AIM Vaccine hesitancy challenges global public health, with parental attitudes significantly impacting childhood immunization. This study examined parental perceptions of vaccine safety, effectiveness, and decision-making factors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2025 with 233 parents at a Primary Healthcare Center in Gračanica. A structured questionnaire based on the Parent Attitude about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) assessed sociodemographic data, vaccination experiences, information sources, and attitudes toward vaccines using a Likert scale. RESULTS Among 233 participants, 195 (83.7%) fully vaccinated their children, 30 (12.9%) practiced selective vaccination, and eight (3.4%) refused all vaccines. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with lower education, (26.3% vs. 5.1%; p<0.001), rural residence (76.3% vs. 48.2%; p=0.002), and having three or more children (34.2% vs. 12.3%; p=0.01). Trust in healthcare professionals strongly influenced behavior, with 178 (91.3%) of parents who fully trusted doctors adhering to the immunization schedule. Concerns about autism were reported by 14 (36.8%) of hesitant parents and were significantly associated with delayed or refused vaccination (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Although overall confidence was high, vaccine hesitancy persisted due to perceived risks. Strengthening healthcare communication and addressing misinformation, particularly autism concerns, may help improve vaccine uptake.

AIM To examine the association between metabolic parameters and novel cardiometabolic indices with the coronary artery calcium score (CACS). METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study included 130 patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) at the Radiology Clinic of the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo between January and June 2024. Patients were classified into two groups: those with CACS ≤100 and those with CACS >100. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), and novel cardiometabolic indices, including Castelli risk index I and II (CRI-I and CRI-II), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), were compared between the groups. RESULTS Patients with CACS >100 had significantly higher MPV, TC, LDL-C, UA, non-HDL-C, CRI-I, CRI-II, and the UA/eGFR ratio. Older age, increased platelet activity, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and the higher UA/eGFR ratio correlated positively with CACS, whereas eGFR correlated negatively. In multivariate regression analysis, the UA/eGFR ratio emerged as an independent predictor of higher CACS (OR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.18–4.78; p=0.017). CONCLUSION Elevated UA levels and adverse cardiometabolic indices are associated with greater coronary artery calcification. The UA/eGFR ratio independently predicts higher CACS, highlighting its potential prognostic value.

This article examines the work of women’s non-governmental organisations‎ (NGOs) in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from the perspective of ‎feminist activists. It emphasises the essential role of feminist activism in promoting‎ gender equality and challenging systemic oppression. The influence‎ of professionalisation within feminist activism and NGOs is evaluated, highlighting ‎both successes and controversies. Findings from qualitative research,‎ based on in-depth interviews with feminist activists, identify key characteristics ‎of women’s NGOs in BiH and the challenges faced by those representing‎ marginalised groups. Despite ongoing difficulties within the complex post-war‎ ethnocratic context, these organisations remain vital in advancing gender‎ equality, demonstrating resilience, collaboration, and specialised expertise‎ that have earned them some institutional recognition. However, issues such as ‎lack of cooperation across different identities, limited institutional awareness,‎ and low participation from women outside these organisations – particularly ‎younger women – persist. Gaps in intersectional strategies and the growing ‎influence of anti-gender movements require further comprehensive research.‎

AIM To assess the level of knowledge about risk factors and prevention of lung cancer among medical students, and to identify differences in knowledge based on the year of study and previous secondary education background. METHODS The study was conducted among 223 students of the School of Medicine, University of Zenica, and the School of Medicine, University Clinical Center Tuzla using an anonymous online survey via the Google Forms platform. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the χ2 test to assess statistical significance. RESULTS The majority of students identified smoking as the main risk factor for lung cancer, while air pollution was rated as the most overlooked risk factor. There were significant differences in the perception of neglected risk factors between years of study (p<0.05). Most students from Zenica acquire their knowledge through formal education, while students from Tuzla more often rely on the internet and media (p<0.05). Additionally, 82.5% of students believe that passive smoking is equally harmful as active smoking, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION Medical students demonstrate a good level of awareness regarding risk factors and prevention of lung cancer; however, there is a need for greater emphasis on environmental risks and passive smoking in their education. The results highlight the importance of continuous education to ensure that future healthcare professionals are equipped to effectively promote health and prevent this disease.

Introduction: Undescended testis (cryptorchidism) is one of the most common congenital anomalies in male children, with a prevalence of approximately 3–5% in full-term newborns.If not treated, it can lead to infertility, testicular atrophy, and an increased risk of malignancy.The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency, diagnosis, and treatment of undescended testis over a ten-year period (2015–2024), with special attention to surgical methods, postoperative complications, and hospitalization duration. Material and Methods: This research was designed as a retrospective, descriptive clinical-epidemiological study. The data were collected from hospital records of male patients diagnosed with cryptorchidism, retentio testis, and ectopic testis. All data were organized by year and analyzed statistically. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to determine frequency, mean values, and ranges for key variables, including age at surgery, type of surgery performed (orchidopexy, orchidectomy, laparoscopy), testicular position (inguinal or intra-abdominal), and occurrence of complications. Results: The most common diagnosis was retentio testis, followed by cryptorchidism and ectopic testis. Orchidopexy was the most frequently performed procedure, with a predominance of inguinal testis positions. The average patient age at surgery ranged between 1 and 3 years, with a few exceptions. The average length of hospital stay was two days, and complications were rare and mostly minor. A significant drop in the number of cases was recorded in 2020, likely due to reduced surgical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The results indicate an overall alignment with modern guidelines regarding the timing and type of treatment, with early interventions showing positive clinical outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and adequate surgical management of undescended testes in preventing long-term reproductive consequences.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors constitute a group of compounds that inhibit the enzyme AChE. Some of these that are used to treat Alzheimer's disease have been reported to have favourable cardiovascular effects, i.e. a 35% reduction of the risk for cardiovascular disease. Due to their ability to correct the autonomic imbalance, a key component in the development of heart failure (HF), they have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach. In the present study, HF was induced in male Wistar albino rats using an isoprenaline model (85 mg/kg/day s.c. for 2 days, followed by 3 weeks of HF development). Afterwards, rats were treated with pyridostigmine (20 mg/kg/day for 14 days) or received no treatment. Administration of pyridostigmine resulted in preservation of cardiac contractile function (↑EF), coupled with a decrease in chamber wall thinning (↑ PWDd, ↑ PWDs) and dilatation progression (↓LVIDd, ↓LVIDs). Additionally, pathohistological findings showed significantly reduced tissue damage score and attenuation of cardiac fibrosis development, indicating the cardioprotective potential of pyridostigmine when used as treatment for the early stages of heart failure; however, further investigations are needed to fully investigate the interplay between the several proposed mechanisms through which AChE inhibitors express their protective effects.

This study presents a numerical investigation into the elastic buckling behaviour of steel plate girders with transverse stiffeners, focusing on the web buckling mode. The influence of key parameters, including web thickness, stiffener thickness and spacing, and flange-stiffener connectivity, is examined to understand their effect on the critical buckling load associated with this mode. Elastic buckling analyses are carried out for various combinations of these parameters using a finite element model based on a nonlinear shell element formulation, which incorporates von Kármán-type nonlinear strain-displacement relations to effectively capture geometric nonlinearities and local instability phenomena. The results are systematically presented and discussed to highlight the sensitivity of buckling performance to each parameter. Detailed insights are provided into the underlying structural behaviour, revealing trends and interactions that govern the elastic web stability of steel plate girders with transverse stiffeners across different design configurations.

Flood extent maps (FEM) and flood hazard maps (FHM) serve as legal instruments for spatial planning, decision-making, strategic flood risk planning, and public awareness, supporting sustainable and safe land use along the river corridor. This study aims to improve existing FEM and create FHM for the Sanica river, prone to frequent flooding. The existing FEM were developed using a 1D HEC-RAS model under steady-flow conditions, applying a single uniform Manning roughness coefficient along the entire river reach. The study presents the first application of an unsteady 2D HEC-RAS model along Sanica river, integrating LiDAR-based topography and updated hydrological data to derive FEM and FEH for common return periods. The final 2D hydraulic model was selected through calibration of seven variants of the Manning roughness coefficient, three lumped and four distributed, with the optimal configuration identified based on three goodness-of-fit measures. The comparison of 1D and 2D FEM shows close agreement in morphologically confined canyon reaches, while significant differences occur in river sections with floodplain inundation and dominant 2D flow. These results indicate that model dimensionality can be selected based on reach-scale morphology, enabling the use of 1D models in canyon sections to reduce computational time, while applying 2D models only where complex flow dynamics are present within the Sanica river study area.

This study investigated the effect of altitude on the microbiological quality of raw sheep milk and Vlašić cheese produced at three locations (Galica, Gostilj, and Paklarevo) on Mount Vlašić, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 30 samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, and for the quantification of coagulase-positive staphylococci, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and moulds. None of the samples contained Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes. In milk samples, significant differences were found among localities for moulds, with regression analysis indicating a significant negative correlation between altitude and mould count (p < 0.001, R² = 0.486). In Vlašić cheese samples, aerobic mesophilic bacteria were abundant at all sites, while regression analysis showed that E. coli (p < 0.001, R² = 0.472) and Enterobacteriaceae (p < 0.001, R² = 0.767) counts varied significantly with altitude. No significant correlations with altitude were observed for other microorganisms. The results suggest that differences among localities and altitude-related trends reflect the influence of variations in cheese-making practices on microbial dynamics in artisanal dairy systems. Improving hygiene control, as well as expanding altitude-based studies across different regions, could enhance both product safety and the preservation of traditional cheesemaking practices.

Objective: To describe patient-reported symptoms of hypothyroidism in a primary care cohort and perform an exploratory assessment of potential gender differences. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 1000 patients with confirmed hypothyroidism treated at the Public Institution Health Care Centre Visoko between January and October 2024. Data were extracted from electronic medical records. Collected variables included age, gender, comorbidities, family history, pregnancy status, and reported symptoms. Descriptive statistics were performed for the entire cohort. Exploratory logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential gender differences in reported symptoms. Results: The cohort comprised 921 (92.1%) female and 79 (7.9%) male patients, with a mean age of 57±14.6 years. The most commonly reported symptoms were hyperhidrosis (97%), fatigue (96.6%), and heart palpitations (83.5%). Male patients showed a higher likelihood of reporting heart palpitations (OR 2.42, p=0.03) and bowel problems (OR 2.03, p=0.01), and a lower likelihood of reporting neck tightness (OR 0.26, p<0.001) and tearfulness (OR 0.045, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this primary care cohort, the reported symptom burden was largely nonspecific and reflects real-world patient-reported complaints rather than classical manifestations of overt hypothyroidism. Exploratory analyses suggested potential gender-related differences; however, the low number of male patients limits firm conclusions. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between stoppage time (ST), rally time (RT), and selected performance variables in elite men’s volleyball competitions across three leagues with and without ST restrictions. Methods: A total of 1616 rallies were analysed, including 450 from the 2022 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL), 500 from the 2022 Turkish Efeler League (TL) playoff finals, and 666 from the 2022 Italian Serie A League (IL) playoff finals series. Match videos were analysed using Data Volley software, and technical performance variables, RT, and ST were recorded. Spearman correlation and Kruskal–Wallis H tests were applied to examine relationships and differences among leagues (p < .05). Ethical approval was not required because only publicly available match data were analysed. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between ST and RT in all leagues (ρ = .28–.33, p < .001). Weak to moderate negative correlations were observed between ST and reception percentage in the IL and VNL (ρ = −.08 to −.13, p < .05), while a weak positive correlation was found in the TL (ρ = .10, p = .029). Across all leagues, ST was negatively correlated with first-attack success (ρ = −.15 to −.21, p < .001). Conclusion: ST was significantly shorter in the VNL compared with the TL and IL. Differences were also observed in reception and attack performance variables across leagues. These findings indicate that temporal characteristics of the game are associated with technical performance in elite men’s volleyball.

We studied the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and pannexin 1 (PANX1) in different cellular populations of the kidneys of diabetic mice and diabetic and non-diabetic patients, to evaluate their role as potential therapeutic targets in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). A combination of a low dose of streptozotocin and a high-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce a type 2 diabetes model (DM2) in mice. Kidney tissues from diabetic (n = 9) and control patients (n = 11) who underwent nephrectomy were collected. Tissues from mice and humans were processed for double immunofluorescence, using antibodies against Cx43, phosphorylated Cx43 (pCx43) or PANX1 and markers for specific cell populations: endothelium (CD31/PECAM1); pericytes/mesangium (PDGFRB); podocytes (nephrin/synaptopodin); proximal tubules and collecting ducts (aquaporin 2). The results showed a significant decrease in the expression of pCx43 in PDGFRB-immunoreactive mesangium in diabetic patients compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). This contrasted with an increase in pCx43 in pericytes of diabetic mice (p = 0.1). However, we found a general decrease in Cx43 protein expression in diabetic mouse kidneys (p < 0.05). We also found a decrease in the expression of PANX1 in endothelial cells of diabetic patients (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in PANX1 expression in cells expressing PDGFRB (p < 0.05). Expression of PANX1 in endothelium (r = −0.50; p < 0.05) and pCx43 in the mesangium (r = −0.65; p < 0.01) correlated negatively with the percentage of sclerotic glomeruli. The expression and activation of Cx43 and the expression of PANX1 are altered in distinct populations of renal cells during long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially cells of the vascular wall. This may indicate their role in the pathophysiological processes of DKD. Therefore, connexin and pannexin channels could be considered as possible therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease.

China’s export-oriented economic expansion has substantially influenced transport-sector CO2 emissions, raising critical concerns about the environmental impacts of sustained industrial growth and global trade integration. Understanding the interplay between macroeconomic dynamics, trade composition, and industrial structure is essential for aligning economic development with climate mitigation objectives. This study examines transport-related CO2 emissions in China over the period 1990–2023, employing a hybrid methodological framework that combines econometric modeling—including Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS)—with machine-learning techniques using Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) interpreted through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). The analysis confirms a long-run cointegration relationship between transport emissions and the selected macroeconomic variables. Short-run dynamics indicate a strong sensitivity of emissions to GDP growth, while long-run estimates reveal that higher export-to-GDP ratios and industrial value added contribute to reducing transport emissions, reflecting the efficiency gains from industrial upgrading and cleaner trade practices. By contrast, the expansion of medium- and high-technology exports increases emissions due to the energy- and logistics-intensive nature of high-value goods. The XGBoost model achieves high predictive performance, with an out-of-sample R2 of 0.9975 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 87.16, confirming the dominant contribution of medium- and high-technology exports to transport-sector emissions. The results underscore the critical role of aligning trade structure, industrial productivity, and low-carbon logistics within China’s policy agenda. Implementing strategies that enhance industrial energy efficiency and develop sustainable transport infrastructure can substantially reduce the environmental impacts associated with export-driven economic expansion.