COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) accelerated in the second half of 2021, with greater vaccine availability. In this study, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of complete primary series BBIBP-CorV vaccine against COVID-19 in patients aged 60 years and older, during the Delta-dominant period, using a test-negative case-control design. Surveillance sites were 11 primary health care centers (PHC) collecting patient data from October 1, 2021, to January 4, 2022, retrospectively according to a common protocol. In total, we included 1711 participants in the analysis: 933 cases and 778 controls. Of the 933 cases, 508 (54.4 %) had mild and 425 (45.6 %) had moderate to severe disease presentation. We observed no effectiveness against mild COVID-19. Overall vaccine effectiveness was 65.0 % (95 %CI: 40.1-79.5) against moderate to severe COVID-19. In time since vaccination analysis, VE was 78.7 % (95 % CI: 54.8-89.9) in patients who received their last dose < 90 days before onset; 66.0 % (95 % CI: -0.5-88.5) in those 90-119 days before onset; 42.1 % (95 % CI: -88.6-82.3) in those 120-149 days before onset and 45.0 % (95 % CI: -94.0-84.4) in those ≥ 150 days before onset. In our study, two doses of BBIBP-CorV provided considerable protection against moderate to severe COVID-19 in older adults, highest within 3 months after second dose, during the Delta-dominant period. Point estimates declined thereafter, suggesting a need for additional doses.

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to assess socio-demographical characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcomes in patients diagnosed with mpox. METHODS A survey on patients diagnosed with mpox was performed in 14 countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Data was compared according to HIV status and country of origin (EU vs. non-EU). Mpox diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR from oropharyngeal swabs, skin lesions, and other body fluids. RESULTS Out of 154 patients confirmed with mpox in 2022, 99.3% were males, with a median age (years) of 35 (IQR 30-39), 90.2% MSM and 48.7% PLWH.Compared to HIV-negative subjects, PLWH had more frequent high-risk behaviours:chemsex (p = 0.015), group sex (p = 0.027), and a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (p = 0.004). Persons from EU were more often PLWH (p = 0.042), MSM (p < 0.0001), had multiple sexual partners (p = 0.025), practiced chemsex (p = 0.008) or group-sex (p = 0.005) and had more often history of STIs (p < 0.0001). The median CD4 cell count/mL at mpox diagnosis was 713 (IQR 486-996) and 73.5% had undetectable HIV VL. The commonest clinical features were fever (108 cases), lymphadenopathy (78), and vesiculo-pustular rash: penile (76), perianal (48), limbs (67). Fifty-one (31%) persons were hospitalized due to complications or epidemiological reasons. Three patients received tecovirimat or cidofovir. The outcome was favorable for all patients, including 4 with severe forms. CONCLUSIONS Mpox was diagnosed predominantly in young MSM, with high-risk behaviors and history of STIs. Effective contact tracing and vaccination are important strategic pillars to control mpox outbreaks.

This study investigated the capital structure of 18 publicly traded agricultural companies over a 10-year period (2012-2022), specifically focusing on short-term debt to total liabilities (SHTDTL). Employing a dataset of 121 observations, the strategic financing decisions of these firms in the Republic of Srpska’s stock market were analyzed. The study examines the impact of various factors, including total debt to total equity (TDTC), tangible assets (TOA), company size (CS), current assets ratio (CR), current assets to total assets (CAA), return on equity (ROE), and return on assets (ROA), on capital structure choices. Results reveal that TOA, CAA, and ROE significantly positively influence the short-term debt ratio, while CS and ROA have a significant negative impact. This research sheds light on the financial decision-making of agricultural enterprises, offering insights that can inform their financing strategies and improve financial performance.

Abstract Nordic agriculture faces big challenges to reduce phosphorus (P) loss from land to water for improving surface water quality. While understanding the processes controlling P loss and seeking for P mitigation measures, Norwegian and Swedish researchers have substantially benefited from and been inspired by Dr. Andrew Sharpley's career‐long, high‐standard P research. Here, we demonstrate how Sharpley and his research have helped the Nordic researchers to understand the role of cover crops in cold environmental conditions, best manure P management practices, and ditch processes. His work on critical source area (CSA) identification and site assessment tool development have also greatly inspired our thinking on the targeting of mitigation measures and the contextualizing tools for Nordic climate, landscape, and soils. While reflecting on Sharpley's legacy, we identify several needs for Norwegian and Swedish P research and management. These include (1) tackling the challenges caused by local/regional unevenness in livestock density and related manure management and farm P surpluses, (2) identifying CSAs of P loss with high erosion risk and high P surplus, (3) obtaining more high‐resolution mapping of soils with low P sorption capacity both in the topsoil and subsoil, (4) improving cross‐scale understanding of processes and mitigation measures and proper follow‐up of applied mitigation measures, and (5) increasing collaborations of researchers with farmers and farmers’ advisory groups and watershed groups by developing high‐quality educational courses and extension materials. The needs should be addressed in the context of the challenges and opportunities created by climate change.

This qualitative study explores the evolution and implications of limiting contractual liability in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the interplay between Sharia principles, international conventions, and domestic legal reforms. Through a comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary sources, including the new Civil Transactions Law 2023 and relevant legal documents, the research aims to thoroughly understand the historical roots and contemporary dynamics shaping contractual practices in Saudi Arabia. The study uncovers the challenges and opportunities inherent in harmonizing Sharia principles with global legal norms within the Saudi legal framework. Examining the new legislation reveals notable changes in the treatment of liability in commercial contracts, signaling a shift towards modernization and alignment with international standards. Its findings highlight the complexities of balancing contractual autonomy with legal constraints in the Saudi context, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and research to address emerging issues and enhance the clarity and enforceability of contractual agreements. The study underscores the importance of a collaborative approach that integrates legal, cultural, and international perspectives to strengthen the legal framework and foster a conducive environment for commercial transactions in Saudi Arabia. In doing so, it offers a nuanced analysis of the legal landscape, shedding light on stakeholders' challenges and opportunities in navigating contractual practices within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

: The escalating migration from rural to urban locales necessitates an augmented demand for the workforce, local utility services, and mechanization to sustain a balance conducive to public health. This investigation delineates the pivotal role of human resources in executing daily operations required for the upkeep of public green and asphalted areas within Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is posited that teamwork and the requisite competencies of the workforce are integral to the utility company’s efficacy and the establishment of conditions requisite for addressing business tasks delineated on weekly and monthly schedules. A cohort of 20 personnel, tasked with the aforementioned responsibilities, was segmented into three categories, predicated upon their skills and capability to fulfil the designated tasks within specified temporal bounds. A novel hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model, integrating Improved fuzzy Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (IMF SWARA) with Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS), was employed to appraise employees across the designated categories. Decision-makers articulated five criteria, which were quantified via the IMF SWARA methodology. Subsequently, the appraisal of worker categories through three discrete models was undertaken employing the MARCOS technique. Outcomes for each category were individually derived and subjected to verification tests, revealing that criterion significance markedly influences human resource ranking. This study underscores the crucial intersection between environmental stewardship and human resource management, advocating for a systematic approach to urban maintenance that leverages MCDM techniques to optimize workforce performance.

This study aims to characterize ocular manifestations of juvenile Behçet’s disease (jBD). This was a registry-based observational prospective study. All subjects with jBD from the Autoinflammatory Diseases Alliance (AIDA) Network BD Registry showing ocular manifestations before 18 years were enrolled. We included 27 of 1000 subjects enrolled in the registry (66.7% male patients, 45 affected eyes). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at ocular involvement was 14.2 (4.7) years. Uveitis affected 91.1% of eyes (anterior 11.1%, posterior 40.0%, panuveitis 40.0%), retinal vasculitis 37.8% and other manifestations 19.8%. Later onset (p = 0.01) and male predominance (p = 0.04) characterized posterior involvement. Ocular complications occurred in 51.1% of eyes. Patients with complications had earlier onset (p < 0.01), more relapses (p = 0.02) and more prolonged steroidal treatment (p = 0.02). The mean (standard deviation [SD]) central macular thickness (CMT) at the enrolment and last visit was 302.2 (58.4) and 293.3 (78.2) μm, respectively. Fluorescein angiography was pathological in 63.2% of procedures, with a mean (SD) Angiography Scoring for Uveitis Working Group (ASUWOG) of 17.9 (15.5). At the last visit, ocular damage according to the BD Overall Damage Index (BODI) was documented in 73.3% of eyes. The final mean (SD) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR was 0.17 (0.47) and blindness (BCVA logMAR < 1.00 or central visual field ≤ 10°) occurred in 15.6% of eyes. At multivariate regression analysis, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B51 + independently predicted a + 0.35 change in the final BCVA logMAR (p = 0.01), while a higher BCVA logMAR at the first assessment (odds ratio [OR] 5.80; p = 0.02) independently predicted blindness. The results of this study may be leveraged to guide clinical practice and future research on this rare sight-threatening condition.

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) is one of the most common, progressive diseases in elderly men. It is very important to diagnose this disease in its early stages. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) is a very helpful tool to be used for this purpose. Aims: The main goal of this study was to analyze the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its impact on a patient's quality of life. Patients and Methods: This descriptive randomized study included 112 male examinees aged 50-70 years. We used IPSS as a survey tool. Results: The average age of the examinees was 61.02 (± 6,18). 56.3% of examinees had mild symptoms, 31.3% had moderate symptoms and 12.5% of our examinees had severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Nocturia was the most common symptom. Irritative symptoms were present in 76.8% of examinees compared to obstructive symptoms which occurred in 8.9%, and 14.3% had both types of symptoms. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (in 50.9% of cases). The majority of examinees answered that they would be satisfied with their quality of life if their symptoms do not change in the future. Conclusions: Assessment of symptoms and signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia using IPSS in clinical practice has proven to be useful in the timely approach of clinical physicians.