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Background: The yeast Starmerella bombicola is renowned for its highly efficient sophorolipid production, reaching titers and productivities of (over) 200 g/L and 2 g/(L h), respectively. This inherent efficiency has led to the commercialization of sophorolipids. While the sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway has been elucidated a few years ago, in this study, it is revisited and true key intermediates are revealed. Results: Recently, Starmerella bombicola strains developed and evaluated in the past were reevaluated unveiling unexpected findings. The AT enzyme encoded in the sophorolipid biosynthetic gene cluster is the only described enzyme known to acetylate sophorolipids, while the SBLE enzyme encoded by the SBLE gene is described to catalyze the conversion of (acetylated) acidic sophorolipids into lactonic sophorolipids. A double knockout of both genes was described to result in the generation of bolaform sophorolipids. However, new experiments performed with respective S. bombicola strains Δsble, Δat Δsble, and ∆at revealed inconsistencies with the current understanding of the SL pathway. It was observed that the ∆sble strain produces mainly bolaform sophorolipids with higher acetylation degrees instead of acidic sophorolipids. Furthermore, the ∆at strain produces predominantly bolaform sophorolipids and lactonic sophorolipids with lower acetylation degrees, while the ∆at ∆sble strain predominantly produces bolaform sophorolipids with lower acetylation degrees. These results indicate that the AT enzyme is not the only enzyme responsible for acetylation of sophorolipids, while the SBLE enzyme performs an intramolecular transesterification reaction on bolaform glycolipids instead of an esterification reaction on acidic sophorolipids. These findings, together with recent in vitro data, led us to revise the sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway. Conclusions: Bolaform sophorolipids instead of acidic sophorolipids are the key intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway towards lactonic sophorolipids. Bolaform sophorolipids are found in very small amounts in extracellular S. bombicola wild type broths as they are very efficiently converted into lactonic sophorolipids, while acidic sophorolipids build up as they cannot be converted. Furthermore, acetylation of sophorolipids is not exclusively performed by the AT enzyme encoded in the sophorolipid biosynthetic gene cluster and acetylation of bolaform sophorolipids promotes their transesterification. These findings led to the revision of the industrially relevant sophorolipid biosynthetic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background In terms of a highly atrophic maxilla, bone augmentation still remains very challenging. With the introduction of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for allogeneic bone blocks, a new method for the treatment of bone deficiencies was created. This case report demonstrates the successful use of two specially designed and CAD/CAM manufactured allogeneic bone blocks for a full arch reconstruction of a highly atrophic maxilla with an all-on-six concept. Case presentation We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with a highly atrophic maxilla and severe bone volume deficiencies in horizontal and vertical lines. In order to treat the defects, the surgeon decided to use a combination of two allogeneic bone blocks and two sinus floor augmentations. The bone blocks were fabricated from the data of a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using CAD/CAM technology. After the insertion of the two bone blocks and a healing period of 7 months, six dental implants were placed in terms of an all-on-six concept. The loading of the implants took place after an additional healing time of 7 months with a screw-retained prosthetic construction and with a milled titanium framework with acrylic veneers. Conclusion The presented procedure shows the importance of the precise design of CAD/CAM manufactured allogeneic bone blocks for the successful treatment of a highly atrophic maxilla. Proper soft-tissue management is one of the key factors to apply this method successfully.

Abstract The contribution of domestic cattle in human societies is enormous, making cattle, along with other essential benefits, the economically most important domestic animal in the world today. To expand existing knowledge on cattle domestication and mitogenome diversity, we performed a comprehensive complete mitogenome analysis of the species (802 sequences, 114 breeds). A large sample was collected in South‐east Europe, an important agricultural gateway to Europe during Neolithization and a region rich in cattle biodiversity. We found 1725 polymorphic sites (810 singletons, 853 parsimony‐informative sites and 57 indels), 701 unique haplotypes, a haplotype diversity of 0.9995 and a nucleotide diversity of 0.0015. In addition to the dominant T3 and several rare haplogroups (Q, T5, T4, T2 and T1), we have identified maternal line in Austrian Murbodner cattle that possess surviving aurochs’ mitochondria haplotype P1 that diverged prior to the Neolithization process. This is convincing evidence for rare female‐mediated adaptive introgression of wild aurochs into domesticated cattle in Europe. We revalidated the existing haplogroup classification and provided Bayesian phylogenetic inference with a more precise estimated divergence time than previously available. Occasionally, classification based on partial mitogenomes was not reliable; for example, some individuals with haplogroups P and T5 were not recognized based on D‐loop information. Bayesian skyline plot estimates (median) show that the earliest population growth began before domestication in cattle with haplogroup T2, followed by Q (~10.0–9.5 kyBP), whereas cattle with T3 (~7.5 kyBP) and T1 (~3.0–2.5 kyBP) expanded later. Overall, our results support the existence of interactions between aurochs and cattle during domestication and dispersal of cattle in the past, contribute to the conservation of maternal cattle diversity and enable functional analyses of the surviving aurochs P1 mitogenome.

Background: Computer-aided design/Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milled root-analogue implant (RAI) systems can be a great alternative to conventional dental implants if the indication is appropriate. It has been shown that RAIs can reduce resorption processes of bone and soft tissue as a form of immediate implantation. However, such digital workflows can lead to errors resulting from intrinsic and extrinsic factors and can potentially increase with each transition in the digital workflow. Whilst the studies on RAIs have focused on osseointegration and implant success, to date, none of them have addressed the prosthetic abutment design of RAIs. Therefore, this case report highlights the importance of proper abutment design of a RAI and shows how to properly deal with an undersized prosthetic abutment in an already osseointegrated RAI, in the maxillary esthetic zone. Case presentation: We report the case of a 34-year-old female patient who was implanted with a RAI in the maxillary esthetic zone. The tooth 11 was found to not be worthy of preservation and was carefully extracted. Afterwards, a CAD/CAM milled RAI was press-fit placed immediately. After the RAI had healed, the abutment was found to be prosthetically undersized. As a result, the implant could not be directly restored with a conventional crown, as the retention surface was too small to ensure a permanent hold. For this reason, the decision was made to incorporate a retention pin in the definitive crown, which engaged palatially in a retention groove by drilling into the abutment. Thus, a permanent fixation of the final prosthetic restoration was achieved. Conclusions: Appropriate abutment design is crucial for the prosthetic treatment of the RAI, especially in the esthetic zone. In the future, the planning and development of RAIs should focus on the optimal abutment design and the sources of error within the planning and manufacturing process. Finally, the increasing outsourcing of steps within the prosthetic planning can lead to errors and should be taken with great caution.

This study focuses on understanding the experiences of family members of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom and the gambling consequences in their lives. Family members of problem gamblers, even though they suffer from gambling consequences, the impacts of gambling are under-researched. Qualitative research through in-depth interviews was employed. Thematic analysis was used to gain a deeper insight into gambling. Nine female participants were interviewed based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The results of this study indicated that close family members of problem gamblers had suffered not only financial devastation but also harsh psychological and mental health damages. Furthermore, family members suffer from gamblers’ abusive and violent behaviors. Addiction was a key factor of gamblers’ habit; fear, anxiety, and depression were some of the health issues derived from gambling. Overall, gambling addiction leads to further addiction, crime, and severe, family-relation sufferings. The study results suggest that the London Gambling Commission and regulating authority should change gambling policy, reduce gambling points, and limit gambling slot machines in food markets and community areas. More support is needed for family members affected by gamblers’ addictive gambling behaviors.

The exchange of information between transmission system operators (TSOs) and distribution system operators (DSOs) is a common practice. However, the evolution of the regulatory frameworks in Europe has increased the need for enhancing TSO-DSO data exchange and interoperability. This paper provides an overview of the TSO-DSO data exchanges and demonstrates the best practices using International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) common information model (CIM), including the implementation of IEC common grid model exchange standard (CGMES), and discussion of the corresponding advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. Furthermore, this paper evaluates and reports the activities already carried out within European projects, with particular focus on TSODSO interoperability. Finally, this paper concludes the need for TSOs and DSOs to rely on standard-based solutions when performing TSO-DSO data exchange, which enables the efficient operation and development of the future power systems.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the growth of online businesses in Kosovo is a topic that is treated in this paper. Due to the fall in economic activity brought on by the economy's closure, the COVID-19 pandemic inevitably had a negative impact on the Kosovar economy, just like it has on other nations around the world. The requirement for enterprises to undergo a digital transformation has been considerably expedited by Covid-19, which has had a tremendous impact on businesses, society, and the economy in general. E-commerce is based on the idea of conducting business more effectively and quickly online. Giving clients access to the company's computer system allows them to modify the product and service to their specifications and ensure on-time delivery. These automated tailored services have a significant financial impact on enterprises by boosting earnings and lowering operating expenses. This paper seeks to shed light on the Covid-19 pandemic's effects on Kosovo's internet commerce growth. For this reason, a survey was conducted online, with 251 respondents selecting the appropriate sample using a non-random selection approach. The results show that Covid-19 appears to have had a favorable effect on the growth of online businesses in Kosovo. The Covid pandemic has positively impacted the growth of online enterprises in Kosovo, and the 24/7 accessibility of the online business has positively impacted the increase in sales volume, according to the results of the hypothesis testing. The paper primarily describes how the Covid-19 epidemic affected the growth of online enterprises in Kosovo.

Abstract Background Clubfeet and constriction band syndrome is a very rare non-idiopathic condition. Treatment is often difficult and the recurrence deformity rate is high. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Ponseti method in the treatment of congenital constriction band syndrome accompanied by clubfoot deformity and lymphedema. Case presentation We are presenting an interesting case of bilateral clubfeet and congenital circumferential constriction band syndrome in the lower limb. Ponseti method of correcting the congenital clubfoot deformity was applied. Constriction band release is accomplished by two stages completely excising the fibrous band and multiple two-stage Z-plasties on the right calf. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the Ponseti method of gentle, systematic manipulation and weekly cast changes is an effective treatment of non-idiopathic clubfoot distal to congenital amniotic constriction band.

Abstract Prospective study, Level of evidence II. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of scoliosis among children aged 8–15 years old and to identify the impact of schoolbag weight in developing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). AIS is a common disease whose prevalence varies between countries and gender, with an increased rate among females compared to males. Screening children in primary school settings for idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is an important public health issue and is crucial for early detection, prevention of further deformity, and healthy child growth. Our sample was composed of 1619 pupils from the municipality of Prishtina, surveyed from March to April 2019. Measurements were made with a scoliometer on the basis of the Adams test process. Three measurements were taken for each of the participants. Additionally, all the pupils were subjected to bare-foot height and weight measurements with and without school bags. The mean ± standard deviation age of pupils was 11.67 ± 2.00 years old and 49% were females. The prevalence of the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) ≥ 5 ° was 26.1%, females had 1.49 higher odds (95%CI 1.19–1.86) to develop an ATR of ≥ 5° compared to males. The highest rate of ATR of ≥ 5° was seen among the ninth-grade students (31.3%). 56.5% of 4th grade students carry a schoolbag weighing over 12.5% of body weight. Relatively high prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis was found in primary schools in Prishtina. The highest prevalence was found in students attending the ninth grade, while females gender dominated.

Introduction: Filarial pathogens are described to inhabit and affect subcutaneous and lymphatic tissues of the human host. To date, little is known on how much oral health might be affected by filarial infections, even though involvement of the oro-facial region is pathophysiologically possible. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review of the literature to help reduce the current evidence gap. First, we reviewed the existing literature related to oro-facial filariasis and summarized all confirmed cases in detail. Second, we presented the demographic clinical characteristics of published oro-facial filariasis cases using descriptive statistics. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify scholarly articles on oro-facial filariasis (PROSPERO: CRD42024551237). Clinical trial registries of clinicaltrials.gov and the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) were checked for ongoing studies on oro-facial filariasis. From clinical articles on filariasis and oro-facial health, patient-specific information was ascertained such as country of diagnosis, age, sex and symptoms of the patient, location of filarial disease manifestation, filarial worm species diagnosis, main clinical diagnosis, as well as main pathology and lastly therapy. Descriptive statistics were computed. Results: The systematic search was conducted on 18.06.2024. Initially a total of 1,064 publications was identified. No registered study on oro-facial filariasis was found on large clinical trial registers. After sequentially assessing abstracts and full-texts for eligibility, the analysis population was reduced to 68 articles amounting to 111 cases of oro-facial filariasis. Published articles which were identified and ultimately selected consisted solely of case reports, or case series; not a single epidemiological study was found in the published body of literature. Published data on oro-facial filariasis was identified from as early as 1864 until 2022. The median age of oro-facial filariasis cases was 39 years (range: 1 year to 80 years) and evenly distributed between the two sexes (49% [54/110] female and 51% [56/110]; sex not reported for one case). The vast majority of identified cases was on oro-facial dirofilariasis (92% [102/111]), followed by lymphatic filariasis (2.5% [3/111]), lymphatic filariasis with squamous carcinoma (2.5% [3/111]), and lastly by onchocerciasis (1% [1/111]). Although in 34% (38/111) of articles there was no clear description of the main pathology of oro-facial filariasis, all of the remaining 73 articles described nodules or swellings. Asymptomatic manifestations constituted almost 75% (55/73) and only about 25% (18/73) of articles described a symptomatic case. Conclusion: Although filarial diseases are to date not generally regarded as being associated with oral health problems this assumption might not be justified. This comprehensive systematic review was conducted to detect and collate all published studies on oro-facial filariasis. The fact that only case reports, or case series were identified suggests that this constitutes a neglected field of research. Cases identified in the published literature indicate that the vast majority of published oro-facial, filarial case reports were cases of dirofilariasis. Among the published studies, oro-facial filariasis manifested exclusively as nodules or swellings in different tissue locations. These nodules and swellings were mostly asymptomatic and therefore, cancer is an important differential diagnosis. Author summary: Although, filarial parasites can in theory affect the oro-facial space little is to date known on whether oro-facial involvement occurs in the course of filarial infection. Therefore, we conducted a review of the published scientific literature to provide a first estimate on the characteristics of oro-facial filariasis. We identified 68 articles published between 1864 and 2022 totaling up to 111 cases, which we further summarized and described in detail. The fact that the article type 'case report' was the solely published study design suggests that this constitutes a neglected research topic. The vast majority of patients had oro-facial dirofilariasis which manifested exclusively as nodules or swellings in different tissue locations. These nodules and swellings were mostly asymptomatic and therefore, cancer is an important differential diagnosis. Further prospective studies are now needed to understand better the frequency, nature, and public health impact of oro-facial filariasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of education greatly benefits from inclusive education, which is praised for acknowledging and valuing student diversity and individual needs. Kosovo, as a newly independent country, went through major reforms, particularly in the realm of education, which is marked, among others, by initiatives that anticipate fostering and promoting inclusive education. Initiatives and programs throughout the country were designed and initiated to promote and advocate for inclusivity in the education system. To foster inclusivity, assistants for students with special educational needs were introduced to enable students with special needs to be part of regular education. Thus, in this study, the experiences of assistants for students with special educational needs in Kosovo are explored. This study employed semi-structured interviews to collect data and utilized thematic analysis to identify key themes and topics. The participants in the study included nine assistants for students with special education needs, reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences in the field of inclusive education. The following themes and topics were identified as the main findings of this study: (a) joy, excitement, and pride with the work; (b) individualized education plan (IPE); (c) lack of resources and guidelines; (d) (lack of) cooperation with parents and families; (e) united in unity: the power of collegial support; and f) promoting and advocating for inclusive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Table of contentsA1 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in staging and restaging of Prostate Cancer Patients: comparative study with 18F-Choline PET/CTW Langsteger, A Rezaee, W Loidl, HS Geinitz, F Fitz, M Steinmair, G Broinger, L Pallwien-Prettner, M BeheshtiA2 F18 Choline PET - CT: an accurate diagnostic tool for the detection of parathyroid adenoma?L Imamovic, M Beheshti, G Rendl, D Hackl, O Tsybrovsky, M Steinmair, K Emmanuel, F Moinfar, C Pirich, W LangstegerA3 [18F]Fluoro-DOPA-PET/CT in the primary diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinomaA Bytyqi, G Karanikas, M Mayerhöfer, O Koperek, B Niederle, M HartenbachA4 Variations of clinical PET/MR operations: An international survey on the clinical utilization of PET/MRIT Beyer, K Herrmann, J CzerninA5 Standard Dixon-based attenuation correction in combined PET/MRI: Reproducibility and the possibility of Lean body mass estimationI Rausch, P Rust, MD DiFranco, M Lassen, A Stadlbauer, ME Mayerhöfer, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, T BeyerA6 High resolution digital FDG PET/MRI imaging for assessment of ACL graft viabilityK Binzel, R Magnussen, W Wei, MU Knopp, DC Flanigan, C Kaeding, MV KnoppA7 Using pre-existing hematotoxicity as predictor for severe side effects and number of treatment cycles of Xofigo therapyA Leisser, M Nejabat, M Hartenbach, G Kramer, M Krainer, M Hacker, A HaugA8 QDOSE - comprehensive software solution for internal dose assessmentWencke Lehnert, Karl Schmidt, Sharok Kimiaei, Marcus Bronzel, Andreas KlugeA9 Clinical impact of Time-of-Flight on next-generation digital PET imaging of Yttrium-90 radioactivity following liver radioembolizationCL Wright, K Binzel, J Zhang, Evan Wuthrick, Piotr Maniawski, MV KnoppA10 Snakes in patients! Lessons learned from programming active contours for automated organ segmentationM Blaickner, E Rados, A Huber, M Dulovits, H Kulkarni, S Wiessalla, C Schuchardt, RP Baum, B Knäusl, D GeorgA11 Influence of a genetic polymorphism on brain uptake of the dual ABCB1/ABCG2 substrate [11C]tariquidarM Bauer, B Wulkersdorfer, W Wadsak, C Philippe, H Haslacher, M Zeitlinger, O LangerA12 Outcome prediction of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery from P-glycoprotein activity. Pooled analysis of (R)-[11C]-verapamil PET data from two European centresM Bauer, M Feldmann, R Karch, W Wadsak, M Zeitlinger, MJ Koepp, M-C Asselin, E Pataraia, O LangerA13 In-vitro and in-vivo characterization of [18F]FE@SNAP and derivatives for the visualization of the melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1M Zeilinger, C Philippe, M Dumanic, F Pichler, J Pilz, M Hacker, W Wadsak, M MitterhauserA14 Reducing time in quality control leads to higher specific radioactivity of short-lived radiotracersL Nics, B Steiner, M Hacker, M Mitterhauser, W WadsakA15 In vitro 11C-erlotinib binding experiments in cancer cell lines with epidermal growth factor receptor mutationsA Traxl, Thomas Wanek, Kushtrim Kryeziu, Severin Mairinger, Johann Stanek, Walter Berger, Claudia Kuntner, Oliver LangerA16 7-[11C]methyl-6-bromopurine, a PET tracer to measure brain Mrp1 function: radiosynthesis and first PET evaluation in miceS Mairinger, T Wanek, A Traxl, M Krohn, J Stanek, T Filip, M Sauberer, C Kuntner, J Pahnke, O LangerA17 18F labeled azidoglucose derivatives as "click" agents for pretargeted PET imagingD Svatunek, C Denk, M Wilkovitsch, T Wanek, T Filip, C Kuntner-Hannes, J Fröhlich, H MikulaA18 Bioorthogonal tools for PET imaging: development of radiolabeled 1,2,4,5-TetrazinesC Denk, D Svatunek, T Wanek, S Mairinger, J Stanek, T Filip, J Fröhlich, H Mikula, C Kuntner-HannesA19 Preclinical evaluation of [18F]FE@SUPPY- a new PET-tracer for oncologyT Balber, J Singer, J Fazekas, C Rami-Mark, N Berroterán-Infante, E Jensen-Jarolim, W Wadsak, M Hacker, H Viernstein, M MitterhauserA20 Investigation of Small [18F]-Fluoroalkylazides for Rapid Radiolabeling and In Vivo Click ChemistryC Denk, D Svatunek, B Sohr, H Mikula, J Fröhlich, T Wanek, C Kuntner-Hannes, T FilipA21 Microfluidic 68Ga-radiolabeling of PSMA-HBED-CC using a flow-through reactorS Pfaff, C Philippe, M Mitterhauser, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, W WadsakA22 Influence of 24-nor-ursodeoxycholic acid on hepatic disposition of [18F]ciprofloxacin measured with positron emission tomographyT Wanek, E Halilbasic, M Visentin, S Mairinger, B Stieger, C Kuntner, M Trauner, O LangerA23 Automated 18F-flumazenil production using chemically resistant disposable cassettesP Lam, M Aistleitner, R Eichinger, C ArtnerA24 Similarities and differences in the synthesis and quality control of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE, 177Lu -HA-DOTA-TATE and 177Lu-DOTA-PSMA (PSMA-617)H Eidherr, C Vraka, A Haug, M Mitterhauser, L Nics, M Hartenbach, M Hacker, W WadsakA25 68Ga- and 177Lu-labelling of PSMA-617H Kvaternik, R Müller, D Hausberger, C Zink, RM AignerA26 Radiolabelling of liposomes with 67Ga and biodistribution studies after administration by an aerosol inhalation systemU Cossío, M Asensio, A Montes, S Akhtar, Y te Welscher, R van Nostrum, V Gómez-Vallejo, J LlopA27 Fully automated quantification of DaTscan SPECT: Integration of age and gender differencesF VandeVyver, T Barclay, N Lippens, M TrochA28 Lesion-to-background ratio in co-registered 18F-FET PET/MR imaging - is it a valuable tool to differentiate between low grade and high grade brain tumor?L Hehenwarter, B Egger, J Holzmannhofer, M Rodrigues-Radischat, C PirichA29 [11C]-methionine PET in gliomas - a retrospective data analysis of 166 patientsN Pötsch, I Rausch, D Wilhelm, M Weber, J Furtner, G Karanikas, A Wöhrer, M Mitterhauser, M Hacker, T Traub-WeidingerA30 18F-Fluorocholine versus 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose for PET/CT imaging in patients with relapsed or progressive multiple myeloma: a pilot studyT Cassou-Mounat, S Balogova, V Nataf, M Calzada, V Huchet, K Kerrou, J-Y Devaux, M Mohty, L Garderet, J-N TalbotA31 Prognostic benefit of additional SPECT/CT in sentinel lymph node mapping of breast cancer patientsS Stanzel, G Pregartner, T Schwarz, V Bjelic-Radisic, B Liegl-Atzwanger, R AignerA32 Evaluation of diagnostic value of TOF-18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected pancreatic cancerS Stanzel, F Quehenberger, RM AignerA33 New quantification method for diagnosis of primary hyperpatahyroidism lesions and differential diagnosis vs thyropid nodular disease in dynamic scintigraphyA Koljević Marković, Milica Janković, V Miler Jerković, M Paskaš, G Pupić, R Džodić, D PopovićA34 A rare case of diffuse pancreatic involvement in patient with merkel cell carcinoma detected by 18F-FDGMC Fornito, D FamiliariA35 TSH-stimulated 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent/metastatic radioiodine-negative differentiated thyroid carcinomas in patients with various thyroglobuline levelsP Koranda, H Polzerová, I Metelková, L Henzlová, R Formánek, E Buriánková, M KamínekA36 Breast Dose from lactation following I131 treatmentWH Thomson, C LewisA37 A new concept for performing SeHCAT studies with the gamma cameraWH Thomson, J O'Brien, G James, A NotghiA38 Whole body F-18-FDG-PET and tuberculosis: sensitivity compared to x-ray-CTH Huber, I Stelzmüller, R Wunn, M Mandl, F Fellner, B Lamprecht, M GabrielA39 Emerging role 18F-FDG PET-CT in the diagnosis and follow-up of the infection in heartware ventricular assist system (HVAD)MC Fornito, G LeonardiA40 Validation of Poisson resampling softwareWH Thomson, J O'Brien, G JamesA41 Protection of PET nuclear medicine personnel: problems in satisfying dose limit requirementsJ Hudzietzová, J Sabol, M Fülöp.

Macrophytes represent one part of the biological quality elements defined by the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) as ‘macrophytes and phytobenthos’. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of ecological status classification by the use of macrophytes for lowland rivers with different habitat conditions, corresponding to EWFD requirements. The classification of water quality is based on the Ecological Quality Ratios (EQRs) which is proposed for the purpose of macrophyte-based classification for the WFD. To determine the ecological quality ratio, we calculated the following indices: River Macrophyte Nutrient Index (RMNI), River Macrophyte Hydraulic Index (RMHI), Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MIR), Number of macrophyte taxa which are not helophytes (NTAXA). Water sources that supply Lepenci River are located in alpine and subalpine areas of the Sharri mountain, which are considered as ecologically clean. Our results show that the water in spring area is clean but as a result of the anthropogenic activities downstream, the river becomes polluted by different pollution substances. This fact is also confirmed by the presence or absence of macrophytes that we used in this work as a biological indicator of water pollution. River Macrophyte Hydraulic Index (RMHI), has shown the highest value at SP6-Gërlicë, with a value of 8.74 that classifies this station downstream the river as the most polluted. The water flow velocity in this station is smooth and as such it is characterized with Macrophyte species associated with this type of water flow. According to the assessment of ecological status with RMNI index, the stations SP7-Kaçanik and SP8-Hani i Elezit, have good water quality and high ecological status and belong to first class (I), whereas the station with poorest water quality (fourth class) and poorest ecological status is rated SP5-Nikë. MIR index classify the quality of water as very good at S8-Hani i Elezit, whereas the values of this index at stations S5-Nikë and S6- Gërlicë indicate the bad water quality and poor ecological status. The largest number of macrophyte species that were not heliophytes was recorded in SP8-Hani i Elezit. We can conclude that the presence of macrophyte species in river varies from nutrient levels in water. Our results show that values of macrophyte based indices reflect the water quality in sampling stations therefore we can consider them as a reliable instrument for the assessment of the ecological status of the rivers.