Background and objective Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health issue that has seen a significant increase in prevalence worldwide. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. Oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia has a central role in the development of insulin resistance, as well as micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the duration of T2DM on blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), renal function parameters, oxidative stress, and von Willebrand factor (vWf) activity in individuals with diabetes. Methodology A total of 135 participants from both genders with T2DM were included in this study. The participants were divided into three groups based on the duration of their disease: up to five years (46 participants), from 6-10 years (49 participants), and over 10 years (40 participants). The investigated parameters were as follows: fasting glucose, two-hour postprandial glucose, HbA1c, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and vWf activity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to assess the normality of distribution. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with appropriate post-hoc tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The average age of the participants was 60.86 ± 8.87 years, the average weight was 86 ± 14.6 kg, the average height was 168 ± 9.18 cm, the waist circumference was 99 ± 11.4 cm, the systolic blood pressure was 127 ± 15.6 mmHg, and the diastolic blood pressure was 77 ± 6.7 mmHg. The study revealed statistically significant differences between the groups (p<0.05) for the following parameters: two-hour postprandial glucose (p=0.001), HbA1c (p=0.048), GFR (p=0.038), and vWf activity (p=0.006). No statistical significance was found for TAC values (p>0.05). Conclusions Higher levels of vWf activity were found in people who had been treated for type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years. These findings indicate that the level of vWf activity in people with type 2 diabetes 10 years after the onset of the disease can be used as a marker of vascular pathology.

Background and Objectives: Resilience and perceived social support are crucial factors influencing the psychological well-being among breast cancer survivors. Understanding their levels and interrelations can inform psychosocial interventions aimed at improving survivorship outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between resilience and perceived social support, evaluate the psychometric properties, and explore their associations with key sociodemographic factors among breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: A total of 253 women in clinical remission, at least six months post-primary treatment, were recruited from the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Participants completed sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: Participants reported moderate levels of resilience (Mdn = 75, IQR = 19). Among resilience domains, Hardiness (Mdn = 22, IQR = 7) and Coping (Mdn = 14, IQR = 4) scored highest, while Optimism (Mdn = 6, IQR = 3) was the lowest. A significant positive correlation was found between resilience and fertility-related quality of life (ρ = 0.454, p < 0.01), while a negative correlation was observed between resilience and fertility-related stress (ρ = −0.275, p < 0.01). Adaptive coping strategies, particularly from the Practical Management Branch of the CIQ, were positively associated with resilience and quality of life, while avoidance coping was linked to higher stress and lower well-being. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors in this Serbian cohort reported moderate resilience and social support, with a strong interrelationship between the two. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening social support networks as a potential pathway to enhance resilience and psychological well-being in cancer survivorship care.

Background and Objectives: Idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a treatable, but diagnostically challenging condition in the elderly marked by gait disturbance, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is effective, but the prognostic significance of symptom duration before surgery remains unclear. This systematic review evaluates symptom duration in NPH patients with postoperative outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted per PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they assessed clinical or radiological outcomes of VP shunting in adult NPH patients, reported symptom duration, and had a follow-up of at least one month. Clinical outcomes (MMSE, TUG, NPH score) were qualitatively analyzed due to study heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-four studies comprising 1169 patients were included (mean age: 72.45 years; mean symptom duration: 33.04 months). Most studies reported clinical improvement after VP shunting. However, few directly evaluated the effect of symptom duration, yielding inconsistent findings: some suggested better outcomes with shorter symptom duration, while others found no clear correlation. Larger studies often lacked conclusive data, and no randomized controlled trials were identified. Conclusions: VP shunting remains an effective intervention for NPH; however, evidence supporting the predictive value of preoperative symptom length is inconclusive. This review highlights the need for standardized diagnostic protocols and larger prospective studies to clarify this association and optimize surgical timing.

Introduction. Chronic kidney insufficiency presents a progressive decline in renal function. Long-term hemodialysis treatments lead to biochemical parameter imbalances like an altered level of homocysteine (Hcy). Hcy can contribute to oxidative stress and endothelial damage, which promotes the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis. It can also affect lipoprotein metabolism and trigger inflammatory processes that alter the lipid profile, especially increasing triglycerides and lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Methods. This cross-sectional, clinical and descriptive-analytical study included 83 patients, 40 patients on hemodialysis, and 43 subjects in healthy control group. Results. The hemodialysis group had significantly higher Hcy values compared to the control group of seemingly healthy subjects (p<0.05). The control group had significantly higher values of total cholesterol, LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) compared to the hemodialysis patients (p<0.05). There was non significant correlation between Hcy and lipid parameters in the hemodialysis group, neither in the control group. Conclusion. Patients undergoing hemodialysis had significantly higher total homocysteine levels compared to the control group. However, total homocysteine did not demonstrate an association with lipid status parameters in either the hemodialysis patients or the healthy subjects. Keywords: homocysteine, hemodialysis, cholesterol, triglycerides, metabolism.

Bedding begonias ( Begonia cucullata Hort.) are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal. Boasting beautiful leaves and lively, colourful flowers, these plants can significantly enhance any garden space. They also have the capacity to produce a large biomass, suggesting their suitability for phytoextraction purposes. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bedding begonia in removing Cr, Pb, and Cd from artificially polluted substrates, with concentrations varying from 100 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg for Cr and Pb, and from 20 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg for Cd. The phytoextraction potential was estimated using bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation (TF) factors analysis. The current study demonstrated that bedding begonia can successfully grow in substrates enriched with Cr, Pb, and Cd. BAF values < 1 for both Cr and Pb were detected regardless of contamination levels, indicating that this species has limited capacity to restore soils contaminated with these metals. On the other hand, BAF and TF values for Cd were greater than 1 at all contamination levels, implying their potential to remove Cd from polluted soils.

We analyze the high-order above-threshold ionization (HATI) process of a small polyatomic molecule with C3 symmetry, which is induced by a bicircular strong laser field. This field consists of two coplanar, counter-rotating, circularly polarized components with frequencies rω and sω where r and s are integers. In our study, we use an improved molecular strong-field approximation to obtain electron energy-angle-resolved and momentum spectra of the BF3 molecule. We analyze the contributions of individual atoms as well as the impact of molecular symmetries on these spectra. We find that these spectra are significantly affected by the characteristics of the molecule and the laser-field parameters. Furthermore, we observe pronounced interference minima in the HATI spectra. We demonstrate that these minima result from the destructive interference of rescattered wave packets from different atomic centers, and we determine the conditions under which they occur, including two-, three-, and four-center interference.

Izvještaj sa Naučnog projekta “HISTORIJSKI POGLEDI 2024”, Centar za istraživanje moderne i savremene historije Tuzla, Tuzla, 15. i 16. novembar 2024. godine // Conference Report from Scientific project “HISTORICAL VIEWS 2024”, Center for Research of Modern and Contemporary History Tuzla, Tuzla, November 15 and 16, 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the association between motor abilities and the performance of the Osoto Gari (OSOTOG) from the special physical education (SPE) program, as a narrower part of the Physical Education field. The sample consisted of 84 male first-year students from the Faculty of Security Sciences in Banja Luka. The variable sample consisted of sixteen tests for assessing motor skills, which served as independent variables, and the dependent variable, the Osoto Gari, represented the average grades of performing the throwing technique with a backward standing leg from the SFE program. This technique differs from the classic Osoto Gari by its training methodology and level of application in defense or attack situations. Based on the results of the regression analysis, it can be concluded that motor skills are significant for the effectiveness of the throwing technique with a backward standing leg, with 46.4% of the total variability of the dependent variable OSOTOG being determined by the independent variables assessing motor skills. The statistically significant individual contributions to explaining the criterion variable OSOTOG were made by the following variables: hand tapping, side steps, twisting, side lying, forward bend on a bench, and standing long jump, which suggests that these variables are predictive for performing the throwing technique with a backward standing leg from the SPE program. The obtained results could be used to develop certain motor skills to improve the quality of performing the throwing technique with a backward standing leg.

<p>This study presents the results of applied phytoextraction as a soil phytoremediation method, based on the analysis of selected heavy metal content in soil and plant material. The selected locations where phytoextraction was applied as a phytoremediation method (Gradi&scaron;će, Podbrežje, and Tetovo) are situated in the city of Zenica, in proximity to the ArcelorMittal d.o.o. Zenica plant, identified as a potential major source of soil contamination in the surrounding area. The plant species used as potential phytoremediators were maize, Swiss chard, and alfalfa. The study analyzed the heavy metal content (Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu) in soil samples after plant material extraction, as well as in the root samples of the plant material. Additionally, the study presents the pH values of the soil before sowing (initial state) and after plant extraction. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether soil complexation with an aqueous EDTA solution contributed to the increased uptake of selected heavy metals from soil into the selected plants under real environmental conditions. To assess this, one portion of the land plots was treated with a 0.1 M EDTA solution (from sowing until the late growth stage), while the other portion was left untreated. The results presented in this study indicate that soil complexation with the EDTA solution did not significantly enhance the phytoremediation potential of plants in the majority of analyzed samples. One of the key reasons for the reduced mobility of heavy metals from soil into plant material may be the alkaline nature of the soil at all three study locations, with a pH &gt; 8. The mobility of heavy metals is significantly higher in acidic soils compared to alkaline soils.</p>

The objective of this research was to (1) gain insight into the online and offline video gaming activities participants engaged in over the previous 12 months related to IGD, and (2) examine differences in internet gaming disorder scores between eSports players and gamers. The research was conducted on 62 participants (N=62), 26 of whom are eSports players participating in state-level and regional-level competitions, while the remaining 36 are classified as gamers. Regression analysis and t-test statistical procedures were used to test the hypotheses regarding internet gaming disorder, utilizing the IGD-20 (Internet Gaming Disorder-20) psychological scale. It was hypothesized that age, age of initiation into gaming, weekly hours played, and gamer/eSports player status are statistically significant predictors of internet gaming disorder, while also assuming that eSports players score lower on mood modification, withdrawal symptoms, and conflict subscales of internet gaming disorder. Results indicate that the first hypothesis was partially confirmed, where age (ß=-.275, p<.05) and gamer/eSports player status (ß=.459, p<.001) are statistically significant predictors of internet gaming disorder, while other variables showed no statistical significance. Testing differences between eSports players and gamers, all three hypotheses were confirmed, with eSports players scoring significantly lower on mood modification (t(60)=3.37, p<.01), withdrawal symptoms (t(60)=2.98, p<.01), and conflict (t(60)=2.86, p<.01) subscales. Conclusively, the results imply better mental health, control, and resilience in comparison to gamers, likely due to the organizational aspects of eSports organizations and the professional elements of their roles, which together seemingly serve as protective factors against mental health disorders. This research aimed to raise new questions and briefly introduce important details related to eSports and gaming.

This paper presents a study of air pollution in the vertical profile of the atmosphere during periods with and without temperature inversion in the Zenica valley. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with sensors for measuring the concentration of suspended particles, atmospheric pressure and air temperature were used for the study. The measurements were carried out at three different locations in the Zenica valley in two different periods. The study shows that pollutants remain below the inversion layer during the inversion period and that concentrations drop sharply at heights above the floor of the inversion layer. The measurements were carried out in December 2024 and January 2025 at three locations (Institut, Kamberovi apolje and Banlozi) along the Zenica valley, which, in addition to industrial sources of pollution, also contains a large number of small house stows distributed on the slopes of the hills surrounding the Zenica valley on three sides.

Anthelmintic resistance in livestock is a growing concern worldwide, with significant implications for animal health and agricultural productivity. This study explores the perceptions of veterinarians and farmers in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the factors contributing to anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus nematodes. Data were collected through structured questionnaires completed by 106 veterinarians and 188 farmers in 2022 and 2023. The analysis focused on self-reported therapeutic practices, farm management and environmental variables. Logistic regression, including Firth’s penalized approach, was used to assess associations between these perceived factors and the reported occurrence of resistance. Notably, combination anthelmintic treatments were perceived as a significant risk factor (OR > 49.3), while higher altitude was seen as potentially protective (OR = 0.10). Routine prophylactic deworming was associated with an increased likelihood of perceived resistance (OR = 173.7), whereas staying informed about newly registered products was perceived as protective (OR = 0.34). Although the findings are based on the self-reported perceptions and practices of veterinarians and farmers, they align with globally recognized trends and offer the first structured insights into factors perceived to contribute to anthelmintic resistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study underscores the importance of awareness and responsible anthelmintic use and the need for improved diagnostics and ongoing education to combat anthelmintic resistance.

The aim of the paper is to provide an insight into morphosyntactic and lexical strategies employed to name aged care facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also necessary to compare their translation equivalents into English in order to reach general conclusions about the naming classification strategies employed and availability of the information in the English language on the internet. Furthermore, as protective euphemisms are frequently related to taboo words and concepts that vary across cultures, the paper also discusses how protective euphemisms may be related to politically correct language and linguistic policy creation. The paper proposes that the varying use of euphemistic strategies employed could be due to the lexical strategies available, cultural differences and differing levels of understanding regarding sensitive language use. The theoretical framework is grounded in research conducted by Burridge (2012), Benczes and Burridge (2015), Felton (1969), Halmari (2011), and Candrian (2015) to provide a more comprehensive understanding of euphemisms and their role in shaping contemporary language use.