Abstract In breast cancer therapy, as the leading cause of death in women, besides chemo-radiotherapy, immunotherapy has been increasingly used. PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade primarily acts on T lymphocytes, the main effectors of acquired immune response. NK cells, which are part of the innate immune response, also play a role in the anti-tumor response through the blockade of this signaling pathway. The study was conducted to examine the effects of anti-PD-1 therapy on NK and T cells in mouse breast cancer. Female BALB/c mice were used, divided into two groups, one with induced breast cancer and one treated with anti-PD-1 antibody. Breast cancer cell line was used to induce the cancer, and the anti-PD-1 antibody was applied intraperitoneally. Cell populations in spleen and tumor microenvironment were examined using flow cytometry. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. The percentage of NK cells expressing FasL, NKG2D, and IFN-γ is significantly higher in spleen and tumor-infiltrating NK cells upon anti-PD-1 therapy, while the expression of inhibitory markers Foxp3 and IL-10 in regulatory NK cells is significantly lower. The percentage of T lymphocytes expressing CD107a and IL-17 is significantly higher in the spleen, while a higher number of T lymphocytes expressing CD69 is present in the tumor microenvironment. The study suggests that anti-PD-1 therapy can activate NK and T cells, and improve anti-tumor immune response in breast cancer. Further research is needed to understand the interplay between these cells during PD-1 blockage.

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are widespread health conditions characterized by chronic, low-grade inflammation. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), an immunomodulatory peptide mainly secreted from adipose tissue, could potentially play a crucial role in mitigating these conditions. This cross-sectional study explores the involvement of Gal-1 in MetS and UC within a cohort of 75 patients, newly diagnosed with UC. The MetS subgroup displayed increased fecal Gal-1 levels compared to those without MetS. Furthermore, Gal-1 showed predominance over pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17, in these subjects. These findings emphasize the potential involvement of Gal-1 in the pathophysiology of UC and MetS, presenting it as a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for these conditions.

Aim This is the first research in Bosnia and Herzegovina presenting minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (MICS CABG) experience, advantages, and outcomes as compared to conventional surgery (OPEN CABG). Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and November 2022 and included patients with indication for surgical revascularization. Results Among 237 patients, males predominated, 182 (76.7%), with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.4±3.9, median The Society of Thoracic Surgery Risk (STS) score of 1.55 (0.8, 4.0), short term STS score of 11.2 (6.8, 23.7), mean age of 64.8±8.7 (ranging 41-83) years, 122 (51.4%) underwent OPEN CABG and 115 (48.6%) MICS CABG. MICS CABG took less time (p<0.001; OPEN 3.5±0.8h; MICS 2.8±0.8h) and needed less mechanical ventilation (p<0.001, OPEN 17.3±11.9h; MICS 13.0±12.5h) than OPEN CABG. Even though there was no difference in hospitalization length between groups (OPEN (7.5±3.2), MICS (7.1±4.0)), patients receiving MICS (2.9±1.5) spent less time in the ICU (p=0.0013) than OPEN CABG (3.6±2.8). OPEN CABG used also more blood derivatives, red blood cells (OPEN 292 vs MICS 55), plasma (OPEN 270 vs MICS 86) and platelets (OPEN 71 vs MICS 28). Conclusion Patients undergoing MICS CABG in Bosnia and Herzegovina had less mechanical ventilation hours and less ICU duration compared to OPEN CABG even though the hospitalization duration was very similar. MICS CABG takes less time to be conducted, has fewer CPRs postoperatively, uses less blood derivatives including red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

Aim Examination of the effectiveness of STR loci in proving sibship of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian village of Orahovica and the formation of a "grey zone". Methods The probability of sibship was determined by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) parameter for each of the 15 observed STR loci and for each of the pairs of relatives and non-relatives. Cumulative sibship index (CSI) was calculated for each of the pairs by multiplying the LR values of all 15 loci and obtained values are used as CSI limit for separating relatives from non-relatives. By creating a grey zone for local populations, an attempt was made to obtain a line of demarcation between siblings and non-siblings. Results An analysis of the origin of the respondents' relatives was performed, up to the level of sibship in the third generation. The results of the CSI for pairs of relatives from the village of Orahovica showed that the highest CSI value, and therefore the sibship probability was recorded among relatives from the village of Orahovica (CSI=534211727.203;SP=99.999999812%). On the contrary, incredibly low CSI value was recorded among non-relatives,ranging from CSI=0.0000001 to 0.5261434 (SP=0.000009999% to 34.475357951%). Conclusion For the threshold value CSI=1 and for CSI=3, this method determined sibship in 100% of pairs of relatives and the absence of biological sibship in 100% of pairs of non-relatives in the village of Orahovica. The STR system is proved to be a successful method in determining sibship or absence of sibship in small local populations.

Aim To determine the value of angles between the left coronary artery main trunk (LMT) and its branches, the anterior interventricular branch (LAD) and the circumflex branch (CX), and their possible relationship with the LMT length. Methods A total of 29 cadaveric hearts were used. The left coronary artery and its branches were dissected. The hearts were then classified according to the number of branches. The LMT length was measured with a digital gauge, and the LAD-CX angle, LMTLAD angle and LMT-CX angle with a manual goniometer. Results The average value of the LMT length was 9.0 mm (6.0-13.5). In 20 (68.97%) samples, the LMT was divided into two terminal branches. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.321) in LMT length between the hearts with a bifurcation and without it. The average value of the LAD-CX angle was 89.0⁰ (74.5-93.0), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.020) comparing to hearts with trifurcation. The mean value of the LMT-LAD angle was 30.83±9.23⁰ and it was significantly lower (p=0.006) in the group of hearts with bifurcation compared to the group with trifurcation of the main trunk. Conclusion The LMT length shows great variability and is not related to the LAD-CX, LMT-LAD or the LMT-CX angle. Knowledge of the left coronary variation is essential in order to avoid misinterpretation of arteriogram.

A sociedade experimenta uma forma de economia calcada em tecnologias de vigilância, que influenciou na conflagração de dados em camadas incomensuráveis. Nesse contexto, aparelha-se um desafio para a pesquisa científica, que deve acontecer obedecendo os padrões nacionais de proteção de dados pessoais. Para tanto, o presente trabalho objetiva estabelecer os padrões da LGPD para pesquisa científica, o contexto histórico que fundamenta a importância da ética na pesquisa e os perigos de uma regulamentação rígida da pesquisa através da LGPD que pode ferir direitos fundamentais. O método utilizado é o hipotético-dedutivo, com utilização de recursos bibliográficos e documentais. Em conclusão, a LGPD revela uma nova realidade para a pesquisa científica, transformando o pesquisador ou órgão de pesquisa em agentes de tratamento, com devidas responsabilidades no tratamento de dados pessoais dos humanos envolvidos na pesquisa científica. 

Entre os vários problemas ambientais da contemporaneidade, a falta do reconhecimento da importância da botânica no nosso cotidiano, a ausência de sensibilização e a interação com a natureza são assuntos que a sociedade deve discutir. O presente trabalho, a fim de buscar e implantar possibilidades dentro da Educação Ambiental (EA), traz a proposta de formatação de uma trilha interpretativa conduzida e/ou autoconduzida de uma forma didático-pedagógica no campus da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC). A metodologia propõe uma dupla análise ao utilizar os métodos de Indicadores de Atratividades de Pontos Interpretativos (IAPI) e o Valor Turístico (Vtur). Foram realizadas visitas ao Horto Florestal da UESC e, com o auxílio do GPS Garmin etrex 10x e do aplicativo de celular TCpGPS, propomos um novo trajeto da trilha de 1.047 metros, com design circular e 10 pontos interpretativos. Diante disso, é possível afirmar que as metodologias utilizadas na proposta atingiram seu escopo ao possibilitar o conhecimento da flora local, das relações ecológicas, da acessibilidade, bem como do desenvolvimento de atitudes e valores diante do meio ambiente, de forma prática e sistematizada.

The constant worsening of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) imposes the need for an urgent response. Use of antibiotics (AB), both due to irrational prescribing by doctors and irrational use by patients, is recognized as one of the leading causes of this problem. This study aimed to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices about AB use and AMR within the general population, stratified by age, gender, and urban/rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022 among patients who visited three health centers in the eastern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A high frequency of AB use was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic (64.2% of respondents were treated with AB). Age and place of residence have not been shown to be factors associated with AB use practices that pose a risk for AMR. However, female gender (β = 0.063; p = 0.041), better knowledge (β = 0.226; p < 0.001), and positive attitudes (β = 0.170; p < 0.001) about use of AB and towards to AMR proved to be factors associated with better practice by respondents. Women, younger respondents, and respondents from urban areas showed better knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about the use of AB and AMR during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article presents two approaches to power circuit breakers condition assessment. The first one covers a wide variety of machine learning classification algorithms where the input for the classification is a manually selected feature set. The second one utilizes deep learning classification based on the convolutional neural network. Both approaches revolve around the idea behind spectral kurtosis, one of which exploits its visual representation in the form of kurtogram. The first approach uses a spectral kurtosis curve as the base for feature extraction while the second approach uses a spectral kurtosis kurtogram as a single input into the convolutional neural network. The validation is performed on a large set of vibration signatures and compared to competing state-of-the-art algorithms. The results indicate promising features of the proposed approach.

Aim To determine the relationship between coagulation disorders and septic condition in COVID-19 critically ill patients. Methods Data from 99 patients who presented with COVID-19 acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (CAHRF) were divided into two groups: Group 1- patients who developed sepsis, and Group 2 - patients who developed septic shock. Age, sex, comorbidities, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, vasopressor and inotrope requirement, laboratory findings (platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, procalcitonin - PCT, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, D-dimer, sepsis-induced coagulopathy - SIC, and disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC score) were recorded on the day of admission and on the day of starting invasive mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was to establish COVID-19 associated coagulopathy with sepsis and septic shock; the secondary outcome measure was incidence of coagulopathy in septic COVID-19 critically ill patients. Results The most common coagulation abnormality was international normalized ratio (INR) (p=0.019) for Group 2, followed by the values of inflammatory parameters PCT (p=0.002) and lymphocytes (p=0.011) also for Group 2. The statistical significance of SIC score was observed for both groups (p=0.007) and p=0.012, respectively. Norepinephrine (p=0.000) and dobutamine (p=0.000) for Group 2, qSOFA for both groups (p = 0.000) were statistically significant. Conclusion The observed coagulation abnormalities met the criteria for a SIC diagnosis, therefore, the management of coagulation disorders at this stage of the disease should follow the management of a septic condition.

Aim To evaluate the predictive significance of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) >14.5 at admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on outcome parameters: length of hospital stay (LOHS), incidence of hospital mortality, 30-day mortality and 30-day survival after hospital discharge in unselected (surgical and non-surgical) critically ill patients. Methods A total of 325 surgical and non-surgical critically ill patients were divided based on the RDW value at admission to the ICU into two groups: Group 1 (RDW >14.5) and Group 2 (RDW ≤14.5). Demographic and clinical parameters, laboratory findings,treatment and outcome parameters were compared between the groups. The predictive significance of RDW>14.5 on outcome parameters was analysed using linear regression analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, as appropriate. Results In Group 1, LOHS was higher (19.77±15.15; p<0.000) as was the prevalence of hospital mortality (46.6%; p<0.0523), while 30-day survival after hospital discharge was lower (52.9%; p>0.026) compared to Group 2. RDW >14.5 was positively linearly related (r=0.64; r2=0.40; p=0.000) with LOHS. RDW >14.5 predicted the prevalence of in-hospital mortality with a 73.7% positive predictive value (AUC 0.62; sensitivity 70.1%; specificity 59.5%; p<0.05) and 30-day survival after hospital discharge with a 34.5% negative predictive value (AUC 0.45; sensitivity 58.3%; specificity 68.7%; p<0.05). Conclusions RDW value >14.5 at admission to the ICU can predict prolonged hospital stay, higher mortality and lower survival rate. RDW >14.5 may be an inexpensive and widely available early warning to redirect diagnostic and therapeutic decisions and improve outcomes.