Aim Examination of the effectiveness of STR loci in proving sibship of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian village of Orahovica and the formation of a "grey zone". Methods The probability of sibship was determined by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) parameter for each of the 15 observed STR loci and for each of the pairs of relatives and non-relatives. Cumulative sibship index (CSI) was calculated for each of the pairs by multiplying the LR values of all 15 loci and obtained values are used as CSI limit for separating relatives from non-relatives. By creating a grey zone for local populations, an attempt was made to obtain a line of demarcation between siblings and non-siblings. Results An analysis of the origin of the respondents' relatives was performed, up to the level of sibship in the third generation. The results of the CSI for pairs of relatives from the village of Orahovica showed that the highest CSI value, and therefore the sibship probability was recorded among relatives from the village of Orahovica (CSI=534211727.203;SP=99.999999812%). On the contrary, incredibly low CSI value was recorded among non-relatives,ranging from CSI=0.0000001 to 0.5261434 (SP=0.000009999% to 34.475357951%). Conclusion For the threshold value CSI=1 and for CSI=3, this method determined sibship in 100% of pairs of relatives and the absence of biological sibship in 100% of pairs of non-relatives in the village of Orahovica. The STR system is proved to be a successful method in determining sibship or absence of sibship in small local populations.

Aim To determine the value of angles between the left coronary artery main trunk (LMT) and its branches, the anterior interventricular branch (LAD) and the circumflex branch (CX), and their possible relationship with the LMT length. Methods A total of 29 cadaveric hearts were used. The left coronary artery and its branches were dissected. The hearts were then classified according to the number of branches. The LMT length was measured with a digital gauge, and the LAD-CX angle, LMTLAD angle and LMT-CX angle with a manual goniometer. Results The average value of the LMT length was 9.0 mm (6.0-13.5). In 20 (68.97%) samples, the LMT was divided into two terminal branches. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.321) in LMT length between the hearts with a bifurcation and without it. The average value of the LAD-CX angle was 89.0⁰ (74.5-93.0), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.020) comparing to hearts with trifurcation. The mean value of the LMT-LAD angle was 30.83±9.23⁰ and it was significantly lower (p=0.006) in the group of hearts with bifurcation compared to the group with trifurcation of the main trunk. Conclusion The LMT length shows great variability and is not related to the LAD-CX, LMT-LAD or the LMT-CX angle. Knowledge of the left coronary variation is essential in order to avoid misinterpretation of arteriogram.

This study investigates the genetic diversity and relatedness among a small local population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a genetic research study, a sample of 38 individuals was collected from the village of Vukotići, consisting of 21 male and 17 female subjects. The total genomic DNA was extracted using a modified Miller protocol. The QUANTIFILER DNA identification kit was used to quantify the total human DNA in the sample. The sibship relationship was assessed by computing the likelihood ratio for each of the 15 STR loci in both relatives and non-relatives. Results showed a higher homogeneity of the small local population compared to the mixed population within the larger population. Variability in peak height observed in the genetic analysis was attributed to differences in DNA concentration in the extracted samples. Probability of relatedness among participants in the Vukotići village was found to be low. Central tendency and variability measures revealed valuable insights into sample distribution and variation. The study concludes that CSI=1 and CSI=3 can be used as reliable tools to determine sibship in small local populations without a "gray zone".

Background: The genetic structure of each population can be explained according to the frequency of genes and their allelic variants, genotypes, and phenotypes. Objective: To analyze the genetic heterogeneity of the working-age population from the area of Sarajevo Canton based on classic genetic markers. The studied parameters of genetic heterogeneity were assessed by the relative frequency of the recessive allele for static-morphological traits (earlobe shape, chin shape, hairiness of the middle digital phalanx, bending of the distal phalanx of the little finger and digital index) and dynamic-morphological traits (rolling of the tongue into a groove, extensibility of the proximal thumb knuckle, extensibility of the distal thumb knuckle, the way the forearms are crossed, and the way the fists are made). Results: The results of the t-test showed a significant difference in the manifestation of the recessive homozygote for the observed parameters of qualitative variation in the subsamples of men and women. Only for two traits (attached earlobe and hyperextensibility of the distal knuckle of the thumb). The selected sample represent a relatively genetically homogenous population. Conclusion: This study serves as a valuable source of data for future research and the formation of a genetic database in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background: Bleeding and hematuria can be a consequence of both ESWL and URS treatment.Changes in hematological parameters may be indicative of bleeding events.Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the hematological parameters after ESWL and ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of kidney stones. Methods: A prospective study included patients (120) with verified ureterolithiasis <10 mm in the upper half of the proximal third of the ureter. Patients were divided into two groups using the random sample method for the application of active stone removal methods ESWL or URS with contact disintegration.Patients were evaluated with routine hematological, biochemical blood parameters, and non-contrast enhanced computed abdominal tomography (CT) before the procedure.Routine laboratory analyzes were performed using standard methods and included determination of the number of erythrocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, INR, APTTwhich were measured preintervention, the first postoperative day and six months after the intervention. Results: The preintervention hemoglobin value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 140 g/L (136.2–155.7), and was statistically significantly higher compared to the measurement on the first post-intervention day [137.5 g/L (127, 2–156.7) (p<0,05)], as well as in relation to the measurement after six months [139 g/L (134.2–151.7), (p<0,05).The pre-interventional hematocrit value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 0.42 (0.41–0.47), but it dropped statistically significantly on the measurement on the first post-intervention day to a value of 0.41 (0.38–0, 47) (p=0.003). The hematocrit value after six months was 0.44 (0.41–0.47) and was statistically significantly higher compared to the pre-intervention measurement (p=0.002), as well as compared to the measurement on the first post-intervention day (p< 0.001). The pre-intervention INR value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 0.90 (0.86–1.1), and on the first post-intervention day, it increased statistically significantly to a value of 0.99 (0.89–1.1), (p=0.005).The INR value after six months continued to grow to a value of 1.02 (0.96–1.2), which was statistically significantly higher compared to the INR value measured on the first post-intervention day (p<0.001), as and in relation to the INR value measured before the intervention (p=0.007).Conclusion: The results of this study, in terms of hematological parameters, showed more favorable outcomes in patients treated with ESWL compared to URS lithotripsy. Significantly lower hemoglobin values six months after URS treatment, as well as a decrease in the number of platelets on the first postoperative day, lead to the conclusion that URS lithotripsy, which represents a more aggressive method compared to ESWL, may have less favorable consequences for patients.

Introduction: Serum creatinine is not enough sensitive marker for the evaluation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula is often used to assess GFR, but it is necessary to correct original one for body surface area (BSA), adipositas, and the creatinine tubular secretion. The values of the estimated creatinine clearance and GFR are considered to Poggio reference ones according to biological parameters (age and gender). The aim of the study was to determine the difference in renal function estimation between serum creatinine and corrected CG equation according to the Poggio reference values in the arterial hypertension patients. Materials and Methods: The research included 124 patients of both gender with arterial hypertension, excluding ones with the already verified chronic kidney disease. We estimated creatinine clearance and GFR by CG method corrected for the BSA, body mass index (BMI), and the creatinine tubular secretion according to Poggio reference values. Results: There was no significant difference in both age and gender groups among patients with physiological and pathological values of the renal function determined by the serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance by CG equation corrected for BMI, BSA. In both age and gender groups there was significant difference among subjects with physiological and pathological values of the renal function determined by serum creatinine and estimated GFR by CG method corrected for BMI, BSA, and creatinine tubular secretion. Conclusion: There is the most striking difference in the assessment of renal function between serum creatinine and estimated GFR by CG method with three corrections (BSA, BMI, the creatinine tubular secretion). Estimated GFR by CG method with three corrections can help in the early diagnosis of renal dysfunction and optimal treatment in patients with arterial hypertension.

Background: Breast cancer in women is the second most common and accounts for approximately 18% of all malignant tumors in women worldwide. The etiology of breast cancer is not clear enough. Starting from the assumption that the manifestation of breast cancer may have a multifactorial model, this article compares the population-genetic structure of patients (experimental group) with the population-genetic structure of healthy population (control group). Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the possible genetic basis of the Rh factor relationship with selected homozygous-recessive traits of females with breast cancer, and to diagnose the probability (assess the risk) of developing the disease in healthy women by analyzing homozygous-recessive traits (HRT). Methods: This are an anthroposcopic-qualitative study that included two groups of subjects, experimental and control (a total of 80 subjects). An analysis of the percentages within each group was performed using the Chi-square test. The results are presented in tables, and the accepted level of significance is at the level of p <0.05. Results: In the group of Rh+ subjects, the correlation of this type of Rh factor with the breast cancer was proven, given the frequency of the phenotype of homozygous-recessive traits in them. A statistically significant difference was found for 4 traits, and three are also close to the set significance level. In subjects with Rh- factor, a statistically significant difference was found for only one trait (absence of mallets on the phalanges). Conclusion: Although the number of subjects was relatively small, we can conclude that in the experimental group a higher frequency of recessive phenotypes for the examined traits was recorded, which indicates the genetic load of the subjects from this group. Correlation with Rh factor was observed in the case of subjects of the experimental group with Rh+ factor.

BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event either experiencing it or witnessing it. Although the pathogenesis is still unknown, some researches indicate inflammatory background and liver dysfunction as a part of the disease. We wanted to determine inflammatory markers' levels and investigate the correlation with liver enzymes in PTSD patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 60 male subjects aged between 40 - 60 years. Subjects were divided into two groups: a group of veterans with combat exposure and PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria and a control group of healthy subjects without combat exposure. WBC count, leucocytes ratios, levels of inflammatory markers (C reactive protein- CRP, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR), and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase- AST, alanine aminotransferase- ALT, creatine kinase- CK, and gamma-glutamyl transferase- GGT) were determined in all respondents. RESULTS The concentrations of CRP, fibrinogen, ESR, platelet-lymphocyte ratio and monocytelymphocyte ratio in subjects with PTSD were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group. Levels of AST and GGT in PTSD subjects were statistically significantly higher than of those in the control group subjects. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum AST and CRP concentration (Rho = 0.416; P = 0.022), as well as GGT and CRP concentration (Rho = 0.395; P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate the relationship between liver pathology and inflammation in the complex pathogenesis of PTSD. These can be used in future researches and development of a new diagnostic approach and treatment that may lead to a longer lifespan of PTSD patients. KEY WORDS PTSD, Inflammation, Liver Enzymes