Objective: Obesity and overweight represent a global public health crisis, due to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases consequent to many factors such as metabolic dysregulation and chronic inflammation. This study aimed to compare the Heart Rate variability (HRV) between obese and non-obese hypertensive patients. Design and method: A cross-sectional study included 76 hypertensive patients, referred to the Functional Explorations department. Anthropometric and clinical data were collected. All patients underwent 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure (BP) Monitoring. HRVs were measured (standard deviation in percentage) during 24-hour, diurnal and nocturnal periods. Patients were divided into two groups, according to their body mass index (BMI, whether < 30 kg/m 2 or = 30 30 kg/m 2 and more): G1 (obese, n=39) and G2 (non-obese, n=37). Results: Mean age was 55±10 vs. 52±15 years and mean BMI was 34±4 vs. 26±2 kg/m 2 in G1 and G2, respectively. Both groups were matched for sex (66.7% of females in G1 vs. 48.6% of females in G2) and comorbidities (mainly diabetes and dyslipidemia), but G1 included a higher proportion of metabolic syndrome (p<0.05). Mean values of 24-hour Systolic and Diastolic BPs were 136±10 mmHg vs. 130±11 mmHg (p=0.022), and 84±9 mmHg vs. 80±9 mmHg (p=0.066), respectively in G1 and in G2. Mean values of 24-hour, diurnal and nocturnal HRVs were 14±3% vs. 16±3%; 14±3% vs. 16±3%; 7±3% vs. 9±6%, respectively in G1 and in G2. Diurnal and 24-hour HRVs were statistically lower in G1 (p=0.010 and 0.035, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in nocturnal HRV (p=0.279) between the two groups. Conclusions: This study revealed lower HRVs among obese patients which highlights a clear association between obesity and reduced autonomic nervous system function, particularly with diminished parasympathetic activity. This HRV reduction, resulting in an imbalance in autonomic regulation, increases cardiovascular risk. Managing weight seems to be the key to minimize these negative impacts.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluates the impact of health conditions on personal functioning. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents can significantly affect HRQoL due to the demands of daily disease management, psychological burden, and potential complications. The use of validated tools like Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) questionnaires is essential in assessing HRQoL. Combining generic and disease-specific scales offers a comprehensive evaluation. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which the PedsQL 4.0 and PedsQL 3.0 questionnaires explain the overall quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes when used separately and in combination. Additionally, the study aims to identify which specific domains within these questionnaires are most significant in explaining the variability in overall quality of life scores. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022. The study assessed the quality of life of 50 children and adolescents (aged five to 18 years) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus, residing in Sarajevo Canton. Of these, 47 children/adolescents provided self-reports, while three children aged five to seven years were excluded from self-report analyses due to developmental limitations. However, parent proxy-reports were obtained for all 50 participants, including the three younger children. Accordingly, the final analysis included 47 child/adolescent self-reports and 50 parent proxy-reports. The study included children with a disease duration of >6 months and parental consent. The PedsQL™ 4.0 and PedsQL™ 3.0 Diabetes Module were used. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York), including reliability testing, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression. Linear regression was selected to quantify the contribution of each questionnaire domain to overall HRQoL, offering an interpretable and robust method for assessing additive domain effects. Results: The combined use of generic and diabetes-specific measures provided the most accurate assessment of HRQoL, capturing both general well-being and disease-specific challenges. Diabetes symptoms and physical functioning were key explainors. Conclusion: The combined use of generic and diabetes-specific tools enables a more nuanced and comprehensive assessment of HRQoL in children and adolescents with T1DM. This study demonstrates that neither tool alone offers sufficient coverage, reinforcing the necessity of integrated assessment.

Background: Hepatobiliary tumors are uncommon in dogs, and metastatic liver tumors are diagnosed more frequently than primary liver tumors. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most prevalent primary liver malignant tumor. Case Description: An 11-year-old spayed female Tibetan Terrier was referred to the University of Sarajevo Veterinary Teaching Hospital due to recurrent painful urination attempts, straining urination, hematuria, and decreased appetite. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a moderately distended bladder containing urolith, bladder wall thickening, and sediment. Incidentally, a hyperechoic hepatic mass on the left medial liver lobe and hepatomegaly were detected along with gallbladder sludge. Surgical cystolithotomy and partial liver lobectomy were performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the hepatic mass as clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma (CCHCC). Conclusion: Although this rare histological subtype has been documented, its biological behavior and clinical features remain poorly understood due to the scarcity of cases. A recent publication by Jung et al. (2021). described the first cytological, histological, and clinical case presentation of CCHCC in dogs, suggesting that obesity and hyperlipidemia may be potential risk factors. However, these proposed risk factors were not detected in the present case, implying that CCHCC in dogs is a rare and poorly understood condition that warrants further attention in veterinary research.

Honeydew honey (HH) is a distinctive type of honey known for its dark colour, high mineral and polyphenol content, and pronounced biological activity. This study continues previous research on beech and chestnut honeydew honeys by presenting a comprehensive analysis of linden honeydew honey (LHH) from Bosnia and Herzegovina—a variety that, until now, has not been characterised in detail. Physicochemical parameters confirmed its classification as HH, with high electrical conductivity (1.21 mS/cm) and low moisture (15.1%). GC-MS analysis revealed a unique volatile profile dominated by α-terpinolene (17.4%), distinguishing LHH from other HH types. The sample exhibited high total phenolic content (816.38 mg GAE/kg) and moderate antioxidant capacity (1.11 mmol TE/kg). Antimicrobial testing demonstrated strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with lower efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria. No cytotoxic effects were observed in HaCaT keratinocytes at concentrations up to 60 mg/mL, and wound healing assays showed improved scratch closure reaching approximately 30% after 24 h and 41% after 48 h compared to the control. These results indicate that LHH possesses promising bioactive properties and potential for dermatological application. Further studies with broader sample sets are needed to explore variability and confirm the therapeutic relevance of LHH in comparison to other honeydew types.

Background: Primary hypothermia occurs when the body is exposed to extremely low temperatures in an environment with no underlying health conditions. Secondary hypothermia, on the other hand, results from disruptions in thermoregulation due to diseases, trauma, surgery, drugs, alcohol, or infections. Postmortem biochemistry has become a crucial factor in forensic examinations, offering valuable apprehension into tissue of and organ dysfunction associated with the process of dying. Aim: This research aims to explore various biochemical markers and their significance in distinguishing primary from secondary hypothermia. Methods: This study involved 21 Wistar rats, which were separated into three experimental groups: CG (n = 7), which were exposed only to hypothermic conditions; AHG (n = 7); and BHG (n = 7). We tested these parameters in each rat: glucose, urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, sodium to potassium ratio, chloride, and calculated osmolality. Results: Distinct biochemical differences were noted between primary and secondary hypothermia. Glucose and creatinine levels exhibited significant variations (p < 0.001). Urea concentrations also manifested notable differences between the groups (p < 0.001). Phosphorus levels demonstrated significant differences (p = 0.004), with post hoc analyses revealing significant contrasts between the AHG and BHG (p = 0.014) and between the BHG and CG (p = 0.014). Potassium levels and the sodium-to-potassium ratio differed significantly (p < 0.001). Osmolality also varied significantly across experimental groups (p < 0.001), with post hoc tests confirming significant differences between the AHG and CG (p = 0.013) and between the BHG and CG (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The calculated osmolality exhibited significant variation among the different groups, indicating a notable impact of the substances on the biochemical profile related to hypothermia. This study focused on the effectiveness of biochemical markers in distinguishing primary hypothermia from secondary hypothermia.

Cardiotocography (CTG) is essential for monitoring high-risk pregnancies, yet perinatal asphyxia prediction accuracy remains limited to 50–55%. Regions of artifacts (missing valid signals)-including signal processing aberrations-possibly contribute to this limitation, highlighted by 40% of FDA reports on intrapartum stillbirths. This cohort study applied causal inference to two digitized CTG databases, analyzing 36,792 labor episodes (>36 weeks) at a tertiary Australian hospital (2010–2021) and externally validating on a Czech dataset (n = 552).High rates of missing valid signals (>30% fetal heart rate signal dropout or >1% maternal-fetal heart rate coincidence) was independently associated with asphyxia (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.19–1.81); dropout >30% showing stronger link (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.13–2.20 Australian dataset; aOR 2.30, 95% CI 1.08–4.91 Czech dataset). Risk of asphyxia increased with higher dropout (>37.45%, aOR 2.21 Australian dataset; >34.01%, aOR 4.08 Czech dataset). Integrating measures of missing valid signals into fetal monitoring algorithms may improve decision-making and neonatal outcomes.

Network emulators are essential in testing network systems, applications, and protocols. Emulators bridge the gap between simulation setups that lack realism in results and real-world trials that are accurate but often expensive, non-reproducible, and uncontrollable. This paper describes the simulations and emulations of the national Czech QKD network. Using emulation techniques, a unique ecosystem is formed that includes the processes of generating, processing, storing, and consuming cryptographic keys. The presented tool will undoubtedly spur future development, understanding, and teaching, and it is critical for testing novel applications and protocols applied to QKD networks.