During the field investigation of wetland flora and vegetation conducted on carstic terrains of Nevesinjsko polje (Bosnia & Herzegovina) we discovered numerous individuals of Carex limosa L. This Arctic–boreal relic species is remarkably rare in Southeastern Europe with only several known records across Balkans and few recent records for Bosnia & Herzegovina. Its habitat in Nevesinjsko polje can be described as an transitional mire with pronounced Sphagnum turfs on top of which C. limosa forms almost homogenous, species–poor stands of community Caricetum limosae Br.–Bl. In this article is presented the short account of this first confirmed record of C. limosa for Nevesinjsko polje (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

We correct the exponent in the error term of the prime geodesic theorem for hyperbolic 3‐manifolds and in Park's theorem for higher dimensions [ , ].

Abstract This video demonstrates microsurgical resection of low-grade (Grade I) thoracic spinal cord astrocytoma. Astrocytomas are the most common pediatric intramedullary tumors and occur secondary to ependymomas in adults.1,2 The treatment goal should be radical gross total resection while preserving neurological function with intraoperative neuromonitoring.2-4 To our knowledge, this is the first video report on microsurgical resection of low-grade spinal cord astrocytoma.  A 58-yr-old female presented with gait disturbances has been featured in this video. A spinal MRI revealed T1/T2 hyperintense intramedullary tumor at T4, suggesting spinal cord astrocytoma versus ependymoma. Dura was opened in the midline and tacked to the surrounding muscle tissue with tacking sutures. The arachnoid was opened separately with microscissors, keeping it intact for closure at the end of surgery. Liga clips were applied to hold the arachnoid to the dura. Myelotomy was done in the midline,5 opening the posterior median sulcus over the length of the tumor and extending proximally and distally a few millimeters beyond the tumor.3,5 The tumor reduction was achieved by coagulation or debulking. Once sufficient debulking was achieved, dissection of the tumor margins toward surrounding cord was performed. Preoperative recording of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) compared with continuous intraoperative MEPs were essential for preserving the neurological function and quality of life. The intraoperative finding of a clear tumor plane of resection carries positive prognostic significance and reduces the risk of complications.2,3,6  A pathohistological diagnosis showed a low-grade (Grade I) spinal cord astrocytoma (pilocytic). Follow-up MRI showed no sign of tumor or recurrence. The patient recovered fully and was neurologically intact. Written consent was obtained directly from the patient.

Differences in gut microbiota composition and function were observed between patients with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Distinguishing two similar gut disorders Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In new work, Vich Vila and colleagues have characterized the gut microbiota composition of both disorders using shotgun metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from 1792 individuals. Analyses involving bacterial taxonomy, metabolic functions, antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and bacterial growth rates showed key differences between these two gut disorders. On the basis of gut microbiota composition differences, patients with IBD could be distinguished from those with IBS. Changes in the gut microbiota have been associated with two of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here, we performed a case-control analysis using shotgun metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from 1792 individuals with IBD and IBS compared with control individuals in the general population. Despite substantial overlap between the gut microbiome of patients with IBD and IBS compared with control individuals, we were able to use gut microbiota composition differences to distinguish patients with IBD from those with IBS. By combining species-level profiles and strain-level profiles with bacterial growth rates, metabolic functions, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factor analyses, we identified key bacterial species that may be involved in two common gastrointestinal diseases.

Concentrations of phosphorus (P), the main limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems, need to be reduced, but this is difficult due to high spatial and temporal variations and limited resources. Reliable targeting of critical source areas, such as erosion-prone fields and parts of fields, is necessary to improve the cost efficiency of mitigation measures. We used high-resolution (2 m × 2 m) distributed modelling to calculate erosion risk for a large area (202 279 km2) covering > 90% of Swedish arable land. Comparison of model results with independent farmers’ observations in a pilot catchment showed high spatial agreement. The modelled worst case scenario produced reasonable quantitative results comparable to measured 90th percentile values of suspended sediment (SS) loads at both field and small catchment scale (R2 = 0.81, p < 0.001). Overall, loads of SS, especially during extreme episodes, strongly governed losses of unreactive P and total P at both field and catchment scale.

Pleomorphic ductal carcinoma (PDC) is a very rare subtype of invasive ductal carcinoma of no‐special type (NST), characterized by the presence of highly atypical/bizarre (>6‐fold variation in nuclear size) and multinucleated (giant) neoplastic cells comprising >50% of the tumor cell population (Figure 1A). PDC is typically triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), associated with an aggressive clinical course and a poor outcome.2–4 So far, no single study explored novel predictive biomarkers for the precision medicine purposes in the patients with PDC. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of the six PDC patients (four primary and two metastatic cases) were sequenced for 592‐genes using NextSeq platform (Illumina, La Jolla, CA, USA). Tumor mutational load (TML) was calculated using only somatic nonsynonymous missense mutations; high TML was considered when it was ≥17 mutations/Mb. Microsatellite instability (MSI) status was explored by the direct analysis of known MSI loci in the target regions of the sequenced genes. Cases were considered microsatellite instable (MSI‐H) if they exhibited ≥46 altered microsatellite loci (the threshold was established by comparing to the PCR‐based MSI FA result from ~2100 cases). Copy number variations (CNVs) were determined by comparing the depth of sequencing of genomic loci with a diploid control. Calculated gains ≥6 copies were considered amplified. ArcherDx FusionPlex Assay was used to detect gene fusions (52 gene targets). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of PD‐L1 (SP142 antibody, Ventana) in tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC). PD‐L1 positivity in TC was defined as 2+ intensity in ≥5% of tumor cells. PD‐L1 status

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with invasive breast cancer in relation to its serum levels in patients with benign breast disease, and to investigate correlation between MDA serum levels with pathohistological prognostic factors (tumor size, lymph node involvement, and histologic grade [HG]), estrogen receptor (ER) status, and with breast cancer patient’s age and menopausal status. Methods: A total of 43 with well-documented invasive breast cancer were included in this study: 27 with positive axillary’s lymph nodes, and 16 with negative axillary’s lymph nodes, and 39 patients with findings of benign breast diseases. MDA determination in serum of breast cancer and benign breast disease patients was performed by the fluorimetric method, immunohistochemical staining was performed for ER, and routine pathohistological examination was conducted for pathohistological factors. Results: MDA serum levels in breast cancer patients were significantly higher than MDA serum levels in benign breast disease patients (p = 0.042). No statistically significant difference between MDA serum levels in breast cancer patients with and without lymph node metastases was found (p = 0.238). No statistically significant correlations between MDA serum levels and tumor size (p = 0.256), HG (p = 0.124), or number of positive lymph nodes (0.113) were found. A statistically significant correlation between serum MDA levels and ages of breast cancer patients with lymph node metastases was found (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Obtained results support the importance of MDA in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer. According to our findings, serum level of MDA could not be a useful prognostic factor in breast cancer.

Introduction. The rising need for quality health care, increased workload, accountability and healthcare reforms, are factors that resulted in growing requirements for recognition of the nursing profession, which are clearly defined in the Munich Declaration (2000). Unfortunately, in the current health care system in most of the transition countries of the Region of the South East Europe, nursing is still not adequately validated as a special profession. Aim. Presentation of legal solutions related to nursing profession in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) from the aspect of definition of nursing activities, education standards, licensing and labor mobility. Methods. Desktop analysis as a method of quality research of legislative and strategic documents related to nursing in B&H. Analysis of the directive and legislation in the countries of the region and the EU. Comparison with the legislation of B&H. According to the constitutional solutions, within the competence of the Entities (Republic of Srpska), the area of health care in B&H is divided by the competencies of the entities and cantons (the Federation of B&H), that is, within the competence of the Brčko District of B&H, therefore, there is also a separate entity legislation. In 2013, the Government of the Federation of B&H adopted the Law on Nursing and Midwifery and secretly defined the nursing domains in accordance with the EU directives. In the Republic of Srpska and the Brčko District, this is partly defined in the systemic health care laws (amended in 2015). Conclusions. In all the legal acts reviewed, there are still shortcomings in the defined domains for the nursing profession. By addressing these issues, the progress of nursing development would speed up, strengthen and modernize the health system, which would undoubtedly increase the quality of health care to a higher level. The Ways of Development of Nursing as a Separate Health Profession: a Comparative Analysis of Legislative in the Nursing Profession in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Countries in the Region Croat Nurs J. 2018; 2(2): 141-148 142 Zelić S. et al. The Ways of Development of Nursing as a Separate Health Profession... Croat Nurs J. 2018; 2(2): 141-148 profession, increasing the mobility of nursing workforce, and improving the health care system in which nurses are an essential part, both as participants and as policymakers. The health of the population is undergoing significant changes in the current conditions of altered socio-environmental factors, the increasing challenges and risk factors in the environment, the new pathology, the need to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention, and bring new therapeutic approaches (4). Continuous monitoring and strengthening of health care is necessary. Consequently, the role of a nurse as a health care manager, from the planning, organization, management and control process is immeasurable in the health system of each country. There is not a single healthcare profession that treats individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities in a more comprehensive way, sick or healthy in all environments, such as nursing. Nursing involves health promotion, disease prevention, and care for sick, disabled and dying people. In addition, the key roles of nursing are the promotion of a healthy environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and managing hospital and health systems as well as education. Therefore, strengthening the profession of nursing is also a necessity and a need for the improvement of health systems in all countries of the world. Starting from the premise that health systems in countries all around the world are part of a global international health system, the EU, as an intergovernmental and transnational community of European states, emerged through the process of cooperation and integration, continuously implements the process of adapting health systems of all EU member states to the global health system and strives to achieve a recognizable quality of health education. Introduction The rising need for quality health care, increased workload and accountability, are factors that resulted in growing requirements for recognition of nursing and consequent health care reform. Relating to medicine as a science and profession, nursing must be defined as a specific branch of medical science, which has its own and completed framework of knowledge, methods, procedures and skills, as a part of the entire medical science. As a logical sequence of these demands, the Vienna Nursing Conference, 1988 and the Munich Conference, which further strengthened the status of nursing profession, were held. At the Munich Conference, the Munich Declaration 2000 was also adopted (1). Conclusions from these conferences became a guide to the legislative authorities of transition countries, such as the Southeastern European countries, which, through strong socio-economic reform processes, have begun to work on the development and advancement of nursing legislation and the advancement of nurses’ position in Europe, as independent and interdependent professionals. Furthermore, the European Union (EU) has defined the processes and norms of nursing education. The health systems of all EU Member States should be adapted to the global health system of the EU and achieve the prescribed and recognizable quality of health education. Implementation of those reforms requires the fulfilment of the Guidelines of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, European Union Directives (2005/36/EC and 2013/55/ EC), and the Guidelines on the recognition of professional qualifications (2, 3). Unfortunately, in the current health care system in most of the transition countries of Southeastern Europe and the Western Balkans countries, nursing is still not adequately validated as a special profession. The aim of the paper is to analyze the legal and strategic solutions related to nursing and offered through legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) from the aspect of definition of nursing activities, education standards, licensing and labor mobility. By harmonizing these domains with EU standards, it can contribute to further strengthening the nursing Zelić S. et al. The Ways of Development of Nursing as a Separate Health Profession... Croat Nurs J. 2018; 2(2): 141-148 143 According to the constitutional solutions, within the competence of the Entities (Republic of Srpska), the area of health care in B&H is divided by the competence of the entities and cantons (the Federation of B&H), that is, within the competence of the Brčko District of B&H, and therefore there is a special entity legislation (6,7,8) complicated state system, poor coordination of competent sectors and many other problems, the process of harmonization of health laws will have to take place in those phases. The best example of this phase approach to solving the harmonization problem is the adoption of the special Law on Nursing and Midwifery of the Federation of B&H (Official Journal of the FB&H 43/13) (9). The basic goal of this law is to regulate the profession, i.e. define the activities, competencies, standards of education, licenses and other domains in order to place this profession in B&H at the same level with other regulated professions in health care. This would make nurses equal in rights and obligations with their counterparts in the EU, which would also enable the mobility of the personnel and the basis of this profession, the satisfaction of the end user or the patient. The law is mutually beneficial, both for nursing and for patients, and this is reflected in the following: • providing professional, efficient and effective nursing services for patients, • informing the patient about the possibilities of choosing services, • guarantee of quality of services, • encouraging the development of the profession, • recognition of the expertise, identity and social position of nurses. Through the Law, the nursing domains are clearly defined in accordance with EU Directives. Although not fully harmonized with European legislation, the part that could be harmonized is harmonized, and the part that is not harmonized due to existing obstacles will wait for the solution of these problems. In the Republic of Srpska and the Brčko District, this is partly defined in the systemic health protection laws (7, 8). Also, Directives 2005/36/EC and 2013/55/EC (2,3) provide the basis for mobility in the European labor market for sectoral professions, including nurses. Labor market mobility requires university education of Methods • Desktop analysis* as a method of quality research of legislative and strategic documents related to nursing profession in B&H • Analysis of directives and legislation in the countries in the region and the EU • Comparison with B&H legislation Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (2), (Directive 2005/36/EC) and its upgrading the Directive, Directive 2013/55/EC are two key EU Directives on Independent Professionals Of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications amending Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and Decision (EU) no. 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (3) (Directive 2013/55/ EC). These Directives contain standards that are the basis for the adoption of various legal acts in the field of nursing. In addition, the Bologna Declaration of June 1999 launched a series of reforms needed to make higher education in Europe more compatible and more comparable, more competitive and more attractive to its citizens and to citizens and scientists from other continents. Among the main objectives are the development of a progressive convergence of the overall framework of educational titles and cycles in the open European Higher Education Area, as a develo

Verbal fluency (VF) is a good indicator of a child’s academic prowess and later academic success. The goal of the present study was to examine the association between VF and inhibitory control. An additional goal was to examine the developmental trajectories of VF in relation to the grade and gender of the children. The sample for this study consisted of 210 children attending grades 1 to 3. Children’s performance was measured on two VF tasks: semantic fluency and phonological fluency. As a measure of inhibitory control we used a number of commission errors committed on the Multiple Choice Reaction Test. The results of this study indicate the lack of association between VF and inhibitory control. Children improved significantly in VF from grade 1 to grade 3. In relation to gender, girls outperformed boys on the test of phonological fluency but not on the test of semantic fluency. Given the importance of VF, these skills need to be tackled during the elementary school period and even earlier in preschool.