Introduction: Various studies confirm the biocompatibility and efficacy of clips for certain target tissues, but without any comparative analysis of hematological parameters. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess the possible association of the implantation of titanium and plastic clips in the neurocranium with possible morphological changes in the blood cells of experimental animals. Materials and Methods: As a control, the peripheral blood smears were taken before surgery from 12 adult dogs that were divided into two experimental groups. After placing titanium and plastic clips in the neurocranium, the peripheral blood of the first group was analyzed on the seventh postoperative day, while the peripheral blood of the second group was analyzed on the sixtieth day. By microscopy of the blood smears, the following parameters were analyzed: the presence of poikilocytosis of the red blood cells, degenerative changes in the leukocytes and leukogram. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean values of the groups. Monocytosis was detected (first group 22.83 % and second 16.30 %), as well as neutropenia (46.80 %, in the second group). Degenerative changes to neutrophils and the occurrence of atypical lymphocytes were observed in the second experimental group (60th postoperative day). Conclusion: A mild adverse effect from the biomaterials present in the neurocranium of dogs was detected, affecting the majority of leukocytic cells. A chronic recurrent inflammatory process was caused by the presence of the plastic and titanium clips in the brain tissue. No adverse effect of biomaterials on erythrocytes in the neurocranium was detected in the dogs studied. Further studies are necessary to explain the occurrence of degenerative changes in the neutrophils and lymphocytes.

Factor analysis is one of multivariate data processing methods, which studies the causal relationships of phenomena, that is, the cause of integration. In the introductory part of the paper, the basic definitions and interpretations regarding the factor analysis and the terms of multivariate methods, and some examples have been given in defining the manifest and latent, as explorative and confirmative examples. The justification for the application of factor analysis is elaborated in the main part of the paper with reference to the various authors who have dealt with this issue. Also, the paper presents the procedures of factor analysis, and presents tables and graphs showing the results necessary for interpretation. Given that for special education and rehabilitation a biopsychosocial approach is fundamental, factor analysis can be a powerful tool when studying interconnections of different phenomena. Its proper application by educatorsrehabilitators, who act to this problem, may help in understanding the causes of connections of phenomena, and as such it helps in the development of a treatment for the prevention, education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

Summary Background: The production of erythrocytes is regulated by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which maintains the blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels constant under normal conditions. Human EPO is a glycoprotein hormone and its synthesis is controlled by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor. The aim of this study was to establish EPO and Hb levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as in control subjects, and to investigate the relationship between these parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included 356 subjects with CKD divided into 4 subgroups according to their glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The control group consisted of 206 age and sex matched healthy subjects with GFR rate ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2. EPO, Hb and serum creatinine levels were determined by using immunochemical and spectrophotometric methods. GFR was determined using the MDRD formula. Results: The CKD patients had significantly lower levels of haemoglobin (p<0.0005) and hematocrit (p<0.0005) compared to control group. Our results showed that Hb levels decreased, whereas serum creatinine increased with the increasing renal failure. The CKD patients in all four groups had significantly lower (p<0.0005) Hb levels, and significantly higher (p<0.0005) creatinine levels compared to the control group. The median EPO in group I and II were significantly higher (p=0.002; p=0.018), while median EPO in group III and IV were significantly lower (p=0.03; p=0.011) compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with CKD, GFR positively correlated with Hb and EPO, while the correlation between GFR and serum creatinine was negative.

Professor Ismet Ceric, MD, PhD, was one of the last representatives of the recognizable Sarajevo Neuropsychiatry School in the former Yugoslav territory, which was founded by Professor Nedo Zec (1899-1971) in 1946/47 with professors Dimitrije Dimitrijevic (1900-1989), Josip Horvat (1911-1964), Salih Ridjanovic, Slobodan Loga (1936-), Dusan Kecmanovic (1940-2014) and others.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the largest socio medical problems of modern times. In addition to the third leading cause of death, it is the first cause of non-trauma disability. Numerous studies show a correlation of risk factors and arteriosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries and carotid arteries. Patients and methods: Study was conducted at the Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Clinic for Cardiology surgery, methodologically cross-sectional study and partly manipulative and clinical prevention study, conducted on a representative sample of 100 patients. The subject was divided into 2 groups, coronary and non-coronary patients. Both groups of patients underwent color Doppler of carotid arteries, medical history and laboratory analysis. Results: The results confirm the hypothesis that the critical carotid artery stenosis is more present in patients with coronary disease, while the association of risk factors has been demonstrated for diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Screening of carotid arteries in patients scheduled for coronary revascularization is essential. With the presence of critical stenosis of the carotid artery, surgery of carotid artery should be done before coronary revascularization. The implementation of aggressive education and prevention of risk factors for cardiovascular disease is needed.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis blood vessels, be it on extra-cranial or intra-cranial circulation, the most common cause of incidents such as cerebro-vascular insult (ICV). Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a preventive operation to reduce the risk of stroke and it can be performed by eversion carotid endarterectomy (E-CEA) or a classical carotid endarterectomy (C-CEA). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the used techniques in basic perioperative results and the incidence of postoperative complications. Materials and Methods: It was retrospective-prospective study that involved 173 patients, with carotid stenosis, who underwent CEA, in the period of time December 2013 till December 2016. Subjects were divided into two groups in respect of technique: 90 patients were treated with E-CEA and 83 patients were treated with C-CEA. Results: Between two groups revealed a significant difference in favor of the patients from group E-CEA in the length of the surgery (92.56 ± 29.11 min. vs. 104.04 ± 18.01 min., P = 0.000), the time of clamping the carotid arteries (11.83 ± 1.81 min. vs. 23.69 ± 5:39 min., p = 0.000), the amount of post-operative drainage (25.33 ± 24.67 ml. vs. 36.14 ± 14:32 ml., p = 0.001), time spent in the intensive care unit (± 25.43 vs. 13:51 hours 34.54 ± 35.81 hours, p = 0.000), and the length of stay (4.60 ± 0.90 days vs. 5:42 ± 1.80 days, p = 0.001). In the patients of the group E-CEA, fewer number of individual postoperative complications without statistical significance: ICV (2.2% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.351), cardiac arrhythmia (2.2% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.351), transitory ischaemic attack (TIA) and cognitive disorder (2.2% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.117), mortality (1.1% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.954); and the total number of postoperative complications was significantly less in the same patients (7.77% vs. 18.7%, p = 0.042). Conclusion: The results of this study clearly indicate that operating techniques affects the specified monitored outcomes of vascular treatment of carotid arteries in favor of E-CEA technique. It would be ideally that the conclusions of this study contribute to broader use of E-CEA in treatment of carotid stenosis.

It was aimed to report the experience of actions of education in service of Infection Control Committee in intention to sensitize the multiprofissional healthcare team about the adoption of safe hand hygiene practices according to the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency. Thus, was developed a hand hygiene intervention in adult Intensive Care Unit. The importance of hand hygiene practice for prevention and control health care-associated infections and professional training are discussed. In this context, posters and pamphlets of Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency aiming better practices designed to patient safety were used with the purpose of fostering to health education and in order to awaken interest in the public to develop and/or to remain with the safety patient practice. It was considered there must be discussion about the subject by professionals to overcome challenges. Educational actions are an important tool for directing actions aimed at developing improvements in health care.

Objective: Tobacco cigarette smoking is one of the major leading causes of death throughout the world. Smoking has both acute and chronic effect on haematological parameters. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent of adverse effects of cigarette smoking on biochemical characteristics in healthy smokers. Subjects and Method: One hundred and fifty six subjects participated in this study, 56 smokers and 100 non-smokers. The smokers were regularly consuming 10-20 cigarettes per day for at least 3 years. Complete blood cell count was analyzed by CELL-DYN 3700 fully automatic haematological analyzer. Results: The smokers had significantly higher levels of white blood cell (p<0,001), hemoglobin (p=0,042), mean corpuscular volume (p=0,001) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p<0,001). All other measured parameters did not differ significantly. Cigarette smoking caused a significant increase (p<0,001) in red blood cells, white blood cells (p=0,040), hemoglobin (p<0,001), hematocrit (p=0,047) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0,001) in males in comparison to female smokers. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed that continuous cigarette smoking has severe adverse effects on haematological parameters (e.g., hemoglobin, white blood cells count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells count, hematocrit) and these alterations might be associated with a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis, polycythemia vera, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the technical (output) and functional (process) quality of mobile services, as well as the role of corporate image as a mediator between technical/functional quality perceptions and overall quality assessment of mobile services. Grönroos’s service quality model is used as the conceptual base of the study. Technical quality was operationalized through two sub-dimensions: baseline network quality and augmented technical quality. The SERVPERF framework was used in the operationalization of the functional quality. A quantitative survey was conducted with (n = 414) customers of the telecommunication operator in B&H. The results suggest that corporate image mediates the effects of (1) two functional quality dimensions (tangibles and assurance) and (2) both technical quality dimensions on the overall service quality assessment. The core technical quality dimension (network) is also directly related to overall service quality perception. A discussion of the results and their implications for theory and practice is then presented.