Introduction/Aim. Plums, as one of the oldest types of fruits, are very important in the human diet. The most common varieties of plums cultivated in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina are Požegača, Čačanska lepotica, Čačanska rodna and Valjevka. They belong to the group of basic fruits rich in various vitamins and minerals. In addition, plum seed oil is used in the cosmetic industry. This oil is a rich source of biologically active components with proven biological effects - it hydrates the skin and improves its elasticity; the skin easily absorbs it without leaving a greasy film on the surface. The aim of this study was to find the optimal method for isolating fatty oil from the seeds of four types of plums with the best characteristics. Their potential as raw material in the cosmetic industry through the application of supercritical and Soxhlet extraction and their characterization was examined. Methods. Fatty oils were extracted by conventional Soxhlet extraction with non-polar organic solvent and by supercritical extraction with carbon dioxide. The AOAC 930.15 method was used to determine the moisture content of the plum seeds. The oils were characterized by determining the organoleptic characteristics, as well as the acid, iodine, saponification and peroxide number. Results. The fattiest oil was obtained from the pits of the Čačanka rodna plum using the both extraction methods, supercritical and Soxhlet extraction. Fatty oil of Požegača had the lowest values of iodine and peroxide number, while the acid and saponification number were the lowest within the oil from Valjevka and Čačanka rodna, respectively. Conclusion. Both extraction methods showed good extraction yields, with higher extraction capacity using Soxhlet extraction. Čačanka rodna had the highest amount of oil. Fatty oils from all varietes showed excellent characteristics, so the plum kernels can be potentially used for obtaining fatty oil for cosmetic purposes due to its beneficial effect on the skin.

The evolution of training and skills development at BENU Pharmacies represents a remarkable journey characterized by strategic foresight and adaptability within the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry. Since its inception, BENU Pharmacies has exemplified a strong commitment to operational excellence and workforce development through a meticulously structured approach to training (1-3). Training and development are essential components of organizational success, particularly in industries as dynamic and regulated as pharmaceuticals (4). The ability to continuously enhance both technical and interpersonal skills is crucial for maintaining high standards of service delivery, adapting to emerging industry trends, and meeting the ever-changing needs of customers (5,6). Effective training programs not only ensure that employees are proficient in their technical roles but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

The use of medicinal plants dates back to ancient civilizations, where they were the primary form of treatment. This interest has evolved with scientific advances and led to their modern use. Around 13000 medicinal plants are used worldwide, and 65-80% of the population uses them for therapeutic purposes. In Serbia, approximately 700 medicinal plant species are found, of which around 420 are actively used. An important medical field in which medicinal plants play a crucial therapeutic role is the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to collect and document the diverse uses of medicinal plants and the traditional knowledge in Serbia regarding their therapeutic applications in treating UTIs.

The PHOENIX Group, founded by Adolf Merckle in 1994, stands as a prominent entity in the European pharmaceutical distribution sector. With origins tracing back over a century, the company has experienced significant growth and transformation, positioning itself as a market leader in numerous countries (1-3). Over the decades, PHOENIX has navigated the dynamic and often challenging landscape of the pharmaceutical industry with strategic foresight and adaptability (3,4). This paper examines the evolution of the PHOENIX Group, its strategic acquisitions, and its substantial impact on the pharmaceutical distribution landscape in Europe. By delving into the company’s historical milestones, strategic decisions, and innovative approaches, we aim to highlight how PHOENIX has not only adapted to but also shaped the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. The analysis will also explore the company’s role in enhancing supply chain efficiency, expanding market reach, and fostering advancements in pharmaceutical retail and distribution across the continent.

Frontier capital markets are a specific category within emerging markets, characterized by lower market capitalization, liquidity, and fewer investment constraints. These markets do not offer opportunities for investment and their functionality for companies to finance their future endeavors is not efficient. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of smart contracts, including their functioning principles, prevalent platforms, and uses. Consequently, it suggests a model for a junior stock market that utilizes blockchainsupported smart contracts. The model gives a framework for organizing the Junior stock exchange segment in frontier capital markets by offering a new fundraising method for SMEs. Application of this model simplifies the entry of smaller companies, allowing them to enter the market without regular trading requirements. Therefore, shift in financial instrument supply and alternative financing for young companies can boost market liquidity and capital mobilization. Blockchain technology ensures transparency and strengthens market confidence.

The main objectives of this study were to 1) assess the following quantitative urban green space (UGS) indicators: share of UGS, total UGS per capita, and the public UGS per capita for Sarajevo and its corresponding municipalities; 2) propose the minimum area of UGS per capita and the minimum functional UGS area per capita; and 3) discuss the methodological approach used and its applicability and relevance for UGS quantity and quality assessment. UGSs were photo-interpreted based on or-thophotos and Google Satellite images and mapped manually. The total UGS area for Sarajevo is 58.5 km², with continuous green spaces present in hilly and mountainous areas of the city, whereas more built-up zones are present in flat areas. The total public UGS per capita is 28.0 m², or 9.8 m² if forest parks are excluded. The results can help in better understanding UGSs in Sarajevo and can serve as a reference for decisionmakers and policymakers.

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Background: Urgent surgical treatment of bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcer is indicated in cases where there is no treatment by an interventional gastroenterologist and radiologist readily available, or there is no satisfactory response to the applied interventional procedure. Objective: The aim of our study is to show that there is the still large number of patients with massive bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers who had to undergo emergency surgery, in order to achieve hemostasis, provide survival analisys, and to present a methode of the surgical procedure which we perfomed. Methods: This study analysed 49 patients in the period of 5 years (2013-2018), who underwent emergency surgery due to bleeding ulcer. All patients had one or more gastroscopies in order to stop the bleeding, which were ineffective. Surgical treatments which are used in managing ulcer bleedings depended on the localization of the lesion and how severe the bleeding is. Indicated treatment is direct compression of a bleeding blood vessel (ulcer niche), truncal vagotomy, pyloroplasty, gastroduodenal artery ligature, ligature of the right gastroepiploic artery. Resection procedures were performed as well: antrectomy, proximal, subtotal and total gastrectomy. All surgical treatments aimed to preserve the patients of gastrointestinal tract where such an approach could be carried out. Results: There were total of 49 patients who underwent surgical treatment of bleeding ulcer of which 31 are male (63,27%) and 18 are female (36,73%). The survival was 38,78% (19 patients); mortality 61,22% (30 patients). The most common surgical treatment was direct suture of a bleeding vessel with a ligature of the gastroduodenal and right gastroepiploic artery. When we observe the results of resection procedures subtotal gastrectomy was most commonly used. Surgical procedure performed were bilateral vagotomy, ligature of gastroduodenal and right gastroepiploic artery if the ulcer is localized in the antral, pyloric or duodenal region and not penetrating showed that there is no need for gastrotomy/duodenotomy and direct suturing of the bleeding vessel significantly reduces operative procedure, and saves the patient from additional surgical trauma and allows the desired hemostasis. In 5-10% of patients with bleeding ulcers, emergency surgery is indicated due to massive bleeding and hemorrhagic shock and then surgery is the only chance of survival. The primary goal of any surgery for bleeding ulcer is to establish bleeding control. massive ulcer bleeding. All these patients did not have the opportunity to avoid surgery and stop the bleeding with the treatment of an interventional gastroenterologist and radiologist. Survival is 38.78%, mortality is still high 61.22% but it is encouraging that without the application of surgical treatment it would be 100% in this group of patients. Conclusion: Regardless of the risk posed by surgical treatment of a bleeding ulcer, it still brings the patient the only chance for life in cases when the interventional radiological and gastroenterological approach has failed or been disabled. Surgical treatment of bleeding ulcer in cases when the gastroenterological and radiological approach is insufficient or disabled - Single center experience.

Background/Aim: The placenta is an extraembryonic organ necessary for foetal development. Due to its availability and high content of stem cells and growth factors, placenta tissue has found its application in regenerative medicine. The aim of this paper was to determine whether the age of the pregnant woman or the gestational age affects the morphology of the term placenta and whether placentas of advanced maternal age are suitable for application in regenerative medicine. Methods: In this research 30 placentas of healthy pregnant women, aged from 18 to 42 years and from 36 up to 41 weeks of gestational age were used for analyses. Tissue samples were stained with standard haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD34 antibody. The parameters of volume density of chorionic villi, intervillous spaces and fibrinoids, as well as the thickness of the placental barrier were determined. Results: The volume densities of chorionic villi and fibrinoids were higher in placentas of advanced maternal age, as well as in placentas of gestational age from 38 to 41 weeks of gestation, while the volume of intervillous spaces was lower in these groups. With increased maternal and gestation age, the placental membrane thickens. Conclusion: When sampling placentas for regenerative medicine purposes, only the placentas from pregnant women younger than 35 years of age and whose gestational age are not exceeding 38 weeks should be selected.

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is important in supply chain management as it optimizes goods and services delivery to customers, resulting in improved organizational productivity. This study introduces an innovative hybrid methodology integrating the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach with Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm to tackle the capacitated vehicle routing problem. In addition to the conventional aim of optimizing truck routes, this strategy considers customer satisfaction. The initial step involves clustering all customers through the utilization of Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm, which efficiently organizes customers into groups based on their geographical closeness. Following this, the hybrid Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Ranking Alternatives For Similarity to Ideal Solution (RAFSI) method are utilized to allocate the best routes and establish customer prioritization. The major objective of this study is to reduce overall transportation expenses while ensuring compliance with vehicle capacity limitations, aiming to improve customer satisfaction. The proposed approach seeks to balance cost-efficiency and customer-centricity in vehicle routing by including customer prioritizing and Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm. The effectiveness and practical application of the proposed methodology are demonstrated through a case in the food industry. The obtained results using the proposed methodology give a more precise platform for decision-making and highlight its relevance for enhancing supply chain performance and addressing the intricate challenges associated with the capacitated vehicle routing problem. The hybrid technique presented in this study provides a comprehensive framework for effectively tackling the intricate challenges associated with the capacitated vehicle routing problem.

Background: The incidence of HF following ACS remains unacceptably high at discharge and several identified risk factors contribute to the development of HF in this context. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and clinical significance of HF in patients admitted to the Clinic for Heart, Blood Vessels, and Rheumatic Diseases at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo following ACS. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Clinic for Heart, Blood Vessels, and Rheumatic Diseases of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo between February 1st and April 1st, 2023, involving patients who were admitted because of ACS. Results: Patients with HFrEF were significantly (p=0.034) older (70.0 (62.0;76.0) vs 67.0 (57.5;75.0)), had (p=0.046) higher median score of LDH (321.5 (222.3; 501.5) vs. 256.0 (200.0; 420.0)), fibrinogen (p=0.047) (4.5 (3.2; 5.1) vs 3.6 (2.8; 5.0)), and NT-proBNP (p<0.001) (3705.0 (2500.0; 12559.5) vs. 500.0 (275.0; 333.0)), had enlarged left atrium diameter (3.9 (3.4; 4.4) vs 3.6 (3.1; 4.1)), enlarged left ventricular diameter both in diastole (5.1 (4.5; 5.8) vs 4.6 (4.1; 5.1)) and systole (3.7 (3.2; 4.1) vs 3.5 (3.1; 3.7)), thinner interventricular septum diameter both in diastole (1.1 (1.0; 1.2) vs 1.2 (1.1; 1.3)) and systole (1.3 (1.2; 1.5) vs. 1.4 (1.3; 1.5)) and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (37.0 (30.0; 47.5) vs. 35.0 (28.0; 40.0 )) compared to patients without HFrEF. Severe mitral regurgitation was more observed in group of patients with HFrEF (p<0.001). Conclusion: HFrEF patients showed a 40% incidence of post-ACS, had elevated LDH, fibrinogen, and NT-proBNP levels, along with distinct echocardiographic differences, including enlarged heart chambers and higher mitral regurgitation rates following ACS. Early HF risk factor management is crucial for optimizing outcomes in ACS patients.

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