BackgroundPhysical and biological properties of dust particles might affect the availability and distribution of chemicals associated to indoor dust; however it has not been adequately examined. In this study, household dust from Shanghai was fractionated into five particle sizes and size distribution, morphology, surface area, organic matter, microorganisms, elemental composition, metals and organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) compositions were characterized. Also, household dust samples from Stockholm that has previously been characterized were included in the analysis of OPFRs for comparison.ResultsThe respirable fraction had a yield of 3.3% in mass percentage, with a particle size of 2.22 ± 2.04 µm. As expected, both metals and OPFRs concentrations increased with decreased particle size. Al and Fe dominated (66–87%) followed by the concentrations of Zn (5–14%) and Ga (1.8–5%) of the sum of 16 metals in the dust. The concentrations of OPFRs in Shanghai dust ranged from 5.34 to 13.7 µg/g (median: 7.21 µg/g), compared to household dust from Stockholm that ranged from 16.0 to 28.3 µg/g (median: 26.6 µg/g). Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) dominated in Shanghai dust samples while tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) dominated in dust from Stockholm homes.ConclusionThe results showed that mass percentage for each particle size fraction was not evenly distributed. Furthermore, the particle-bound microorganisms and OPFRs increased with decreased particle size, whereas metals had the highest concentrations at specific dust sizes. Therefore, it is essential to select the proper particle size in order to assess any specific human exposure study to indoor pollutants.

Malawi is midway through its current Malaria Strategic Plan 2017–2022, which aims to reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 50% by 2022. Malariometric data are available with health surveillance data housed in District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) and household survey data from two recent Malaria Indicator Surveys (MIS) and a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Strengths and weaknesses of the data were discussed during a consultative meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi in July 2019. The first 3 days included in-depth exploration and analysis of surveillance and survey data by 13 participants from the National Malaria Control Programme, district health offices, and partner organizations. Key indicators derived from both DHIS2 and MIS/DHS sources were analysed with three case studies, and presented to stakeholders on the fourth day of the meeting. Applications of the findings to programmatic decision-making and strategic plan evaluation were critiqued and discussed.

Bottled water sector in B&H becomes more significant economically with media pressure and expectations. This paper aims to determine factors important for the consumers while choosing bottled water products and in that way try to, by comparing the results to the sectors abilities, determine sector’s ability to meet the consumer’s needs. Small research among (97) respondents was carried out, and the results indicate that the sector is unable to meet the needs of the customers, since the trade balance is negative and domestic market share low. Customer profile suggests almost only young consumers, which indicates that for the stronger results further research is needed.

SUMMARY Bone tissue banks are necessary for collection, production, testing, packaging, storage and delivery of bone transplants. Bone tissue bank is a link between the donor and the recipient by which the donation becomes a medium of health improvement for both the donor and the recipient. At the Department of Orthopedics, Mostar University Clinical Hospital, about 200 total hip replacements are performed per year. Most patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery (90%) have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and they are suitable donors, having in mind their age and comorbidities. In the same Department, around 50 procedures that require bone transplants are performed per year. A team of highly competent surgeons are working on an intensive process of adaptation oriented to quality improvement and intensification of the activity, both with the goal of meeting the standards of excellence in orthopedic surgery. The presence of a bone tissue bank has a favorable impact on the quality of health care owing to bone transplant availability, as well as on the scientific role of a highly specialized institution that examines the properties of bone tissue.

Social distance has been the subject of numerous research papers; the issue of researching social distance toward Roma is especially important. There are several aims of our study. The basic goal of the research is to determine the existence and intensity of social distance towards Roma held by primary school students. The specific goal of the research is to determine the differences in the presence of social distance held by students who often interact with Roma children, as well as those who rarely interact with them. The research sample consisted of 152 participants (71 fourth-grade students and 81 eighth-grade students; 85 boys and 67 girls). The Bogardus’s Scale, modified for children, was used for researching the social distance. Furthermore, the research implied two focus groups for the qualitative data to be obtained. The results showed the existance of social distance toward Roma students. Furthermore, according to this data, the least desirable relationship was sitting in the same school bench with Roma children, whereas the most acceptable relationship was going to the same school with Roma. Moreover, it was established that students having more relationships with Roma had lower social distance toward them as well. Qualitative data analysis shows higher level of negative stereotypes and attitudes toward Roma. It is essential to combine quantitative and qualitative measures for the purpose of getting the unbiased description of social distance toward Roma.

During smoking, meat products may get contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), especially the ones that are smoked in traditional (uncontrolled) conditions. This study aims to evaluate the difference in PAH content in samples of traditional dry cured pork meat products, “Hercegovačka pečenica”, produced in (1) a traditional smokehouse and (2) in industrial chambers. The study revealed that the content of the four priority PAHs (PAH4) in samples produced in a traditional smoking manner highly exceeded (up to 10 times) the maximal limits set for PAHs (12 µg/kg). PAH4 in all samples subjected to industrial smoking procedures was below the limit of quantification. All samples had below-the-limit-of-quantification values for Benzo[a]pyrene. The surface layer of the samples produced in traditional conditions had the highest total content of PAH16. The inner parts of all samples, whether traditional or industrial, had significantly lower PAH16 concentration than the surface layer.

Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm represents a local pathological dilatation of the abdominal aorta. It is caused by structural weakness of aortic wall but there are many other risk factors that may positively correlate with incidence of AAA like hypertension, smoking, male gender, older age, family history etc. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlation of atherosclerotic risk factors and the size of aortic aneurysm in patients that were admitted for the surgical treatment at the Clinic for cardiovascular surgery in Sarajevo during period 2016-2019. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective study with one group of patients that was conducted at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo at the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery. It included 150 patients, 126 males and 24 females, all of them with infrarenal localization of AAA. From medical records we have collected relevant anamnestic data (age, gender, positive family history, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity). The size of aneurysm was determined by both ultrasound and CT arteriography. The data are processed in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Ver. 22.0. The results are tabulated or graphically showed, and level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: Total amount of 129 of patients (86%) had hypertension, 57.3% (n=86) of them were smokers, 18.7% (n = 28) were former smokers, and 24% (n = 36) were non-smokers Blood lipid level analysis have shown that 44% (n = 66) of patients were normolipemic, while elevated blood lipid levels were found in 56% (n = 84) of patients. Diabetes mellitus was present in 17.3% (n = 26) of patients, 2.7% (n = 4) of them had an insulin-dependent form, while 14.7% (n = 22) of the analyzed patients had insulin independent DM. Almost half of total number of patients (46%, n = 69) were obese. 19.3% (n = 29) of patients consumed alcohol while the 80.7% (n = 121) denied alcohol consumption. Ratio of males in comparison to females was 5:1. The average age in males was 69.79 ± 8.16 years and 72.13 ± 9.11 years in females. Significant statistical correlation of AAA size and risk of atherosclerosis factor has not been established. We have found that there is a significant positive correlation between size of aneurysm and risk of rupture (p= 0,000<0,05). Conclusion: Although risk factors of atherosclerosis were present, statistically positive correlation was not confirmed between the size of AAA and analyzed risk factors.

Ab s t r Ac t Introduction: Preeclampsia is the cause of increased morbidity in mothers, and mortality and morbidity of both mothers and fetuses and newborns. The pathological process is already complete when the symptoms occur, and nothing concrete can be done to stop the process. Early identification of women at risk of developing preeclampsia is a key goal of antenatal care. Alongside chemical tests, Doppler sonography of the uterine arteries plays a major role in the prediction of preeclampsia. Aims: To establish the probability of resistance to blood flow in the uterine arteries and the existence of notching in the control and test groups. Materials and methods: The study comprised 60 subjects in the second trimester of pregnancy who were going for check-ups during their pregnancy or had been hospitalized at the Maternity Clinic of Sarajevo UCC. All the subjects were divided into two groups, a control and a test group, in relation to the presence of pathological blood flow in the uterine arteries. As well as ultrasound results, the patients also provided an exhaustive history about their previous pregnancies, if any, and any relevant laboratory results. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the average values of systolic and diastolic pressure during pregnancy between the control and the test group (p = 0.001). From an analysis of the resistance to blood flow in the uterine arteries in the control and test groups, we concluded that the flow on the side with the placenta and on the side without the placenta were physiological over five measurements in the control group of subjects. In the test group the largest number of cases of pathological flow were recorded, and there was also notching. Of the 21 subjects with a diagnosis of preeclampsia, there was notching in 10. Conclusion: Doppler sonography in the second trimester of pregnancy is a good prognostic marker for early discovery of preeclampsia.