QUALITY OF LIFE (BANJA LUKA) - APEIRON

Health Examinations of Persons Under Medical Supervision in Sarajevo Canton Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Snežana Bursać-Aranđelović — 2024-07-18

Introduction Data on the prevalence of streptococci, staphylococci, and salmonella in healthy people during the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking, and according to the results of studies related to patients with COVID-19, co-infections with the mentioned bacteria were rare. Since there is not enough data on the prevalence of germinalgia in healthy people at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is The aim of this paper was to present the most frequently isolated causative agents in germ carriers in the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and method A descriptive study was applied. The data source was the results of microbiological analyzes of nose and throat swabs, as well as examination of the stool of germ carriers, for the period 2018-2022. for Sarajevo Canton. The distribution of the most common isolates is shown. Results In the observed period, a total of 1,985 germ carriers were detected from all persons placed under medical supervision. In 2018 and 2019, a total of 73,838 were examined, and 790 (1.70%) carriers were detected. From 2020 to 2022, 79,276 were examined, and 1,195 (1.51%) were found to be germinal. Of the total number of isolates in germ carriers, the most represented was St. aureus, a total of 1935 (97.48%). In 2018 and 2019, it was isolated in 758 cases (39.48%), and from 2020 to 2022 in 1177 cases (60.82%). St.beta haemoliticus was isolated in 21 cases in 2018 and 2019, and in the same period Salmonella spp. code 11. From 2020-2022. St. beta haemoliticus was isolated in 14, and Salmonella spp. Code 4. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an expected decrease in health examinations performed and a reduced number of detected carriers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost twice as many carriers of St. aureus, and the number of carriers of St. beta hemolyticus and Salmonellae spp. The number of germ carriers detected increased in the categories of pupils and students. The reason, the end of lockdown, socializing and inadequate wearing of masks, although according to the recommendations, those categories should also wear masks.

Environmental Assessment of Particulate Matter Pollution Generated by the Exploitation of Heliopolis Aggregates Quarry

Faten Djedid — 2024-07-18

In recent decades, extractive industries such as mining and quarrying have contributed to increasing environmental deterioration, particularly airborne emissions. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the environmental impacts of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) emitted during the exploitation operations of aggregates in the Heliopolis quarry in Guelma, Algeria. For this purpose, dust samples were analyzed using XRD and XRF spectroscopy techniques. While preparing the gravel, we monitored air quality using a specialized device and analyzed flora samples from near the Heliopolis aggregates quarry. Furthermore, we conducted chemical and physical analyses of surface water samples and soil from a nearby farm. The obtained results show that the concentrations of PM (particulate matter) exceeded the WHO limit values for PM10 (50 µg/m3) and PM2.5 (25 µg/m3) within 24 hours. This was particularly noticeable in sampling stations S1 and S2, where the PM2.5 concentration was at 520 µg/m3 and PM10 at 684 µg/m3, and 516 µg/m3 and PM10 at 676 µg/m3, respectively. According to the XRD and XRF analyses, the quarry dust contains various minerals, including oxides and heavy metals. An analysis of the plants surrounding the Heliopolis quarry confirms the presence of dust containing the same mineral elements emitted from the quarry on the leaves and branches of trees, which hinders their natural growth and blocks sunlight.

Modeling and Visualization of Noise Levels Near Mining Operations

Zoran P. Popović — 2024-07-18

The study presents an in-depth analysis of the impact of noise from mining operations, focusing on the spatial distribution of noise levels and their compliance with regulatory limits. Utilizing advanced modeling and visualization techniques, it demonstrates effective noise management strategies that ensure compliance with national regulations. Findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental assessments and technological innovations in mitigating noise pollution, underscoring the mining industry’s commitment to sustainable practices and community well-being. This research contributes valuable insights into environmental management, offering a model for balancing industrial activities with ecological and health considerations. Key findings emphasize the significance of integrating environmental assessments and technological innovations to mitigate noise pollution, showcasing the mining industry’s commitment to sustainable practices and community well-being. The study underlines the importance of noise management strategies that align with national regulations to protect both the environment and public health. Using advanced modeling and visualization techniques, the research offers valuable insights into environmental management, presenting a model for balancing industrial activities with ecological and health considerations. It contributes significantly to the understanding of noise pollution in the mining sector, proposing effective solutions for its control. This work is grounded in a broad review of literature on environmental pollution and specific studies on noise pollution’s effects on health, highlighting the broader context of industrial and urban noise sources. It presents a detailed analysis of noise levels around a specific mining operation, including modeling and visualization of noise propagation and its impact on surrounding residential areas. The conclusion drawn from this study is that through strategic planning, technological interventions, and adherence to regulations, mining operations can effectively mitigate noise pollution. This ensures that noise levels remain within acceptable limits, thereby minimizing their impact on nearby communities and contributing to a safer and more sustainable mining environment.

The Antifungal Properties of a Fresh Extract Derived from Allium Sativum

Vesna Kalaba — 2024-07-18

Many fungal species are opportunistic and rarely pathogenic to healthy individuals unless dealing with an immunocompromised host. There are numerous reasons why a host might be immunocompromised (HIV, AIDS, TB, leukemia, diabetes, and many other causes), as well as therapies with antimicrobial drugs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, etc., which act immunocompromising on the host’s immune system. Such conditions favor opportunistic systemic fungi that will seize the opportunity to colonize the weakened organism, which is not prepared and strong enough to fight off the infection. Aspergillosis, candidiasis, and other fungal diseases are typical examples of opportunistic systemic fungal infections. This study aims to assess the antifungal potential of fresh Allium sativum extract originating from the Republic of Srpska in comparison with clotrimazole against two isolates of Candida albicans, one reference strain of Candida albicans WDCM00053, Saccharomyces cerevisiae WDCM3058 and Aspergillus brasiliensis WDCM00054. The results of the study showed that fresh Allium sativum extract has higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus brasiliensis compared to clotrimazole, a standard antifungal drug.

Mineralogical and Geochemical Peculiarities of Rare Metal Granite Tillik (Laouni, Central Hoggar, North Africa)

Ahmed Hamis — 2024-07-18

The Pan-African orogeny (800-570 Ma) is thought to have been the last event to affect this vast Hoggar region, while the post-collisional phase of the Pan-African chain (650-570 Ma) continued until (520 Ma) and saw the emplacement of numerous granitic plutons known as “Taourirt” for their potential sources of rare metals. In the central Hoggar, the latest magmatic episodes, represented by albite-topaz (AT) granites, are associated with Sn-Wn mineralization. These granites, which have undergone different degrees of evolution, are currently classified as Rare Metal Granite (RMG). In the Laouni terrane, the Tillik massif outcrops as a small flattened dome, backed by an NNE-SSW-trending accident. It is embedded in highly metamorphosed terrain and regional porphyroid biotite granite. The massif mainly comprises central green granite and leucocratic topaz albite granite, occupying the rest of the dome. Stockscheider pegmatites and greisens mineralized with cassiterite and wolframite occur around the edges of the massif, highlighting the area’s significant mineralization potential alongside the granites. Furthermore, the granites are leucocratic and have a mineralogical composition consisting of albite and quartz with snowball structures, which is characteristic of RMG. They are phosphorus-poor, peraluminous, and show relatively flat rare-earth spectra with a strong negative Eu anomaly. The geotectonic sites show that the various samples are projected into the collisional intraplate granite domain, highlighting the transition from the post-orogenic to the anorogenic domain. This study aims to characterize the granites of the Tillik massif petrographically, mineralogically, and geochemically, compare them with the Hoggar rare-metal granites “Ebelekan and Rechla” and with the world-renowned reference granites “Beauvoir and Yichun,” and determine whether or not they contain rare metals such as Li, Be, Nb, and Ta.

Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium by Nano Zero-Valent Iron

Martin Stojchevski — 2024-07-18

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of chromium that has significant health and environmental implications. Reducing hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium is a crucial step in immobilizing and removing Cr(VI) from water resources. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) as an electron-donating agent was used for Cr(VI) reduction in aqueous solution. The effect of contact time and initial concentration of nano zero-valent iron on Cr(VI) reduction was studied. The process of Cr(VI) reduction was designed and optimized using response surface methodology. The results indicated an enhancement in the Cr(VI) reduction ratio with increasing initial concentration of nano zero-valent iron and contact time. A second-order polynomial equation was used to model the correlation between the independent and dependent variables. The utilized model effectively predicted the response variable based on the input variables with a high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9475 and a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9734. Additionally, the accuracy of the fitted model was demonstrated by the low values of the mean squared error (MSE) at 0.04315 and the sum of squared errors (SSE) at 0.06562. The optimal conditions for reducing Cr(VI) in aqueous solution using nano zero-valent iron were determined to be an initial nZVI concentration of 15 mg/L and a contact time of 209 min.

Personalized Medicine in Oncology: Ethical Considerations and Current Practice

Jasmina Krehić — 2024-07-18

Personalized Medicine aims to provide targeted therapy specifically designed according to inherited and/or acquired risk factors present in different subgroups of patients. One of the milestones in tumor research was the realization that tumors are much more complicated and dynamic than it was believed 20 years ago. From year to year, thanks to the extreme advances in molecular oncology, genomics and proteomics, our knowledge of tumors keeps growing, which has led to the emergence of new drugs that target the weaknesses od tumors. Molecular pathways, based on knowledge of genetic characteristics, have identified possible therapeutic targets for certain groups of patients within a seemingly unique clinical phenotype or disease. Stratifying complex and heterogeneous groups of patients in this way led to a better definition of disease subgroups, with a more precise risk-benefit ratio. Selecting patients who will respond to a given drug and avoiding exposure to potential side effects of patients who will not respond to therapy increases the effectiveness of the drug, reduces the risk of unnecessary side effects or drug interactions that could cause serious complications and significantly increase treatment costs. In parallel with the advancement of personalized medicine, with all its advantages, new ethical considerations are being raised, especially issues of patient privacy, confidentiality, data protection, and patients’ rights to fairness. The training on how to handle moral and ethical dilemmas while taking into account social, religious, and local societal values and practices can be very beneficial for the healthcare professionals and treating oncologists.

Management of Healthcare Worker’s Communication Aspects Physiotherapist

Aleksandra Vidović — 2024-07-18

The healthcare system, as part of the general social system, has developed and followed the general social and economic development, the development of thoughts, and new knowledge. Communication is seen as an inseparable factor of the whole socio-economic system. The health sector was unprepared for all the changes that were rapidly developing on a global level and in doing so, encountered the notions of sustainability and survival. The aim of this paper is based on the overview of the overall aspiration to understand the importance of communication of healthcare workers with a focus on managing the physiotherapist’s communication in terms of communication during preparation for training as well as care of sports injuries. An important role is played by a multidisciplinary team, which usually consists of a club doctor, physiotherapist, and competitor. The main focus of the work is the role and importance of physiotherapists in supporting doctors as well as health improvement measures before, during, and after medical therapy. Therefore, in all three phases, communication is very important before, during, and after the completed treatment.