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Medicinal drugs have found great use in health treatment, and their use has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis caused by the coronavirus made the national authority for the control of medicinal drugs in Kosovo activates the institutional mechanisms for the control of drugs. Analyzing the excessive concentration of heavy metals in drugs and the adverse effects on the body since they reduce the positive effects of the drug. Methods. The research was conducted during the years 2020-2022 in Kosovo, the samples (over 30 patients) were studied, in 40 medical examinations, how the cytochrome P450 enzymatic system works and the impact on anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are metabolized by cytochrome CYP4502C9, which carries multiple inherited polymorphisms in the coding sequences, and by two varieties of this enzyme (cytochrome), CYP4502C9*2/3. Results. The presence of heavy metals in drugs is a concern related to neurotoxicity nephrotoxicity hepatic toxicity cardiovascular effects, immunotoxicity and carcinogenicity. The control of the content of elemental impurities is an important aspect of the quality assurance system of medicines and human health. Analytical studies of the amount of heavy metals in paracetamol samples X1 and X2 for the five metals studied, Arsenic in sample X1 showed a high presence of elements with a value of 5.07% among other metals. Nickel varies with a value of 4.91% in paracetamol X2 samples, the highest value for the analyzed plants. The analytical results of the studied medicinal plant "Matricaria Chamomilla" showed that the presence of Lead has a value of 3.7% compared to other metals in medicinal plants, while Mercury varies with 4.7%).Conclusions. Impurities in drugs often have unwanted or toxic effects on human health. Nowadays, knowledge about the negative effects of heavy metals is important for human health. Heavy metals enter the grass chain during the production process and impurities from natural raw materials.

Abstract The remarkable pace of genomic data generation is rapidly transforming our understanding of life at the micron scale. Yet this data stream also creates challenges for team science. A single microbe can have multiple versions of genome architecture, functional gene annotations, and gene identifiers; additionally, the lack of mechanisms for collating and preserving advances in this knowledge raises barriers to community coalescence around shared datasets. “Digital Microbes” are frameworks for interoperable and reproducible collaborative science through open source, community-curated data packages built on a (pan)genomic foundation. Housed within an integrative software environment, Digital Microbes ensure real-time alignment of research efforts for collaborative teams and facilitate novel scientific insights as new layers of data are added. Here we describe two Digital Microbes: 1) the heterotrophic marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3 with > 100 transcriptomic datasets from lab and field studies, and 2) the pangenome of the cosmopolitan marine heterotroph Alteromonas containing 339 genomes. Examples demonstrate how an integrated framework collating public (pan)genome-informed data can generate novel and reproducible findings.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease followed by cardiovascular complications, it is a metabolic syndrome with multiple etiology that is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Hypertension is a serious health condition that is significantly associated with the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is diagnostic means of diabetes when fasting (venous) glycemia figures are 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l). The purpose of this study is to focus on the diagnosis, and the treatment of the population with diabetes, identifying the necessary targets to guarantee clinical efficacy. Managing diabetes is challenging, and smoking can complicate it. People with diabetes who smoke often need larger doses of insulin to keep their blood sugar near normal levels. To assess the amount of vitamin D bound to hemoglobin, the study analyzed a number of laboratory parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. The importance of this study is the estimation of the amount of enzyme-linked immunosorbent vitamin D. Laboratory parameters of diabetic patients were divided into three categories based on increased levels of glycosylated hemoglobin. Vitamin D levels were analyzed in these categories with increased HbA1c values. The influence of smoking and hypertension on laboratory parameters of diabetic patients was analyzed. The observations were carried out in the form of a database, and the methods that allowed the results for all parameters were followed. The data on the homogeneity of the selected information groups cover 150 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, 40.67% were men, 59.33% were women. Similarly, (in fasting patients), a high OGTT-2-hour glucose level, the hemoglobin test indicates [A1C(HbA1c)] level, cardiovascular disease, and serum vitamin D. Overall, 47.33% of the patients were deficient in vitamin D. Decreased levels of vitamin D were associated with increased levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, while 22% were deficient. As a result, 74.67% of tobacco users had hypertension. Vitamin D deficiency may increase in patients with diabetes, with increased levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the oral health conditions of pregnant women. The analysis involves evaluating two key indices: the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) index. Furthermore, this study investigated potential correlations between calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) levels within specific time intervals and the aforementioned oral health indices. Materials and methods: This study included 66 women. The examination consisted of assessing the condition of the teeth by using the DMFT index. Additionally, the erosive decay of the teeth was evaluated according to the BEWE index. Salivary concentrations of Ca and P were determined using a colorimetric method. These measurements were performed during the first (T1) and third (T3) trimesters of pregnancy. Results: The study results showed that the DMFT index value in T3 was significantly higher compared to that in T1. However, there were no significant differences in BEWE index values between the two time intervals. Furthermore, notable differences were observed in the levels of Ca and P between T1 and T3 (Z=4.87, p=0.000 and Z=2.95, p=0.003, respectively). Nevertheless, the analysis of the relationship between DMFT/BEWE indices and Ca and P levels found no significant correlation. Conclusions: The results suggest that the third trimester poses a greater oral health burden. Additionally, there were notable fluctuations in the Ca and P levels during pregnancy. These findings shed light on the correlation between pregnancy phases and oral health indicators, emphasizing the significance of the salivary composition.

Individuals utilizing Life Cycle Assessment within the emerging field of circular carbon might phrase and understand matters differently, causing ambiguity, due to different educational backgrounds and lacking definitions of central terms. Our research addresses the question, whether misleading or ambiguous terms exist, which impair transparency and scientific accuracy in carbon (dioxide) accounting in LCA. A structured literature research was performed to screen LCA standards, ISO standards, and the European legal database EUR-Lex. Nine terms with potential ambiguity in meaning or usage in LCA were identified: Avoided burden, avoided carbon, avoided CO2, carbon capture, carbon credit, circular carbon, circular CO2, negative emission, and net zero emission. A workflow was introduced to either obtain a consensus-based definition from standard literature or from peer-reviewed publications. For all terms, except avoided carbon, a recommended definition was found and showcased within case studies on the topic of mechanical recycling of plastics to produce a taxonomy suggestion for precise descriptions of different carbon dioxide (equivalent) accounting methods in LCA.

Along with other aspects of society, Illyrian religion was influenced by the Roman world during the first centuries AD. As a result, Mercury became the Roman god most represented in bronze figurines found within the modern territory of Albania. This paper will consider two bronze figurines of Mercury-Thoth which represents a god with both eastern and western attributes. The figurines are of a good quality and analogies can be found with numerous others throughout the Roman Empire. Their presence in Albania can be explained not only by the eastern influence of the empire, but also with the transfer of people and ideas. Both figurines were found near main roads passing through Illyria during the Roman period, the Via Lissus-Naissus and Via Egnatia, which testify for the development of commerce, movement of people, ideas and systems. The figurines also provide an insight into Illyrian religious life during the Roman period and illustrate their adoption of interpretatio romana and eastern gods.

IntroductionWhile it is well-established that follow-up care programs play a crucial role in preventing and early detecting secondary health conditions (SHCs) in persons with spinal cord injury [SCI, including spina bifida (SB)], the availability of evidence-based follow-up care programs remains limited. Under the leadership of the German-speaking Medical Society for Paraplegiology (DMGP), we have developed an evidence based clinical practice guideline for follow-up care of SHCs in persons with SCI and identify research gaps.MethodsThis guideline was developed in accordance with the regulations of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF e.V.). To ensure an evidence-based guidance, we utilized the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) generic core set and ICF Core Set for individuals with SCI in long-term context as our foundational framework. We conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify existing recommendations for follow-up care and graded the level of evidence according to relevant instruments. Subsequently, we formulated recommendations and achieved consensus through a structured nominal group process involving defined steps and neutral moderation, while adhering to the criteria outlined in the German guideline development instrument (DELBI).ResultsAlthough there is a fair number of literatures describing prevalence and severity of SHCs after SCI, the amount of literature including recommendations was low (19 for SCI and 6 for SB). Based on the current evidence on prevalence and severity of SHCs and available recommendations, a clinical practice guideline on follow-up care of most relevant SHCs was defined. The recommendations for follow-up care are described in the following chapters: (1) Nervous system; (2) (Neuropathic) pain; (3) Cardiovascular diseases; (4) Respiratory System; (5) Immunological system, vaccination and allergies; (6) Gastrointestinal tract and function; (7) Endocrinological system and nutrition; (8) Urogenital system; (9) Contraception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum care; (10) Musculoskeletal system; (11) Pressure injuries; (12) Psychological health; (13) Medication and polypharmacy.ConclusionWe could successfully establish an evidence based clinical practice guideline for follow-up care of SHCs in individuals with SCI. There is however a notable lack of high-quality recommendations for SCI follow-up care.

The aim of the paper is to prove that Nietzsche's political thought is based on ancient values that were suppressed by "adjustments", since modern politics is based on the delusion of social norms and imposed new ideologies that it is possible to establish universal agreement and justice. Nietzsche strives to restore the ancient understanding of the political, which includes the Greek agon, (competition), the idea of the necessity of class distinctions and the creation of higher types of people who will spiritually guide society and the state. For Nietzsche, the attempts of modern politics to improve human life by modern political means are futile because it is "small politics" that arose from the arrival of the masses on the political scene, slave morality and their demand for great things to satisfy their "need to feel power". The will to power is the foundation of Nietzsche's philosophy of politics and the formulation of political thought anticipated through his concept of "great politics", led by an elite class of philosopher-legislators who will create new values and inspire future generations to transform into good Europeans. Nietzsche's political thought presents various challenges to social contract theory according to critique of collective norms and his celebration of power, creative individuals, and free spirits.

Aim/purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of HRM practices on OCB-I (altruism and courtesy) and OCB-O (sportsmanship, conscientiousness, and civic virtue) by examining the mediating role of organizational justice perceptions (i.e., distributional, procedural, and interactional justice) and the moderating role of gender.

Abstract Coherent imaging techniques provide an unparalleled multi-scale view of materials across scientific and technological fields, from structural materials to quantum devices, from integrated circuits to biological cells. Driven by the construction of brighter sources and high-rate detectors, coherent imaging methods like ptychography are poised to revolutionize nanoscale materials characterization. However, these advancements are accompanied by significant increase in data and compute needs, which precludes real-time imaging, feedback and decision-making capabilities with conventional approaches. Here, we demonstrate a workflow that leverages artificial intelligence at the edge and high-performance computing to enable real-time inversion on X-ray ptychography data streamed directly from a detector at up to 2 kHz. The proposed AI-enabled workflow eliminates the oversampling constraints, allowing low-dose imaging using orders of magnitude less data than required by traditional methods.

Abstract Seagrasses are important primary producers in oceans worldwide. They live in shallow coastal waters that are experiencing carbon dioxide enrichment and ocean acidification. Posidonia oceanica, an endemic seagrass species that dominates the Mediterranean Sea, achieves high abundances in seawater with relatively low concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Here we tested whether microbial metabolisms associated with P. oceanica and surrounding seawater enhance seagrass access to nitrogen. Using stable isotope enrichments of intact seagrass with amino acids, we showed that ammonification by free-living and seagrass-associated microbes produce ammonium that is likely used by seagrass and surrounding particulate organic matter. Metagenomic analysis of the epiphytic biofilm on the blades and rhizomes support the ubiquity of microbial ammonification genes in this system. Further, we leveraged the presence of natural carbon dioxide vents and show that the presence of P. oceanica enhanced the uptake of nitrogen by water column particulate organic matter, increasing carbon fixation by a factor of 8.6–17.4 with the greatest effect at CO2 vent sites. However, microbial ammonification was reduced at lower pH, suggesting that future ocean climate change will compromise this microbial process. Thus, the seagrass holobiont enhances water column productivity, even in the context of ocean acidification.

The healthcare industry has consistently recognized the significance of routine in-person engagement with patients in evaluating their holistic well-being. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this traditional methodology, prompting healthcare providers to seek feasible alternatives. Consequently, the industry is increasingly embracing remote care technologies like telehealth and the implementation of artificial intelligence. These technologies utilize digital tools for information and communication, enabling the remote delivery of healthcare services.1 As a result, there has been a surge in healthcare advancements and the adoption of innovative business models, utilizing computer-mediated virtual environments as an alternative healthcare system. Currently, digital transformation extends beyond virtual communication, encompassing the digitalization of the healthcare industry's social network with Metaverse technology.2 The Metaverse, facilitated by virtual reality and augmented reality, provides a comprehensive and immersive virtual realm. In this virtual world, people can interact online by using avatars. This technology has numerous applications in clinical dentistry. It is used for distraction therapy during dental surgeries and virtual simulations for implant surgery planning. The technology provides accurate descriptions of dental anatomy and supports augmented reality-assisted navigation for osteogenesis and mandibular restorations, along with virtual orthognathic planning.3 Furthermore, while conducting a root canal procedure with the aid of three-dimensional images, it is possible to directly observe the canal's morphology or precisely position an implant in the appropriate location within the alveolar bone.4Additionally, neurosurgeons have achieved successful augmented reality surgeries on live patients in medical facilities.The procedure involves a unique head-mounted device equipped with a transparent display, allowing surgeons to view images of the patient's internal anatomy, such as bones and other tissues, generated from CT scans. This revolutionary technology essentially provides surgeons a type of X-ray vision, enabling them to navigate and perform surgeries with enhanced precision and accuracy. These pioneering advancements in surgical techniques represent significant developments in the field of neurosurgery.5 Metaverse technology is expected to permit and maintain oral and dental health by offering personalized recommendations, tracking health behaviors, monitoring symptoms, and providing self-care guidance.6 Young individuals can actively participate in a virtual environment that facilitates the acquisition of oral hygiene techniques and reduces dental anxiety. Moreover, this technology can inform patients about dental trauma and guide them on the appropriate measures to take in the event of such incidents.7 This writeup underscores the extensive research conducted on this topic, and highlighting the transformative potential of this technology in dentistry. The Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize the dental care sector by utilizing virtual communication to connect specialists with end users. This could enable the seamless delivery of a variety of medical services, including disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ushering in a new era of comprehensive care.

The tetragonal (rutile) nanostructures of TiO2 Nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have gained importance due to their large active sites, electronic states influencing superior electrode performance, stability and conductivity. In this regard, Screen printed carbon ink electrode modified with TiO2 was proposed as an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of Azithromycin. TiO2 NPs was used as a modifier in order to improve the electrochemical signal of the bare carbon ink used for the screen printed carbon ink electrode (SPCIE). Some other nanostructured materials, such as Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) and Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPL), were also studied with the purpose of increasing the current signal of carbon electrode, but they did not show any expected significant effects, or they were mechanically not suitable to be printed as electrode. Azithromycin is one of the top prioritized antibiotics which are widely used by humans; lastly it is one of the most used antibiotics to treat patients with COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the determination of Azithromycin in urine samples as well as in water media is important, because of the implications antibiotics are known to have with health and natural environment. SPCIE bulk-modified with TiO2 NPs was characterized by SEM-EDS analysis. Cyclic voltammetry analysis was used to determine Azithromycin and with all optimized accompanying analytical parameters. The prepared TiO2 NPs/SPCIE electrode showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.93 μM with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.1 µM, sensitivity of 7.36 µA µM−1 cm−2 (S/N = 3), and a linearity range of 0.05–50 μM towards determination of Azithromycin standards.

Abstract Background Changes in microbial community composition as a function of human health and disease states have sparked remarkable interest in the human gut microbiome. However, establishing reproducible insights into the determinants of microbial succession in disease has been a formidable challenge. Results Here we use fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an in natura experimental model to investigate the association between metabolic independence and resilience in stressed gut environments. Our genome-resolved metagenomics survey suggests that FMT serves as an environmental filter that favors populations with higher metabolic independence, the genomes of which encode complete metabolic modules to synthesize critical metabolites, including amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins. Interestingly, we observe higher completion of the same biosynthetic pathways in microbes enriched in IBD patients. Conclusions These observations suggest a general mechanism that underlies changes in diversity in perturbed gut environments and reveal taxon-independent markers of “dysbiosis” that may explain why widespread yet typically low-abundance members of healthy gut microbiomes can dominate under inflammatory conditions without any causal association with disease.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to detect Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) using RT-PCR in patients with complete and partial edentulism before (T0) and three months after (T3) treatment with removable partial dentures (RPD) and complete dentures (CD), respectively, to compare the data between these two research groups. Methods and Results: The sample comprised 60 patients: 33 men and 27 women, aged 48 to 76 years. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 30 patients with partial edentulism who were treated with RPD. Group 2 included 30 patients with complete edentulism who were treated with CD. The samples from Group 1 were taken from the gingival sulcus of the abutment teeth by means of sterile paper points. For Group 2, the samples were taken with a sterile swab from the dorsum of the tongue. The samples were taken in T0 and T3 intervals. To detect Aa DNA, we used RT-PCR and ParodontoScreen REAL-TIME PCR Detection Kit (DNA-TECHNOLOGY). Bacterial load levels of species were conventionally represented in logarithm (Lg) of genome equivalents per sample. The results were also presented in three ranges depending on the level of bacterial load: normal (< 4.0Lg), light/moderate (≥4.0 Lg), and severe (>5.0 Lg). The study found a significant difference in the amount of Aa between the T0 and T3 intervals only in patients treated with RPD (0.871.58 Lg vs. 1.28 1.96 Lg, P=0.004). Patients treated with CD, however, did not differ significantly in the amount of Aa between the T0 and T3 intervals (0.030.16 Lg vs. 0). The average bacterial load in patients with RPD was significantly higher than in those with CD three months after treatment (P=0.02) (Table 2). The range of bacterial load levels in the groups is presented in Table 3. Of the 30 patients with RPD, 2(6.7%) had a severe range, 2(6.7%) had a mild/moderate range, and 26(86.7%) had a normal range. The 30 CD patients all had a normal range. There was no significant difference in the prevalence range of bacterial load level with Aa between groups (Fisher's Exact Test = 3.537, P=0.113) / Monte Carlo Sig. (2-sided) / 0.105–0.121). However, in general, RPD causes a significant increase in Aa, so the level of periodontal pathogens may be higher in RPD patients than in CD patients.

(1) Background: In Cambodia, Aedes albopictus is an important vector of the dengue virus. Vector control using insecticides is a major strategy implemented in managing mosquito-borne diseases. Resistance, however, threatens to undermine the use of insecticides. In this study, we present the levels of insecticide resistance of Ae. albopictus in Cambodia and the mechanisms involved. (2) Methods: Two Ae. albopictus populations were collected from the capital, Phnom Penh city, and from rural Pailin province. Adults were tested with diagnostic doses of malathion (0.8%), deltamethrin (0.03%), permethrin (0.25%), and DDT (4%) using WHO tube assays. Synergist assays using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) were implemented before the pyrethroid assays to detect the potential involvement of metabolic resistance mechanisms. Adult female mosquitoes collected from Phnom Penh and Pailin were tested for voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) kdr (knockdown resistance) mutations commonly found in Aedes sp.-resistant populations throughout Asia (S989P, V1016G, and F1534C), as well as for other mutations (V410L, L982W, A1007G, I1011M, T1520I, and D1763Y). (3) Results: The two populations showed resistance against all the insecticides tested (vgsc gene showed a lack of kdr mutations known to be associated with pyrethroid resistance. However, four novel non-synonymous mutations (L412P/S, C983S, Q1554STOP, and R1718L) and twenty-nine synonymous mutations were detected. It remains to be determined whether these mutations contribute to pyrethroid resistance. (4) Conclusions: Pyrethroid resistance is occurring in two Ae. albopictus populations originating from urban and rural areas of Cambodia. The resistance is likely due to metabolic resistance specifically involving P450s monooxygenases. The levels of resistance against different insecticide classes are a cause for concern in Cambodia. Alternative tools and insecticides for controlling dengue vectors should be used to minimize disease prevalence in the country.

Abstract Objective This pilot study aimed to evaluate red-complex bacteria (RCB) loads in edentulous patients, before and after dentures’ insertion. Materials and methods Thirty patients were included in the study. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolated from bacterial samples were obtained from the dorsum of the tongue before and 3 months after complete dentures (CDs) insertion in order to identify the presence of RCB (Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola) and quantify their loads, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Bacterial loads were represented as “Lg (genome equivalents/sample)” and the data classified according to the “ParodontoScreen” test. Results Significant changes in bacterial loads were observed before and 3 months after the CDs insertion for: P. gingivalis (0.40 ± 0.90 vs 1.29 ± 1.64, p = 0.0007), T. forsythia (0.36 ±0.94 vs 0.87 ± 1.45, p = 0.005), and T. denticola (0.11 ± 0.41 vs 0.33 ± 0.75, p = 0.03). Before the CDs insertion, all patients had a normal bacterial prevalence range (100%) for all analyzed bacteria. Three months after the insertion, 2 (6.7%) of them had a moderate bacterial prevalence range for P. gingivalis, while 28 (93.3%) had a normal bacterial prevalence range. Conclusion The use of CDs has a significant impact on increasing RCB loads in edentulous patients.

Sepsis is a life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by multiorgan dysfunction caused by a dysregulated or over-reactive host response to infection. During sepsis, the coagulation cascade is triggered by activated cells of the innate immune system, such as neutrophils and monocytes, resulting in clot formation mainly in the microcirculation, a process known as immunothrombosis. Although this process aims to protect the host through inhibition of the pathogen’s dissemination and survival, endothelial dysfunction and microthrombotic complications can rapidly lead to multiple organ dysfunction. The development of treatments targeting endothelial innate immune responses and immunothrombosis could be of great significance for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with sepsis. Medications modifying cell-specific immune responses or inhibiting platelet–endothelial interaction or platelet activation have been proposed. Herein, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of organ-specific endothelial dysfunction and immunothrombosis in sepsis and its complications, while highlighting the recent advances in the development of new therapeutic approaches aiming at improving the short- or long-term prognosis in sepsis.

Language is a live organism and as every other living being develops and is enriched with new words and terms, which enter the life of society together with the new tool, i.e. they enter in and mix with the order of Albanian words. Such a thing is inevitable and in some cases even useful, but every word that is lined up in the order of Albanian words must be well filtered. “The introduction of new words and exclusion of old ones is a natural process, and it happens in any language. This is what happened with the Greek borrowings in Latin, with the Arabic borrowings in Greek, with the Latin borrowings in many European languages, with the Persian borrowings in Turkish, with the Turkish borrowings in Albanian, etc.” - Prof. Hajri Shehu emphasizes in a scientific interview (Shehu, 2017). In recent decades, with the expansion of the Internet, many foreign words began to enter and be used in the Albanian language. English took up more space than expected; in addition to penetrating through various tool notions, it also replaced centuries-old native words of Albanian.

ABSTRACT Coastal marine macrophytes exhibit some of the highest rates of primary productivity in the world. They have been found to host a diverse set of microbes, many of which may impact the biology of their hosts through metabolisms that are unique to microbial taxa. Here, we characterized the metabolic functions of macrophyte-associated microbial communities using metagenomes collected from 2 species of kelp (Laminaria setchellii and Nereocystis luetkeana) and 3 marine angiosperms (Phyllospadix scouleri, P. serrulatus, and Zostera marina), including the rhizomes of two surfgrass species (Phyllospadix spp.), the seagrass Zostera marina, and the sediments surrounding P. scouleri and Z. marina. Using metagenomic sequencing, we describe 63 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that potentially benefit from being associated with macrophytes and may contribute to macrophyte fitness through their metabolic activity. Host-associated metagenomes contained genes for the use of dissolved organic matter from hosts and vitamin (B1, B2, B7, B12) biosynthesis in addition to a range of nitrogen and sulfur metabolisms that recycle dissolved inorganic nutrients into forms more available to the host. The rhizosphere of surfgrass and seagrass contained genes for anaerobic microbial metabolisms, including nifH genes associated with nitrogen fixation, despite residing in a well-mixed and oxygenated environment. The range of oxygen environments engineered by macrophytes likely explains the diversity of both oxidizing and reducing microbial metabolisms and contributes to the functional capabilities of microbes and their influences on carbon and nitrogen cycling in nearshore ecosystems. IMPORTANCE Kelps, seagrasses, and surfgrasses are ecosystem engineers on rocky shorelines, where they show remarkably high levels of primary production. Through analysis of their associated microbial communities, we found a variety of microbial metabolisms that may benefit the host, including nitrogen metabolisms, sulfur oxidation, and the production of B vitamins. In turn, these microbes have the genetic capabilities to assimilate the dissolved organic compounds released by their macrophyte hosts. We describe a range of oxygen environments associated with surfgrass, including low-oxygen microhabitats in their rhizomes that host genes for nitrogen fixation. The tremendous productivity of coastal seaweeds and seagrasses is likely due in part to the activities of associated microbes, and an increased understanding of these associations is needed.

This paper will take in consideration, a certain type of fibula a derivative of Aucissa. The Aucissa fibulae were very much in fashion during the I century BC-I century AD, but its variants continued to be in use in the forthcoming centuries, such as the typology in question, which represents the development of the Aucissa type in the II-III centuries AD.This type has a limited number and distribution in Albania, presenting very close affiliation with counterparts in the Balkans, found mostly in military contexts. Most likely it represents an eastern Roman production, which attests regional patterns in the II-III centuries AD.This typology can be correlated to the military sphere, as can be noticed from the associated material in the funerary contexts, demonstrating though for the militarization of the population or the presence of the roman units in the territory of Southern Illyria.

During a crisis, society calls for individuals to take prosocial actions that promote crisis management. Indeed, individuals show higher willingness to help after a disaster. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presents significant differences as it is an ongoing crisis that affects all individuals and has the potential to pose a direct health threat to anyone. Therefore, we propose that the pandemic may also negatively affect willingness to help, specifically blood donation intentions. It requires a high level of willingness to donate blood beyond the crisis outbreak, as more blood will be needed when postponed surgeries resume. When comparing blood donation intentions from a pre-pandemic study to results from a six-wave (bi-weekly) panel study conducted in Germany during the first pandemic phase (April to June 2020), we find lower medium and long-term blood donation intentions. While active donors show increased awareness of ability and eligibility to donate at the beginning of the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic, they feel significantly less able to donate as the pandemic progresses. Furthermore, inactive donors' perceived ability to donate significantly decreases in the pandemic phase compared to the pre-pandemic phase. Crucially, both active and inactive donors feel less responsible and less morally obliged to donate, resulting in an overall negative pandemic effect on blood donation intentions. The COVID-19 pandemic compromises blood donations endangering the life-saving blood supply. These alarming results offer evidence-based grounds for practical implications for driving donations in the event of a pandemic.

Giant Ascending Aorta Aneurysm (AAA) is a rare condition, because of early diagnosis incidence appears to be increasing as a result of routine screening, increased clinical awareness, and improved imaging modalities. The etiology of aneurysms involving the aortic root and ascending aorta can be genetically triggered, degenerative or atherosclerotic, inflammatory, or can result from infectious diseases. According to many studies for ascending aortic aneurysms larger than 6 cm the risk of rupture, dissection, or deaths was 15.6, making it a large life-threatening aneurysm. We present the case of a Giant AAA of about 8,7 cm diameter in a 68 years old man who was successfully operated on for ascending aorta and aortic root replacement under modified Bentall technique using composite mechanical conduit with coronary reimplantation. Conclusion; Ascending giant aortic aneurysm is a rare finding, varying from asymptomatic clinical presentation. Surgical treatment remains the standard treatment with very good results. The selection of the operating technique is very individual, depending on the case and the experience of the surgeon.

The cemetery of Borova is situated in the region of Kolonja in south-east Albania. The cemeteryhad around 49 graves which contained rich inventories of pottery, jewelry , weapons, etc. The artifacts date the cemetery mainly in the late Iron Age, i.e., around 6th-5th centuries BC, and attest to intensive exchange of a part of the local productions with northern Greece. The typology of the tombs is closely associated to the princely graves of the Balkans as attested by the richness of the inventory.The discovery of a bronze olpe, two phiales and a bronze cylix demonstrates the presence of Greek Archaic and classical imports of bronze vases in the Illyrian territory. The geographical vicinity enabled an active trade in the region, probably between the pastoral societies which did not trade very valuable goods, as was the case of the tombs of Trebenishte and Novi Pazar, but more modest finds in bronze. These artifacts indicate an Iron Age society in transition to the Archaic and classical period, with the use of valuable bronze vases by the Illyrian chiefs as the first signs of their ‘Hellenization’.Keywords: bronze vessels, funerary, Iron Age, archaic period, Illyria.

The current work investigates the feasibility of a novel Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) approach—also known as Underground Sun Conversion (USC) or geo-methanation. The overall objective of the current work is a comprehensive assessment on the technical, economic and legal aspects as well as greenhouse gas impacts to be concerned for establishing USC technology concept. This is achieved by applying multidisciplinary research approach combining process simulation, techno-economic and greenhouse gas assessment as well as legal analysis allows answering questions about technical, economic feasibility and greenhouse gas performance as well as on legal constraints related to large scale CCU using geo-methanation in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. CO2 from the industry and renewable H2 from the electrolyser are converted to geomethane in an underground gas storage and used in industry again to close the carbon cycle. Process simulation results showed the conversion rates vary due to operation mode and gas cleaning is necessary in any case to achieve natural gas grid compliant feed in quality. The geomethane production costs are found to be similar or even lower than the costs for synthetic methane from Above Ground Methanation (AGM). The GHG-assessment shows a significant saving compared to fossil natural gas and conventional power-to-gas applications. From a legal perspective the major challenge arises from a regulative gap of CCU in the ETS regime. Accordingly, a far-reaching exemption from the obligation to surrender certificates would be fraught with many legal and technical problems and uncertainties.

The Gram-positive α-hemolytic Streptococcus suis is a major pathogen in the swine industry and an emerging zoonotic agent that can cause several systemic issues in both pigs and humans. A total of 35 S. suis serotypes (SS) have been identified and genotyped into > 700 sequence types (ST) by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Eurasian ST1 isolates are the most virulent of all S. suis SS2 strains while North American ST25 and ST28 strains display moderate to low/no virulence phenotypes, respectively. Notably, S. suis 90-1330 is an avirulent Canadian SS2-ST28 isolate producing a lantibiotic bacteriocin with potential prophylactic applications. To investigate the suitability of this strain for such purposes, we sequenced its complete genome using the Illumina and PacBio platforms. The S. suis 90-1330 bacteriocin was found encoded in a locus cargoed in what appears to be an integrative and conjugative element (ICE). This bacteriocin locus was also found to be widely distributed across several streptococcal species and in a few Staphylococcus aureus strains. Because the locus also confers protection from the bacteriocin, the potential prophylactic benefits of using this strain may prove limited due to the spread of the resistance to its effects. Furthermore, the S. suis 90-1330 genome was found to code for genes involved in blood survival, suggesting that strain may not be a benign as previously thought.

The purpose of this scientific work was to assess the performance of the system of wastewater treatment with trickling filter method (trickling filter) of urban waste water coming from the town of Skenderaj. Experiments done at the plant are made to evaluate the performance of aerobic filter and anaerobic systems for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The evaluation data trickling filter performance are generated under different experimental conditions. An average efficiency of COD reduction of 18 -30% is achieved in all concentrations of wastewater in a hydraulic loading of 5.5 m3/(m2∙d). Results lead to a design organic load of 0.96 kg COD/(m3 ∙ d) to reach a COD emissions in the range of 50-120 mg/L. As can be deduced from the results of this study, organic substances in the trajimit plant wastewater can be treated in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly using using trickling filters with plastic media.

The subject of physical education (kinesiology) at primary schools in Kosovo is present in school programs with three classes weekly. In order to form a realistic idea of what students feel about their teacher in Physical Education as well as of the implementation of the educational program, we conducted a questionnaire survey. Methods: The survey examines 210 respondents (118 school boys and 92 school girls) at the age of 14. It was conducted mainly to establish and compare the attitudes of boys and girls on the base of their answers to the following six questions: 1. Is the teacher in Physical Education always dressed in sports equipment in class? 2. Is the teacher always present and active in class performances? 3. Does the teacher form realistic marks to your performance? 4. Does the school possess the necessary facilities and equipment for the realization of the class program? 5. Do you regularly wear sports equipment in your Physical Education classes? 6. Are you happy with the way your PhE classes are conducted? Results & Discussion: According to the answers to each question the groups of boys and girls are considered individually through methods of frequency and percentage of results. The differences between boys’ and girls’ attitudes are tested by non-parametric chi-square test, at the level of 0,05(5%). According to the fi nal results, the conclusion is that school boys and girls have similar attitudes (do not differ) in their answers to questions 5 and 6. To some extent, the results obtained from the survey show similarity with the research conducted by Memedi, Nika and Hajredini (2011).

The game of volleyball with its dynamic character is present in the world of the sport with permanent development and growing popularity and fans. Volleyball is part of a pollystructural complex sports activities. It is performed on a ground of a relatively small size (18 x 9 meters) and is a kind of game that requires of players a high level of advanced motoric abilities (speed, strength, endurance, a fast rate of visual reaction, explosivity), as well as specific motoric skills (precision etc.). Scientific conclusion as well as the growing number of conducted researches in the very game, have a real contribution to its modern development and level of popularity. Situation-motoric skills make a significant dimension in the structure of volleyball game. The subject of the research is specific-motoric abilities and situation-motoric skills of 52 volleyball players aged from 16 to 17. The basic goal of the research is to establish the effect of specific-motoric abilities on situation-motoric skills of volleyball players in latent space. In order to assess the specific-motoric abilities 9 tests are used, and to assess the situation-motoric skills 3 precision tests are used. The results obtained from the 12 applied tests are worked out through the basic statistic parameters. Through component factor analysis 3 latent specific-motoric dimensions are isolated as well as one situation-motoric dimension. By regressive analysis there is established a low but statistically significant relation between the criterion and predictor latent dimensions. That confirms the dependence and relation between the specific-motoric abilities and situation-motoric skills. Researches in the fi eld of similar questions have been conducted by the following authors: Jurko et al., 2013 and Nešić, et al., 2011.

Football is one of the most famous games that man has invented. It is a complex of collective organization and individual ingenuity. No doubt, top results in sport require a serious base of scientific researches and skills. Certainly, modern top results that have been achieved can be analyzed scientifically. It is exactly the scientific approach that is to establish the characteristics of basic importance to provide success in football. It is in favor of top football game to regularly conduct researches, which, as elements of special interest, would cover the basic motoric and specific motoric abilities with football players.The subject of the research is the motoric and specific motoric abilities with young football players aged from 14 to 16. The goal of the research is to establish how the explosive power influences the dribbling skills. The sample of respondents in the research consists of 39 school children at the age of 14 to 16, who play at FC ”Gjilani” and have attended the club for at least two years. They underwent three tests for assessing the explosive power: 1. Standing long jump; 2. 20-meter running and 3. Sargent test. Along with it, two tests for assessing the specific motorics: 1. Dribbling 20 metres with start from the place and 2. Dribbling 20 metres - fly start. The data obtained from the applied five tests is worked out with basic statistic parameters. The relation between motoric and specific motoric abilities is determined through linear regressive analyzes in manifest space. The results suggest that there is a positive and significant relation between the applied motoric and specific motoric abilities. This confirms the close relation between the explosive power and specific motorics of football players expressed through dribbling. Similar results are obtained in the researches of the following authors: Christou et all., 2006, Kraemer et al., 1998, and Young et al., 2001.

Rhenium(IV)-oxide, ReO2, was used as a mediator for carbon paste (CPE) and screen printed carbon (SPCE) electrodes for the catalytic amperometric determination of hydro-gen peroxide, whose overpotential for the reduction could be lowered to -0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl in flow injection analysis (FIA) using phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH=7.5) as a carrier. For hydrogen peroxide a detection limit (3σ) of 0.8 mg L-1 could be obtained.ReO2-modified SPCEs were used to design biosensors with a template enzyme, i.e. glucose oxidase, entrapped in a Nafion membrane. The resulting glucose sensor showed a linear dynamic range up to 200 mg L-1 glucose with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.6 mg L-1. The repeatability was 2.1 % RSD (n = 5 measurements), the reproducibility 5.4 % (n = 5 sensors). The sensor could be applied for the determination of glucose in blood serum in good agreement with a reference method.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common complication after cardiovascular surgery that in severe cases can lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and even death. We therefore set out to identify reliable early biomarkers for SIRS in a prospective small patient study for timely intervention. 21 Patients scheduled for planned cardiovascular surgery were recruited in the study, monitored for signs of SIRS and blood samples were taken to investigate biomarkers at pre-assigned time points: day of admission, start of surgery, end of surgery, days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 post surgery. Stored plasma and cryopreserved blood samples were analyzed for cytokine expression (IL1β, IL2, IL6, IL8, IL10, TNFα, IFNγ), other pro-inflammatory markers (sCD163, sTREM-1, ESM-1) and response to endotoxin. Acute phase proteins CRP, PCT and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 were significantly increased (p

Rhenium(IV)-oxide, ReO2, was used as a mediator for carbon paste (CPE) and screen printed carbon (SPCE) electrodes for the catalytic amperometric determination of hydro­gen peroxide, whose overpotential for the reduction could be lowered to -0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl in flow injection analysis (FIA) using phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH=7.5) as a carrier. For hydrogen peroxide a detection limit (3σ) of 0.8 mg L-1 could be obtained. ReO2-modified SPCEs were used to design biosensors with a template enzyme, i.e. glucose oxidase, entrapped in a Nafion membrane. The resulting glucose sensor showed a linear dynamic range up to 200 mg L-1 glucose with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.6 mg L-1. The repeatability was 2.1 % RSD (n = 5 measurements), the reproducibility 5.4 % (n = 5 sensors). The sensor could be applied for the determination of glucose in blood serum in good agreement with a reference method.