Background: The accidental puncture of the supra-aortal arteries during central venous catheterization is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Traditional management often requires open surgical repair, which is associated with significant morbidity. This study evaluates an endovascular approach for managing such cases using an Angio-Seal™ vascular closure device (Terumo Medical Corporation, Somerset, NJ, USA). Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2024, 47 patients with misplaced catheters in supra-aortal arteries were treated at our institution. Of these, 37 cases involving subclavian artery catheter misplacements were managed using a standardized algorithm and form the focus of this study. Additional interventions, such as stent graft placement or balloon inflation, were performed as needed. Results: Primary technical success was achieved in 86.5% of cases. Four patients required stentgrafts and one balloon inflation for persistent extravasations. One patient developed a small subclavian pseudoaneurysm, which resolved spontaneously. Primary assisted technical success and clinical success rates were both 100%. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of our minimally invasive endovascular approach for managing subclavian artery catheter misplacements. With a high success rate, low complication rate, and the avoidance of open surgery, this algorithm offers a promising alternative for treating this rare but serious complication of central venous catheterization.

Background/Objectives: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a leading cause of pediatric emergency department visits, particularly among children under three years old. Although computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for diagnosing intracranial injuries, its use in young children poses radiation risks. Identifying reliable clinical indicators that justify CT imaging is essential for optimizing both patient safety and resource utilization. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate CT findings in children under three years of age with mTBI and no focal neurological deficits, as well as to identify clinical predictors associated with skull fractures and intracranial injuries. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 224 children under 36 months who presented with mTBI to a tertiary pediatric hospital from July 2019 to July 2024. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, clinical presentation and CT findings were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with skull fractures and intracranial injuries. Results: Falls accounted for 96.4% of injuries, with the majority occurring from heights of 0.5–1 m. The parietal region was the most frequently affected site (38%). Skull fractures were present in 46% of cases and were primarily linear (92.8%). Intracranial hematomas were identified in 13.8% of cases, while brain edema was observed in 7.6%. Significant predictors of skull fractures included age under 12 months (p < 0.001), falls from 0.5–1 m (p = 0.005), somnolence (p = 0.030), scalp swelling (p = 0.001) and indentation of the scalp (p = 0.016). Parietal bone involvement was the strongest predictor of both skull fractures (OR = 7.116, p < 0.001) and intracranial hematomas (OR = 4.993, p < 0.001). Conversely, frontal bone involvement was associated with a lower likelihood of fractures and hematomas. Conclusions: The findings highlight key clinical indicators that can guide decision-making for CT imaging in children with mTBI. Infants under 12 months, falls from moderate heights and parietal bone involvement significantly increase the risk of fractures and intracranial injuries. A more refined diagnostic approach could help reduce unnecessary CT scans while ensuring the timely identification of clinically significant injuries.

Background: Plants face a wide range of environmental stresses that disrupt growth and productivity. To survive and adapt, they undergo complex metabolic reprogramming by redirecting carbon and nitrogen fluxes toward the biosynthesis of protective secondary metabolites such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and lignin. Recent research has revealed that these stress-induced metabolic processes are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Methods: This review synthesizes current findings from studies on both model and crop plants, examining the roles of key epigenetic regulators in controlling secondary metabolism under stress. Special focus is placed on dynamic changes in DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and the action of small RNAs such as siRNAs and miRNAs in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Results: Evidence indicates that stress triggers rapid and reversible epigenetic modifications that modulate gene expression linked to secondary metabolic pathways. These modifications not only facilitate immediate metabolic responses but can also contribute to stress memory. In some cases, this memory is retained and transmitted to the next generation, influencing progeny stress responses. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning the temporal dynamics, tissue specificity, and long-term stability of these epigenetic marks in crops. Conclusions: Understanding how epigenetic regulation governs secondary metabolite production offers promising avenues to enhance crop resilience and productivity in the context of climate change. Future research should prioritize dissecting the stability and heritability of these modifications to support the development of epigenetically informed breeding strategies.

Background Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were recommended to implement new health behaviors into their daily routines to prevent the viral spread. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific health behaviors, such as wearing face masks, taking immunity boosters and visiting risky places were associated with a higher level of stress due to COVID-19 in the general adult population. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021 in eight randomly chosen cities of two Serbian speaking countries (Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska - Bosnia and Herzegovina). Participants filled a socio-epidemiologic questionnaire, COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results The study included 2,301 participants with an average age of 36.72 ± 13.82 years of whom 54.9% were female (p = 0.001). Most participants were healthy, highly educated, employed, married, non-smokers and consumed alcohol. The mean total CSS score was 32.7 ± 23.8 out of 144, suggesting a relatively low stress due to COVID-19. The mean PSS was 19.43 ± 5.05 out of 40 indicating slightly increased level of general stress. Participants who reported higher CSS scores were more likely to wear face masks, use immunity boosters, go to cafes and clubs, have chronic illnesses, have suspicious, but not proven contact with COVID-19 positive people, and use multiple sources of information about COVID-19. Conclusion Few participants experienced high levels of stress due to COVID-19. People who used face masks, immunity boosters and visited risky places reported a higher level of stress during the pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41043-025-00833-2.