Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric renal failure, but the molecular mechanisms driving these conditions are not yet fully understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and its co-receptor α-KLOTHO play crucial roles in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis in adult kidneys, but their roles in kidney development and the pathogenesis of CAKUT remain unclear. Because of that, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in normal fetal kidney development and CAKUT using an immunofluorescence technique. Our results demonstrate a dynamic pattern of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO expression in healthy kidney development, with FGF23 levels decreasing and α-KLOTHO levels increasing with gestational age. Also, we showed that FGF23 expression was significantly reduced in horseshoe (HKs) and duplex kidneys (DKs), while α-KLOTHO expression remained unchanged across all CAKUT conditions. Based on our results, we suggest that altered FGF23 expression in CAKUT contributes to disease pathogenesis and may represent a potential therapeutic target.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a neurological disorder can result from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as air pollution and exposure to chemical pollutants. This study tested the hypothesis that living in areas near petrochemical industries and exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) may adversely affect maternal and fetal health and increase the risk of autism. We conducted a prospective cohort study from 2019 to 2024, following 110 pregnant women divided into exposure and control groups, along with 145 children born during the study [exposure group (n=80) and control group (n=65)]. Prenatal urinary BTEX concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The MCHAT-R/F screening tool was used to track the child's behavior in terms of the occurrence of autism spectrum symptoms. The results showed that the mean concentration of prenatal BTEX urine concentration in the exposed group (557 ng/l) was significantly higher than that in the control group (258 ng/l). The M-CHAT-R/F screening indicated moderate ASD risk in six exposure group children and three control group children; and high ASD risk for four exposure group children and one control group child. The findings in the exposure group revealed a higher incidence of ASD among boys compared to girls (4:2 in medium risk and 3:1 in high risk). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the prevalence of autism in the exposed group was significantly associated with exposure to benzene (OR, 2.10; 95%CI, 1.93-2.17; Pvalue<0.05) and toluene (OR, 1.7; 95%CI, 1.62-1.81; Pvalue<0.05). Living in industrial areas and perinatal exposure to BTEX compounds may increase the risk of ASD. Therefore, health impact assessment studies focusing on the health of vulnerable groups before the construction of petrochemical industries, as well as the monitoring of relevant health indices during the operational phase, should be prioritized.

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are characterized by enlarged nuclei, association with tumors, and resistance to treatment, contributing significantly to cellular heterogeneity. These cells arise from endoreplication and cell fusion, often triggered by stressors such as radiation and chemotherapy. PGCCs exhibit chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, leading to poor prognosis in various cancers. Key features include the ability to produce progeny cells via amitotic division and the expression of cancer stem cell markers. PGCC formation and function involve signaling pathways like cell fusion (GCM1/syncytin-1), cell cycle control, stress response, and EMT. Understanding these pathways is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets. Current therapeutic strategies targeting PGCCs involve drugs like azacitidine, decitabine, and zoledronic acid, as well as DNMT inhibitors in combination therapies. These approaches aim to reverse drug resistance and enhance antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, microRNAs (miRNAs) are pivotal in regulating gene expression and influencing the cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. Cataloging miRNAs and understanding their function is critical for developing potential cancer treatments. Researchers are exploring miRNA-based modulation of signaling pathways to block tumor growth. This review highlights the complex biology of PGCCs and emphasizes the need for targeted therapies to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Stray dogs may be highly exposed to vector-borne pathogens (VBP), including zoonotic agents, and therefore may pose a high risk of spreading infection to other animals and humans. Our study is the first large-scale prevalence study of VBP in stray dogs in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the period 2016–2018, a total of 3720 blood samples of stray dogs were screened by the SNAP 4Dx plus test for antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., B. burgdorferi s.l., and D. immitis. The 910 dogs (910/3720, 24.46%) were seropositive for one or more CVBPs. The proportion of seropositive dogs against one, two, or three pathogens was 864 (23.23%), 43 (1.15%), and 3 (0.08%), respectively. The most prevalent canine VBP was Anaplasma spp. (21.59%), followed by B. burgdorferi s.l. (2.47%) and Ehrlichia spp. (1.13%). The lowest prevalence was recorded for D. immitis (0.5%). The number of seropositive dogs older than 1 year was 704 (704/2497, 28.19%), while the number of dogs younger than 1 year was 206 (206/1223, 16.84%). The most common dual coinfection detected was with Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. (26/3720, 0.7%). The results show that stray dogs are exposed to at least one of these four CVBD pathogens. Since some of these pathogens cause zoonoses, controlling these infections is crucial for both veterinary and public health. These findings highlight the need for continuous serological monitoring of CVBD pathogens in stray dogs due to their risks to animal and human health.

Background Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represents a prevalent form of acute coronary syndrome associated with substantial early risk of adverse outcomes. Inflammatory and metabolic disturbances are increasingly recognized as key contributors to the disease. Hematologic indices such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), along with the triglyceride-glucose index adjusted for BMI (TyG-BMI), have emerged as promising prognostic markers. However, their dynamic behavior in early NSTEMI remains insufficiently explored. Materials and methods This prospective study included 170 patients hospitalized for NSTEMI at the University Clinical Centre Tuzla between February 2022 and January 2023. Hematologic and metabolic indices were calculated at admission and repeated 24 hours later. Patients were followed for three months to document major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, reinfarction, and urgent revascularization. The median age was 67 years, and 60.6% of patients were male. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Results Significant 24-hour reductions were observed in NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, and PIV (all p < 0.01), while C-reactive protein (CRP) levels more than doubled (p < 0.001). Patients who developed MACE showed persistently elevated inflammatory indices and smaller declines in PIV and SIRI. Change in SIRI (ΔSIRI) demonstrated the strongest predictive value (AUC = 0.63), followed by SII and TyG-BMI. Notably, reduced resolution of PIV and persistently elevated TyG-BMI were significantly associated with adverse outcomes. Overall, MACE occurred in 51.2% of patients, including a 14.7% mortality rate. Conclusion Early changes in systemic inflammation and metabolic stress, particularly SIRI and TyG-BMI dynamics, offer valuable prognostic insight and may enhance early risk stratification in NSTEMI patients.

Studies dealing with injury occurrence in basketball refereeing are scarce. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to retrospectively observe injury occurrence and analyze some specific predictors of injury in high-level basketball referees. The participants were basketball referees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (all males, n=39, 25–45 years of age, with more than 5 years of experience in basketball refereeing). Data were collected via structured, previously validated questionnaire, and the variables included specific sociodemographic factors, basketball refereeing factors, and medical (injury-related) factors. Differences between injured and noninjured referees were calculated via t tests and chi-square tests, whereas associations between predictors and injury occurrence (criterion) were evaluated via logistic regression for binarized criterion. Injury occurrence was relatively low, with only 15% of referees reporting an injury during the previous competitive season. A higher level of basketball refereeing (more advanced competitive level) was associated with a greater likelihood of being injured (OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–1.98). Additionally, referees who used dietary supplements were more likely to be injured during the previous competitive season (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.01–2.05). Although preliminary, the results emphasize the need for structured prevention strategies and support systems tailored specifically to the challenges of high-level officiating.

Background: The objective of this investigation was to assess the oral health (OH) of Bosnia and Herzegovinian adolescents in relation to differences and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 306 school children from high schools located in the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The sample consisted of 183 females and 123 males between 15 and 18 years old (mean of 16.82 years old). The study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020, via an Annex 8 questionnaire from the World Health Organization (WHO), which collected information on OH behaviours, self-perceptions of oral health and dietary factors responsible for the OH of each subject. SES was categorized using five variables (occupation, education, income, place of residence and number of family members). Cross-tabulations were evaluated according to sex and socioeconomic status (SES) via the chi-square test. Results: Over 40% of the participants consumed sweets, cakes and biscuits on daily basis, whereas 41.5% of the participants visited a dentist only in the case of pain. The consumption of sweets (p = 0.024) and cakes and biscuits (p = 0.011) on a daily basis was significantly greater in female adolescents than in male adolescents. Compared with male adolescents, female adolescents reported occasional toothaches more frequently (p = 0.001) and were more dissatisfied with their dental appearance (p = 0.008) but presented a greater frequency of flossing (p = 0.001) and toothbrushing (3–5 times a day) (p = 0.0001). There was no association between the different levels (below average, average, above average) of SES and factors affecting OH status of adolescents. Conclusions: The study revealed significant sex differences in several factors affecting OH status and revealed no relationship between SES and OH behaviours or between perceptions and risk factors affecting OH in 15–18-year-old adolescents. Data obtained from this study might help in the creation of new OH prevention programs aimed at improving the OH status of adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Abstract The aim of this paper is the histopathological assessment of the effects of a newly synthesized nanomaterial based on calcium aluminate ALBO-CA on the pulp of rat teeth. In 18 Wistar rats, 54 Class I cavities and exposed pulp of maxillary molars were treated with the tested materials: two experimental materials ALBO-CA (18 teeth), ALBO-CS (18 teeth), and MTA control (18 teeth), and cavities were restored with glass ionomer. The histopathological analysis included the following parameters: presence of pulp inflammation, degree of dentin bridge formation, and presence of bacteria in the pulp. Complete absence of pulp inflammation was noted in 12 (66.67 %) teeth with ALBO-CA, 10 (55.56 %) teeth with ALBO-CS, and 11 (60.95 %) teeth with MTA cement. A statistically significant difference in the results of pulp inflammatory response was found only when comparing the presence of a small number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes between ALBO-CS and MTA cement (Kruskal Wallis H test p=7.8255). A fully formed dentine bridge was recorded only after the application of ALBO-CA with a statistically significant difference compared to ALBO-CS and MTA (F test p=0.519, S-test p=0.656, Man-Whitney test p=2.802, Chi-square test p=4.747). Thirty days after the direct pulp capping with ALBO-CA, ALBO-CS, and MTA cements, bacteria were absent in rat teeth and surrounding tissue. Newly synthesized calcium aluminate ALBOCA showed good reparative abilities and possible use in direct pulp capping therapy.

In the modern business environment, big data analytics and data mining techniques are increasingly recognized as tools for improving fiscal discipline and more efficient management of public revenues. This paper explores the possibility of applying the knowledge discovery process from databases to detect patterns of financial behavior that may indicate tax non-compliance. A quantitative approach based on the analysis of secondary data from ten joint-stock companies from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for which financial statements and tax debt data are available, was used. The relationship between key financial indicators (EPS, financial stability ratio, total asset turnover ratio and debt ratio) and the amount of tax debt was examined using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results show that lower profitability and poorer financial stability significantly correlate with higher tax debt, while high operational efficiency and debt have a more complex and statistically marginal impact. The findings confirm the possibility of using publicly available financial data for early identification of risky taxpayers, which opens up space for further development of predictive models in the domain of tax analytics.

The severity and frequency of short-term but highly damaging urban floods have increased in recent years worldwide and have been caused by climate change. The casualties of urban floods are usually not high, but the material damage and economic losses can be quite significant due to the population density of these areas and the various economic activities concentrated in urban regions. For this reason, this type of flooding is always catastrophic. This paper explores the impact of urban flooding on the tourism infrastructure in Bihać using the multi-criteria ArcGIS analysis. The results show that 55.8% of the studied area is at a low elevation and has gentle slopes, making it particularly susceptible to flooding. Annual precipitation reaches up to 1,305 mm, with 35–38% of the total rainfall recorded in the urban centre of Bihać, where the key tourism infrastructure is located. The buffer zone analysis revealed that most hospitality and accommodation facilities are situated within 20 to 100 meters of the Una River’s shoreline, making them directly vulnerable during seasonal floods. Despite this, the number of tourist arrivals has been steadily increasing – from 33,433 arrivals in 2021 to 48,330 in 2023, with foreign tourists accounting for 60% of all visitors. The research findings highlight the need for the implementation of precise spatial plans and protective measures to reduce the negative impact of floods on tourism trends in this city.

Linguistic errors remain a persistent challenge for B2-level EFL learners, with research showing that grammatical misapplication accounts for nearly half of the language inaccuracies. This study investigates 942 errors in argumentative essays written by Bosnian EFL learners, focusing on grammatical, lexical, and typographical challenges that impact their English writing proficiency. The data, consisting of 90 essays with a total word count of 45,786, were collected and analyzed following a structured procedure: collection, identification, description, and evaluation of learners’ errors. A descriptive-qualitative error analysis approach was employed to classify errors and examine their underlying causes systematically. To ensure reliability and consistency in the analysis, three instructors independently reviewed the essays. Inter-rater reliability was achieved through collaborative discussions, where any discrepancies in error classification were resolved through consensus. Errors were categorized into grammatical (50.2%), word-choice (29.3%), and typographical (20.5%) types and further analyzed to determine their origins as intralingual or interlingual. A deeper investigation revealed that 58% of errors were intralingual, resulting from overgeneralization and rule misapplication, while the remaining 42% were interlingual, influenced by Bosnian language interference. These findings highlight the need for focused interventions, particularly in grammar and vocabulary instruction. By uncovering error patterns and their causes, the study contributes to refining pedagogical strategies that support EFL learners’ writing proficiency.