Narrative review synthesizes the most current literature on the SARS-CoV-2 XEC variant, focusing on its genomic evolution, immune evasion characteristics, epidemiological dynamics, and public health implications. To achieve this, we conducted a structured search of the literature of peer-reviewed articles, preprints, and official surveillance data from 2023 to early 2025, prioritizing virological, clinical, and immunological reports related to XEC and its parent lineages. Defined by the distinctive spike protein mutations, T22N and Q493E, XEC exhibits modest reductions in neutralization in vitro, although current evidence suggests that mRNA booster vaccines, including those targeting JN.1 and KP.2, retain cross-protective efficacy against symptomatic and severe disease. The XEC strain of SARS-CoV-2 has drawn particular attention due to its increasing prevalence in multiple regions and its potential to displace other Omicron subvariants, although direct evidence of enhanced replicative fitness is currently lacking. Preliminary analyses also indicated that glycosylation changes at the N-terminal domain enhance infectivity and immunological evasion, which is expected to underpin the increasing prevalence of XEC. The XEC variant, while still emerging, is marked by a unique recombination pattern and a set of spike protein mutations (T22N and Q493E) that collectively demonstrate increased immune evasion potential and epidemiological expansion across Europe and North America. Current evidence does not conclusively associate XEC with greater disease severity, although additional research is required to determine its clinical relevance. Key knowledge gaps include the precise role of recombination events in XEC evolution and the duration of cross-protective T-cell responses. New research priorities include genomic surveillance in undersampled regions, updated vaccine formulations against novel spike epitopes, and long-term longitudinal studies to monitor post-acute sequelae. These efforts can be augmented by computational modeling and the One Health approach, which combines human and veterinary sciences. Recent computational findings (GISAID, 2024) point to the potential of XEC for further mutations in under-surveilled reservoirs, enhancing containment challenges and risks. Addressing the potential risks associated with the XEC variant is expected to benefit from interdisciplinary coordination, particularly in regions where genomic surveillance indicates a measurable increase in prevalence.

This study investigated the potential of high-voltage electrical discharge (HVED), as a green, non-thermal extraction technology, for recovering polyphenols from winter savory (Satureja montana L.). Key process parameters, including frequency (40, 70, 100 Hz) and extraction time (1, 5, 15, 30, 45 min), were optimized, using water as a solvent and maintaining a constant solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:100 g/mL. The extracts were characterized for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), while individual phenolics were quantified via HPLC-DAD. Multivariate chemometric analyses, including Pearson correlation, heatmap clustering, and principal component analysis (PCA), were employed to reveal relationships between extraction conditions, polyphenolic profiles, and antioxidant activities. The results showed strong correlations between TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity, with compounds such as quercetin-3-D-galactoside, procyanidin A2, and rutin identified as key contributors. Among the tested conditions, extraction at 70 Hz for 45 min provided the highest polyphenol yield and bioactivity. The application of HVED demonstrated its potential as an efficient and environmentally friendly technique for obtaining phenolic-rich extracts. In addition, the use of chemometric tools provided useful insights for optimizing extraction conditions and understanding the contributions of specific compounds to bioactivity. These results support future applications in clean-label product development and contribute to broader efforts in sustainable ingredient production for the food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical sectors.

The aim of this research was to determine differences in the levels of anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and quality of life among parents of children with different developmental difficulties (intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy). The sample consisted of 104 parents, the majority of whom were female (85.6%). Most parents reported that their child had an autism spectrum disorder (45.2%), while the rest reported Down syndrome (29.8%) and cerebral palsy (25.0%). The following instruments were used for the purposes of the research: Demographic Data Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Family Quality of Life Scale (FQoL), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Statistical data analysis was conducted using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that parents of children with cerebral palsy exhibit statistically significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress compared to parents of children with autism and Down syndrome. These findings confirm previous research on the impact of the complexity of motor impairments on the psychological state of parents and highlight the need for targeted psychosocial support for this population. On the other hand, the study did not show statistically significant differences in the perception of overall quality of life among parents, regardless of the type of their child's difficulty. This result implies that factors such as family support, adopted coping mechanisms, and the degree of acceptance of the situation may play a key role in maintaining the subjective sense of life homeostasis. Keywords:parents, developmental difficulties, anxiety, depression, quality of life.

The paper aims to identify and analyze effective strategies aimed at managing autistic behaviorand learning barriers. A qualitative analysis of the relevant scientific and professional literature published in the last decade was carried out, and after screening, 41 papers were included in thematic analysis. Strategies are divided into six categories: Behavioral interventions and behavior management, Education of children and youth with ASD and the empowerment of educators, Teaching social skills, Sensory integration therapies, Digital and assistive technologies, and Transition support. All included strategies are evidence-based practices (EBPs). The literature review confirms that there is no universal approach in working with children and youth with ASD. Still, successful intervention is based on the application of a combination of strategies adapted to the individual needs of students, the educational environment, and developmental goals. Despite the multitude of strategies at a given setting's disposal effective implementation of EBPs is often thwarted by system, school, and individual factors suchas limited resources, training, as well as consistency across environments. By addressing these challenges in a comprehensive manner—through inclusive pedagogy, adaptive technology, and collaborative support systems—we can bridge the research-practice gapand provide rich, enabling learning experiences for students with autism spectrum disorders. Key words: autism, learning strategies, behavior management, learning barriers

It can be stated that quality is an integral part of our daily life. All people constantly insist on quality in certain areas of life, which indicates that quality can be found in all segments in which a person work. The main objective of this study is to examine the satisfaction of clients/users with the services of spa centers. The basic research methods used are: synthesis, analysis, induction and deduction, comparative and statistical methods. The collection of primary data was carried out through an online survey, which contains a standardized scale (SERVQUAL). The correlation analysis confirms the general objective, so it can be concluded that the Pearson coefficient is -0.158, from which it follows that there is a very weak negative correlation between these two variables. It is concluded that sociodemographic factors do not at all influence the attitude of respondents about the quality of service of spa resorts. But, Pearson coefficient indicates a high degree of correlation between respondents' satisfaction with the quality of service in sparesorts and other factors. There is a very high degree of correlation between respondents' satisfaction with service quality and other factors -81%, which have an impact on the respondents' satisfaction with thequality of service in the spa: the first contact in the spa, the reason for coming to the spa, the distance from home to the spa, travel time and the manner the therapy is introduced. Key words: Quality, safety of services, spa resorts, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This scientific research work investigates the social and legal protection of unaccompanied and separated children from the population of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the municipality of Velika Kladušafrom 2019 to 2022. The research is based on data collected from government records, reports from non-governmental organizations and interviews with key actors, including social workers, lawyers and representatives of civil society organizations. The research reveals that unaccompanied and separated children in Velika Kladuša face significant challenges in accessing social and legal protection. Many of these children experience trauma, violence and exploitation during the journey, but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and continue to face significant risks and vulnerabilities upon arrival. Despite the established legal and political frameworks for the protection of these children, the ability of institutions and services to respond to their needs is limited, and many children fall through gaps in the system.The research highlights the need for increased resources, funding and training for institutions and service providers working with unaccompanied and separated children. It also highlights the importance of a holistic, child-centred approach to social and legal protection, which takes into account the specific needs and vulnerabilities of this population. Ultimately, this research provides important insights and recommendations for improving the social and legal protection of unaccompanied and separated children in the municipality, and contributes to broader efforts to ensure the rights and well-being of all children on the move. Key words: unaccompanied and separated children, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, social and legal protection, risks, vulnerabilities, institutions, services, capacities, child-centred approach, resources, policy frameworks, recommendations.

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder face increased cardiovascular risk. This study examines shared genetic regions between post-traumatic stress disorder and 246 cardiovascular conditions across electronic health records, 82 cardiac imaging, and health behaviors defined by Life’s Essential 8. Post-traumatic stress disorder is genetically correlated with cardiovascular diagnoses in 33 regions, imaging traits in 4 regions, and health behaviors in 44 regions. Potentially shared causal variants between post-traumatic stress disorder and 17 cardiovascular conditions were observed in 11 regions. Subsequent observational analysis in AllofUS cohort showed post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with 13 diagnoses even after accounting for socioeconomic factors and depression. Genetically regulated proteome expression in brain and blood tissues identified 33 blood and 122 brain genes shared between the two conditions, revealing neuronal, immune, metabolic, and calcium-related mechanisms, with several genes as targets for existing drugs. These findings exhibit shared risk loci and genes are involved in tissue-specific mechanisms. Study shows PTSD predisposition shares distinct genes and genomic regions with several cardiovascular conditions. Here the findings reveal neuronal, immune, and metabolic pathways, and repurposed drug targets that further the understanding of the comorbidity.

This study examines the agreement between health-related quality of life assessments in children with cerebral palsy and their mothers, analyzes the relationship between functional domains (daily activities, mobility, pain, fatigue, nutrition, communication) and psychosocial health of the child from the perspectives of both children and mothers, and investigates the impact of maternal education level and family socioeconomic status on the psychosocial health of children as assessed by their mothers.The study involved 61 children with cerebral palsy, aged 5 to 18 years, along with their mothers who were the primary caregivers. Data were collected using validated instruments, includingthe PedsQL 4.0 and PedsQL 3.0 questionnaires, completed by both the children and their mothers. Socioeconomic status was determined using the Hollingshead index, and statistical analysis—descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman’s correlation)—was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.The results showed significant differences in quality of life assessments between children and their mothers, particularly in the domains of daily activities, school activities, mobility, and balance. Daily activities, mobility, and nutrition were correlated with the psychosocial health of children according to the children’s self-reports, while, according to mothers’ assessments, the strongest correlations were observed for daily activities and nutrition. Socioeconomic status and maternal education level did not have a significant association with the psychosocial health of children in this sample. The findings highlight the importance of considering the child’s perspective and focusing interventions on daily functioning. Keywords:cerebral palsy, quality of life, psychosocial health, daily activities, socioeconomic status

Introduction. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has significantly advanced axillary staging in clinically node-negative breast cancer, offering lower morbidity compared to traditional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Nonetheless, precise prediction of non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) involvement remains essential for optimizing surgical decisions and preventing unnecessary ALND. Methods. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 176 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer who underwent SLNB. Clinicopathological data were reviewed to evaluate associations between various predictive factors and non-SLN involvement. Variables analyzed included tumor size, histological grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), Ki-67 proliferation index, and sentinel lymph node characteristics. Results. Multivariable logistic regression identified the type of SLN metastasis (OR=21.4; 95% CI 1.7–43.6; p=0.01), the number of positive SLNs (OR=5.66; 95% CI 1.18–36.6; p=0.03), and the number of negative SLNs (OR=0.04; 95% CI 0.006–0.27; p=0.001) as independent predictors of non-SLN metastases. The predictive model demonstrated excellent discriminatory power, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.91. Conclusion. Specific clinical and histopathological variables reliably predict non-SLN involvement in SLN-positive breast cancer patients. Incorporation of these predictors into clinical practice may enhance individualized axillary management and reduce unnecessary ALND procedures. Further validation through larger prospective studies is warranted. Key words: Breast Neoplasms, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, Axillary Lymph Nodes, Lymph Node Dissection, Neoplasm Staging.

Background Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is frequently associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Indices derived from routine laboratory tests that reflect systemic inflammatory and lipid-inflammatory status may offer better prognostic insight. This study aimed to evaluate the association between selected indices and short-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in patients with NSTEMI treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and statin. The selected indices reflect key mechanisms involved in NSTEMI pathophysiology, including insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Materials and methods This prospective observational study included 171 patients with NSTEMI admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Clinic for Internal Medicine at the University Clinical Centre Tuzla between February 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. Blood samples were collected upon admission and 24 hours subsequently. The following indices were calculated: triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV). Outcomes were tracked during hospitalization and up to three months post-discharge. MACE was defined as cardiovascular death, reinfarction, stroke, or unplanned revascularization. All patients underwent coronary angiography; revascularization was performed when clinically indicated. Exclusion criteria included active malignancy, infection, or inflammatory disease. Logistic regression was adjusted for age, diabetes, and other clinical variables. Missing data were handled using the pairwise deletion method. Results High levels of TyG at admission were independently associated with MACE (odds ratio (OR) 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.8; p = 0.037). All-cause mortality occurred in 14.6% of patients (n = 25), while MACE occurred in 60 patients. Independent predictors of mortality included elevated TyG at admission (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-4.4; p = 0.034), TG/HDL at 24 hours (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7; p = 0.007), AIP at 24 hours (OR 5.7; 95% CI 1.1-28.9; p = 0.035), and NLR at 24 hours (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2; p = 0.002). PLR and PIV at 24 hours were also significantly associated with mortality. Optimal cut-off values were TyG ≥ 8.9, AIP ≥ 0.35, and NLR ≥ 4.5. NLR had the highest estimated area under the curve (AUC ≈ 0.78). Conclusion In NSTEMI patients treated with DAPT and statin, several inflammatory and lipid-inflammatory indices were independently associated with short-term mortality. Indices measured at 24 hours had a stronger prognostic value than baseline values. Serial monitoring may aid early risk stratification. Outcomes were assessed during hospitalization and via structured follow-up up to three months post-discharge.

This work proposes a motion planning algorithm for robotic manipulators that combines sampling-based and search-based planning methods. The core contribution of the proposed approach is the usage of burs of free configuration space ($\mathcal{C}$-space) as adaptive motion primitives within the graph search algorithm. Due to their feature to adaptively expand in free $\mathcal{C}$-space, burs enable more efficient exploration of the configuration space compared to fixed-sized motion primitives, significantly reducing the time to find a valid path and the number of required expansions. The algorithm is implemented within the existing SMPL (Search-Based Motion Planning Library) library and evaluated through a series of different scenarios involving manipulators with varying number of degrees-of-freedom (DoF) and environment complexity. Results demonstrate that the bur-based approach outperforms fixed-primitive planning in complex scenarios, particularly for high DoF manipulators, while achieving comparable performance in simpler scenarios.

Recent technological advances have expanded the use of 3D-printed polymer components across industries, including a growing interest in military applications. The effective defensive use of such materials depends on a thorough understanding of polymer properties, printing techniques, structural design, and influencing parameters. This paper analyzes the ballistic resistance of 3D-printed polymer structures against 9 × 19 mm projectiles. Cuboid targets with different infill patterns—cubic, grid, honeycomb, and gyroid—were fabricated and tested experimentally using live ammunition. Post-impact, CT scans were used to non-destructively measure projectile penetration depths. The honeycomb infill demonstrated superior bullet-stopping performance. Additionally, mechanical properties were experimentally determined and applied in FEM simulations, confirming the ability of commercial software to predict projectile–target interaction in complex geometries. A simplified analytical model also produced satisfactory agreement with experimental observations. The results contribute to a better understanding of impact behavior in 3D-printed polymer structures, supporting their potential application in defense systems.

Sažetak ( sa ključnim riječima): Sažetak: Radni sporovi su pogodni za rješavanje alternativnim načinima rješavanja, pa i mirenjem propisanim Zakona o mirnom rješavanju radnih sporova iz 2021. godine. U radu se obrađuju specifičnosti radnih sporova kao posebnog parničnog postupka. Glavni fokus rada je na analizi postupku mirnog rješavanja kolektivnih radnih sporova, mirovno vijeće, način određivanja miritelja i arbitara te druga pitanja od značaja za mirno rješavanje radnih sporova za teritoriju Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine ako drugim zakonom nije drugačije određeno. Autorica naglašava važnost obveznog mirenja kod rješavanja kolektivnog radnog spora uz analizu sudske prakse te utjecaj mirenja na ishod parnice i značaj jer postignuti sporazum ima pravnu snagu ovršne isprave. Autorica analizira odnos parničnog zakonodavstva te instituta obveznog mirenja kao predstadija prije pokretanja parničnog postupka za kolektivne radne sporove u kontekstu i konvencijskih prava - prava na pristup sudu te prava na udruživanje i prava na štrajk. Poseban naglasak se stavlja na specifičnosti i značaj mirenja u kolektivnim radnim sporovima. Ključne riječi: kolektivni radni spor, Zakon o mirnom rješavanju radnih sporova, mirenje, arbitraža Summary: Labor disputes are suitable for resolution by alternative means of resolution, including mediation prescribed by the Law on the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes from 2021. The paper addresses the specifics of labor disputes as a special civil procedure. The main focus of the paper is on the analysis of the procedure for the peaceful resolution of collective labor disputes, the peace council, the method of appointing conciliators and arbitrators, and other issues of importance for the peaceful resolution of labor disputes for the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, unless otherwise provided for by other law. The authors emphasize the importance of mandatory mediation in resolving collective labor disputes, along with an analysis of case law and the impact of mediation on the outcome of litigation and its significance because the agreement reached has the legal force of an enforceable document. The authors analyze the relationship between civil proceeding law and the institute of mandatory mediation as a preliminary stage before initiating civil proceedings for collective labor disputes in the context of both convention rights - the right to access to court and the right to associate and the right to strike. Special emphasis is placed on the specifics and importance of mediation in collective labor disputes. Keywords: collective labor dispute, Law on Peaceful Resolution of Labor Disputes, mediation, arbitratio