C-reactive protein structurally belongs to the pentraxin family, calcium-binding proteins with immune defense properties. In the serum of healthy adults and adolescents, there is less than 5 mg of C-reactive protein. Its concentration is increased in inflammatory diseases where values up to 500 mg/l can be found. The main role of C-reactive protein is complement activation and prevention of inflammation. It binds to bacteria or damaged cells and thus helps the activation of the classic complement pathway, opsonization and phagocytosis. Binding depends on calcium. Antibiotics are products of the metabolism of bacteria, fungi and molds, rarely higher plants, which in small concentrations prevent the growth and development of microorganisms or kill them. They belong to the group of antimicrobial drugs, which are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics with the same mechanism of action as penicillin, which means that they block the synthesis of the bacterial cell
Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has become a transformative pillar in cancer treatment, offering significant improvements in survival and reducing treatment-related side effects compared to traditional therapies. In gynecologic cancers, ICIs have transformed the treatment of endometrial (EC) and cervical cancers, whereas they have not demonstrated clinical benefit in ovarian cancer. This review examines the current state of ICI advancements in EC. Given the unique immunological characteristics of EC, a comprehensive understanding of advancements is crucial for optimizing decision-making and patient outcomes. While ICIs have demonstrated robust and durable efficacy in dMMR/MSI-H EC, the magnitude of benefit in pMMR disease remains modest. Additionally, we examine promising future directions, including personalized immunotherapy approaches and novel combination therapies (e.g. antibody-drug conjugates, PARP inhibitors, antiangiogenic drugs).
With the growth of data volume and increased query complexity, the need for the application of various optimisation techniques that enable faster execution and more efficient use of resources is increasingly becoming evident. Research shows that indexing, query execution optimisation, and the use of caching significantly reduce processing time and increase system responsiveness. Given that databases are constantly growing in size due to the need to store and analyse data, efficient database architecture and organisation are imperative to the business environment. This paper deals with the topic of analysing databases with large data sets and how to retrieve them most efficiently, using web applications, which are today the most common UI for databases.
Chainsaw felling and processing work is conducted in various natural conditions and requires significant physical effort from the workers, movement in severe weather and environmental conditions, and has a high risk of injury. The aim of this study was to determine the physiological workload of chainsaw operators through continuous heart rate measurement during the entire working day. The research was carried out during the summer of 2024, encompassing different parts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Heart rate was measured using a Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap with continuous data logging and storage of heart rate readings. A time study was performed based on recordings conducted simultaneously with the recording of heart rate, with the aim of determining the duration of individual work operations and identifying the work operation with the highest negative impact on the worker. The average working heart rate during productive work time for subject 1 was 104 bpm, 83 bpm for subject 2, 109 bpm for subject 3, 94 bpm for subject 4 and 129 bpm for subject 5. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference in average heart rate in relation to the time study element. The heart rate reserve (%HRR) for the whole study time was estimated at 41.05 % for subject 1; 22.69% for subject 2; 44.50% for subject 3; 24.04% for subject 4, and 45.78% for subject 5. The results of the study showed that the %HRR of chainsaw operators during felling and processing exceeded the value of 40% for 3 out of 5 subjects, which corresponds to hard work and may have negative consequences for operators´ health.
The rapid growth of the global population has increased the consumption of chicken eggs, leading to the generation of significant quantities of eggshell waste. The sustainable valorization of this biowaste represents an important environmental and resource management challenge. In this study, CaO was synthesized from waste chicken eggshells via calcination at 800 °C and evaluated as a green precipitating agent for the removal of toxic Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The effects of key precipitation parameters, including initial pH, stirring speed, contact time, and CaO dosage, were systematically investigated. The results showed that the removal efficiency increased with increasing pH, mixing intensity, contact time, and CaO dosage, reaching a maximum Pb(II) removal of 90% under investigated conditions of initial pH 9, stirring speed of 500 rpm, contact time of 15 min, and CaO dosage of 500 mg. In the presence of the competing ion Fe(III), the removal efficiency further increased to 99.99%, indicating a potential synergistic effect in the precipitation process. FT-IR analysis confirmed the successful formation of CaO and revealed significant spectral changes after Pb(II) precipitation, including shifts and disappearance of characteristic absorption bands, indicating the formation of insoluble hydroxide and carbonate phases. These findings demonstrate that eggshell-derived CaO is an effective and environmentally sustainable material for Pb(II) removal from aqueous media and represents a promising approach for the valorization of eggshell waste.
Background/Objectives: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is a particularly severe subtype of stroke, characterized by high rates of mortality and long-term disability, for which robust prognostic markers are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of the ICH score, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels with 30-day mortality in patients with sICH. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with sICH based on neuroimaging findings. Demographic data, clinical parameters, neuroimaging findings, and serum hs-cTnI levels were collected on admission. Subsequently, the ICH score, its individual components, and the NIHSS score were assessed. Results: Patients who died were older and had significantly higher ICH and NIHSS scores, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, larger hematoma volumes, more frequent intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and elevated hs-cTnI levels compared to survivors. Serum hs-cTnI concentrations were significantly correlated with ICH and NIHSS scores, lower GCS scores, larger hematoma volumes, and the presence of IVH. On univariate logistic regression, higher ICH score, NIHSS score, and hs-cTnI level were associated with mortality, whereas multivariate analysis identified the GCS score, hematoma volume, and IVH score as significant independent factors related to fatal outcome. Conclusions: Individual components of the ICH score may provide useful information on outcomes in patients with sICH. Higher serum hs-cTnI levels were associated with 30-day mortality but were not independent predictors. These markers may assist in patient monitoring and support established clinical procedures in therapeutic decision-making. Nevertheless, larger multicenter studies are needed to further clarify their clinical implications in sICH management.
Background: Australia’s increasingly multicultural landscape has seen a rise in culturally and linguistically diverse populations, many of whom face subtle and systemic forms of discrimination known as “new racism”. Objective: Underpinned by a person-centred and holistic framework, which recognises individuals as experts in their own lived experiences and emphasises strength-based, culturally situated understandings of well-being, this paper reports on a study that explores how culturally and racially marginalised diverse people in Australia cope with the mental health impacts of new racism. Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed in this study. Participants: Thirty participants from ten culturally and linguistically diverse communities participated in eight focus groups, providing rich insights into their lived experiences. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured focus-group interviews conducted between March and June 2025. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’ method of thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis revealed four key coping strategies: (1) acceptance of immutable identity traits to foster resilience, (2) emotional ventilation within culturally safe spaces, (3) self-growth and empowerment through reflection and adaptive practices, and (4) assertive responses to racism when necessary. While some participants reported psychological distress, many demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, challenging deficit-based assumptions often found in the existing literature. Findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive mental healthcare, including peer support, emotional safe spaces, and strength-based interventions. Conclusions: This study offers a holistic understanding of how culturally and racially marginalised people cope with new racism and its mental health impacts. The findings highlight the critical need for person-centred, culturally responsive, and equity-focused mental health support, providing actionable guidance for nursing practice and policy development.
Robots increasingly provide explanations to support transparency in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), yet users differ widely in how much explanation they prefer and when it is appropriate. We present a lightweight simulation framework in which a robot selects among explanation policies ranging from no explanation to norm-based, preference-based, and a Bayesian Adaptive (BA) policy that learns user preferences online while respecting normative expectations. Using synthetic user archetypes, we evaluate how these policies trade off utility, alignment, explanation cost, and regret. Results show that BA consistently achieves low regret across individual users while maintaining strong utility and alignment across diverse user archetypes. These findings motivate the development of preference-aware, uncertainty-driven explanation mechanisms for robust, adaptive robot communication in heterogeneous HRI settings.
Evaluating the somatic cell count (SCC) at the level of the herd or individual cows allows for efficient monitoring of mammary gland health. By analysing SCC, it is possible to identify subclinical cases of mastitis that do not manifest through visible clinical signs on the udder or changes in milk. This study was conducted on a modern dairy farm of the Holstein-Friesian breed in the municipality of Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total number of cows included in the study during 2022 and 2023 ranged between 325 and 335. Milk samples were preserved with azidiol and transported to the laboratory. Milk quality was assessed by determining the SCC in milk using the Fluoro-opto-electronic method, and by analysing the fat, protein, and lactose contents. The devices used in the study were CombiFoss 6200 – MilkoScan FT and Fossomatic FC 6000. A strong positive correlation was found between SCC and milk proteins, but not with milk fat. A significant negative correlation was found between SCC and lactose. There was no significant difference in the number of somatic cells by year, although there was a significant difference by season within the studied years. Winter stands out as the season with the lowest SCC, followed by spring and summer, while autumn had the highest count. Autumn also showed the largest oscillations in SCC, while spring had the smallest. Somatic cell counts over 200,000/mL were recorded from July to December 2022 and from May to November 2023. Zoohygiene conditions and milking hygiene measures should be additionally adjusted in summer and autumn to maintain the desired standards achieved in winter and spring.
<p style="text-align: justify;">Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with chronic inflammation recognized as a critical factor in its pathogenesis. This review focuses on the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A), alongside the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), in CRC development and progression. The reason we chose theese cytokines amoung others is that we found certain number of similar research in recent literature for comparision, condidering this topic is quite rare. Elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-17A have been linked to enhanced tumor proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis, highlighting their contribution to a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Conversely, IL-10 exhibits a dual role by suppressing inflammation yet potentially facilitating immune evasion and tumor progression in certain contexts. Understanding the complex interplay and signaling pathways of these cytokines may improve CRC risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and offer new avenues for targeted therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence from recent literature to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and clinical implications of IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-10 in colorectal cancer.</p>
The first industrial robots appeared in the production processes in the 1960s have continued to be implemented in manufacturing worldwide. The greatest application of industrial robots has been observed in three major industries: the automotive industry, the electrical and electronics industry, and the metal industry. The automotive industry was the first to adopt the most industrial robots extensively, and in recent years the electrical and electronics industry has followed. Together, these two sectors account for more than 60% of the total number of industrial robots deployed worldwide. Industrial robots have primarily been used to perform tasks that are physically demanding and hazardous to workers’ health, including welding operations, which are predominantly carried out in the automotive industry. To date, first-generation industrial robots have been the most widely implemented. These systems are typically enclosed by protective fences to ensure worker safety, occupy substantial floor space, and are relatively complex to reprogram. The development of advanced technologies — such as sensor systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud computing, virtual and augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced safety systems — has significantly contributed to the evolution of robotic technology. The present study presents current trends in the implementation of industrial robots and examines their role in welding processes.
This study investigates white willow bark extract (WWBE) as a potential corrosion inhibitor for Cu-DHP in a 0.5 M NaCl solution, using a non-destructive electrochemical methods, namely electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrolytes consisted of 0.5 M NaCl solutions both with and without the addition of WWBE (0.1–0.5 g l −1 ). The 0.5 M NaCl solution containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE, both in the presence and absence of a copper plate, was analysed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The experiments were conducted at room temperature. The EFM results indicated that WWBE functioned as a cathodic copper corrosion inhibitor, with the highest inhibition efficiency observed for the 0.5 M NaCl solution containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE. The EIS results suggested the formation of a protective WWBE inhibitor film. The corrosion process was diffusion-controlled, both with and without the addition of WWBE. Both electrochemical methods demonstrated that WWBE adsorbed onto the copper surface in 0.5 M NaCl solution via physisorp-tion, following the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The Gibbs free energy values of adsorption were similar for EFM and EIS. The UV-Vis results showed that immersion of copper in an electrolyte containing 0.5 g l −1 WWBE for 24 h led to a change in the absorbance maximum, indicating the formation of a copper–WWBE complex. Overall, the results indicate that WWBE is an effective inhibitor of copper corrosion in chloride conditions. Further research will focus on the identification of compounds and organometallic complexes in WWBE and their individual effects on the corrosion process.
This paper aims to compare the mechanical and structural properties of butt-welded joints of dissimilar Al alloys 2024-T351 and AA 6082-T6 obtained by MIG and TIG welding processes. Alloy AA 6082 T6 is weldable by classic fusion welding processes (MIG and TIG), while alloy 2024-T351 is mostly non-weldable. For the welding of these two different Al alloys, MIG and TIG welding procedures were used on 8 mm thick sheet metal using additional material 4043A (AlSi5) and a mixture of Ar and He as a shielding gas for the MIG welding process, or pure Ar for the TIG welding process. The present study showcases the mechanical properties of welded joints obtained by MIG and TIG welding. The microstructural evolution of the welded joint of dissimilar Al alloys AA6082-T6 and AA2024-T351 is compared. The mechanical properties of welded joints of dissimilar Al alloys are estimated based on the results of Vickers hardness, tensile, and bending tests of as-welded samples.
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