Electron beam radiotherapy is a teletherapy technique utilizing megavoltage electron beams produced by a linear accelerator. These electrons interact with tissue, reaching their maximum dose at shallow depths and rapidly decreasing beyond the target area, minimizing radiation exposure to distal tissues and organs. The clinical application of high-energy electron beams (up to 20 MeV) allows for effective treatment of superficial tumors while preserving deeper healthy tissues. Due to these advantages, electron beam therapy plays a crucial role in both human and veterinary oncology. In veterinary oncology, radiotherapy has become an essential modality for tumor treatment, with two primary techniques: teletherapy and brachytherapy. Teletherapy, including electron beam radiation, is the most commonly used approach in veterinary radiotherapy, offering significant advantages in treating superficial tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Recent studies highlight the growing role of electron beam therapy in the management of tumors in dogs and cats, particularly for oral tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, mast cell tumors, nasal carcinomas, and brain tumors. Additionally, hypofractionated radiation protocols (8–10 Gy per fraction, with total doses of 16–30 Gy) have been explored for palliative treatment in companion animals with short life expectancy, where the risk of late radiation side effects is low. This technique provides symptom relief and improves the quality of life for affected animals. Despite advancements in veterinary radiotherapy, treatment outcomes depend on factors such as total radiation dose, fractionation schedule, and tumor type. While electron beam radiotherapy has demonstrated efficacy in various oncological applications, further studies are needed to optimize treatment protocols and enhance long-term tumor control while minimizing adverse effects.

Cytokines are polypeptides or glycopeptides involved in intercellular communication, functioning as key mediators alongside hormones and neurotransmitters. Acting through specific receptors, cytokines regulate gene activation, influencing cellular function and phenotype. Their activity is modulated by inhibitors that control biological effects and cellular responses. Classified based on function, cytokines include growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 play a crucial role in inflammation, mediating immune responses, fever, and metabolic changes. They induce leukocyte activation, protein catabolism, and alterations in endocrine function, contributing to immune regulation and systemic effects. Additionally, cytokines influence metabolism by modulating nutrient absorption, energy balance, and acute-phase protein synthesis. This review highlights the fundamental properties, classification, and biological effects of cytokines, emphasizing their central role in immune function, metabolism, and inflammation. Understanding cytokine interactions is essential for developing therapeutic strategies targeting immune and inflammatory disorders.

Constant development of protective materials and armored systems requires continuous improvements in the field of anti-tank ammunition development. One of the most commonly used anti-tank explosive ordnance are shaped charge projectiles/warheads. Serbia has been globally recognized for decades in the production of high-quality hand-held rocket launchers equipped with various calibers of shaped charge ammunition. One of the most famous representatives is the 64 mm hand-held rocket launcher, better known as "Zolja". Although it has been in use for decades and it has insufficient capabilities against more modern protection systems, retaining the traditional design and long-established production technologies, along with the use of more potent and modern explosives, could significantly enhance its penetration power. This paper uses analytical calculation and numerical simulation to analyze how different explosive materials affect the velocity of shaped charge jet of 64 mm M80 warhead, which ultimately directly impacts its penetration capabilities.

Background: Cardiometabolic risk (CMR), encompassing metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, represents a major public health challenge in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where overweight and obesity prevalence is high. Objective: The study aimed to: a) examine the prevalence of three or more metabolic risk factors in relation to age; b) analyze biochemical parameters, lipid indices, and body composition indices in association with cardiometabolic risk (QRISK3); and c) identify age-specific thresholds for elevated risk. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive–analytical study included 203 working-age participants (≤49, 50–54, 55–59, ≥60 years). The research instruments included: laboratory analysis, anthropometric and body composition parameters, and the Q3 risk calculator. Results: The prevalence of three or more metabolic risk factors increased with age, from <49 years to ≥60 years. Younger participants exhibited lower HDL and higher visceral fat, whereas older groups showed elevated glucose, ALT, and AST (p<0.05). The Q3 risk score increased significantly across age groups (median 8.15 to 24.80; p<0.001). Visceral fat, BMI, and body fat percentage emerged as strong predictors of risk in younger and middle-aged adults. Conclusion: Cardiometabolic risk develops already in early adulthood. Age-specific thresholds for visceral fat and biochemical markers may improve risk stratification, highlighting the importance of early screening and preventive interventions.

Background: Perspectives and views on addiction have changed throughout history, from moralistic interpretations to pharmacological, medical, social and cultural approaches. Research and thinking about the connection between social development and the use of psychoactive substances has broadened the perspective. Personal factors that contribute to the development of a tendency towards addiction are extremely important for understanding addictive behavior, but they are less the focus of researchers. This is one of the key reasons why the underlying causes of this disease are still under-researched. Objective: To discover how psychological profiles differ between those who have successfully completed treatment and those who have not, thereby providing deeper insight into traits that may be key to successful rehabilitation of addicts. Methods: The study involved drug addicts (N=368) who were undergoing residential treatment for a year at the Therapeutic Community Institution, Campus of Canton Sarajevo. The study used the MMPI 2 - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a broad-ranging test designed to identify a number of major personality and emotional disorders, and a standardized questionnaire with basic data on addicts in the treatment program, the Pompidou questionnaire, which is used in many European countries to determine: the prevalence of substance abuse, the modality of their use, and the associated harmful consequences. After the psychological profiles were formed, we investigated whether there was a difference between the groups of addicts who completed treatment and those who did not. The IBM SPSS (v23.0) software for statistical analysis was used to process the collected data. Results: AGE - statistically significant differences/borderline differences were found on the scale Psychopathic Deviation (F=7.501 p=0.001), Paranoia (F=3.025, p=0.056), Psychoasthenia (F=3.144, p=0.051) and Schizophrenia (F=4.383, p=0.017). Status of previous treatment - statistically significant differences were found on the scales Psychopathic Deviation (F=6.047 p=0.017) and Masculinity-Femininity (F=5.086, p=0.028). Conclusion: Understanding the personality psychological profiles, sociodemographic characteristics, history of the disease of addiction can improve the understanding of the personality of the addict and help to be more successful in the treatment. Previous research in this area shows that addicts have additional psychological difficulties that should be addressed and treated during addiction treatment.

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Background: The role and influence of a positive psychotherapeutic relationship on the outcome of psychotherapy has been widely documented. Ruptures in the psychotherapeutic relationship are defined as a deterioration in the collaborative relationship between the psychotherapist and the client. Objective: The aim of the research is to shed light on the issue of subjective experiences of psychotherapists regarding the perception of the meaning and interpretation of rupture, to discover the unique ways in which psychotherapists work to identify, manage and overcome them during the psychotherapy relationship, and to discover the psychotherapist\'s strategies for dealing with successful or unsuccessful processes of resolving the process of rupture in the psychotherapy process. Methods: The sample of respondents consisted of a total of 6 qualified psychotherapists with different psychotherapy orientations, who have completed accredited psychotherapy training programs with at least two years of psychotherapy experience, and are actively conducting psychotherapy sessions. The research was conducted according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) methodology of qualitative studies. Semi-structured interview questionnaire - When conducting research in focus groups, a semi-structured interview questionnaire was used, which contains the domains provided by the Theoretical Domains Framework and open-ended questions related to the research objective. Results: The role of the therapeutic relationship in working with clients is assessed as the most important component without which there is no psychotherapy treatment, and a good therapeutic relationship as a predictor of psychotherapy success. The following indicators are crucial in the identification of psychotherapy rupture according to therapists: lack of mutual respect, feeling of being let down, presence of conscious or unconscious transference or countertransference, failure to meet expectations and compliance. On the emotional level, in the identification of psychotherapy rupture, the feeling of fatigue and anger, helplessness is identified. Conclusion: The results of the theoretical review and data analysis indicate the existence of several unique points for creating an integrative approach to the resolution of a psychotherapeutic rupture: Identification of the rupture, open discussion about the situation and relationship that has arisen, negotiation, and establishment of a new relationship. Further studies in this direction are needed.

Background: The clinical manifestations of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) depend on the localization of the damaged region in the brain. Cognitive functions are often impaired following a stroke. Initially, CVD was referred to as atherosclerotic dementia, and was distinguished from senile dementia. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how stroke severity and localization influence the development of vascular dementia (VD) and to identify which cognitive functions are impaired in certain types of VD. Methods: This prospective study included patients with acute stroke who were hospitalized at the Department of Neurology Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, over a one-year period. Patients were divided into the following groups: dementia of strategic infarct (DSI), cortical dementia (CD), subcortical dementia (SCD), haemorrhagic dementia (HD) and non-demented patient (NDP). Stroke localization, side and number of lesions were analyzed. Results: A total of 274 stroke patients were analyzed, of whom 190 (69%) were diagnosed with some type of VD. The odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of dementia per point increase in NIHSS on admission was 1.131 (95% CI; 1.056 – 1.210). CD was more common in patients with right hemisphere lesions (p<0.000), whereas SCD was more frequent in those with bihemispheric lesions (p<0.0001). All assessed cognitive functions were significantly associated with CD and SCD (p<0.000). Visual perceptual (p=0.007) and visual constructive (p=0.016) functions were significantly impaired in patients with DSI. Executive functions were significantly impaired in all demented patients (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Stroke localization has a significant impact on the development of vascular dementia. All analyzed cognitive functions are significantly impaired in cortical and subcortical dementia. Visual perceptual and visual constructive functions are particularly impaired in patients with dementia of strategic infarct.

Background: Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that affects language comprehension and production, typically occurring after brain damage. It is a frequent clinical manifestation of both benign and malignant brain tumors, particularly when lesions are localized in language-dominant areas. Objective: To assess the prevalence and characterize the types of aphasia in patients with intracranial tumors, emphasizing its clinical significance and the importance of early speech-language evaluation. Methods: This prospective study included patients with confirmed brain tumors diagnosed through neuroimaging (CT or MRI of the neurocranium), who were hospitalized at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Center Tuzla, over a one-year period. Patients with pre-existing aphasia of any etiology, as well as those who had not acquired reading and writing skills, were excluded. All assessments were performed prior to surgical intervention using the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination. Results: Aphasia was diagnosed in 25 patients (27.5%). The most common type was anomic aphasia in 10 patients (40%), followed by Broca’s aphasia in 7 patients (28%), transcortical motor aphasia in 3 patients (12%), and transcortical sensory aphasia in 1 patient (4%). The highest number of patients with aphasia had tumors localized in the left temporal lobe, followed by the parietal and temporoparietal regions. Conclusion: Aphasia is a common clinical finding in patients with intracranial tumors, affecting more than one-quarter of the studied population. The distribution of aphasia types is consistent with the localization of lesions in language-dominant areas, particularly the left temporal lobe. Early recognition and detailed speech-language assessment are essential for timely intervention, rehabilitation planning, and optimizing functional outcomes.