Instantaneous frequency (IF) is a fundamental concept that can be found in many disciplines such as communications, speech, and music processing. In this letter, analysis of an IF estimator, based on a time-frequency technique known as S-transform, is performed. The performance analysis is carried out in a white Gaussian noise environment, and expressions for the bias and the variance of the estimator are determined. The results show that the bias and the variance are signal dependent. This has been statistically confirmed through numerical simulations of several signal classes.

In this study we analyzed patients glucose levels taken before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. The data are taken from University of Sarajevo Clinics Centre- medical documentation of Heart Center from January 1st, 2007 to October 31st, 2007. Therefore, the entire study is done retrospectively. The patients considered in this analysis were divided into three groups. The patients in the first group were treated with peroral antidiabetics. The second group included patients treated with insulin while the third group consisted of patients without diabetes and acted as control group. All the patients had increased BMI. In the first two groups glucose levels were elevated before the surgery. Data analysis showed that three patients from the first group changed from peroral antidiabetics to insulin during postoperative period, and they were dismissed from hospital with this therapy. In the control group, peroral antidiabetis were introduced in four patients. The study results show that all the three groups have had high glycaemia on the first postoperative day. This may be caused by a number of reasons: inadequate pre-operative antidiabetic therapy, the impact of stress during surgery, inadequate pre-operative treatment of glycaemia or avoidance of the proscribed therapy by patients themselves. Stress during operation and administration of several medications after operation may also cause increased insulin resistance and distort glycaemia control.

In this paper we present the study of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment success in children suffering from Hodgkin's disease (HD) that were treated at Hematology-oncology Department of Pediatric Clinic in Sarajevo. In retrospective study we followed all patients with HD aged 0-15 who were diagnosed with and treated for HD at Pediatric Clinic in Sarajevo over the last 10 years (1st of January 1997 - 31st of December 2006). Until 2000 we used combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to UKCCSG HD 9201 treatment protocol, and after the year 2000 protocol UKCCSG HD 2000 (ChlVPP / ABVD) was applied. The total number of the treated children 33. There were 17 boys (51,51 %) and 16 girls (48,49 %). In 10 patients (30,3 %) we found II A stage of HD, in 4 (12,1 %) II B stage of HD, in 6 children (18,8 %) stage III A, in 4 children (12,1 %) stage III B, in 4 children (12,1 %) stage IV A and in 5 (15,1 %) stage IV B. In 7 patients (21,2 %) relapse occurred, which demanded more aggressive chemotherapeutic treatment and radiotherapy too; while for 4 patients (12,1 %) in combination with bone marrow transplantation. Three patients (9,0 %) died. There are 30 children (91,0 %) who are alive and in either 1st or 2nd remission phase of HD. Secondary malignancies did not occur in any of the patients. Although many patients (58,1%) were diagnosed in an advanced stage of illness (III and IV) the results of HD therapy at Pediatric Clinic in Sarajevo are comparable to those in other European centers.

The aim of the study was to define the distribution of p53, bcl-2 and Ki-67 proteins in the inflammatory-regenerative and dysplastic lesions of the colon mucosa. The relationship between the presentation of p53, bcl-2 and Ki-67 proteins and the intensity of the inflammatory-regenerative and dysplastic lesions in the colon flat mucosa was investigated as well. Biopsy specimens from 270 patients were examined: 74 were classified as inflammatory-regenerative and 196 as dysplastic lesions (108 mild, 58 moderate, and 30 severe dysplasia). The expression of all three proteins was assessed on the basis of location, quantity, and intensity of immunostaining, by counting antigen positive cells, in comparison with normal mucosa and adenocarcinoma. p53 protein appears only in sporadic cases (6.6%) of severe dysplasia. Bcl-2 expression appears significantly (p<0.005) more often in cases of mild dysplasia (61.1%) compared to inflammatory-regenerative mucosa (14.8%). In cases of mild dysplasia, bcl-2 positive cells were spreading from the lower third to the middle third of the crypts. Bcl-2 expression was maintained through the stadiums of moderate and severe dysplasia (75.8%), where antigen positive cells were found all along the crypts. A significant increase (p<0.005) in the expression of nuclear protein Ki-67 was noticed in the stadiums of moderate (labelling index =26.3) compared to mild dysplasia (labelling index=16.7), and severe (labelling index=36.7) compared to moderate dysplasia, where the zone of cellular proliferation was widen along the whole crypt length. In the process of the development of epithelial dysplasia in the flat mucosa of colon a degree of the gene p53 alteration is low and appears only in sporadic cases of severe dysplasia. Mutation of the bcl-2 gene is involved in the genesis of the lesion but not in its progression to carcinoma. Increased expression of Ki-67 protein speaks in favour of an increased cellular proliferation which, together with the above mentioned mechanisms, is involved in the process of occurrence and progression of epithelial dysplasia in the flat mucosa of colon.

Intraventricular-periventricular hemorrhage (IVH-PVH) is the most frequent type of intracranial hemorrhage in premature infants and the major cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children too. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of prenatal corticosteroid treatment on the incidence of IVH-PVH in premature infants. The study enrolled 163 prematures of 26-34 weeks’ gestation. They have been divided into two groups: the experimental group (80/163), who have been treated with corticosteroids prenatally and control group (83/163), who have not received such treatment. There is statistically significant difference in IVH-PVH incidence between the experimental group (18/80) and control group (32/83) (χ 2  =5,616, p<0,05). There is no statistically significant difference in Apgar score after 5 minutes between the experimental group and control group of IVH-PVH prematures, t= 0,121. There is no statistically significant difference in mean gestation age between the experimental group (30,74 weeks) and control group (29,97 weeks) of IVH-PVH prematures, t= 1,299. There is no statistically significant difference in mean birth weight between the experimental group (1479,44 grams) and control group (1379,37 grams) of IVH-PVH prematures, t= 0,913. Antenatal corticosteroid treatment of premature infants reduced the incidence of IVH-PVH significantly. There is no statistically significant difference in Apgar score after 5 minutes, mean gestation age and mean birth weight between the experimental and control group of IVH PVH prematures.

The aim of this study was to analyze: frequency of balance disorder (vertigo and disequilibrium), frequency of abnormalities in auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes of the brain in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with balance disorder, relation of patient's disability status to balance disorder and relation of the changes in MRI of the brainstem to AEP abnormalities. It was analyzed 60 patients with relapsing-remitting form of MS. Two groups of patients were made consecutively under Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS): A (EDSS < or =4,5) and B (EDSS > or =5,0). The study was retrospective-prospective. After the neurological exam AEP and MRI of the brain have been done. Balance disorder has been verified as initial symptom in 29 (48,4%) and out of them disequilibrium experienced 24 (83,4%) patients. During the relapses balance disorder experienced 48 (80%) patients and in 37 (77,1%) it was disequilibrium. Among them 33 (68,7%) were with lower EDSS (< or =4,5) and 15 (31,3%) with higher EDSS score (> or =5). There is no correlation between disability status and vertigo which means that vertigo is not more frequent in more disabled patients and vice-versa. The AEP were pathological in 57 (95%) patients. Of all 29 patients with vertigo AEP were pathological in 28 (96,5%) while in 31 patients without vertigo pathological AEP were in 29 (93,5%) but it is not statistical significant. The most frequent characteristic of AEP changes were prolonged inter-peak latency III-V waves (48 patients or 80%). The plaque in brainstem visualized by MRI was found in 41 (71,8%) of patients (38 or 92,6% of them had pathological AEP and in three patients AEP were normal). In group of patients with pathological AEP, 38 (66,6%) of them had plaque in brainstem. In other three patients with normal AEP it was visualized plaque in brainstem. In the group of 29 patients with balance disorder, 20 (68,9%) had plaque in brainstem as well as 21 (67,7%) out of 31 patients without balance disorder had plaque in the brainstem. This difference is not statistical significant. It is concluded that the vertigo (including disequilibrium) is relatively often (48,4%) initial symptom of MS. Vertigo is not more frequent in patients with higher EDSS score and vice-versa. Pathological AEP are frequent neurophysiologic finding in both (95%) patients with (96,5%) and without (93,5%) vertigo. The most often pathological characteristic of AEP are prolonged interpeak latency of III-V waves (78,5%), as well as abnormalities of V and than IV wave. MS plaques in brainstem visualized by MRI technique are frequent in both groups of patients with and without pathological finding of the AEP.

Standard cytogenetic assays used in genotoxicology usually include chromosome aberrations analysis and micronucleus cytokinesis-block assay. Both tests originate on standard protocol for lymphocyte culture and can be used as complement or substitute to each other. Aim of this study was to evaluate complementarities between results of chromosome aberration analysis assay and results of micronucleus cytokinesis-block assay in representative sample of inhabitants from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim was achieved by calculating Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression.

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of simultaneous combined diagnostic approach using laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility. In a retrospective study, 360 infertile women underwent complete fertility evaluation. All the patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as a part of the routine infertility evaluation. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were successful in 360 patients. Bilateral tubes were blocked in 18 (5%) and unilateral tubal occlusion were in 30 (8,33%) of patients. Pelvic adhesions were revealed in 40 (11,11%), and myomas in 42 (11,65%) out of that 31 (8,6%) were revealed by laparoscopy and 11 (3,05%) by hysteroscopy. Endometrial polyps were revealed in 26 (7,22%) and Syndrome Asherman in 3(0,83%) of patients. Uterine anomaly was found in 19 (5,27%) of cases and out of that septate uterus in 7 (37,15%), bicornuate uterus in 5 (26,31%), arcuate uterus in 4 (21,26%) and uterus unicornu cum cornu rudimentario in 3 (15,27%) of uterine anomalies. Endometriosis was found in 51 (14,16%), dermoid cysts in 8 (2,22%) and in 16 (4,44%) functional cysts of patients. Also, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome was revealed in 23 (6,11%) of our patients. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy play very important role as diagnostic tools in the infertility women. Combined diagnostic simultaneous laparoscopy and hysteroscopy should be performed in all infertile patients before the treatment.

Stability testing of an active substance or finished product provides information of the variation of drug substance or final product with time influenced by a variety of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and light. Knowledge gained from stability studies enables understanding of the effects of the environment on the drugs. The aim of our study was to determine the stability of cefuroxime axetil oral suspension at different temperature storage conditions (stored at room /20 degrees C/ and refrigerated /5 degrees C/ conditions). Determination of cefuroxime (as cefuroxime axetil) was performed by dissolution testing. Fractions of the released cefuroxime axetil were compared using f2 value. After interpolating data for dissolution profiles at room and refrigerated conditions the following f2values were obtained: 62,56; 56,32 and 36,18 on 3rd, 6th and 10th day, respectively. These values indicate similarities in drug release from analyzed cefuroxime axetil oral suspension on 3rd, 6th day, and differences on 10th day. Based on our results, we may assume that cefuroxime axetil oral suspension preserves its stability for 10 days after reconstitution under room and refrigerated conditions. It is obvious, according to the f2 value obtained on the 10th day, that there is a difference between the released cefuroxime axetil from oral suspension at room (87,68%) and refrigerated (92,35%) conditions. Concentration changes can be caused by the mechanisms associated with drug release and hydrolytical decomposition of the sample and higher temperatures during longer period of storage.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the biotransformation of simple phenols after ingestion of edible fruits and mixed food. It was analyzed hippuric acid in urine as biomarker of conjugation in the liver cells of glycine with aromatic phenolic acids such benzoic and salicylic acid from ingested food. Measurement of hippuric acid in urine samples of 10 healthy individuals: 5 female and 5 male with a mean age 51,5 years were recruited to participate in this study. Urine samples were collected for 24 hours. The additional meals 300 g of fruits: blueberry, cherry, raspberry, melon, blackberry and mixed food were given immediately before the 24 hr urine sampling. Otherwise, the meals given during 24 hr was a usually food. Biotransformation of phenols in edible fruits, that are together with liver glycins precursors of hippuric acid biosynthesis, was evaluated by direct spectrophotometric measurement of excreted hippuric acid in urine at 410 nm. It was established that the highest quantity of hippuric acid was after ingestion of 300 g of bilberry fruits (p< 0,003), and same quantity of cherries (p< 0,003). Concentration of excreted hippuric acid was twice higher after ingestion of these fruits in comparison with hippuric acid concentrations in urine after ingestion of common - mixed food. Quantity of biosynthesised hippuric acid was in direct correlation with the concentrations of its precursors, primarily phenol acids and other simple aromatic acids ingested with food.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the relative increase of serum myoglobin level and total creatine kinase (CK) activity in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (n=36). We measured serial changes in total CK activity and myoglobin serum level in three-time periods (6-9 hours, 24 hours and 6-7 days) from chest pains onset. Myoglobin peaked during the first 6-9 hours but total CK reached its peak activity after 24 hours from AMI symptoms onset. Results of this study showed that as non-specific cardiac marker myoglobin had better sensitivity and earlier rise in serum than total CK activity in AMI patients. Rapid kinetic of myoglobin level is important for its utility as marker for re-infarction diagnosis. Early myoglobin increase in serum is important for early triage of AMI patients and early "ruling out" of AMI diagnosis if there is no evidence of its elevation in circulation.