Harnessing renewable energy sources (RES) using hybrid systems for buildings is almost a deontological obligation for engineers and researchers in the energy field, and increasing the percentage of renewables within the energy mix represents an important target. In crowded urban areas, on-site energy production and storage from renewables can be a real challenge from a technical point of view. The main objectives of this paper are quantification of the impact of the consumer’s profile on overall energy efficiency for on-site storage and final use of solar thermal energy, as well as developing a multicriteria assessment in order to provide a methodology for selection in prioritizing investments. Buildings with various consumption profiles lead to achieving different values of performance indicators in similar configurations of storage and energy supply. In this regard, an analysis of the consumption profile’s impact on overall energy efficiency, achieved in the case of on-site generation and storage of solar thermal energy, was performed. The obtained results validate the following conclusion: On-site integration of solar systems allowed the consumers to use RES at the desired coverage rates, while restricted by on-site available mounting areas for solar fields and thermal storage, under conditions of high energy efficiencies. In order to segregate the results and support optimal selection, a multicriteria analysis was carried out, having as the main criteria the energy efficiency indicators achieved by hybrid heating systems.

A mechanistic understanding of the regulatory circuits that control the effector responses of memory T helper lymphocytes, and in particular their ability to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines, may lead to effective therapeutic interventions in all immune‐related diseases. Activation of T lymphocytes induces robust immune responses that in most cases lead to the complete eradication of invading pathogens or tumor cells. At the same time, however, such responses must be both highly controlled in magnitude and limited in time to avoid unnecessary damage. To achieve such sophisticated level of control, T lymphocytes have at their disposal an array of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that ensure the acquisition of a phenotype that is tailored to the incoming stimulus while restraining unwarranted activation, eventually leading to the resolution of the inflammatory response. Here, we will discuss some of these cell‐intrinsic mechanisms that control T cell responses and involve transcription factors, microRNAs, and RNA‐binding proteins. We will also explore how the same mechanisms can be involved both in anti‐tumor responses and in autoimmunity.

BACKGROUND Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling has recently been developed into a tool that allows tumor classification in central nervous system tumors. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by tumor cells and contain high molecular weight DNA, rendering EVs a potential biomarker source to identify tumor subgroups, stratify patients and monitor therapy by liquid biopsy. We investigated whether the DNA in glioblastoma cell-derived EVs reflects genome-wide tumor methylation and mutational profiles and allows non-invasive tumor subtype classification. METHODS DNA was isolated from EVs secreted by glioblastoma cells as well as from matching cultured cells and tumors. EV-DNA was localized and quantified by direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy. Methylation and copy number profiling was performed using 850k arrays. Mutations were identified by targeted gene panel sequencing. Proteins were differentially quantified by mass spectrometric proteomics. RESULTS Genome-wide methylation profiling of glioblastoma-derived EVs correctly identified the methylation class of the parental cells and original tumors, including the MGMT promoter methylation status. Tumor-specific mutations and copy number variations (CNV) were detected in EV-DNA with high accuracy. Different EV isolation techniques did not affect the methylation profiling and CNV results. DNA was present inside EVs and on the EV surface. Proteome analysis did not allow specific tumor identification or classification but identified tumor-associated proteins that could potentially be useful for enriching tumor-derived circulating EVs from biofluids. CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof of principle that EV-DNA reflects the genome-wide methylation, CNV and mutational status of glioblastoma cells and enables their molecular classification.

OBJECTIVE Tumors of the brain and spine make up about 20% of all childhood cancers; they are the second most common form of childhood cancer after leukemia. Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in children. Symptoms depend on a variety of factors, including location of the tumor, age of child, and rate of tumor growth. The aim of study was to present our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS The aim of this study is to analyze clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, complications, and outcomes in children with brain tumors. This study is a retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive patients younger than 16 years and hospitalized for surgical treatment of brain tumors. Intracranial hypertension, neurological status, radiological computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, tumor localization, type of resection, hydrocephalus treatment, histopathology, complications, and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-seven surgeries were performed in patients for brain tumors. There were 9 females and 18 males. The average patient age was 7.8 years. There were 11 (40%) children with astrocytoma; of these, there were 9 (82%) pilocytic astrocytomas and 2 (18%) ordinary histopathological subtypes of high-grade tumors. CONCLUSION As with any cancer, prognosis and long-term survival vary greatly from child to child. Prompt medical attention and aggressive therapy are important for the best prognosis. Continuous follow-up care is essential for a child diagnosed with a brain tumor.

This study investigated the correlation between bone characteristics, the design of orthodontic mini-implants, the pull-out force, and primary stability. This experimental in vitro study has examined commercial orthodontic mini-implants of different sizes and designs, produced by two manufacturers: Tomas-pin SD (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany) and Perfect Anchor (Hubit, Seoul, Korea). The total number of 40 mini-implants were tested. There are two properties that are common to all tested implants—one is the material of which they are made (titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V), and the other is the method of their insertion. The main difference between the mini-implants, which is why they have been selected as the subject of research in the first place, is reflected in their geometry or design. Regardless of the type of implant, the average pull-out forces were found to be higher for a cortical bone thickness (CBTC) of 0.62–0.67 mm on average, compared to the CBTC < 0.62 mm, where the measured force averages were found to be lower. The analysis of variance tested the impact of the mini-implant geometry on the pull-out force and proved that there is a statistically significant impact (p < 0.015) of all three analyzed geometric factors on the pull-out force of the implant. The design of the mini-implant affects its primary stability. The design of the mini-implant affects the pulling force. The bone quality at the implant insertion point is important for primary stability; thus, the increase in the cortical bone thickness increases the value of the pulling force significantly.

Amazonian wildfires in 2019 have raised awareness about rainforest burning due to increased emissions of particulate matter and carbon. In the context of these emissions, by-products of lignin thermal degradation (i.e. methoxyphenols) are often neglected. Methoxyphenols entering the atmosphere may form intermediates with currently unknown reaction mechanisms and toxicity. This study for the first time provides a comprehensive insight into the impact of lignin degradation products [guaiacol, catechol], and their nitrated intermediates [4-nitrocatechol, 4,6-dinitroguaiacol, 5-nitroguaiacol] on zebrafish Danio rerio. Results revealed 4-nitrocatechol and catechol as the most toxic, followed by 4,6DNG > 5NG > GUA. The whole-organism bioassay integrated with molecular modeling emphasized the potential of methoxyphenols to inhibit tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, and carbonic anhydrase, consequently altering embryonic development (i.e. affected sensorial, skeletal, and physiological parameters, pigmentation formation failure, and non-hatching of larvae). The whole-organism bioassay integrated with in silico approach confirmed the harmful effects of lignin degradation products and their intermediates on aquatic organisms, emphasizing the need for their evaluation within ecotoxicity studies focused on aquatic compartments.

This study aims to do a morphological and biochemical characterization of selected wild hop populations from the Banja Luka region, as plant material with potential value for introduction into plant selection. Female inflorescences (cones) from seven populations (DKH3, DKH5, DKH6, DKH8, DKH9, DKH10, and DKH11) were sampled in 2018 and 2019. Hop cones were collected in October 2018 and 2019 for morphological characterization, when 50 cones per population were analyzed, and also the cones were collected in mid-September in 2019 for biochemical characterization. Morphological parameters were carried out for: cone length (cm), number of nodes per cone spindle, cone density, and number of seeds per cone, all important agronomic characters in hop production. Also, 27 components of essential oil and 6 components of hop resins were analyzed. Statistical analysis of morphological characteristics was performed by factorial analysis of variance (year × population), and the significance of individual differences was determined by LSD test. The grouping of examined hop populations according to the manifested morphological characteristics was performed by cluster analysis. Statistical analysis for biochemical characteristics was performed by analysis of variance, and the significance of the differences was tested by Tukey’s statistical test. In order to determine similarities between different population multivariant statistical method Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. According to morphological and biochemical analysis, DKH6 hop population is singled out as the most valuable for hop breeding.

Sport is one of the world’s most important resources and an indispensable part of international culture. Men and women participate in most sports from football, basketball, boxing to extreme sports. The aim of this paper is to research gender equality in many aspects of sport, from equal pay, sponsorship agreements, to scholarships as state support to talented athletes. The paper presents a theoretical framework for defining sport and its significance. The media attitude towards sports is discussed and the symbiosis relationship between sports and the media is emphasized. The focus of the paper is on women in sports and their progress towards gender equality in all sports activities from participation, coaching positions to management. An analysis of the results of the survey was done. The survey was conducted on a representative sample of 201 respondents. The questionnaire was on sports monitoring and key issues on equality in the choice of sports, media attention, equal pay and sponsorship agreements as well as on prejudice against female athletes and career duration and monitoring of women’s football given the growing popularity of the sport.

Perennial plant Mentha pulegium L. (pennyroyal, Lamiaceae) can be found in Europe and Mediterranean. In areas where it thrives, M. pulegium is used in nutrition and as medicinal plant. Essential oil of M. pulegium is also a frequent constituent of foods and fragrances, because of mint‐like odor. Regarding the use of M. pulegium in traditional medicine and nutrition, as well as fact that essential oils are potential sources of bioactive components, this study was conducted to examine the chemical composition of essential oil of M. pulegium wild growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its biological activity. The chemical profile testing was made using GC/MS and GC/FID technique. Potential of cholinesterase inhibition was tested by Ellman's assay. The antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and FRAP assay. The dominant components in analyzed oil were pulegone 54.4 %, p‐menthone 14.0 % and piperitenone 12.8 %. Good antioxidant activity and moderate cholinesterase inhibition potential of tested essential oil indicates to possibility of its use in treatment of diseases related to free radicals, Alzheimer disease and as lipid protecting antioxidant.

ABSTRACT Purpose : To investigate state- and trait-like risk factors leading to childhood eye injuries controlling for the between-subject difference. This study measured socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral, and injury event characteristics to identify eye injury protective and risk factors. Methods : A retrospective case-crossover study including patients aged 0–18 years old (y.o.) with severe eye trauma treated at the Canton Hospital Zenica between 2011 and 2017 was conducted. One case time point was at the time of injury, and two control time points 1 month before the injury and a month before the survey. Results : Of 36 patients meeting the criteria, four were excluded, resulting in 32 cases and 64 controls. The mean age was 10.79 in males (77.8%) and 11 y.o. in females (22.2%). In univariate GEE logistic regression unusual activity had odds of 17.25 (95%CI = 6.97, 42.70), working/chores vs.running activity odds of 6.60 (95%CI = 1.71, 25.46), very active level vs.an intermediate child activity level odds of 5.26 (1/0.19, 95%CI = 1.75, 16.67) no supervision odds of 2.63 (1/0.38, 95%CI = 1.45, 4.76) and less than 7 hours of sleep odds of 4.69 (95%CI = 1.06, 20.77) of sustaining an eye injury. Using the quasi-likelihood approach and QICu as an indicator, the best model yielded odds of getting eye injured = 0.59 + 19.35*engaging in unusual activity+0.21*supervised by an adult person+0.84*playing+3.04*working within the households+0.22*other activity. Conclusions : Giving the best model to predict injuries, the combined strategies of teaching, modifying the environment, and the watchful supervision present a preventive triad that needs to be further explored and encouraged in practice.

This paper is part of broader research aimed at determining the relationship between energy performance and energy costs as a part of the operational and life cycle costs in school buildings in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), as exceptionally important social and public buildings. The research was conducted by statistical analysis of data collected from documents of detailed energy audits (DEA) for 185 school buildings in FBiH in relation to construction periods. The paper analyzes the characteristics of buildings such as construction period, building envelope characteristics, climatic conditions, efficiency of installed space heating system, number of users and heating mode. The aim of this research was to determine the energy performance for the existing state and to compare them with the allowable values in accordance with the applicable legal regulations. There is a performance gap between predicted (calculated) and measured (actual) delivered energy for space heating. This research shows poor energy performance and provides a basis for developing strategies and plans to improve energy efficiency. The results of the energy performance of school buildings in the FBiH are the first step towards the development of a model for predicting energy costs.