Background: Variations of heart cycles reflect complex dynamic cardiocirculatory regulatory systems in humans. Exposure to tobacco from cigarettes has been shown to elicit specific alterations of heart rate variability parameters leading to predominance of sympathetic and decreasing parameters of parasympathetic measures of cardiac autonomic nervous system tone. Aim: The aim of the trial was assessing differences of linear parameters of heart rate variability in subjects with habit of consuming of cigarettes tobacco in regard to subjects who are not consumers of tobacco. Methods: Patients of ASA II class with border-line arterial hypertension planned for elective abdominal surgery were included in the clinical trial. Twenty-two subjects were allocated to group I, with history of smoking twenty or more cigarettes per day for five or more years, and twenty-three subjects nonsmokers were allocated to group II. Recordings of electrocardiogram were done by Holter device and later on short- term heart rate variability (five minutes periods) were analyzed. Parameters of time domain analysis (SDNN-standard deviation of NN intervals, mean RR interval, mean heart rate) and frequency domain measures (low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio) were analyzed. Results: Baseline measures of mean NN intervals and standard deviation of normal to normal interval (SDNN) were slightly lower in subjects consumers of nicotine by cigarette tobacco smoking in regard to nonsmokers but without significant difference (640+-15ms vs 675+-8ms, p<0.1;45,1+-3,4 ms vs 51,4+ 3,7ms, p<0.08, respectively). Values of frequency domain measures (LF, HF and LF/HF ratio) have shown variations between two groups, but no significant difference was found.

Introduction: Behavioral problems and emotional difficulties at children of the veterans of war with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not been researched entirely. In our country, which has a lot of persons suffering from some psychological traumas, this trauma seems to continue. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the exposure, manifestations of behavioral problems and emotional difficulties at children and early adolescents, whose fathers were the veterans of war demonstrating post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Respondents and methods: The analyzed group comprised 120 school age children (10-15 years of age), whose parents/fathers were the veterans of war. The children were divided into two groups, and each group into the following two age sub-groups: 10-12 (children) and 13-15 (early adolescents) according to PTSD presence at their fathers – veterans of war. PTSD symptoms at fathers, veterans of war, were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire–Bosnia and Herzegovina version and MKB-10 – audit of criteria. To assess the behavioral problems of children, the Child Behavior Checklist for parents was used, and to evaluate the neuroticism at children Hanes–Scale of neuroticism-extraversion was used while the depression level was evaluated using the Depression self-rating scale (DSRS). To analyze the obtained results, SPSS 17 program was used. The value p <0. 05 is considered significant. Results: Children of fathers, the veterans of war, demonstrating the PTSD symptoms show more problems in activity, social and school conduct as well as in symptoms of behavioral problems compared to the children whose fathers do not demonstrate the PTSD symptoms (p<0. 001). Children of the war veterans demonstrating the symptoms of the post-traumatic stress disorder show significant difference at neuroticism sub-scales (p<0.001). Negative correlation between PTSD and activity, social and school conduct has been determined (p <0. 01), while positive correlation was determined between PTSD of war veterans with symptoms and neuroticism at children (p <0. 01). Depression symptoms are found at 17.5% children, while 28.3% are in the risky group and the girls demonstrate higher depression level. Conclusion: Children and early adolescents of fathers – veterans of war with post-traumatic stress disorder show significant differences in competencies, behavior, emotional difficulties and neuroticism. Significant correlation was found between psychopathology of parents – fathers the veterans of war and their children. Impact of psychological conditions of fathers – the veterans of war with post-traumatic stress disorder to children is strong and they represent a significant risky group for development of mental disorders.

Introduction: chronic urticaria (CU) is a skin disorder characterized by transient, pruritic wheals persisting for longer than 6 weeks. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but there is evidence that autoimmunity and endocrine dysfunction may be involved. Aim: the aim of this study was to determine whether chronic urticaria is statistically associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Patients and methods: in a prospective case-control study, we compared the frequency of thyroid auto-antibodies (thyroglobulin antibody, anti-Tg and thyroid peroxidase antibody, anti-TPO) in 70 patients with chronic urticaria and in 70 healthy volunteers. Thyroid auto-antibodies and thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4), triiodthyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in all subjects. Results: thyroid functional abnormalities were found in 8 (11.43%) patients. Anti-Tg and anti-TPO were positive in 16 (23%) and 21 (30%) patients, respectively. In control group, only one subject (1.42%) had abnormalities in thyroid hormonal status, and two subjects (2.86%) had positive thyroid auto-antibodies. Compared with the control group, the frequency of both anti-Tg and anti-TPO was significantly higher in those with chronic urticaria (P < 0.05). Conclusion: this study shows a significant association between chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity, and that tests to detect thyroid auto-antibodies are relevant in patients with chronic urticaria.

Aim To determine the prevalence rate and resistance profile of Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) in vaginal swabs of pregnant and adult non-pregnant women in the Tuzla region, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), as well as its association with other aerobic bacteria. Methods This prospective study included 200 women, 100 pregnant and 100 adult non-pregnant. The research was conducted at the Institute of Microbiology, University Clinical Center Tuzla from October to December 2015. Standard aerobic microbiological techniques were used for isolation and identification of S. agalactiae and other aerobic bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion and microdilution method(VITEK 2/AES instrument). Results Among 200 vaginal swabs, 17 (8.50%) were positive for S. agalactiae, e. g., 7% (7/100) of pregnant and 10% (10/100) of adult non-pregnant women. In the pregnant group, 71.4% (5/7) of S. agalactiae isolates were susceptible to clindamycin and 85.7%(6/7) to erythromycin. In the adult non-pregnant group, only resistance to clindamycin was observed in one patient (1/10; 10%). S. agalactiae as single pathogen was isolated in 57.14% (4/7) of pregnant and 60% (6/10) of adult non-pregnant S. agalactiae positive women. In mixed microbial cultures S. agalactiae was most frequently associated with Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. Conclusion The rate of S. agalactiae positive women in the population of pregnant and adult non-pregnant women of Tuzla Canton, B&H is comparable with other European countries. Large studies are needed to develop a common national strategy for the prevention of S. agalactiae infection in B&H, especially during pregnancy.

Introduction: The treatment response and outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is heterogeneous. Aim: To analyze the prognostic parameters of AML at presentation. Methods: The total sample of 44 AML patients was analyzed on the basis of age <55 and ≥55 years, sex, WBC count <50x10/9/l and ≥50x10/9/l, the Hb concentration <100 g/l and ≥100 g/l, PLT count <100x10/9/l and ≥100x10/9/l, Karnofsky score <60% and >60%, cytogenetics, CD56 expression, morphological type and types of treatment (standard and reduced induction chemotherapy, high–dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplantation – autologous and HLA matched, related, allogeneic, together and separately). Results: The age <55 years, Karnofsky score >60% and standard induction chemotherapy statistically correlated with the higher complete remission (CR) rates, longer relapse free survival (RFS), lower relapse rate (RR), and longer overall survival (OS) (p<0.01). The difference in terms of CR and RR between the sexes were not statistically significant (p<0.05), however women had statistically lower OS comparing to men (9.71±4.54 months vs. 38.03±9.17 months) (p<0.01). WBC count ≥ 50x10/9/l and the Hb concentration <100 g/l statistically correlated with shorter OS (p<0.05), while the WBC count ≥50x10/9/l statistically correlated with shorter RFS (p<0.05). The PLT count <100x10/9/l and ≥100x10/9/l was not found as prognostically significant for CR, RR, RFS, and OS (p<0.05). In comparison to the standard induction chemotherapy, both types of high dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplantation (HDT/SCT) (10/22), together and separately, resulted in longer RFS, lower RR, and longer OS (p<0.05). The frequency of cytogenetic risk was intermediate 81.6%, unfavorable 13.2%, and favorable 5.3%, respectively. CD56 + expression statistically correlated with the lower PLT count, higher RR, shorter RFS, and shorter OS (p<0.05). Statistical analysis of the cytogenetic risk and morphological types of AML were not possible due to the small number of patients in stratified groups. Conclusions: Female sex, the WBC count >50x10/9/l, the concentration of Hb <100 g/l, and CD56 + expression, at presentation of AML, should be considered as parameters of adverse risk, especially in latter decisions considering post-remission treatment with HDT/SCT.