OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and lamotrigine (LTG) treatment on bone metabolism in epileptic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed on normal controls (N=30) and 100 patients with symptomatic epilepsy caused by a primary brain tumor, divided into two groups according to the treatment: LTG monotherapy group (N=50) and CBZ monotherapy group (N=50). For each participant serum levels of 25-OHD and osteocalcin (OCLN) were measured, and bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of vitamin D in serum between the CBZ and LTG groups (Vitamin D CBZ 17.03±12.86 vs. Vitamin D LTG 17.97±9.15; F=0.171, P=0.680). There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of OCLN between the CBZ and LTG groups (OCLN CBZ 26.06±10.87 vs. OCLN LTG 27.87±28.45; F=0.171, P=0.674). The BMD value was lower in both groups using antiepileptic agents compared to the controls, but when comparing the CBZ group to the LTG group, a statistically significant difference was only observed for the Z score (T-score CBZ: 0.08± 1.38 vs. T-score LTG: 0.37± 1.02; F=1.495, P=0.224; Z score CBZ: -0.05±1.17 vs. Z. score CBZ: 0.38±0.96; F=4.069, P=0.046) (Table 3). CONCLUSION The choice of antiepileptic agents for treating seizures in patients with brain tumors should be carefully evaluated in relation to their impact on bone health. These patients could benefit from supplementation and regular measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover and BMD.

Previous research suggested that several genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke (IS) in young adults. However, the predictive biomarkers of IS in young adults are still unclear. Our aim was to assess the contribution of modifiable and genetic factors in IS in young adults. In total, 40 stroke patients and 40 healthy controls aged 20 to 50 years were recruited. Data on modifiable factors were collected, then participants were genotyped for seven SNPs linked to thrombophilia: ACE rs1799752, PAI-1 rs1799889, APOE rs1412 and rs429358, FV rs6025 and rs1800595, and FII rs62623459. Significantly increased risk factors: hypertension and dyslipidaemia in stroke patients compared with the controls: 50.0 % vs 27.5 % and 75.0 % vs 40.0% (P = 0.039 and P = 0.002, respectively) were observed. Stroke patients compared with controls did not differ in distribution of ACE, APOE, FV, and FII variants. The 4G4G homozygotes of the PAI-1 gene were significantly more prevalent in stroke patients compared to the controls: 42.5 % vs 17.5 %, (P = 0.033). In the group with the small vessel occlusion subtype of stroke, statistically significant overrepresentation of 4G4G homozygotes and frequency of the 4G allele compared with controls: 57.1 % vs 17.5 % and 0.7 vs 0.45 (P = 0.026 and P = 0.03, respectively) were observed. Independent predictors of stroke incident were: dyslipidaemia (OR (95% CI) = 4.2 (1.4-12.4)) and 4G4G genotype (OR (95% CI) = 3.9 (1.1-13.7)). These results confirm the contribution of dyslipidaemia and 4G4G genotype in the increased risk of IS in young Bosnian adults.

Background/Aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common disease in older men. BPH involves the presence of signs of hyperplasia of the stromal and epithelial elements in the prostate with consequent enlargement of its volume. The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency of typical complications in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and the effect of medicamentous treatment. Method: Patients diagnosed BPH were included in the prospective, one-year study. They were divided into 2 groups. The first group (30 patients) consisted of those ones, whose prostate volume was equal to or over 50 cm 3 , while and the second group (30 patients) comprised the subjects with prostate volume less than 50 cm 3 . The complications of BHP analysed are residual urine (RU), symptomatic urinary infection, haematuria, thickening of the detrusor wall, diverticulum in the bladder, ureterohydronephrosis, renal failure, bladder stone and acute urinary retention (AUR). Results: The majority of patients in both groups were aged 60-69. There was a statistically significant difference in the average value of RU between the groups at the first, second and fifth check-ups (p < 0.05), as well as the complication of symptomatic urinary infection, since the same occurred earlier in the first group than in the second group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in complications: haematuria, detrusor wall thickening and diverticulum (p > 0.05). Complications: ureterohydronephrosis, renal failure, bladder stone, and AUR were not diagnosed in patients in either group. Conclusion: Relevant medical therapy leads to a reduction of RU and reduces the risk of complications caused by its presence. Other complications of BPH were rare or absent in both groups, suggesting that appropriate and timely applied medical therapy affects the course of BPH and reduces the risk of complications and the need for surgical treatment. Benefit from medicamentous therapy is equally repre-sented in both analysed groups of patients.

Background/Aim: Colorectal metastatic liver tumours are the most common secondary liver tumours. During the life of patients with colorectal tumorous, this liver metastases will develop either synchronously or metachronously in half of the patients. Approximately 25 % of patients with colorectal cancer diagnosis have secondary deposits in the liver and the additional 25 % of patients will develop metastases within five years. The objective was to investigate whether anatomic resections of the liver present a method of choice in surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases compared to metastasectomy surgery. Methods: A total of 65 patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the first group underwent metastasectomies consisting in the removal of metastases and the surrounding liver parenchyma no more than 1 cm by Kelly clamp crushing technique or LigaSure vessel-sealing system. Patients in the second group were subjected to the anatomic resection of the liver where not only metastases were removed, but also the associated anatomical segment or section or half the liver, depending on the number and localisation of metastases. Results: The mean values (± standard deviation) of the overall survival for the first and the second group were 36 ± 4.8 months and 36 ± 2.6 months, respectively. The mean values (± standard deviation) of the disease-free survival in the first and in the second group were 18 ± 2.22 months and 22 ± 0.74 months, respectively. None of the found inter-group differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: It can be concluded that metastatic surgery for colorectal liver metastases and anatomic resections have almost the same results and are irreplaceable methods in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

The paper analyses Milena Dragićević Šešić's contribution to understanding of the concepts of interculturalism and transculturalism in the theory and practice of cultural production in Yugoslavia, in the period from the 1980s to 2020, with a special emphasis on three important books that the author considers particularly representative for elaborating these concepts. The ways in which Milena Dragićević Šešić first introduces these concepts into Yugoslav theoretical and professional discussions, and then develops, applies and re-examines them, follows the developmental path of her overall theoretical, pedagogical and activist engagement over more than forty years of active work. The paper shows how the approach to the concept of multiculturalism and interculturalism in Milena Dragićević Šešić's works has developed through the interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity of her research and how it marked her approaches to cultural production, distribution and consumption, as well as her social engagement in the turbulent times in the Balkans from the twentieth to the twenty-first century.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between subjective well-being and quality of life of the elderly in relation to their demographic characteristics, health, social and financial status. Methods. The study sample was comprised of 159 subjects of both sexes and of older age. The respondents underwent research in Banja Luka in the premises of the Association of Pensioners of the Republic of Srpska, senior citizens' clubs when coming to some of financial institutions to get help, to open bank accounts etc., as well as in the premises where pensioners gather to socialize and communicate. The survey questionnaire developed for the purpose of the paper and adapted to this population was used in the study. The survey questionnaire consisted of the following elements: sociodemographic data, self-assessment concerning the quality of life and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. Results. The study included a total of 159 subjects, 56.6% males and 43.4% females, of whom the majority were 65-75 years old (67.3%). The average health status (M = 2.17; SD = 0.68) was higher than the expected value, while the social status (M = 1.93; SD = 0.60) and the social needs (M = 1.91; SD = 0.72) were slightly lower compared to theoretical mean. Furthermore, the financial status had an average value (M = 2.08; SD = 0.59). The distribution of social needs was unsatisfactory. The obtained value of the Self-Perceived Quality of Life Scale was within the range of the theoretical mean values (M = 5.54, SD = 2.47), indicating that the distribution of the obtained quality of life values was symmetrical. Conclusion. Financial status significantly affects the quality of life of the elderly. The distribution of social needs is unsatisfactory. The level of education significantly affects the quality of life: highly educated respondents have a better health, social and financial status compared to the elderly with a lower level of education.

The concept of proper nutrition implies meeting the needs of the body concerning daily energy intake and a sufficient amount of nutrients and protective substances necessary to maintain the physiological functions of the body and its health. Nutrients are divided into macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Accelerated growth and development during adolescence increase nutrient requirements. Therefore, energy and nutrition requirements must meet the needs of adolescents. During their growth and development, there is an increased need for vitamins and minerals, especially for calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D. During intensive growth, adolescents require more vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, the intake of calcium and phosphorus is necessary as well, and the insufficient needs for proteins affect the development of muscles and energy levels. Proper nutrition and eating habits during the period of growth are of the utmost importance for the appropriate physical, psychosocial and cognitive growth and development of a child. Eating disorders usually occur as a result of low or high energy intake, and the most common types of these disorders are anemia, anorexia and bulimia, obesity and comorbidities, and poor eating habits. When it comes to the implementation of various programs concerning the prevention of bad eating habits and eating disorders, the school management, expert teams and student parents should bear the overall responsibility. Once or twice a year, preventive check-ups and BMI measurements are recommended to identify eating disorders.