Ticks are key vectors of zoonotic pathogens, and their expanding distribution in Europe heightens public health concerns. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, while tick distribution is well documented, molecular data on tick-borne pathogens remain limited. This study aimed to illustrate the presence and diversity of these pathogens, focusing on areas with high human activity. Ticks (n = 556) were collected in April 2022 from eight diverse locations, including urban parks, private properties, and rural sites. PCR-based screening was employed to detect Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, Francisella, Piroplasmida, Rickettsia, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), with subsequent sequencing to confirm results. Further characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was achieved via reverse line blotting (RLB) hybridization and sequencing. Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, followed by Dermacentor marginatus and D. reticulatus. Our analysis revealed an overall infection rate of 22.1% in questing ticks, with Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. predominating. Notably, seven Borrelia species were identified in I. ricinus, alongside Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, and R. monacensis, with co-infections mainly observed in peri-urban areas. This study provides the first molecular evidence of multiple tick-borne pathogens in the region, underscoring the need for further surveillance and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases in the region.

Introduction: Various studies conducted in the past few years have shown a causal relationship between human papillomavirus(HPV) and benign and malignant lesions on the laryngeal mucosa. There are no other studies on the association between HPV and laryngeal lesions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of HPV infection on the development of benign and malignant lesions in the larynx. Methods: Samples for the recommended HPV analysis were taken using cotton swabs from Digene’s Specimen Collection Kit (Sample Collection Kit) from the surface of the affected area of the laryngeal mucosa with a gentle rotational movement through the directoscope. Detection of the presence of HPV in the endolaryngeal swab was performed using Digene’s HPV test-Hybrid Capture II, and results were obtained on a DML 2000 luminometer.Results: In this study, a total of 40 patients were enrolled. Among them, 17 cases (42.5%) presented with benign lesions of the larynx, whereas 23 cases (57.5%) had malignant lesions. Within the group of 17 cases with benign lesions, 5 tested positive for HPV: 2 for high-risk HPV (HR HPV), 2 for low-risk HPV (LR HPV), and 1 for both high-risk and LR HPV. Among the 23 cases with malignant lesions, 11 (47.83%) were HPV positive: 5 for HR HPV, 4 for LR HPV, and 2 for both high-risk and LR HPV. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the noteworthy influence of HPV infection on both benign and malignant changes in the laryngeal mucosa. However, future studies necessitate larger sample sizes and the identification of specific virus types.

Introduction: The impact of nutrition on human health has become a central topic in modern research. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil, has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of non-Mediterranean diets, particularly among students, remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine differences in the dietary habits of health sciences students in two cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar and Sarajevo) and Split, Croatia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between February and November 2024, including 473 students (Mostar: 125, Sarajevo: 230, Split: 118). Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s chi-square test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Students from Split showed significantly higher adherence to Mediterranean dietary habits, including greater consumption of vegetables (p = 0.009), fish (p = 0.035), legumes (p = 0.036), and tomato sauce (p = 0.022). Students in Sarajevo reported the highest intake of sugary drinks (p < 0.01), while those in Split consumed the least margarine and cream-based fats (p = 0.003). No significant differences were found in fruit consumption. Conclusion: Given the importance of diet in preventing chronic diseases, targeted nutrition education programs are needed to promote healthier eating habits among students. Future research should explore the underlying causes of these dietary differences and their long-term health implications.

BackgroundPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication associated with higher mortality rates, prolonged hospitalization, and increased treatment costs.The aimof this cross-sectional longitudinal study is to compare the incidence of POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed with different surgical techniques. The primary outcome is defined as a heart rhythm disorder with atrial fibrillation characteristics that lasts longer than 5 min or requires treatment due to clinical instability.MethodsThe study included 229 hemodynamically stable patients with isolated coronary artery disease who underwent elective CABG. 153 patients underwent CABG with use of cardiopulmonary bypass (ONCAB) and 76 patients without it (OPCAB). In the preoperative risk assessment with modified score, the risk of POAF was higher in the ONCAB group.ResultsPOAF occurred in 86 (37.55%) of a total 229 patients. The number of new cases of POAF is lower in the OPCAB 36 (15.72%) compared to 50 (21.83%) in the ONCAB group (p = 0.031). In the postoperative period there was a significant difference in the time of onset of the primary outcome, the time spent in the IUC and the length of hospitalization.ConclusionPOAFs are more common in ONCAB operating technique. The OPCAB technique reduces postoperative complications, shortens the stay in the IUC and the length of hospitalization, and reduces treatment costs.

Comparative analysis of red mud reduction techniques was performed using both carbothermal and hydrogen-based reduction methods, combining thermochemical modeling and experimental validation. The reduction process is mostly important because of the high contamination risk assessment of soil with disposed red mud. Therefore, the minimization of red mud during the reduction process can be a novel strategy for the production of metallic iron and solid residue for hydrometallurgical treatment. Different strategies of hydrogen and carbon reduction in static and dynamic conditions were studied between 700 °C and 1700 °C. The separation of solid residue and formed iron was analyzed using magnetic separation. The main aim was to study the advantages and disadvantages of using decarbonizing technologies for the treatment of red mud, aiming to develop an environmentally friendly process. Thermochemical analysis of the reduction offered new data about mass losses during our process through the evaporation, thermal decomposition, and formation of metallic carbide.

During the lifespan, graphic products are exposed to various external factors. During their use, their properties(physical, mechanical, visual, etc.) change to a greater or lesser extent. It is necessary to observe/monitor changesand influence of external factors on their properties as soon as the product is created. The aim of this research is toexamine the impact of the aging process on the quality of inkjet printing. A different number of layers of black ink (in10 % tonal value (TV) and 100 % TV) and a different number of varnish layers were printed on PVC foil material. The samples were exposed to xenon light (λ > 300 nm) to accelerate the ageing process over a period of 72 and 216 h. They were measured by Datacolor spectrophotometer. As expected, with longer exposure time, greater changes occurred. According to the CIE ΔE*00 formula, the differences ranged from an imperceptible to a large colour change. After 72 h, the biggest changes in colour occurred in the K10 % with one ink layer and three layers of varnish. The smallest changes were in K100 % with one ink layer and no varnish. After 216 h, the greatest changes were observed in the K10 % sample with three layers of ink and two layers of varnish. The smallest differences were K10 % sample with one ink layer and without varnish.

The etiology of transmissible viral proventriculitis (TVP) of broiler chickens has been discussed since its initial recognition 40 years ago. Regardless of its low direct impact on mortality rate, it leads to high economic losses in the broiler industry through reduction of food conversion, weakening of birds, and their increased susceptibility to pathogens. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential presence of TVP on the broiler chicken farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to characterize microscopic lesions, and to investigate the viruses implicated in etiology of TVP by PCR-based methods. In total, 143 diseased broiler chickens from 16 farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina were euthanized and subjected to necropsy and subsequent histopathology of proventriculi. A representative number of proventriculi samples (n = 50) that exhibited histopathologic changes were processed for molecular detection of chicken proventricular necrosis virus (CPNV), girovirus (GyV3), chicken anemia virus (CAV), and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by PCR-based methods. In addition, samples of bursa of Fabricius (n = 39) and spleen (n = 50) were tested for IBDV. Histopathology revealed changes consistent with TVP in 39.8% (57/143) and LP (lymphocytic proventriculitis) in 2.1% (3/143) of samples. All 50 proventricular samples showed positivity to CPNV with Ct values ranging between 18 and 26. GyV3 was detected in eight samples (16%), with Ct values ranging from 11.1 to 27.5. The presence of CAV was more prominent (38%), with 19 positive broiler chickens (Ct ranging from 9.6 to 35.6). Pooled samples of spleen, bursa, and proventriculi from three farms were positive for IBDV. The obtained results represent the first documented data on TVP and the first record of CPNV and GyV3 presence in broiler farms from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a serious infectious disease and medical emergency. Given the fact of its high mortality and morbidity, detecting prognostic factors is potentially useful in improving treatment strategies. This paper aims to determine prognostic factors of short-term outcomes of patients with ABM in a developing country - Bosnia and Herzegovina, measured by the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) at discharge. METHODOLOGY In this retrospective cohort study, 56 patients treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, for 11 years (2012-2022) were included. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0.1.0. RESULTS The subjects' average age was 31.6 ± 27.7 years, with the youngest patient being 4 months and the oldest 75 years old. Among those, 31 were male and 25 were female. Unfavorable outcomes had 16 (28.6%) patients, including fatal outcomes in four patients and severe disabilities in 12 patients (MRS: 2-6), while 40 (71.4%) patients had favorable outcomes (MRS: 0-1). In the multivariate analysis, predictors of unfavorable outcomes included age older than 60 years, duration of symptoms longer than 24 hours, presence of neurological defects at admission, impaired consciousness, respiratory distress, and no corticosteroid use during treatment. CONCLUSIONS There is certainly a window of opportunity for patients with ABM: The shorter the time between disease onset and treatment initiation, the better the disease outcome.

Biodentine, a tricalcium silicate cement, has emerged as a retrograde root-end filling material to promote periapical lesion (PL) healing after apicoectomy. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that Biodentine stimulates the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from PLs. The Biodentine extract (B-Ex) was prepared by incubating polymerized Biodentine in RPMI medium (0.2 g/mL) for three days at 37 °C. B-Ex, containing both released microparticles and soluble components, was incubated with PL-MSCs cultured in either a basal MSC medium or suboptimal osteogenic medium. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by Alizarin Red staining and the expression of 20 osteoblastogenesis-related genes. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of B-Ex stimulated the proliferation of PL-MSCs and induced their osteogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, with a significantly enhanced effect in suboptimal osteogenic medium. B-Ex upregulated most early and late osteoblastic genes. However, the differentiation process was prolonged, as indicated by the delayed expression of wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2 (WNT2), bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (BGLAP), bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and FOS-like 2, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOSL2), compared with their expression under optimal osteogenic conditions. The stimulatory effect of B-Ex was primarily calcium dependent, as it was reduced by 85% when B-Ex was treated with the calcium-chelating agent EGTA. In conclusion, Biodentine promotes the osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs in a calcium-dependent manner, supporting its stimulatory role in periapical healing.

Manual microscopic differentiation of leukocytes is the primary tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases. Recently, digital optical microscopy has become a more common method, being an alternative to the conventional one, and therefore, there is a need to investigate its compatibility in more detail. The objective is to compare the results of digital and manual microscopy in the analysis of different leukocyte types and to assess the linearity, systemic and proportional differences between the methods. 109 samples were analyzed by manual and digital microscopy (Sysmex DI-60), and the comparison of the obtained results was performed by Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis. The linearity of the methods is satisfactory in all cells, except basophils and blasts. A statistically significant systemic difference was detected in segmented neutrophils, immature granulocytes, and lymphocytes, and correlations between the methods range from very strong to moderate, depending on the type of cells. Significant deviations were observed in leukocytosis and leukopenia. The results of the conducted analysis indicate a good correlation between digital and manual microscopy, but the identified systemic and proportional differences indicate the significance of the reclassification offered by the analyzer. In cases of severe leukopenia and leukocytosis, it is recommended to use manual microscopy as an additional check.

We analyze the stability of general nonlinear discrete-time stochastic systems controlled by optimal inputs that minimize an infinite-horizon discounted cost. Under a novel stochastic formulation of cost-controllability and detectability assumptions inspired by the related literature on deterministic systems, we prove that uniform semi-global practical recurrence holds for the closed-loop system, where the adjustable parameter is the discount factor. Under additional continuity assumptions, we further prove that this property is robust.

Machine-learning-based surrogate models offer significant computational efficiency and faster simulations compared to traditional numerical methods, especially for problems requiring repeated evaluations of partial differential equations. This work introduces the Geometry-Informed Neural Operator Transformer (GINOT), which integrates the transformer architecture with the neural operator framework to enable forward predictions for arbitrary geometries. GINOT encodes the surface points cloud of a geometry using a sampling and grouping mechanism combined with an attention mechanism, ensuring invariance to point order and padding while maintaining robustness to variations in point density. The geometry information is seamlessly integrated with query points in the solution decoder through the attention mechanism. The performance of GINOT is validated on multiple challenging datasets, showcasing its high accuracy and strong generalization capabilities for complex and arbitrary 2D and 3D geometries.

This volume includes a selection of papers presented at the Workshop on Advancing Artificial Intelligence through Theory of Mind held at AAAI 2025 in Philadelphia US on 3rd March 2025. The purpose of this volume is to provide an open access and curated anthology for the ToM and AI research community.

We report the existence of two exotic compact objects in the leading relativistic model of modified Newtonian dynamics, namely aether-scalar-tensor theory. This model is consistent with precision cosmology and gravitational wave constraints on tensor speed. Black hole mimickers could subtly change observations: gravitational waves from their mergers might show unusual echoes or altered ringdown patterns, and images of their horizon-scale shadows might be slightly different from those of a true black hole. Shapiro-free lenses are massless objects that deflect light without any gravitational time delay, producing distinctive lensing events. These predictions connect to ongoing and future gravitational-wave searches, horizon-scale imaging, and time-domain lensing surveys.

Background and Objectives More than half of the endovascularly treated ischemic stroke patients with incomplete reperfusion (expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [eTICI] <3) show delayed reperfusion (DR) on 24-hour perfusion imaging, which is associated with favorable clinical outcome. The effect of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) on the rates of DR remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the treatment effect of IVT on the occurrence of DR. Methods Pooled data from 3 randomized controlled trials (EXTEND-IA and EXTEND-IA TNK parts 1 and 2) and 2 comprehensive stroke centers (University Hospitals Graz and Bern) were analyzed. Only patients with a final reperfusion score of eTICI 2a-2c and available perfusion imaging at follow-up of 24 ± 12 hours were included. The primary outcome was the presence of DR on 24-hour follow-up CT/MRI perfusion imaging, defined as the absence of any focal perfusion deficit on perfusion imaging, despite incomplete reperfusion on the final angiography series during thrombectomy. For the secondary analysis, we explored the association between the primary outcome (DR) and the time elapsed between start of IVT and the end of an intervention. To address confounding in observational data, we performed a target trial emulation. Results Of 832 included patients with eTICI 2a-2c (median age 74 years, 49% female), 511 (61%) had DR. There was an independent treatment effect of IVT on DR (standardized risk ratio [sRR] 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.3; standardized risk difference [sRD] 8.2%, 95% CI 0.2%–16.1%), after adjusting for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, number of device passes, collateral score, and eTICI. Among those patients who have received IVT (n = 524/832, 63%), when adjusting for the aforementioned covariates, there was a causal effect of shorter time between administration of thrombolytics and end of the intervention on DR (sRR 0.93%, 95% CI 0.87–0.98; sRD −5.2%; 95% CI −9.1% to −1.3%, per hour increase). Discussion Exposure to thrombolytics showed independent treatment effect on the occurrence of DR among patients with incomplete reperfusion after thrombectomy who undergo perfusion imaging at the 24-hour follow-up. The effect of thrombolytics on DR was observed if there was a high chance of therapeutic concentrations of thrombolytics at the time point when the proximal vessel was recanalized, but distal occlusions persisted and/or occurred. Classification of Evidence This study is rated Class III because it is a nonrandomized study and there are substantial differences in baseline characteristics of the treatment groups.