At the beginning of 2020, few people could imagine that the new coronavirus, COVID-19, would impact that many aspects of our lives and change the content, structure, and teaching methods we knew before. Many language teachers (LT) worldwide who had been effectively implementing face-to-face instruction had to make an abrupt transition to online education, something they were not trained for or had experience with. The present study aims to discover whether LT successfully delivered online instruction and whether online teaching during the first online period impacted students’ learning habits. Using a specifically designed questionnaire, students who study at several public universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM), and Türkiye (TUR) were asked to evaluate their teachers’ professional adaptation and success during the first “emergency online teaching semester”, and to reflect on their learning habits during this period and the changes they personally experienced. The results of the study revealed that students in the three countries approached and evaluated their teachers’ pedagogical skills as appropriate for online teaching in the first COVID-19 period in remarkably similar ways. However, the impact on students’ learning habits is, to a certain extent, different in these countries. The findings of the study might provide relevant input to rethink the teaching profession in terms of competencies, means of instruction, and strategies for coping with processes that affect teaching. Education will not be the same in a post-pandemic world, we must use the knowledge we have gained, and the suggestions made by our students to enhance our educational systems.

Cilj: Prikazati najčešće razloge odbijanja potencijalnih darivatelja krvi po spolu i usporediti ih između gradova Osijeka i Zagreba. Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno po principu retrospektivne studije tijekom 2021. godine iz baze podataka Hrvatskog zavoda za transfuzijsku medicinu u Zagrebu i Kliničkom zavodu za transfuzijsku medicinu u Osijeku. Korišten je χ2-test, dok je statistička analiza napravljena pomoću programskog sustava MedCalc (inačica 14.12.0, MedCalcSoftware) uz razinu značajnosti od P < 0,05. Rezultati: Hrvatski zavod za transfuzijsku medicinu u Zagrebu kao najčešći razlog odbijanja potencijalnih darivatelja krvi navodi sniženu koncentraciju hemoglobina zbog koje je odbijeno 7 119, od kojih 2 583 (36 %) muškarca i 4 536 (64 %) žena. Također, Klinički zavod za transfuzijsku medicinu u Osijeku odbio je najviše potencijalnih darivatelja krvi zbog snižene koncentracije hemoglobina, njih 660, od kojih 235 (36 %) muškaraca i 425 (64 %) žena. Nakon obrade podataka nema statistički značajne razlike u odbijanju potencijalnih darivatelja krvi zbog hemoglobina u Zagrebu i Osijeku uspoređujući ih po spolu (P = 0,729). Zbog krvnog tlaka odbijenih potencijalnih darivatelja krvi u Zagrebu bilo je 3 855, 2 375 (62 %) muškaraca i 1 480 (38 %) žena. Odbijenih potencijalnih darivatelja krvi zbog krvnog tlaka u Osijeku je bilo 369, 141 (38 %) muškarac i 228 (62 %) žena. Statistički značajna razlika u odbijanju potencijalnih darivatelja krvi zbog krvnog tlaka u gradovima po spolu postoji (P < 0,001). Zaključak: Najčešći razlozi odbijanja dobrovoljnih darivatelja krvi tijekom 2021. godini u Hrvatskom zavodu za transfuzijsku medicinu u Zagrebu i Kliničkom zavodu za transfuzijsku medicinu u Osijeku jesu snižena koncentracija hemoglobina te krvni tlak kod obaju spolova.

In the H2020 European project ASHVIN “Assistants for Healthy, Safe, and Productive Virtual Construction Design, Operation & Maintenance using a Digital Twin”, a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Performance Indicators (PIs) to plan and control productive, resource efficient, and safe maintenance are being developed for transport infrastructure. This paper is presenting PIs and KPIs for the assessment and monitoring of the following aspects: Productivity, Resource Efficiency, Cost, Health & Safety during the operational life cycle stage, which is mainly focusing on the inspection and maintenance planning. Quantifiable and measurable PIs and KPIs are proposed and applied on two demonstration projects, highway bridge in Spain and airport runway in Croatia, as part of transportation infrastructure. Proposed PIs and KPIs are integrated into digital twins of the analyzed assets and into decision making tools for risk based maintenance planning. This paper presents the overview of the proposed digital PIs and KPIs applied on two demonstration projects and the integration into decision support tools for efficient and sustainable maintenance planning.

Abstract Morphologic changes in organs vary from nonspecific to specific ones, depending on causes of sudden death, e.i whether it is an acute, subacute or chronic event. The aim of this pilot study was to observe the appearance and occurrence of morphological characteristics on organs that were exposed to long-term effects of hyperthermia. A sample of 7 rats was exposed to a water temperature of 41 °C, which is defined in the literature as “heat stroke temperature”, both sexes, weighing 250 to 300 g were used. Tissue samples, obtained by dissection of rats, were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, at room temperature, then incorporated into paraffin blocks, cut at 4-5 microns, mounted and stained with standard hematoxylin-eosin (HE) method. In order to prove/exclude lipid and glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes we did additional histochemical staining, using Sudan black and Periodic Acid Shiff (PAS) method, respectively. We obtained samples from kidney, liver, pancreas, spleen, lung and brain. Analyzing tissue samples of different organs obtained from seven Wistar rats, we gained insight into morphological changes caused by induced hyperthermia. All sampled organs showed congestion and some degree of oedema. The most prominent changes were observed in liver and lung samples. Tissue samples of the lung of all seven rats showed signs of acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis, together with signs of initial bronchopneumonia. We also noticed signs of focal acute emphysema as well as focal accumulations of foamy macrophages. Our study suggests that changes in the vascular bed occur soon after hyperthermia and while some organs are more tolerant to heat stroke than others, most organs show similar changes consisting of capillary dilation, congestion and interstitial extravasation, observed after 30 minutes at a temperature of 40.5 °C, with the most significant changes observed in liver and lung samples.

Abstract Background/aim: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by a lack of insulin, with a consequent disordered metabolism of glucose, fats, and proteins. A number of complications, such as diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, may develop as a result of long-term diabetes. The aim of this study aimed to determine the correlation between diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy as long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: Retrospective, descriptive, and analytical research was conducted at the department of Endocrinology, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo. The study included 158 patients hospitalized in time between 1st of January and 31st of December 2012. Results: New-onset diabetes was found in 38%, and diabetes type 2 patients 132 (83.5%), female 105 (66.5%) while older than 60 years were 100 (63.3%). Upon discharge from hospital 83,7% of patients were discharged with glycemia <10 mmol / l. We found that 47,5% of patients had HbA1c> 10%. Reduced kidney function, different degrees of failure was at 66.5%. More than half (62.7%) patients had proteinuria as a sign of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed with different types in 54.4%. Conclusion: Diabetes leads to an increase in nitrogen compounds, and the development of diabetic nephropathy manifests as various degrees of renal insufficiency. The duration of diabetes and occurrence of diabetic retinopathy were significantly interrelated. The correlation between the degree of renal failure and changes in the ocular fundus has not been proven, but more severe renal insufficiency is associated with a higher incidence of diabetic retinopathy compared to patients with less impaired renal function.

Purpose With this study, we aimed to explore the gene-disease relationship (GDR) evidence for 109 gene-disease pairs and the significance of a large Biodatabank for this classification. Methods The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Clinical Validity Framework for evaluation of GDR was applied. Most of the assessed genes were without a phenotype entry in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. Our Biodatabank with genetic data from over 670,000 previously tested individuals, in addition to data available in literature and public databases, were used for gene curation. Results We confirmed 61 GDR (Definitive: 4 genes, Strong: 22 genes, Moderate: 35 genes). For 84 of 109 gene-disease pairs, a higher score was reached when using data from our Biodatabank in addition to externally obtainable data. This increased the final level of classification in 21 of the genes. Over 400 patients received a genetic report with clinically relevant variants in these 61 genes. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the importance of careful assessment of gene clinical validity data, along with the use of genetic data repositories. Implementation of the ClinGen Clinical Validity Framework for assessment of GDR is relatively straightforward. We encourage diagnostic laboratories to implement such a system and contribute to closing the knowledge gap in genetic research and diagnostics.

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D) is an autoimmune organ-specific disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations, in which the β cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are destroyed by the action of autoreactive T lymphocytes and the formation of autoantibodies against β cell components. Among used serological markers of T1D, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD65), anti-tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA2), islet cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and anti-zinc transporter antibodies (Zn-T8) are of great significance. Objective: This study aimed to analyze presence of type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies (GAD65, IA2, ICA, IAA and Zn-T8 and effects of age and gender on their occurrence in pediatric population. Methods: Sixty seven (N=67) T1D pediatric patients were included in the study. The levels of immunological parameters such as anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-Ab), anti-tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA2-Ab), islet cell antibodies (ICA) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA) were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and anti-zinc transporter antibodies (Zn-T8-Ab) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For statistical analysis, we used SPSS statistical program. Results: Our study revealed that among 67 patients with T1D (40 male and 27 female), with an average age of 12,1±3,9 years. The average age of diabetes diagnosis was 6,15±3,29 years. 24 (35,8%) cases were positive for GAD65, 15 (22,4%) for ICA, 34 (50,7%) for IAA, 16 (23,9%) for IA2 and 36 (53,7%) for Zn-T8. The largest number of patients had single positive antibody, the most dominated among them was IAA dominated (40,9%), then Zn-T8 (31,8%). According to Spearman correlation test Zn-transporter shows a significant positive correlation with age of the participants (p=0.027) and disease duration (p=0.006). Anti IA2 shows significant negative correlation with HbA1c (p=0.043). Zn-transporter is associated with patients age and duration of T1D. Conclusion: In most cases, patients with T1D are positive for at least one of the specific autoantibodies. Zn-T8 is the most frequently detected and is an important serological marker of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Gender effects on autoantibodies seems to be insignificant, while age alongside disease duration shows important effects.

Robots are commonly envisioned as assisting older adults in physical tasks or providing companionship. But there has been less focus on helping older adults achieve more intangible, but equally important, aspects of wellness, such as a feeling of purpose and meaning in life. Here, we share our experiences working and learning together with older adults on developing a robot that can support their achievement of ikigai---meaning or purpose in life.

Advancements in neurosurgical visualization have been made possible by the introduction of the operating microscope (OM) and the emergence of exoscopic technology (EX). Both OMs and EXs provide enhanced magnification and illumination, but they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. OMs provide high-quality magnification and illumination and have been used successfully in a variety of surgical procedures. They can be customized to fit the specific needs of the surgeon and are a well-established technology. However, they can be bulky, expensive, and cause discomfort during extended procedures. EXs provide high-definition magnification and illumination, improved depth perception and ergonomics, and can be cost-effective. They can be customized to fit the specific needs of the surgeon and can be made using locally available materials, reducing the need for expensive imports. However, they may require adjustment and have a learning curve for surgeons who are used to operating with OMs. Additionally, they may have limited availability in some healthcare settings. The choice between OMs and EXs will depend on the specific needs of the surgeon and the healthcare setting. The integration of 3D EX systems has revolutionized neurosurgery, offering improved depth perception and ergonomics. EX's cost-effectiveness addresses accessibility concerns, making it an attractive alternative, particularly for low and middle-income healthcare settings. The exoscope seems to be a safe alternative compared to an operative microscope for the most common brain and spinal procedures. The exoscope may help expand access to neurosurgical care and training worldwide. In conclusion, both technologies have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs of the surgeon and the healthcare setting.

Abstract It is known that aquatic macrophytes are an important part of freshwater ecosystems, and that they play a different role in their structure and functioning. Their presence and distribution depends on water temperature and transparency, nutrient content, conductivity, pH, chemical composition and water circulation. Therefore, the goal of our research was to determine the influence and interrelationship of physicochemical parameters of water on the content of photosynthetic pigments in aquatic macrophytes of Lake Necik, in the Ramsar area of Bardača (Republic of Srpska). Content of total chlorophyll (a + b) during the growing season (June–October) ranged from 0.231 to 1.145 mg g−1 FW in Phragmites communis Trin. ex Steud., from 0.061 to 0.541 mg g−1 FW in Salvinia natans L. (All.), from 0.063 to 0.626 mg g−1 FW in Utricularia vulgaris L. and from 0.063 to 0.443 mg g−1 FW in Ceratophyllum demersum L. Research has shown that floating and submerged macrophytes have a lower ratio of chlorophyll a/b compared to emergent hydrophytes, which is most likely the result of stress caused by increased light intensity and temperature. Seasonal variations in the content of photosynthetic pigments indicated that the species Phragmites communis proved to be more tolerant to the stress caused by the influence of various abiotic factors, while Salvinia natans proved to be more sensitive. Spearmon’s correlation coefficient of the physicochemical parameters of water and the concentration of photosynthetic pigments of macrophytes showed a significant influence of certain abiotic factors (temperature, transparency and nutrients) on the content of pigments in the leaves of Phragmites communis, Salvinia natans, Utricularia vulgaris and Ceratophyllum demersum L.

Alcohol drinks, especially wine, have been described since 6,000 B.C. For many years in modern medicine, wine in moderation has been considered healthy for cardiovascular prevention, i.e., recommended by nutrition committees. Some regional guidelines still recommend one to two standard drinks per day. By the very recent (January 2023), World Health Organization and Canadian Guidance on alcohol emphasize that any alcoholic drink is hazardous to the health and the safe amount is zero. The risk starts with every single drop. It was also nicely summarized in the manuscript “Alcohol-dose question and the weakest link in a chemical interplay” (Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:15–25. doi: 10.37349/ec.2023.00003) especially from the standpoint of a researcher in the cardiovascular arena. The newest recommendations are based on observational studies and their meta-analysis, therefore establishing associations, pointing out that alcohol may somewhat prevent cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2, but with a significant increase in non-cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially cancers. Previous recommendations, therefore, may be obsolete as they were based on studies where abstainers from alcoholic beverages had inherent higher risks. The current controversy with conflicting guidelines for alcoholic beverage consumption in the era of precision medicine may stimulate more fundamental investigations up to genetic ones and find the cause-effect relations. In the era of precision medicine, it may come closer to discovering the causes of cancers and many other diseases, enabling predictions of reactions to alcoholic beverages by each person, not just in the population.

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