Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric renal failure, but the molecular mechanisms driving these conditions are not yet fully understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and its co-receptor α-KLOTHO play crucial roles in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis in adult kidneys, but their roles in kidney development and the pathogenesis of CAKUT remain unclear. Because of that, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in normal fetal kidney development and CAKUT using an immunofluorescence technique. Our results demonstrate a dynamic pattern of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO expression in healthy kidney development, with FGF23 levels decreasing and α-KLOTHO levels increasing with gestational age. Also, we showed that FGF23 expression was significantly reduced in horseshoe (HKs) and duplex kidneys (DKs), while α-KLOTHO expression remained unchanged across all CAKUT conditions. Based on our results, we suggest that altered FGF23 expression in CAKUT contributes to disease pathogenesis and may represent a potential therapeutic target.

Abstract This paper examines the key aspects of corporate governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) through a comparative survey conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The research explores two distinct perspectives: the state’s view on the necessity and governance of SOEs, and the perspective of SOE boards on operational and strategic challenges. From the state’s perspective, the survey addresses issues such as the protection of national economic interests, state ownership in key industries, equitable service provision, and the reinvestment of SOE profits into public projects. Findings suggest a strong alignment among respondents across all three countries, supporting the idea that state ownership ensures economic sovereignty and guarantees fair access to essential services. On the other hand, the board perspective highlights concern about the bureaucratic barriers faced by SOEs, the influence of political interference on financial performance, and the limitations of public ownership in enhancing global competitiveness. Board respondents expressed the need for greater autonomy in decision-making and stressed the importance of partnerships with the private sector to optimise SOE efficiency and market position. The article synthesises these findings to address the broader question: Are SOEs essential in modern economies, or do they require reform to meet contemporary challenges? The results indicate that while SOEs hold strategic importance, reforms focused on reducing bureaucracy, enhancing governance, and promoting public-private partnerships are crucial for their future viability.

Stray dogs may be highly exposed to vector-borne pathogens (VBP), including zoonotic agents, and therefore may pose a high risk of spreading infection to other animals and humans. Our study is the first large-scale prevalence study of VBP in stray dogs in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the period 2016–2018, a total of 3720 blood samples of stray dogs were screened by the SNAP 4Dx plus test for antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., B. burgdorferi s.l., and D. immitis. The 910 dogs (910/3720, 24.46%) were seropositive for one or more CVBPs. The proportion of seropositive dogs against one, two, or three pathogens was 864 (23.23%), 43 (1.15%), and 3 (0.08%), respectively. The most prevalent canine VBP was Anaplasma spp. (21.59%), followed by B. burgdorferi s.l. (2.47%) and Ehrlichia spp. (1.13%). The lowest prevalence was recorded for D. immitis (0.5%). The number of seropositive dogs older than 1 year was 704 (704/2497, 28.19%), while the number of dogs younger than 1 year was 206 (206/1223, 16.84%). The most common dual coinfection detected was with Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. (26/3720, 0.7%). The results show that stray dogs are exposed to at least one of these four CVBD pathogens. Since some of these pathogens cause zoonoses, controlling these infections is crucial for both veterinary and public health. These findings highlight the need for continuous serological monitoring of CVBD pathogens in stray dogs due to their risks to animal and human health.

In the modern business environment, big data analytics and data mining techniques are increasingly recognized as tools for improving fiscal discipline and more efficient management of public revenues. This paper explores the possibility of applying the knowledge discovery process from databases to detect patterns of financial behavior that may indicate tax non-compliance. A quantitative approach based on the analysis of secondary data from ten joint-stock companies from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for which financial statements and tax debt data are available, was used. The relationship between key financial indicators (EPS, financial stability ratio, total asset turnover ratio and debt ratio) and the amount of tax debt was examined using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results show that lower profitability and poorer financial stability significantly correlate with higher tax debt, while high operational efficiency and debt have a more complex and statistically marginal impact. The findings confirm the possibility of using publicly available financial data for early identification of risky taxpayers, which opens up space for further development of predictive models in the domain of tax analytics.

Abstract Green innovations are applied in various industries to promote corporate sustainability by adopting sustainable development practices. However, very little is known about how the knowledge management process influences corporate green innovation. To contribute to the development of this issue, this study explores the relationships between knowledge management, corporate sustainable development and green innovation. Data was collected from 210 respondents from private companies in a developing country context and analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. The findings provide several conclusions. First, the components of knowledge management (application, acquisition and sharing of knowledge) significantly improve the dimensions of corporate sustainable development (environmental, economic and social dimensions). Second, sustainable environmental practices have no effect on the adoption and application of green innovations by companies, however, sustainable social practices have a positive effect on green innovations. The results of this research also show that investing in knowledge management is of great importance for achieving sustainable development, as well as investing in the application of sustainable social practices.

Abstract Although a significant number of studies analyzing the impact of transformational leadership on job performance has been recognized, there is a lack of research considering this construct in the context of managerial performance, and along with interpersonal characteristics. To fill this gap, this paper has been built on Mintzberg’s (1973) premise according to which interpersonal skills play an important role in achieving not only managerial performance but also their leadership styles. In other words, it has been argued that transformational leadership behaves as a mediator in the relationship between social skills and managerial performance. Given the main findings, the paper contributes to practical thinking by indicating the importance of including social skills training focused on building social flexibility and presentation skills, so that managers could have a greater positive impact on managerial performance. As a consequence, it is well known that their better performance increases overall organizational success, which is a valuable lesson for a developing country setting in which this research has been conducted. Contributions to theory and practice are offered after which direction for further research follows.

This research investigates the efficiency of two methods for extracting bioactive compounds from fig leaves (Ficus carica) using different solvents. Dried fig leaves were used as  extraction material. The focus is on Soxhlet extraction and Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods. Also, two different solvents, methanol and ethanol, were used for extractions. Given that the enzyme ficin is one of the significant bioactive compounds in fig leaf latex, the aim was to explore and determine which method and solvent gives a higher extraction yield and better preservation of thermolabile components such as this enzyme. The results show that Soxhlet extraction provides a higher total extract yield and requires a longer extraction time. In this study, the highest yields of 12.3% were obtained using the methanol solvent using the Soxhlet method compared to ultrasonic extraction which showed a lower yield of 6.4%. In contrast to that, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) yields a higher-quality extract in a shorter extraction time. However, due to the high temperatures required for Soxhlet extraction, denaturation of ficin occurs, which leads to the formation of a dry extract without the presence of this enzyme. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method does not require high temperatures, which enables the preservation of ficin and the formation of a mucilaginous extract due to the presence of enzymes. Due to the temperature sensitivity of bioactive compounds, the choice of extraction method significantly affects the stability and quality of the final extract.

Despite significant advances in knowledge and the development of guidelines, the management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remains highly variable. A structured questionnaire was circulated across European Association of Paediatric & Congenital Cardiology (AEPC) affiliated centres. The aims were to evaluate standards in pre-operative assessment, types of surgery, follow-up and medical practices in children with HLHS. Thirty-one centres from 20 countries completed the survey. Delivery of babies with HLHS occurred in co-located maternity hospitals in 74% of centres; 29% were planned for spontaneous onset of labour, while 54% decided on a case-by-case basis. The preferred initial palliation was a right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit in 55% of cases, modified Blalock-Thomas Taussig shunt (mBTTS) in 35%, and hybrid in 15% of cases. Timing for Glenn varied from 3 to 6 months of age and preoperative examination varied greatly: 65% performed cardiac catheterization and only 19% performed cardiac magnetic resonance. Stage III palliation was performed at a highly variable interval (2—6 years of age), nearly always employing an extracardiac conduit. Fenestration was routinely performed in 61% and reserved for borderline cases in 39%. All the centers adopted warfarin for the first 3–12 months after Fontan completion, and continued if a fenestration was present, while in non-fenestrated aspirin was left by most centers (e.g. 68%). However, there was a high disparity in the use of heart failure medications (e.g. in interstage I-II 35% use ACE-inhibitors, and only 26% digoxin). Follow-up practice also varied widely with only 60% employing specific protocols. Conclusion: This first multi-centre European survey from 31 centres from 20 different European countries highlighted a high practice variation in HLHS management across all the stages of Single Ventricle (Fontan) palliation. Major variations pertained to pre- and post-surgical investigations, surgical strategy for stage I and III, medical treatment regimens, and follow-up programs. What is Known: • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remains one of the most complex and challenging congenital cardiac defects to manage. • Investigating the management of children with HLHS across different European centres can facilitate study of the most effective management strategies. What is New: • Significant variation in HLHS management were reported in relation to pre- and post-surgical examinations, surgical strategy at stage I and III, medical treatment regimens, and follow-up programs. • Greater standardisation of imaging and diagnostic evaluation, medical treatment and follow-up surveillance may improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients and warrants further study. What is Known: • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remains one of the most complex and challenging congenital cardiac defects to manage. • Investigating the management of children with HLHS across different European centres can facilitate study of the most effective management strategies. What is New: • Significant variation in HLHS management were reported in relation to pre- and post-surgical examinations, surgical strategy at stage I and III, medical treatment regimens, and follow-up programs. • Greater standardisation of imaging and diagnostic evaluation, medical treatment and follow-up surveillance may improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients and warrants further study.

Objectives: To assess amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) MR imaging capabilities in differentiating high-grade glial tumors across alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) expression, tumor-suppressor protein p53 expression (p53), O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter (MGMTp) methylation, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, and proliferation marker Ki-67 (Ki-67 index) as a preoperative diagnostic aid. Material & Methods: A total of 42 high-grade glioma WHO grade 4 (HGG) patients were evaluated prospectively (30 males and 12 females). All patients were examined using conventional MRI, including the following: T1w-MPRAGE pre- and post-contrast administration, conventional T2w and 3D FLAIR, and APTw imaging with a 3T MR scanner. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for the APTw% mean, median, and max signal for the different molecular biomarkers. A logistic regression model was constructed for combined mean and median APTw% signals for p53 expression. Results: The whole-tumor max APTw% signal could significantly differentiate MGMTp from non-MGMTp HGG, p = 0.035. A cutoff of 4.28% max APTw% signal yielded AUC (area under the curve) = 0.702, with 70.6% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity. The mean/median APTw% signals differed significantly in p53 normal versus p53-overexpressed HGG s: 1.81%/1.83% vs. 1.15%/1.18%, p = 0.002/0.006, respectively. Cutoffs of 1.25%/1.33% for the mean/median APTw% signals yielded AUCs of 0.786/0.757, sensitivities of 76.9%/76.9%, and specificities of 50%/66.2%, p = 0.002/0.006, respectively. A logistic regression model with a combined mean and median APTw% signal for p53 status yielded an AUC = 0.788 and 76.9% sensitivity and 66.2% specificity. ATRX-, IDH- wild type (wt) vs. mutation (mut), and the level of Ki-67 did not differ significantly, but trends were found: IDH-wt and low Ki-67 showed higher mean/median/max APTw% signals vs. IDH-mut and high Ki-67, respectively. ATRX-wt vs. mutation showed higher mean and median APTw% signals but lower max APTw% signal. Conclusions: APTw imaging can potentially be a useful marker for the stratification of p53 expression and MGMT status in high-grade glioma in the preoperative setting and potentially aid surgical decision-making.

Linguistic errors remain a persistent challenge for B2-level EFL learners, with research showing that grammatical misapplication accounts for nearly half of the language inaccuracies. This study investigates 942 errors in argumentative essays written by Bosnian EFL learners, focusing on grammatical, lexical, and typographical challenges that impact their English writing proficiency. The data, consisting of 90 essays with a total word count of 45,786, were collected and analyzed following a structured procedure: collection, identification, description, and evaluation of learners’ errors. A descriptive-qualitative error analysis approach was employed to classify errors and examine their underlying causes systematically. To ensure reliability and consistency in the analysis, three instructors independently reviewed the essays. Inter-rater reliability was achieved through collaborative discussions, where any discrepancies in error classification were resolved through consensus. Errors were categorized into grammatical (50.2%), word-choice (29.3%), and typographical (20.5%) types and further analyzed to determine their origins as intralingual or interlingual. A deeper investigation revealed that 58% of errors were intralingual, resulting from overgeneralization and rule misapplication, while the remaining 42% were interlingual, influenced by Bosnian language interference. These findings highlight the need for focused interventions, particularly in grammar and vocabulary instruction. By uncovering error patterns and their causes, the study contributes to refining pedagogical strategies that support EFL learners’ writing proficiency.

Agency, pertaining to planning and executing actions, is a core feature of the political landscape. Our study examines the temporal dynamics of agentic language in political online discourse during the 2020 U.S. Congressional Elections, spanning 180 days before and after Election Day, and before the Capitol Hill riots. We coded 495,252 messages posted by Democratic and Republican candidates on Twitter for agentic language, which was more prevalent in tweets of politicians who won elections. Temporal analyses revealed increased agency as critical political events approached, whether a planned democratic event (Election Day) or a sudden disruptive protest (Capitol riots). The study enhances our understanding of the role of agency expression in political social media communication. Politicians may strive to evoke agency among voters to encourage political engagement, and voters may be cautioned by our results about this subtle (possibly unaware) manipulative strategy.