Psychedelic drugs can aid fast and lasting remission from various neuropsychiatric disorders, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Preclinical studies suggest serotonergic psychedelics enhance neuronal plasticity, but whether neuroplastic changes can also be seen at cognitive and behavioural levels is unexplored. Here we show that a single dose of the psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine ((±)-DOI) affects structural brain plasticity and cognitive flexibility in young adult mice beyond the acute drug experience. Using ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging, we show increased volumes of several sensory and association areas one day after systemic administration of 2mgkg−1 (±)-DOI. We then demonstrate lasting effects of (±)-DOI on cognitive flexibility in a two-step probabilistic reversal learning task where 2mgkg−1 (±)-DOI improved the rate of adaptation to a novel reversal in task structure occurring one-week post-treatment. Strikingly, (±)-DOI-treated mice started learning from reward omissions, a unique strategy not typically seen in mice in this task, suggesting heightened sensitivity to previously overlooked cues. Crucially, further experiments revealed that (±)-DOI’s effects on cognitive flexibility were contingent on the timing between drug treatment and the novel reversal, as well as on the nature of the intervening experience. (±)-DOI’s facilitation of both cognitive adaptation and novel thinking strategies may contribute to the clinical benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly in cases of perseverative behaviours and a resistance to change seen in depression, anxiety, or addiction. Furthermore, our findings highlight the crucial role of time-dependent neuroplasticity and the influence of experiential factors in shaping the therapeutic potential of psychedelic interventions for impaired cognitive flexibility.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common viral infections in sexually active population worldwide, and is the main cause of cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer among women. Serbia ranks third in incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Europe. We conducted a cross-sectional study considering parents’ motivation for the HPV vaccination of their children. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. We found that the strongest motive was “Recommendation from paediatrician” (20.2%), followed by the attitude that HPV vaccine protects against cancers in different localization (15.4%), the motive “It is better to vaccinate a child than expose them to potential risk of HPV infection” (13.3%) and “Feeling anxiety due to a possible infection and cancer in the child” (13.1%). For those parents that vaccinated their child for some other strongest motive, reasons like “Vaccine is free of charge”, “Recommendation from friends and family” and motive „My child received all obligatory vaccines, so I want to receive this one as well“, were significantly more frequently selected. In the group where paediatricians’ recommendation was not a motive for accepting the HPV vaccine, the largest percentage of parents (89.6%) selected motive “HPV vaccine protects against cancers in different localization” and the motive “It is better to vaccinate a child than expose them to potential risk of HPV infection” (78.1%). Paediatrician’s recommendation is very important for parents’ decision to vaccinate, however, other motives also influenced and had significance in making the parents’ decision to vaccinate their children against HPV. Encouraging trust in public health authorities in Serbia, highlighting the advantages of the HPV vaccine and further encouraging healthcare workers to give stronger recommendations can increase the HPV vaccine uptake. Finally, we provided the basis to create more targeted messages that will empower parents to vaccinate their children.

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de hipovitaminose D em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal a partir de dados coletados entre janeiro e agosto de 2019, por meio de prontuários de pacientes de ambos os sexos, com diagnóstico de LES, idade de 18 a 80 anos e dosagem sérica de calcidiol (25(OH)D). Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, teste t, ANOVA e quiquadrado (p<0,005).  O estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Houve predomínio do sexo feminino 96,43% na amostra, com idade média de 48 ± 13 anos. Apenas 32% dos pacientes apresentaram valores de 25(OH)D adequado. A concentração média de 25(OH)D foi de 26,06 ng/dL.  Conclusão: Foi constatado alta prevalência de níveis inadequados de vitamina D sérica tanto em pacientes com LES, quanto na população saudável. Tal fato é relevante devido a existência de recomendação específica para valor de vitamina D entre 30 e 60 ng/mL em pacientes com LES, superior ao da população em geral, e pela peculiaridade que eles têm de não poderem se expor aos raios solares.

Decarbonization of the energy sector is a necessary but long-term process. It includes at least partial substitution of fossil fuels using renewable and alternative fuels. However, this substitution, apart from not always being possible, is often accompanied by limitations and unknowns. Those unknowns are dominantly related to the possibility of establishing stable, highly efficient and low-waste combustion as a fundamental process of primary energy conversion from fuel. Such situations are very common considering the necessity of decarbonization in a very large number of fossil fuel-based energy plants, especially coal-based ones. The possibility of establishing an energetically, economically and environmentally acceptable combustion process is a function of a number of variables, of which the collective properties of the fuel, including the ash from that fuel, are dominant in this sense. With the motive of a scientific contribution to the energy transition, and with the aim of obtaining new knowledge about the characteristics of the combustion of lignite coals with different types of biomass, a set of laboratory research was carried out. Various mixtures of lignite, waste woody biomass and Miscanthus as a fast-growing energy crop were subjected to combustion. With a change in the composition of the fuel mixture, the tests were performed at a process temperature of 1250 °C and with a staged supply of combustion air.  With these combustion conditions, the emission of undesirable components into the environment, the efficiency of combustion and the ash estimated tendency of fouling of the boiler heating surfaces were determined. It has been shown that even with co-firing at a temperature of 1250 °C, it is possible to establish a efficient process with an acceptable content of unburnt carbon in the slag (unburnt carbon content, UBC<4%) as well as CO emissions (eCO≤340 mg/mn3), a relatively low emission of nitrogen oxides eNOx≤670 mg/mn3. Also, the process proved to be well controlled from the aspect of possible ash slagging in the furnace. The net emission of CO2 decreases in proportion to the share of biomass in the mixture, while the emission of SO2 is high, at the level of eSO2≤2500 mg/mn3.  

Radiomics-based systems could improve the management of oncological patients by supporting cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and response assessment. However, one of the main limitations of these systems is the generalizability and reproducibility of results when they are applied to images acquired in different hospitals by different scanners. Normalization has been introduced to mitigate this issue, and two main approaches have been proposed: one rescales the image intensities (image normalization), the other the feature distributions for each center (feature normalization). The aim of this study is to evaluate how different image and feature normalization methods impact the robustness of 93 radiomics features acquired using a multicenter and multi-scanner abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) dataset. To this scope, 88 rectal MRIs were retrospectively collected from 3 different institutions (4 scanners), and for each patient, six 3D regions of interest on the obturator muscle were considered. The methods applied were min-max, 1st-99th percentiles and 3-Sigma normalization, z-score standardization, mean centering, histogram normalization, Nyul-Udupa and ComBat harmonization. The Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to assess features repeatability between scanners, by comparing the feature values obtained for each normalization method, including the case in which no normalization was applied. Most image normalization methods allowed to reduce the overall variability in terms of intensity distributions, while worsening or showing unpredictable results in terms of feature robustness, except for the z-score, which provided a slight improvement by increasing the number of statistically similar features from 9/93 to 10/93. Conversely, feature normalization methods positively reduced the overall variability across the scanners, in particular, 3sigma, z_score and ComBat that increased the number of similar features (79/93). According to our results, it emerged that none of the image normalization methods was able to strongly increase the number of statistically similar features.

This article aims to highlight the core educational/upbringing processes of Islamic Religious Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina maktabs, based on the theoretical framework and qualitative research using interview methods. A short framework of the development and status of maktabs in Bosnia and Herzegovina as basic nonformal institutions of Islamic education among Muslims is provided in the introduction. The aim of the research is to examine the attitudes and experiences of muallims regarding the possibilities of realizing the fundamental areas of religious education/upbringing, and the use of approaches, methods, and forms of religious education of children in maktabs. This part of the research also aims to examine the perceptions of muallims about the importance of the principles of religious upbringing of children. The findings show that through methodical/didactical religious education work with children, it is possible to develop all areas of education and that this process runs simultaneously, building a complete personality of the child. It is also apparent that muallims respect the basic educational principles, with a note that the certain educational principles are difficult to fully implement due to numerous limitations. When it comes to educational approaches and methods, it is evident that the prevalent approach is directed towards positive transformation and the encouragement of pupils, which stimulates the internalization of universal and Islamic values.

Background: Llamas are becoming increasingly popular as livestock and as companion animals and their blood samples may require transportation over long distances and storage for extended periods prior to hematological analyses. Hematological parameters are influenced by a range of factors, including age, sex, diet and environment. Examining how these parameters change over time in stored blood samples can provide insights into the natural variation of these parameters in llamas, which can inform future research on the health and biology of these animals. This study sought to evaluate the stability of hematological markers at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 hours of storage in blood samples of llamas (Lama glama) stored at 4°C. Methods: The study was conducted on blood from eight clinically healthy llamas captivated at Sarajevo Zoo-Pionirska dolina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The effect of storage was observed on the following hematological parameters: Red Blood Cell count (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Reticulocyte count (RETIC), White Blood Cell (WBC). White blood cell differentiation, absolute white blood cell counts, platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are also included. Result: During 42 hours of storage at 4°C, it was discovered that red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, mean cell hemoglobin and reticulocyte, as well as the differentiation of white blood cells and measurement of their absolute values, remained stable. However, hematocrit increased at 12 h, while mean cell hemoglobin concentration decreased at 12 h when stored at 4°C.

Background Biobanking biospecimens and consent are common practice in paediatric research. We need to explore children and young people’s (CYP) knowledge and perspectives around the use of and consent to biobanking. This will ensure meaningful informed consent can be obtained and improve current consent procedures. Methods We designed a survey, in co-production with CYP, collecting demographic data, views on biobanking, and consent using three scenarios: 1) prospective consent, 2) deferred consent, and 3) reconsent and assent at age of capacity. The survey was disseminated via the Young Person’s Advisory Group North England (YPAGne) and participating CYP’s secondary schools. Data were analysed using a qualitative thematic approach by three independent reviewers (including CYP) to identify common themes. Data triangulation occurred independently by a fourth reviewer. Results One hundred two CYP completed the survey. Most were between 16–18 years (63.7%, N  = 65) and female (66.7%, N  = 68). 72.3% had no prior knowledge of biobanking ( N  = 73). Acceptability of prospective consent for biobanking was high (91.2%, N  = 93) with common themes: ‘altruism’, ‘potential benefits outweigh individual risk’, 'frugality', and ‘(in)convenience’. Deferred consent was also deemed acceptable in the large majority (84.3%, N  = 86), with common themes: ‘altruism’, ‘body integrity’ and ‘sample frugality’. 76.5% preferred to reconsent when cognitively mature enough to give assent ( N  = 78), even if parental consent was previously in place. 79.2% wanted to be informed if their biobanked biospecimen is reused ( N  = 80). Conclusion Prospective and deferred consent acceptability for biobanking is high among CYP in the UK. Altruism, frugality, body integrity, and privacy are the most important themes. Clear communication and justification are paramount to obtain consent. Any CYP with capacity should be part of the consenting procedure, if possible.

Entrepreneurship has been long recognized as an essential driver of economic growth. It is widely accepted that entrepreneurship increases innovation, firm formation, employment, and overall GDP. Despite the increasing research on both public entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in healthcare, these different research areas have not been combined that much. To fill this research gap, this paper analyses whether public healthcare entrepreneurship influences economic growth. This study exploits the WHO Global Health Observatory database approximating various dimensions of entrepreneurship by specific aspects of compliance with international healthcare regulation. The study uses data for 170 countries from 2010 to 2019. Using the fixed effect panel setting, it tests whether improvements in public healthcare entrepreneurship (PHE) affect a country's economic growth. The results suggest that higher entrepreneurial orientation in public healthcare is associated with larger effects on output per capita, which is channelled through productivity. However, after reaching certain level of PHE development, the contributions to growth start diminishing. The findings from this paper produce several implications. First, by exploring the nexus between public entrepreneurship and healthcare entrepreneurship it introduces the concept of public healthcare entrepreneurship explaining its theoretical and empirical importance. It further provides empirical and quantitative support to the view that developing public healthcare entrepreneurship plays a role in achieving a higher output per effective worker. Thereby, this study provides evidence of a non-linear relationship between public healthcare entrepreneurship and growth. Finally, given the statistical and economic significance of the results, these findings motivate policymakers to consider developing policies that guide developing entrepreneurial orientation within public healthcare. We believe this is possibly the first study that considers entrepreneurial orientation withing a public sector into the economic growth discussion.

Allelopathy is a unique phenomenon in nature that refers to direct or indirect, positive or negative, impact of one plant (including microorganisms, insects, and herbivores) on another plant through chemical secretions (allelochemicals). Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is a well-known invasive plant possessing allelochemicals that have been found to inhibit the growth and development of plants in their immediate environment. This study aimed to determine the allelopathic impact of the aqueous leaf extract isolated from ragweed leaves (concentrated extract, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8) on seed germination and early seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The examined aqueous extract of ragweed had a higher inhibitory effect on the germination of white clover seeds compared to barley. The germination of barley seeds was the lowest at the concentrated leaf extract (up to 70%), while the same process in barley seeds was not determined at this concentration. In the other treatments, germination was significantly lower in both examined species compared to the control. Shoot and root growth of both researched species was inhibited in all treatments compared to the control. The obtained results indicate that the aqueous ragweed extract significantly inhibits the growth of roots and shoots of both tested species, which increases the need for more intensive research on this topic.

Leafy kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.) is one of the most important Brassicaceae species with health-promoting properties and great diversity. To investigate variability within and among accessions, 12 accessions (each accession comprised four individuals/genotypes) from the Balkan region were genotyped at 12 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) loci. The selected SSR markers originated from the genomes of B. oleracea (eight), B. rapa (two) and B. napus (two). DNA was extracted from seeds, cotyledons, shoots, and young leaves, depending on the germination energy of each seed, using magnetic extraction method. Genetic analysis included eight accessions from Serbia (24 genotypes), two accessions from Montenegro (eight genotypes), and one accession from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia (with four genotypes each). Accession-specific polymorphism was found at the Ol12-FO2 and Ol10-F11a loci, where genotypes were qualitatively distinguished by horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis (binary detection). Among 12 loci, the average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.71, with the marker Ol13-C12 proving to be the most informative (PIC = 0.89). However, the analysis of molecular variability (AMOVA) showed 11% diversity between accessions, 19% diversity between genotypes, and 70% diversity within genotypes, explaining the molecular diversity of native Balkan leafy kale germplasm. According to the genetic structure, four genetic groups were formed with an average expected heterozygosity of 0.70 between clusters. In order to exploit the genetic diversity, it would be advisable to evaluate these accessions at phenotypic level and use their potential in breeding programmes.

The article analyzes the role of higher education institutions in developing and improving sustainable competencies, particularly emphasizing the presence of sustainable development goals in the bachelor programs of the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sarajevo. The authors have analyzed the compatibility of learning outcomes of bachelor programs with sustainable competencies. This analysis showed that the learning outcomes of the six programs were partially aligned with sustainable competencies. In addition to the analysis of learning outcomes, authors have analyzed the presence of the sustainable development goals in thematic units, and they have found that out of 143 courses, 74 courses contain thematic units related to sustainable development goals. Based on this analysis, it was determined that all sustainable development goals were covered within 74 courses. The research results were used to prepare recommendations for improving bachelor programs.