmits the spectrum of hypericin, but not 5-ALA fluorescence. Glioblastoma specimens obtained from 12 patients (11 with preoperative 5-ALA intake) were ex vivo incubated with HHL-PVP. Subsequently, fluorescence intensity and lifetime changes using both the non-hypericin specific filter and hypericin-specific filter were measured before and after HHL-PVP incubation and after subsequent rinsing. Results: While no significant differences in fluorescence signal were observed using the non-hypericin specific filter, statistically significant increases in fluorescence intensity (p = 0.001) and lifetime (p = 0.028) after HHL-PVP incubation were demonstrated using the hypericin-specific filter. In consequence, specimens treated with HHL-PVP could be identified according to the fluorescence signal with high diagnostic sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (100%). Conclusions: Our CMOS camera-based system with a hypericin-specific filter is capable of selectively visualizing hypericin fluorescence in glioblastoma tissue after ex vivo HHL-PVP incubation. In the future, this technique could facilitate clinical investigations of HHL-PVP for PDD and PDT while maintaining the current standard of care with 5-ALA guidance.

Glioblastoma presents a formidable clinical challenge because of its complex microenvironment. Here, we characterized tumor-associated foam cells (TAFs), a type of lipid droplet-loaded macrophage, in human glioblastoma. Through extensive analyses of patient tumors, together with in vitro and in vivo investigations, we found that TAFs exhibit distinct protumorigenic characteristics related to hypoxia, mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and impaired phagocytosis, and their presence correlates with worse outcomes for patients with glioma. We further demonstrated that TAF formation is facilitated by lipid scavenging from extracellular vesicles released by glioblastoma cells. We found that targeting key enzymes involved in lipid droplet formation, such as diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase or long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase, effectively disrupted TAF functionality. Together, these data highlight TAFs as a prominent immune cell population in glioblastoma and provide insights into their contribution to the tumor microenvironment. Disrupting lipid droplet formation to target TAFs may represent an avenue for future therapeutic development for glioblastoma.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of synovial joint arthritis that causes chronic pain and disability to a large number of people worldwide. Most often, osteoarthritis affects the joints of the knees, hips, spine and hands. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD, 2021) estimates that osteoarthritis will be the fourth leading cause of disability by 2030, with enormous healthcare costs for treatment, as well as significant indirect costs due to loss of productivity and premature retirement. The aim of our research is to determine in what way prevalent metabolic syndrome is among participants with osteoarthritis of one of the synovial joints (knees, hips, hands), and whether metabolic disorders are a risk factor for the development and worsening of osteoarthritis. A prospective clinical study was conducted at the Public Health Institution Health Center Živinice, from July 2022 to May 2024, on a random sample of 200 participants with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), who were divided into a group with metabolic syndrome and a group without metabolic syndrome based on the NCEP ATP III panel criteria for metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is significantly higher compared to the prevalence of hip and hand osteoarthritis, and it is greater among participants with a higher BMI (in participants with the highest BMI, knee osteoarthritis occurs with a 100% probability) and with the presence of metabolic syndrome, especially in more severe forms, specifically radiologically confirmed osteoarthritis, regardless of age and gender. Unlike OA knees the prevalence of OA hips and hands shows no correlation with BMI and metabolic syndrome. Multiple comparative analysis of differences in the average severity of osteoarthritis of the knee of subjects with normal glycemia / prediabetes / diabetes type 2 it showed a statistically significant difference in the average severity of knee osteoarthritis in subjects with regular blood sugar compared to subjects with prediabetes/diabetes mellitus type 2 regardless of age and gender. This means that with an increase in blood sugar levels, the degree of severity of osteoarthritis of the knee increases, since each subsequent Group has a higher average value of this indicator (p<0.05; CI 95%).

Improper nutrition leads to changes in the body that are not only an aesthetic problem, but also lead to chronic diseases. The goals of the research are to analyze knowledge, habits and attitudes about nutrition and knowledge about obesity, to determine the body mass index (BMI) of all respondents, to analyze the connection between nutrition, excess body weight and the frequency of chronic non-communicable diseases. The study was cross-sectional epidemiological, descriptive-analytical, was conducted on a sample of 200 respondents of patients Family medicine, Public Health Center of the Sarajevo Canton. The survey was conducted by interviewing respondents using a modified questionnaire, made up of 27 questions. Analyzing the results, it was determined that the respondents' knowledge of nutrition is satisfactory, but that the majority of respondents (121) have a BMI over 25. For men in the age group of 46-55 years, the average BMI is 29.3, and for women in the same age group, it is 27. 5, which shows that they do not apply their own knowledge about nutrition. The majority of respondents (32%) whose BMI is over 25 have one or more chronic non-communicable diseases. Most respondents stated that they get information about proper nutrition through the media, although many of them suffer from some chronic diseases, they do not get information at the health center. In the family doctor's clinic, it is very important to recognize excess body weight, bad eating habits of patients in time, plan a prevention strategy, and prevent the further development of chronic diseases with professional counseling.

This study aimed to assess nursing workload in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) after three cardiothoracic surgery procedures during first four postoperative days using Nursing Activities Score (NAS) and Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score (NEMS) systems, to compare their performance for that purpose and to investigate association between nursing workload and type of surgery.

Regulatorna tijela Bosne i Hercegovine koja su se pojavila u posljednjih dvadesetak godina u procesu intenzivne agencifikacije i u toj državi većinom su neistražena pojava. Stoga je cilj ovoga rada utvrditi koje su od velika broja agencija te države regulatori, kakve imaju ovlasti i neovisnost, kojem komparativnom modelu pripadaju, a posebice postoji li uopće model bosanskohercegovačkog regulatora. S tom su svrhom uspoređeni regulatorni modeli određenih država od posebne važnosti i analizirana pitanja neovisnosti i sadržaja regulatornih ovlasti. Utvrđeno je postojanje sedam regulatornih agencija na središnjoj razini vlasti te da je većina bosanskohercegovačkih regulatora dio državne uprave. Osim toga, neovisnost pojedinih regulatora jako varira – od relativno visoke u području energije i komunikacija do niske u reguliranju željezničkog prometa, pri čemu pojedini regulatori imaju različite uzore, od angloameričkih do europskokontinentalnih, te je konačan zaključak da model bosanskohercegovačkog regulatora uopće ne postoji.

The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between absolute and relative lower extremity strength and the efficiency of gymnastics vault performance. Thirty healthy, physically active male students (age: 20.84 ± 0.99 years; height: 179.46 ± 5.91 cm; body weight: 73.88 ± 6.43 kg) from the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education participated in the study. Absolute lower extremity strength was assessed by measuring the maximum load lifted (in kg) during a back squat (1RM). Relative lower extremity strength was calculated by dividing the estimated 1RM back squat by the participant's body weight (1RM/BW). Two types of vaults—the squat through (ST) and the front handspring (FHS)—were used to evaluate vault performance efficiency. Three criterion variables were applied: (d1) distance from the springboard in front of the vault, (d2) distance of landing beyond the vault, (d1 - d2) the difference between d1 and d2, and (pt) overall vault performance rating. The results showed statistically significant and strong correlations between both absolute and relative lower extremity strength and the variables measuring vault performance efficiency. The strongest correlations were observed for (d1), followed by (d2), (pt), and (d1 - d2). These findings can serve as guidelines for developing both absolute and relative lower extremity strength, which may lead to improved performance in gymnastics vaults.

The aim of the study is the isolation and identification of fungi using passive air sedimentation. This study analyzed 540 mycological samples from three primary schools in Zenica, collected in September, December, February, and May. Each season, 135 samples were taken from five rooms (two classrooms, a gym, a locker room, and a library) in each school. Samples were collected three times daily at three different heights with 15-minute exposure times. Samples were refrigerated and transported in sterile bags, incubated for 24 hours, and inoculated on specific agars with and without additives. Plates were incubated at 37°C and 25°C for up to 7 days, followed by examinations. Petri dishes were used for passive air sampling, and colonies were counted after incubation. The average number of microorganisms (CFU/m³) was calculated using Omeliansky’s method. Statistical methods included the Chi-squared test and p-value. Colony appearance was assessed visually and microscopically using a light microscope. Growth rate, size, structure, and color changes were monitored. In September, the highest mold concentrations were at H. Kikić Primary School (796 CFU/m³, not significant), M. Dizdar Primary School (1260 CFU/m³, not significant), and A. Šantić Primary School (3980 CFU/m³, significant). Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. were most prevalent, with Alternaria spp. significant at H. Kikić Primary School. In December, the highest mold/yeast concentrations were at H. Kikić Primary School (4578 CFU/m³, not significant), M. Dizdar Primary School (1924 CFU/m³, significant), and A. Šantić Primary School (2587 CFU/m³, not significant). Penicillium spp. was most prevalent. In February, the highest mold concentrations were at H. Kikić Primary School (4578 CFU/m³, not significant), M. Dizdar Primary School (2786 CFU/m³, not significant), and A. Šantić Primary School (5838 CFU/m³, significant). Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were equally prevalent. In May, the highest mold/yeast concentrations were at H. Kikić Primary School (6568 CFU/m³, significant), M. Dizdar Primary School (3516 CFU/m³, significant), and A. Šantić Primary School (7431 CFU/m³, significant). Aspergillus spp. was most prevalent. These findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring and implementing appropriate ventilation measures to manage air quality and health concerns in schools.

Two new complexes of Pd(II), [Pd(L1)Cl]Cl (Pd1) and [Pd(L2)Cl]Cl (Pd2), (where L1 = N2,N6-bis(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide and L2 = N2,N6-di(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)pyridine-2.6-dicarboxamide) were synthesized. Characterization of the complexes was performed using elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The nucleophilic substitution reactions of complexes with L-Methionine (L-Met), L-Cysteine (L-Cys) and guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP) were studied by stopped-flow method at physiological conditions (pH = 7.2 and 37 °C). Complex Pd1 was more reactive than Pd2 in all studied reactions, while the order of reactivity of the selected ligands was: L-Met > L-Cys > 5'-GMP. The interaction of complexes with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) was studied by Uv-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Competitive binding studies with intercalative agent ethidium bromide (EB) and minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 were performed as well. Both complexes interacted with DNA through intercalation and minor groove binding, where the latter was preferred. Additionally, the interaction of Pd1 and Pd2 complexes with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied employing fluorescence quenching spectroscopy. The results indicate a moderate binding affinity of complexes, with slightly stronger binding of the Pd1. Fluorescence competition experiments with site-markers (eosin Y and ibuprofen) for HSA were used to locate the binding site of Pd1 to the HSA. Additionally, the interaction with DNA and HSA was studied by molecular docking and the revealed results were in good agreement with the experimentally obtained ones. Pd1 complex exhibited cytotoxicity toward human (HCT116) and mouse cell lines (CT26) of colorectal cancer, mouse (4T1) and human (MDA-MB468) breast cancer lines and non-cancerous mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSC). In addition, Pd1 complex demonstrated significant selectivity towards cancer cells over non-cancerous mMSC, indicating a high potential to eliminate malignant cells without affecting normal cells. It induced apoptosis in CT26 cells, effectively arrested the cell cycle in the S phase, and selectively down-regulated cyclin D and cyclin E. Moreover, it can alter the expression of cell cycle regulators by increasing p21 and decreasing p-AKT. These findings confirm its ability to disrupt key tumor cell survival signals and suggest that the Pd1 complex is a potent candidate for effective cancer treatment.

In traditional medicine, plants are widely utilized as sources of bioactive compounds for treating various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the secondary metabolite composition, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial effects of 38 medicinal plants commonly used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plants were collected from natural habitats, and dried plant material from different organs, selected based on their traditional medicinal use, was used for the extraction of bioactive compounds with 80% ethanol. The extracts were analysed for phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content, as well as antioxidant capacity (using DPPH and FRAP assays) and antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of all 38 plants was initially screened using the disc diffusion method. For plants showing significant antimicrobial activity (inhibition zones > 20 mm), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. All analysed plants exhibited high phenolic content, with Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Filipendula vulgaris flower extract, and Rubus plicatus leaf extract containing over 300 mg GAE/g DW. According to the DPPH assay, high antioxidant capacity was observed in extracts from the leaves of Fragaria vesca, Prunus armeniaca, Rubus plicatus, and R. ideus, as well as in Rosa canina fruit and Filipendula vulgaris flower extracts, with values reaching 702.39 mg TE/g DW. Among the 38 tested plants, 16 exhibited high antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones greater than 20 mm. To ensure both the efficacy and safety of these plants, further studies on their toxicity, particularly dose-dependent toxicity, are necessary.