Breast cancer intra-tumor heterogeneity contributes to chemotherapy resistance and decreased patient survival, yet no reliable in vitro models exist to study this phenomenon. To address this need we developed an in vitro 3D organoid culture system using primary human breast cancer tissue. A major difficulty in the development of such models is to identify robust in vitro conditions that preserve the breast cancer phenotypes observed in situ. To address this challenge we used quantitative immunofluorescence imaging to compare the cellular phenotypes in the starting tumor tissue with those observed in the tumor organoids cultured in 3D. We utilized a clustering algorithm and utility function to quantitatively assess whether tumor organoids generated in vitro faithfully recapitulated intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity of the tumor tissue in situ. This approach generated a normalized score that reflects tissue-organoid similarity. To test the sensitivity of our method to overall changes in tissue phenotype we focused on three distinct breast cancer subtypes distinguished by expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and amplification of ERBB2/HER2 (HER2). Using our approach, we successfully recapitulated the tumor phenotypes present in ER+, ER+/HER2+ and triple negative breast cancer. We discovered that EGF preserves the TNBC phenotype, whereas AREG is required for recapitulating the phenotype of ER+ and ER+/HER2+ breast cancers. Additionally, our data demonstrate that HER1 ligands drive inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. To investigate how intra-tumor heterogeneity contributes to therapy responses we treated organoids with standard agents used clinically to treat each of the distinct subtypes. For all tumor subtypes we observed differential vulnerabilities between patients to drug treatments. Importantly, our analysis identified divergent cellular phenotypes that have various sensitivities to chemotherapies. Taken together, our methodology provides an unprecedented view of intra-tumor heterogeneity and allows for the investigation of chemo-resistance mechanisms. Further, this approach will provide a powerful tool, which will enhance the identification of novel therapies and facilitate personalized medicine. Citation Format: Sowder ME, Ludwik KA, Pasic L, Brenin DR, Stricker TP, Macara IG, Lannigan DA. Breast cancer organoid cultures preserve intra-tumor heterogeneity and reveal intrinsically resistant phenotypes to standard chemotherapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-06-05.

Social capital is used in interdisciplinary research as an analytical tool for explaining how culture, trust, and cooperation between people may be put into a function of general good, economic development and society in general. The objective of this paper consists of identification and analysis of status in the field of groups and networks, trust and solidarity, collective action and cooperation, information and communication, social cohesion and inclusion, and empowerment and political action, as key dimensions of social capital, and all in the context of overview of its significance in socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the purpose of implementation of the named aim, a secondary and primary research has been conducted (by surveying 100 members of the top management teams in Bosnian and Herzegovinian SMEs). The research results show a relatively unsatisfactory status in the area of observed dimensions of social capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the decision makers and creators of socio-economic policies should put in a more significant effort in the area of development of social capital which has a significant potential in the context of incitement of socio-economic development.

The aim of this study was the electrochemical detection of the adenosine-3-phosphate degradation product, xanthine, using a new xanthine biosensor based on a hybrid bionanocomposite platform which has been successfully employed in the evaluation of meat freshness. In the design of the amperometric xanthine biosensor, chitosan–polypyrrole–gold nanoparticles fabricated by an in situ chemical synthesis method on a glassy carbon electrode surface was used to enhance electron transfer and to provide good enzyme affinity. Electrochemical studies were carried out by the modified electrode with immobilized xanthine oxidase on it, after which the biosensor was tested to ascertain the optimization parameters. The Biosensor exhibited a very good linear range of 1–200 μM, low detection limit of 0.25 μM, average response time of 8 seconds, and was not prone to significant interference from uric acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, and sodium benzoate. The resulting bio-nanocomposite xanthine biosensor was tested with fish, beef, and chicken real-sample measurements.

Lack of companionship, loneliness, and social isolation are often experienced by older adults diagnosed with clinical depression living independently within the community. Socially assistive robots (SARs), a relatively new concept within recreational therapy, may be one treatment modality that can address each one of these concerns. This exploratory study consisted of interviews with community mental health professionals, including a recreational therapist, to determine if they perceived SARs as an appropriate interdisciplinary clinical intervention for older adults diagnosed with clinical depression. Results indicated that SARs, especially those which can provide companionship and social interaction similar to animal assisted therapy, are an appropriate interdisciplinary intervention for this population and may have an impact on improving overall quality of life by decreasing loneliness and social isolation associated with clinical depression.

Agricultural production in the Republic of Srpska is faced with numerous risks. However, little attention has been paid in the past, to the surveys of the agricultural risk management and insurance. After the general overview of basic risk types and risk management instruments in agriculture, the second part of the paper presents results on significance and acceptance of insurance services in the Republic of Srpska covering a five-year period (2010-2014). Based on the survey results, the authors conclude that although 88% of insurance companies do offer insurance products to farmers and 15% of farmers use the insurance products to manage their risks, this market segment is insignificant compared to the overall insurance market. In conclusion, the authors try to indicate the ways of stronger cohesion between farmers, insurance companies and government which would contribute to the establishment of integrated and sustainable risk management system in the agriculture of the Republic of Srpska.

Introduction: Various types of malocclusions present one of the most common dental problems of today’s population. Planning the implementation of orthodontic therapy, especially preventive and interceptive measures is one of many activities of public sector health, and it requires information regarding the prevalence of malocclusion in different parts of our country. The aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion of preschool and school children in the city of Sarajevo. Materials and methods: This study was comprised of 373 children out of which 200 preschool and school children were included in the final sample according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation. 100 children were five-year-olds with complete deciduous dentition, and 100 children were 14-year-olds with permanent dentition. The examined variables in the study were: dental status andexistence of caries, overjet, depth of overbite, a presence of premature contacts, a presence of diastemas, crowding of teeth in the dentalarch (for 14-year-olds) and rotation of teeth in the dental arch (for 14-year-olds). Results: The prevalence of malocclusion was 58% in the group of preschool children and 83% in the group of school children. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate a need for the implementation of preventive and interceptive orthodontic methods inprimary health care, which would reduce the need for expensive and long term orthodontic therapy.