Background and purpose: Ants are a dominant terrestrial insect group and rank among the most abundant and diverse animals on land, playing significant ecological and economic roles. Due to their global diversity and the high morphological similarity among closely related species, accurate identification of ants can be difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the species status within one of the most important ant groups – Lasius genus, subgenus Lasius s. str. – in Bosnia and Herzegovina, using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches. Materials and methods: Forty-two individuals were collected from four localities and identified using appropriate morphological keys. DNA barcoding was performed to complement morphological identification, and sequences were deposited in GenBank. A Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA11, incorporating both the sequences from this study and selected sequences from the BOLD database. Results: We identified three species - Lasius niger, L. platythorax and L. emarginatus, by applying both approaches. Specific dark-brown mesosoma and a new haplotype were recorded for L. emarginatus. Conclusions: The observed morphometric differences and a discovery of a new Lasius emarginatus haplotype suggest that the diversity of species within the subgenus in Bosnia and Herzegovina is greater than previously recognized. Further research is warranted to explore the regional diversity and ecological roles of Lasius species.

This article examines how post-war Bosnian cinema mediates the unresolved absences of the Bosnian War through its cinematic portrayals of widowhood, mourning, and survival. Drawing on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork among Bosnian war widows and a close reading of three films— Halima’s Path (dir. Arsen Anton Ostojić, 2012), Snow (dir. Aida Begić, 2008), and Days and Hours (dir. Pjer Žalica, 2004)—the article explores how film operates simultaneously as a repository of cultural memory and as an ethnographic lens into the lived afterlives of genocide. I argue that cinematic narratives of absence and endurance offer a counterpoint to the dehumanizing tendencies of nationalist historiography and the quantification of loss, instead foregrounding the intimate textures of grief, resilience, and feminine agency. By weaving ethnographic observation with film analysis, the study illuminates how post-war cinematography assumes a feminist political role—making visible the everyday struggles of women on the social margins and reframing their experiences as central to collective remembrance. Ultimately, I contend that film and ethnography together reveal how the missing persist not as voids but as vital presences, intricately woven into the moral, emotional, and cultural fabric of post-genocide Bosnia.

Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss, yet inconspicuous or “cryptic” species often escape detection and public awareness, limiting management responses. We investigated the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii , likely native to China and now present on six continents, through a 22‐month multilingual online survey across 17 European countries ( n  = 1388), to assess public knowledge, perceptions and views on its management. Results revealed low public awareness: over 80% of respondents did not know the scientific name, 49% misidentified its freshwater habitat as marine and only 33% recognized it as non‐native. Aesthetic perceptions were largely positive, but mass occurrences triggered caution and direct contact was rare and usually harmless. Bayesian Network analysis showed that direct observation—rather than demographic factors or scientific knowledge—was the strongest predictor of concern and support for public discussion. While C. sowerbii was not widely perceived as a local threat, many respondents acknowledged its potential ecological implications and supported greater public awareness and management actions. Our findings highlight how visual subtlety and limited media coverage reduce detection and prioritization of cryptic invasive alien species (IAS), hindering early warning systems and policy development. Leveraging citizen science and experiential engagement can improve recognition and reporting, complement formal monitoring and support more inclusive management strategies. We recommend integrating cryptic invasions like that of C. sowerbii into IAS frameworks and policies, emphasizing public participation and awareness to address overlooked, but potentially impactful species. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Hydatidiform mole, the most common form of gestational trophoblastic disease, presents as complete or partial form. Complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) usually presents with prominent histological criteria, whereas partial hydatidiform mole (PHM) shows a wide spectrum of presentations depending on gestational age. Molecular markers enhance the understanding of the variation and heterogeneous presentation of molar pregnancies, as well as their biological potential and behavior. This retrospective study included 50 CHM and 50 PHM specimens, terminated in first trimester via suction curettage. A second histopathological review of slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin was conducted, as well as a selection of representative tissue slides for p53 immunostaining. This study aimed to determine the precise correlation between specific morphological criteria and the patterns of p53 immunoexpression. Semi-quantitative analysis of samples for both pathological criteria and p53 immunostaining was performed. p53 positivity was defined as follow: the percentage of positive cells/nuclei: + (10-40%); ++ (40-70%); +++ (>70%); and staining intensity was scored as: 1 – weak, 2 – moderate, and 3 – strong intensity. P53 expression was estimated on at least 200 nuclei of cytotrophoblasts per slide. Significant difference in p53 expression exist between CHM and PHM in staining intensity. CHM shows significant correlation of p53 positivity with hydrops, central cisterns and atypia. In PHM trophoblast pseudoinclusions demonstrate strong significant correlation with p53 positivity. The irregular pseudoinclusions demonstrate lower expression compared with round or oval, being consistent with benign behavior of PHM. Prominent morphological criteria strongly correlate with p53 immunoexpression for both CHM and PHM.

Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LEO) was obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried flowers collected in the Mostar region (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing a camphor content of 16.96%, substantially higher than the maximum value specified in the European Pharmacopoeia. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using quantitative suspension tests according to EN 1276 and EN 1650 under simulated “dirty” conditions with organic load (bovine albumin, 3 g/L) and a 5 min contact time. High-concentration LEO (80% w/v) exhibited strong bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and yeasticidal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (>5 log10 CFU/mL reduction for bacteria, >4 log10 CFU/mL reduction for yeast), but was ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541. Lower concentrations (1.0% and 0.1% w/v) showed no bactericidal and yeasticidal activity, highlighting LEO’s efficacy limits. Antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH radical scavenging, was dose- and time-dependent. Molecular docking provided insight into the interaction of major constituents with selected microbial and antioxidant-related targets. These findings highlight both the potential and limitations of LEO as a renewable bio-based resource for sustainable disinfectant formulations while emphasizing the importance of chemical composition and regulatory compliance.

Background: Sarajevo Canton reported large measles outbreaks in 2019 and 2024, highlighting the impact of the persistent gaps in immunisation coverage. Aim: To analyse 2 measles outbreaks in Sarajevo Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina, identify populations at risk and assess the impact of vaccination coverage on disease transmission. Methods: We collected publicly available weekly case counts data for 45 weeks from the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton and examined the vaccination coverage for 5 years to assess the impact of immunisation on outbreak dynamics. We conducted descriptive analyses using RStudio version 2024 and evaluated the differences between outbreaks using Mann-Whitney U test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 869 cases were reported in 2019 and 4505 in 2024, and children aged 1–4 years were mostly affected (42.1%). Most of the cases were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status; 92.3% of cases in 2019 were unvaccinated, and 87.7% in 2024 were unvaccinated, while 9.9% had unknown vaccination status. The 2024 outbreak had a higher and longer peak (416 vs 91 cases) occurence than 2019, and one death was reported in each year. Conclusion: The declining vaccination coverage in Sarajevo Canton contributed to increased measles incidence. Strengthening mandatory immunisation, targeted catch-up campaigns and public communication are essential to achieve herd immunity, prevent future outbreaks and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Cascade reservoirs on the Drina River (Bosnia and Herzegovina) are heavily modified water bodies that require reliable biological tools for assessing trophic status and ecological potential. Under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), assessments of surface water ecological status and potential rely on biological quality elements, since aquatic communities integrate and respond to prevailing environmental conditions and thus serve as reliable indicators of water quality. This study aims to (i) describe phytoplankton diversity, biomass, and functional-group composition along the Drina reservoir cascade, (ii) examine monthly changes across the studied reservoirs, (iii) determine trophic status and ecological potential, and (iv) provide a preliminary estimate of total phosphorus thresholds that may support future setting of ecological potential boundaries. Phytoplankton composition and functional groups were analysed in three longitudinally connected reservoirs of the Drina River during four monthly surveys in 2024. A total of 80 phytoplankton taxa were recorded, with diatoms dominating most of the study period. The highest biomasses were recorded for Fragilaria crotonensis, Dinobryon divergens, Acanthoceras zachariasii and Sphaerocystis sp., while the dominant functional groups were P, E, A, and F. Phytoplankton assemblage structure showed moderate spatial differentiation among the reservoirs. Mean chlorophyll a and Carlson’s Trophic State Index indicated eutrophic conditions in the Višegrad Reservoir and mesotrophic conditions in the Perućac and Zvornik reservoirs, while biomass showed a pronounced summer maximum, particularly in Perućac. Ecological potential was generally classified as good or better, except for a moderate classification in the Zvornik Reservoir in late summer. The good/moderate TP boundary was estimated at 39 µg L−1, linking EQR-based ecological assessment with the onset of eutrophic conditions. Overall, this study represents the first application of the phytoplankton functional group approach in cascade reservoirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and may provide a valuable basis for the development of a phytoplankton-based monitoring framework in lakes and reservoirs, which is currently lacking.

Doping remains one of the most important problems in sports, but legal issues related to anti-doping are relatively understudied in this context. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of a newly designed questionnaire aimed at evaluating antidoping legal knowledge among sport officials.The participants included 211 sport officers (coaches, medical professionals, nutritionists; 41.7±7. years of age, 71 females) from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were tested on a newly designed questionnaire on knowledge of legal anti-doping regulations for sport officials (Q-LADR-O). Additionally, data on sociodemographic characteristics, sport-related factors, and doping-related factors were collected. In the first phase, a subsample of 56 participants was tested and retested on the Q-LADR-O in the time frame of 7--10 days to evaluate the reliability of the tool.Among the 20 original questionnaire items, 18 had appropriate test-retest reliability (Cohen’s kappa > 0.61, absolute agreement > 80%). Factor analysis identified two distinct latent structures reflecting (i) rights and obligation under the anti-doping code and (ii) anti-doping testing and legislation. The validity of the Q-LADR-O was confirmed by significant differences between medical staff and coaches/nutritionists (6.71 ±1.79 and 4.21 ± 1.2 for medical staff and coaches/nutritionists, respectively, t test = 8.71, p < 0.01) and a significant correlation between the Q-LADR-O and sport-officiating level (Spearman’s R = 0.21, p < 0.05) and between the Q-LADR-O and the number of doping tests of athletes officiated (Spearman’s R = 0.55, p < 0.05).Considering its proper reliability and validity, Q-LADR-O can contribute to more effective anti-doping education, primarily by reducing unintentional rule violations. Further intervention studies are warranted.

The aim of this study was to evaluate real-world rivaroxaban safety and adherence in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). A prospective, observational, cohort, postmarketing study was conducted during a six-month period. The primary outcome was bleeding, including major bleeding, non-major bleeding, and fecal occult blood test positivity. Secondary outcomes included non-bleeding adverse reactions, changes in laboratory parameters, and therapy adherence measured by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8). We included 1184 patients evaluated at baseline and at one, three, and six months. During follow-up, cumulative incidences (95% confidence interval) were 0.9% (0.5–1.7%) for major bleeding, 13.3% (11.4–15.3%) for non-major bleeding, and 3.4% (2.4–4.6%) for fecal occult blood positivity. Other adverse drug reactions were infrequent and mild, most commonly headache and fatigue, and no clinically relevant deterioration of laboratory parameters was observed. MMAS-8 score was the same throughout the follow-up period and was 1.0 (interquartile range 0.0–2.0), which is in the domain of good therapy adherence. Approximately one-third of patients demonstrated full therapy adherence, and one-fifth of patients exhibited poor adherence. This real-world study supports the favorable safety profile and generally good patient adherence to rivaroxaban in NVAF, though continued monitoring of bleeding risk and enhanced patient education on adherence remain crucial for optimal outcomes.

Mineral substrates for indoor horticulture systems critically determine plant water availability and irrigation demand. However, integrative assessments linking pore structure, water retention, and evaporation dynamics of commonly used mineral growing media remain scarce. A total of nine distinct mineral substrates were investigated: expanded clay, expanded slate, pumice, perlite, zeolite, vermiculite, lava granules, brick chips, and clay granules. To assess the impact of granulometry, pumice was tested in three different grain sizes (1–3 mm, 4–7 mm, 7–14 mm), resulting in a total of 11 experimental samples. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), suction experiments, and evaporation tests at 30%, 50%, and 70% relative humidity (RH) at 23 °C. Bulk density ranged from <0.12 g·cm−3 (perlite, vermiculite) to >0.99 g·cm−3 (zeolite, brick chips), while volumetric water content varied from 11.0 vol.% (expanded clay) to 46.6 vol.% (vermiculite). Plant-available water content (AWC) ranged from 2.7 vol.% (expanded clay) to 30.9 vol.% (clay granules). These results demonstrate that pore interconnectivity, rather than total porosity, is the decisive driver of hydraulic performance. Finer pumice fractions increased water retention by ~16% compared to coarser fractions. All substrates exhibited a two-phase evaporation profile, with initial rates ranging from 1.9 to 5.6 g·h−1 at 30% RH. Clay granules showed the most temporally stable evaporation, with only a 37% rate reduction over 48 h, compared to 66% for perlite. While conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, these findings provide a quantitative basis for targeted substrate selection and blending to optimize root-zone hydration, irrigation efficiency, and hygrothermal performance in permanent indoor horticulture systems.

To identify predictors of clinically inactive disease (CID) and clinical remission (CR) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis receiving etanercept during the 2-year, phase 3 b, open-label CLIPPER study (NCT00962741) and the 8-year extension study, CLIPPER2 (NCT01421069). Patients with extended oligoarthritis (2–17 years), enthesitis-related arthritis or psoriatic arthritis (each 12–17 years) were enrolled in CLIPPER/CLIPPER2. Predictors of CID (according to Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score [JADAS] and JIA-ACR response criteria) and CR (≥6 months of CID) were identified using a multivariate stepwise logistic regression model. Two-thirds of patients met the criteria for CID at any point and 34–43% achieved CR. Height Z score >-0.74, age at onset ≤12 years, normal CRP levels, HLA-B27+ status, JADAS low disease activity (LDA) at 3 months, and ≤4 swollen joints were predictive of JADAS CID. BMI Z score >0.80, age at onset ≤12 years, normal CRP levels, and JADAS LDA at 3 months were predictors of JIA-ACR CID. JADAS LDA at 3 months was a predictor of JADAS CR, and height Z score >1.23, JADAS LDA at 3 months, and >12 swollen joints were identified as predictors of JIA-ACR CR. In patients with JIA treated with etanercept, early responses to treatment in line with treat-to-target recommendations, younger age, HLA-B27+ status and lower disease activity at baseline were associated with clinically inactive disease and clinical remission. ClinicalTrials.gov IDs: CLIPPER (NCT00962741); CLIPPER2 (NCT01421069)