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.

Objective Long-standing diabetes mellitus is often associated with cardiovascular complications. We aimed to evaluate the presence, extent and composition of subclinical atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries by Computed Tomography in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (NDT2DM), and to identify the predictors. Methods In this study 101 consecutive patients with NDT2DM were included. Patients were categorized into five groups based on their Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) ranging from 0, 0-10, 11-100, 101-400 to >400. All parameters were compared across these groups. Results The average patient age was 54.4 ± 11.6 years and 48 (47.5%) were females. Eight (7.9%) patients had CACS 0, 6.9% CACS 1-10, 42.6% CACS 11-100, 22.8% CACS 101-400 and 19.8% had CACS >400. Multiple regression analysis for the general data identified weight (p = .04) and systolic blood pressure (p = .033) as independent predictors for CACS. Conclusions Asymptomatic patients with NDT2DM in more than 90% of cases may present with calcified atherosclerotic plaques and this may be predicted by: patient weight and the level of systolic arterial pressure. Our study emphasizes the need for comprehensive care and early prevention of cardiovascular complications in individuals with NDT2DM.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) encountered in hospitals are one of the most complex infections that pose a great challenge. Methicillin-sensitive and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are common causes of severe bloodstreaminfectionsthatareassociatedwithorganfailureandsepticshock.Hence,betterknowledgeoftheincidence ofBSIcausedbyMRSAandMSSAandadequateantibiotictreatmentareimportanttoreducelengthofhospitalstayand improve treatment outcomes.Subjectsandmethods:TheaimofthisstudywastoanalyzethefrequencyofBSIwithMSSAandMRSAinadultpatients whowerehospitalizedatthesametimeandsamedepartmentsoftheUniversityHospitalCentreMostarinthecourseof six years.Results: The incidence of BSI with MSSA and MRSA was shown to be 33,21% and 17,99%, respectively. Averageage of patients infected with MRSA was 61.5 years and with MSSA was 67.5 years. MSSA and MRSA BSI were more commoninmenwithaverageof69,79%and80,77%,respectively.Inbothgroupsofpatients,onethirdhadnoassociated diseases. Patients that had associated chronic disease with mild or moderately severe activity limitations constructed 41,67%withMSSAand46,15%withMRSA.Cardiovasculardiseasesweremostcommonchronicdiseaseinbothgroups, 33.33% for MSSA and 40.38% for MRSA.Treatment of the of subjects with MSSA BSI averaged 15 days and lasted significantlyshorterwhencomparedtoMRSABSItreatmentthataveraged36days.PatientswithMRSABSIweremore treated in middle and/or high-risk departments and with inadequate antibiotic therapy. MRSA BSI patients were more oftenmechanicallyventilated(69,23%),whichcontributestoahighercostoftreatment(averageof8032.5€intotal)and higher drug consumption when compared to the MSSA BSI patients. The death rate was higher in patients treated for MRSA BSI and averaged 67.31%.Conclusions:Theresultsofthisstudyarepromisingsincetheycanbeusedinpracticebycliniciansasaguidelinefor choosing adequate antibiotics, and improve course of treatment, length, outcome and cost.Keywords:Bloodstreaminfections,MSSA,MRSA,antimicrobialtreatment

Background As digital health services are increasingly developing and becoming more interactive in Serbia, a comprehensive instrument for measuring eHealth literacy (EHL) is needed. Objective This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and investigate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ); to evaluate EHL in the population of primary health care (PHC) users in Serbia; and to explore factors associated with their EHL. Methods The validation study was conducted in 8 PHC centers in the territory of the Mačva district in Western Serbia. A stratified sampling method was used to obtain a representative sample. The Translation Integrity Procedure was followed to adapt the questionnaire to the Serbian language. The psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the eHLQ were analyzed through the examination of factorial structure, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine participant characteristics. Differences between groups were tested by the 2-tailed Students t test and ANOVA. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine factors related to EHL. Results A total of 475 PHC users were enrolled. The mean age was 51.0 (SD 17.3; range 19-94) years, and most participants were female (328/475, 69.1%). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the 7-factor structure of the questionnaire. Values for incremental fit index (0.96) and comparative fit index (0.95) were above the cutoff of ≥0.95. The root mean square error of approximation value of 0.05 was below the suggested value of ≤0.06. Cronbach α of the entire scale was 0.95, indicating excellent scale reliability, with Cronbach α ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 for domains. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.63 to 0.82, indicating moderate to good test-retest reliability. The highest EHL mean scores were obtained for the understanding of health concepts and language (mean 2.86, SD 0.32) and feel safe and in control (mean 2.89, SD 0.33) domains. Statistically significant differences (all P<.05) for all 7 eHLQ scores were observed for age, education, perceived material status, perceived health status, searching for health information on the internet, and occupation (except domain 4). In multivariable regression models, searching for health information on the internet and being aged younger than 65 years were associated with higher values of all domain scores except the domain feel safe and in control for variable age. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the Serbian version of the eHLQ can be a useful tool in the measurement of EHL and in the planning of digital health interventions at the population and individual level due to its strong psychometric properties in the Serbian context.

Abstract Hemodiafiltration is a method of treatment used to replace kidney function, which effectively removes uremic toxins of middle molecular weight from the blood of patients with the end-stage of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of postdilution online hemodiafiltration on the degree of β2- microglobulin removal. Thirty patients treated with postdilution online hemodiafiltration were examined. The main parameter for assessing the removal efficiency of uremic toxins of middle molecular weight was the concentration of β2-microglobulin in the serum before and after a single session of postdilution online hemodiafiltration. The following tests were used for statistical analysis: Shapiro-Wilk test, Student’s T test for bound samples and Wilcoxon test. The average total convective volume is 21.38 ± 2.97 liters per session. The reduction index of β2-microglobulin during a single session of postdilution online hemodiafiltration is 70.86 ± 6.87%. The average loss of albumin during a single postdilution online hemodiafiltration is 2.50 ± 0.92 g/4h, and the albumin reduction index is 6.20 ± 2.12%. Postdilution online hemodiafiltration effectively removes β2-microglobulin from the blood of patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease. The reduction index of β2-microglobulin is ˜ 71.00% and the loss of albumin is less than 4.0 g/4h. This dialysis modality prevents the development of dialysis-related amyloidosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in the population of patients treated with regular hemodiafiltration.

Background. Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely related pathophysiological processes, both occurring in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to the standard treatment of T2DM, a potential strategy has been focused on the use of bile acids (BAs) as an additional treatment. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), as the first BA used in humans, improves glucose and lipid metabolism and attenuates oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects of UDCA in patients with T2DM. Methods. This prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study included 60 patients with T2DM, randomly allocated to receive UDCA or placebo. Subjects were treated with 500 mg tablets of UDCA or placebo administered three times per day (total dose of 1500 mg/day) for eight weeks. Two study visits, at the beginning (F0) and at the end (F1) of the study, included the interview, anthropometric and clinical measurements, and biochemical analyses. Results. UDCA treatment showed a significant reduction in body mass index (p=0.024) and in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.033), compared to placebo. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in waist circumference in the UDCA group before and after treatment (p<0.05). Although no statistical significance was observed at the two-month follow-up assessment, an average decrease in glucose levels in the UDCA group was observed. After two months of the intervention period, a significant decrease in the activity of liver enzymes was noticed. Furthermore, a significant reduction in prooxidative parameters (TBARS, NO2-, H2O2) and significant elevation in antioxidative parameters such as SOD and GSH were found (p<0.001). Conclusions. The eight-week UDCA administration showed beneficial effects on metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in patients with T2DM. Thus, UDCA could attenuate the progression and complications of diabetes and should be considered as an adjuvant to other diabetes treatment modalities. This trial is registered with NCT05416580.

Background: The recognition of comorbidities is relevant for asthma management, especially if these conditions/diseases are treatable traits such as anxiety. This study aimed to explore the associations between asthma severity and child and parent asthma-related anxiety and to recognize the most common specific fears. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 150 parents and their children diagnosed with asthma, and was conducted at the Pediatric Clinic of the University Hospital Center Split in Croatia. All children, from ages 3 to 17 years, underwent a thorough clinical examination. A total of 150 parents and 108 children filled out an asthma-related anxiety questionnaire in paper form. Results: Parents of children with moderate and severe asthma had higher asthma-related anxiety due to restrictions related to asthma symptoms (p = 0.032), and children diagnosed with moderate and severe asthma had greater anxiety due to restrictions related to asthma symptoms than children diagnosed with mild asthma (p = 0.004). Children’s anxiety was the highest when they experienced an asthmatic attack during physical activity (PA), and they fear that they will not be successful in sports or dancing due to asthma. Parents commonly reported the fear of an asthma attack without warning signs (p < 0.001), fear of drug side effects (p < 0.001), fear of absence from school (p = 0.006), and fear of an asthma attack during PA (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current study reports findings of increased parental levels of anxiety when compared to their children, related to fear of an asthma attack occurring without warning signs, fear of side effects and fear of absence from school, as well as the fear of an asthma attack occurring during sports activities. When assessing individual items on anxiety associated with asthma, children most commonly reported concern related to physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Dab1 gene silencing on the immunoexpression of light chain 3 beta (Lc3b), glucose regulating protein 78 (Grp78), heat shock cognate 71 (Hsc70), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2A (Lamp2a) in the lung tissue of developing yotari (Dab1−/−) and wild-type (wt) mice. The lung epithelium and mesenchyme of the embryos at gestational days E13.5 and E15.5 were examined using immunofluorescence and semi-quantitative methods. In the pulmonary mesenchyme and epithelium, Grp78 and Lc3b of moderate fluorescence reactivity was demonstrated in wt mice for both evaluated time points, while yotari mice exhibited only epithelial reactivity for the same markers. Mild punctate expression of Hsc70 was observed for both genotypes. A significant difference was present when analyzing mTOR expression, where wt mice showed strong perinuclear staining in the epithelium. According to our data, Dab1 gene silencing may result in autophagy abnormalities, which could then cause respiratory system pathologies via defective lung cell degradation by lysosome-dependent cell elimination.

The progression of telecommunications, starting from the inception of 1G networks in 1979 to the advent of 5G technology in 2019, represents a significant journey of advancement for humanity. As we approach the era of 5G, characterized by heightened machine-to-machine connectivity and transformative applications in AI, IoT, and cloud computing, it becomes imperative to acknowledge and address concerns regarding its potential impacts on health and the environment. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, particularly implemented in Python for this research, provides a potent approach to analyzing intricate datasets concerning 5G signals and their potential correlations with healthcare outcomes. After carefully cleaning and preparing the data and conducting linear regression analysis, uncovered evidence backing the notion that 5G antennas emit greater levels of radiation compared to 4G antennas emerged - a fact often concealed by corporations. Despite relying on a restricted dataset, the results emphasize the necessity for more accurate data to improve model precision. Ongoing research endeavors are vital to alleviate public anxieties regarding 5G technology, thereby fostering trust and bolstering awareness on a wider front.

This research focused on the determination of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) distribution in different agricultural soils and Ambrosia atremisiifolia L. (ragweed) at seven, different locations in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Quantification of PTEs was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometry provided after acid digestion of the air-dried samples of soil and plant material. Determined content of elements in the soils increased as follows: Cd<Pb<Cu<Zn<Cr<Ni<Mn<Fe and were under the allowed maximum for unpolluted soils, except for Ni and Cr. However, transfer of Ni and Cr from the soil to the ragweed as well as their bioaccumulation was not intensive. Established metal contents ratio from plant tissues (root and shoot) to soil for both elements, represented their bioaccumulation factors (BAF), which were extremely low in the roots, as well as in the shoots, both in average less than 0.2. On the other hand, Zn showed a tendency to accumulate in ragweed shoots (BAF=2.07). The study showed that uptake and accumulation of PTEs in the ragweed was mainly influenced by their content in the soil, as well as specific characteristics and biological role of each element. Hence, content of PTEs in the ragweed tissue could be used as the soil contamination degree indicator.

Liquid-phase exfoliation using biomolecules in aqueous solution is a promising approach to obtain high quality 2D nanosheets. For example, the well-studied graphene-binding peptide, P1 (sequence HSSYWYAFNNKT), has been previously investigated and shown to have a good ability to exfoliate graphene sheets in aqueous conditions under sonication, maintaining colloidal stability. Building on this, the biomolecular exfoliant and assembly motif (BEAM) peptide, that features a graphene-binding domain at one end and a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) binding domain at the other, separated by a 10-carbon fatty acid chain in the centre, is shown to exfoliate graphene sheets from bulk graphite in aqueous media. An in-depth examination of the ability of the BEAM to both facilitate sheet exfoliation under sonication conditions and also maintain colliodal stability is provided through molecular dynamics simulations. These findings open new possibilities for designing multi-functional molecules that can both exfoliate and organise 2D materials into heterostructures under ambient conditions in aqueous media.

Introduction: An essential component of any profession is competent and confident staff. In palliative care, a wellrounded approach and versatile knowledge of staff and students are of great importance. Measuring these competencies is very important for the development of palliative care and health care. Methods: Measurement of competencies in palliative care by analyzing existing instruments and questions in palliative care. Process of developing a new instrument for measurement of competencies in palliative care PALCOM, using cross-sectional methodology with nurses from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: The results are presenting findings of research done with nurses from BIH using two main variables: Years of work experience and level of education of the participants. Main difference is between the two competencies: Pain assessment and management, education, and care for the patient’s family regarding the level of education. Conclusion: The need for measuring competencies is evident in the daily evolution of palliative care, community-based palliative care, hospice care, and subspecialized palliative care. There is no questionnaire that can measure all competencies, but the use of the general competencies in the PALCOM questionnaire can cover this area with the measurement of different domains and the competencies specific to these domains.