: Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where soil salinization is intensifying. Developing cost-effective and practical strategies to enhance seedling establishment and early vigor under saline conditions is therefore essential. In this study, we compared two seed-priming agents—1 mM proline and 25 mM NaCl—under identical hydroponic conditions to elucidate tissue-specific responses to 25 mM NaCl stress. Proline priming significantly improved shoot length (by ~23%), total chlorophyll content (by ~19%), and ascorbate peroxidase (ASPOX) activity. In contrast, NaCl priming enhanced root biomass retention (by ~38%) and peroxidase (POD) activity under salinity stress. Both priming treatments induced higher proline accumulation and antioxidant capacity, though with tissue-specific effects: proline favored aboveground resilience, while NaCl strengthened root ionic and oxidative balance. These findings highlight the complementary nature of proline and NaCl priming and support the concept of stress “memory,” whereby plants acquire enhanced readiness to cope with salinity. Integrating such priming strategies into chickpea cultivation could contribute to improved yield stability and sustainability in saline agroecosystems.

Mountain lakes are sensitive ecosystems that serve as natural indicators of ecological change and conservation needs. This study presents the first ecological assessment of Lake Šator (Bosansko Grahovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), a glacial lake situated at 1,488 m a.s.l. Field research in July and November 2021 included measurements of physicochemical parameters, water sampling, and analysis of littoral and sublittoral macrozoobenthos. The lake showed oligotrophic conditions with high oxygen saturation (101–134%), low organic load, and stable conductivity (208 µS/cm). Nitrate concentrations increased in November, reflecting seasonal dynamics. The macrozoobenthic community comprised 10 taxa in July (26 individuals) and 11 taxa in November (19 individuals). Characteristic taxa included Sympetrum flaveolum, Asellus aquaticus, Erpobdella octoculata, Limnephilus rhombicus,  Limnephilus flavicornis, Tubificidae, and water mites (Hydracarina). Functional Feeding Groups analysis revealed dominance of predators (42–46%), followed by collectors, shredders, and scrapers, indicating a balanced trophic structure. Saprobic Index values (2.24 in July; 2.14 in November) correspond to β-mesosaprobic conditions, while Shannon–Weaver Index indicated stable but seasonally variable diversity. These findings confirm the good ecological status of Lake Šator with preserved littoral dynamics. Given its sensitivity and limited prior research, the lake should be considered a priority for long-term monitoring and conservation in the Dinaric karst.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, often resulting in pain, loss of function, and reduced quality of life. Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as a supportive, noninvasive technique to enhance rehabilitation outcomes by improving neuromuscular activation, proprioception, and circulation. This research aims to evaluate the effect of KT on upper-limb functional improvement in patients with MSDs undergoing standard physiotherapy. Methods: This prospective interventional study included 57 participants divided into a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy and an experimental group receiving additional KT. Functional status was assessed using the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) at 3 time points: before therapy, mid-treatment, and after therapy. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and multiple linear regression. Results: At baseline, the KT group had significantly lower functional scores (median 24.0, Interquartile Range [IQR] 19.0–27.0) than controls (median 35.0, IQR 25.0–47.0; p = 0.02). During treatment, both groups improved, but the KT group demonstrated faster functional recovery (p = 0.033). At completion, both groups achieved similar UEFI scores; however, the total functional gain was nearly twice as high in the KT group (21.5 vs. 12.5 points). Relative improvement reached 90% in the KT group compared with 36% in controls. Regression analysis confirmed that KT application was a significant predictor of upper-limb functional improvement (β = 0.552, p = 0.002). Conclusion: KT significantly accelerates upper-limb functional recovery and enhances rehabilitation outcomes when used as an adjunct to physiotherapy. Its simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness make it a valuable addition to standard musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

The study examined the sources of volume loss in spruce and fir roundwood resulting from the prescribed Huber’s formula, the prescribed method of diameter measurement, the prescribed method of length measurement, and the deduction of double bark thickness. The Riecke’s formula was assumed to provide the most accurate determination of log volume and was therefore used to calculate the gross volume of roundwood, serving as the reference value for quantifying the observed losses. For all analyzed sources of volume loss except when applying Huber’s formula, a dependence on diameter class was observed, with losses decreasing as diameter increased. The highest percentage of volume loss for both spruce and fir logs was found when deducting double bark thickness (ranging from 9.1% to 6.4% for spruce and from 10.7% to 7.7% for fir), followed by the prescribed method of diameter measurement (from 7.3% to 1.7%). Additional losses were associated with the prescribed volume calculation formula (from 5.3% to 1.5% for spruce and from 3.7% to 1.1% for fir) and the prescribed method of length measurement (from 3.1% to 2.1%).

As part of the research, 100 samples of different types of honey from Bosnia and Herzegovina were collected and analyzed. Melisopalynological preparations were prepared in accordance with the Rulebook on methods for the control of honey and other bee products of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in accordance with ICBB propositions. Plant species identification was performed based on micromorphological elements of pollen grains, and qualitative-quantitative analysis of honey samples was conducted. Melisopalynological analysis identified 47 distinct pollen types among a total of 30,000 pollen grains counted. In botanical terms, pollen from 24 plant families was recognized, among which the Fabaceae family had the greatest melissopalynological significance, whose pollen grains were found in as many as 86% of the analyzed profiles. Pollen grains of the Fabaceae family were identified as dominant in 22%, as accessory in 40%, as important in 21% and as minor in 3% of the palynological profiles. Based on micromorphological characters in melissopalynological spectra, species/genera from the Fabaceae family were identified: Robinia pseudoacacia L., Lotus corniculatus L., Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium repens L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Lathyrus sp., Medicago sativa L. and Onobrychis sp.