Background: Blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is the second most common cause of death following blunt trauma, and it can affect people of all ages. The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related differences in outcomes among patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for BTAI. Methods: All patients treated with TEVAR for BTAI at a tertiary care center in Europe between 2005 and 2023 were included in this study. All clinical and imaging data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 70 patients with a median age of 43 years were included, and 89% were male. Older patients had significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification scores (p < 0.001) compared to younger patients. All age groups (<18, 18–40, 41–65, and >65) exhibited low to borderline low initial hemoglobin levels with a further decline over time (p = 0.063, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.018, respectively). Age groups were comparable regarding injury mechanism, Injury Severity Score (ISS), concomitant injuries and postoperative complications. The age-independent ISS showed a moderate to strong correlation to the length of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.594, p < 0.001). Total in-hospital mortality was 6% and none was from aortic-related complications. There was a generally high rate of loss of follow-up (59%). Conclusions: Although older patients presented worse ASA scores in comparison to younger patients, no significant differences regarding postoperative morbidity/mortality were noted. These findings imply that patient age and preinjury physical status might not substantially influence outcomes when treating BTAI with TEVAR.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of lysozyme-based spray in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy. Methods: A prospective, open-label study was conducted on patients with ulcerative inflammation of the oral cavity and pharynx mucous membranes clinically assessed for oral mucositis according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Toxicity Scale. Patients were randomly divided into a lysozyme group (using a spray containing lysozyme + cetylpyridinium + lidocaine) and a control group (using a compounded preparation containing gentamicin + dexamethasone + lidocaine). The efficacy and safety of therapy were evaluated on the baseline and three follow-up visits (7, 14, and 21 days after the baseline visit). Results: The total number of participants was 56, of which 26 were in lysozyme and 30 in the control group. The efficacy parameters were similar between the groups and there was no deterioration of symptoms during the follow-up period of 21 days. A significantly lower pain intensity when eating solid food was observed after 21 days in lysozyme compared to the control group. No adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions: This study showed the efficacy and safety of lysozyme-based spray for treating radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. The availability of new treatment options based on lysozyme, a natural enzybiotic present in the saliva of healthy subjects, could bring added value to the treatment of oral mucositis and the prevention of its complications. However, a larger randomized, blinded study is needed to confirm our results [the study was registered at the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina (https://klinicka.almbih.gov.ba/pages/klinicka-registar-javni) under the protocol number LCS-OM-01].

Arterial stiffness is strongly associated with vascular aging and pathology and can be assessed in many ways. Existing devices for measuring central arterial stiffness, such as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), are limited by high costs and the need for specialized expertise, limiting widespread clinical adoption. This study introduces a semi- and non-occlusive PWV measurement system using phonocardiography (PCG) and plethysmography (PPG) and a single femoral pressure cuff, aiming to address these limitations. We conducted a study comparing a semi-occlusive (carotid-femoral PWV) and a non-occlusive (carotid-toe PWV) PCG-based PWV measurements across a cohort of 63 volunteers, as compared to literature reference PWV values. Results demonstrated strong correlations between our PCG-based PWV measures (PWVcarotid−femoral: 8.42 ± 3.99 m/s vs. PWVcarotid−toe: 10.62 ± 3.86 m/s) with age as a significant predictor (PWVcarotid−femoral: r2 = 0.45; PWVcarotid−toe: r2 = 0.28, p < 0.05). Ultrasound measured distensibility assessments confirmed the reliability of our PCG approach in reflecting central arterial stiffness dynamics, particularly at the aortic level. Test–retest reliability analyses yielded high intraclass correlation coefficients (0.75 ≤ ICC ≤ 90), indicating robust repeatability of our method. This study highlights the feasibility and accuracy of our low-cost, semi and non-occlusive PWV measurement systems to enhance accessibility in arterial stiffness assessments, potentially easing cardiovascular risk stratification.

Adequate management of organizational changes is a crucial determinant of business success for banks today. Transformational leadership aligns with the conditions of dynamic changes in banks by creating an appropriate business climate of trust, thus impacting the achievement of the organization’s goals and results. Today, banks strive to be leaders in change, continuously providing innovative business solutions, which require proper management. Given the strategic decisions of banks to pursue new ideas and new ways of conducting business, which alter culture, climate, and value systems, it is crucial to apply the appropriate leadership style to effectively achieve desired results and business objectives. The problem in achieving these tasks is the occurrence of employee resistance to change, hence the significant role of the leader as the bearer of change. This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted in the banking sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at determining the impact of transformational leadership on employee resistance to change in banks. The research included 90 respondents from 15 banks (65% of the total number of banks). Each bank included 6 respondents, with managers as the first stratum and employees as the second stratum. The authors believe that the application of transformational leadership in the banking sector can lead to a reduction in resistance to change, as well as expand scientific knowledge in the field of leadership in banking and create concrete recommendations for bank managers to apply in practice to improve business operations. Demonstrating transformational leadership as the dominant style of leading changes in the banking sector and determining its impact on employee resistance is the fundamental goal of this paper. It provides bank managers with valid information on the adequacy of applying appropriate leadership styles, thus offering a reliable basis for decision-making related to the process of implementing changes and ultimately achieving better business results.

Objectives The aim of this umbrella review was to investigate the frequency of physical activity-related injuries (PARI) among adolescents. Our secondary objective was to describe the available reviews of injuries in three settings: organized sports, leisure time physical activity (PA), and school physical education (PE). Methods We conducted an overview of reviews consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines on the frequency of physical activity related injuries in adolescents. Results We identified 19 systematic reviews with at least moderate quality to include in the review. We were not able to pool data from reviews and conduct meta-analysis due to heterogeneity of injury definitions, exposure times, and sample demographics. All reviews included studies of injuries sustained in organized sports, and injury incidence was higher during matches than training. No systematic reviews were found focusing on leisure time or school-based PA injuries. Conclusion High-quality research is essential to understand the frequency of various types of physical activity related injuries among adolescents in organized sports, PE, and leisure time activities to develop more effective prevention strategies.

Optimal process conditions for carbonate precipitation of selected heavy metal ions were tested in laboratory conditions using Na2CO3. To the prepared synthetic monocomponent and binary multicomponent solutions of heavy metals with initial concentrations of 500 mg/L, Na2CO3 was added in certain doses at selected mixing speeds (0, 100, 300 and 800 rpm) and mixing time (0, 15, and 30 minutes). The results show the removal efficiency at optimal mixing speeds for monocomponent metal solutions were: Cu(II) 96.394% (300 rpm), Ni(II) 94.594% (0 rpm and 800 rpm), Pb(II) 75.968% (0 rpm ), Zn (II) 99.311% (0 rpm). In binary multicomponent mixtures Cu(II)-Ni(II) and Pb(II)-Zn(II) the removal efficiency results at optimal mixing speeds were: Cu(II) 96.394% (100 rpm), Ni(II) 95.528% (800 rpm), Pb(II) 99.536% (300 rpm), Zn(II) 98.945% (100 rpm). Also, the results of the efficiency of heavy metal removal due to the influence of the contact time of the precipitant and heavy metal ions in monocomponent solutions show the following values: Cu(II) 99.940% (0 min), Ni(II) 94.612 % (0 min), Pb(II) 77.925 % (15 min), Zn(II) 99.324% (30 min), while in binary multicomponent mixtures Cu(II)-Ni(II) and Pb(II)-Zn(II) they were for Cu(II) 96.247% (30 min), Ni(II) 95.521% (0 min), Pb(II) 99.350% (30 min) and Zn(II) 98.944% (0 min). Examination of the influence of the mixing speed of monocomponent solutions showed that the efficiency of removing heavy metal ions was in most cases the best without mixing. Effect of metal-precipitant contact time on the efficiency of heavy metal ion removal showed that in half of the examined metals, the optimal values ​​were chosen as the best (0 and 30 min). It can be concluded that this method based on chemical precipitation using Na2CO3 with optimal parameters such as contact time and mixing speed, can be used in the treatment of industrial wastewater.

ABSTRACT This paper presents a literature review of 33 papers published on virtual reality-based soft skills training, selected using the PRISMA checklist and flow diagram. The analysis was conducted using the qualitative approach of grounded theory for literature review. Four relevant themes that highlight the major trends and the research gaps were identified: the types of soft skills usually targeted with virtual reality, the types and the characteristics of virtual reality technologies employed, the different approaches endorsed in defining the educational interventions, and finally, the methods used in evaluating the effect of technology on training. These themes help map the current research on this topic and may help delineate opportunities for further research.

It has been over 25 years since the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended, yet the country is still considered to be in crisis and political conflict. The political system established through the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995 has brought peace but has failed to resolve underlying tensions between power-hungry ethnic patrimonial elites and the strengthening of democracy, rule of law, and economic development. At the same time, the unaddressed memories of war strongly impact citizens and segment society. By conceptualizing the structural, societal, and historical challenges facing BiH since independence in 1992, and more specifically since the end of the Bosnian War in 1995, this Introduction aims to give an overview of how citizens and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina seems to be still stuck in the past of the 1990s conflict, and what the difficulties they are facing in transforming themselves into something they aim to become.

Since the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, scholars have extensively commented on the country’s political (dis)engagements with peacebuilding, including in the education sector. This article explores in detail how the country’s transitions have underpinned exclusive, multilayered and divergent trajectories in BiH’s collective experience. Particular attention is given to fundamental changes in education associated with political-ideological transitions, structural and policy shifts, and socio-cultural adaptations, which have all created new paths, challenges and opportunities for the development of peace pedagogies across the curriculum and in various spheres of formal education. The article highlights deeper aspects of education including methodological questions in pedagogy by examining the role of power, agency, social values, ideology, culture and authority and by reaffirming the notion that education is never politically neutral. The underlying argument of the article concerns the need to (re)humanize education in the face of resurgent violence, political fragmentation, emerging technocratic trends in pedagogy and dominant neoliberal and profit driven motives in Bosnian society.

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide or paracetamol is an acylated aromatic amide used as analgesic and antipyretic to relieve pain and reduce body temperature. In medicinal chemistry, there is a growing interest in the development of drugs based on metal complexes, which are of great importance in therapeutic and diagnostic possibilities. Selected metals, magnesium and copper are elements that are extremely important for the human body. In this research, complexes of Mg(II) and Cu(II)-ions with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide were synthesized and confirmed with FTIR, UV and MS spectroscopy. The results of the analysis of the synthesized complexes spectra indicate interactions between N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide and metal Mg(II)-ions and Cu (II)-ions via O-donor and N-donor atoms.  

Environmental noise management is a critical aspect of public health policy, particularly within the European Union, which established Directive 2002/49/EC to standardize noise assessment and mitigation efforts across member states. Serbia has integrated the Directive's provisions through its Law on Environmental Noise Protection and accompanying by-laws. This paper presents the strategic noise mapping process for Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Serbia's largest international airport, marking a significant milestone as it is the first time a strategic noise map is being developed for a major airport in Serbia. The legal framework, methodology, and results of this mapping process are discussed in detail. Utilizing the CNOSSOS-EU:2015 method and the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) for acoustic calculations, the study defines the affected areas, noise indicators, and population exposure based on 2023 air traffic data. The results indicate that the Lden noise levels exceeding 55 dB impacted 24,223 residents, while the Lnight noise levels exceeding 50 dB affected 7,493 residents. The analysis also includes the estimated number of dwellings, schools, hospitals, and people affected by different noise levels, providing necessary data for developing action plans aimed at mitigating noise pollution. Additionally, the study examines the potential health impacts, including population annoyance and sleep disturbance, using dose-effect relationships as defined by the European Commission. The results underline the importance of ongoing noise monitoring and the need for timely revisions of strategic noise maps and action plans to ensure compliance with both national and EU regulations. This research contributes to the broader effort of environmental noise management, offering insights into the methodologies and challenges of strategic noise mapping for airports in Serbia.

In the face of pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality, entrepreneurs are increasingly compelled to embrace innovative strategies that harmonize profitability with social and environmental stewardship. Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promise in facilitating such solutions but requires careful examination to ensure its effective and ethical deployment in pursuit of sustainability objectives. The primary goal of this study was to ascertain whether AI significantly influences the sustainable entrepreneurial process. This comprehensive research framework integrates concepts from entrepreneurship, stakeholder theory, and digital technology, offering a multifaceted perspective. We employed the multiple regression analysis to examine data gathered from 40 entrepreneurs operating within the Bosnia and Herzegovina settings. The study's outcomes revealed that AI positively and significantly impacts the sustainable entrepreneurial process and its five sub-dimensions: “idea generation, opportunity recognition, opportunity development, venture launch, and positive impact”. This study enriches the literature on AI and sustainable entrepreneurship by offering empirical support for the impact of AI on the sustainable entrepreneurial process while also introducing and validating measurement tools for the sustainable entrepreneurial process. Additionally, entrepreneurs can utilize the findings of this research to strategically incorporate AI into their business processes and product/service innovation, improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, enhance decision-making, foster collaboration across stakeholders, and capitalize on opportunities effectively.

The aim of this paper is to present a case of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The paper highlights the importance of 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and discusses the capabilities and advances of appliance of the 3D TOE in patient evaluation, better understanding of the diagnosis, and timely treatment. The use of this advance echocardiographic modality allows clear visualization of complex and destructive tissue lesions, such as the perforation observed and presented in this case.

The study was conducted on the Obedska Bara Ramsar site at two localities, Krstonošića okno and canal Vok, to provide insight into fish community status by analysing fish biomass, biodiversity, and changes after restoration measures. A total of 685 fish samples were examined across four periods, from 2011 to 2023. Biodiversity index, relative biomass, and non-native species were analysed to evaluate the restoration measures’ influence. All parameters showed a negative trend until the restoration works were implemented, after which they increased. This study also provides recommendations to improve the site considering the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.