Oral melanoma (OM) occurs from activated or genetically altered epidermal melanocytes. There is no scientific evidence that OM can be linked to physical, chemical and thermal irritation, or to other risk factors of the oral cavity. According to fi gures from various countries, OM accounts for 0.2% to 7.5% ( Japan) of all cases of melanoma of the skin and mucous membrane. The male to female ratio of OM is 2:1. About 80% of OMs are located in the mucosa of the palate and maxillary gingiva. This paper presents two cases of oral mucosal melanoma of the upper and lower lips in women aged 62 and 59 years. Diagnosis, differential diagnosis and therapy are reported.

Introduction: One of the most important goals of periodontitis therapy is the elimination of deep periodontal pockets. In regenerative periodontal therapy, different types of bone grafts, membranes, growth factors, etc. are used to improve regeneration of lost periodontal tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical therapy supported by the use of bone replacement material in the treatment of deep intrabony pockets, compared to surgical treatment (flap surgery) without the use of bone replacement in advanced periodontitis. Methods and materials: The study included 50 patients of both sexes with advanced periodontitis, divided into two groups. After initial periodontal therapy was performed, plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI) were verified, and depth of periodontal pockets was measured in both groups. One group (group 1) of the patients underwent surgical therapy, open flap surgery, while the other group (group 2) underwent the same surgical treatment method (open flap surgery), during which bone defects were filled with bone replacement material. Results: The results showed that both group 1 and group 2 experienced improvements after periodontal surgical therapy. In group 1, there are no statistically significant changes in all three plaque index measurements (PI), while there has been a significant reduction in PI in group 2 following the surgery. For the PBI index, it was determined that there were statistically significant changes in values in group 1, both after surgical procedures and six months later, as well as in group 2. Statistical analysis of the results of the probing depth of pockets has shown that there are significant changes in the measurement of the depth of periodontal pocket one month after the surgery, as well as six months later, meaning that there has been a significant reduction in the depth of the periodontal pocket one month following the surgery as well as six months later, for both groups. However, we did not determine a statistically significant difference in the probing depth of pockets between these two groups. Conclusion: Six months after a surgical therapy, clinical parameters showed a reduction of the probing depth of the periodontal pocket in both examined groups. The use of bone replacement did not yield significantly better results in reducing the depth of probing compared to the standard flap surgery. We believe that future research should focus on testing the effectiveness of new regenerative methods and materials (bone replacements with various properties, membranes, and surgical methods) that will result in better treatment results with predictable outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the importance of early diagnosis of potentially malignant lesions in the prevention of oral cancer. Material and methods: In order to achieve the set objectives, we selected our participant pool. Of the 340 patients who came to the initial examination at the Clinic for Oral Medicine and Periodontology, we selected 40 patients with potentially malignant oral lesions (PMOL) of both sexes and of different ages. After an extensive anamnesis and a clinical examination of all mucous membranes, we documented potentially malignant lesions, their localization, subjective and objective symptoms, duration of pathological lesion, and bad habits (smoking and alcohol). All lesions were colored with Toluidine blue, which indicates malignancy in 75% of cases. Patients who had a positive Toluidine blue staining test were sent to biopsy and pathohistological analysis. Results: The most common potentially malignant lesions are Lichen reticularis (25%), Lichen erosivus (20%), and Leukoplakia (15%). The most common localization of lesions is the buccal mucosa bilaterally (26%), buccal mucosa unilaterally (10%), and the lower lip (10%). The staining test with Toluidine blue was positive at 23% PMOLs. In patients with positive Toluidine staining findings, biopsy and pathohistological analysis were performed, which showed that 20% of all lesions are carcinoma (CIS, Baseocellular Carcinoma, Squamocellular Carcinoma), while 14% are mucosal epithelial dysplasia. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of positive staining of Toluidine blue and Leukoplakia (Spearman’s coefficient = 0.427, p = 0.006, N = 40), and statistically significant positive association of Squamocellular Carcinoma and Toluidine blue staining (Spearman’s coefficient = 0.619, p = 0.000, N = 40). Conclusion: Most oral cancers are caused by potentially malignant lesions, which is why a very detailed clinical examination with the visualization of pathological lesions is very important. Toluidine blue test can be an auxiliary tool for clinical diagnosis but does not replace the pathohistological finding. Biopsy and pathohistological findings are the gold standard in the diagnosis of oral cancers, as confirmed in our research.

Summary The thematic framework of this work is the nominal and real convergence as a determinant for joining the European monetary union. The focus of the work is to prove that realising the criteria of the convergence affects the stability of the European monetary union, that is, that the cause of destabilisation is exactly the fact that certain member nations have not realised the assigned convergence criteria. The financial integration is an important question because it contributes to the economic growth affecting free exchange with the goal of a more efficient allocation of capital; it is the result of the economic theory and the empirical research. Introducing the Euro as a single payment method while losing the monetary sovereignty of the countries which have accepted it is the main reason for forming the European Central Bank. The mission of the European Central Bank is to define and conduct a single monetary policy within the Eurozone. Because of the already mentioned facts, the challenges of conducting the fiscal policy within the Eurozone as well as the key aspects of the monetary unification of Europe have been analysed. The results of this analysis should point out the stability of the EMU by the convergence degree of the member nations from a single monetary area.

Objectives: To identify and compare the stressors in the work environment experienced by employees in primary health care and secondary health care, amongphysiciansand nurses. Patients and methods: The survey was conducted to identify types of stressors by assessing health care workers employed in the primary and secondary health care services of the Public Institution, the Health Centre of the Sarajevo Canton, using a questionnaire about stress in the workplace. Results: Among all study participants stressors connected to the organization of work, finance and communication were found to affect their mental health most strongly. The results show a significant difference between primary and secondary health care in experience of stressors related to the organization of work, communication, and stressors related to the emotional and physical risks. Primary health care physicians report a significantly higher experience of stress and impact on mental health compared with other physicians related to emotional difficulties when working in the field of palliative care. Our results also indicate a significant difference between primary and secondary health providers in experiencing stressors related to the organization of work, such as: on-call duty shifts, an inadequate working environment and in the assessment of administrative work overload. Conclusion: The survey identified the most intense stressors for doctors and nurses at primary and secondary levels of health care services. The results of the study indicate that doctors and nurses have a different hierarchy of stressors, as well as subjects at Primary and Secondary Health Care. The results of the study indicate that subjects et Primary Health Care perceive more stressful organizational, emotional and communicational problems.

UDK: 630*228(234.422 Bjelašnica)(253) This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the structural and vegetation characteristics of "Ravna vala" pristine (virgin) forest and the managed forest of beech and fir (with spruce). Pristine forest "Ravna vala" is located in the central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, about 20 km southwest of Sarajevo on Bjelašnica Mountain, at an altitude from 1280 to 1450 m. The managed forest of beech and fir with spruce, which was used for comparison, borders "Ravna vala" and has the same habitat conditions: climate, orography and land, and the similar structural characteristics and composition of tree species as the pristine forest. Beech and fir communities (Abieti-Fagetum illyricum Treg. 1957) dominate but spruce can also be found in the area of ​​research. Noble hardwoods such as sycamore and elm are found both individually or in small groups in depressions in deeper soils. Both the pristine forest and the managed forest show the selective diameter structure. However, the great differences between the pristine forest and the managed forest are final diameter classes. The thickest tree in the pristine forest has the breast diameter of 145 cm, while the diameter of the thickest tree in the industrial forest is 70 cm. The volume of the stands is 770 m3/ha in the pristine forest and it is two times larger than in the managed forest. The volume of dead wood in the pristine forest is 170 m3/ha and it is five times larger than in the managed forest. While stumps and thicker branches are the most common in the stock of dead trees in the managed forest, the most common in the stock of dead wood in the pristine forest are tall stumps as well as lying and standing dead trees. Floristic researches have shown that selective management does not reflect negatively on floristic diversity, but ground vegetation is richer in species in the managed forest. Shannon's diversity index and evenness index of vascular flora have higher values ​​in the managed forest. Unlike floristic diversity, the stand diversity index of Jähne & Dohrenbusch (1997) shows higher values ​​in the pristine forest than in the managed forest.

Introduction Monitoring the success of treatment with inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone propionate type comparing with inbibitor of leukotriene, montelukast in preschool children is an everyday topic. Control of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the most important issues today in paediatrics, especially in paediatric pulmonology. Objective Improving control of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in children at an early stage of the disease from twelve months by the age of four. Methods The study included all children between the ages of twelve months to four years of age with obstructive bronchitis in the dispensary Centre Sarajevo. Total 360 children divided into three age groups and the same number use two different drug fluticasone propionate inhaled or montelukast in the form of granules in sixty sick children in each age subgroup. Authors were excluded children with antibiotic therapy in this reasearch. Results The drug of fluticasone propionate proved slightly more effective in controlling these diseases in the percentage of 96% relative to other drug montelukast with 93% of the total of all age groups. No significant differences in age groups and in relation to sex of children. Conclusion Both drug and fluticasone propionate and montelukast have shown excellent disease control but can not be given to any advantage in monitoring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in preschool children.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are of immense interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in medicine. Design and development of new iron oxide-based MNPs for such applications is of rather limited breadth without reliable and sensitive methods to determine their levels in body tissues. Commonly used methods, such as ICP, are quite problematic, due to the inability to decipher the origin of the detected iron, i.e. whether it originates from the MNPs or endogenous from tissues and bodily fluids. One of the approaches to overcome this problem and to increase reliability of tracing MNPs is to partially substitute iron ions in the MNPs with Er. Here, we report on the development of citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 nanoparticles and characterization of their physico-chemical and biological properties by utilization of various complementary approaches. The synthesized MNPs had a narrow (6-7nm) size distribution, as consistently seen in atomic pair distribution function, transmission electron microscopy, and DC magnetization measurements. The particles were found to be superparamagnetic, with a pronounced maximum in measured zero-field cooled magnetization at around 90K. Reduction in saturation magnetization due to incorporation of 1.7% Er3+ into the Fe3O4 matrix was clearly observed. From the biological standpoint, citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 NPs were found to induce low toxicity both in human cell fibroblasts and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Biodistribution pattern of the MNPs after intravenous administration in healthy Wistar rats was followed by the radiotracer method, revealing that 90Y-labeled MNPs were predominantly found in liver (75.33% ID), followed by lungs (16.70% ID) and spleen (2.83% ID). Quantitative agreement with these observations was obtained by ICP-MS elemental analysis using Er as the detected tracer. Based on the favorable physical, chemical and biological characteristics, citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 MNPs could be further considered for the potential application as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent. This work also demonstrates that combined application of these techniques is a promising tool for studies of pharmacokinetics of the new MNPs in complex biological systems.

Activation of the STAT5 signaling pathway up‐regulates antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 and drives proliferation of autoreactive conventional CD4 T cells (Tcons). In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an increased T cell Bcl2 content and perturbed homeostasis of CD45RA−FOXP3hi activated regulatory T cells (aTregs) were described. We assessed Tcon/Treg subsets and phosphorylation of STAT5 (pSTAT5) in blood T cells from patients with SLE by using conventional and imaging flow cytometry. Forty‐one patients with SLE, 33 healthy controls, and 29 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included. Long‐term monitoring was performed in 39 patients with SLE, which were followed longitudinally for up to 1000 d. Significantly increased Bcl2 protein content in T cells from patients with SLE was associated with IL‐7–dependent STAT5 activation, expressed as increased basal levels and nuclear localization of pSTAT5. pSTAT5 levels were significantly increased in the FOXP3 low‐expressing CD4+ T cell subsets but not in the aTreg subset, which was significantly decreased in patients with SLE. In contrast to aTreg, SLE Tcon displayed significantly increased pSTAT5 and Bcl2 levels. Moreover, the percentage of Tcon‐expressing proliferation marker Ki‐67 was significantly increased in patients with SLE and was positively correlated with CD4 T cell pSTAT5 levels. Finally, a subgroup of patients characterized by an increased Tcon–pSTAT5/aTreg–pSTAT5 ratio experienced a more aggressive‐relapsing disease course and displayed higher time‐adjusted cumulative CD4 T cell pSTAT5 levels during follow‐up, which were positively correlated with time‐adjusted cumulative disease activity. Our results indicate that imbalanced STAT5 phosphorylation, which is related to Bcl2 and Ki‐67 expression, may confer survival and proliferative advantage to Tcon over aTreg and could represent a possible marker of SLE disease severity.

Introduction: Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the highest unemployment rates in the Balkan region (43.2%), so unemployment is one of the most serious public concerns in our country. Aim: To analyze the influence of unemployment on mental health of the working age population who attend primary care center. Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the municipality of Bosanska Krupa, which has the highest unemployment rate in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (56%), and included 510 randomly selected working age patients (aged 23-65 years). We used the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) to evaluate mental health of the working age population. Results: There were significantly more women than men (53.5% vs. 46.5%; p=0.02). The mean age of participants was 51.04±12.84 years. The experimental group included 318 (62.35%) unemployed working age participants: 160 (50.3%) had been unemployed for more than 5 years and had had no work experience, while 158 (49.7%) unemployed participants had had a previous work experience of more than five years. The control group included 192 (37.65%) employed working age participants. Unemployment had a significant influence on mental health of the working age population. The unemployed participants had a significantly poorer mental health compared to the employed (p=0.0003). A predictor of impaired mental health was a job loss. A significantly greater mental health impairment occured in the group of unemployed participants with previous work experience of more than five years compared to the unemployed participants who had had no work experience (p=0.001) and employed (p=0.000). Conclusion: Unemployment has a negative impact and leads to impaired mental health of the working age population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A job loss has a predictive role. It indicates that social and health policies must be developed in order to improve well-being of the working age population.