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This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of emergency and prophylactic uterine artery embolization (UAE) in our clinical practice, including technical success, clinical success, and associated complications.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biostimulants derived from Streptomyces avermitilis metabolites on entomopathogenic nematodes: Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, obtained from the soil of several Miscanthus × giganteus plantations in 2020–2023. The nematodes were isolated, identified, and cultured using live insects (the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella). Three preparations containing biostimulants – Charkor, Stimpo, and Regoplant, were tested for compatibility with entomopathogenic and plant parasitic nematodes. Their effect on nematode survival was evaluated using the Petri dish test. The study showed that the effect of biostimulants on the survival of nematodes depended on the concentration of aversectin contained in the evaluated preparations. Stimpo and Regoplant had an adverse effect on plant parasitic nematodes. The highest G. mellonella mortality was observed at the higher dose of Charkor (0.4%), and the lowest at the lower dose of Regoplant (1.22%). The study showed that the virulence of the nematodes decreased after 48 hours of incubation in Regoplant and Stimpo solutions containing aversectin. The degree of interaction between nematodes depended on the nematode species, trophic preferences, and the concentration of active ingredients in the preparations. This conclusion is crucial for the selection of appropriate types of entomopathogenic nematodes and the application rate of plant parasitic nematodes in the assessment of their short- and long-term spread, persistence, and recycling in field conditions.

The cultivation of bioenergy crops helps produce energy sources for industrial and domestic needs with a zero carbon footprint, which is very attractive in the context of efforts to prevent global climate change. However, this creates certain difficulties in terms of competition for agricultural land with crops used to satisfy human needs and produce food. One potential solution is the use of unproductive abandoned land disturbed by open-pit mining and marginal land contaminated with toxic substances for growing bioenergy crops. The subject of the study was to investigate the influence of soil type on nematode communities and related indicators in the cultivation of bioenergy crops for biofuel production in different geographical areas. A solution to the issue of the role of nematode communities in the hierarchical organisation of bioenergy crop management, which includes tactical and strategic levels, is proposed. A total of 44 nematode genera representing different soil types were found in the studied ecosystems. The lowest abundance of communities was found in Chernozem and Glayic Podzols. The highest abundance was found on Arenosols, Haplic Podzols, and Stagnic Fluvisols. The herbivores were represented by 21 genera. The proportion of herbivorous species usually did not exceed 60% of the total number of nematodes. The representatives of the genus Paratylenchus were found in all the studied soils. The results of multidimensional scaling showed that four dimensions could be identified. Dimension 1 proved to be the most sensitive to changes in the trophic structure of the communities, which is largely due to changes in the role of herbivores in the community. Dimension 2 allowed us to differentiate Arenosols from all other soil types. This difference is explained by functional changes in the structure of the nematode community. The Arenosols community is distinguished by an increase in the enrichment index, which is a consequence of an increase in the proportion of semi-endoparasites. Dimension 3 made it possible to differentiate a group of soils, including Haplich Fluvioglacial, Stagnant Fluvioglacial and Haplic Fluvisols, Stagnic Fluvisols, and Haplic Podzols from Glayic Podzols. Glayic Podzols are characterised by an increased total number of the community, mainly due to parasitic nematodes, as evidenced by the increased level of the plant parasitism index. Dimension 4 was able to capture the specific characteristics of the black soil nematode communities. This soil type is characterised by a higher density of nematode communities, which is explained by a higher proportion of bacteriophages and ectoparasites. Growing bioenergy crops has two different aspects: tactical and strategic. The tactical aspect involves the production of biological energy sources. This aspect includes traditional methods of crop management, including elements of plant disease and pest control, to achieve maximum yield. Thus, the object of tactical management is the plant. In contrast, the strategic aspect is concerned with soil reclamation to restore its functions, thereby paving the way for the possibility of using such soils for food production. The object of strategic management is soil. The tactical aspect involves obtaining direct economic benefits from the extraction of energy raw materials. The strategic aspect involves the restoration of disturbed lands and the creation of preconditions for the restoration of their ecosystem services and their inclusion in food production. Nematode communities can provide information for monitoring processes at both the tactical and strategic levels. The risks of parasitic nematodes and plant diseases should be assessed at the tactical level of management. At the strategic level of management, nematode communities should be used to monitor trophic network assessment and the level of stress in the soil system.

Coenurosis is a cystic parasitic disease affecting ruminants and other mammals worldwide. The disease is caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. Sheep and goats are frequently infected, while cases in cattle are rare. Here we describe the first recorded case of bovine coenurosis in North Macedonia. The diagnosis was based on the neurological clinical signs and the postmortem findings of a 1-year-old bull with symptoms typical for coenurosis, i.e. ataxia, circling movements, mild depression and impaired vision. Postmortem, a cyst was found in the left cerebral hemisphere and was confirmed as fertile Coenurus cerebralis by parasitological analysis. These findings suggest that coenurosis should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with neurological symptoms. This highlights the need for routine surveillance of this disease in livestock and proactive tracking of the parasite in the final hosts to enhance disease management.

The ability to reliably detect the forthcoming failure of a rechargeable cell without removing it from its normal operating environment remains a significant goal in battery research. In this work we have cycled in the laboratory a previously-aged 3.2 A h, 3.6 V 18650 INR LiNi _x Mn _y Co $ _{1-x-y}$ O _2 cell for 300 d until failure was apparent, using a current waveform representative of use in an electric vehicle application. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) down to 5 µ Hz was also performed on the cell as a ‘gold-standard’ measure, at the beginning, end and part way through the cycling. Analysis of voltage and current time series data using both parametric (equivalent circuit model) and non-parametric (wavelet-based analysis) approaches allowed us to successfully reconstruct the EIS data. As the battery aged, impedance gradually increased at frequencies between 10 ^−4 Hz—10 ^−1 Hz. The increase accelerated around 50 d before the battery ultimately failed. The acceleration in rate of change of impedance was detectable while the cycle efficiency remained high, indicating that a user of the cell would be unlikely to detect any change in the cell based on its performance or by common measures of state-of-health. The results imply upcoming failure may be detectable from time series analysis weeks before any noticeable drop in cell performance.

Sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniasis, as well as phleboviruses. In the Balkans, the endemicity and spreading of sand fly-borne diseases are evident, particularly in the Republic of Kosovo, a country with a predominantly humid continental climate. To date, understanding the drivers behind the spatial structure and diversity patterns of sand fly communities in humid continental regions remains limited. Therefore, elucidating the geographical and ecological factors contributing to the presence of potential vector species in the country is crucial. We aimed to enhance our understanding of factors influencing sand fly occurrence in cool and wet wintering humid continental areas, which could serve as a model for other countries with similar climatic conditions. Therefore, we assessed the currently known sand fly fauna through detailed environmental analyses, including Voronoi tessellation patterns, entropy calculations, Principal Coordinate and Component Analyses, Hierarchical Clustering, Random Trees, and climatic suitability patterns.Notable differences in the ecological tolerance of the species were detected, and the most important climatic features limiting sand fly presence were wind speed and temperature seasonality. Sand flies were observed to prefer topographical environments with little roughness, and the modelled climatic suitability values indicated that, dominantly, the western plain regions of Kosovo harbour the most diverse sand fly fauna; and are the most threatened by sand fly-borne diseases. Phlebotomus neglectus and P. perfiliewi, both confirmed vectors for L. infantum and phleboviruses, were identified as two main species with vast distribution in Kosovo. Contrary to this, most other present species are relatively sparse and restricted to temperate rather than humid continental regions.Our findings reveal a diverse potential sand fly fauna in Kosovo, indicating the need for tailored strategies to address varying risks across the country's western and eastern regions in relation to leishmaniasis control amidst changing environmental conditions.

Abstract Background RNA editing has been described as promoting genetic heterogeneity, leading to the development of multiple disorders, including cancer. The cytosine deaminase APOBEC3B is implicated in tumor evolution through DNA mutation, but whether it also functions as an RNA editing enzyme has not been studied. Results Here, we engineer a novel doxycycline-inducible mouse model of human APOBEC3B-overexpression to understand the impact of this enzyme in tissue homeostasis and address a potential role in C-to-U RNA editing. Elevated and sustained levels of APOBEC3B lead to rapid alteration of cellular fitness, major organ dysfunction, and ultimately lethality in mice. Importantly, RNA-sequencing of mouse tissues expressing high levels of APOBEC3B identifies frequent UCC-to-UUC RNA editing events that are not evident in the corresponding genomic DNA. Conclusions This work identifies, for the first time, a new deaminase-dependent function for APOBEC3B in RNA editing and presents a preclinical tool to help understand the emerging role of APOBEC3B as a driver of carcinogenesis.

Introduction: Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by a muscle injury that leads to the release of intracellular muscle contents/constituents into the systemic circulation. Aim: We examined the association between the severity of the clinical presentation and creatinine phosphokinase values in patients with rhabdomyolysis acutely intoxicated with psychotropic and chemical substances. Materials and methods: This clinically controlled prospective study included 140 patients with rhabdomyolysis hospitalized at the University Clinic of Toxicology in 2019. They were divided into two groups by the substance used for intoxication (psychotropic or chemical). Results: On the third day of hospitalization, we found a significant association between the type of intoxication and the degree of rhabdomyolysis according to the poisoning severity score (p=0.0256). The significance was due to intoxications with neuroleptics – 50% (n=6), anticonvulsants – 20% (n=1), antidepressants – 16.67% (n=2), heroin – 25% (n=1), and methadone – 54% (n=6). According to the poisoning severity score, the majority of intoxicated patients with chemical substances – other gases 100% (n=1), and those intoxicated with psychotropic substances – methadone 46.67% (n=7), neuroleptics 42.67% (n=5), heroin 40% (n=2), antidepressants 8.33% (n=1), had severe rhabdomyolysis. In psychotropic intoxications, creatine kinase had a significant linear positive weak correlation with mortality (p=0.0234). Conclusions: Rhabdomyolysis and its clinical symptoms and signs were significantly more common in patients intoxicated with psychotropic substances compared to chemical intoxications. Intoxicated patients with psychotropic substances had more severe rhabdomyolysis on the third day of hospitalization. In psychotropic intoxication, with increasing creatine kinase level on the first day there was a significant increase in mortality.

In the past decades it is evident that the modern mega trends: globalization, urbanization, digitalization etc., and the new forms of security risks and threats had influenced and moderated the organization of state security. The increasing security risks driven by natural and geopolitical calamities have increased the role of private security services, vis à vis state security. Private security companies are recognized as a relevant non-state security actor and, active participant to complement the traditional (state) security constituents in providing security. Moreover, private security employees are part of the security continuum who have always complimented state security efforts, and this has become particularly the case in the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic, where PSS workers have stepped up, as frontline workers, to guarantee public safety and health. Private security provides security of individuals and property at private and commercial buildings, public spaces, events and provides protection of critical infrastructure. However, aiming at efficient and effective use of the full potential of the private security sector there still is a clear need for determination of the quality criteria for the private security that will consider both, the security concept and the corporate concept of the private security companies providing services and of companies’ withe in-house security. Hence, the main tendency of this article is to elaborate on the significance of defining quality criteria for the private security sector. The theoretical explication will cover the wider concept of private security with the definition of terms and meaning and current state in practice The main focus will be to analysis of the quality criteria for the private security identified by the Confederation of European Private Security Services (CoESS) and Uni-Europa, i.e. private security employees training, recruitment and retention; security management; professional capacities of the company for providing private security; broader legal framework and special regulations and social responsibility. Moreover, the quality criteria will be elaborated within the existing challenges of the contemporary global and security environment. The final goal of this article will be to systematize the scientific knowledge in the field of quality of the private security.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is caused by the release of enzymes from skeletal muscles into the blood, which leads to systemic complications with diverse etiologies. This study evaluated the serum aminotransferases in patients with rhabdomyolysis following acute intoxication with either psychotropic drugs or other chemical agents. Methods: This study randomly recruited 140 patients suffering from rhabdomyolysis. They were divided into two groups affected by either psychotropic drugs or chemical agents. Rhabdomyolysis was defined as having serum creatine kinase (CK) levels greater than 250 U/L, based on the poisoning severity score. Results: On day 1, the CK/AST correlation was significantly stronger in the psychotropic than the chemical group (P=0.0009). On day 5, patients in the psychotropic group had significantly higher AST (P=0.0138) and ALT (P=0.0129) than those poisoned with other chemicals. The difference in the strength of the CK/ALT correlation between the two groups was insignificant. Between the two groups, the differences between the CK levels and the following serum parameters were insignificant: Alkaline phosphatase; gamma-glutamyl transferase; prothrombin time; total bilirubin; and albumin. Conclusion: The elevated aminotransferases in patients with rhabdomyolysis due to acute psychotropic toxicity might have resulted from the skeletal muscle injury rather than hepatotoxicity. In rhabdomyolysis patients poisoned with other chemicals, the elevated serum aminotransferases are likely due to liver toxicity arising from the consumed substances. These patients are likely to manifest clinically severe long-term multi-organ failure. Intoxications with typical agents, such as herbicides, petroleum distillates, and corrosives were responsible for the rhabdomyolysis in the second group.

Motivation and idea: Entrepreneurial culture has been considered to have a significant positive relation with the organizational growth and self-efficacy. However, the success of entrepreneurial culture has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on the well-being of employees who work in labour-intensive industries. More specifically, the level of stress among these workers is increased and that can result in physical and mental health issues, resulting in low mood and motivation, anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal thoughts, etc. This may ultimately influence the turnover intention in these industries. Research goal: This paper investigates whether a relationship exists between entrepreneurial organizational culture and turnover intention. The goal of this study is to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial organizational culture and turnover intention in labour-intensive industries with a focus on the mediating role of fear of COVID-19, psychological distress and job satisfaction in turnover intention. Data: Quantitative research on 408 respondents has been conducted, whose results can serve as a reference for designing adequate human resource policies in labour-intensive industries. Findings: This study shows that Covid-19 challenged not only economic and financial sustainability, but also the physical and mental well-being of the people. It shows that the organizations that foster an entrepreneurial culture assist people in reducing stress, resulting in members of those organizations experiencing less tension and fear, which is an important part of one's health at such a chaotic time. Contribution: The paper is the first of its kind study and it expands existing research related to organizational culture during the pandemic, thus formulating practical suggestions to future leaders. This study has important implications for practitioners. Although no similar studies exist within the labour-intensive businesses, the analysis of these aspects will enable the leaders to assess and strengthen their connections to the company and to determine which segments of their organizational culture need to be improved so that employees should be happier and more satisfied.

The risk of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, due to reduced vascular nutrition and impaired neural function. However, the interactions between cardiovascular dynamics and neural activity, and how these interactions evolve in healthy aging, are not well understood. Here, the interactions are studied by assessment of the phase coherence between spontaneous oscillations in cerebral oxygenation measured by fNIRS, the electrical activity of the brain measured by EEG, and cardiovascular functions extracted from ECG and respiration effort, all simultaneously recorded. Signals measured at rest in 21 younger participants (31.1 ± 6.9 years) and 24 older participants (64.9 ± 6.9 years) were analysed by wavelet transform, wavelet phase coherence and ridge extraction for frequencies between 0.007 and 4 Hz. Coherence between the neural and oxygenation oscillations at ∼ 0.1 Hz is significantly reduced in the older adults in 46/176 fNIRS-EEG probe combinations. This reduction in coherence cannot be accounted for in terms of reduced power, thus indicating that neurovascular interactions change with age. The approach presented promises a noninvasive means of evaluating the efficiency of the neurovascular unit in aging and disease.

Abstract Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are responsible for severe yield losses in crop production. Management is challenging as effective and safe means are rare. Recently, it has been discovered that the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitor fluopyram is highly effective against PPN while accompanying an excellent safety profile. Here we show that fluopyram is a potent inhibitor of SDH in nematodes but not in mammals, insects and earthworm, explaining the selectivity on molecular level. As a consequence of SDH inhibition, fluopyram impairs ATP generation and causes paralysis in PPN and Caenorhabditis elegans. Interestingly, efficacy differences of fluopyram amongst PPN species can be observed. Permanent exposure to micromolar to nanomolar amounts of fluopyram prevents Meloidogyne spp. and Heterodera schachtii infection and their development at the root. Preincubation of Meloidogyne incognita J2 with fluopyram followed by a recovery period effectively reduces gall formation. However, the same procedure does not inhibit H. schachtii infection and development. Sequence comparison of sites relevant for ligand binding identified amino acid differences in SDHC which likely mediate selectivity, coincidently revealing a unique amino acid difference within SDHC conserved among Heterodera spp. Docking and C. elegans mutant studies suggest that this minute difference mediates altered sensitivity of H. schachtii towards fluopyram.

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are blood‐feeding insects that transmit the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and various arboviruses. The Balkan region, including the Republic of Kosovo, harbours a diverse sand fly fauna. Vector species of Leishmania infantum as well as phleboviruses are endemic; however, recent data are scarce. We performed a cross‐sectional study to update the current sand fly distribution in Kosovo and assess biological as well as environmental factors associated with sand fly presence. CDC light trapping was conducted at 46 locations in 2022 and 2023, specifically targeting understudied regions in Kosovo. Individual morphological species identification was supported by molecular barcoding. The occurrence data of sand flies was used to create distribution maps and perform environmental analyses, taking elevation, wind speed and climate‐related factors into account. In addition, PCR‐based blood meal analysis and pathogen screening were conducted. Overall, 303 specimens of six sand fly species were trapped, predominated by Phlebotomus neglectus (97%). Barcodes from eight of nine known endemic sand fly species were obtained. Combining our data with previous surveys, we mapped the currently known sand fly distribution based on more than 4000 specimens at 177 data points, identifying Ph. neglectus and Ph. perfiliewi as the predominant species. Environmental analyses depicted two geographical groups of sand flies in Kosovo, with notable differences between the species. In total, 223 blood meals of five sand fly species were analysed. Of seven identified host species, the predominant blood meal source was observed to be cattle, but the DNA of dogs and humans, among others, was also detected. This study assessed biological as well as ecological factors of sand fly occurrence, which should help better understand and evaluate potential hot spots of disease transmission in Kosovo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts. A total of 302 slaughtered animals were examined with visual inspection, palpation, and incision of the internal organs in order to detect cysts. Microscopic examination was carried out to determine the presence of protoscoleces. The overall prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep was 60%. The presence of cysts increased with age in cattle. In both cattle and sheep, the most common affected organs were the liver and lungs infected with more than one cyst. The findings showed higher fertility rate in sheep which confirmed their role as the most important intermediate host. This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs.

ABSTRACT. Rock quality designation (RQD) index, provides a general indication of rock mass quality and is widely used in many rock mass classification systems. From the literature review, it is concluded that the RQD methodology has several limitations and one of them is highlighted in this paper with the help of stochastic analysis with Monte Carlo simulation. The purpose of this paper is to improve the results of the RQD index through volumetric joint count (Jv) from accessible surface areas or when drill cores are not available. In this paper, we introduce a low–cost photogrammetric method for rock slope reconstruction with scaled and oriented 3D point cloud, ideally suited for geomechanical analysis. As an outcome, the 3D point cloud is then used to detect the discontinuity sets and to, define their orientation, normal spacing and persistence. Results are then used to calculate the number of joints per m3, which is then used as input in the empirical correlation between the RQD index and the Jv. The main advantage of the proposed methodology is that it is completely based on open–source software.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are the principal vectors of phleboviruses and Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniases. The Mediterranean sand fly fauna is diverse, and leishmaniasis, mainly caused by Leishmania infantum, is endemic in the Balkan countries. Despite recent entomological surveys, only some districts of Kosovo have been sampled for sand flies, with no proof/confirmation of L. infantum. This study aimed to gain further insights into the species composition of natural sand fly populations in previously unsampled districts and areas in Kosovo without reports of leishmaniasis and to detect Leishmania DNA in sand flies. A sand fly survey was conducted in 2022 in all seven districts of Kosovo. Collected females were screened for Leishmania DNA by PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and subjected to maximum likelihood analysis with reference sequences for further molecular characterization. The trapping activities at 114 different localities resulted in 3272 caught specimens, comprising seven sand fly species of two genera, namely Phlebotomus neglectus, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. tobbi, Ph. papatasi, Ph. simici, Ph. balcanicus and Sergentomyia minuta. Leishmania infantum DNA was detected in three individual sand flies of Ph. neglectus and Ph. perfiliewi. This study provides the most extensive sand fly survey in Kosovo and reports the first record of L. infantum DNA in sand flies, indicating autochthonous circulation of L. infantum.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological profile of unintentional opioid overdoses, the prevalence and number of psychotropic substances involved in opioid overdoses.Methods: This was a descriptive study, in which 180 participants were enrolled, and covered a nine-years-period. For collecting data was used the National patient electronic system “My term”. The variables as gender, age, duration of opioid dependence, number of overdoses, type of substance, number of antidote ampoules, duration of hospitalization were analyzed. Severity of poisoning was made by using the Poison severity score. Results: Opioid overdose cases were significantly higher among males than females. Mean age with standard deviation (SD) was 32.23 ± 6.71 years. Mean years (±SD) of duration of opioid use disorder was 11.60 ± 5.89 years. The most commonly used primary substance was methadone in 68.89% and heroin in 31.11% cases. Twenty patients were treated with mechanical ventilation because of the severe respiratory depression. Poison severity score was moderate in 51.11%, severe in 45.56% and fatal in 3.33% of the cases. Conclusion: Most of the cases, predominantly males used one or two substances. The combination of methadone and benzodiazepine was most frequently used and the most common way was by injecting the abused substances. In most of the subjects PSS score was moderate and severe with no differences between genders.

During a survey of plant parasitic nematodes associated with Miscanthus × giganteus which was carried out in Ukraine in 2016–2017, an occurrence of Rotylenchus agnetis Szczygieł, 1968, Rotylenchus pumilus Perry, 1959 and Paratylenchus nanus Cobb, 1923 was found. To the best of our knowledge this is the first record of a parasite species which can damage M. × giganteus. The species were described morphologically and using molecular tools. Further profound study on pathogenicity of those species is needed.

Analysis of the nematode community has been considered a key indicator of soil health. In this study, the assessment of nematodes was performed two times during the third growing season in soil contaminated by chemical elements where Miscanthus × giganteus was cultivated in the years 2019–2022. A morphological approach was used to identify the nematode communities that showed sensitivity to the level of soil contamination. In contrast, the value of M × g dry biomass was a more conservative indicator and displayed only a small yield, which decreased (3.6%) at the highest level of soil contamination by lead to 290.5 ± 75.4 µg/g. Principal component analysis revealed four trends associated with the coherent variability of contamination in soil and various organs of M × g. The variability of elements was reflected by the first three principal components and did not affect the nematode community. The variability of lead concentration was associated with principal component 4, which was the largest driver of changes in the nematode community. The trophic structure of the nematode communities was the most sensitive to soil contamination by lead. A decrease in the Structural Index was the general indicator in the transformation of the nematode community structure due to increasing levels of soil contamination.