Introduction: The main aim of the study was to examine the interdependence of values of the nutrition index, the use of medicaments, and alcohol consumption in the group of subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in control group without PTSD. Methods: To determine the interdependence of different indices of nutrition and the alcohol and drug consumption in both groups, the crosstab model was used. Results: In both of the tested groups, medicament users had higher average values for nutritional indexes compared to the subjects that are not the consumers of medicaments, but the confirmed differences were not statistically significant. The subjects with PTSD who consume alcohol had lower average values for nutritional indexes compared to the subjects who do not consume alcohol. In the control group, subjects who consumed alcohol had higher mean values for nutritional indexes than those who did not consume alcohol. Differences in the values of the nutrition index between alcohol and non-alcohol subjects were not statistically significant either in the PTSD group or in the control group. The subjects with PTSD had less average values of all the used nutrition indexes compared to the control group subjects, but the confirmed differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results indicate that medicaments use and alcohol consumption do not exert a statistically significant effect on the values of the nutrition index in any of the study groups. Possible concomitant use of drugs with the opposite effect on the monitored parameter (nitrazepam and amitriptyline vs. SSRI and bupropion) can lead to findings like this. We recommend further research to eliminate influence of pharmacodynamic effects of alcohol, drugs, and stress on the development of weight gain or loss.

Background: The femur is supplied princially by the diaphyseal nutrient artery which enters the bone throught the nutrient foramen. This supply is essential during the growing period, the early phases of ossification, and in different surgical procedures. The aim of present study was to examine the morphology and topography of the femur nutrient foramen to provide detalied data on such features.Methods: This was a cross-sectional-descriptive study in which we observed 50 femurs. We analysed the number and location of nutrient foramina, the length of the bone, the position of the nutrient foramen regarding to values of FI, correlation between number of nutrient foramen and length of femur, correlation between position of nutrient foramen and side of extremity to which femur belongs.Results: The double foramina were common in right (57.1%) and left (42.1%) femur, mostly located in medial lip of aspera line in right (64.3%) and on the lateral lip in left femur (68.4%), with statistically significant correlation, χ = 4.85; p = 0.03, p <0.05.  The foramina in left (89.5%) and right (96.4%) femur were commonly observed at their middle third, with no statistically significant correlation between position of foramen accordingly to Foraminal Index value and side of extremity on which femur belongs (p=0.56; p>0.05). There is positive correlation between length of right and left femur and number of foramina.Conclusions: The study provides data of the nutrient foramina on femur, which is helpful for clinicians to help preserve bone vascularization during surgery.

Aim To assess triglyceride - to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL)-C ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to verify its association with renal dysfunction. Methods A cross sectional study included 85 ACS patients divided in two groups with (ACS - RD) and without (ACS-nRD) presence of renal dysfunction, and 35 healthy subjects. Blood pressure, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, eGFR and serum lipids levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C) was measured in all participants. Based on the values of the measured lipid fractions TG/HDLc ratio was calculated. Results Patients in ACS group had significantly lower HDL-C level (p<0.0005) but significantly higher TG level (p=0.046) and TG/HDL-C ratio (p<0.0005) than controls. There was a significant increase (p<0.0005) in TG/HDL-C ratio in ACS-RD group compared to ACS-nRD group. The ACS-RD group had significantly higher level of TG (p=0.001), serum urea (p=0.02) and creatinine (p<0.0005) compared to the ACS-nRD group. With a cut-off level of 1.135 TG/HDL-C ratio had a sensitivity of 77.6% and a specificity of 62.9% in distinguishing between ACS patients and healthy subjects. With cut-off value of 1.905 TG/HDL-C ratio had a sensitivity of 75.9% and a specificity of 78.6% in distinguishing between ACS patients with and without renal dysfunction. Conclusion This study confirms the reliability of the TG/HDLC ratio as a simple, low cost and useful marker in distinguishing between patients with ACS and healthy subjects and ACS patients with and without renal dysfunction.

Objectives: The main objective of the study is to give a detailed overview of the nutrient foramina and nutrient channels by macroscopic examination of fibula dyaphisis and to determine its utmost important variations for clinical practice. Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional-descriptive study in which we observed 50 fibula. We considered only nutritional foramina located at diaphysis of the bone. During the research we determined the following parameters: total number of nutrient foramina on dyaphisis of each bone, value of Foramina Index (FI), the length of the bones, the position of the nutritional foramina regarding to values of FI, and position of nutritionl foramina on the sides of the diaphysis of bone and the obliquity of nutrient canal. The obtained data were statistically analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: Nutritional foramina were recorded at 84.0% fibula. In 57.1% fibula nutritional foramina were placed on the facies posterior, in 40.5% on the facies medialis and on 2.4% bones nutritional foramina were on the facies lateralis. All fibula had nutritional foramina located on the middle third of the diaphysis of bone. Distally directed nutritional canals were observed on 90.5% fibula and proximally directed nutritional canalas were observed on 9.5% fibula. There was a negative correlation between the length of the fibula of the right and left limb and the number of nutritional foramina. Conclusion: Knowledge of the topography of nutritional foramina helps preserve bone vascularization during surgery. Keywords: nutritional artery, nutritional canals, fibula, topography

AN IMPACT OF DIABETES DURATION ON SERUM ASYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE CONCENTRATION

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus type 2 has become a global health-care problem of modern society due to a pronounced increase of prevalence to pandemic proportions and vascular complications. At present, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is widely accepted as a measure of glycemic control in established diabetes. The aim of this study was to analyze the lipid profile in serum of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, and its relationship with HbA1c levels. Methods: The observational cross-sectional study included 60 diabetic patients, 30 men, and 30 women, age 32–94 years. Patients were assigned into two groups based on HbA1c values; Group 1: HbA1c ≤ 7% (good glycemic control) and Group 2: HbA1c > 7% (poor glycemic control). We analyzed the concentration of glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profile including total cholesterol levels, triglycerides (TAG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Results: Significantly lower values of glucose concentration, TAG and the ratio TAG/HDLc were obtained in the group of patients with good glycemic control. (p < 0.0005) Patients with good glycemic control had lower values of Castelli 1 and Castelli 2 index, and atherogenic index of plasma, compared to patients with poor glycemic control, but this difference was not significant. (p > 0.005) Our study revealed a significant positive correlation between HbA1c and triglyceride level (r = 0.375; p = 0.003) and HbA1c and ratio triglyceride/HDLc (r = 0.335; p = 0.009). Conclusion: HbA1c can also be used as a predictor of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetics in addition to as a glycemic control parameter.

Background: Neck circumference (NC) is an index of subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in an area of the upper part of the body. The aim of this study was to assess whether NC can be used as an indicator of central obesity and to determine the prevalence of central obesity in apparently healthy Bosnian young adults. Methods: Participants for this cross-sectional study were recruited using the snowball method. NC was measured in horizontal straight position by placing the top edge of a plastic tape only below the laryngeal prominence and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck, with the head positioned in the Frankfort horizontal plane. Body mass index, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio were taken following the WHO guidelines. Results: The study included 111 second year University of Sarajevo Dentistry students (49 students of male gender and 62 students of the female gender). Determined the optimal cutoff value of NC in the detection of central obesity based on WC values in healthy young participants of male gender was ≥37.45 cm (P < 0.001), while in healthy young participants of the female gender, it was ≥32.75 cm (P < 0.001). Based on the WHO guidelines for WC, central obesity was determined in 24.49% (n = 12) of male patients, and in 29.03% (n = 18) of female participants included in our investigation (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that NC may be used as a screening tool for central obesity in healthy young adults. Prevalence of central obesity observed among student population suggests that there is a justified need for an implementation of healthy lifestyle programs in this population that would have preventive purposes.

Objective: Association between neck circumference (NC) and components of metabolic syndrome in different countries and ethnic groups is still insufficiently investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess an impact of gender on NC values and to determine whether NC correlates with standard anthropometric measures and blood pressure values in Bosnian young adults. Material and Methods: Study participants were recruited by the snowball method. NC, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by trained personnel. Differences between the means were assessed by a Student t-test. Coefficients of correlation were determined by Pearson’s test. This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as: Zaciragic A, Elezovic M, Avdagic N, et al. Relationship between neck circumference, standard anthropometric measures and blood pressure values in Bosnian young adults. Eurasian J Med 2018; DOI: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2018.18197. ©Copyright 2018 by Atatürk University School of Medicine Available online at www.eajm.org Results: In young men (n =49) value of NC was 37.71±1.79 cm, while in young women (n=62) value of NC was 32.23±1.83 cm (P<0.001). Significant positive correlation in both gender between NC and BMI (r= 0.70; P<0.001 in men and r= 0.53; P<0.001 in women), and between NC and WC (r= 0.48; P<0.001 in men and r= 0.38; P=0.01 in women) was found. Significant correlation of NC with SBP (r=0.08; P=0.57), and with DBP (r=0.20; P=0.17) in young men was not determined. Likewise, in young women significant correlation of NC with SBP (r=0.08; P=0.54), and with DBP (r=0.09; P=0.49) was not observed. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest possible use of NC measurement as a valid method of obesity assessment in young adults. Lack of an association between NC and blood pressure values requires additional investigation.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum nitric oxide (NO) and C reactive protein (CRP) concentration in veterans with and without PTSD. Furthermore, we aimed to assess whether there is a correlation between serum NO and CRP concentrations in tested groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study included 90 male individuals, with and without experience of direct war combat, divided into three equal groups (n=30): group 1- included war veterans with PTSD, group 2 - included war veterans without PTSD, and control group - 30 apparently healthy volunteers, without experience of direct war combat. The diagnosis of PTSD was assessed according to the guidelines in the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). High-sensitivity CRP was determined by immunonephelometry. The serum NO level was determined by classic colorimetrical Griess reaction. RESULTS Serum CRP concentration in veterans with (3.54±1.19 mg/L) and without PTSD (3.24±2.04 mg/L), was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control group (1.26±1.06 mg/L). Serum NO concentration in veterans with (7.64±4.43 μmol/L) and without PTSD (7.12±2.60 μmol/L) was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to control group (11.26±7.01 μmol/L). Statistically significant correlation between serum NO and CRP concentration was determined in veterans without PTSD (r=-0.473; p<0.01). No correlation was observed between serum NO and CRP concentration in veterans with PTSD (r=0.118; p=0.534) and in control group (r=-0.067; p=0.727). CONCLUSION The present study has showed significant increase of serum CRP and significant decrease of serum NO concentrations in veterans with and without PTSD. Furthermore, statistically significant negative correlation between serum NO and CRP concentration was determined only in veterans without PTSD. Obtained results indicate that the complex mechanism of the pathogenesis of PTSD requires further research.

Aim To investigate total homocysteine (tHcy) serum concentration in patients with probable vascular dementia (VD) and in agematched controls, as well as to determine an association between tHcy serum concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with probable VD. Methods Serum concentration of tHcy was determined by the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay on the AxSYM System. Cognitive impairment was tested by the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each subject included in the study. Results Age, systolic, diastolic blood pressure and BMI did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean serum tHcy concentration in the control group of subjects was 13.35 µmol/L, while in patients with probable VD it was significantly higher, 19.45 µmol/L (p=0.002). A negative but insignificant association between serum tHcy concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with probable VD was found. Conclusion Increased tHcy concentration in patients with probable VD suggests the possible independent role of Hcy in the pathogenesis of VD.

Summary Background: The production of erythrocytes is regulated by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which maintains the blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels constant under normal conditions. Human EPO is a glycoprotein hormone and its synthesis is controlled by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor. The aim of this study was to establish EPO and Hb levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as in control subjects, and to investigate the relationship between these parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included 356 subjects with CKD divided into 4 subgroups according to their glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The control group consisted of 206 age and sex matched healthy subjects with GFR rate ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2. EPO, Hb and serum creatinine levels were determined by using immunochemical and spectrophotometric methods. GFR was determined using the MDRD formula. Results: The CKD patients had significantly lower levels of haemoglobin (p<0.0005) and hematocrit (p<0.0005) compared to control group. Our results showed that Hb levels decreased, whereas serum creatinine increased with the increasing renal failure. The CKD patients in all four groups had significantly lower (p<0.0005) Hb levels, and significantly higher (p<0.0005) creatinine levels compared to the control group. The median EPO in group I and II were significantly higher (p=0.002; p=0.018), while median EPO in group III and IV were significantly lower (p=0.03; p=0.011) compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with CKD, GFR positively correlated with Hb and EPO, while the correlation between GFR and serum creatinine was negative.

Introduction Leptin is a cytokine-like hormone which has a complex role in inflammation. However, the importance of leptin in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is far from being fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to determine serum leptin levels in RA patients and to evaluate whether there is an association between disease activity, anthropometric indices and leptin levels. Material and methods This hypothesis-generating study included 55 RA patients and 25 matched healthy subjects. The serum leptin concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Median serum leptin level in RA patients of 27.4 ng/ml (14.5–54.9 ng/ml) was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.03) compared with the median leptin value of 16.3 ng/ml (9.6–38.8 ng/ml) determined in healthy controls. The serum leptin level in the high disease activity group was significantly higher (p < 0.0005) than that in the low disease activity group and in healthy controls. A significant difference (p = 0.001) in serum leptin level was also found when the high disease activity group was compared with the moderate disease activity group. In the RA group a statistically significant positive correlation (rho = 0.390; p = 0.003) was observed between serum leptin level and disease activity score (DAS28). Conclusions The present results show that serum leptin levels are increased and significantly associated with disease activity in patients with RA and may have a valuable role in the inflammatory reactions and pathogenesis of RA.