In this investigation 3,050 patients with lung diseases and the same number of healthy individuals from all over Kosova were examined for frequency distribution and phenotypic association of selected morphological traits as well as blood groups of the ABO and Rh systems. There was a statistically significant increase of individuals with cleft chin (p<0.001), left type of hand clasping (p<0.01) and Rh− blood group within the patients with lung diseases (p<0.05) compared to the control. The combination of morphologic traits among patients carrying blood group A showed increased presence of recesive phenotypes regarding ear lobe type (attached: p<0.01) cleft chin (absence: p<0.001) and tongue rolling (nonrollers: p<0.001) compared to the carriers of the same blood group from healthy individuals. Patients with blood group B had a significantly higher frequency of nonrollers (p<0.01), whereas patients with AB phenotype had a slight increase in the frequency of individuals with cleft chin (p<0.05). Patients carriers of blood group O showed increased presence of recesive phenotypes of all five morphological traits (p<0.001) compared to the control sample of individuals.

AIM To present the joint effort of three institutions in the identification of human remains from the World War II found in two mass graves in the area of Skofja Loka, Slovenia. METHODS The remains of 27 individuals were found in two small and closely located mass graves. The DNA was isolated from bone and teeth samples using either standard phenol/chloroform alcohol extraction or optimized Qiagen DNA extraction procedure. Some recovered samples required the employment of additional DNA purification methods, such as N-buthanol treatment. Quantifiler Human DNA Quantification Kit was used for DNA quantification. PowerPlex 16 kit was used to simultaneously amplify 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Matching probabilities were estimated using the DNA View program. RESULTS Out of all processed samples, 15 remains were fully profiled at all 15 STR loci. The other 12 profiles were partial. The least successful profile included 13 loci. Also, 69 referent samples (buccal swabs) from potential living relatives were collected and profiled. Comparison of victims' profile against referent samples database resulted in 4 strong matches. In addition, 5 other profiles were matched to certain referent samples with lower probability. CONCLUSION Our results show that more than 6 decades after the end of the World War II, DNA analysis may significantly contribute to the identification of the remains from that period. Additional analysis of Y-STRs and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers will be performed in the second phase of the identification project.

POPULATION: We have analyzed the distribution of allele frequencies at two short tandem repeats loci (D2S1338 and D19S433) in a multinational sample of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) residents. A total of 110 unrelated male and female individuals (Caucasians) from different regions of B&H were sampled for the analysis. We ensured that the sample reflected approximate proportional participation of the three main ethnic groups in the population of B&H (Bosniacs‐Muslim [45%], Serbs [34%], Croats [21%]).

Genetic heterogenity of two local human population from the area of northeast Bosnia (Bosanska Bijela and Memic'i) regarding of four the biochemical-physiological characteristic (ABO blood groups, PTC tasting, red and green colour vision) was studied. Special attention in this study was paid to the analysis of temporal changes in genetic structure of two local population. The analysed genetic data were collected by direct observation and survey of schoolchildren from two temporal periods (1974.75. and 2001./02. year). Data processing included: estimation of recessive phenotypes frequency for each observed characteristic by locality, analysis Wahlund, s variance analysis of the complex genetic distance, analysis of correlation of genetic distance and some possible factors of the genetic heterogeneity. Thirty years after the last analysis of genetic structure of these two populations regarding of four the biochemical-physiological characteristics, we found that the population of Bosanska Bijela retained higher genetic similarity in two temporal periods compared to the population of Memic'i and that the this two populations show a higher genetic similarity when compared to period 1974./75.

Secular growth and development changes in children vary in the last decades among different population. Some show extensive trend towards greater body height and weight. In others height shows trend of increase, and in some there are no changes at all. Therefore, there is a relative independency of secular changes in development and growth. The objective of this work is to show whether any changes are noticed in secular growth of adolescents in Tuzla's area. Six anthropometri cal parameters have been examined: height body mass, average chest size, sitting height, leg length, and arm length. The data has been compared with the corresponding research data from 1980 and 1996. conducted on a sample of similar population. The conducted analysis of the gathered data primarily rests on the scientific elaboration of registered state from the year 2003 in the examined part of the population, after an unnatural and extremely unfavourable period in process of growth and development of one bigger part of the group. Namely, all the examinees were born in the period between 1985 and 1992 so one part of their intensive growth was during (1992-1995) and after the war. Despite the negative influence of the living conditions (war) on the ontogenesis of the examinees, it has been determined that the growth and development of male children in this area proceeds harmoniously, and that it is in limits of average European standards. The determined secular trend for body height is 2.31 cm/dec, body mass 3.42 kg/dec, average chest size is 1.72 cm/dec.

The variation at 28 Y‐chromosome biallelic markers was analysed in 256 males (90 Croats, 81 Serbs and 85 Bosniacs) from Bosnia‐Herzegovina. An important shared feature between the three ethnic groups is the high frequency of the “Palaeolithic” European‐specific haplogroup (Hg) I, a likely signature of a Balkan population re‐expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum. This haplogroup is almost completely represented by the sub‐haplogroup I‐P37 whose frequency is, however, higher in the Croats (∼71%) than in Bosniacs (∼44%) and Serbs (∼31%). Other rather frequent haplogroups are E (∼15%) and J (∼7%), which are considered to have arrived from the Middle East in Neolithic and post‐Neolithic times, and R‐M17 (∼14%), which probably marked several arrivals, at different times, from eastern Eurasia. Hg E, almost exclusively represented by its subclade E‐M78, is more common in the Serbs (∼20%) than in Bosniacs (∼13%) and Croats (∼9%), and Hg J, observed in only one Croat, encompasses ∼9% of the Serbs and ∼12% of the Bosniacs, where it shows its highest diversification. By contrast, Hg R‐M17 displays similar frequencies in all three groups. On the whole, the three main groups of Bosnia‐Herzegovina, in spite of some quantitative differences, share a large fraction of the same ancient gene pool distinctive for the Balkan area.

POPULATION: We have analyzed the distribution of allele frequencies at 12 Y-chromosornal short tandem repeats loci (DYS 19, DYS385a, DYS385b. DYS389I. DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439) in the representative sample of Bosnian and Herzegovinians. A total of 100 unrelated male individuals (Caucasians) from different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been sampled for the analysis. Samples were collected with a respect to the approximate proportional participation of three main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina [Bosniacs-Muslim (35). Serbs (31), Croats (34)].

Our objective was to establish if mother's age affects the anthropometric properties their 11 and 16 years old sons, and if the boys' BMI is satisfactory. Cross-sections, questionnaires, and statistics were used for data processing BMI (kg/m2) was presented according to the scale Quetelet's index nutritional status. Twelve anthropometric properties were researched. It was established that mother's age affects anthropometric properties in adolescent boys. The younger mothers' boys come to puberty with significantly higher mean values for most anthropometric parameters. In the course of adolescent jump, older mothers' boys have significantly higher anthropometric measures in comparison to their age boys delivered by younger mothers. After the completion of their intensive growth and development anthropometric measures in both category boys are equal or insignificantly higher in younger mothers' sons. Mother's age affects their sons' anthropometric properties of growth and development, particularly in prepuberty and puberty. After puberty that effect is not significant. According to BMI, the boys coming from the researched region make the group of underfed children. That is probably the outcome of bad living conditions, irregular and insufficient diet, stress, etc. in the course of four year aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dynamics of growth of male children and youths from the Region of Tuzla influenced by some exogenous factors was researched by a corresponding analysis of the sample which included 751 tested individuals, aged from 11 to 17 years. The analysis performed is primarily based on the scientific elaboration of the registered state in two time-points (1996 and 1999) in the tested part of broader population. This research involved the period of four-year aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina, taking into consideration the fact that the tested persons spent one period of their growth and development in extremely bad wartime living conditions. By quasicanonic correlative analysis it was established that the next factors participated in connection of variables of both sets (initial and final measurements): mother's standard, total mother's and father's standard of living, mother's age and sequence of births participated to some less extent in connection of both sets of variables. Anthropometric variables that had most significant impact of both sets of variables are: length parameters, body mass, width parameters, circumferences had somewhat less impact, while indexes of head and sitting height had the least impact on this connection.

Fifteen autosomal STR loci (D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, VWA, D8S1179, TPOX, and FGA) were studied in three geographically close but isolated populations from the Bosnian mountain area. The three villages are Bobovica, Dejcici, and Lukomir. DNA was obtained from 83 individuals, and the allele frequencies and genetic diversity among the three sample groups were compared. In addition, seven of the STR loci (CSF1PO, D13S317, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, FGA, TH01) were used in a comparative population analysis of the Bjelas;aknica-Treskavica region and the Adriatic islands of Brac, Hvar, and Korcula. Although the sample sizes are relatively small, the observed variation within any of the small isolated populations is high and comparable to less isolated groups. In addition, even though the populations are geographically isolated, the STR data are similar among the populations. The most significant frequency differences were observed at the TH01 locus. Although the specific allele distributions in any untyped population cannot be determined a priori, we find support for a high degree of diversity for the STR loci in most populations. In addition, the multiple locus profile is highly informative not only for various population studies but also for forensic studies, even when specific population data are not available.

Observation of micronuclei presents reliable method for evaluation of genotoxicity effects on chromosomal level. One of genotoxins evidenced in the environment as impact of the last conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina is depleted uranium. This research included an evaluation of genctic load in lymphocytes of individuals from population exposed to depleted uranium and the control group in correlation with sex, age and smoking habit. Results have shown increased micronuclei formation within exposed population and their statistically significant correlation with ages.