Aim To analyse the association of human leukocyte antigen B27 with clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at the disease onset. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of 25 HLAB27 positive and 25 HLA-B27 negative JIA patients was performed. The diagnosis of JIA was based on the 1997-2001 International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) criteria. Collected data: age, sex, HLA- B27 antigen presence, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid-factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), fever, rash, uveitis, enthesitis, inflamed joints and subtype of JIA. Results HLA- B27 positive study group had more boys (p=0.01), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.038), higher presence of fever (p= 0.025) and enthesitis (p=0.024). Any significant difference in age of the disease onset, CRP, ANA, RF, rash, uveitis, inflamed joint and dactylitis was not noticed. The most common subtype of JIA in the HLA-B27 positive patients was ERA (60%). Conclusion This study showed that the presence of HLA- B27 antigen plays a significant role in determining the presenting clinical and laboratory characteristics in JIA patients.

Introduction: Pneumococcal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, whose treatment is threatened with an increase in the number of strains resistant to antibiotic therapy. Goal: The main goal of this research was to investigate the presence of antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance of S. pneumoniae. Material and methods: Taken are swabs of the nose and nasopharynx, eye and ear. In vitro tests that were made in order to study the antimicrobial resistance of pneumococci are: disk diffusion method and E-test. Results: The resistance to inhibitors of cell wall synthesis was recorded at 39.17%, protein synthesis inhibitors 19.67%, folate antagonists 47.78% and quinolone in 1.11%. S. pneumoniae has shown drug resistance to erythromycin in 45%, clindamycin in 45%, chloramphenicol–0.56%, rifampicin–6.11%, tetracycline–4.67%, penicillin-G in 4.44%, oxacillin in 73.89%, ciprofloxacin in 1.11% and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 5.34% of cases. Conclusion: The highest resistance pneumococcus showed to erythromycin, clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and these should be avoided in the treatment. The least resistance pneumococcus showed to tetracycline, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, penicillin-G and ciprofloxacin.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae in asymptomatic manner colonize the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx of children and adults, but can cause serious illness in the media which are naturally sterile. In 5-40% of healthy population this bacteria colonize the nasopharyngeal mucosa thanks to the surface adhesin protein, which allow the bacteria to attach to the epithelial cells. The normal nasopharyngeal microflora retains pneumococcus in a small number and does not allow it to express its pathogenic potential and cause disease. If this dominance of the normal microflora is violated, after adherence and local duplication, pneumococcus can spread to the middle ear, sinuses or lungs. Colonization is more common in children than in adults. Goal: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of the carrier state and susceptibility of pneumococcal strains that circulate in the outpatient population of Sarajevo Canton as a potential source of infection. Material and methods: In the microbiological laboratory of the Institute of Public Health of Canton Sarajevo in the period from July 1, 2013 until April 15, 2014 were analyzed swabs of the nose and nasopharynx, eye and ear from a total of 4109 outpatients. Swabs were inoculated on blood agar nutrient medium. Then was performed catalase test, preparation by Gram and susceptibility test on Optochin. Isolates positive for S. pneumoniae were subjected to in vitro assays to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance. Results: Out of 4109 analyzed swabs the pneumococcus positive was 180 (4.38%). Of these, 137 (76.11%) nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs, 33 (18.33%) of the eyes and 10 (5.56%) ear. The highest number of positive swabs were isolated in children aged 6 years and less, a total of 168 (93.33%), in children aged 7-13 years were positive 7 (3.89%), while among respondents aged 14-20 years only 5 (2.78%). Conclusions: The most common site for isolation of pneumococci is the nose and throat, and the most common carriers of these bacteria are children under 6 years of age. Determining the prevalence of the carrier state contributes to the improvement of preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection and possible sequels.

Introduction: Information and communication technology have brought about many changes in medical education and practice, especially in the field of diagnostics. During the academic year 2013/2014, at Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, students in the final year of the study were subjected to examination which aim was to determine how medical students in Bosnia and Herzegovina subjectively assessing their skills for using computers, have gained insight into the nature of Information Technology’s (IT) education and possessive knowledge. Material and methods: The survey was conducted voluntary by anonymous questionnaire consisting of 27 questions, divided into five categories, which are collecting facts about student’s: sex, age, year of entry, computer skills, possessing the same, the use of the Internet, the method of obtaining currently knowledge and recommendations of students in order to improve their IT training. Results of the study: According to the given parameters, indicate an obvious difference in the level of knowledge, use and practical application of Information Technology’s knowledge among students of the Bologna process to the students educated under the old system in favor of the first ones. Based on a comparison of similar studies conducted in Croatia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Denmark, it was observed that the level of knowledge of students of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo was of equal height or greater than in these countries.

During the medieval which is called the dark period of Western culture there were minimal scientific advancements in many aspects of medical and pharmaceutical sciences. In contrast, the Islamic culture in this period had its big boom. Although little attention was devoted to documenting all aspects of it, works produced during this period by the Islamic intellectuals have served as the basis for some aspects of Western Renaissance. Books, treatises, other types of manuscripts, and discussions have been translated into many languages and remained in use for hundreds of years after their creation. Although advanced, unfortunately, Muslims and their culture were not able to keep the places where they previously exist, and the best examples of this are the Moors.

Introduction: The quality of teaching at the universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as abroad depends on many factors, among which are: adequate space for teaching, teaching staff, equipment and technical aids to assist the teaching process, which are in accordance with existing standards and norms. Opinion of students plays an important role in measuring the quality of education. The goal: was to compare the quality of the teaching process students which study according to the Bologna system and students who are studying according to the old system. Material and methods: We used a questionnaire containing variables relevant to test the success of the teaching process at the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo. The survey was conducted among the students of the sixth year of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo. The study included 138 students of which 85 students who are studying according to the Bologna system and 53 students who are studying according the old system. Results: The results showed that the students of both groups assessed similarly basic elements of the teaching process. A statistically significant difference is found in the evaluation of the relationship of teachers, assistants, the number of students and the evaluation of space for teaching, practice and studying. Students of the Bologna system believe that assistants should offer more empirical examples and that the exercises are not well designed, unlike the old system students who are satisfied with the concept of practical exercises. A small number of students, in both groups had the opportunity to exercise on the model how to administer injections, while the model for intubation and simulation model used more students of the Bologna system. From the baseline 55% of Bologna students and 48% of students which study according to old system, considered that they are ready to work independently. Discussion: Quality of medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo evaluated by students studying under the old system was not satisfactory in a number of variables that has been shown in this study. Students who are studying according to the Bologna system are more satisfied and most of the variables that were used in this research were evaluated positively. Conclusion: Although in this study is pointed to the many positive features of the Bologna system, in Bosnia and Herzegovina still exist many shortcomings in this study system. It is necessary to carry out many of the changes in our universities through the Bologna process. Primary it is necessary changes to studies curricula, their alignment with the programs of other European universities, modernization of facilities and their alignment with the programs of other European universities, a new method of selection of teachers and their engagement at the university.