BACKGROUND Migration of distal ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt catheter into another body part has been described as a potentially serious surgical complication. We present the first case of sepsis caused by transcardial and pulmonary migration of distal catheter into the heart and pulmonary artery, which was subsequently colonized by Klebsiella pneumoniae. CASE REPORT A 56-year-old men underwent VP shunt insertion for hydrocephalus that developed after the surgery for intracranial meningioma. Three years later, he was admitted to Department for Infectious Diseases due to persistent fever. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from the blood cultures. Computerized tomography (CT) of the thorax showed migration of the distal catheter into the heart and pulmonary artery. The migrated shunt catheter was retrieved without any complication with the assistance of a cardiovascular surgeon; microbiology confirmed that the catheter was colonized with Klebsiella pneumoniae. We decided to delay new VP shunt placement due to positive blood cultures, and 3 weeks after the surgery, patient was without signs of increased intracranial pressure and without any heart problems. CONCLUSION Migration of a distal VP shunt catheter into the heart should be considered in patients with a previously placed VP shunt presenting with cardiopulmonary problems, arrhythmia, and/or fever. Neurosurgeons should be involved as soon as possible, and a multidisciplinary approach is warranted.

Introduction: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about malignant eyelid tumors in the region of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it shows similar results comparing with other countries (the annual incidence of eyelid tumors in Tuzla region is about 3.73/100 000 population). Malignant eyelid tumors are relatively uncommon, but potentially fatal disease. However, if detected early and treated adequately, the prognosis is generally excellent. Aim: The aim of this study was the clinical and microscopical analysis of malignant eyelid tumors in treated patients, the presentation of surgical treatment and reconstructive methods of eyelid tumors. Methods: This retrospective study included 60 patients surgically treated at the University Clinical Center Tuzla from January 2012 to December 2016, who were initially diagnosed with malignant eyelid tumors in accordance to the final results obtained by histological examination of excised lesions. Results: In the group of malignant tumors, the most common tumors were BCC (85%), which were predominantly found on the lower eyelids (92.16%) and showed female predominance (51.06%). SCC was the second most common eyelid malignancy (15%) and showed a predilection for the lower eyelid involvement and male predominance (55.56%). Tumors up to 2 cm in diameter (clinical stage T1) were found in 78.33% of cases, 95.74% of which with radical excision, while 4.26% with non-radical excision. Conclusion: Treatment by complete excision with histological confirmation of tumor clearance is recommended. Perineural spread is an adverse prognostic sign, which may require postoperative radiotherapy. Orbital invasion is a rare complication but, if recognized early, it can be treated effectively with exenteration. Because presentation varies and histological examination is required for accurate diagnosis, any suspicious lesion occurring on the eyelids should be excised or biopsied. All patients with malignant tumors should be advised of the risk of recurrent or new tumors and encouraged to attend lifelong follow up.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is ubiquitous. It affects all age groups, and its clinical picture ranges from mild to severe, especially as a congenital infection in neonates. Aim: To determine frequency of CMV infection in pregnant women in Tuzla Canton (TC) and the risk factors that lead to the infection. Methods: This prospective study included 300 pregnant women from TC aged 18 to 42 years. CMV serology was performed on all participants, and in case of acute infection additionally IgG avidity test. Participants also completed the questionnaire on the risk factors for CMV infection. Results: The median age of the 300 women was 28 ±4.97 years. There were 161participants (53.6%) who classified their environment as urban and 295 (98.33%) were married. More than half of the women had completed secondary school 168 (56%). Positive IgG antibodies to CMV had 280 (93.0%) women. Positive IgM and IgG antibodies had 9 (3.0%) participants, but all of them had high IgG avidity, which indicates reinfection or recurrent CMV infection. There was a statistically significant higher number of seropositive participants living in rural areas than those living in urban areas (p= 0.048). Also, there was significantly higher percentage of positive anti-CMV IgG in pregnant women with lower education (p=0.04). Conclusion: In our region there is high seropositivity rates of IgG antibodies to CMV in pregnant women. No case of primary CMV infection was proven. The risk factors for CMV infection have been proven to be rural environment and lower level of education.

Aim To investigate the prevalence of common genetic variants that can serve as markers of thrombophilia and warfarin pharmacogenetics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods The study was performed between August and October 2017 on 130 healthy unrelated adult volunteers from Bosnian-Herzegovinian population sample. The prevalence of the following genetic variants was determined: F5 c.1601G>A (factor V Leiden), F2 c.*97G>A (factor II or prothrombin mutation), F13A1 (factor XIII) c.103G>T, MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) c.665C>T and c.1286A>C, as well as PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) c.-816A>G and c.-844G>A as markers of thrombophilia risk, and *2 and *3 alleles of CYP2C9 (cytochrome P450 2C9) and five variants of VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1) as markers of warfarin pharmacogenetics. DNA was isolated from buccal swabs using salting out method, while genotyping was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results Minor allele frequencies for two main thrombophilia risk factors, F5 c.1601G>A and F2 c.*97G>A were 0.023 and 0.008, respectively. Combined data for the markers of warfarin pharmacogenetics imply that 57.4% study participants can be expected to metabolize warfarin at an extensive, 40.3% at intermediate, and 2.3% at a poor rate. Conclusion This study reports the first extensive population genetic data for thrombophilia and warfarin pharmacogenetic markers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Allele frequencies of genetic variants are within the general average for European populations, and their presence implies the necessity of introduction of personalized medicine in warfarin-mediated antithrombotic therapy.

The aim of this paper is to analyze if the Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries converge towards the twenty-eight members of the European Union. The relationships between the selected macroeconomic variables and per capita GDP growth rate are econometrically tested to support this research. The analyzed period is 2004–2017, with two sub-periods: 2004–2008 and 2009–2013. The subdivision is made to test whether the recent financial crisis affected the absolute and conditional convergence process in the analyzed group of countries. The empirical findings support the economic convergence hypothesis. The results show that the recent financial crisis negatively affected the absolute and conditional convergence process, when economic variables are included in the analysis. The negative effects of the crisis on conditional convergence with economic and socio-political variables are not identified. The poorer countries in the analyzed group should do more to attract investment and open their economies, as gross fixed capital formation and economic openness have a positive impact on per capita growth, and keep low inflation or stabilize it, while general government debt and unemployment should be decreased in the examined sample of countries.

Abstract The role of local government units and the level of fiscal autonomy are the main drivers of local development activities in countries. The aim of this paper is to measure the level of fiscal autonomy of large cities that have been identified as conductors of local development activities in three Southeastern European (SEE) countries, namely Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to compare the level of fiscal autonomy between large cities and other remaining local units in the respective countries. The results of the research measured by the index of fiscal autonomy and compared with the index of fiscal autonomy of all remaining local government units in each of these countries indicate limited fiscal autonomy. Th is research provides new scientific evidence and fills the gap regarding the level of fiscal autonomy of large cities to improve and increase their budget capacity.

Abstract The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of perceived value dimensions (i.e., economic value, hedonic value, symbolic value, and social value) on behavioral intent to engage in collaborative consumption from the perspective of Generation Y. Furthermore, this research aims to investigate the mediating effect of young consumers’ attitude toward collaborative consumption on the relationship between perceived value dimensions and behavioral intent to engage in collaborative consumption. Research findings suggest that specific dimensions of perceived value (economic, hedonic, symbolic, and social) have different direct effects on young consumers’ behavioral intention to engage in collaborative consumption services. Regarding the mediating role of consumers’ attitude toward collaborative consumption, it was found that the mediating effect takes place only in the symbolic value-behavioral response link. Given the paucity of research focusing specifically on collaborative consumption from the perspective of Generation Y, this study provides new and useful insights for researchers and managers.

For measuring lightning strokes, it is necessary to select the appropriate sensor. The nominal sensor parameters (lightning current peak and frequency range) should be selected taking into account that the lightning current peak which strikes the tower top can be up to 400 kA. In addition, sensors should be able to store all the components in one flash. This paper presents the system of testing and sensor calibration.

Side-scan sonar mapping of an unknown large-scale seafloor area by a marine vehicle is nowadays very common. It is also important that a-priori unknown interesting parts of the seafloor area are scanned in more detail, i.e. sonified from both sides. However, completely autonomous and time-efficient coverage path (re)planning for such missions is still an open issue. In contrast to the standard overlap-all-sonar-ranges lawnmower pattern offline static coverage problem solution for side-scan sonar missions, in this paper two online sonar data-driven coverage algorithms are proposed as extensions of authors’ prior work. Analytical upper and lower bounds on performance of the proposed coverage planning algorithms are given and validated through extensive mission parameters variation simulations. Statistical performance analysis of the proposed coverage planning algorithms’ performance shows significant complete coverage time efficiency improvements w.r.t. the classical unadaptive lawnmower approach. Also, a detailed comparison of coverage planning algorithms proposed by the authors so far is provided.

The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been identified in the extragastric tissues in the head and neck. The origin and pathogenicity of these bacteria in the head and neck are not known. Gastric reflux and nasal or oral routes are the possible modes of spread. In many sinonasal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and middle ear disorders, laryngopharyngeal reflux has been identified as a contributing or causative factor. One possible mode by which laryngopharyngeal reflux may contribute is by seeding of the extragastric mucosa with H. pylori. The clinical significance of the discovery of H. pylori in extragastric tissues in the head and neck is unclear. There is no evidence of a pathologic or active role of H. pylori in otorhinolaryngological disorders. The suggestion that the sinonasal cavities and pharynx may serve as a reservoir for H. pylori and that reinfection of the stomach occurs after eradication therapy awaits further studies for confirmation. No connection was observed between H. pylori found in the stomach and H. pylori found in the head and neck. Also, these bacteria, found in the head and neck tissues, may be accidental or innocent bystanders that do not affect the pathways of otolaryngological and gastroduodenal diseases. This review examines the evidence for a possible relationship of H. pylori with otorhinolaryngological diseases.