Paper description: Ethanol in alcoholic drinks causes liver injury. Cow whey and pumpkin seed oil have shown hepatoprotective effects in many studies. The effects of whey and pumpkin oil supplementation on the blood biochemical parameters of liver function in male Wistar rats subjected to chronic daily intake of 12% ethanol ad libitum were examined. Ethanol consummation in small doses for 6 weeks changed lipid metabolism, but did not induce extensive liver damage. Both whey and pumpkin seed oil showed some protective potential, but pumpkin seed oil and whey together with ethanol elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Abstract: We studied the effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil supplementation on the biochemical parameters in blood serum of male rats after chronic ad libitum alcohol consumption. The levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, LDH, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglyceride/HDL ratio, total cholesterol/HDL ratio (cholesterol ratio) and LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) were determined in rats after six weeks of treatment with: (i) ethanol (12% ethanol, ad libitum ), (ii) whey (2 g/kg per day), (iii) pumpkin seed oil (2 mL/kg per day), (iv) both ethanol and whey, and (v) both ethanol and pumpkin seed oil. The results showed no changes in the levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, total cholesterol, HDL and VLDL in alcoholic rats when compared to the controls (fed with a standard laboratory diet ad libitum ) and rats supplemented with whey and pumpkin seed oil. Our results suggest that alcohol consumption in small doses for 6 weeks changes lipid metabolism and significantly elevates the LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) but does not induce extensive liver damage. Ethanol consumption in our experimental conditions lowered the triglyceride level as well as the triglyceride/HDL ratio, suggesting lipid redistribution and the induction of some cardio-protective effect. However, ethanol induced a higher index of atherosclerosis. Pumpkin seed oil showed some protective potential in alcoholic rats by lowering the total cholesterol/HDL ratio, but it elevated the LDH. Whey consumption prevented elevation of the atherosclerosis index, pointing to its protective role, probably through the redistribution of lipids. However, whey in combination with ethanol elevated LDH. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS180320014R Received: March 20, 2018; Revised: March 30, 2018; Accepted: March 30, 2018; Published online: April 17, 2018 How to cite this article: Radic I, Nestorovic V, Mijovic M, Tatalovic N, Joksimovic B, Lukic V, Mitic M, Adžic M, Blagojevic D, Velickovic S, Bulajic S, Đerkovic B, Miric M, Janicijevic-Hudomal S. The effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil on blood biochemical parameters of liver function and lipid profile in rats chronically drinking low concentrations of ethanol. Arch Biol Sci. 2017;70(3):…

OBJECTIVES Interprofessional teamwork is best attained through education that promotes mutual trust and effective communication. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of interprofessional learning on knowledge about diabetes. METHODS The cross-sectional study included students of medicine, dentistry and nursing at the Faculty of Medicine Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The students were randomly allocated into one of two groups. Group 1 attended an interprofessional course on diabetes while group 2 was divided into three subgroups and each of the subgroups attended an uniprofessional diabetes course. The measuring instrument used in the course in order to assess the participants' knowledge about diabetic care was a test containing multiple-choice questions about diabetes. The Interprofessional Questionnaire was used to explore the attitudes, views, values and beliefs of students regarding interprofessional education (IPE). RESULTS No statistically significant difference in total score on the test was found between the groups at baseline, but at follow-up the difference was highly statistically significant (F=10.87; p=0.002). The students from Group 1 had better results (21.82 points), compared to Group 2 (18.77 points). The statistically significant difference was observed in mean values (t=-3.997; p=0.001), between Groups 1 and 2; the students from Group 1 obtained 20.42 points, which is considered to indicate a respectively positive self-assessment of communication and teamwork skills. However, Group 2 indicated a negative self-assessment of communication and teamwork skills. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that IPE activities may provide health profession students with valuable collaborative learning opportunities.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of the present study was to examine self-perceived stress of health professions students at the Faculty of Medicine Foča, and to explore its association with anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life. Methods The cross-sectional study enrolled 451 students at the Faculty of Medicine (medicine, dentistry, nursing and speech therapy). Survey instruments were distributed at the conclusion of the spring semester during the last required lecture for each year and study programme class. Perceived stress was assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale. The students were evaluated for symptoms of depression and anxiety, using Zung’s self-assessment inventory for depression and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). European Quality of Life-5 dimensions were used for describing and evaluating health. Multivariate analyses were carried out using logistic regression to examine the relationship between the outcome variable and selected determinant factors. Results A high degree of stress was reported by 1.6% of students, while the majority of students had either moderate (70.6%) or low degree (27.5%) of stress. The significant independent factors associated with perceived stress were anxiety score (OR, 0.339; CI 95%, 0.276-0.403) and EQ-5D score (OR, 0.044; CI 95%, 0.033-0.085). A high degree of perceived stress (OR, 0.624; CI 95%, 0.507-0.704), the presence of depression (OR, 0.800; CI 95%, 0.513-1.087), and low quality of life were associated with anxiety (OR, 0.073; CI 95%, 0.018-0.128). Conclusion Higher levels of perceived stress predispose health professions students for anxiety and lower quality of life. The study programme was not a significant determinant of perceived stress sore.

Introduction. Orthodontic treatment is a common dental procedure in developed countries. Assessment of orthodontic treatment need is important for health services planning and population trends monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the need for orthodontic treatment among children in Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods. The study involved 81 students of two primary schools in the municipality of Foca, aged 11-13 years. The subjects underwent clinical examinations, the dental impressions were taken, study models were made and analyzed, and digital photographs of anterior dentition were taken too. Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) was used to assess the need for orthodontic treatment. The number of orthodontists, which would be sufficient to meet the needs of this population of children, was estimated. Results. ICON index results showed that 56.8% of children needed orthodontic treatment. There was no statistical significance in the need for orthodontic treatment between the subjects of different gender and age. The study showed that 22.2% of boys and 34.6% of girls needed orthodontic treatment. In relation to age, 21% of eleven- and 21% of twelve-year-olds needed orthodontic treatment and 14.8% of thirteen-year-olds. The incidence of crowding was 80.2%. Crossbite was present in 23.5% of examined students, open bite in 2.5%, deep bite in 29.6% and irregular dental esthetics anterior teeth in 28.4%. Class II/1 malocclusion was found in 39.5% of children, II/2 class in 9.9%, class I in 38.3%, while class III malocclusion was found in 9.9% of examined children. Conclusion. The study shows that a large percentage of children in Foca need orthodontic treatment. Percentage of the need for orthodontic treatment is higher in comparison to most of the countries in Europe and the world. The development of prevention programs and early caries therapy can greatly reduce the need for orthodontic treatment.

Abstract Background: Despite considerable efforts to promote and support clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) use, adherence has often been suboptimal universally. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess to which extent family physicians (FPs) in Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) accept or reject the concept and practice of CPGs and evidence-based medicine (EBM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among FPs from the RS, BiH in the period between January and March 2014. Recruitment of FPs was performed combining two different strategies, in-person recruitment at family medicine conferences and mailed invitations. The Questionnaire included19 questions from the existing Healthcare Monitor Questionnaire, divided into four thematic blocks and 11 self-designed questions. Results: Seventy-seven per cent of 131 interviewed physicians reported already using guidelines in the treatment of patients, while 22.9% of them are undecided or disagree. As the reason for rejecting guidelines, 13.0% of the physicians stated they did not support their content, 12.2% found that limited knowledge about guidelines prevented their application, and another 12.2% reported that the current guidelines were not practical enough. All groups would rather not use guidelines developed by a governmental institution. Conclusion: Most physicians in the RS, BiH accept and declare application of CPG. However, a substantial percentage remains sceptical, using CPGs only as an exception, or rejecting them due to their content or impracticability. Key Messages Most physicians declare application of clinical practice guidelines. Substantial percentage of physicians remains sceptical, using CPGs only exceptionally. Further studies are needed to promote the use of CPG and the concept of EBM.

BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines have a direct bronchodilatory effect. Methacholine is a non-selective muscarinic receptor agonist causing bronchoconstriction. AIM To examine the effects of inhaled benzodiazepines, modulating bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine in patients with asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve patients with well controlled asthma were studied. On the first day, after determining the initial values of pulmonary function, a dose response curve was carried out with progressive doses of methacholine. After the last dose, when at least a 20% drop of the initial forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was achieved, vital capacity (VC) and FEV1 were measured at 7, 15 and 30 minutes after provocation. On the second day a diazepam aerosol was inhaled by the patients prior to the same protocol with methacholine. RESULTS In the first day of testing, methacholine inhalation (6 mg/mL) led to a significant drop in FEV1 from 2.98 to 1.69 L. On the second day of study, in the same patients, previous inhalation with diazepam reduced the changes of FEV1 after inhalation of methacholine. This parameter decreased from 2.48 to 2.21 L. CONCLUSIONS Inhalation of benzodiazepines reduce bronchoconstriction after a methacholine challenge in patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this paper is to examine the impact of diabetes mellitus on the ability to work in patients with diabetes mellitus. The second objective of this paper is to examine the differences in the ability to work between patients with diabetes mellitus and patients with other chronic diseases, such as hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS A study was conducted in 10 family medicine practices from two primary health care centers, Pale and East Sarajevo, in the period between July 2009 and May 2010, utilising a retrospective medical records review and a cross sectional survey. The outcomes used to portray respondent's health status included functional measures and ability to work. Functional measures were analyzed using SF-36 and a general questionnaire. Absenteeism and productivity loss were retrospectively analyzed for the past ten years from a regional sick-leave database and the administrative records of the Commission for the assessment of work capacity for the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of the Republika Srpska respectively. RESULTS Out of the total number of patients with diabetes, 24.6% had some form of disability. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups; patients with diabetes mellitus were much more likely to have problems meeting the required standards at the workplace due to emotional and physical health issues compared to hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION Diabetes mellitus appears to reduce an individual's ability to work in comparison to patients with hypertension. There is a need to set up a diabetes mellitus prevention program and to develop and implement effective targeted intervention to help workers to manage their disease better.

Introduction: Alcoholism is the third most common psychiatric disorder among the elderly, yet it often goes undiagnosed in primary care setting. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among elderly primary care patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to determine the presence of different health problems related to alcohol consumption. Method: The study was conducted in 10 family medicine practices. Family physicians randomly selected a group of 40 patients over 60 years of age registered with their practice. As a part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, patients were asked to complete Alcohol Consumption Screening Questionnaire, Functional Status Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini mental screening examination (MMSE), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Screening results were followed by additional clinical evaluation. To estimate the feasibility of Alcohol Consumption Screening Questionnaire, one family member or a caregiver of each patient was questioned about patient's habits and health problems. Results: Eighty-nine (22%) patients were current drinkers. Of those, 59% were harmful drinkers, 26% hazardous and 15% nonhazardous drinkers. Women accounted for 27% of current drinkers. MMSE revealed dementia symptoms in 37%, and symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 25% of current drinkers. Depression symptoms were found in 38% and anxiety symptoms in 6% of current drinkers. Functional status was decreased in hazardous and harmful drinkers. Conclusion: High percentage of older adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regular users of alcohol. Hazardous and harmful drinking is associated with significant morbidity. These findings demonstrate the usefulness and importance of the excess alcohol use screening in all primary care settings serving adults over age 60.

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. WHO estimates that more than 2 billion persons have been infected with HBV (including 350 million chronically infected). The aim of this study was to investigate the students&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes about HBV infection at the Medical Faculty Foca. <strong>Methods.</strong> The study was conducted among 37 students of the third year, 22 of the fifth year and 18 of sixth year at the Medical Faculty in Foca from November to December 2007. The students were interviewed by the anonymous survey. <strong>Results.</strong> Most of the examined students (96.1%) know that hepatitis B virus can be passed through sexual contact. Only 17% of the students have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The main reason for not getting vaccinated for 75.4% medical students was the unavailability of the vaccine. Almost all participants (92.2%) believe that all medical students should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> Our results suggest that the students&rsquo; knowledge about HBV infection is on average level. Only 17% of students have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The main reason for that is the unavailability of the hepatitis B vaccine.</p>