Aim Examination of the effectiveness of STR loci in proving sibship of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian village of Orahovica and the formation of a "grey zone". Methods The probability of sibship was determined by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) parameter for each of the 15 observed STR loci and for each of the pairs of relatives and non-relatives. Cumulative sibship index (CSI) was calculated for each of the pairs by multiplying the LR values of all 15 loci and obtained values are used as CSI limit for separating relatives from non-relatives. By creating a grey zone for local populations, an attempt was made to obtain a line of demarcation between siblings and non-siblings. Results An analysis of the origin of the respondents' relatives was performed, up to the level of sibship in the third generation. The results of the CSI for pairs of relatives from the village of Orahovica showed that the highest CSI value, and therefore the sibship probability was recorded among relatives from the village of Orahovica (CSI=534211727.203;SP=99.999999812%). On the contrary, incredibly low CSI value was recorded among non-relatives,ranging from CSI=0.0000001 to 0.5261434 (SP=0.000009999% to 34.475357951%). Conclusion For the threshold value CSI=1 and for CSI=3, this method determined sibship in 100% of pairs of relatives and the absence of biological sibship in 100% of pairs of non-relatives in the village of Orahovica. The STR system is proved to be a successful method in determining sibship or absence of sibship in small local populations.

Aim To determine the value of angles between the left coronary artery main trunk (LMT) and its branches, the anterior interventricular branch (LAD) and the circumflex branch (CX), and their possible relationship with the LMT length. Methods A total of 29 cadaveric hearts were used. The left coronary artery and its branches were dissected. The hearts were then classified according to the number of branches. The LMT length was measured with a digital gauge, and the LAD-CX angle, LMTLAD angle and LMT-CX angle with a manual goniometer. Results The average value of the LMT length was 9.0 mm (6.0-13.5). In 20 (68.97%) samples, the LMT was divided into two terminal branches. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.321) in LMT length between the hearts with a bifurcation and without it. The average value of the LAD-CX angle was 89.0⁰ (74.5-93.0), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.020) comparing to hearts with trifurcation. The mean value of the LMT-LAD angle was 30.83±9.23⁰ and it was significantly lower (p=0.006) in the group of hearts with bifurcation compared to the group with trifurcation of the main trunk. Conclusion The LMT length shows great variability and is not related to the LAD-CX, LMT-LAD or the LMT-CX angle. Knowledge of the left coronary variation is essential in order to avoid misinterpretation of arteriogram.

We investigated the relationship between serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and psychopathological symptoms, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and antipsychotic therapy in individuals with schizophrenia. TNF-α levels were measured in 90 patients with schizophrenia and 90 healthy controls matched by age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of psychopathology in patients. No significant differences in TNF-α levels were detected between the patients and controls (p=0.736). TNF-α levels were not correlated with total, positive, negative, general, or composite PANSS scores (all p>0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between TNF-α levels and the PANSS cognitive factor (ρ=-0.222, p=0.035). A hierarchical regression analysis identified the cognitive factor as a significant predictor of the TNF-α level (beta=-0.258, t=-2.257, p=0.027). There were no significant differences in TNF-α levels among patients treated with different types of antipsychotics (p=0.596). TNF-α levels correlated positively with the age of onset (ρ=0.233, p=0.027) and negatively with illness duration (ρ=-0.247, p=0.019) and antipsychotic treatment duration (ρ=-0.256, p=0.015). These results indicate that TNF-α may be involved in cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and would be a potential clinical-state marker in schizophrenia.

Aim To investigate the influence of irregular shifts on increased emotional, physical, and cognitive exhaustion and decreased working performance expressed by the phenomenon of presenteeism. Methods The study sample of 405 healthcare workers from Family medicine centres completed questionnaires in two measurement time points, in 2014 (TP1) and repeated in 2019 (TP2), when 301 respondents remained in the study. Healthcare workers completed questionnaires assessing demographics, work schedules, job burnout, and presenteeism. Results Repeated long-term exposure to rotating day-evening shifts was a significant risk for increased presenteeism (OR=1.689, 95%CI 1.042-2.739; p=0.001) and burnout (OR=1.705, 95%CI 1.237-2.352; p=0.001). Extended working hours are a predictor of presenteeism (OR=1.989, 95%CI 1.042-2.739; p=0.008). Conclusion The adverse effects of rotating day-evening shifts on burnout and presenteeism among healthcare workers in a family medicine centre was little researched, particularly the issue of managing the risks of exposure to rotating day-evening shifts and extended working hours. This study reflects a situation of uncertainty, in which the logic of precaution is imposed on mental health, and keeps working engagements in health care workers. Appropriate management of shift work and better organization of work schedules in the primary healthcare sector protects the wellbeing of healthcare workers and patients, efficient work, and quality of health care, and invites for future research on better working schedules and introducing preventive interventions with available flexibility of working times.

Aim To investigate the influence of the inclination and insertion of the cerebellar tentorium on the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) volume. Methods A retrospective, non-randomized study including 174 patients (117 females and 57 males) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging in the period from 31 December 2020 to 1 June 2021 under the indication (mostly headache) set by a competent ordinary. Acute or chronic intracranial events were not verified in the patients. Results The average value of the PCF volume was 138.93 cm3 and the slope of the tentorium was 44.15°. Comparing the volume of the PCF and the slope of the tentorium in males and females no significant difference was found. A correlation was found in the females age groups 18-24 and 45-54 years. Conclusion Understanding dimensions of the posterior cranial fossa morphometry has clear implications for reducing morbidity and mortality in surgery, especially in the case of applying lateral approaches and their variations.

Aim To examine a correlation of demographic characteristics of patients, preoperative modality of conservative therapy and timing on the postoperative outcome of patients six months after the operation. Methods A retrospective, non-randomized, clinical study involved 48 patients of different age and gender with a verified diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome (CES). The inclusion criteria were patients with CES caused by discus hernia. Observed research variables were age, gender, affected vertebral level, conservative modalities of perioperative therapy (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs and physiotherapy), duration of symptoms, and outcome parameters (motor and sensory function, sphincter function of the urinary bladder and bowel). Results A statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and postoperative outcome (p<0.05). The affected vertebral level was positively correlated with the motor and sensory outcome (p<0.05). A positive correlation between the use of NSAIDs and the outcome was found (R=0.570; p<0.001), as well as a negative correlation with perioperative physiotherapy (R=-0.201; p= 0.001). Postponement of surgery was negatively correlated with outcome variables (p<0.001). Conclusion The results of the study bring new conclusions that were not previously observed. Possible new characteristics associated with the outcome of cauda equina syndrome were determined.

<p>In this paper, the influence of process parameters on the morphological properties of fine precipitated hydrate was examined. The research was conducted with the aim of synthesizing fine precipitated aluminum hydroxide from the aluminate solution obtained by the Bayer process. Fine precipitated hydrates obtained in this way are mostly used in the non-metallurgical industry. The synthesized fine precipitated hydrate should comply with certain quality requirements such as granulometry (average particle diameter), purity, specific surface area, whiteness, etc. This paper shows the influence of certain technological parameters, namely the initial precipitation temperature, the amount and specific surface area of the seed, the influence of the NaOH/Al(OH)3 molar ratio on the characteristics of the synthesized fine precipitated hydrate in terms of the specific surface area, mean diameter and morphology of the obtained particles.</p>

The constant worsening of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) imposes the need for an urgent response. Use of antibiotics (AB), both due to irrational prescribing by doctors and irrational use by patients, is recognized as one of the leading causes of this problem. This study aimed to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices about AB use and AMR within the general population, stratified by age, gender, and urban/rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022 among patients who visited three health centers in the eastern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A high frequency of AB use was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic (64.2% of respondents were treated with AB). Age and place of residence have not been shown to be factors associated with AB use practices that pose a risk for AMR. However, female gender (β = 0.063; p = 0.041), better knowledge (β = 0.226; p < 0.001), and positive attitudes (β = 0.170; p < 0.001) about use of AB and towards to AMR proved to be factors associated with better practice by respondents. Women, younger respondents, and respondents from urban areas showed better knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about the use of AB and AMR during the COVID-19 pandemic.