Background: Children with autism in their characteristics show a series of unusual reactions to stimuli in all areas of the sensory system. Aim: The aim of this paper was to compare the tactile and auditory processes, i.e. to determine the deficits of these processes by children with autism spectrum disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.) in relation to children with intellectual disabilities and children of the typical population. Methods: The sample consisted of a total of 105 children. During the survey, the method of proportional stratified sample was used and the data collection was carried out in 2017 on the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Short Sensory Profile was applied (Dunn, 1999) and through 13 items, Tactile Perception and Hearing Perception were examined. Results: It was found that 71.4% of children with autism had significant difficulties in the area of tactile perception and 65.7% in the area of hearing perception. Tactile and hearing sensitivity is also common by children with intellectual disabilities, which undermines the inclusion of the difficulty of sensory processing as a key diagnostic criterion for autism.

Millions of people across the globe suffer from swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, which can lead to malnutrition, pneumonia, and even death. Swallowing cervical auscultation, which has been suggested as a noninvasive screening method for dysphagia, has not been associated yet with any physical events. In this paper, we have compared the hyoid bone displacement extracted from the videofluoroscopy images of 31 swallows to the signal features extracted from the cervical auscultation recordings captured with a tri-axial accelerometer and a microphone. First, the vertical displacement of the anterior part of the hyoid bone is related to the entropy rate of the superior–inferior swallowing vibrations and to the kurtosis of the swallowing sounds. Second, the vertical displacement of the posterior part of the hyoid bone is related to the bandwidth of the medial–lateral swallowing vibrations. Third, the horizontal displacements of the posterior and anterior parts of the hyoid bone are related to the spectral centroid of the superior–inferior swallowing vibrations and to the peak frequency of the medial–lateral swallowing vibrations, respectively. At last, the airway protection scores and the command characteristics were associated with the vertical and horizontal displacements, respectively, of the posterior part of the hyoid bone. Additional associations between the patients’ characteristics and auscultations’ signals were also observed. The hyoid bone maximal displacement is a cause of swallowing vibrations and sounds. High-resolution cervical auscultation may offer a noninvasive alternative for dysphagia screening and additional diagnostic information.

The use of nanotechnology in the diagnosis of diseases, treatment and monitoring of cancer patients has become a subject of study for the last 20 years. This paper presents brief overview of general characteristics, synthesis and application of dendrimers and quantum points in oncology. Dendrimers and quantum dots are nanostructures whose application in oncology is still being examined. QDs are used in magnetic resonance, wherein very well detect the location of tumor. Dendrimers are intensively tested, especially in cancer therapy. Dendrimers are intensively tested, especially in cancer therapy, because, due to their extremely small dimensions, they have the ability to pass through the mucous barriers and vascular pores, enabling safe delivery of the drug to the tumor cells.

From a small number of corporate bonds issued since the founding of the Banja Luka Stock Exchange to date, it is obvious that the domestic corporate bond market is in the initial stage of its development. The subject of this paper is to define the assumptions and limitations, i.e. possibilities of the development of the corporate bond market in the Republic of Srpska. The successful development of the bond market, in addition to the institutional and legal assumptions, is largely conditioned by the willingness of companies to emit bonds. On the other hand, it is the obligation and commitment of investors to invest in these securities. The aim of the research is to examine the potential supply and (potential) demand in next three years. The research was conducted using a two-part sur-vey. In the first part, managers in institutional investors in the domestic market were interviewed: investment funds, insurance companies and banks, 42 of them. In the second part, we examined the most significant joint-stock companies on the Banja Luka Stock Exchange, those that were part of the BIRS index and those that paid dividend, 66 of them. The results of the survey show the number of companies willing to finance their operations by issuing bonds and the number of investors willing to invest in these instruments. In addition, we will point to obstacles to the development and deepening of the market and the actual number of institutional investors willing to invest in corporate bonds.

Objective: This paper presents an algorithm for non-invasive sleep stage identification using respiratory, heart rate and movement signals. The algorithm is part of a system suitable for long-term monitoring in a home environment, which should support experts analysing sleep. Approach: As there is a strong correlation between bio-vital signals and sleep stages, multinomial logistic regression was chosen for categorical distribution of sleep stages. Several derived parameters of three signals (respiratory, heart rate and movement) are input for the proposed method. Sleep recordings of five subjects were used for the training of a machine learning model and 30 overnight recordings collected from 30 individuals with about 27 000 epochs of 30 s intervals each were evaluated. Main results: The achieved rate of accuracy is 72% for Wake, NREM, REM (with Cohen’s kappa value 0.67) and 58% for Wake, Light (N1 and N2), Deep (N3) and REM stages (Cohen’s kappa is 0.50). Our approach has confirmed the potential of this method and disclosed several ways for its improvement. Significance: The results indicate that respiratory, heart rate and movement signals can be used for sleep studies with a reasonable level of accuracy. These inputs can be obtained in a non-invasive way applying it in a home environment. The proposed system introduces a convenient approach for a long-term monitoring system which could support sleep laboratories. The algorithm which was developed allows for an easy adjustment of input parameters that depend on available signals and for this reason could also be used with various hardware systems.

1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice 37005, Czech Republic 2Rangeland Sciences Department, Gansu Agricultural University, 730070, Lanzhou, China 3Department of Biology and Institute of Mountain Research & Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia 4Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney house, Tubney OX13 5QL, UK

Abstract Detailed analysis of phenolic composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Verbascum glabratum subsp. bosnense (K. Malý) Murb., an endemic species of southeastern Dinaric Alps was performed for the first time. The phenolic composition measured via UHPLC-MS/MS of four extract with different polarity suggested this plant species is very rich in both phenolic acids and flavonoids. Ethanol extract was chemically the most versatile containing 12 compounds with quercitrin and rosmarinic acid as the majors, while water extracts were rich in 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, morin, and apigenin. All extracts showed high antioxidant potential measured spectrophotometrically with IC50 values ranging 0.139 - 0.021 mg/mL. Antimicrobial testing using agar diffusion test showed that ethanol extract was the most potent against all tested organisms. Also, these activities are correlated with the content of phenolic compounds, which suggest they are active ingredients of the extracts. Graphical Abstract

background and purpose: Logging is an example of the strongest human influence on forest environment because it causes damages to the forest soil and residual trees. The damages that occur during logging are more frequent in the skidding phase compared to the felling and processing phase. Material and Methods: The research was conducted in mixed stands of fir and spruce in the area of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Felling was conducted by chainsaw and extraction by animals, i.e. by two oxen. The following data were collected: tree species, diameter at breast height, pre-bunching zone (0-30 m or 30-60 m), presence of damages, presence of old damages, number of damages, type of damage, damage position and the size of damage. Results: Damages were recorded on 3.32% of residual trees. The average number of damages per damaged tree was 1.08. The same percentage share of damages was recorded on butt end and root collar (38.46%), while damages on root have a share of 23.08%. Stem damages were not recorded. The most common type of damage was debarked tree (61.54%), then squashed bark (23.08%) and debarked and damaged tree (15.38%). It was recorded that the size of damages varied between 60 and 570 cm2. The average size of damage was 222.54 cm2. Statistical analysis using χ2 test showed significant difference in the proportion of damaged trees among different pre-bunching methods, and did not show significant difference in the proportion of damaged trees between different pre-bunching zones. conclusions: It can be assumed that oxen logging causes insignificant damages to residual trees. The results of research will be used as a basis for future studies of residual trees’ damaging during wood skidding.

Introduction: The introduction of BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib significantly improvedoverall survival (OS) in metastatic melanoma patients.Aim of the Study: The purpose of this study was to determine OS and progressionfree survival (PFS) in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma treated withvemurafenib in the Oncology Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic ofSrpska (UKC RS). The secondary goal is to determine the effect of elevated serumlactate dehydrogenase (LDH) on OS.Patients and Methods: We analysed patients that received vemurafenib in theApril 2015. until March 2018. They had pathohistologically confirmed B-RAF positivemetastatic melanoma. LDH values were measured at the start of the treatment.Results: A total of 16 patients were analyzed, with an average age of 53 years(37-78). A large number of patients at the start had multiple sites of metastases.Calculated OS in patients who received vemurafenib is 11.8 months (p=0,23), withstandard deviation (SD) 9.18. The calculated PFS is 9.5, SD 7,57. OS in patients withnormal LDH is 14.4 months, SD 10.73, and with elevated LDH is 8.4 months, SD4.9 (p=0.079).Conclusion: Use of vemurafenib resulted in an improvement in PFS, with improvedOS in patients with advanced BRAF-mutated melanoma. In patients with elevatedLDH OS was reduced. This shows that LDH is a good prognostic marker and thatwe should do it routinely for all patients with melanoma. This study has indicatedthe need for new diagnostic and therapeutic options for melanoma in Republic ofSrpska.

Patient, a man, age of 66 years, was admitted to the Internal Department,Interventional Cardiology Department for chest pains by type of stable anginapectoris. CCS II. In ambulatory conditions he was made non-invasive diagnostics,and after a positive ergometric test, a decision was made that the patient beadmitted to the catheterization hall for invasive diagnosis and possible percutaneouscoronary intervention.

For a young researcher, the best way to improve his skills and develop his research capabilities is to work in established research laboratories where he is enabled to learn modern techniques and how to attack the scientific problems. Today, we have easy communications, including computers and the internet, but direct interactions with the most experienced scientists are the best way for young scientist to advance his research capabilities. Ulf Svante von Euler, Swedish pharmacologist and physiologist presents the best example that illustrates how interaction of a young researcher with established scientists develop his research capabilities and become a well-known scientist1.When Ulf was seventeen (1922), he came in Stockholm to study medicine. As a student, he became interested in research, and in 1926 he attended the Twelfth International Congress of Physiologists in Stockholm where he heard lectures by I. P. Pavlov, E. H. Starling and other great scientists of the time. He also observed a historic demonstration by Otto Loewi on the existence of Vagusstoff in the frog’s heart, which would stimulate his own interest and research on mediators of nerve transmission. Prior to this demonstration, Loewi had published several papers on the nature of this chemical substance that slowed the heart, but not all of his research contemporaries were convinced. However, a successful demonstration at the Congress (repeated eighteen times) convinced all critics. Von Euler recalled that these experiments inspired his enduring interest in neurohumoral transmission.Initially, von Euler was influenced by several well-known Swedish scientists: G. Liljestrand (pharmacologist/physiologist), R. Fåraeus (a hematologist) and H. Theorell (a biochemist, who received the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1955). Ulf defended his doctoral dissertation in 1930 and became a professor of pharmacology. Then, he received a two-year scholarship for postdoctoral studies abroad that enabled him to improve his skills by working with several famous foreign researchers.The young Ulf von Euler made the most of this opportunity. He spent six months in Hampstead at Sir Henry Dale’s laboratory, two months in Birmingham with I. de Burgh Daly, eight months in Ghent with C. Heymans, and three months in Frankfurt with G. Embden. Later, in 1934, he returned to London for six months to work with A. Hill, primarily because Liljestrand advised him instead of pharmacology, rather to devote to physiology because at that time in Sweden this scientific discipline was more appreciated. Towards the end of 1937, he went back to Hampstead for five months to work again with Sir Henry Dale.

Introduction: Gastrectomy is one of the most common surgical methods for the treatment of gastric cancer, which basically destroys the mechanism and digestion chemistry. Reconstruction after gastrectomy attempts to optimize the antireflux and nutritive component of the postgastrectomic syndrome.Objective: To determine which reconstructive method after gastrectomy has the optimal synthesis of antireflux and nutritional components.Patients and Methods: 111 patients were treated for gastric malignancies at the Surgical Clinic of the University Clinical Center in Banja Luka, which were operated with the intention of achieving curability.Results: Based on Fisher’s exact probability test there is no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) in mortality compared to the restoration of digestive continuity after gastrectomy. Reflux oesophagitis is the dominant modality of morbidity in omega-loop reconstruction (p <0.05). There is no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) in late dumping syndrome in patients relative to individual gastric substitution options. In the Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino pouch reconstruction option, there is no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) in the participation of individual modalities of meal quantity in relation to the condition before the disease or the modality of the nutritional status. .Conclusion: The results indicate the antireflux component of reconstruction Roux en Y and the advantage of the nutritive component in the loop modification (the creation of the Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino pouch).