The aim of this study is to investigate how the link between a country’s legislative and executive branches affects its ability to maintain fiscal discipline through mediating effects of economic reforms. The research bases its analysis on an investigation of NMS-11 countries between 1991 and 2022 using Quantile Mediation Analysis (QMA). It begins with an estimation of the impact of political institutions on fiscal sustainability and then continues with an investigation of the ways how political institutions influence the implementation of economic reforms through a mediator model. Moreover, in an attempt to evaluate the mediation effect, the study uses relevant coefficients taken from prior analyses to compute the indirect impact across quantile distributions. The study sheds the importance of the context in evaluating the role of political institutions and economic reforms on fiscal sustainability, highlighting the varying effects at different quantile levels. In fact, economic reforms are shown to be important when fiscal stress is at a relatively low level and are relatively less effective when the stress is high because the impact of the reforms and institutional factors differs according to the distribution of debt to GDP. This investigation shows that political stability and fiscal outcomes are interactive by segmenting this group into legislative, executive, judicial, and federal dimensions. Politicians should focus on improving the democratization processes of the lower house to facilitate accountability and decision-making when it comes to the judiciary to assist in fiscally integrating during some rough patches. They should also use specific economic actions regarding debt as well as apply the federal policies relevant to various forms of federalism to provide successful reforms.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer presentation, surgical management, and lymph node involvement in a small, understudied population in Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted at the General Hospital of Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from March 2018 to March 2022. We included 113 patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer. We divided the patients into two groups: the before-COVID group (65 patients, including one male) treated from March 2018 to March 2020, and the during-COVID group (47 patients) treated from March 2020 to March 2022. We analyzed patient data (age, gender, menopausal status) along with tumor and lymph node histopathological characteristics. Results: The number of surgeries performed decreased by 16.9% during the COVID period. Patients in the pre-COVID group mostly had grade II tumors, while those in the post-COVID group had predominantly grade III tumors. The average number of lymph nodes sampled was similar between groups (10.70 ± 4.12 before COVID vs. 10.39 ± 4.66 during COVID). Still, the average number of positive lymph nodes was higher in the COVID group (2.5±3.82) compared to the pre-COVID group (1.64±2.90). For patients without neoadjuvant therapy, the average time to surgery increased from 1.04 months (±0.66) before the COVID-19 pandemic to 2.59 months (±2.88) during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those receiving neoadjuvant therapy, time to surgery increased from 5.45 months (±2.97) to 7.29 months (±5.15). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to delayed breast cancer management, higher tumor grade, and increased lymph node involvement in a small, resource-limited healthcare setting. Findings highlight the need for resilient oncology services in smaller districts during public health crises.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a critical issue in South Africa, enhanced by considerable inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. There is currently variable dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription. Where this occurs, it is principally for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consequently, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate antibiotic dispensing patterns and factors influencing this to reduce AMR. Methods: A previously piloted questionnaire was administered to patients exiting three different categories of community pharmacies in a rural province. The questionnaire included data on the prevalence of antibiotics dispensed, whether without a prescription, and the rationale for this. Results: A total of 465 patients leaving community pharmacies with a medicine were interviewed. 54.4% of interviewed patients were dispensed at least one antibiotic, with 78.7% dispensed these without a prescription from either independent or franchise pharmacies. Metronidazole (36.1%) and azithromycin (32.7%) were the most dispensed antibiotics. STIs were the most common infectious disease for which an antibiotic was dispensed (60.1%), with 99.6% dispensed without a prescription. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) were the most common infection where antibiotics were dispensed with a prescription (60.0%), with little dispensing without a prescription (7.1%). The most frequently cited reasons for obtaining antibiotics without a prescription were prior use (56.8%), long waiting times at PHC clinics (15.6%), and financial constraints (6.0%). Conclusions: There is an urgent need to review community pharmacists’ scope of practice, including allowing them to prescribe antibiotics for infectious diseases such as UTIs, similar to other countries. Concomitantly, utilise trained community pharmacists to engage with prescribers to improve future antibiotic use, especially for URTIs.

Abstract This study examines the incorporation of soft skills, digital competencies, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in higher education to improve student employability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with broader relevance for the South East Europe region, where similar transition economies face parallel challenges in aligning education with the demands of digitally transformed labor markets. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative survey data from University of Sarajevo students with qualitative insights from industry professionals. Research indicates that the concurrent enhancement of soft skills (such as communication and critical thinking) and digital competencies, in conjunction with the utilization of AI tools, markedly enhances students’ preparedness for the contemporary labor market. The study emphasizes the essential role of autonomy in converting AI tool utilization into academic achievement and provides practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and employers to address the skills gap in the digital economy.

Background/Objectives: Chronic synovitis is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) progression, driving cartilage degradation via inflammatory mediators. While the MAPK signaling pathway is implicated in OA pathogenesis its activation patterns in hip synovium remain poorly characterized, and regional differences within the synovial membrane have not been systematically examined. This research aims to determine the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in the MAPK signaling pathway in the synovial membrane of osteoarthritic hips. Methods: We compared synovial immunofluorescence expression of the aforementioned proteins in a control (CTRL) group of subjects with femoral neck fractures and a group with hip OA. Results: Higher ERK1/2 immunoexpression was detected in the intima compared with the subintima in the CTRL group (p < 0.05), and a similar distribution was observed in the OA group (p < 0.0001). The intima of the OA group exhibited a considerably greater area percentage of positive signal than the intima of the CTRL group (p < 0.01). In all groups examined, we observed that p38 MAPK expression was markedly more positive in the intima than in the subintima (p < 0.0001), but without statistically significant differences between groups. JNK and EGFR immunoexpression were higher in the intima than in the subintima across all analyzed groups, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). No differences in the expression of these two markers were detected between the CTRL and OA groups (p > 0.05). Differential analysis of the GEO dataset revealed no significant differences in expression between the OA and CTRL groups in the expression of MAPK1, MAPK3, MAPK8, MAPK9, MAPK10, and MAPK11. EGFR was significantly elevated in OA compared to CTRLs in the differential analysis of the GEO dataset. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of MAPK pathway activation in hip OA synovium, revealing ERK1/2 as a key player with region-specific upregulation in the synovial intima. Combined with elevated EGFR expression, these findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for hip OA synovitis. The discordance between protein and mRNA levels for ERK1/2 indicates post-transcriptional regulation, warranting further investigation into phosphorylation status and functional activation. Our results support the development of targeted interventions for hip OA, a condition with limited treatment options beyond joint replacement.

Background/Objectives: The meninges, the protective membranes covering the central nervous system, undergo complex developmental processes that are critical for CNS integrity and function. Connexin 37 (Cx37) and 40 (Cx40), members of the connexin family of gap junction proteins, have been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. They play a critical role in cell–cell communication. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of connexins Cx37, Cx40, and Panx1 in the meninges of both human and murine models (yotari and wild type) at the 6th week/E13.5 and 8th week/E15.5 of developmental stages. Methods: Human embryonic tissues (6th–8th week, n = 4 for the 6th week and n = 4 for the 8th week) and mouse embryos (yotari Dab1−/− and wild type, E13.5–E15.5) were collected and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Paraffin sections were stained for Cx37, Cx40, and Panx1 using immunofluorescence. Images were analyzed in ImageJ, and statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Cx37 was consistently expressed across all developmental stages, with the highest threshold area percentage observed at E13.5 and E15.5 in murine leptomeninges, demonstrating statistically significant differences compared to controls (p < 0.05) and notably from corresponding human stages (p < 0.001). Strong Cx37 staining intensity at E13.5 was noted in both wild-type and yot mice, while human leptomeninges displayed mild staining at the 6th week of development. In contrast, both human and murine pachymeninges exhibited moderate Cx37 expression. Additionally, the expression of Cx37 in wild-type mice surpassed that of human samples at both E13.5 and E15.5 stages (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). For the developing dura mater, Cx37 expression peaked at E15.5 in yot mice, significantly different from both wild-type and human dura mater (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Cx40 expression was highest in the leptomeninges at E15.5. Panx1 was similarly expressed across stages, with the highest threshold area percent observed in wild-type leptomeninges and pachymeninges at E15.5, showing significant differences compared to yot mice and human samples (p < 0.05). Both leptomeninges and pachymeninges exhibited mild Panx1 staining at E13.5, while stronger staining was observed at E15.5 in murine samples, contrasting with mild intensity in human counterparts. Conclusions: These findings highlight the implications of Dab1 deficiency for the expression of gap junction proteins during meninges development, implicating their importance in intercellular communication that is essential for normal meningeal and neurodevelopmental processes.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) offer significant ecological and cosmetic potential. The conversion of SCG into safe and efficient cosmetic products promotes all aspects of sustainability and circular practices within the cosmetic industry.

An efficient and energetic fight against crime, especially against specific forms of organized crime, which, by its nature, implies the acquisition of property benefits obtained through criminal offenses, at the same time implies and obligates the timely and efficient initiation and conduct of financial investigation. This investigation is an effective means of forfeiture of the proceeds of crime and is usually conducted in the phase of conducting a classic investigation when certain conditions are met, from which it follows that its initiation, implementation and conduct is not conditioned by raising and confirming of an indictment. The competent prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina independently and autonomously decides on the initiation and conduct of financial investigation, so that it is not necessary to obtain any prior consent, approval or order from the competent court. The management and supervisory role during the conduct of financial investigation belongs to the competent prosecutor, who orders its conduct by issuing an order. In the implementation or enforcement sense, authorized police officers have a key and dominant role in timely, efficient and legal conduct of financial investigation, which includes the discovery of proceeds of crime, and the collection of necessary evidence for the efficient conduct and conclusion of criminal proceedings. The Criminal Procedure Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not specifically regulate financial investigations. This investigation is prescribed by special laws (lex specialis) at the level of the Entities of the Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska, as well as Brčko District of BiH. However, at the state level, although the law does not directly define the initiation and conduct of financial investigation, it derives from the general concept of the investigation, so that it is applied when it comes to criminal offenses that involve the proceeds of crime.

Medical image registration is crucial for various clinical and research applications including disease diagnosis or treatment planning which require alignment of images from different modalities, time points, or subjects. Traditional registration techniques often struggle with challenges such as contrast differences, spatial distortions, and modality-specific variations. To address these limitations, we propose a method that integrates learnable edge kernels with learning-based rigid and non-rigid registration techniques. Unlike conventional layers that learn all features without specific bias, our approach begins with a predefined edge detection kernel, which is then perturbed with random noise. These kernels are learned during training to extract optimal edge features tailored to the task. This adaptive edge detection enhances the registration process by capturing diverse structural features critical in medical imaging. To provide clearer insight into the contribution of each component in our design, we introduce four variant models for rigid registration and four variant models for non-rigid registration. We evaluated our approach using a dataset provided by the Medical University across three setups: rigid registration without skull removal, with skull removal, and non-rigid registration. Additionally, we assessed performance on two publicly available datasets. Across all experiments, our method consistently outperformed state-of-the-art techniques, demonstrating its potential to improve multi-modal image alignment and anatomical structure analysis.

Background: Vascular calcification is a frequent consequence of ageing and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare two rapid scoring systems for quantifying calcification of the distal abdominal aorta and iliac arteries and to investigate correlations with increasing age. Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years who sustained pelvic trauma between 2003 and 2023 and underwent computed tomography (CT) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were categorised into three age groups (65–74, 75–84, ≥85). The abdominal aorta calcification score (AACS) and the common, external, and total iliac artery calcification scores (CIACS, EIACS, TIACS) were assessed on cross-sectional images and classified into three severity grades (mild, moderate, severe). Results: A total of 224 patients (mean age 78.8 ± 8.5 years; 62% female) were included. Significant differences between age groups were identified for hypertension (p < 0.001), osteoporosis (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.015), chronic heart failure (p = 0.004), chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001), neurocognitive disorders (p < 0.001), and anticoagulant therapy (p = 0.002). Calcification severity increased with age across all vascular territories (EIACS p = 0.006; others p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, age remained the strongest adjusted predictor of calcification across all vascular regions (β = 0.323–0.376, all p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between aortic and iliac calcifications (all p < 0.001), strongest between AACS and CIACS (ρ = 0.78, CI 0.719–0.835) and TIACS (ρ = 0.745, CI 0.676–0.807). Corresponding categorical associations were most pronounced between AACS and CIACS. Conclusions: The evaluated calcification scores were strongly correlated and demonstrated clear age-dependent trends. Given their simplicity and applicability to routine CT imaging, these methods may provide practical tools for assessing vascular ageing.