Abstract This study seeks to examine pull factors of capital inflows, offering an empirical analysis based on a panel study of eleven Southeast European countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia, and Türkiye) over the period of 2004 – 2021. Methodologically, the study utilizes a fixed effects (FE) regression model with robust Driscoll-Kraay standard errors to address issues of heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, and potential cross-country correlation. The study finds that several pull factors can be relevant in driving capital inflows as follows: market size, inflation, financial and trade openness. The empirical analysis confirms that the forces of trade liberalization, financial liberalization, market size, real interest rates and inflation stability are the elements that encourage capital inflows. On the other hand, the estimated effects of current account balance and real economic growth are not very convincing. Finally, we stress that more study is required to fully understand the pull variables' ultimate macroeconomic implications at the national level. The overall influence of these positive (or negative) inflows may be moderated by several characteristics, even if certain countries may be extremely susceptible to these factors.

SUMMARY Our study aimed to analyze the correlation of cancer-related parameters with tumor regression grade (TRG) and disease-free survival (DFS) by gender in 192 rectal cancer patients operated on after neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT). Preoperative diagnostics revealed no significant gender differences in any clinical parameters other than obesity (p=0.031). We found that slightly overweight men had a lower incidence of distant metastases (p=0.042). The post-LCCRT pathologic finding showed that women had more positive lymph nodes (ypN, p=0.002) while no other pathologic parameter differed significantly between the genders. Overall, a poor response to therapy correlated with a shorter time to disease progression (p=0.002). Women achieved ypN0 in 50% of cases, but only 27% had a good TRG compared to 40.5% of men (p=0.073). Women had a worse DFS than men, even when complete response to therapy was achieved (p=0.003), and greater depth of residual tumor invasion (ypT, p=0.035) and higher ypN (p=0.002) correlated with shorter DFS. Positive resection margins (p<0.001), higher ypN stage (p=0.003), and poor TRG (p=0.025) correlated with shorter DFS in men. We conclude that women have a poorer response to LCCRT with the possibility that therapeutic approach to the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer may be gender-specific.

SUMMARY The aim of this research was to examine the rheological parameters of carotid arteries and the frequency of abnormal values in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The sample consisted of 90 subjects and was divided into two equal groups. The first group consisted of patients with MetS but without DM, while the second group had both MetS and DM. We used the values of the peak systolic velocity (PSV) as a reference for pathology. The results showed pathological values of PSV in the right internal carotid artery (ICA) in twelve patients in the MetS + DM group. The study found that the incidence of pathological rheological parameters was higher in subjects with MetS + DM as compared to those with only MetS. Subjects with MetS + DM had higher values of maximum acceleration during systole in various carotid arteries. A subject with MetS + DM also showed total flow obstruction in the left and internal carotid artery (ICA) and a severe narrowing of the right ICA, indicating the presence of carotid artery disease. The study also found that nearly two-thirds of subjects with MetS + DM had pathological values of PSV in the right ICA and slightly fewer in the left ICA. Research on French populations has shown similar results. Eleven patients had pathological values in the left ICA. The frequency of the carotid rheological parameters’ abnormalities was significantly higher in the MetS with DM patient group. The frequency of abnormalities in the rheological parameters of carotid circulation was significantly higher in patients with MetS and DM (as compared to non-diabetic patients). In our study, pathological changes were generally more susceptible to ICA. This indicates the importance of screening the rheological parameters of subjects with MetS for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

SUMMARY The aim of the present study was to assess mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) in Bosnian and Herzegovinian patients with heart failure (HF). This study included 80 patients with HF and 40 healthy controls. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) testing was used to evaluate cognitive function. Abdominal obesity was assessed by waist circumference, and hypertension was assessed by the auscultatory method. Data on other CMRF and comorbidities, such as diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and atrial fibrillation (AF), were gathered with a specially designed questionnaire. Lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen were assessed with standard laboratory methods. Student, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences between groups. Associations between categorical variables and correlation coefficients were assessed by the Chi-square and Spearman test, respectively. The prevalence of MCI in patients with HF was 77.5%. We found significant associations between MCI and diabetes, hypertension, AF, and smoking in patients with HF. We found no significant associations between MCI, abdominal obesity, and alcohol consumption. A significant positive correlation between MCI and total cholesterol was observed in patients with HF. Furthermore, a lower MoCA score was associated with higher values of CRP and fibrinogen in HF patients. The present study showed a high prevalence of MCI in Bosnian and Herzegovinian HF patients as well as its association with various CMRFs. These results suggest it is necessary to begin MCI screening in HF patients, especially since data from the literature point to improvement in cognitive performance with appropriate HF and concomitant CMRF treatment.

The favorable characteristics of veneer boards—plywood—enable their wide application. There is also the possibility of enhancing plywood, such as by coating it with various films, applying coatings, reinforcing it with fibers from different materials, and using improved adhesive formulas. Basalt fibers, as a natural and environmentally friendly material, are used in various forms with quite good characteristics. Results from various tests conducted in recent years indicate an improvement in the mechanical properties of composite boards, including plywood reinforced with fibers like basalt fibers. These tests were focused on determining the position and contribution of basalt fibers in the board’s structure, as well as the application of certain environmentally friendly adhesives. For this study, samples of composite material based on wood, specifically plywood reinforced with a basalt mesh, were prepared. The basalt mesh was placed within the plywood structure in various combinations of position and amount. Subsequently, a three-point bending strength test was conducted to determine the impact of the basalt mesh on the strength of the plywood. The increase in strength opens up possibilities for expanded use, material savings, and a reduction in the overall weight of the structure, which is crucial in certain applications of such boards.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in exfoliation syndrome (XFS), present unilaterally, using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This prospective study included 90 examinees with unilateral syndrome. However, examinees with higher intraocular pressure or findings implicative of glaucoma were excluded from the study, as well as examinees with optic nerve changes. In individuals with unilateral XFS, OCT findings were compared between the two groups: the affected eye group and the fellow eye group. The study results show that the average thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, especially in the inferior and superior quadrants, has not resulted in visual field defects in examinees with unilateral XFS. In the group of eyes without XFS, 85.55% exhibited reference inferior quadrant thickness values, and 91.11% exhibited reference superior quadrant thickness values. In the group of eyes with manifest XFS, 82.22% exhibited reference inferior quadrant thickness values, and 88.88% exhibited reference superior quadrant thickness values. Most examinees in both groups had normal average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (72.22%). In examinees with clinically unilateral XFS, RNFL thinning occurs in both eyes before XFS becomes bilateral and before hypertensive intraocular pressure can be measured.

The applications of light emitting diodes (LED) as a red light therapy (RLT) source for the management of various conditions such as wound treatment, control of inflammation and pain have been growing continually. Despite its extensive medical application, the effects of RLT on living cells are still highly contested. This study is conducted to test the effects of RLT using combined LED source with 660 nm (red) and 850 nm (near infrared) light on cultured human lymphocytes in vitro. To analyze the effect of RLT on human peripheral blood lymphocyte’s proliferation, the mitotic index (cytostatic effect) is monitored under different irradiation exposure time parameters and conditions. This value indicates how a particular treatment affected cell division, either proliferatively, inhibitory, or had no effect at all. The interpretation of the results of the mitotic index is done in relation to the mitotic index of the untreated (unirradiated) control cells. Our data shows higher lymphocyte proliferation for all of the irradiated samples, and is particularly enhanced by multiple exposures to red light. The effectiveness of RLT on cell activity is of importance in determination of suitable treatment for diseases related to the immune system. To better understand the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in red LED-induced photobiomodulation, the study will be extended to investigate the RLT effect on cell protein synthesis.

SUMMARY The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of medical students in relation to COVID-19 according to different medical schools and duration of studies. A validated questionnaire was administered to 192 medical students at two universities in Croatia and one from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fisher-Freeman-Halton and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences among study groups. The association of variables was tested with a linear regression model. A negative correlation was found between adherence to measures and attitudes (ß=-0.36; p<0.001). Studying at the University of Zagreb was positively associated with students’ knowledge about COVID-19 (ß=0.24; p=0.033) but negatively with students’ attitudes (ß= 0.26; p=0.013). Compared to the last study year students, second-year students had lower knowledge (ß=-0.28; p=0.040) and statistically nonsignificant negative attitudes (ß=-0.24; p=0.055). Fifth-year students had more negative attitudes (ß=-0.24; p=0.008) compared to sixth-year students. The association between knowledge and attitudes was weak and statistically borderline nonsignificant (ß=0.14; p=0.056). The lack of association between knowledge and attitudes requires additional research to identify the potential factors that favor the formation of attitudes toward appropriate protection against COVID-19.

This article examines the multifaceted implications of community service as a criminal sanction within the legal framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, it integrates legal analysis, economic evaluation, and psychological perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of this alternative sanction. The legal analysis delves into the statutory provisions and judicial practices governing community service, assessing its alignment with international human rights standards and its effectiveness in promoting restorative justice. The economic evaluation leverages statistical data to measure the impact of community service on the national economy, including cost-benefit analyses and its potential to alleviate the financial burdens on the penal system. In exploring the psychological aspects, the article investigates the rehabilitative potential of community service. The article highlights the role of community service in fostering a sense of responsibility, improving self-esteem, and reducing recidivism rates. It also considers the challenges and limitations of implementing this sanction, including potential stigmatization and the necessity for adequate support systems. Through a thorough analysis of these dimensions, the article aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of propidium iodide as a reliable marker for detecting dead or dying cells in frozen liver tissue sections. By comparing propidium iodide staining with the widely used Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, both methods showed consistent results in disease models such as alcohol-induced fibrosis and Western diet-induced fatty liver. Additionally, propidium iodide was successfully co-stained with other fluorescent markers, like phalloidin (for actin filaments) and antibodies targeting collagen, enabling detailed spatial analysis of dying cells within tissue. This multiplex approach allows for a deeper understanding of tissue organization and cell death localization, particularly in complex conditions like liver fibrosis. Moreover, our results suggest that propidium iodide staining can be applied beyond current models, offering a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, like TUNEL. Furthermore, its integration with other markers enables simultaneous analysis of immune responses and tissue damage, making it a powerful tool for future studies on liver disease and other inflammatory conditions. This technique has the potential to advance research into disease mechanisms and improve the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies targeting tissue regeneration and inflammation control.

In this paper, we report on the formation of nanomasks by polystirene (PS) spheres as small as 150 nm in diameter using different self-assembly methods. Spin coating method was the most efficient. The influence of spin speeds, spinning time, solution quantity is studied in order to achieve a large area close-packed monolayer. A relatively high surface coverage and uniform monolayer of PS spheres can be achieved by appropriate control of the preparative parameters. It can be useful in industrial applications, because of the fabrication speed, surface coverage, control over PS spheres and cost of the process.