Days of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AMNuBiH) this year was organized together with International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina (IANUBIH) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 4th, 2021. At this conference held two meetings: Symposium with title “Sciontometry, Citation, Plagiarsim and Predatory in the Scintific Publishing” and "SWEP 2021" with title "Design of Observational Clinical Studies" (1-4). Reasons for this titles werw very frequent cases in the academic and scientific publications about four mentioned topics of the Symposium in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in Balcan region, but also worldwide. Authors of the presentations at the conference came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, USA and Poland. Days were organized as hybrid meetings: over twenty participants have been in conference room of the hotel Holiday in Sarajevo, over 50 participants followed presentations of the conference via zoom technology. Within presenters of thir experiences in the scientific area covered by title of this conference were some of most influential scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina who are included between 2% of authors deposited in the Stanford scientometric list, which were published several months ago. Also, some of authors are former or current Editorsin-Chiefs of indexed biomdical journals in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia (Izet Masic, Asim Kurjak, Doncho Donev, Osman Sinanovic). Also, Sylwia Ufnalska and Izet Masic are or have been members bof the European Associacion of Scince Editors (EASE) and and they have great expriences about topic of this cnference (5, 6). Participants and titles of the presentations at the Symposium “Scientometrics, Citation, Plagiarism and Predatory in Science Publishing" were as follows: News, Received: Dec 08 2021, Accepted: Dec 26, doi: 10.5455/ijbh.2021.9.300-303, Int J Biomed Healthc. 2021; 9(4): 300-303

Background: One of the most vulnerable group to cope with the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic are women, particularly pregnant ones. Objective: The aim of this article was to make review of the scientific literature to show clearly that pandemic is not so dangerous neither for mother nor her unborn and newborn children. Results and Discussion: It should be stated that most of the scientific papers on COVID-19 are currently being conducted in a way that would probably be completely unacceptable to serious science in any other circumstances. Taking into account everything we have learned about the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far it comes as a surprise that there has not been a more intense scientific debate on whether the blind lockdown model, implemented by most national governments, was truly an appropriate response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Conclusion: Deep analysis what science in perinatal medicine did assess and what it recommended to perinatal world it may be followed by principles that the research of the members of the Academy will not be the first to be published, but we certainly aim that the scientific evidence published by Academy is fast, reliable and implementable.

Background: Accurate human body composition assessment is becoming very important in clinical practice due to the possibility of early diagnosis and preventive interventions of metabolic disorders. Fats are one of the most important elements in maintaining normal body structure and different methods are used to determine its total amount and distribution. The amount and distribution of abdominal white adipose tissue, and especially the visceral type, provides important parameters in the development assessment of central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and other chronic non-infectious diseases. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the amount of visceral adipose tissue in adults who are overweight and then estimate the probability of developing insulin resistance (IR) in those with higher amounts of visceral adipose tissue. Based on a comparison of the amount of visceral adipose tissue and the frequency of IR, evaluate the clinical significance of a routine procedure for body structure assessment in relation to the amount of visceral adipose tissue. Methods: Subjects were adults of both sexes aged 20 to 77 years, who were patients in two family medicine clinics. Including criteria for the study were: increased body weight (BMI≥25) and normal blood glucose values (4.0 – 5.4 mmol/L). All subjects underwent anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio) and body structure assessment with bioelectrical impedance. According to the values for the amount of visceral adipose tissue (below and above 110 cm2), the subjects were divided into two groups. All subjects underwent an IR test. We used the HOMA 1 value of 2 as a cut off for the risk of chronic non- infectious diseases in non-diabetic population. Results: The study included 80 patients. 14 patients did not complete the study, so the total number of subjects was 66 (39 women and 27 men). 36 subjects had elevated values of visceral adipose tissue (over 110 cm2). In this group, the presence of IR was registered in 30 patients or 81%. In the control group with a normal amount of visceral adipose tissue, IR was registered in 10 subjects or 33%, which is a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Increased amount of visceral adipose tissue in overweight patients significantly affects the occurrence of IR. For the patients with an increased amount of visceral adipose tissue, it is necessary to introduce intensive preventive measures to stop the development of diabetes and other complications as a result of IR presence.

Background: Enormous number of medical journals published around the globe requires standardization of editing practice. Objective: The aim of this article was to enlist main principles of editing biomedical scientific journals adopted at annual meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia & Herzegovina (AMSB&H). Methods: The evidence for writing this Guideline was systematically searched for during September 2020 in the PUBMED and GOOGLE SCHOLAR databases. The inclusion criteria were: original studies, systematic reviews, invited expert opinions, guidelines and editorials. The exclusion criteria were narrative reviews and uninvited opinion articles. The retrieved evidence was analyzed by members of the AMSB&H, then discussed at 2020 annual meeting of the AMSB&H and adopted by nominal group technique. Results: In total 14 recommendations were made, based on A to C class of evidence. The editors should educate potential authors and instruct them how to structure their manuscript, how to write every segment of the manuscript, and take care about correct use of statistical tests. Plagiarism detection softwares should be used regularly, and statistical and technical editing should be rigorous and thorough. International standards of reporting specific types of studies should be followed, and principles of ethical and responsible behavior of editors, reviewers and authors should be published on the journal’s web site. The editors should insist on registration of clinical studies before submission, and check whether non-essential personal information is removed from the articles; when essential personal information has to be included, an article should not be published without signed informed consent by the patient to whom these information relate. Conclusions: Principles of editing biomedical scientific journals recommended in this guideline should serve as one of the means of improving medical journals’ quality.

Background: From 2013 the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki explicitly requires pre-registration of a study involving human subjects. The registration gives a chance for improvement of design and avoidance of bias. Objective: The aim of this article was to describe process of bearing decision to create regional registry of clinical studies for Balkan countries. Methods: After finding relevant studies about research registries and designing the concept and structure of future regional registry an article was published in IJBH journal. The article was than used as basis for discussion at 2020 meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AMSBH), and final decision was made by the Academy to create the research registry. Results: Regional registry of clinical studies will be under the auspices of AMSBH and web-based, with the option of online registration of new studies. The data required to be entered in the moment of registration relate to key elements of research plan: topic, variables, sample, type of the study and the study population. After applying for registration of a clinical study, the authors will soon receive the review made by the AMSBH expert committee. The application could be accepted, rejected or returned for major or minor revision. After an application is accepted, it will be deposited in the searchable database and given the registration number. Conclusion: The AMSBH’s decision to create the regional registry of clinical studies will satisfy needs of researchers from Balkan countries in the first place, who share cultural and lingual similarities. It will also help with increasing standards of clinical research in the region.

On September 12, 2020 passed away prominent scientist, academician professor Mehmed (Mesa) Gribajcevic, former Head of Divison of the Clinic for Gastroenterohepatology of the Clinical Center of Sarajevo University.

Introduction: The liver is the largest gland in the human body, and serves to store nutrients and neutralize harmful compounds. The liver plays a very important role in a number of metabolic, both catabolic and anabolic processes, and is therefore called the „central laboratory“ of the organism. If liver disease occurs, they can affect all its parts–liver cells, bile ducts, blood and lymph vessels. The liver is damaged by various toxins, drugs, infections, disturbances in the blood supply and other disorders. Diet therapy has been a part of the process in the treatment of liver disease for a while. The therapeutic principle is better known as the „liver diet“. The liver diet not only means the replenishment of calories and nutrients, but it significantly affects the course of the disease. Aim: The aim of the research is to show that diet therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver disease as a component for faster recovery of the liver and restoration of its normal function, as well as protecting the liver after overcoming the disease. Results: Among the respondents, there were 39 men (64%) and 22 women (36%) who had liver disease as a chronic condition. Most respondents are between 51 and 65 years old (28 and 46%, respectively), while the least number of respondents are in the 20 to 30 age group. The largest number of respondents cited alcohol as the cause of the disease, 31 of them (50.8%), while the virus was the cause of the disease in 15 respondents (24.5%). Of the total sample, most respondents answered that they sometimes (45.9%) or often (47.5%) overeat. The results of the questionnaire showed that 85.2% of the respondents were smokers before the diagnosis of the disease. In most respondents, the food they ate before diagnosis was moderately fatty (52.5%). Using chi-square tests, it was found that there are statistically significant differences in the consumption of almost all foods before the diagnosis of the disease and after the obtained dietary recommendations (p<0.05). Conclusions: The aim of the research was confirmed that diet therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver disease as a component for faster recovery of the liver and restoration of its normal function, and after overcoming the disease it still protects the liver. The main purpose of creating a diet therapy program and plan proved to be significant and necessary because more than half of the respondents rated our advice as excellent. As most causes of liver disease can be prevented, it is necessary to work on familiarizing the population with risk factors, promote a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, and identify at-risk patients who must enter the monitoring system for early detection of liver disease.

Introduction The liver is the largest gland in the human body, and serves to store nutrients and neutralize harmful compounds. The liver plays a very important role in a number of metabolic, both catabolic and anabolic processes, and is therefore called the "central laboratory" of the organism. If liver disease occurs, they can affect all its parts-liver cells, bile ducts, blood and lymph vessels. The liver is damaged by various toxins, drugs, infections, disturbances in the blood supply and other disorders. Diet therapy has been a part of the process in the treatment of liver disease for a while. The therapeutic principle is better known as the "liver diet". The liver diet not only means the replenishment of calories and nutrients, but it significantly affects the course of the disease. Aim The aim of the research is to show that diet therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver disease as a component for faster recovery of the liver and restoration of its normal function, as well as protecting the liver after overcoming the disease. Results Among the respondents, there were 39 men (64%) and 22 women (36%) who had liver disease as a chronic condition. Most respondents are between 51 and 65 years old (28 and 46%, respectively), while the least number of respondents are in the 20 to 30 age group. The largest number of respondents cited alcohol as the cause of the disease, 31 of them (50.8%), while the virus was the cause of the disease in 15 respondents (24.5%). Of the total sample, most respondents answered that they sometimes (45.9%) or often (47.5%) overeat. The results of the questionnaire showed that 85.2% of the respondents were smokers before the diagnosis of the disease. In most respondents, the food they ate before diagnosis was moderately fatty (52.5%). Using chi-square tests, it was found that there are statistically significant differences in the consumption of almost all foods before the diagnosis of the disease and after the obtained dietary recommendations (p<0.05). Conclusions The aim of the research was confirmed that diet therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver disease as a component for faster recovery of the liver and restoration of its normal function, and after overcoming the disease it still protects the liver. The main purpose of creating a diet therapy program and plan proved to be significant and necessary because more than half of the respondents rated our advice as excellent. As most causes of liver disease can be prevented, it is necessary to work on familiarizing the population with risk factors, promote a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, and identify at-risk patients who must enter the monitoring system for early detection of liver disease.

Introduction: The source of scientific information, methods for their evaluation, and methodology of their use are critical for serious scientific research and publishing of the scientific research results. Certain methodological principles should be inexcusably followed when designing clinical or observational research to avoid bias and presentation of results that do not reflect the truth about the phenomenon that is the object of the study. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the methodological quality of clinical trials and observational studies published in medical journals from ex-Yugoslav countries indexed in Web of Science (WoS) and Pubmed/MEDLINE. Methods: Clinical studies published in medical journals of ex-Yugoslav countries were retrieved from the WoS and Pubmed database, and the sample for analysis was randomly chosen from the retrieved publications. The rate of the most common errors in the design of clinical/observational studies was established by a careful reading of the sampled publications and their checking against predefined criteria. Results: Number and percent of the evaluated studies that failed to meet each of the methodological criteria tested, number of the evaluated criteria not satisfied per database and number of studies that satisfied more than 4 criteria were analyzed per database. When explanatory potential of journal impact factor, number of citations, time elapsed from publication and a database where a journal is referred were tested by linear regression in regard to the number of methodological criteria satisfied per study, the linear regression model was obtained by backward deletion method and achieved R2 adjusted of 0.166 (F=13.827, df1 = 2, df2 = 127, p=0.000). The methodological quality of studies was directly related to impact factor of the journals (B = 0.976, 95% confidence interval 0.539 – 1.413, p=0.000) and inversely with the database where a journal is referred (B =–0.444, 95% confidence interval–0.824 – -0.064, p = 0.022). Each additional unit of impact factor increased number of satisfied methodological criteria for about 1, while referring a journal only in WoS decreased number of satisfied criteria for 0.45 points in comparison with journals referred in both WoS and Pubmed/MEDLINE, and for 0.9 points in comparison to journals referred only in MEDLINE. Conclusion: Methodological and scientometric quality of clinical studies published in medical journals from ex-Yugoslav region varies significantly, and the variations are higher in journals referenced only in WoS than in journals referenced in Pubmed/MEDLINE only, or in both Pubmed and Web of Science databases.

Introduction: Pseudo journals, hijacked journals, fraudulent journals, fake journals, and predatory journals waste valuable research when authors publish their studies in them. Aim: This article described novel suggested features for the identification of fraudulent journals and aimed to explain this issue to help inexperienced scientists avoid publishing in predatory journals. Methods: The articles related to this topic in were retrieved from PubMed and trustable Internet sources. Results: Unfortunately, some fake journals have made their way into reputable databases, such as PubMed, PubMed Central, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science; thus, the serious question has been raised regarding how we should address this problematic phenomenon. We recommended 28 suggested characteristics of predatory journals for readers to take into consideration. Conclusion: Unaware of the detrimental effects associated with publishing in disreputable journals, inexperienced researchers can fall victim to them. Together, as both readers and writers, we should completely boycott predatory journals.

Probably in the history of medicine, doctors were not as united as they are today, in that fight against COVID-19, when the pandemic spread incredibly fast - from East to West, from North to South. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have unprecedented and unforeseeable consequences, from those on a worldwide/global level to those at the local level - at the level of local communities and families, and individuals (and not just humans, but all other living beings), of which the future will testify in various ways. The consequences will be political, economic, social, but probably to the greatest degree, the consequences of a health nature - systemic and individual. The death toll is high, despite the therapy being applied. We do not currently have a specific and effective therapy against COVID-19. In addition, we do not have a single clinical study that would support prophylactic therapy that could affect COVID-19. All of the therapeutic options now available to us are based on the experience we have gained in treating SARS and MERS. When the vaccine is discovered, at that moment we will be able to say that we have an appropriate and effective method in fighting against COVID-19. Some historians of medicine believe that voluntary vaccination against COVID-19 would be, not only less politically risky but also more effective in protecting the population from coronavirus. It remains to be seen what the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced by WHO experts these days, and which is expected in the fall of 2020, will bring us.