Background: Bone morphogenetic protein -4 (BMP-4) plays important role in many aspects of carcinogenesis but is also involved in progression and metastasis of breast cancer where its precise role is yet to be elucidated. Objective: Since the majority of studies related to BMP-4 expression in breast cancer were conducted on cell lines of mouse models, we aimed to investigate BMP-4 tissue expression in primary human breast cancer and to correlate it with standard pathological factors for breast cancer, progression and survival. Methods: We analyzed immunohistochemical expression of BMP-4 in primary breast cancer tissue of 97 patients, correlated it with standard pathological factors for breast cancer and investigated its impact on progression and survival. Results: BMP-4 expression was positive in 74.23% breast cancer tissue specimens. We found that hormone positive breast tumors are more likely to show BMP-4 strong granular staining pattern (p<0.01; p=0.029, respectively). There was significant association between stage group and BMP-4 expression in order that stage III breast cancer group were predominantly BMP-4 positive tumors (p=0.046). Although the most common site of distant metastases in patients with BMP-4 positive tumors were bones, we found no significant association (p>0.05). Patients with BMP-4 positive breast cancer showed longer overall and progression-free survival, but the results did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study in some extent can confirm the current available data and suggest that the role of BMP-4 in breast cancer is ambiguous, acting both as tumor suppressor and tumor promoter in breast cancer. For final elucidation of its impact on survival and progression in breast cancer, multicentric studies on larger sample size are required.

The Una-Sana Canton (the northwest part of Bosnia and Herzegovina) abounds in large forest areas, where the self-sown sweet chestnuts Castanea sativa Mill. grow. However, the plant has been endangered due to the negative effects of disease-causing agents, harmful insects, and human factors (uncontrolled forest logging). Moreover, the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas causes significant damage to the local chestnut fruit. This study aims to analyze the emergence of the pest and the damage which it produces in the forest areas of the northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, precisely in Una-Sana Canton. The presence of the chestnut weevil has been examined on samples taken from 15 locations in chestnut forest in the municipalities of Cazin, Velika Kladuša and Bužim. In order to research this phenomenon more precisely, each fruit has been cut, the larvae have been separated from it and damage in the inner part of the fruit has been observed. The number of larvae has been noted per a sample. With respect to each sample, the mass of healthy and damaged part of the fruit has been measured. The number of larvae ranges from 5 to 15 per sample. The percentage of damaged fruit parts ranges from 4,2% to 13,6%. The reason for the increased presence of the chestnut weevil in the analyzed chestnut forest is in addition to the beneficial chemical composition of the fruit and the late detection of the presence of insect existing in severely large populations. The use of chemical preparations (pesticides) as a solution to this issue is ecologically unacceptable, especially in a larger area. It is mandatory to manually collect all the fruit that fells of the chestnut trees prematurely and, moreover, to stop the further development of the larvae. Considerable results can also be achieved by separating individual chestnut stands and changing the purpose of its use, as well as combining the method with the limited use of pesticides.

Introduction/Objective. Deprogramming of the neuromuscular system with the use of stabilization splint might provide more precise evaluation of the centric relation (CR) - maximum intercuspation (MI) discrepancy. The study aimed to evaluate the differences between the bite registrations obtained in the CR before and after the application of the stabilization splint therapy. Methods. The sample included 48 non-deprogrammed individuals without any apparent signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The neuromuscular system was deprogrammed by employing stabilization splint therapy. A condylar displacement evaluation was performed on vertical, horizontal and transverse planes of space, with the assistance of a condylar position indicator (CPI). Results. The mean values of condylar displacements, which were obtained after the deprogramming of the neuromuscular system, were significantly greater than those obtained before neuromuscular deprogramming for vertical condylar displacement (p < .0001). A greater degree of condylar distraction was observed on the left side of the vertical plane before (p < .01) and after neuromuscular deprogramming (p < .05). The highest level of condylar displacement occurred in the postero-inferior direction subsequent to the muscle deprogramming. Conclusion. It was observed that the level of average condylar displacements was significantly higher following the deprogramming of the neuromuscular system compared to that recorded before neuromuscular deprogramming using stabilization splint therapy. A more precise orthodontic diagnosis could have been obtained if the condyles were placed in a more exact CR position by muscle deprogramming.

Background/Aim: The aim of the research is to assess the psychosocial impact of malocclusion, to determine the relationship with the degree of need for orthodontic treatment, and to assess the influence of gender on this relationship in adolescents. Material and Methods: A total of 100 subjects, aged 12 to 18, participated in the research. The subjects had no previous orthodontic treatment. The assessment of the need for orthodontic treatment was performed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), namely the Dental Health Component (DHC) and the Aesthetic Component (AC). The psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics was assessed using the PIDAQ questionnaire. Results: The total PIDAQ score, as well as its 4 subclasses, dental self-confidence, psychological impact, social impact and aesthetic concern have a positive correlation with the categories of the IOTN. The psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics is similar in boys and girls, except that girls showed a slightly greater aesthetic concern due to the presence of malocclusion. Conclusions: The present malocclusion has a psychological and social impact on the individual, but it also negatively affects his dental self-confidence and aesthetic concerns. The results of the PIDAQ questionnaire can guide the orthodontist to the patient's basic problem and thus provide guidelines for orthodontic treatment.

Background/Aim: The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of oral hygiene, the prevalence of caries, and the condition of the soft tissues in children and adolescents referred for their first orthodontic examination. Material and Methods: The research was conducted at the Department of Orthodontics of Sarajevo University - at the Faculty of Dentistry with the Dental Clinical Center. A total of 300 patients with mixed and permanent dentition who were referred for their first orthodontic examination were included in the study. The patients were offered to sign a Letter of Informed Consent for this study. All patients were assigned a Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (dmft/DMFT) index. Periodontal indices were evaluated on all first permanent molars and all permanent central incisors. The periodontal indices included the determination of PI,CI,GI, PBI. Results: The results were processed with the application of standard statistical methods, by using the SPSS computer program for statistical analyses (SPSS-Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 21.0. The results of this study show a high dmft and DMFT indices in patients referred for orthodontic examination. The dmft index value in the respondents with mixed dentition was 3.0 (1.0 - 6.0). The DMFT index value in the respondents with permanent dentition was 4.0 (0.0 - 6.0), while in the respondents with mixed dentition, it was 1.0 (0.0 - 3.0). Our research also shows that out of 300 patients referred to an orthodontist for their first orthodontic examination, 250 of them (83.33%) have demonstrated an increased value of the Plaque index. Conclusions: The results of this research should be peculiarly alarming for pedodontists and general dentists, cautioning them to implement caries prevention measures more intensively and make referrals to an orthodontist only in case of those patients who have been cured previously.

The subject of our research is the evolution of the principle of immediacy in general criminal proceedings in Serbian law, with the aim of observing the basic tendencies in that development. In this article, the results of the first part of the research were published, in which the analysis and comparison of the principle of immediacy in our first two procedural codes was carried out: The Code of Criminal Procedure of the Kingdom of Serbia from 1865 and The Code of Criminal Procedure of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia from 1929. Both codes generally respected the structural, personal and temporal segments of the principle of immediacy, allowing for a number of exceptions from it. These exceptions were much more radical in the reactionary Code of Criminal Procedure from 1865, of a moderately inquisitorial type. Not only is the principle of immediacy not implemented in it with all its consequences, but it is also made illusory. The adoption of the principle of positive legal evaluation of evidence and the dominance of the inquisitorial principle contributed to that. The main trial was only a facade, behind which there was a significant possibility of penetration of investigative materials, regardless of whether it came from judicial or police authorities. In contrast, the Criminal Procedure Code of 1929 was based on procedural principles, such as accusatory, immediacy, publicity, orality, adversary, material truth and free evaluation of the criminal proceedings. The principle of immediacy was consistently implemented, with some reasonable and mostly acceptable exceptions in the structural and personal party segment. In some cases, the judgment could be based on investigative materials, but they were always CORT records. That code consistently adhered to rhe rule that no one could be tried and convicted in absentia. Its provisions aimed at preserving the continuity of the main trial are to be commended.

Purpose – The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus left a significant negative mark on the world economy, and tourism industry. It has also significantly affected the perception and behavior of tourists when it comes to the safety of a tourist destination. To continue to record a positive recovery trend, destinations must undertake scientific and professional research, and based on the results consider and develop new development strategies for the development of tourism in the post-pandemic period. The perception of risk in tourists is changing, which ultimately has an impact on their future behavior when choosing a holiday destination. Opatija Riviera is a destination with a rich and long tourist tradition, which until before the pandemic was perceived as safe, as evidenced by the continuous growth of tourist turnover. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of monitoring whether and to what extent tourists perceive Opatija Riviera as a safe tourist destination and based on the findings to offer developmental guidelines for the post-pandemic period. Methodology – Data collection was conducted during June and July 2022, using an online survey questionnaire. 152 respondents agreed to participate in research. The basic measurement instrument was based on the Tourists’ Perceived Safety at Destinations (TPSD) scale developed by Xie et al. (2020b), i.e. initial items (25) proposed by these authors. To extract the dimensions of perceived tourist safety, the authors primarily used exploratory factor analysis. Findings – by using the exploratory factor analysis the following factors were identified: perception of safety of human elements (PSH), safety of facilities and equipment (PSFE), safety of natural environments (PSNE), perceived safety of social environments (PSSE) and safety of management elements (PSM). The results for PSH, PSFE, PSNE and PSSE have proven to be satisfactory in terms of how tourists perceive them as safe and reliable, which is not the case with the PSM. The f indings for PSM indicate the need for additional investments aimed towards improvement of protection of tourist´s safety (safety of the construction, safety of information and visibility of warning sign about security in Opatija Riviera). Originality of the research – this research contributes to the theory by presenting relevant literature content in safety perception in tourism. The empirical contribution derives from the fact that no similar research was conducted on Opatija Riviera until now. Its findings set the basis for future empirical research that will be conducted in the post-COVID period in Opatija Riviera, based on which it will be possible to plan further developmental activities aimed towards improving tourist´s safety during their stay.

We examined dermatoglyphics of children in three Albanian and one Roma population sample (collected from 641 individuals from the Albanian populations and 226 individuals from the Roma population of both sexes). We compared Albanian and Roma populations based on four finger (whorl, radial and ulnar loop, and arch) and thirteen palmar traits (pattern frequencies in the Thenar/I interdigital area, II, III, and IV interdigital area, Hypothenar and axial »t« triradius position). The differences between the populations were more evident for palmar traits. In our study the Albanian and the Roma populations showed the best separation when finger and palmar traits are separately analyzed. As expected, the Albanian and the Roma populations separated in statistical analyses of most traits; the main reason for this is the different origins of two ethnic groups. The observed difference also indicates a low level of admixture between the Albanians and the Roma despite them living beside one another for several centuries.

Celiac disease is defined as an autoimmune disorder that is the result of a reaction of adaptive immune response of sensitive individuals, to gluten-containing cereals. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional habits of patients with the diagnosis and people without the diagnosis, to evaluate the importance of adhering to a strict gluten-free diet, recognizing properly declared gluten-free products and to assess the quality of life of people diagnosed with celiac disease. Anthropometric and dietary tests were conducted through a survey by a total of 96 people, 56 respondents were diagnosed with celiac disease, while the remaining 40 respondents were undiagnosed, and of whom 32 were on a gluten-free diet. The majority of respondents (58.92%) have an adequate level of nutrition; however, 30.37% of respondents are overweight, including the degree of obesity in four cases. The most consumed cereals are rice, corn and white ready-made gluten-free flour mixtures, while the respondents consume the least pseudo-cereals, whole grains and micro-cereals. Within the survey CD-QOL (Celiac Disease Quality of Life) we assessed the quality of life, general the attitude of patients according to the given claims related to celiac disease. The obtained results led us to the conclusion that the dietary habits of celiac patients are somewhat worse than those of the undiagnosed group, although these are very small differences. It has been found that there is some confusion among people diagnosed regarding properly declared and certified gluten-free products, while most respondents believe that a strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for the disease.

Introduction. A newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes an infectious disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world. Objectives. The study aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on speech-language pathologists (SLPs) clinical service delivery. Accordingly, this study aims to determine which modifications were used in the provision of speech-language pathology (SLP) services and which procedures were used by SLPs in their clinical practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) during the third pandemic wave. The second aim of the study was to analyze how many SLPs from B&H used telepractice and what are the barriers to performing this type of work. Methods. The study included 107 SLPs, who voluntarily joined the survey, after sending the questionnaire directly to the e-mail or placing the questionnaire in online SLPs groups. The survey comprised questions to assess participants' demographics, personal protective equipment, procedures, provision of telepractice, and barriers and limitations to telepractice implementation. Results. Results showed that 93.4% of SLPs reported they use measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 28% of SLPs used telepractice in their work, which is a very low rate. The majority of SLPs (59.2%) reported that they did not receive the appropriate education about using telepractice. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a change in service delivery by SLPs requiring them to modify their work or to provide services through telepractice.