PurposeSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was introduced as a minimally invasive technique for nodal staging. Since associated morbidity is not negligible, it is highly relevant to pursue a more minimally invasive alternative. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the sensitivity of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with combined gamma probe and ultrasound (US) guidance in comparison with the gold standard histology of the sentinel node (SN) after SLNB for detecting metastasis.MethodsThe study was designed as a prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm trial enrolling patients with newly diagnosed cutaneous melanoma or breast cancer between May 2015 and August 2017. Sample radioactivity was measured using a Mini 900 scintillation monitor. After FNAC, all patients underwent SLNB. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were estimated.ResultsAccrual was terminated early following an unplanned interim analysis indicating that a FNAC sensitivity of at least 80% could not be achieved. In total 58 patients of the originally planned 116 patients underwent FNAC with gamma probe and US guidance. There were no true-positive FNAC results, 14 false-negative results and one false-positive result, and thus the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of FNAC were 0%, 98%, 0% and 75%, respectively. At least 75% of the FNAC samples had a radioactivity signal higher than the background signal.ConclusionFNAC with gamma probe and US guidance is not able to correctly detect metastases in the SN and is therefore not able to replace SLNB. Gamma probe-guided US is a highly accurate method for correctly identifying the SN, which offers possibilities for future research.

In this paper, the morphometric characteristics of the Una River basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina) were analyzed using geographic information systems (GIS). Quantitative geomorphological analysis was carried out (hypsometric characteristics, slope inclination,vertical relief dissection, and slope exposition). Analyzed parameters are indicators of shapes and recent processes in relief. The significance of this analysis is reflected in the fact that the obtained data have numerical value, are verifiable and multiple applicable in practice for the purposes of agriculture water management, construction sector urbanism, tourism, spatial planning, etc.

The aim of this work was the qualitative and quantitative determination of selected phenolic compounds in three Crataegus species grown in Bosnia. Crataegus plants are consumed for medicinal purposes and as foodstuff in the form of canned fruit, jam, jelly, tea, and wine. Two samples of plant material, dry leaves with flowers, and berries of three Crataegus species—Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand., Crataegus x subsphaericea Gand., and Crataegus x macrocarpa Hegetschw.—were analyzed. Twelve ethanolic extracts were isolated from the selected plant material using Soxhlet and ultrasound extraction, respectively. Soxhlet extraction proved to be more effective than ultrasound extraction. A simple and sensitive method, high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, HPLC-ED, was used for the simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Crataegus species. The content of gallic acid in the extracts ranged from 0.001 to 0.082 mg/g dry weight (DW), chlorogenic acid from 0.19 to 8.70 mg/g DW, and rutin from 0.03 to 13.49 mg/g DW. Two flavonoids, vitexin and hyperoside, commonly found in chemotaxonomic investigations of Crataegus species, were not detected in the examined extracts. In general, leaves with flowers samples are richer in gallic acid and rutin, whereas the berries samples are richer in chlorogenic acid. Distinct similarities were found in the relative distribution of gallic acid among the three species. Extracts of C. x macrocarpa had the highest content of all detected compounds, while significant differences were found in rutin content, depending on the plant organ. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting content of phenolic compounds in Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand., Crataegus x subsphaericea, and Crataegus x macrocarpa from Bosnia.

Objective The presence of testicular appendices was prospectively evaluated in 89 boys with 96 undescended testes who underwent orchidopexy over the period of 4 years. Results The patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 42 boys with 49 undescended testes positioned close to the internal inguinal ring, and Group B included 47 boys with 47 undescended testes close to the external inguinal ring. The incidence of appendix testis (AT) in Group A was 57.1% (28 in 49) and 78.7% (37 in 47) in Group B. The results of our study showed significantly decreased incidence of testicular appendices in undescended testes positioned close to the internal inguinal ring compared with undescended testes positioned close to the external inguinal ring (p < 0.05). Conclusion AT may play a role in normal testicular descent and the undescended testis positioned close to the external inguinal ring can be considered as a separate entity of the true congenital undescended testis.

The aim of the paper is to analyze economic convergence of the Western Balkan countries towards the European Union member states with two types of measurement methodology, sigma and beta convergence. Sigma convergence measures the dispersion of real per capita GDP among the countries and beta convergence is based on the neoclassical growth theory. The main hypothesis of the paper is that the recent financial crisis has negatively affected the convergence process of the Western Balkan countries towards the twenty-eight member states of the European Union (EU-28). The relationship between selected macroeconomic variables and the rate of per capita GDP growth are econometrically tested. Sigma and beta convergence are estimated for the period 2004-2013 and two sub-periods: 2004-2008 and 2009-2013. The empirical findings support the hypothesis of economic convergence. The negative effects of the crisis on per capita GDP growth are confirmed, resulting in a slower convergence process. Dissimilarities between the growth patterns of the analyzed groups show the considerable heterogeneity of growth, i.e. the convergence clubs.

U radu su prikazani glavni parametri gradnje kamenih mostova te bitni čimbenici pri odabiru novog (zamjenskog) kamena i morta za gradnju. Opisani su rezultati laboratorijskog ispitivanja kamena i morta koji se uobičajeno koriste kod sanacije i rekonstrukcije građevina kulturno-povijesne baštine u Bosni i Hercegovini iz perioda osmanske vladavine. Posebna pažnja je posvećena ispitivanju fizikalnih i mehaničkih karakteristika sedre, travertina i vapnenaca kao osnovnih kamenih materijala koji su korišteni prilikom izgradnje takvih konstrukcija.

Introduction The elbow interposition arthroplasty is a very common procedure performed mainly on active young patients who need great functionality and for whom total joint replacement is contraindicated and arthrodesis is noncompliant. We are going to demonstrate a case of a 34-year-old male suffering from malunion of the distal humerus, elbow stiffness, and manifest signs of arthrosis of the dominant limb, treated with the IA Grika technique at a 5-year follow-up. Patients and Methods The chosen criteria to evaluate the injured side and the uninjured side during the clinical and radiological follow-up were the objective function and related quality of life, measured by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and postoperative complications. To assess flexion and supination forces and elbow muscular strength, a hydraulic dynamometer was used. Results At a 5-year follow-up, the results were excellent as during the first year. Conclusions The Grika technique is a valid and feasible option in the treatment of elbow injuries.