In this paper we will present the Julia set and the global behavior of a polynomial second-order difference equation of type xn+1 = axmn xx-1 + axm+1 n-1 + bxn-1 where m ? N, a > 0 and b ? 0 with non-negative initial conditions.

This research presents the first findings on thrombopoiesis for Wistar rats. Haemopoietic cells from the femur and the sternum were analysed by light microscopy in combination with infrared and near-ultraviolet light for fine cytoplasmic structure analysis. Five main types of thrombocyte precursor cells were identified in the bone marrow samples: megakaryoblast, promegakaryocyte and megakaryocyte (basophilic, acidophilic and thrombocytogenic). More intensive thrombopoiesis and morphologically differentiated cells were found in sternum samples.

U ovom radu ponudit će se rodna analiza potreba i mogućih pravaca reforme izbornog zakonodavstva Bosne i Hercegovine. Fokus rada će biti na tri centralna istraživačka pitanja. Prvo, analizirat će se u kojoj mjeri i na koji način konsocijacijski politički sistemi o(ne)mogućavaju predstavljanje žena u politici. Pri tome će se u obzir uzeti različite dimenzije predstavljanja (formalno, deskriptivno, sadržajno i simbolično predstavljanje). Drugo, analizirat će se da li je Izborni zakon Bosne i Hercegovine usklađen sa Zakonom o ravnopravnosti spolova Bosne i Hercegovine. I treće, ispitivat će se u kojem pravcu se trebaju i mogu odvijati reforme izbornog zakonodavstva BiH. U tom kontekstu biće predstavljene i preporuke CEDAW komiteta i različite rodno odgovorne inicijative za reforme izbornog zakonodavstva koje dolaze kako od institucija nadležnih za rodnu ravnopravnost, tako i iz sfere civilnog društva.

MicroRNA-based medicines have drawn attention as a promising tool for the treatment of various diseases. Due to the poor biomembrane permeation, cellular uptake, and enzymatic instability of naked microRNA, the clinical success of gene therapy is mostly dependent on formulating efficient and safe transfection vectors [1]. Therefore, we aimed to develop cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for gene therapy purposes. SLN containing 0.15% of stearylamine, 4.85% of Precirol ATO 5 (solid lipid), 1% of Tween 80, and 1% of Poloxamer 188, as non-ionic surfactants, were produced using a high-pressure homogenization process (800 bar and three cycles). microRNA 27-a was further complexed with SLN in the following SLN/microRNA ratios: 1:5, 1:2.5, 1:1, 2.5:1, 5:1, 10:1, 25:1 and characterized using dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic light scattering, and gel retardation assay. The SLN had a mean diameter of 112 ± 0.5 nm (PDI of 0.202 ± 0.011) and a zeta potential (ZP) value of +30.6 ± 1.25 mV. Complexation of SLNs with microRNA decreased a particle size from 244.8 ± 2.7 to 120.4 ± 0.4 nm with an increasing weight ratio of SLNs, while the biggest particle size was observed in 1:1 ratio (1146 ± 110.2 nm) due to low ZP values (3.45 ± 0.2 mV). Further, ZP increased from -14.3 ± 0.4 mV to + 39.7 ± 0.5 mV. Both ELS data and gel retardation assay results revealed that complete complexation could be attained above the weight ratio of 5:1. Our investigations suggest that SLN poses a high potential to be non-viral gene carriers in miRNA replacement therapy.

Introduction: Since December 2019, the humanity is constantly under affection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite global dissemination, neither the treatment or the specific predictive factors have been found or strictly defined yet. Aim: Aim of this study was to assess the long-term (1 year) predictive value of high-sensitive Troponin T (hsTnT) in COVID-19 affected, hospitalised patients. Methods: Between 5 March 2020 and 31 March 2020, 87 consecutive patients hospitalised at University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska due to SARS-CoV2caused pneumonia, in whom hsTnT was measured, were included. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess differences in all-cause mortality between the groups. Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were identified through univariateand multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Compared with patients who had normal hsTnT levels, patients with raised hsTnT were significantly older (70.7 ± 13.23 vs 49 ± 15.29; p < 0.001). Glucose values were significantly increased in patients with raised hsTnT (9.29 ± 5.14 vs 6.76 ± 2.46 [4.1-5.9] mmol/L; p = 0.005), as well as serum creatinine (179.07 ± 225.58 vs 87.53 ± 18.16 μmol/L; p = 0.01), hsTnT (187.43 ± 387.29 vs 7.58 ± 3.40 pg/mL; p = 0.003), D-dimer (5.94 ± 13.78 vs 1.04 ± 1.26 [0-0.50] mg/L; p = 0.024), C-reactive protein (125.92 ± 116.82 vs 69.97 ± 73.09) [< 5.0] mg/L; p = 0.009) and calcium (1.32 ± 0.46 vs 1.03 ± 0.173 [2.20-2.65] mmol/L; p = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the number of all-cause deaths at 1 year was 19 of whom 18 were presented with elevated hsTnT (log-rank p < 0.001). When univariate Cox regression was applied, multiple predictors of all-cause mortality have been identified ie age, haemoglobin, haematocrit, urea, CK-MB as well as hsTnT. In a multiple regression model, hsTnT remained an independent predictor of poor outcome. Conclusion: Results from this study showed that the value of hsTnT during hospitalisation is possibly associated with long-term poor outcome of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, hsTnT may appear as a surrogate factor to differentiate between patients at high risk who need more intensive follow-ups.