In this study, the possibility of using slag derived from hydrogen-plasma reduction of red mud (H 2 RMS) as a low-cost adsorbent for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of contact time, solution pH, sorbent dosage, and initial phosphate concentration under controlled laboratory conditions. Phosphate concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically using the ammonium molybdate method. These results demonstrated that phosphate adsorption onto H 2 RMS is strongly pH-dependent, with maximum removal efficiency achieved under acidic conditions (pH ≈ 2). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved after approximately 18 h of contact time. Increasing the sorbent dosage enhanced phosphate removal efficiency, although improvements became marginal beyond a dosage of 10 g/L. At optimal conditions, phosphate removal efficiency of approximately 90% was achieved. These findings indicate that H 2 RMS shows significant potential as an effective adsorbent for phosphate removal, offering a possible pathway for the valorization of metallurgical waste residues.

Perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) is a semifluorinated alkane recently approved for ophthalmic treatment of dry eye disease. Although considered locally safe for topical use, its structural similarity to persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) raises concerns about systemic accumulation and long-term toxicity. To investigate potential hepatic effects, we examined the metabolic impact of F6H8 exposure in human HepaRG hepatocytes across a broad concentration range representing short- and long-term exposure scenarios. Combined targeted and untargeted metabolic profiling by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOFMS) was performed on intracellular extracts and extracellular media. F6H8 induced pronounced, concentration-dependent metabolic alterations, many of which exhibited non-monotonic responses. Low concentrations primarily affected amino acid, fatty acid, and lipid metabolism, while central carbon metabolism was disrupted only at the highest exposures. Notably, a putative biotransformation product, perfluorohexyloctanoic acid, was detected, suggesting metabolic persistence and conversion to a PFAS-like structure. This metabolite showed strong associations with cellular metabolic profiles and elicited metabolic changes that only partially overlapped with those induced by the parent compound, indicating distinct biological activity following biotransformation. These findings indicate that F6H8 elicits broad metabolic reprogramming and may not be metabolically inert as previously assumed. Given its clinical use and structural similarity to persistent fluorochemicals, the results highlight the need for comprehensive, long-term safety assessment of F6H8 and related semifluorinated alkanes.

Background Dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD) after cholecystectomy is frequently observed during follow-up imaging; however, its extent and clinical implications remain incompletely defined. Distinguishing physiological postoperative ductal enlargement from pathological dilatation is essential to avoid unnecessary diagnostic evaluation. This study aimed to compare CBD diameter in post-cholecystectomy patients with non-operated controls and to assess its association with time since surgery, age, and body mass index (BMI). Materials and methods This retrospective observational study included 165 adult patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound examination, comprising 91 post-cholecystectomy patients and 74 controls with an intact gallbladder. The CBD diameter was measured in the suprahilar segment. Group differences were evaluated using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess predictors of CBD dilatation and continuous diameter change. All multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, and BMI. Results CBD diameter was significantly greater in post-cholecystectomy patients compared with controls (6.61 mm vs. 4.56 mm; p < 0.001). Dilatation ≥7 mm occurred in 38.5% of post-cholecystectomy patients versus 5.4% of controls (p < 0.001), and prior cholecystectomy remained a strong independent predictor of dilatation after adjustment (aOR = 14.583; 95% CI: 4.449-47.807). Using a fixed ≥7 mm cutoff, increasing age was associated with lower odds of categorical CBD dilatation, whereas sex and BMI were not significant predictors. Linear regression analyses demonstrated a significant positive association between CBD diameter and both time elapsed since surgery and age, indicating gradual ductal enlargement over time. Marked dilatation (>10 mm) was uncommon and did not reach statistical significance in relation to cholecystectomy. Conclusion Cholecystectomy is associated with measurable and progressive enlargement of the CBD. While CBD diameter increases gradually with advancing age and postoperative duration, categorical dilation thresholds are more strongly influenced by surgical status than by age alone. Recognition of this expected postoperative anatomical pattern may help clinicians avoid unnecessary imaging and interventions in asymptomatic patients.

In this video, we present the surgical technique and operative nuances of the zygomatic pretemporal skull base approach for resection of a large left sphenoid wing and middle cranial fossa radiation-induced meningioma (RIM) with invasion and encasement of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). RIMs represent a distinct and surgically challenging entity due to aggressive biological behavior, altered tissue planes, and frequent vascular involvement. In the present case, prior childhood cranial irradiation resulted in dense tumor adherence to the MCA within radiation-altered tissue, necessitating meticulous microsurgical technique. The zygomatic pretemporal approach effectively converts a deep skull base lesion into a convexity-like lesion, providing a wide basal surgical corridor, reducing working distance, and minimizing frontal and temporal lobe retraction. After zygomatic osteotomy and extradural skull base drilling, early devascularization was achieved through removal of the sphenoid ridge and division of the meningo-orbital band. Intradural microsurgical dissection focused on internal tumor debulking followed by sharp arachnoid dissection to circumferentially separate the tumor from the MCA and its branches. In areas of dense adherence, vessel-preserving strategy was prioritized. A Simpson Grade I resection was achieved without vascular injury. Zygomatic reconstruction using low-profile “dog-bone” plates allowed anatomical realignment of the osteotomized segment, preservation of temporalis muscle function, and excellent cosmetic outcome. Postoperative imaging confirmed gross total resection (GTR) and stable reconstruction. The patient recovered without new neurological deficits and demonstrated complete resolution of preoperative hemiparesis at follow-up. This case highlights the value of the zygomatic pretemporal skull base approach in achieving radical resection of complex sphenoid wing RIMs while facilitating safe dissection of critical neurovascular structures.

Introduction Spinal tumor surgery mandates complete removal with preserved neurological function and stability. Total Laminectomy (TL) provides access but risks complications (pain, deformity) from extensive tissue removal. The safer, tissue-sparing Unilateral Hemilaminectomy (UHL) is limited by concerns about complete resection via its narrower corridor. Research question This study was comparing the clinical and radiological characteristic between unilateral TL and total laminectomy UHL and they clinical outcomes and complications. Material and methods This was a retrospective cohort study comparing UHL and TL for intradural/extradural spinal tumors. We analyzed consecutive patients operated between January 2018 and December 2024, excluding those with confounding factors. Surgical approach was selected based on tumor location and intraoperative needs. Data on patient demographics, pre/postoperative neurological status, surgical parameters, and tumor characteristics were collected. Primary outcomes were postoperative neurological status and complications rate. Statistical analysis compared variables between groups using appropriate tests, with significance at p = 0.05. Results Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, and the overall postoperative complication rate was low (6.3 %) and comparable. The postoperative KPS score between UHL and TL showed improvement, without significant difference between them. Both approaches yielded significant improvements in functional status and neurological recovery from preoperative baselines. Discussion and conclusion Our findings indicate that the tissue-sparing UHL approach can achieve similar functional outcomes and complication rates as TL for similarly sized tumors. This supports UHL as a safe and effective option, although the final surgical approach must remain individualized based on specific tumor complexity and radiological findings.

The Balkan mountain ranges are major hotspots of genetic diversity and endemism, yet many species remain poorly studied. One such species is Alyssum bosniacum, a narrow endemic of the Central Dinaric Alps. To fill this gap, we examined 143 individuals from 15 populations across the species’ range using flow-cytometric ploidy determination, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), nuclear microsatellites, and chloroplast DNA sequences. Microsatellite data revealed two genetic clusters, showing moderate differentiation and relatively high diversity. AFLP profiles indicated shallow but geographically structured variation, while chloroplast haplotypes showed limited divergence and regional clustering. Our data suggest possible persistence in multiple microrefugia within the Central Dinaric Alps, although further evidence is needed to confirm this scenario. Despite range fragmentation, genetic variation within the population remains high, indicating evolutionary resilience and supporting the species’ long-term future population stability under current conditions.

Studies have rarely examined the effects of changes in legal anti-doping knowledge (LADK) on doping tendencies in athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention focused on LADK and to analyze how LADK changes affect elite athletes’ doping tendency. The participants were athletes (n = 310; 156 females; 24.1 ± 4.2 years of age), all actively competing at the senior national or international level in either individual (N = 119) or team sports (N = 191), tested on sociodemographic-, sport-, doping-factors (including doping tendency—DT), and LADK. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (E: N = 140) and a control group (C: N = 170). The E group participated in a structured educational program on LADK. A pre- and posttest design was used to evaluate changes in LADK (dependent variable). Logistic regression was calculated to evaluate the association between LADK and binarized DT (negative vs. neutral/positive DT). Factorial ANOVA for repeated measurements revealed significant improvement in LADK in the E group, with significant ANOVA effects for time (F test = 35.8, p < 0.05) and time × group interaction (F test = 12.27, p < 0.05). The logistic regression did not reveal significant correlations between LADK and DT. Further studies exploring younger athletes, as well as long-term, multidimensional interventions, are warranted.

Seed biopriming is increasingly recognized as a strategy capable of inducing molecular memory that enhances plant performance under heavy-metal stress. Here, we investigated how biopriming Silene sendtneri seeds with Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN establishes a transcriptional state that predisposes seedlings for improved cadmium (Cd) tolerance. RNA-seq profiling revealed that primed seeds exhibited differential gene expression prior to Cd exposure, with strong upregulation of detoxification enzymes, antioxidant machinery, metal transporters, photosynthetic stabilizers, and osmoprotectant biosynthetic genes. Enrichment of gene ontology categories related to metal ion detoxification, redox homeostasis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall organization indicated that biopriming imprints a preparatory transcriptional signature resembling early stress responses. Upon Cd exposure, primed plants displayed enhanced physiological performance, including preserved integrity, elevated antioxidant activity, particularly peroxidases in roots, higher osmolyte accumulation, stabilized micronutrient levels, and substantially increased Cd uptake and sequestration. These coordinated responses demonstrate that biopriming induces a sustained molecular memory that accelerates and strengthens downstream defense activation. These findings demonstrate that PGPR-based biopriming establishes a stable transcriptomic memory in seeds that enhances cadmium tolerance, metal sequestration, and stress resilience, highlighting its potential for improving hyperaccumulator performance in phytoremediation and stress adaptation strategies.

Background The role of pharmacists in managing urinary tract infections (UTIs) is crucial, yet there is no instrument to assess their attitudes and practices in this area. The study aimed to develop and initially validate a questionnaire to evaluate pharmacists' attitudes and practices concerning patient counselling for UTIs, with the ultimate goal of supporting improvements in pharmacy practice and enhancing the quality of patient care. Methods The questionnaire was developed and initially validated (content and face) through a multi-phase mixed-methods approach consisting of: 1) initial item generation applying a comprehensive literature review, 2) first expert panel discussion, 3) content and cultural validation by pharmacists (focus group discussion), 4) second expert panel discussion, and 5) pretesting by the target population. The necessity, relevance, and clarity were assessed by calculating the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI), and Scale-Level Content Validity Index (S-CVI/Ave). Qualitative data was analyzed using an ethnographic content analysis. Results The initial questionnaire consisted of 33 items, divided into two domains: pharmaceutical practice and attitudes. After phases 2–4, all items were rated with satisfactory CVR and I-CVI values (over 0.99 and 0.83, respectively). The final phase of content validation resulted in the questionnaire final version of 25 items with S-CVI/Ave = 0.98 for relevance and S-CVI/Ave = 1 for clarity. Internal consistency analysis demonstrated high reliability for the attitudes toward antibiotics subscale (Cronbach's α = 0.850) and acceptable reliability for the attitudes toward herbal products subscale (Cronbach's α = 0.735). Conclusions The developed questionnaire is concise, easy to use and has satisfactory content and face validity. The developed questionnaire can be used to assess pharmacists' practices and attitudes in counselling patients with UTI symptoms, contributing to the identification of areas for improvement in pharmacy practice and patient safety.

Sex-biased dispersal may affect the genetic structure of wild populations, often leading to distinct patterns of relatedness between males and females. We examined this phenomenon in the golden jackal (Canis aureus) population from the northern lowlands of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) by analyzing 36 individuals (18 males and 18 females) using 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The population exhibited moderate genetic diversity, consistent with the diversity in the region. Analyses of population structure, including STRUCTURE, PCoA, and pairwise Fst (Fst = 0.004; p = 0.190), revealed no significant genetic differentiation between males and females, suggesting a lack of sex-biased structuring. This pattern may be further explained by recent demographic expansion. Analyses of local relatedness showed that the observed patterns reflect local kinship rather than relatedness determined by sex. Although the corrected Assignment Index (AIc​) indicated a trend consistent with male-biased dispersal, this difference was not statistically significant. However, male dispersal warrants further investigation with an increased sample size and broader sample distribution.

Gastrointestinal nematodes, particularly Haemonchus contortus, represent a major threat to ruminant health and productivity worldwide, largely due to the widespread emergence of anthelmintic resistance. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, benzimidazole resistance has previously been confirmed in domestic ruminants; however, data on wildlife remain lacking. Given the frequent spatial and temporal overlap between domestic and wild ruminants on shared pastures, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of benzimidazole-resistant H. contortus genotypes within a multi-host system. During the 2024/2025 season, a total of 111 abomasal samples were collected from sheep (n = 20), lambs (n = 12), goats (n = 17), roe deer (n = 40) and chamois (n = 22) across four localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Laktaši, Banja Luka, Modriča and Višegrad). Adult H. contortus specimens were morphologically identified and confirmed using real-time quantitative PCR (rt-qPCR). Benzimidazole resistance was assessed by allele-specific rt-qPCR targeting the F200Y mutation in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene. Statistically significant interspecies differences in β-tubulin genotype distribution were observed (p < 0.05), primarily driven by variation in the homozygous resistant (RR) genotype. High RR prevalence was detected in sheep (60%), lambs (50%) and roe deer (52.5%), whereas lower proportions were observed in chamois (27.3%) and goats (23.5%). Overall, 44.1% of all analyzed H. contortus isolates carried homozygous resistant alleles, indicating an advanced stage of benzimidazole resistance within this multi-host system. These findings demonstrate that benzimidazole resistance in H. contortus is not confined to domestic livestock but is also present in wild ruminants sharing the same grazing areas, consistent with circulation of resistant parasites within shared grazing systems.

Summary Background Data on cancer incidence and associated risk factors among women with HIV are limited. We investigated cancer burden among women with HIV. Methods We included all women ≥18 years from the two large multicentre observational cohort collaborations (D:A:D and RESPOND). The primary outcomes were incidence of all cancers, HPV-related and common individual cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from 2006 to 2021. Baseline was defined as the latest date of entry into local cohort enrolment and 1st January 2006 for D:A:D and 1st January 2012 for RESPOND. Participants were followed from baseline until the date of first cancer, final follow-up or administrative censoring—whichever occurred first. We assessed risk factors using multivariable Poisson regression by applying robust standard errors and determined a population attributable fraction (PAF) for key risk factors for cancers. Findings Among 17,512 women included, median age at baseline was 39.5 years (interquartile range, IQR 32.5–46.0). Over 141,404 person-years (PYS) and a median 9.2 (5.5–10.1) years of follow-up, 832 women were diagnosed with any cancer; incidence rate 5.9 (95% CI 5.5–6.4)/1000 PYS, 163 HPV-related cancers (1.1 [1.0–1.3]/1000 PYS), 150 breast cancers (1.1 [0.9–1.2]/1000 PYS), 94 lung cancers (0.7 [0.5–0.8]/1000 PYS) and 72 NHL (0.5 [0.4–0.6]/1000 PYS). Older age (≥45 vs. <45 years), Southern Europe (vs. Western Europe) and smoking were associated with an increased risk of overall cancers. Lower pre-ART nadir CD4, time-updated CD4, and a prior AIDS diagnosis were associated with lung- and HPV-related cancer. In PAF analysis, smoking and HIV-related factors such as lower current CD4, nadir CD4 and HIV viremia significantly contributed to cancer risk. Interpretation Our findings suggest that women with HIV older than 45 years, past or current immunosuppressed or current smokers could be candidates for intensified cancer screening and prevention. Funding The Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Oversight Committee, The CHU St Pierre Brussels HIV Cohort, The Austrian HIV Cohort Study, The Australian HIV Observational Database, The AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands national observational HIV cohort, The Brighton HIV Cohort, The National Croatian HIV Cohort, The EuroSIDA cohort, The Frankfurt HIV Cohort Study, The Georgian National AIDS Health Information System, The Nice HIV Cohort, The 10.13039/100025411Isabel Foundation, The Modena HIV Cohort, The PISCIS Cohort Study, The Swiss HIV Cohort Study, The Swedish InfCare HIV Cohort, The Royal Free HIV Cohort Study, The San Raffaele Scientific Institute, The University Hospital Bonn HIV Cohort, The University of Cologne HIV Cohort, Merck Life Sciences, 10.13039/100010877ViiV Healthcare, and Gilead Sciences.

Background/Objectives: Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) enables the prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) such as eye, hair, and skin color, ancestry, and age from biological traces. However, low template DNA (LT-DNA), often derived from degraded or trace samples, poses significant challenges due to allelic dropout, contamination, and incomplete profiles. This review evaluates recent advances in FDP from LT-DNA, focusing on the integration of machine learning (ML) models to improve predictive accuracy and operational readiness, while addressing ethical and population-related considerations. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on FDP and ML applications in forensic genomics. Key areas examined include SNP-based trait modeling, genotype imputation, epigenetic age estimation, and probabilistic inference. Comparative performance of ML algorithms (Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, Gradient Boosting, and deep learning) was assessed using datasets such as the 1000 Genomes Project, UK Biobank, and forensic casework samples. Ethical frameworks and validation standards were also analyzed. Results: ML approaches significantly enhance phenotype prediction from LT-DNA, achieving AUC > 0.9 for eye color and improving SNP recovery by up to 15% through imputation. Tools like HIrisPlex-S and VISAGE panels remain robust for eye and hair color, with moderate accuracy for skin tone and emerging capabilities for age and facial morphology. Limitations persist in admixed populations and traits with polygenic complexity. Interpretability and bias mitigation remain critical for forensic admissibility. Conclusions: L integration strengthens FDP from LT-DNA, offering valuable investigative leads in challenging scenarios. Future directions include multi-omics integration, portable sequencing platforms, inclusive reference datasets, and explainable AI to ensure accuracy, transparency, and ethical compliance in forensic applications.

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including acute myocardial infarction (MI), and is frequently associated with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Post-MI autonomic dysfunction contributes to adverse outcomes, but data on prognostic markers in diabetic patients remain limited. This study aimed to (1) compare autonomic nervous system (ANS) function between patients with MI and DM (MI/DM), MI without DM, and DM without MI; (2) assess differences in MI/DM patients based on survival status; and (3) identify prognostic factors for all-cause mortality in diabetic patients following MI. Materials and Methods: This retrospective–prospective study included 375 patients: 93 MI/DM, 229 MI, and 53 DM. MI patients were treated with fibrinolytic or conservative therapy. All participants underwent cardiovascular reflex tests (CARTs) and 24 h Holter ECG with heart rate variability (HRV) analysis; DM patients without MI were tested in an outpatient setting. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality during a median follow-up of 38 months. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to determine mortality predictors. Results: Autonomic dysfunction was prevalent in all groups, with MI/DM patients showing the most pronounced impairment, particularly in parasympathetic function. MI/DM patients had significantly lower SDNN values and higher prevalence of definite parasympathetic dysfunction than other groups. In the MI/DM group, abnormal Valsalva maneuver (VM) was more frequent among non-survivors. Multivariable analysis identified abnormal VM and NSTEMI as predictors of overall mortality. Conclusions: Diabetic patients after MI exhibit the most severe autonomic impairment, predominantly parasympathetic, which may contribute to their increased cardiovascular risk. In this high-risk group, abnormal VM and NSTEMI presentations independently predict long-term mortality. Assessment of autonomic function, particularly VM, may provide valuable prognostic information and aid in risk stratification.