Wood is one of the most important materials that has been used for several millennia. It is therefore not surprising that wood plays an important role in the cultural and technical heritage of several European countries and beyond. An excellent example of cultural and technical heritage is a wooden mill, almost 100-year-old, near Cazin in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These mills played an important role, especially in times of Bosnian war (1992- 95), when this region was cut off from electricity. The microscopic analysis of the wood materials used in the mills revealed that the mills were made of chestnut (Castanea sativa) and oak (Quercus sp.) wood. Sufficient durability of these wood species resulted in good structural integrity of the mills. The surface of the wood materials in the mills showed partial degradation patterns caused by weathering over the years. However, the interior parts of the wood materials were intact probably due to smoke deposits from the open fireplace. It is suggested that the roofing in the mills should be maintained regularly to prevent possible leaks to protect this heritage for future generations.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common chronic liver condition. Due to pathophysiological processes, MASLD's relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still unclear, especially when the role of adipocytokines is taken into consideration. Objective: This study aims to examine the potential predictive value of adiponectin and resistin for MASLD in T2DM. Patients and methods: In a two-year study, 71 T2DM patients were categorized into MASLD-T2DM and non-MASLD-T2DM groups according to MASLD development. Serum samples were tested for resistin, adiponectin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. An appropriate equation is used to calculate the adiponectin/resistin (A/R) index. The optimal cut-off values for differentiating MASLD patients from non-MASLD patients were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the corresponding areas under the curve (AUC). To predict the onset of MASLD in patients with T2DM, a logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: There were significant differences in adiponectin (p<0.001), resistin (p<0.001), and A/R index (p<0.001) between T2DM individuals with and without MASLD. The ROC curve for resistin produced an AUC of 0.997 (p<0.001) with a sensitivity of 96.1% and a specificity of 100% for the cut-off point of 253.15. Adiponectin (OR, 0.054; 95% CI, 0.011-0.268; p<0.001) and resistin (OR, 1.745; 95% CI, 1.195-2,548; p=0.004) were found to be independent predictors for MASLD by logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: This study confirms the potential of adiponectin and resistin as predictors of MASLD development in T2DM.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheter-related complications in children with hemato-oncological malignancies at the largest pediatric tertiary care unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of pediatric cancer patients who underwent Hickman central venous catheters (CVCs) between January 2019 and December 2022. Mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic Hickman catheter-related complications were evaluated and analyzed. We also investigated possible risk factors associated with these complications. RESULTS Seventy-one Hickman CVCs were inserted in 68 children (44 boys and 24 girls) at a mean age of 6.9 ± 4.6. Forty (58.8%) children had hematological malignancies and 28 (41.2%) solid cancers. The median follow-up after Hickman CVC insertion was 190 days (95% CI [160-212]) for 12 644 catheter days. During follow-up, 10 (14.1%) mechanical, 7 (9.9%) infectious, and 1 (1.4%) thrombotic complications were recorded (0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 for mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications per 1000 catheter days, respectively). A slightly higher incidence of complications was recorded in children with hematological malignancies (1.59 per 1000 catheter days) compared with children with solid cancers (1.22 complications per 1000 catheter days). CONCLUSION Using Hickman CVCs for long-term venous access in infusional chemotherapy for pediatric cancer patients is safe but is associated with significant morbidity.

Abstract Introduction: Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a disease of multifactorial origin typically presented with a triad of symptoms including peripheral facial nerve paralysis, plicated tongue and orofacial edema. Diagnosing MRS requires the exclusion of other granulomatous diseases and the correlation of clinical with histopathological finding. Case presentation: We present the case of a 56-year-old female with a four-month history of lower lip and right mandible angle swelling together with a plicated tongue that appeared during COVID-19 infection. The patient was successfully treated with intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide at a dose of 40 mg. Conclusion: The presented case is specific by its late onset since the patient experienced their first symptoms in fifties, which differs from the majority of cases where the diagnosis is usually established in young adults. Infectious factors are established as possible etiologic factors of MRS, but few cases are described to be triggered or worsened by COVID-19 infection.

SMAD4 is a tumour suppressor gene that is mutated in up to 60% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumours. Activins are members of the TGF-b signalling superfamily which signal through SMAD4 and are generally associated with an oncogenic process, with differing effects on tumour and stromal cells, such as cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We sought to further elucidate the role of activin within PDAC and perturb activin signalling in vitro and in vivo. Analysis was performed of publicly available human datasets alongside human and murine single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets to study the effect of activin expression on survival and tumourigenesis. We developed anti-activin monoclonal antibodies to perturb activin signalling in PDAC mice, with deep analysis of tumour composition including immune cells and CAFs via a multitude of basic science techniques. We demonstrated that circulating activin levels are higher in PDAC patients than in healthy volunteers, whilst activin overexpression is associated with reduced overall survival in PDAC patients. Activin was shown to be predominantly expressed by contractile (collagen-depositing) CAFs, as opposed to inflammatory CAFs. Activin expression co-localises with fibroblasts, and anti-activin antibodies can reduce the collagen content of dense PDAC tumours. Additionally, anti-activin antibodies led to a statistically significant increase in CD4 and CD8 T-cell infiltration into murine PDAC tumours. We have shown that activin is overexpressed in PDAC, and high expression is associated with a more aggressive disease process. Anti-activin antibodies can alter the composition of desmoplastic PDAC tumours and increase the immune infiltrate of these typically “immune cold” tumours.

Abstract Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly infectious viral disease that affects birds, including wild water birds and poultry. The emergence and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains, such as H5N1, have raised concerns due to their potential to cause severe outbreaks and cross the species barrier, leading to human infections and global public health emergencies. In this study, we report the first case of HPAI H5N1 detection in Montenegro. Twenty-six carcasses of dalmatian pelicans were found in Skadar Lake, Montenegro, and the H5N1 subtype was confirmed through molecular testing in the samples from pelicans. The whole influenza genome was sequenced and belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b was determined.

The sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo) is a rare and poorly understood deep‐sea species, with only a few records in the Adriatic Sea over the last two centuries and a significant gap in sightings. Throughout 2023, three new records are documented in the southernmost Adriatic Sea, found at depths ranging from 391 to 452 m off Vlorë. This study marks the first comprehensive health examination of a deep‐sea shark, investigating potential trauma and injuries resulting from trawling. It encompasses pathological and histopathological examinations, supplemented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The research highlights alarming post‐capture mortality rates in this data deficient species, discusses further conservation implications, and proposes protective measures for the species. Beyond addressing critical knowledge gaps, this study advocates for collaborative efforts with local fishermen to establish long‐term monitoring and obtain data on the frequency and abundance of elusive species.

: Variants of proportional navigation (PN) are perhaps mostly used guidance laws for tactical homing missiles. PN aims to generate commanding missile lateral acceleration proportional to line of sight (LOS) angular rate, so that missile velocity vector rotates in such a way to assure interception of a target. In order to generate commanding lateral accelerations, the guidance system needs measurements of LOS angular rate and the closing velocity between the missile and the target, or the missile velocity. A device which provides guidance information is referred to as the missile seeker. In the case of imaging based seekers (visible light (EO), infrared light (IIR)), LOS rate is estimated using imaging sensor, while closing or missile velocity is measured using appropriate sensors or guess estimated. In this paper, we present the design and simulation of a missile homing system which includes: true PN guidance law, linear multiloop acceleration autopilot, and gimbaled imaging based missile seeker. Target seeker uses advanced deep machine learning object detection YOLO (You only look once) model, for target detection and tracking as well as LOS rate estimation. Comprehensive simulation model, consisting of full 6DOF missile and controls dynamics, 3D world and camera model, is developed. Intensive simulation results show performances of the proposed missile homing system.

Objective: This retrospective (matched paired) clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone vs. methylprednisolone at equipotent (high) doses in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: A total of 347 patients with moderate and severe COVID-19-associated ARDS were administered either a high (equipotent) dose of dexamethasone (32 mg) or methylprednisolone (180 mg) for a duration of up to 10 days. All participants received the standard of care for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Results: The primary outcomes included length of stay in the ICU, ICU mortality, and discharge from the hospital. Based on the obtained results, a tendency towards more favorable clinical outcomes concerning the length of stay in the ICU (in the group of patients treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), p<0.05), ICU mortality, and discharge from the hospital (in the group of patients who were intubated, p<0.05) in patients receiving the high dose of dexamethasone compared to those receiving methylprednisolone was observed. Conclusion: It appears that severe cases of COVID-19, especially intubated ones, treated with high doses of dexamethasone have a more favorable clinical outcome than the use of equipotent doses of methylprednisolone. However, larger multicenter studies are needed to validate our observations.

A Computed Tomography Urography (CTU) scan is a medical imaging test that examines the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. It helps diagnose various urinary tract diseases with precision. However, patients undergoing CTU imaging receive a relatively high dose of radiation, which can be a concern. In our research paper, we analyzed the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol) and Dose-Length Product (DLP) for 203 adult patients who underwent CTU at one of the most important regional centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina that sees a large number of patients. Our study included the distribution of age and sex, the number of phases within one examination, and different clinical indications. We compared our findings with the results available in the scientific literature, particularly the recently published results from 20 European countries. Furthermore, we established the local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) that can help set the national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs). We believe our research is a significant step towards optimizing the protocols used in different hospitals in our country.

Polyphenols are natural compounds with enhanced antioxidant properties. They are present in relatively high concentrations in fruit/vegetable by-products. Therefore, there is a need for the development of efficient and cost-effective methods for the separation and purification of these valuable compounds. Traditional extraction with organic solvents needs to be switched to novel methods that are more efficient, with reduced extraction times and low consumption of organic solvents. Aiming at developing sustainable processes for the separation and purification of phenolic compounds, we used three model compounds, namely resveratrol, quercetin, and gallic acid, to investigate ionic liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-ABSs) formed by cholinium-based IL in combination with polypropylene glycol with a molecular mass of 400 g/mol (PPG400). The ABS composition in the two-phase region was selected according to a previously determined phase diagram. Extraction studies indicated the preferential partition of resveratrol and quercetin toward the hydrophobic PPG-rich phase that is mainly dominated by its hydrophobic nature and the strong salting-out effect of ILs. On the other hand, due to its considerably hydrophilic nature, gallic acid preferentially migrates toward the IL phase. The achieved results from grape stem extract demonstrated high extraction efficiencies of cholinium dihydrogen phosphate (~99% for resveratrol for the PPG phase and 78% for gallic acid for the IL phase), with considerable selectivity, demonstrating promising outcomes for potential applications.

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of relatively rare, progressive neurodegenerative conditions (with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ALS being the most common) characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons leading to motor and extra motor symptoms. The etiology of MND is believed to involve complex interactions of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors, but so far only a few convincing risk factors have been established. Several putative risk factors associated with sporadic cases have been suggested, including repetitive blows to the head and traumatic brain injury. ALS is considered a sporadic disorder in 90% of cases. The incidence of ALS in the United States is 1.5 to 2.2 per 100.000, but varies significantly by age, sex, and race. The incidence of ALS generally increases with age and peaks during the seventh decade of life. There is not a large number of relevant studies for reliable conclusions about the connection between sports and BMN. However, there is increasing interest in the role of contact sports (eg, American football and rugby) following the diagnosis of BMN in several high-profile professional athletes. Several case-control studies have found an increased risk of MND among people who engage in strenuous physical activity, but other studies of this type did not find this risk (association) or the association was negative. Several other studies have shown an increased risk of BMN with traumatic brain injury, while others have found no association. The risk of MND varies depending on the type of sport played. For many individual sports, no increased risk of BMN was observed, including cricket, basketball, tennis, swimming, hockey, volleyball, badminton, field hockey, sailing, rowing, diving and skiing. However, several meta-analyses have shown a 1.3 to 1.7 times higher risk of MND in athletes who suffer a head injury, compared to the general population. Experience shows that exercise can be physically and psychologically important for people with ALS. Although the results so far do not provide clear conclusions regarding physical therapy or/and exrecise regimens to maintain function and quality of life in people with ALS, we can say, for sure, that moderate exercise is not harmful. Regarding the type of exercise, moderate intensity and not very high frequency (two sessions per week), combining strength and aerobic resistance, may be the best option to see improvements in ALS patients and prevent fatigue that further impairs their quality of life.Key words: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – sports – physical therapy

Abstract Parasitic diseases of wild animals represent an important area of research. In addition to the significant impact on wildlife health and fitness, many parasitic diseases have zoonotic implications. Due to limited scientific information, this research aimed to investigate parasitic diseases in wildlife in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), focusing on the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), emphasizing zoonotic species. In the period from April 2020 to November 2022, we conducted research on 9 wildlife species. We analyzed fecal samples to detect and identify diagnostic stages (eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts) of various animal endoparasites using coprological methods, such as sedimentation, flotation, and the Baermann technique. The MERIFLUOR® Cryptosporidium/Giardia test was also used for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. In the case of red foxes, intestinal samples were examined using the intestinal scraping technique to detect adult helminths. All collected muscle samples were subjected to the artificial digestion method for Trichinella detection. From 1,278 samples, 70.9% were positive. Parasitic infections were confirmed in 15.9% (11/69) of bears; 83.7% (262/313) of red foxes; 67.6% (44/65) of wolves; 25% (1/4) of wildcats; 20% (1/5) of badger; 43.7% (7/16) of martens; 39.7% (76/191) of wild boars; 84.5% (350/414) of deer, and 77.1% (155/201) of hares. The finding of zoonotic parasites (Toxocara canis, Uncinaria spp., Trichinella spp., Echinococcus spp. etc.) is particularly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, which highlights the need for further investigations.

In recent decades, conventional medicine has begun to include natural remedies and spiritual therapy in the treatment of people with mental disorders, and in recent years, physicians and healthcare professionals more often refer to alternative and complementary methods in the treatment of mental disorders. Alternative medicine includes “other treatments” and a more suitable term would be complementary medicine which supplements the definition of conventional medicine accepted by the World Health Organization. After the rise of pharmaceutical industry in the second half of the 20th century and significant advancement in the treatment of mental disorders, comes a period of disappointment and acceptance of the fact that synthetic drugs are not omnipotent and may have serious and unpleasant side-effects. Due to this fact, there is a growing interest in the treatment of mental disorders with the use of complementary methods. It is important to note that these methods are not a substitute for standard treatment procedures and their appropriate application does not diminish the importance of classical treatment of psychiatric disorders. Numerous patients refuse classical therapy and seek the help of complementary medicine methods. It is therefore important for physicians and healthcare professionals to have knowledge of complementary medicine which is science based and advises on treatment methods provided they are scientifically justified. Key words: complementary medicine, psychiatry