Extended Abstract Phosphonates possess a great potential for the therapy of bone tumours due to their inhibitory potential for osteoclasts. The delivery of phosphonates via cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) seems a promising approach for their increased efficacy in target tissues. However, the immunological effects of these conjugates have not been investigated thoroughly. Here we modified used wood-based native (n)CNC, oxidized (ox-CNC) and phosphonate (3-AminoPropylphosphonic Acid (ApA))-conjugated CNC to test their physicochemical properties and immunomodulatory potential. Modification of CNC increased their elasticity module and hardness, which resulted in their reduced internalization by

Objective. The objective of this study was to study the morphometry of the styloid process of the temporal bone and the prevalence of an elongated styloid process in relation to side and gender. Material and Method. The present study included 200 human skulls which were procured from the rich osteological collections of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo. The styloid process was observed macroscopically on both sides of all the skulls and elongations, if any, were noted. The lengths of the styloid processes were measured using digital vernier calipers. The measurements were taken from the point of emergence of the process (base) up to the tip. Results. Out of 200 specimens, only 14 cases (7%) exhibited an elongated styloid process. The mean length of the styloid process was 25.8±4.68 mm and 24.2±4.54 mm for the right and left sides, respectively. The size of the styloid process did not different significantly between the two sides (P=0.724). The mean length of the styloid process was 24.05±3.54 mm in females and 25.95±5.68 mm in males, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.023). Conclusion. The study and knowledge of the anatomical variations of the styloid process in the Bosnian population may help clinicians to diagnose Eagle’s syndrome. Knowledge of this disorder can prevent the worsening of the painful symptoms related to an elongated styloid process.

Introduction: Domestic violence is a threat to human dignity and public health. Mounting evidence shows that domestic violence erodes personal and public health, spawning issues such as lifelong mental health challenges. To further compound the situation, COVID-19 and societies’ poor response to the pandemic have not only worsened the domestic violence crisis but also disrupted mental health services for domestic violence victims. While technology-based health solutions can overcome physical constraints posed by the pandemic and offer timely support to address domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, there is a dearth of research in the literature. To bridge the research gap, in this study, we aim to examine technology-based mental health solutions for domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine solutions that domestic violence victims can utilize to safeguard and improve their mental health amid COVID-19. Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were utilized for the literature search. The search was focused on four themes: domestic violence, mental health, technology-based interventions, and COVID-19. A reverse search of pertinent references was conducted in Google Scholar. The social ecological model was utilized to systematically structure the review findings. Results: The findings show that a wide array of technology-based solutions has been proposed to address mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. However, none of these proposals is based on empirical evidence amid COVID-19. In terms of social and ecological levels of influence, most of the interventions were developed on the individual level, as opposed to the community level or social level, effectively placing the healthcare responsibility on the victims rather than government and health officials. Furthermore, most of the articles failed to address risks associated with utilizing technology-based interventions (e.g., privacy issues) or navigating the online environment (e.g., cyberstalking). Conclusion: Overall, our findings highlight the need for greater research endeavors on the research topic. Although technology-based interventions have great potential in resolving domestic violence victims’ mental health issues, risks associated with these health solutions should be comprehensively acknowledged and addressed.

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, a multitude of surveys have analyzed the impact virus spreading on the everyday medical practice, including neurosurgery. However, none have examined the perceptions of neurosurgeons towards the pandemic, their life changes, and the strategies they implemented to be able to deal with their patients in such a difficult time. METHODS From April 2021 to May 2021 a modified Delphi method was used to construct, pilot, and refine the questionnaire focused on the evolution of global neurosurgical practice during the pandemic. This survey was distributed among 1000 neurosurgeons; the responses were then collected and critically analyzed. RESULTS Outpatient department practices changed with a rapid rise in teleservices. 63.9% of respondents reported that they have changed their OT practices to emergency cases with occasional elective cases. 40.0% of respondents and 47.9% of their family members reported to have suffered from COVID-19. 56.2% of the respondents reported having felt depressed in the last 1 year. 40.9% of respondents reported having faced financial difficulties. 80.6% of the respondents found online webinars to be a good source of learning. 47.8% of respondents tried to improve their neurosurgical knowledge while 31.6% spent the extra time in research activities. CONLCUSIONS Progressive increase in operative waiting lists, preferential use of telemedicine, reduction in tendency to complete stoppage of physical clinic services and drop in the use of PPE kits were evident. Respondents' age had an impact on how the clinical services and operative practices have evolved. Financial concerns overshadow mental health.

Hamid Hadžibegić spada u red važnijih istraživača prošlosti Bosne i Hercegovine koji su djelovali u drugoj polovini XX. stoljeća. U prvom dijelu rada ponuđene su biografske informacije te je dan osvrt na znanstveni doprinos Hamida Hadžibegića. Drugi dio rada posvećen je Hadžibegićevoj biblioteci, koju su nakon posljednjega rata u Bosni i Hercegovini (1992. – 1995.) i uništenja Orijentalnoga instituta u Sarajevu ovoj instituciji darovali Hadžibegićevi nasljednici. Poseban osvrt napravljen je na posvete drugih autora koje se pojavljuju u knjigama unutar Hadžibegićeve biblioteke.

Objective To identify and assess the use of technologies, including mobile health technology, internet of things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI) in hypertension healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design Systematic review. Data sources Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria Studies addressing outcomes related to the use of technologies for hypertension healthcare (all points in the healthcare cascade) in SSA. Methods Databases were searched from inception to 2 August 2021. Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were done in duplicate. Data were extracted on study design, setting, technology(s) employed and outcomes. Blood pressure (BP) reduction due to intervention was extracted from a subset of randomised controlled trials. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results 1717 hits were retrieved, 1206 deduplicated studies were screened and 67 full texts were assessed for eligibility. 22 studies were included, all reported on clinical investigations. Two studies were observational, and 20 evaluated technology-based interventions. Outcomes included BP reduction/control, treatment adherence, retention in care, awareness/knowledge of hypertension and completeness of medical records. All studies used mobile technology, three linked with IoT devices. Short Message Service (SMS) was the most popular method of targeting patients (n=6). Moderate BP reduction was achieved in three randomised controlled trials. Patients and healthcare providers reported positive perceptions towards the technologies. No studies using AI were identified. Conclusions There are a range of successful applications of key enabling technologies in SSA, including BP reduction, increased health knowledge and treatment adherence following targeted mobile technology interventions. There is evidence to support use of mobile technology for hypertension management in SSA. However, current application of technologies is highly heterogeneous and key barriers exist, limiting efficacy and uptake in SSA. More research is needed, addressing objective measures such as BP reduction in robust randomised studies. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020223043.

Vitamin D has been a focus of attention in liver cancer due to its direct and indirect antineoplastic effects. This review critically evaluates data from recently published basic and clinical studies investigating the role of vitamin D in liver cancer. Basic studies indicate that vitamin D plays an important role in liver cancer development by suppressing the activity of hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells. Furthermore, vitamin D has a direct anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, proapoptotic, and prodifferentiative effect on liver cancer cells. Recent investigation suggested several interesting mechanisms of these actions, such as inactivation of Notch signaling, p27 accumulation, and tyrosine-protein kinase Met/extracellular signal-regulated kinases inhibition. On the other hand, data from clinical observational studies, although promising, are still inconclusive. Unfortunately, studies on the effect of vitamin D supplementation were generally focused on short-term outcomes of chronic liver diseases (liver enzyme levels or elastographic finding); therefore, there are still no reliable data on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on liver cancer occurrence or survival.

Background Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most frequent spinal cord injury (SCI) complications. Pain, quality of life, and functionality are associated and can lead to pain catastrophization. Pharmacological management of patients with NP secondary to SCI is widely known and there is increasing evidence in the area. Nevertheless, nonpharmacological management is not fully elucidated since its efficacy is inconclusive. Objective We hypothesize that (1) hydrotherapy is effective in reducing NP secondary to SCI. Additionally, our secondary hypotheses are that (2) hydrotherapy decreases the catastrophization of NP, and that (3) hydrotherapy improves life quality and minimizes the degree of disability, when compared to physical therapy. Methods A sample of approximately 20 participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (hydrotherapy) or control group (standard physical therapy). Both interventions will be administered twice a week over a 9-week period (18 sessions in total). Primary outcomes are changes in neuropathic pain perception and pain catastrophization. Secondary outcomes are changes in disability and quality of life scores. They will be assessed at baseline and follow-up at 4 weeks after discharge. Validated Spanish language scales that will be used are the following: Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophization, Health-related Quality of life, and the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Generalized mixed linear models will be used for comparing baseline and postintervention means of each group and their differences, together with 95% CIs and P values. A P value of less than .05 will be considered significant. Results Recruitment began in April 2019, and we recruited the last participants by December 2019, with 10 individuals assigned to hydrotherapy and 8 to physical therapy (control). Results from this study will be disseminated via scientific publication, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and in national and international conferences in the latter half of 2022. Conclusions This trial will explore the effects of hydrotherapy on neuropathic pain, together with functionality and quality of life, in patients with SCI. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate these therapeutic modalities, including perception variables, and mental processes, which may affect the clinical condition and rehabilitation outcomes in these patients. Hydrotherapy is likely to be a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to the current standard of care for NP secondary to SCI, with comparable results between the two. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04164810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04164810 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/37255

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking among the youth population has increased significantly in developing countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, no extant literature assesses the prevalence of tobacco use, nor identifies factors associated with smoking. This study determined the prevalence of cigarette smoking among a specific cohort of students and assessed factors related to tobacco use in this population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1200 students at all faculties of Banja Luka University. Data were collected from questionnaires adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) and the Global Health Professional Student Survey (GHPSS) standardized questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s χ2 test, and logistic regression. Results: When the prevalence of cigarette smoking within the last thirty days was recorded, we found that 34.1% of students smoked within this period. Nearly three-quarters (74.9%) of the student population had smoked or experimented with cigarette smoking. However, medical students were 27.2% less likely to smoke than their counterparts from other faculties. Overall, 87% of all students were aware of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, 79% were aware of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, and 65% reported that it was difficult to quit. Increased spending of personal money was associated with a higher probability of smoking, while exposure to secondhand smoke increased the odds of smoking by 62%. Conclusion: Policies, strategies, and action plans should be introduced in order to reduce the prevalence of smoking among university students and to create a smoke-free environment at the various universities involved.

Does temporal thought extend asymmetrically into the past and the future? Do asymmetries depend on cultural differences in temporal focus? Some studies suggest that people in Western (arguably future-focused) cultures perceive the future as being closer, more valued, and deeper than the past (a future asymmetry), while the opposite is shown in East Asian (arguably past-focused) cultures. The proposed explanations of these findings predict a negative relationship between past and future: the more we delve into the future, the less we delve into the past. Here, we report findings that pose a significant challenge to this view. We presented several tasks previously used to measure temporal asymmetry (self-continuity, time discounting, temporal distance, and temporal depth) and two measures of temporal focus to American, Spanish, Serbian, Bosniak, Croatian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Chinese participants (total N = 1,075). There was an overall future asymmetry in all tasks except for temporal distance, but the asymmetry only varied with cultural temporal focus in time discounting. Past and future held a positive (instead of negative) relation in the mind: the more we delve into the future, the more we delve into the past. Finally, the findings suggest that temporal thought has a complex underlying structure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the possible correlation between the short- and long-term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on macular oedema after branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Material and methods: This prospective clinical study included fifteen eyes of patients with macular oedema after BRVO. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), recorded in LogMAR units, central foveal thickness (CFT) and maximum foveal thickness (MFT) were evaluated at one month after first application and at least every 2 months for one year. PRN treatment protocol was used for all patients. Statistical calculation was performed with SPSS for Windows and Microsoft Excel. Results: Mean CFT decreased significantly (p<0,0001) from baseline 471,2 ± 151,7 μm to 285,9 ± 79,82 μm at 12 months. CDVA improved significantly (p<0,0001) from baseline 0,58 ± 0,34 to 0,1 ± 0,25 at the end of follow up period. Change from baseline in the CDVA after one month was significantly positively correlated with the change in CDVA after 12 months (r=0,76, p=0,001). Change in CFT after one month had a strong positive correlation (r=0,78, p=0,001) with change after 12 months. There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of injections and the changes in CDVA, CFT, MFT after a single injection. Conclusions: Single injection effects of bevacizumab may indicate long-term results on macular oedema after BRVO, but further and larger studies are necessary. Abbreviations: BRVO = Branch retinal vein occlusion, RVO = Retinal vein occlusion, CFT = Central foveal thickness, MFT = Maximum foveal thickness, VEGF = Vascular endothelial growth factor, MO = Macular oedema, CDVA = Corrected distance visual acuity, PRN = Pro-re-Nata, SD-OCT = Special-domain optical coherence tomography, FT = Foveal thickness, LogMAR = Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution, WHO = World Health Organization, RPE = Retinal pigment epithelium