Background: Lyme Borreliosis is a multisystem zoonosis caused by the spirochete Borrelia Burgdorferi and is widespread throughout the world. Borrelia is called the greatest imitator, because it can imitate any disease. The frequent presence of Borrelia in some neurological, dermatological, ophthalmological, cardiology and other patients points to a dilemma: is Borrelia burgdorferii really an imitator or is it the main actor of these diseases. Objective: The aim of this paper is to answer the question: is Borrelia burgdorferi the initiator and main cause of most diseases that are etiologically unexplained. Methods: The paper presents unusual clinical pictures of chronic borreliosis in 10 patients, who recovered on antibiotic therapy, and which are the most striking examples from a group of similarly ill patients. Case study presentation: A total of 10 interesting cases of borreliosis patients were presented. These are the cases: Scleroderma in a 29-year-old patient, generalized lymphadenitis with extreme leukocytosis in a 52-year-old woman, paraparesis in a 24-year-old professional soldier after mild serous meningitis, ALS in a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a case of bilateral migrating optic neuritis in a 13-year-old schoolgirl, retinal ablation in a 32-year-old patient, secondary sterility due to cystic ovaries in a 32-year-old shopkeeper with chronic urticaria, MS in a 20-year-old student, nightmares and moonwalking in a 7.5-year-old pupil complicated with left-sided bartonellosis lymphadenitis of the neck, recurrent syncope with attacks of tachypnea in a 19-year-old patient. All of these patients had normal routine findings, except for the patient with leukocytosis. Infectious disease diagnosis in all patients was made clinically, based on anamnestic data, clinical picture and verified white and/or pink borreliosis striae, and serological confirmation of the presence of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi using ELISA, WB and Immunoblot techniques. Conclusion: Based on the presented cases and 12 years of continuous experience with patients with Lyme disease, we conclude that Borrelia burgdorferi is in most cases the cause of the disease of “unknown cause” in neurology, dermatovenerology, ophthalmology, gynecology, internal medicine. The diagnosis of Borrelia is made primarily clinically (extensive anamnesis by organs + finding of new clinical markers on the skin). Serological confirmation of the presence of Borrelia in the body can be done in a small number of cases using the ELISA + WB technique, because these antibodies last for a short time. In older children and adults, it is necessary to use the advanced Immunoblot technique that searches for antibodies to B.B. protein sequences. and additionally search for Borrelia by light microscopy in a native serum preparation.

Background: Coeliotomy in chelonian species is performed to gain access to the abdominal cavity and requires general anesthesia. In reptile medicine, alfaxalone and propofol are often preferred, although the usage of these drugs is limited by cost and/or vascular access. Furthermore, according to a recent study, propofol produces significant oxidative stress in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), and in such cases, a ketamine and medetomidine combination may provide a better choice. Case description: Three owned red-eared sliders were separately presented with a history of recent lethargy, inappetence, dyspnea, and restlessness. Findings/treatment and outcome: In these three cases of chronic dystocia, a ketamine and medetomidine combination was used to achieve anesthesia induction for surgical treatment. Additionally, intrathecal administration of lidocaine was performed to achieve a potential analgesic effect in deeper intracoelomic reproductive organs. Preoperative changes in blood parameters were observed in one animal, suggesting abnormal kidney function. The same animal showed signs of resedation postoperatively, prolonged recovery, and had a fatal outcome 48 h after the surgery with signs of kidney damage in histopathological evaluation. In the recovery period, none of the surviving animals (n=2) showed neurological or respiratory complications that could be associated with subcarapacial sinus anesthesia administration or intrathecal local anesthesia. Conclusion: According to our observations, intrathecal lidocaine administration provided sufficient analgesia during prefemoral coeliotomy and reproductive organ manipulation. These modes of anesthesia in chelonians require further investigation.

Introduction: Syncope is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention in the pediatric population. The underlying etiology ranges from benign causes to potentially life-threatening conditions. Objective: This cross-sectional retrospective study aimed to cardiologically evaluate children presenting with syncope and identify potential predictive parameters for cardiogenic syncope, the most dangerous type of syncope. Patients and Methods: Data from 100 children aged 6 to 18 years who presented with syncope were retrospectively collected from medical records at the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the predictive significance of the studied parameters. Results: Of the 100 children with documented syncope, 71.0% were girls, with the peak incidence of syncope episodes occurring at age 15. There were no statistically significant differences in height, weight, or BMI between boys and girls. The most common cardiac diagnosis was sinus arrhythmia, while headache was the most frequent non-cardiac symptom. Seventy-three percent of patients experienced more than one syncope episode, with the highest percentage occurring at school. Prodromal symptoms were present in 87% of cases, whereas palpitations and chest pain prior to syncope were reported in 10% and 12% of cases, respectively. Among the 49 patients with abnormal ECG findings, 29% had sinus arrhythmia and 25% had incomplete right bundle branch block. The most common echocardiographic finding was mild pulmonary valve regurgitation, which is considered a physiological variant. Of all studied parameters, only EEG demonstrated significant predictive value for cardiogenic syncope (p = 0.035, EXP(B) = 2.99). Conclusion: EEG findings have predictive significance for cardiogenic syncope in children. A borderline EEG increases the odds of cardiogenic syncope by approximately threefold.

The Balkan Peninsula is one of Europe?s major hotspots for plant biodiversity. Although the rich flora of the Balkans has been exten?sively studied from many points of view, genome size studies have received comparatively little attention. This paper contributes to the online available Genome Size Database of Balkan Flora (GeSDaBaF; http://www.pmf.unsa.ba/gesdabaf) and updates this database with new bibliographic data on the C-values for plants in the Balkan region. Additionally, 2C DNA values determined by flow cytometry are reported for 87 accessions, encompassing 82 taxa (70 species, 11 subspecies, and one hybrid taxon, 14 of which are endemic to the Balkans and two with amphi-adriatic distribution) across 63 genera and 31 families. The newly obtained genome size values include the first data for one genus, 25 species, eight subspecies, and one hybrid taxon. These new data represent 9.99% of the 821 taxa for which nuclear DNA content has been assessed in the Balkans to date, highlighting existing knowledge gaps for future research.

Background: Seasonal flu represents a significant public health challenge and cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. The aim of our study is to describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for laboratory of confirmed influenza during the 2024/2025. season.Methods: The data of patients hospitalized in the Clinic for infectious diseas of the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska from December 2024 to March 2025 were restrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of influenza was confirmed by PCR testing from a nasopharyngeal swab. Data were collected on age, sex, comorbidities, laboratory findings, therapy, the need for oxygen support and mechanical ventilation, the outcome of treatment.Results: A total of 175 patients, average age 63, were hospitalized. Influenza A was confirmed by PCR test in 78 (44.6%), and Influenza B in 20 patients (11.4%). The most common symptoms on admission were fever, cough and muscle pain. Chronic diseases were present in 155 patients (88.6%), while only 12 patients (6.9%) were vaccinated against influenza. Pneumonia was radiographically diagnosed in 102 patients (58%). Antiviral therapy was used in 160 patients (91.4%). 54 patients (30.9%) required oxygen support, while 7 patients (4%) were on mechanical ventilation. A fatal outcome was recorded in 8 patients (4.6%).Conclusion: Low vaccination rate and high proportion of chronic diseases among the hospitalized indicates to patients the need for stronger vaccination promotion and early intervention in risk groups. Timely diagnosis and adequate therapy remain key factors in prevention of severe forms of disease and reduction of mortality.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcome of the disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska (UCCRS), in the period from November 30, 2024 to April 1, 2025, due to confirmed influenza. The study included 125 hospitalized patients with microbiologically confirmed influenza. Among them, 20.8% had COPD, of which 48% were male and 52% female, with an average age of 68.6 years and the majority had influenza A (76%), while 24% had influenza B. The mortality rate among patients with COPD was 8%, compared to 32% in patients without COPD. Laboratory findings showed higher levels of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in patients with COPD, indicating a more pronounced inflammatory response. Additionally, COPD patients had higher levels of D-dimer, suggesting an increased tendency toward thrombosis. Radiological analyses revealed various forms of pneumonia, with 48% of COPD patients showing negative radiological findings despite elevated CRP levels. Oxygen therapy and de-obstructive treatments were more frequently administered in COPD patients, while antibiotics were included in the treatment of all COPD patients. The results suggest the need for a specific therapeutic approach in this group of patients patient group. Also, vaccination against influenza is a key preventive measure that can prevent influenza, reduce the severity of the disease if it occurs, and improve the outcome, especially in patients with COPD, who are more susceptible to more serious complications.

The efficient functioning of the repo market and repo operations is of essential importance for the financial stability and monetary policy of the country, but on the other hand, excessive use of the repo market can affect the increase of systemic risk, which was demonstrated during the recent financial crisis. The main goal of this research is to investigate the scientific and professional literature in the field of repo transactions, and to analyze the development of repo transactions on the EU market, as well as the current level of development of repo transactions on the financial market in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the stability of repo transactions for commercial banks and other participants in order to maintain liquidity on the repo market.

Project management is one of the most challenging jobs in any organization, as it requires a broad understanding of the various areas that must be coordinated. Over the past few decades, a number of studies have emerged on the correlation between project managers’ and project teams members’ competencies and project success. To improve project success, the organizations have to consider various skills such as communication (internal and external), effective control and monitoring, effective planning, ability to manage risk, etc, and their significance and the role in the project success. The aim of this paper is to use Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis in order to analyze contextual interrelationships among the identified skills, divided into clusters, to develop structural relationship among these skills and to classify factors based on their driver and dependence power and their mutual relationships.

This paper analyzes possible approaches and directions for the subsequent alignment of the legal framework for consumer protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina with EU acquis after the adoption of the Consumer Protection Law of BiH in 2006, in which most of the implemented directives have undergone significant changes to date, with some even being repealed with the adoption of entirely new consumer directives aimed at modernizing the existing structures of EU secondary consumer law. The chronic inconsistency of consumer law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, compared to the EU’s secondary consumer law, negatively affects the current level of protection for the rights and obligations of consumers and traders in consumer contracts within the single economic area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this context, the trade of goods with a digital element and digital services in the EU’s single digital market requires completely different approaches to the affirmation and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s digital market, with the aim of ensuring a high and unified level of consumer protection, as well as creating a legal and institutional infrastructure that will enable more effective implementation of consumer policies and the use of entirely new legal instruments in resolving consumer disputes.“ The objectives of this study are focused on analyzing the current legal framework for consumer protection in BiH, which needs to be amended and aligned with EU secondary consumer law through the implementation of newly adopted consumer directives. These directives introduce entirely new legal concepts, methods of contract formation, types of consumer contracts, and ways to protect consumer rights, which also implies presenting appropriate proposals for legislative interventions and improving the existing legal framework for consumer protection in the BiH market, and its further alignment with the EU acquis in fulfilling the obligations arising from the Stabilization and Association Agreement between BiH and the EU.

The objectives of this study are focused on a comparative legal analysis of the importance of achieving consistency between the legal, tax and accounting qualifications of financial leasing transactions within the economic and legal system of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), as well as offering an assessment of the potential of transposing different economic-legal concepts and the development of relevant practices based on examples from Germany, England, and the USA. The issue of congruence between civil law and tax qualifications of financial leasing transactions presents a significant challenge in providing consistent answers for national economic systems, both of continental and common law traditions. Furthermore, the civil law qualifications of financial leasing transactions in B&H are not complementary with the qualifications adopted in national and relevant international accounting standards (IAS 17 and FASB 13). Some national accounting frameworks do not recognize leasing capitalization criteria at all, while others wrongly classify most leasing transactions under the treatment for operating leases. This opens up broad opportunities for the development of undesirable practices, such as the disappearance of financial leasing assets from the lessee’s balance sheet, as well as the duplication of leasing assets in the balance sheets of both the lessor and the lessee. The answers to the questions raised in this paper are of multiple importance for achieving a more creative development of the leasing industry in B&H and formulating appropriate proposals for improvements based on the results of the comparative legal analysis of the reference examples from Germany, England and the USA.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of non-conventional techniques in extracting phenolic compounds from tobacco agro-industrial waste. Two fractions of tobacco waste obtained from Virovitički Duhani dd (solid waste and dust) were subjected to ultrasound and subcritical water in a wide temperature range, treatment times and various liquid-solid ratios to determine the changes in the content of phenolic compounds and antiradical activity. Analysis of extracts was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric methods. Results showed that UAE is preferable in phenolic compound separation. In contrast, phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid and rutin) were degraded during SWE, which may have increased the amount of undesirable breakdown products or beneficial simple phenolic compounds.