Humans are exposed to environmental or occupational air pollution from combustion emissions in outdoor and indoor environments. Irrespective of the sources, combustion emissions are characterized by being a complex mixture of particles, volatile compounds and gases. The present systematic review summarizes results on DNA strand breaks measured by the comet assay in leukocytes, from studies on human exposure to traffic-related vehicle exhaust, biomass combustion and coke oven work environments. These exposures have in common the combustion of fuel, which generates particles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) have been calculated by random effects models. Meta-analyses show increased levels of DNA strand breaks in studies on traffic-related exhausts (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.89, n = 21), biomass combustion (1.73, 95% CI: 0.72, 2.74, n = 10) and coke oven emission (0.84, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.37, n = 10). Studies from high-income countries have reported much smaller differences in DNA strand break levels than have studies from middle-income countries. These differences may be attributed to higher exposures related to less strict emission control, and more susceptible populations in middle-income populations; unrecognized confounding despite efforts to match subjects on traditional confounders; or higher risk of comet assay measurement bias and exposure misclassification. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis show that exposure to combustion-derived air pollution, with clear exposure gradients in terms of particulate matter or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is associated with increased levels of DNA strand breaks in human leukocytes.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, styrene, toluene and formaldehyde is associated with genotoxicity and increased risk of cancer. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we have assessed the effects of VOCs exposure on levels of DNA strand breaks in leukocytes, measured by the comet assay, in human biomonitoring studies. The literature search led to 57 studies included in the review. Of these, 50 studies met the criteria to be used in the meta-analysis. Using standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI), the meta-analyses show increased levels of DNA strand breaks in subjects exposed to benzene (1.59, 95% CI: 0.94, 2.24), styrene (0.87, 95% CI: 0.23, 1.51), formaldehyde (0.39, 95% CI: -0.15, 0.92) and other organic solvents (2.14, 95% CI: 1.48, 2.81). Results originate mainly from studies on workers, with only a few studies on environmental benzene exposure. Subgroup analysis indicates that all studies combined from middle-income countries have a higher effect size (1.81, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.36, n = 28) than studies from high-income countries (0.87, 95% CI: 0.49, 1.24, n = 22). This difference between middle- and high-income countries may be due to differences in exposure levels or exposure assessment. However, this might not be the only reason, as sensitivity analysis indicates that effect sizes are at risk of comet assay measurement bias, as 78% (39 out of 50 studies) and 60% (30 studies) have not reported the use of assay controls and blinded analysis of samples, respectively. Relatively few studies have a high risk of bias due to an inadequate comet assay procedure description (14%, 7 studies) and exposure misclassification (16%, 8 studies). Limitations of the study were the differences in protocols, comet descriptors, exposure assessment and control for confounding factors among the studies. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis shows that exposure to VOCs - benzene, styrene, formaldehyde and others - is associated with increased levels of DNA strand breaks in human leukocytes.

Anaesthetic gases are agents used to induce and maintain general anaesthesia during surgical procedures. Common examples include sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane, which act by depressing the central nervous system to produce unconsciousness and analgesia. These gases are administered through a vaporiser and inhaled via a mask or endotracheal tube. While effective, they can contribute to environmental pollution and increase the risk of occupational exposure. Medical personnel working in operating or post-operating facilities are unavoidably exposed to anaesthetic gases. Several adverse health effects have been associated with anaesthetic gas exposure; therefore, this review aims to summarise findings on DNA strand breaks, assessed by the comet assay in leucocytes of exposed medical workers. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) have been calculated by random effects models. The meta-analysis included 16 studies. Of these, 11 showed statistically significant increased levels of DNA strand breaks, whereas another five studies showed no significant effect. Overall, there is an increased level of DNA strand breaks in exposed subjects in unadjusted analysis (SMD = 1.17, 95 % confidence interval: 0.71, 1.62) as well as analysis adjusted for missing studies by the trim-and-fill method (SMD = 0.53, 95 % confidence interval: -0.14, 1.21). In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that exposure to anaesthetic gases in an occupational setting induces primary DNA damage in human leucocytes, warranting further research to minimise any adverse effects on exposed medical personnel. Besides, the relevance of the use of the comet assay in assessing DNA damage in human biomonitoring studies is proven.

Background: Lyme borreliosis/European borreliosis (LB/EB) is a multisystemic infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of ticks and other hematophagous insects. Transmitted borrelia can occupy any organ where it causes a silent inflammation, which in sensitive persons is intermittently repeated chronically. Objective: The aim of this paper was to determine how much Borrelia burgdorferii participates in the occurrence of chronic urticaria in children and adults. Methods: In the 13-year period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2025, a study of all manifestations of Lyme borreliosis was conducted on a sample of 1,059 patients, treated and monitored in the Private practice of an infectious disease specialist. The research was retrospective-prospective, descriptive, clinical and analytical. It was carried out in three phases: the first retrospective phase and the second two prospective phases. The diagnosis of LB was established on the basis of anamnestic-epidemiological data, clinical picture, clinical findings of new borreliosis markers and performed examinations. Serological confirmation of borreliosis was done using ELISA, WB and Immunoblot methods, as well as the ex-yuvantibus method, and in the last six months of 2025, additionally, the finding of bacteria Borreliosis in a dark field with a light microscope. Results: The results showed that 92.1% of the patients in the study group had intermittent migratory redness with itching. In the majority of patients, redness was without exudation or with little or no exudation. In 4.8% of patients, typical urticarial changes were found that occurred occasionally or daily. In all subjects, we serologically confirmed the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi. All patients had intermittent itching of the skin, which lasted for years. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that Borrelia burgdorfrii is one of the most important factors in the development of chronic urticaria in monitored patients with 96.9%. Due to its persistence in the macroorganism, it causes reduced tolerance to food. Only 3.1% of cases of urticaria are caused by some other factors. In all cases of chronic urticaria, new clinical markers should be sought on the patients’ skin. Serologically look for antibodies to Borrelia protein sequences in an immunoblot. In the active phase, look for Borrelia with a light microscope in the dark field. Administer antibiotic therapy together with antihistamines. Exclude food to which the intolerance test confirmed hypersensitivity greater than „2“.

The effectiveness of red light therapy (RLT) on cellular activity is important in determining if its usage is suitable for the treatment of various health conditions. In order to better understand the molecular and metabolic mechanisms related to RLT, our preliminary study of the effect of LED light sources 660 nm and 850 nm on the proliferation of human lymphocyte cells was further extended to analyze its effect on the synthesis of cellular enzymes. Using the Bradford method, the total concentration of proteins in lymphocytes was monitored for different time parameters and conditions of exposure and in relation to the untreated (non-irradiated) control cells. Our results show a higher protein concentration for all irradiated samples when compared to the unirradiated samples and it was especially increased for multiple exposures to red/infrared light. Since the used method cannot answer whether the increased protein concentration has positive or negative connotations, it is important to continue the research and include additional methods that test oxidative stress and the structure of chromosomes on a larger number of samples in order to gain additional understanding of the beneficial impact of RLT on lymphocyte cells.

As the digital economy continues to evolve, the demand for humancentric competencies is becoming increasingly critical. This study examines the role of soft skills in bridging the skills gap in modern business environments, with a focus on communication, teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Based on a survey of 71 senior managers and executives from diverse business sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the findings indicate that communication skills are the most highly valued, followed closely by teamwork and adaptability. At the same time, emotional intelligence, though necessary, ranks comparatively lower. To contextualise these insights, the study incorporates ICT adoption data from the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina to explore how digitalisation is reshaping workforce demands. The observed trends suggest that the need for problem-solving, adaptability, and interpersonal competencies could intensify as automation and digital tools become more integrated into business operations. The study highlights the growing need for interactive, feedback-driven training methods rather than traditional instructional approaches to develop these skills effectively. The findings inform strategic recommendations for human resource development, educational curricula, and organisational policies to ensure that businesses can cultivate a workforce capable of navigating the challenges of an increasingly digitalised economy.

Introduction/Objective. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children represent a significant public health problem due to their high prevalence and the need for timely diagnosis and adequate treatment. Automated methods using fluorescent flow cytometry are increasingly being used in laboratories for the screening of UTIs. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off values for leukocyturia and bacteriuria using fluorescent flow cytometry for the screening of urinary tract infections in the pediatric population. Methods. A total of 821 urine samples were cultured, of which 366 samples met the criteria for fluorescent flow cytometry on the automated Sysmex UF-4,000 analyzer. The number of leukocytes and bacteria was compared with the culture results. Results. Of the total urine cultures tested, 209 (25.5%) were positive, and 599 (73%) were negative. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of uropathogens according to the age of the children (p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for leukocyte count was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.71-0.84), while the AUC for bacterial count was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81-0.89). A low negative likelihood ratio (0) was observed at the cut-off for bacteria of 40.1, and the negative predictive value was high (between 91% and 99%). Conclusion. Determination of leukocyte and bacterial counts in urine in children using fluorescent flow cytometry can serve as an initial test when deciding on urine culture in microbiological laboratories. These results may indicate the necessity of reducing unnecessary urine cultures while providing faster confirmation of negative test results.

In this paper, the physical layer secrecy performance of the classical Wyner wiretap channel with gamma-shadowed two-wave with diffuse power (GS-TWDP) composite fading is investigated. A closed-form expression for the average secrecy capacity (ASC) is derived, assuming that the transmitter dynamically adapts its transmission rate based on the available channel state information (CSI) of both the legitimate receiver and the eavesdropper. The derived expression is validated through Monte Carlo simulations and used to conduct a detailed analysis of the impact of shadowing and multipath severity on ASC. To further enhance secrecy performance in GS-TWDP fading environments, an optimal power allocation strategy is also designed and integrated with rate adaptation. The resulting secrecy performance is compared to that achieved using only rate adaptation, providing insight into the effectiveness of the joint power/rate adaptation strategy under varying composite fading conditions.

Background: Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to severe neuropsychiatric destabilization, including withdrawal catatonia. High-potency dopamine D2 receptor antagonists may further precipitate neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a condition with substantial clinical overlap with malignant catatonia. Objective: This report follows CARE guidelines to provide a structured and transparent description of a complex case involving abrupt clozapine withdrawal and rapid antipsychotic transition. Case presentation: This report describes a male patient with schizophrenia who developed malignant catatonia with overlapping NMS features following abrupt clozapine withdrawal and initiation of fluphenazine. Conclusion: The case underscores the importance of cautious antipsychotic transitions and early recognition of catatonia and NMS.

Background/Aim: Selecting appropriately sized maxillary anterior teeth is of great importance for achieving satisfactory outcomes in complete denture therapy. When pre-extraction records are unavailable, clinicians use recommended anatomical landmarks for this purpose. Predictive value of these parameters in previous studies was inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess sex-specific associations between selected hard palate measurements and the mesiodistal width of maxillary anterior teeth (ATW) in an adult Bosnian-Herzegovinian population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used 180 maxillary casts (114 women, 66 men). Recorded palatal dimensions included hamular distance, hard palate length, and distances from the incisive papilla to the right and left hamular notches. The mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth was summed to obtain ATW. Sex differences were assessed using independent-samples and paired-samples t-tests. Associations between palatal measurements and ATW were evaluated using simple and multiple linear regression (α=0.05). Results: Men had higher mean values for almost all palatal and dental variables, with no significant difference observed for the left lateral incisor (p=0.155). ATW was significantly greater in men compared with women (t=3.96, p<0.001). Papilla-hamular notch distances (p=0.002) were significantly associated with ATW in men, while all palatal measurements showed significant simple correlations (p≤0.002) with ATW in women. In multiple regression, no palatal dimension remained independently predictive in men (R²=0.173, p=0.019), while hamular distance was the only significant predictor in women (β=0.219, p=0.020; R²=0.169, p<0.001). Conclusions: Hard palate measurements show sex-specific relationships with the width of maxillary anterior teeth. Although several dimensions have significant associations with ATW, their predictive value is modest. Therefore, these parameters may serve only as supportive guides when selecting artificial teeth.