Introduction/Objective. Gunshot residue (GSR) on the skin of a victim are important evidence, with far better precision, for reconstructive questions in the forensic investigation of cases involving gunshot wounds. The aim of this experimental study was to analyze if there was any significant difference in macroscopic characteristics of wounds that were caused with different types of weapons from three different distances. Methods. This study was conducted at the Department of Ballistic and Mechanoscopic Expertise, Federal Police Directorate. Experiments were done on pigskin and 55 samples were made. Shooting was conducted using a system for safe firing. Samples of the pigskin were shot by firing projectiles from four different weapons and from three different distances, (contact wound, five centimetres and 10 centimetres). Results. At the contact range, wounds caused by automatic rifle had horizontal, vertical diameters larger than those made by pistols. Diameters on the wounds that were caused with different pistols, were similar. At the range of five centimetres, the narrowest part of contusion ring significantly differs even through pistol wounds. Diameters at the range of 10 centimetres are in favor of these results. Gunpowder residue scattering area was statistically different depending of type of weapon (p = 0.004). Conclusion. Wound diameters and surface area are useful for differentiation between pistol and rifle caused wounds. It is unsecure method for determination of pistol caliber or fire range. GSR have much greater potential for future analyses, but even GSR cannot be used to determine pistol caliber.

Changes in red blood cell morphology can be induced by various stimuli. In order to investigate the effects of different temperature intensities (37°C, 41°C, and 44°C) and exposure time (20 min and until the time of death) on erythrocyte morphology, heat stress was used on a rat model. Thirty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 37°C as control group, 41°C and 44°C as trial groups. The trial groups were classified into antemortem the exposure time of 20 min and postmortem groups exposure time until fatal outcome. The anaesthetised rats were exposed to preheated water using the water bath. May-Grünwald-Giemsa colouring technique was applied on blood samples taken from the abdominal aorta. The light microscopy was performed (Motic Type 102M) to detect poikilocytes. Target cells and anulocytes were predominant in antemortem groups, while anulocytes and spherocytes in postmortem groups 41°C and 44°C, respectively. No difference in poikilocyte number was found between antemortem and postmortem groups 41°C and 44°C. Spherocyte number was significantly higher in postmortem than antemortem group 41°C (P=0.001) and dacryocytes with spherocytes in postmortem group 44°C (P=0.002, P=0.017, respectively). Poikilocytosis is associated with the exposure length and temperature intensity. Spherocytosis and anulocytosis are the most frequent in postmortem groups while target cells and anulocytes in antemortem groups. Following a fatal outcome, spherocytes at 41°C and dacryocytes with spherocytes at 44°C were significantly more than in corresponding antemortem groups.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is a pandemic disease that is today a global public health problem caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) COVID-19 is a disease of middle and old age, but clinical expression may also be present in childhood Asymptomatic and mild clinical forms are most often present in persons aged 0-19, but severe clinical forms such as, among others, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multisystem inflammatory syndrome may occur In addition to presenting the epidemiology, clinical symptomatology of COVID-19, the authors consider certain specifics of COVID-19, that is, possible reasons for the lower incidence of the disease as well as unusual and rare clinical forms of the disease in children The current activities of health professionals in the supervision of COVID-19 are mainly focused on early detection, isolation and treatment of patients, isolation of contacts, the regular and thorough practice of respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, and physical distancing Future efficient and safe vaccination will solve the biggest global medical challenge caused by the new coronavirus in the best possible manner © 2020, University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Health Studies

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge and behavioural risks related to sexually transmitted infection (STIs) among high school students. METHODS The cross sectional study was conducted among students aged 15-18 years old from two high schools in the Sarajevo Canton in the period from October 2017 to March 2018. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. The survey investigated their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual habits and level of knowledge about STIs. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and MS Excel 2016. RESULTS In total 278 high school students participated in the study, with a mean age of 17.79±1.026 years, of which 89 (32%) were male, and 189 (68%) were female. There was no significant difference in age in relation to sex distribution (P=0.074). Regarding the number of participants, 234 (84.2%) were from the dental school, while 44 (15.8%) were from a gimnazija (grammar high school). There was no significant difference in gender-based distribution by school (P=0.080). Students from the grammar high school had significantly better knowledge about the impact of STI on the foetus (P=0.025) and infected individuals (P=0.001), also about the impact of STI on sterility (P=0.005). CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the need for implementation of sexual education programs in the final grades of elementary school or in first grades of high school, aimed at improving knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and improving sexual and reproductive health.

Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persist immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M. tuberculosis ) antigens without any clinical evidence of active tuberculosis. A new progress and inovation in diagnostics of latent tuberculosis, more specific and susceptible than tuberculin skin test, are Interferon Gamma Release Assay, Quanti FERON-TB test, in vitro blood tests used to detect immune response to TB proteins, by measuring interferon gamma (IFN-γ( in whole blood from persons infected with M. tuberculosis . The aim of this retrospective study was to determinate the role of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT – Plus test) test in diagnostics of LTBI evaluating the results from inpatients and outpatiens. Methods: This was a retrospective study where blood samples were collected from 1 st of January to 31 st of December 2016 in the Microbiological Laboratory of General Hospital Tesanj. Samples were performed from inpatients and outpatients in Zenica-Doboj Canton. Full blood from patients aged from 1 to 95 years was collected in four, special QFT plus blood test tubes and tested with QFT – Plus test. Results: The study involved 159 patients who were tested with QFT-Plus test. Gender distribution of positive data (30.82 %) showed prevalence of males (59.18 %). The most common diagnosis of positive data was infiltratio pulmonum (49 %). Sensitivity of QFT – Plus test was 91.67 % and test showed specificity of 73.79 %. Conclusion: Our research showed that QFT – Plus test can be helpful, as a supplement, but it can not be the main parameter in diagnostics of tuberculosis. If the test is positive, it is necessary to observe all other clinical findings to complete the diagnosis.

The Tomašica grave-site near Prijedor in the north of Bosnia is reported to be the largest primary mass grave discovered thus far relating to the 1992-95 war. A total of 275 complete bodies and 125 body parts were exhumed from it in 2013. Post mortem examinations of the victims showed that nearly all had died from gunshot injuries but an additional striking feature was the degree of preservation of many of the bodies, even 21 years on, with skin, soft tissues and internal organs still present in abundance and gross structures clearly identifiable. Histology was performed on 68 samples of soft tissue from a total 13 bodies, on both skin and internal organs, and the degree of preservation was assessed in terms of the ability to recognize microscopic structure. Further comparison was made with samples taken a month or so later (56 tissue samples from 9 bodies, all but one different from the first group), after the bodies had been covered in salt as a means of general preservation. Generally, at a microscopic level, skin and subcutaneous tissues were better preserved than internal organs, while tissues sampled at the time of autopsy were better preserved than those sampled weeks later.

Objectives: The main goal was to analyze the specific causes of death in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 2009 to 2013 based on death certificates. Materials and Methods : The data used came from the Demographic Statistics, Health and Statistical Yearbook and Population health and health care in the Federation. The research covered the period of 5 years, from 2009 to 2013 and totaled 102,036 deceased. Results: The leading cause of death in the Federation B&H in the period from 2009 to 2013 is a group Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) with 53.2%. In the age group 75-79 is reported the highest number of deaths, 19.82% of the total sample. Male population deaths (50.97%) are more prevalent. Female population is more represented in the group Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) with 53.06%.Group “Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period” (P00-P96) is with the highest number of deaths in the infant period (age group 0-1) with 59.77%.Accidents holds the largest share in the number of violent deaths 56,89%. The largest number of deaths was determined by the coroner MD, up to 76.59%. An increase in the number of unidentified causes of death is spotted, from, which is in direct correlation with the decrease in the number of autopsies. Conclusion: Causes of death established by coroner's inquest are relevant and reliable only if they are complemented by autopsy. The continued decline in autopsy performance, despite better training of professional staff and an advanced diagnostic procedure leads to an increased number of undetermined deaths.

Introduction: Immunization is a lifelong preventive activity that helps prevent/reduce disease, prevent/ reduce mortality and prevent disability from specific infectious diseases. Material and Methods: Authors of this paper researched the WHO extended program of mandatory immunization of children from birth to the age of 18 years and analyzed how it has been implemented in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), because the guidelines of the specialist physician societies on immunization of adults, elderly people and risk groups of the population are missing. Results: The paper presents the basic characteristics of the immunization program in the FB&H and the world, points to the most frequent problems that the doctor practitioner has in carrying out immunization, and also presents possible modalities of improving immunization. It is pointed out the need to develop the national guidelines and individual immunization booklets, introduction of electronic registration of immunization, and continuous education of health professionals of all profiles, population, educators, teachers and harmonious partnership relations of health workers, population, social entities and the media with the aim of achieving an appropriate lifelong vaccination.

The most frequent disease of the arteries is atherosclerosis which is characterized by lumen reduction of blood vessels due to local thickening of internal blood vessels caused by plaque/atheroma. As a cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis is an interdisciplinary problem and one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. It begins in childhood, goes a long time without manifesting symptoms, increasing with age it begins to seriously threaten health. The most dangerous risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic disease are: Hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high fibrinogen, excessive weight and physical inactivity.