According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society for Hypertension, elevated blood pressure is defined as the blood pressure the readings of which consistently range ≥140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic. Having in mind the fact that hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovasluar disease, kidney failure and premature mortality, it is clear that preventive measures should be imposed before the diagnosis is established. The main nutritional measures used in preventing hypertension are: weight loss, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet), reducing salt and alcohol intake and increasing potassium intake. The aim of this paper was to show the preventive effect of the DASH diet on hypertension onset in normotensive patients as well as to highlight that the diet is an integral part of hypertension treatment, in addition to the use of drug therapy for hypertensive patients.

Background/Aim: Antibiotic use and resistance represent a growing public health issue, with a specific risk of uncontrolled use of antibiotics in children. The aim of the study was to examine differences in parental knowledge, attitudes and practices about antibiotic use in children between urban and rural areas of the Republic of Srpska. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1459 parents of children under 6 years of age, out of which 1201 (82.3 %) lived in urban areas while 258 (17.7 %) lived in rural areas. The research is conducted among parents who brought their children to the selected primary healthcare centres and among parents of children in preschool institutions. Results: The majority of respondents (98.4 %) state that doctors are their main source of information. Only 61.2 % of respondents precisely know which drug is an antibiotic when offered different drugs and respondents from rural areas (54.3 %) more often (p = 0.012) gave more accurate answers when compared to respondents from urban areas (37.3 %). Among parents, 86 % agree with the statement that improper use of antibiotics reduces their effectiveness and leads to bacterial resistance, regardless of groups. More than a half of respondents (52.4 %) do not think that children with flu or common cold symptoms recover faster when they receive antibiotics, significantly more respondents from urban areas (p = 0.001). Respondents from rural areas significantly more often believe that antibiotics can produce harmful effects compared to respondents from urban areas (p = 0.049). Respondents from rural areas significantly more often think that antibiotic use can prevent complications caused by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (p = 0.006). Parents from rural areas give their children antibiotics without a paediatrician's recommendation significantly more often (4.3 %) compared to respondents from urban areas (0.6 %) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are differences in parental knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance among parents in rural and urban areas. There is need for additional education of parents and for greater engagement of paediatricians in providing guidance and explanations regarding the use of antibiotics.

Introduction. Inhalation of coal dust during blasting in brown coal mines has been shown to lead to a lung disease called pneumoconiosis. There is very little data in the literature on the direct impact of coal on the quality of life of people who work in coal mines as well as the body's immune response to the effects of coal dust. The aim was to examine the immune response to exposure to coal dust in miners in a brown coal mine and whether mine workers have poorer quality of life compared to those not exposed to coal dust. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study among 100 employees in the Brown Coal Mine in Ugljevik, of which 50 of them are exposed to coal dust on a daily basis. Blood samples were taken from all subjects to test for the presence of cytokines IL-2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13, 17A, 17F, 21, 22, IFN-g and TNF-a. The quality of life of employees was measured using a questionnaire for self-assessment of physical and mental health (36-item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36). Results. Group of miners had a significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IFN-g, IL-17A and IL-22 when compared to the control group. Subjects from the control group had significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 when compared to the group of miners. The quality of life was significantly (p<0.05) better in the control group when compared to the group of miners. Conclusion. Physical functioning, general health, mental health and Physical component summary were significantly poorer in the group of miners. Exposition to coal dust led to a significant increase in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Introduction. Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is a valuable method of estimating the extent of COVID-19 disease prevalence. The study aims to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in a specific group of respondents employed in the health insurance sector, to determine the ratio of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, as well as to examine susceptibility to COVID-19 in relation to the ABO blood group system. Methods. This research was conducted among 150 randomly selected employees from the health insurance sector of the Republic of Srpska. All respondents completed the survey, voluntary consent to participate, and had a blood sample taken. Serum samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies. Results. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was 70.7%. Out of the 100 seropositive respondents, 48% had the presence of a symptom of COVID-19, while 52% had no symptoms of the disease in the period from 1 March 1 2020 until the day of testing. Examining the association between ABO blood group system and seropositivity in our study, we found that the highest seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among respondents was in blood group B (83.3%), followed by blood group AB (80.0%) and blood group A (75.0%), while the lowest seroprevalence was among respondents with blood group O (54.1%). Conclusion. Among employees in the health insurance sector, SARSCoV-2 seroprevalence of 70.7% was registered. Among respondents with a positive serological result on IgG, 52% were asymptomatic. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is the lowest among subjects with blood group O.

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare mortality of patients after colorectal cancer surgery between hospitals in Serbia, which performed organized colorectal cancer screening and those which did not. Methods. The database included all patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer after the introduction of organized colorectal cancer screening Program in Serbia, in 2014-2015. The target group were patients 50-74 years old in the colorectal screening program, and the data was compared to the age-matched group from hospitals which did not perform the program logistic regression. Results. The was used to determine the significance of the differences in the observed variables, and the predictors of mortality after colorectal cancer surgery. Results. The 3631 patients were included in this study. The majority of them were operated due to the rectal cancer 2111 (58%), while 1062 (29.2%) were operated due to the colon cancer. Postoperative survival was significantly better in the target group in organized screening program (p<0.001; OR=0.46; 95%CI 0.33-0.62). There was a significant difference between patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer localized in the left colon, compared to the patients with localization in the right colon (p<0.001). The mortality after the surgery of colorectal cancer (4.7%) was followed by high comorbidity of cardiovascular diseases (24%). Conclusion. Patients included in the organized colorectal cancer screening have lower postoperative mortality than these not included. This indicates the necessity for further work on organized colorectal cancer screening, in order to reduce postoperative and overall mortality.

Cardiovascular diseases rank first on the mortality list globally or 31%. The basic measure of prevention in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization is a change in risk lifestyle in terms of diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Vitamin D was previously recognized as a regulator of calcium and phosphorus ratio, bone remodeling or the main controller of skeletal pathophysiology. However, vitamin D enjoys great interest in clinical and epidemiological research in terms of its possible impact on reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Among other things, vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of endothelial dysfunction. Although the deficiency has been identified as a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases, the mechanism of action of vitamin D on the path from endothelial dysfunction to cardiovascular diseases has not been fully revealed. The findings in this segment of activity of vitamin D would be significant in terms of reducing morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Recently, mortality and morbidity from CVD have shown a trend in its occurrence in earlier years, while these diseases have been associated with older age until recently. In developed countries, mortality from diseases caused by atherosclerosis has decreased over the last 50 years. However, such a trend is not reflected in both underdeveloped and developing countries where mortality remains high. Risk factors have been identified and their control can influence the reduction in morbidity and mortality from CVD associated with atherosclerosis. Among these, the so-called variable risk factors are the following: increased concentration of LDL cholesterol fraction (LDL) and/or decreased concentration of HDL cholesterol fraction (HDL), hypertension, cigarette consumption, diabetes mellitus/metabolic syndrome, improper diet, while genetic predisposition is still considered to be an invariable risk factor. In order to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis, the World Health Organization recommends a two-pronged approach that includes public health interventions to reduce population risk factors and medical interventions for individuals at high risk with stricter surveillance of risk factors. Examples of multisectoral public health interventions include increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, followed by a massive campaign to promote physical activities and healthy diet, that is to promote healthy lifestyles.

Modern society has not forgotten yet epidemics that killed millions in the last millennium and the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS CoV-2 has recently emerged With the onset of the Wuhan epidemic in the Chinese province of Hubei, the initially called new corona virus due to the similarity of 80 % to the 2002 SARS virus was renamed to SARS CoV-2 The virus was originally isolated from bronchoalveolar aspirate specimens Viral RNK was detected in 6 of 41 blood samples with clinical signs of infection A senior Chinese expert told to the media that the median incubation period was 7 days, ranging from 2 -1 2 The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Epidemics gives a preliminary estimate basic reproduction number R0 of 1 4 - 2 5 COVID-19 is mainly transmitted by close contact with the infected by drops due to sneezing and coughing Fever, cough, myalgia and fatigue are the predominant initial signs and symptoms The clinical picture is non-specific Exacerbation occurs suddenly, as bilateral interstitial pneumonia that requires admission to intensive care Initial lethality in hospitalised cases was 15 %, but these estimates had to be taken with reserve as the situation evolved According to recent data, the global fatality rate is 3 7 %, the lethality rate in China is 3 9 % and in Italy 6 8 % According to data from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, of 44,672 confirmed cases 1,023 people died, therefore lethality was 2 3 % In the absence of specific prevention and control measures, mankind is limited to general prevention measures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Scripta Medica is the property of Scripta Medica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )

Chronic non-communicable diseases are diseases that arise as a response of the human body to a number of factors, the most important of which are ecological and socio-economic factors. According to the World Health Organization, their classification is based on mortality and morbidity statistics. The top four leading causes of death are as follows: cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present a global public health problem, leading to over 40 million deaths a year, whereby the population aged 30 to 69 years account for one third of the total number of deaths. Risk factors for the development of chronic NCDs can be divided into metabolic and environmental ones. Metabolic risk factors include hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and obesity. Environmental risk factors include: alcohol and tobacco consumption, followed by physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Unhealthy diet, apart from posing a risk for the development of NCDs, is also the cause of metabolic risk factor development, namely hypertension and obesity. The world nutritional authorities are focused on making dietary recommendations to prevent the rising trend and subsequently reduce morbidity from NCDs.