This study aimed to examine position-specific physical demands among elite U19 football players competing in a 4-3-3 formation, using data collected via STATSports GPS technology. A total of 23 players from a top-tier Bosnian club, FK “Sarajevo”, were monitored during 26 official matches in the 2024/2025 season. Match data included total distance, distance in six speed zones, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, number of sprints, maximum speed, and acceleration/deceleration events. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses revealed significant positional differences across all performance metrics (p < 0.05). Central midfielders (CMs) covered the greatest total distance and distance per minute, while side defenders (SD) and forwards (FWs) recorded the highest values in sprint distance, HSR, and sprint frequency. Central defenders (CDs) consistently demonstrated the lowest outputs in high-speed and sprint metrics. These findings highlight the distinct physical profiles required for each playing position in a 4-3-3 system and provide practical insights for designing position-specific training and load management strategies in elite youth football.

Objective Postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs) are a significant concern after cardiac surgery, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the incidence and risk factors for PRCs in a tertiary center in Bosnia and Herzegovina and compare findings with data from developed countries. Material and Methods This prospective cohort study included 300 adult patients who underwent open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Clinical Center Tuzla, between January 2020 and October 2023. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were analyzed, including comorbidities, surgical procedures, mechanical ventilation duration, and intensive care unit stay. PRCs were defined based on standardized clinical and radiological criteria. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors. Results The most common PRCs were pneumonia (37.3%), atelectasis (29.3%), pleural effusion (22.0%), and respiratory failure (10.7%). Key independent risk factors included oxygen saturation <94%, ejection fraction <45%, diabetes mellitus, anemia, and red blood cell transfusion >500 mL. In contrast to studies from developed countries, intraoperative variables were not significant predictors. Conclusion Our findings suggest that preoperative comorbidities play a more dominant role in PRC development in our setting compared to developed nations. The high incidence of pneumonia may reflect delayed postoperative mobilization and limited access to respiratory therapy. These results underscore the need for optimized preoperative patient management and improved postoperative respiratory care protocols in resource-limited healthcare settings.

The scarcity of high-quality wood encouraged the development of various technological processes for joining wood. The finger joint is one of the most widespread technological processes for wood joining. This study aimed to determine the effect of steaming and heat modification of beech wood, as well as the type of adhesive, on the mechanical characteristics of finger joints. Samples made from un-modified beech, steamed-treated, and heat-treated beech wood were bonded with polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), non-structural, and structural polyurethane (PUR) adhesives. Compressive tests on wood materials were used to evaluate their mechanical performance. The finger joint samples were tested for their bending performance. Modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compressive strength were calculated. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to evaluate the impact of wood modification type and adhesive used on the mechanical characteristics of the finger joints. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the steaming process does not influence changes in the mechanical characteristics of the finger joints. Heat treatment of beech and the type of adhesive used significantly influence the tested mechanical characteristics of the finger joints and beech wood. Heat-treated beech had lower values of modulus of rupture (70 MPa) and density (690 kg/m3) and higher values of compression strength (59 MPa) in relation to un-modified (780 kg/m3) and steamed-treated (800 kg/m3) beech wood.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the functional status of the urethra using uroflowmetry before surgery, as well as three and six months postoperatively in cases of distal hypospadias. Material and Methods Thirty-nine consecutive patients who underwent surgery for distal hypospadias (hypospadias group) between 2016 and 2019 were prospectively included as part of this study. The control group consisted of 40 patients with a normal urethra who underwent surgery due to conditions other than hypospadias (phimosis, undescended testis, hernia). Uroflowmetry was performed preoperatively in these patients. Postoperative uroflowmetry was performed at three and six months following hypospadias surgery. Uroflowmetric results [maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume, void duration, flow start time, time to maximum urine flow rate, post-void residual urine, flow curve] were compared between the groups. Results The mean age for the patients with distal hypospadias was 35.9±29.6 months and 40.8±26.1 months for the control group. Pre- and postoperative Qmax values (three and six months after surgery) were 6.9 mL/s (0.1-15), 6.4 (0.2-14), and 7.5 (2.5-15). Qave values were preoperatively 4.0 (0.1-12.1), 3.8 (0.3-8.1), and 4.7 (1.0-11.1) mL/s three and six months after surgery, respectively. Bell-type flow was the most frequent uroflow flow curve in the preoperative hypospadias and control groups (95% and 66.6%, respectively). Postoperatively, bell-type flow remained the most common pattern, while a significant reduction in plateau-type flow was observed. Four boys (10.3%) had symptoms of obstruction. Conclusion Surgery improved urination dynamics and partial urethral obstruction of hypospadias cases that were present from the baseline. The urinary flow rates improve over time as the reconstructed neourethra regains functionality six months after the tubularized incised plate procedure.

Introduction: Stress is an essential element of students' academic lives, especially as exams approach. Due to academic demands, social pressure, and personal expectations, stress can negatively impact students' mental and physical health and lead to an increased risk of chronic illness. This study investigated the effects of oral exams on students' physiological parameters. Material and Methods: The study involved 35 physiotherapy students. The "Smart Bracelet TK 30" monitored heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels before and during the exams. Results: Significant blood pressure and pulse changes were observed between resting and exam conditions. Blood glucose levels were higher in men than in women during the exams. Conclusion: Exam stress significantly impacts students' physiological responses. Given the potential long-term health risks, preventive health strategies should be developed to help students cope with academic stress.

The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in nasal and throat swab samples collected from healthy individuals within a population of workers and students, analyze its frequency in relation to the gender distribution of partici- pants, and assess the antibiotic susceptibility profile. S. aureus was isolated exclusively from nasal swab samples (111/1403). The findings indicate that nasal carriage is significantly more prevalent in male participants than in females and is independent of age. No statistically significant differences in S. aureus prevalence were observed between the worker and student populations. Resistance was detected for: penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, oxa- cillin, cephalexin, gentamicin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxaz- ole and ciprofloxacin. Further research involving a larger sample size and an extended study period is required to elucidate the influence of geographic and sociodemographic factors on S. aureus carriage, as well as the potential impact of gender on the prevalence of resistant strains.

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) and its major polyphenolic constituents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, employing six clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and five isolates of Escherichia coli. The study further aims to elucidate mechanisms of action through molecular docking and transport studies. Methods: Chemical composition was analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Antimicrobial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method. Molecular docking was performed with the AutoDock Vina algorithm, and transport studies through porin channels were carried out using Caver software. Results: PoPEx showed stronger activity against Gram-positive (MICs 15.62–500.00 μg/mL) than Gram-negative bacteria (MICs 125.00–500.00 μg/mL). Punicalagin was most active against S. aureus, while gallic acid was most effective against E. coli. Docking revealed high affinities of punicalagin and punicalin, whereas transport studies highlighted the advantage of smaller phenolics like gallic acid in crossing porins. Conclusions: Larger tannins exhibited strong target binding but limited porin permeability, reducing efficacy in Gram-negative bacteria. These findings provide insights into structure–activity relationships of pomegranate polyphenols and support their potential as natural antimicrobial agents.

Lung development is governed by tightly regulated signaling mechanisms, including endocytosis-mediated pathways critical for epithelial–mesenchymal communication and tissue remodeling. This study investigated the effects of Dab1 deficiency on the expression of endocytic and signaling-related proteins, Megalin, Cubilin, Caveolin-1, GIPC1, and Dab2IP, during embryonic lung development in yotari mice. Using immunofluorescence and quantitative image analysis, protein expressions were compared between yotari and wild-type embryos at gestational days E13.5 and E15.5. Results showed significantly reduced expression of Caveolin-1 in the yotari epithelium across both stages, along with diminished mesenchymal levels of Megalin and GIPC1 at E13.5. Cubilin and Dab2IP expression patterns showed no statistically significant differences, although developmental and compartmental shifts were observed. These findings suggest that Dab1 deficiency selectively disrupts endocytic and signaling scaffolds crucial for branching morphogenesis and alveolar maturation. The altered spatiotemporal expression of these proteins underscores the essential role of Dab1 in regulating lung epithelial–mesenchymal dynamics and maintaining developmental homeostasis during critical stages of organogenesis.

Abstract Despite striking successes in identifying novel biomarkers for improved patient stratification and predicting disease progression, numerous challenges remain in the effective integration and exploitation of multiomic data in biomedical applications beyond cancer, for which most bioinformatics strategies are developed and validated. That focus on cancer severely limits the effective development and advancement of algorithms in machine learning and artificial intelligence that do not suffer degraded out-of-domain performance. Generalizability and interpretability of models, however, are also required for robust insights that may translate into clinical practice. Work across different independent datasets is critical for establishing models robust towards unwanted variation in assays, protocols, and cohort populations. Disease-specific context like ethnicity, socioeconomic background, sex, lifestyle, disease phase, and tissue type also strongly affect molecular profiles. We here discuss atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as a high-impact non-cancer use case for the challenges remaining in the development and application of the latest bioinformatics approaches to multiomics data integration. ASCVD remains the leading cause of death globally. Disease aetiology, progression, and therapy outcome depend on a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Integrating these diverse data types effectively remains a challenge but holds transformative potential for personalized medicine. Discovery and access to data of sufficient diversity and extent form key bottlenecks. We here compile a first comprehensive overview of key data sets in ASCVD to complement the established cancer-focused resources as a foundation for future effective development and application of state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools for multiomic data integration.

A Boolean-algebraic framework for maximal-degree U-k-seminets is presented, unifying combinatorial and algebraic properties. This work extends Aczel’s quasigroup theory and Belousov’s k-net constructions by introducing a computational framework for U-k-seminets of maximal degree µ. Key results include: (1) explicit bounds for µ in terms of set cardinality t and t-order d (µ = t−d+2), (2) existence conditions for nonequipotent sets, and (3) inequalities governing µ and t ((t+2)/2 < µ ≤ t). Theorems are validated via tabulated solutions for m = t−d, demonstrating scalable applications in finite geometry and network design. The framework bridges partial quasigroups and block designs, offering algorithmic tools for seminets with maximal degree constraints.

This article questions the extraterritorial scope of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in relation to the Western Balkans. We argue that the complex interplay between the requirement to adopt the DMA as part of the European Union (EU) accession process and the region’s limited capacity to enforce it may harm competition and consumer welfare. Moreover, it could diminish the EU’s appeal in the region. Given the potential lack of beneficial effects even after formal adoption, countries in the Western Balkans may turn to alternative regulatory models for digital market competition. These developments raise concerns about the effectiveness of the EU’s digital regulatory agenda beyond its borders. In response, we propose that the EU reassess the DMA’s extraterritorial reach to support better adoption and enforcement in the Western Balkans. A more tailored approach could help ensure that the DMA achieves its goals without producing unintended negative consequences in candidate countries.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a tobacco-associated neuroendocrine tumor comprising ~15% of lung cancers (~150,000 cases/year). For decades, outcomes stagnated: most patients present with extensive-stage disease, screening rarely detects early tumors, surgery is seldom feasible, and platinum-etoposide remained the first-line standard with median overall survival (OS) <12 months. Radiotherapy (including consolidative thoracic RT) and prophylactic cranial irradiation or MRI surveillance offered incremental gains. Two shifts have begun to change the field. First, four transcriptional subtypes (SCLC-A, -N, -P, and inflammatory SCLC-I) support a more personalized approach, with SCLC-I appearing more responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Second, adding atezolizumab or durvalumab to chemotherapy in extensive-stage SCLC produced a modest median OS gain but, crucially, a tail of long-term survivors. Subsequent trials extended these advances: IMforte suggested benefit from lurbinectedin maintenance with atezolizumab in ES-SCLC, and ADRIATIC demonstrated a landmark OS improvement (~22 months) with durvalumab consolidation after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in limited-stage SCLC. Targeted strategies are now emerging. Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), overexpressed in >80% of SCLC, enables T-cell-redirecting therapy: the bispecific T-cell engager tarlatamab improved OS to 13.6 vs 8.3 months over standard second-line chemotherapy, with manageable cytokine release syndrome and occasional ICANS. B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3, CD276), uniformly expressed across SCLC subtypes and linked to poor prognosis, is another compelling target: the antibody-drug conjugate ifinatamab deruxtecan achieved a 54.8% response rate and meaningful survival in heavily pretreated patients, earning FDA Breakthrough designation. Together, DLL3- and B7-H3-directed therapies (with additional ADCs against Trop-2 and SEZ6 in development) are redefining second-line and later care. Key next steps include optimizing sequencing/combination strategies, managing BiTE-specific toxicities, and developing predictive biomarkers. After decades of futility, SCLC is transitioning from uniform chemotherapy to a precision-medicine paradigm with cautious optimism.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that the speech reception threshold (SRT) can be estimated using scalp electroencephalography (EEG), referred to as SRTneuro. The present study assesses the feasibility of using ear-EEG, which allows for discreet measurement of neural activity from in and around the ear, to estimate the SRTneuro. Approach: Twenty young normal-hearing participants listened to audiobook excerpts at varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) whilst wearing a 66-channel EEG cap and 12 ear-EEG electrodes. A linear decoder was trained on different electrode configurations to estimate the envelope of the audio excerpts from the EEG recordings. The reconstruction accuracy was determined by calculating the Pearson's correlation between the actual and the estimated envelope. A sigmoid function was then fitted to the reconstruction-accuracy-vs-SNR data points, with the midpoint of the sigmoid serving as the SRTneuro estimate for each participant. Main results: Using only in-ear electrodes , the estimated SRTneuro was within 3 dB of the behaviorally measured SRT (SRTbeh) for 6 out of 20 participants (30%). With electrodes placed both in and around the ear, the SRTneuro was within 3 dB of the SRTbeh for 19 out of 20 participants (95%) and thus on par with the reference estimate obtained from full-scalp EEG. Using only electrodes in and around the ear from the right side of the head, the SRTneuro remained within 3 dB of the SRTbeh for 19 out of 20 participants. .

Antimicrobial resistance is a considerable global health threat especially among low- and middle-income countries, exacerbated by considerable inappropriate dispensing of antibiotics. There have though been concerns with variable levels of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription in South Africa. Consequently, a need to comprehensively estimate current levels of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription, which was the aim of this study.Administer a previously piloted questionnaire to all currently operating community pharmacies in a rural province, where dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription is likely to be greatest. The questionnaire included data on the estimated prevalence of antibiotics dispensed, their class and indication, and whether dispensed without a prescription. Community pharmacies were categorized into three: Independent, Chain and Franchise.128/169 (75.7%) operational pharmacies participated, with independent pharmacies representing the majority (60.9%). There was a 78.3% response rate from 400 distributed questionnaires, including 106 pharmacists (33.9%) and 207 pharmacist assistants (66.1%) from 128 pharmacies. Antibiotics accounted for 47.9% (95% CI: 47.2%-48.6%) of all medicines dispensed. Penicillins were the most prevalent antibiotic dispensed (41.1%). Almost half (47.2%) of the antibiotics dispensed included macrolides, fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, which are typically antibiotics from the Watch group. Sexually transmitted infections (33.5%) and upper respiratory tract infections (25.8%) were the most frequent indications for antibiotic dispensing. Overall, 69.3% of 128 participating pharmacies in this rural province in South Africa admitted to dispensing antibiotics without a prescription in the past 14 days, principally among independent pharmacies (98.7%). However, estimates suggest only 8.6% of the total volume of antibiotics being dispensed were dispensed without a prescription among the 88 community pharmacies admitting to this practice in the past 3 days. Encouragingly, 98.1% of community pharmacists and 97.6% of pharmacist assistants indicated they always or mostly offered symptomatic relief before dispensing antibiotics without a prescription to patients with self-limiting conditions.There were considerable concerns regarding the prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics in this rural province including Watch antibiotics. This included the number of community pharmacies, especially independent pharmacies, where patients could purchase antibiotics without a prescription. Multiple strategies involving all key stakeholder groups are need to improve future antibiotic use across South Africa and reduce AMR.