The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly investigated Achillea species, Achillea lingulata Waldst. and the endemic Achillea abrotanoides Vis., were studied. To obtain a more detailed phytochemical profile, four solvents with different polarities were used for the preparation of the plant extracts whose phenolic composition was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The results indicate that both of the investigated Achillea species are very rich in both phenolic acids and flavonoids, but that their profiles differ significantly. Chloroform extracts from both species had the highest yields and were the most chemically versatile. The majority of the examined extracts showed antimicrobial activity, while ethanolic extracts from both species were potent against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. It was found that the ethanolic extracts possessed the strongest antioxidant activities, although these extracts did not contain the highest amounts of detected phenolic compounds. In addition, several representatives of phenolic compounds were also assayed for these biological activities. Results suggest that ethanol is a sufficient solvent for the isolation of biologically active compounds from both Achillea species. Moreover, it was shown that the flavonoids naringenin and morin are mainly responsible for these antimicrobial activities, while caffeic, salicylic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, and rosmarinic acid are responsible for the antioxidant activities of the Achillea extracts.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by the cessation of air flow during sleep due to an obstruction in the nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal region. The consequences that untreated obstructive sleep apnoea might have on patient’s health include symptoms like sudden awakening with a sensation of suffocation, morning headache, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, lack of concentration, and it is commonly connected to hypertension, coronary artery disease, depression, obesity and other medical conditions. Aim: The purpose of this review study is to enlighten the role of an orthodontic professional in prevention and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome to the general public. Methods: Data search was determined by the following keywords: sleep apnea, orthodontic abnormalities, orthodontic prevention, sleep apnea syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, cephalometric analysis, AHI index, BMI index and obesity. Electronic data search was performed on platforms Pubmed and Google Scholar. Results: After reading and analyses, twenty-one articles with similar procedural criteria were selected, and among them only 6 were recognized as meeting the criteria of being completely accessible, having the selected keywords in their name, using the cephalometric analysis and BMI index and discussing the obese adults sleep apnea. In all the examined studies, it is proven that craniofacial morphology is a major anatomical risk factor for OSA. Conclusion: The role of the orthodontic specialists might be crucial in prevention of the development of obstructive sleep apnea, not only considering the orthodontic devices treament options, it can be especially important when obesity appears as a factor in the sense of informing and advising the patient and cooperating with other specialists who treat and prevent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Introduction Cytokines exert biological function through signal transducer and activator of transcription factors. Prostaglandins have function as promotors, where play a key role in generation of the inflammatory response and as ones that solve inflammatory process. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, inhibit prostaglandin synthesis but the existence of additional mechanisms is present. Thus, we aimed to explore effects of topically applied NSAIDs on the levels of PGE2 and Stat3 in the setting of two in vivo induced acute inflammation models. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomized into five equal groups: 4 treated and a control group. Diclofenac or ketoprofen patches were applied in two different doses, i.e. equivalent to human therapeutic dose, and three times higher dose. Three hours later either model of inflammation (with 20% yeast, or with 1% carrageenan) was induced. Blood samples were taken 3 hours after and concentration levels of PGE 2 and Stat3 were determined using ELISA. Body temperature was measured at 0. 1st, 3rd and 5th hour after inflammation induction and presented in Celsius degrees. Shapiro-Wilk, Leven’s, Welch’s One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test and adjustment by Bonferroni correction were applied. Results In both inflammation models, no differences in the mean values of PGE 2 between control, low and high dose groups treated by either diclofenac or ketoprofen were found. In yeast inflammation, the mean value of Stat3 was significantly higher in both dose ketoprofen groups compared to control group. After ketoprofen application, no significant differences in body temperature between groups at hour 0 and 5 in either model of inflammation induced, while at 1st hour after carrageenan inflammation, significant differences were found with significantly higher values in low dose ketoprofen group compared to control group. In yeast application, significant differences in body temperature were found at hour 3 after inducing inflammation and post hoc pairwise comparison test revealed significant higher values in low dose ketoprofen group compared to control. Conclusion Elevated Stat3 values post ketoprofen application in yeast model of induced inflammation were detected. Further investigation of cytokine microenvironment as well as the mechanisms of ketoprofen influence on inflammation are needed.

Neonatal screening (NBS) was initiated in Europe during the 1960s with the screening for phenylketonuria. The panel of screened disorders (“conditions”) then gradually expanded, with a boost in the late 1990s with the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), making it possible to screen for 40–50 conditions using a single blood spot. The most recent additions to screening programmes (screening for cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency and spinal muscular atrophy) were assisted by or realised through the introduction of molecular technologies. For this survey, we collected data from 51 European countries. We report the developments between 2010 and 2020 and highlight the achievements reached with the progress made in this period. We also identify areas where further progress can be made, mainly by exchanging knowledge and learning from experiences in neighbouring countries. Between 2010 and 2020, most NBS programmes in geographical Europe matured considerably, both in terms of methodology (modernised) and with regard to the panel of conditions screened (expanded). These developments indicate that more collaboration in Europe through European organisations is gaining momentum. We can only accomplish the timely detection of newborn infants potentially suffering from one of the many rare diseases and take appropriate action by working together.

Background: Atrial septal abnormalities are common congenital lesions remaining asymptomatic until adulthood in a great number of patients. The most frequent atrial septal defects in adults are ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Complications from untreated, hemodynamically significant ASD are atrial arrhythmia, paradoxical embolization, Eisenmenger’s syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular failure. Objective: We present a case report of secundum ASD in adult female patient who underwent transcatheter device closure with Amplatzer occluder. Methods and Results: The case of female Bosnian patient 50 years old who lives in Belgium for 20 years ago and during her visit to Bosnia she came to our polyclinic for cardiological exam. Echocardiographic exam showed enlargement of left atrium (LAD 51mm), right atrium and ventricle (RAD 46mm, RVd 33mm), atrial septal defect 9mm with left right shunt Qp:Qs 2,3:1. Several months later transcatheter device closure with Amplatzer occluder was performed and subsequent symptomatic improvement reported after closure. Conclusion: Echocardiography has superior role for precise evaluation of ASD type secundum who are suitable for transcatheter device closure as primary treatment option. Transcatheter techniques has now become preferable to surgical repair and provide valid option of treatment for this type of CHD.

Automated driving research over the past decades has mostly focused on highway environments. Recent technological developments have drawn researchers and manufacturers to look ahead at introducing automated driving in cities. The current position paper examines this challenge from the viewpoint of scientific experts. Sixteen Human Factors researchers were interviewed about their personal perspectives on automated vehicles (AVs) and the interaction with VRUs in the future urban environment. Aspects such as smart infrastructure, external human-machine interfaces (eHMIs), and the potential of augmented reality (AR) were addressed during the interviews. The interviews showed that the researchers believed that fully autonomous vehicles will not be introduced in the coming decades and that intermediate levels of automation, specific AV services, or shared control will be used instead. The researchers foresaw a large role of smart infrastructure and expressed a need for AV-VRU segregation, but were concerned about corresponding costs and maintenance requirements. The majority indicated that eHMIs will enhance future AV-VRU interaction, but they noted that implicit communication will remain dominant and advised against text-based and instructive eHMIs. AR was commended for its potential in assisting VRUs, but given the technological challenges, its use, for the time being, was believed to be limited to scientific experiments. The present expert perspectives may be instrumental to various stakeholders and researchers concerned with the relationship between VRUs and AVs in future urban traffic.

Adopting AI as a technology that solves a particular problem (i.e., meets an architectural driver) is a significant architectural decision. Existing techniques for adequacy assessment of architectural decisions often fail to predict effects of adopting complex technologies such is AI. In this paper, we argue that the reason for this is that they fail to capture the level of knowledge that architects have about a complex technology that they aim to adopt, making the discussion about it difficult and adequacy check prone to mistakes. To solve these issues, we introduce an approach that instructs architects to decompose complex drivers for adopting new technologies according to properties of the technology, and to explicitly assess knowledge that architects have about each of those properties. In order to do so, we present a template that explicitly captures the level of knowledge that architects have about important AI properties, which serve as new requirements exposing the influence of adopting AI on software system. Through evaluation, we have demonstrated that our approach successfully complements existing adequacy assessment techniques and is able to expose influences of adopting new complex technologies on underlying software architecture.

Software development ecosystems vary significantly among different industrial domains. Therefore, it is challenging to establish quality assurance processes that can be deployed seamlessly to multiple domains. In this paper, we extend our previous work on performance and scalability assessment by identifying the architecture variability points in our PPTAM tooling infrastructure. The goal is to design a modifiable software architecture that enables low cost deployment of our performance and scalability assessment approach. We present the scalability assessment context, architecture modifiability, and lessons learned that were derived from our experience with scalability assessment in several business domains. Specifically, we describe our experience with the application of the proposed approach to a large complex telecom system at Ericsson.

Background and Objectives: This paper aims to show whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity increases the level of systemic inflammation markers regardless of body mass index (BMI) and body composition. Materials and Methods: In total, 128 patients with OSA were included in the study. Examinees were divided into two groups: one with mild OSA (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) < 15) and one with moderate and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15). Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index, body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Systemic inflammation was assessed on the basis of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: We found elevated mean values of the evaluated systemic inflammation markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) in a group with AHI ≥ 15, although there was no statistical significance. Our research found a significant positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.633, p < 0.001), as well as with body fat percentage (r = 0.450, p = 0.024) and serum CRP values. Significant correlation was found between the plasma IL-6 concentration and body fat percentage (FM%) (r = 0.579, p = 0.003) and lean body mass (r = −0.501, p = 0.013). Multivariate regression analysis did not show any independent predictor (parameters of OSA, nutritional status, body composition) of the systemic inflammation markers. Conclusions: Neither one tested parameter (nutritional status and body composition) of the severity of OSA was identified as an independent prognostic factor for the severity of systemic inflammation in patients with OSA.

Background: In postmenopause there are changes in metabolism of bone tissue and consequent decrease of bone density. With ageing redistribution of fat occurs and an increase in body weight. Because of hormone changes in postmenopause fat is redistributed from gluteofemoral area to the abdominal region. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between bone density and a body mass index (BMI), and distribution of the fat tissue in women in postmenopause (WHR). Methods: This research was prospective, and it included total of 83 women, 53 women were in the natural postmenopause and 30 women with the regular menstruation. Results: BMI in women in postmenopause was statistically significantly higher than BMI in women with the regular menstruations (p= 0,005). There was no statistically significant difference between waist hip ratio in women in the postmenopause in relation to the women with the regular menstruations. In women in the postmenopause significant positive correlation between BMI and density of the neck of femur was found (Z and T-score) (p=0,019; p=0,005). There was also significant negative correlation between the WHR and density of the lumbal spine (backbone) in women in the postmenopause (Z-score) (p=0,043). The identical analysis in women with regular menstruations, negative correlation between the density of the lumbal spine was found again (Z-score) and WHR , but the same was highly expressed (p=0,041). The observed correlation between BMI and bone density in this group of women was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Based on the presented results we conclude that the higher the BMI (p=0,019; p=0,005) the higher density of the femoral neck postmenopausal women have, and lower bone density of the lumbar spine the higher ratio waist / hip (p = 0.043). In the women with regular menstruation bone density of the lumbar spine is the lower the higher the ratio of waist and hip (p=0,041), while there was no correlation between BMI and bone density in this group of women.

SUMMARY Research background Numerous factors affect the ripening of reduced-fat white cheese. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of ripening environment (brine or vacuum plastic bags without brine) on the chemical composition, protein, fatty acid profile and mineral content as well as antioxidant properties of industrially produced reduced-fat white cheese. Experimental approach A low-fat white cheese was manufactured on an industrial scale from milk that remained after the production of kajmak and ripened for 60 days at 4 °C after packaging in a polystyrene container with brine containing 6% salt or in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags. The influence of ripening environment on proteolysis was monitored by the change of soluble nitrogen fractions as well as by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane-HCl extracts of cheese proteins under non-reducing conditions and water-soluble fractions under reducing conditions. An effect that ripening environment had on fatty acid and mineral content was also monitored. The change of antioxidant potential of the investigated cheese during ripening led to the change of iron(II) chelating ability, reducing power and free-radical scavenging activity. Results and conclusions The ripening environment differently affected proteolysis, fatty acid composition, mineral profile and antioxidant properties of reduced-fat white cheese. White cheese ripened in brine had more intensive proteolytic changes than the cheese ripened in a vacuum, but also more intensive diffusion processes, especially between the 40th and 60th day of ripening. The brine-ripened cheese had higher values of water-soluble nitrogen content, but lower contents of trichloroacetic acid-soluble and phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen than the vacuum-ripened cheese. Cheese ripened in brine had a lower content of almost all investigated macro- and microelements. After 60 days of ripening, in cheese ripened in brine only myristic (C14:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were detected, whereas in the vacuum-ripened cheese C10:0-C16:0 fatty acids dominated. Vacuum-ripened reduced-fat cheese had more favourable reducing power, while white brined reduced-fat cheese had better radical scavenging activity and iron(II) chelating activity. Novelty and scientific contribution These results suggest significant influence of ripening conditions (immersion in brine or in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags) on nutritive and functional properties of reduced-fat white cheese. Ripening in a vacuum has become a useful method for obtaining high-value reduced-fat white cheese.

Resumo: O leite Tipo C com teor de 3% de gordura vem de rebanhos diferentes e sua ordenha e mecânica ou manual, sendo entregue aos laticinios na temperatura ambiente, podendo ser propicio a um elevado teor de bacterias antes da pasteurizacao, com tudo e um leite com tempo de prateleira muita curta. O objetivo deste trabalho e avaliar as caracteristicas nutricionais do leite integral do tipo C, sendo comercializado no municipio de Vitoria da Conquista-BA, comparando os resultados nutricionais de cada leite tipo C, assim como o seu teor de gordura com 3% de acordo com a legislacao vigente. Foram analisados 5 tipos de leite Integra do tipo C, quanto a quantidade de gordura, carboidrato, valor energetico, sodio, calcio, o colesterol, fibras alimentares, alem dos ingredientes de cada leite integral tipo C.

A company that handles natural resources such as forests is a complex economic entity. In addition to economic performance at annual level, the biological component of sustainable forest management should also be considered. It is therefore extremely important to achieve efficient business performance. Financial analysis is a process of determining important business and financial characteristics of a company from accounting data. It is characterized by a wide use of financial reports and various financial indicators key figures. The paper presents business indicators of the main state-owned forest companies in selected countries of South East Europe (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia) using the method of comparative analysis based on financial reports (such as balance sheet and income statement). In countries where there are more than one state-owned forest companies, they were selected according to their importance for forest management and business results (share of forests, number of employees, profit and annual felling). The research results show the revenue and expenditure of the selected companies and profitability indicators such as return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). According to the annual business reports for 2017 and 2018, the company Croatian Forests Ltd. has the highest number of employees (7787 in 2018). The highest ratio ROA (32.17) and ROE (39.82) were achieved in the Slovenian state forestry company in 2017, which was founded in 2016. For 2018, the best results are achieved in the Slovenian Forest Company (SiDG), while the weakest results are achieved in the State Forest Company in North Macedonia. The profit per employee decreased in 2018 for most companies, but most significantly in North Macedonia, where it was four times lower. On the basis of the comparative analysis presented, all companies have a positive cost-benefit ratio, but longterm planning of forest management should follow biological and economic regulations to be competitive on the free market.

Cilj istraživanja je usporediti rast provenijencija obične bukve, te utvrditi početak i završetak fenoloških faza listanja provenijencija obične bukve u međunarodnom testu provenijencija u Bosni i Hercegovini. Test obuhvaća osam provenijencija iz Bosne i Hercegovine, četiri iz Njemačke, tri iz Srbije, po dvije iz Hrvatske, Rumunije i Švicarske te jednu iz Mađarske (tablica 1). U proljeće 2017. godine mjerili smo visine i promjere vrata korijena biljaka u međunarodnom testu provenijencija. Također smo promatrali i bilježili pojavu fenoloških faza listanja kroz šest faza (slika 1): A – Spavajući pup; B – Pupovi izduženi, nabubreni, žućkasto-zelenkaste boje; C – Pupovi se počinju otvarati i vidi se prvo zelenilo; D – Počinju se javljati savijeni dlakavi listići; E – Listovi su odmotani, još lepezasti, prisutne blijede liske; F – Listovi su potpuno ­razvijeni, glatki i široki. Prosječna visina za sve provenijencije bila je 164,6 cm (tablica 2), a prosječan promjer vrata korjena 33,4 mm (tablica 5). Najmanju prosječnu visinu (104,2 cm) i promjer (22,6 mm) imala je provenijencija Alba - Iulia iz Rumunije (9664). Najveću prosječnu visinu (197,4 cm) i promjer (40,1 mm) imala je provenijencija Dilj Čaglinski iz Hrvatske (9624). Utvrdili smo razlike između provenijencija u pogledu pojavljivanja fenoloških faza listanja (tablica 8), kao i dužini trajanja faza (tablica 10). Faza B se najranije pojavila 31.3. kod provenijencija Grmeč Jasenica i Dinara iz Bosne i Hercegovine i Cer iz Srbije. Najkasnije se pojavila 8.5. kod provenijencija Herzogenbuchsee iz Švicarske i NS Hasbruch iz Njemačke. Fenofaza F najranije se pojavila 1.5. kod provenijencije Valkonya iz Mađarske. Analiza varijanse pokazala je da postoje statistički značajne razlike između provenijencija, kako u visini (tablica 3) i promjeru vrata korijena (tablica 6) tako i u dužini trajanja fenoloških faza (tablica 10). Biljke u međunarodnom testu provenijencija obične bukve su za vrijeme mjerenja bile stare 12 i 13 godina. Potrebno je vršiti daljnja mjerenja morfoloških svojstava kako bi se utvrdile tendencije rasta pojedinih provenijencija u idućim fazama razvoja. Također je potrebno promatrati fenološke faze kako bi se procijenili utjecaji genetske konstitucije i godišnje klime na fenološka kretanja. Rezultati ovog istraživanja poslužit će za odabir najboljih provenijencija po produktivnosti i otpornosti na kasne proljetne mrazeve.

Pyrrhalta viburni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a chrysomelid native to Eurasia. It gained importance as an invasive species in North America due to its ability to cause serious damage to native and ornamental Viburnum spp. plants. In our study Pyrrhalta viburni was recorded as a new record in the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has been recorded on four locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the region of Sarajevo. As it is feeding on Viburnum spp. that are commonly used as ornamental plants, its monitoring in urban and other habitats is suggested.