Introduction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred method for diagnosing the causes of lumboischialgia, as it offers the highest sensitivity and specificity compared to other imaging techniques. In clinical practice, there is often a notable discrepancy between patients’ clinical symptoms and the radiological findings. While there are various clinical tests for lumboischialgia, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) are the most commonly used and reliable. This article aims to explore the correlation between patients’ subjective pain experiences and their level of disability due to lumboischialgia and disc herniation as detected by MRI. Methods. In this prospective clinical study, a total of 100 patients of both genders, aged 18 to 65 years, were included. These patients were referred for magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine due to complaints of lumboischialgia. MRI of the lumbar spine was performed, and the extent of degenerative changes was evaluated. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their subjective pain experience and functional status, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were calculated. Results. The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the severity of disc herniation (classification) and the intensity of spinal pain (p = 0.010), as well as with the disability index (p = 0.003). Conclusion. A statistically significant relationship was confirmed between the levels of pain and disability and the degree of intervertebral disc herniation observed on MRI images of the lumbar spine. Keywords: lumbal disk herniation, lumboischialgia, pain.

Medical professionals have a responsibility to inform the public about contemporary research on alcohol consumption. Earlier health recommendations focused primarily on the link between alcohol and cardiovascular diseases. Over time, these guidelines have expanded to consider the broader impact of alcohol on all-cause morbidity and mortality. Unlike the tobacco industry, which remains profitable but faces strict regulations on marketing and lobbying, the alcohol industry benefits from fewer regulations. This allows alcohol manufacturers to freely promote their products and influence both federal and state policies. Clear emphasis on the importance of ceasing alcohol consumption is crucial, particularly in primary and secondary prevention efforts. Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, alcoholics, prevention.

Introduction. Morning stiffness (MS) is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it has important implications on daily life of the patients. There are conflicting reports of its association with disease activity. Methods. This observational study included 125 patients with seropositive RA from Health Care Center, Visoko. We obtained data on patient’s gender and age, duration of RA, pain in hands and feet, MS and its duration, hospital admission, blood pressure, laboratory values and treatment modalities. Results. MS lasted up to 30 minutes in 71 (56.8%) patients, 30 to 60 minutes in 40 (32%) patients, and more than 60 minutes in 14 (11.2%) patients. There was no difference in the duration of MS between genders. Patients with longer MS were younger and had a longer duration of illness. Patients with MS longer than 30 minutes had higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. ESR in the second hour and CRP correlated with a duration of MS. Patients on methotrexate had a longer duration of MS. No significant differences in the duration of MS were observed for leflunomide, corticosteroids and supportive treatment modalities. Conclusion. Duration of MS correlates with RA disease activity and remains an important burden for patients. Usage of newer treatment options, such as biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), may be required. Keywords: biomarkers, disease activity, rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Calciphylaxis (calcific uremic arteriolopathy), is a condition primarily observed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Aim: To increase clinical awareness of calciphylaxis and to consider it a differential diagnosis in the presence of atypical skin nodules or ulcers occurring in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in patients on hemodialysis and non-hemodialysis patients with the background of diabetes mellitus and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Case Report: We present the case of a 77-year-old woman with CKD and diabetes mellitus as well as severely painful, firm, indurated plaques on the lower extremities. The plaques progressed to involve larger areas with associated local ulceration and necrosis. Laboratory testing revealed hyperparathyroidism and incisional skin biopsy confirmed calciphylaxis. Conclusion: Each single CKD patient with diabetes mellitus and signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism with extremely painful ischemic cutaneous lesions or painful subcutaneous nodules without skin changes, although at times, pain may precede the development of the lesions, is a candidate for skin biopsy. Calciphylaxis is a rare but serious kidney complication. Keywords: calciphylaxis, chronic kidney disease, prognosis, treatment.

Acetylsalicylic acid is the most common antithrombotic drug, which started its pharmacological journey as a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. When used as a low-dose drug (of 75-100mg) once per day, it irreversibly inhibits prostaglandin H synthase, commonly termed cyclooxygenase 1 or COX-1 enzyme, which is acetylsalicylic acid's molecular drug target in human platelets. This mechanism of action ensures that the inhibition of the pro-aggregatory prostanoid - thromboxane A2 synthesis is achieved permanently in platelets throughout their lifespan, which is responsible for acetylsalicylic acid's antithrombotic effect. In this literature review, we provide an overview of acetylsalicylic acid's development through history, the current understanding of the molecular mechanism of its action, as well as the resulting side effects impacting different tissues due to its control of the arachidonic acid metabolism and prostanoid synthesis in them. In an effort to begin a dialogue regarding the evidence in favor of unresponsiveness to acetylsalicylic acid's therapeutic effect in specific patients, we describe already identified molecular mechanisms of resistance to acetylsalicylic acid and list the existing biomarkers which are able to quantifiably measure the achieved degree of acetylsalicylic acid's clinical efficacy. Furthermore, we look to the future by encouraging a personalized approach to acetylsalicylic acid's use in order to maximize its therapeutic effect and its safety. Moreover, we mention the ongoing clinical trials evaluating the role of acetylsalicylic acid in prevention of colorectal and other cancers. Keywords: Acetylsalicylic Acid, Aspirin, Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors, Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase Inhibitors, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors, Antithrombotic Agents

Introduction: Physiotherapy, a non-invasive method of conservative treatment, that includes manual therapy, exercises and physical procedures, is used in the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction and polyarticular laxity. It has been proven that physiotherapy focused on temporomandibular dysfunction is an essential element of treatment that leads to a reduction in pain, an improvement in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function, and an improvement in quality of life. Physiotherapy treatment aims to alleviate the symptoms and try to restore the normal function of the masticatory system, for which various techniques can be used. The aim of the study was to determine the type, intensity, and frequency of TMJ dysfunction pain before and after physiotherapy. Methods: The study was conducted in a private practice in Munich, Germany. All subjects who met the criteria for inclusion in the study completed a standardized questionnaire on TMJ dysfunction (TMJ disorder [TMJ/TMD] Questionnaire). The questionnaire was used to obtain data on the type and location of pain, duration of pain, and other symptoms related to the TMJ. The anamnestic data of the respondents who came to the doctor’s office with the symptoms mentioned were examined, and the orthodontic or dental findings were analyzed.Results: The analysis showed that before treatment some of the joints were affected in 28 subjects, while after treatment the joints were affected in 19 subjects. After treatment a significant decrease in affected TMJ was observed (χ2 = 9.516, p = 0.008). Ear pain occurred in 17 (54.84%) subjects before treatment, and in 5 (16.13%) after treatment. A significant reduction was observed at the p = 0.003 level. Pain around the eyes occurred in 9 (29.03%) of the respondents before treatment, and after treatment in 2 (6.45%) of the respondents. Facial pain was reported in 16.13% of the anamnestic data before the treatment, and it was not reported in any of the respondents after treatment. There was also a significant reduction in the occurrence of tinnitus (p = 0.004). The occurrence of headaches also decreased after treatment (p < 0.001). Ear pressure was present before treatment in 45.16% of cases, and after treatment in 22.58% of cases, so there was no significant decrease. Conclusion: Physiotherapy for people with TMJ dysfunction contributed significantly in reducing pain and alleviating other TMD symptoms.

This study examines the impact of media convergences on the evolution of role-playing games (RPGs) from the early 1970s to the present day. The analytical focus of this research is directed at the dynamics between player community participation and the process of commodification within this genre. In this context, specific phases in the development of RPGs are highlighted, including tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs), classic computer role-playing games (CRPGs), massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), live-action role-playing (LARP), and actual play (AP). This study highlights the similarities and differences between these forms, their mutual convergence, and their convergence with other analog and digital media (such as books, comics, television, film, and podcasts). Special attention is given to the phenomenon of prosumerism within the RPG subculture; that is, the specific interaction between the content offered by the entertainment industry and the efforts of RPG communities to maintain the participative and creative aspects of the genre. This research is based on a diachronic comparison of specific phases in the development of the RPG genre, as well as a secondary analysis of the dominant media content on current trends in the RPG subculture.

By intensively investing in innovation, development and construction, Photovoltaic power plants become the first choice for electricity production due to a number of reasons related to environmental parameters, sustainable development, but also the wide availability of the primary source. However, a significantly larger number of such power plants compared to fossil fuel power plants with a larger capacity creates new risks, related to the conditions of network infrastructure availability, management of such complex systems, where telemetry management, especially with the introduction of new standards, ICT and advanced technologies, has an increasing significance and brings a number of benefits, eliminates a number of obstacles, but also reduces the perceived risks to an acceptable level. The aim of this article is to show the potential of improving telemetry control at PV power plants, but also to show the results of adequate use of this type of control. With the intensive development of new technologies for remote management and control, there will be an increasing potential and need for their application in Electric Power Systems, which due to the need for sustainable development are becoming more and more complex and demanding, but also more necessary if one wants to ensure safe, reliable and effective exploitation.

Public administration is a dynamic discipline that has evolved throughout history under the influence of various scientific fields, primarily social sciences. Its roots trace back to ancient civilizations, and it has significantly developed over centuries. As a scientific discipline and a complex social phenomenon, public administration encompasses sociological, political, legal, organizational, and other characteristics. The emergence and functioning of public administration as a crucial state instrument for law enforcement and ensuring social stability have been significantly influenced by numerous scientific disciplines, particularly political science, law, sociology, economics, and psychology. These disciplines provided the initial impetus and later momentum for the development of specific public administration concepts. Key theoretical approaches to studying public administration emphasize the importance of organizational structures and functionality within social systems. Understanding the historical and theoretical foundations of administration is essential for addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in public administration. The aim of this paper is to highlight the influences of some key social and technological disciplines on the development of public administration, focusing on understanding how historical changes have shaped modern practices.

The purpose of the paper is to show, through the selection of given criteria, which of them has the greatest impact on food losses in an agricultural-food company. For this purpose, an innovative expert method of multi-criteria decision-making, SiWeC (Simple Weight Calculation), and its fuzzy variant, was applied. The results show that the criteria “poor handling of products during transport” and “inadequate packaging and handling of products” have the greatest impact. Considering the already existing plan of the company to train this part of the work processes, the expert assessment confirms the results of the research. Also, the successful use of this method with the application of fuzzy logic was confirmed, and future research should be directed towards the development of new ways of researching the influence of individual factors on the entire process of supplying food to end consumers.

Although COVID-19 is not a pandemic anymore, the virus frequently mutates, resulting in new strains and presenting global public health challenges. The lack of oral antiviral drugs makes it difficult to treat him, which makes the creation of broadly acting antivirals necessary to fight current and next epidemics of viruses. Using the molecular docking approach, 118 compounds derived from marine organisms and 92 previously synthesized compounds were screened to assess their binding affinity for the main protease and papain-like protease enzymes of SARS-CoV-2. The best candidates from the xanthene, benzoxazole, and coumarin classes were identified. Marine-derived compounds showed slightly better potential as enzyme inhibitors, though the binding affinities of synthesized compounds were similar, with the best candidates displaying affinity values between 0.2 and 0.4 mM. Xanthenes, among both marine origin and synthesized compounds, emerged as the most promising scaffolds for further research as inhibitors. The papain-like protease was found to be more druggable than the main protease. Additionally, all top candidates met the criteria for various drug-likeness properties, indicating good oral bioavailability and low risk of adverse effects. This research provides valuable insights into the comparative affinities of marine origin and synthesized compounds from the xanthene, coumarin, and benzoxazole classes, highlighting promising candidates for further in vitro and in vivo studies.

Abstract Bidirectional communication between pathogenic microbes and their plant hosts via small RNA (sRNA)-mediated cross-kingdom RNAi (ckRNAi) is a key element for successful host colonization. Whether mutualistic fungi of the Serendipitaceae family, known for their extremely broad host range, use sRNAs to colonize plant roots is still under debate. To address this question, we developed a pipeline to validate the accumulation, translocation, and activity of fungal sRNAs in post-transcriptional silencing of Arabidopsis thaliana genes. Using stem–loop quantitative reverse transcription–PCR, we detected the expression of a specific set of Serendipita indica (Si) sRNAs, targeting host genes involved in cell wall organization, hormonal signalling regulation, immunity, and gene regulation. To confirm the gene silencing activity of these sRNAs in plant cells, SisRNAs were transiently expressed in protoplasts. Stem–loop PCR confirmed sRNA expression and accumulation, while qPCR validated post-transcriptional gene silencing of their predicted target genes. Furthermore, Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE 1 immunoprecipitation revealed the loading of fungal SisRNAs into the plant RNAi machinery, suggesting the translocation of SisRNA from the fungus into root cells. In conclusion, this study provides a blueprint for rapid selection and analysis of sRNA effectors and further supports the model of cross-kingdom communication in the Sebacinoid symbiosis.

Energy poverty remains a significant issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, characterized by limited access to affordable and sustainable energy sources. This paper examines the prevalence of energy poverty among 1500 retiree households and evaluates the potential of photovoltaic (PV) systems as a solution. The research highlights the multidimensional nature of energy poverty, incorporating variables such as income, energy expenditures, and heating methods. Using statistical methods, including factor analysis and regression models, the research developed an energy poverty index (EPI) to categorize households and identify key drivers of energy poverty. The findings reveal that 96.5% of households experience moderate to high energy poverty when transport costs are included, dropping to 84.3% when these costs are excluded. Households using wood for heating, with a combined rooftop area of 26,104 m2, could generate 7,831,200 kWh of solar energy annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,389,825 kg. The aggregated payback period for PV investments is approximately 9.3 years, demonstrating financial viability. The paper underscores the potential of energy communities in pooling resources, facilitating rooftop leasing for PV installations, and promoting policy reforms to promote renewable energy adoption. This research contributes to the understanding of energy poverty dynamics and provides actionable recommendations for integrating PV power plants, fostering energy equity, and reducing environmental impacts.

An assessment of different materials for additive manufacturing (AM) of polymer gears is presented in this research. Experimental testing is carried out for three different materials. Two materials are selected as the most common materials used for gears made by additive manufacturing. These materials are nylon and polycarbonate (PC). The third material is IGUS i180, which is a tribological material specially developed for additive manufacturing of parts with demands for high resistance properties such as resistance to friction, wear, and high temperatures which are essential for the long service life of gears. Gears are experimentally tested to determine service life in the form of operating cycles until failure. In addition, the gear temperature is monitored during the experimental testing. Using the value of maximum temperature at the moment of total gear failure at a specific load level enables the categorization of failure type. Different types of gear failures are categorized and presented. Taking into consideration failure type and the service life in the form of operating cycles, the applicability of analyzed materials for specific applications concerning load, speed, and thermal conditions is presented and discussed at the end of the paper. The main goal of this research was to test IGUS i180 material and compare its mechanical and thermal properties with other commonly used materials for gears manufactured by AM, such as nylon (PA6/66) and polycarbonate (PC). IGUS i180 material showed inferior properties concerning gear design in the case of high loads. This research showed that PA6/66 material is still the best solution for polymer gears production using AM, but the applicability of this material, due to temperature constraints, is still quite limited.