Introduction: The term masked hypertension (MH) should be used for untreated individuals who have normal office blood pressure but elevated ambulatory blood pressure. For treated patients, this condition should be termed masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH). Research Objectives: Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) has gone unrecognized because few studies have used 24-h ABPM to determine the prevalence of suboptimal BP control in seemingly well-treated patients, and there are few such studies in large cohorts of treated patients attending usual clinical practice. This is important because masked hypertension is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. This study was conducted to obtain more information about the association between hypertension and other CV risk factors, about office and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) control as well as on cardiovascular (CV) risk profile in treated hypertensive patients, also to define the prevalence and characteristics of masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) among treated hypertensive patients in routine clinical practice. Patients and methods: In this study 2514 male and female patients were included during a period of 5 years follow up. All patients have ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for at least 24h. We identified patients with treated and controlled BP according to current international guidelines (clinic BP, 140/90mmHg). Cardiovascular risk assessment was based on personal history, clinic BP values, as well as target organ damage evaluation. Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) was diagnosed in these patients if despite controlled clinic BP, the mean 24-h ABPM average remained elevated (24-h systolic BP ≥130mmHg and/or 24-h diastolic BP ≥80mmHg). Results: Patients had a mean age of 60.2+10 years, and the majority of them (94.6%) were followed by specialist physicians. Average clinic BP was 150.4+16/89.9+12 mmHg. About 70% of patients displayed a very high-risk profile. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed in all recruited patients for at least 24h. Despite the combined medical treatment (78% of the patients), clinic control (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in only 26.2% of patients, the corresponding control rate for ambulatory BP (<130/80 mmHg) being 32.7%. From 2514 patients with treated BP, we identified 803 with treated and controlled office BP control (<140/90 mmHg), of whom 258 patients (32.1%) had MUCH according to 24-h ABPM criteria (mean age 57.2 years, 54.7% men). The prevalence of MUCH was slightly higher in males, patients with borderline clinic and office BP (130–139/80–89 mmHg), and patients at high cardiovascular risk (smokers, diabetes, obesity). Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) was most often due to poor control of nocturnal BP, with the proportion of patients in whom MUCH was solely attributable to an elevated nocturnal BP almost double that solely attributable to daytime BP elevation (22.3 vs. 10.1%, P 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of masked suboptimal BP control in patients with treated and well-controlled clinic BP is high. The characteristics of patients with MUCH (male, longer duration of hypertension, obesity, smoking history, and diabetes) indicate that this is a higher-risk group with most to gain from improved BP.

Objectives: To determine significance and sensitivity of the Free to Total prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio (%fPSA) in diagnosis of prostate cancer and to correlate its sensitivity and specificity with diagnosis. Methods: Research included 220 patients, who had indication for biopsy (Clinic for Urology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo). Results: Average age of patients was 64.6 ± 8.1 years. Kruskal Wallis test indicates that there is a significant difference in age in relation to the diagnosis (KW χ2=12.508; p=0.006). The correlation between the %fPSA level and diagnosis is positive and statistically significant (r=0.211; p=0.002) in the sense that cancer patients have the lowest %fPSA. Analysis of the sensitivity at 95% specificity of %fPSA compared to particular diagnosis shows the highest sensitivity for prostate cancer - 20.61% (8.35-31.02) with statistically significant AUC p<0.05. Analysis of %fPSA test in detecting prostate cancer, at cut-off values ≤ 0.16, shows a sensitivity of 72.3% and specificity of 50.4 (at cut-off values <0.07, sensitivity is 8.4%, and specificity is 97.8%). Conclusion: PSA is organ specific but not cancer specific marker, whose total value, as well as the %fPSA serve as a basis, with a digitorectal exam, in the detection of prostate cancer. By increasing the cut-off values sensitivity of %fPSA increases and specificity decreases. %fPSA has a relative importance in the detection of prostate cancer, and should not be used as a guideline, without prior clinical examination.

Let $M$ be a finite volume, non-compact hyperbolic Riemann surface, possibly with elliptic fixed points, and let $\phi(s)$ denote the automorphic scattering determinant. From the known functional equation $\phi(s)\phi(1-s)=1$ one concludes that $\phi(1/2)^{2} = 1$. However, except for the relatively few instances when $\phi(s)$ is explicitly computable, one does not know $\phi(1/2)$. In this article we address this problem and prove the following result. Let $N$ and $P$ denote the number of zeros and poles, respectively, of $\phi(s)$ in $(1/2,\infty)$, counted with multiplicities. Let $d(1)$ be the coefficient of the leading term from the Dirichlet series component of $\phi(s)$. Then $\phi(1/2)=(-1)^{N+P} \cdot \mathrm{sgn}(d(1))$.

Pulmonary hypertension is a pathophysiological state hemodynamically defined as the increase of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure above 25, or 30 mmHg at rest, measured by catheterization of the right heart. Laboratory findings usually reveals polycythemia, the ECG right ventricle hypertrophy, and x-ray characteristic of diseased branches (echocardiography and biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP hormones are potentially helpful tools in identifying PH). Echocardiography can be found the increase of the right atrium and ventricle, right ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal contraction of the interventricular septum, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and decreased left ventricular size, with reduced volumes of systole and end diastole. Doppler confirming tricuspid regurgitation. Pharmacological therapy would represent a use: Calcium Channel Blockers, Prostacyclin Analogues, Endothelin Receptor Antagonists and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors. Alpha adrenergic antagonists, endothelial receptor subtype A (Bosentan, Tracller) with treatment of the underlying disease or anticongestive therapy, are recommended. In case of inadequate response to treatment with a specific drug, guidelines recommend the combined use of drugs from the basic three groups, using their synergism.

Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.5–22.7) and 16.5 cm (13.3–19.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8–144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.13410.001

Abstract Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn’s disease (CD), is associated with increased microbial-specific IgG and IgA antibodies, whereas alterations of anti-food antibodies are still disputed. The knowledge about IgG subclass antibodies in IBD is limited. In this study we analysed IgG subclass antibodies specific for nutritional and commensal antigens in IBD patients and controls. Methods: Serum IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 specific for wheat and milk extracts, purified ovalbumin, Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis lysates and mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analysed by ELISA in patients with CD (n = 56), ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 29), acute gastroenteritis/colitis (n = 12) as well as non-inflammatory controls (n = 62). Results: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) of all IgG subclasses and anti-B. fragilis IgG1 levels were increased in CD patients compared to UC patients and controls. The discriminant validity of ASCA IgG2 and IgG4 was comparable with that of ASCA pan-IgG and IgA, whereas it was inferior for ASCA IgG1/IgG3 and anti-B. fragilis IgG1. Complicated CD defined by the presence of perianal, stricturing or penetrating disease phenotypes was associated with increased ASCA IgG1/IgG3/IgG4, anti-B. fragilis IgG1 and anti-E. coli IgG1 levels. Anti-food IgG subclass levels were not different between IBD patients and controls and did not correlate with food intolerance. In contrast to anti-microbial Abs, food-specific IgG responses were predominately of the IgG4 isotype and all food-specific IgG subclass levels correlated negatively with age. Conclusion: Our study supports the notion that the adaptive immune recognition of food and commensal antigens are differentially regulated.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a new theoretical insight regarding top managers' personal values in developing countries based on the Schwartz Values Theory (Schwartz, 1992, 1996, 2006; Schwartz and Bilsky, 1990) and to explore the influence of top managers' personal values on sustainability performances of successful businesses. The research describes personal values differences between top managers and their commitment to pro-social and pro-environmental responsibility who were approached through the validated and reliable questionnaire on identifying top managers' personal values (PVQ40) and questionnaire on sustainability indicators observed through the „triple bottom line“ concept which includes three measuring elements: financial, social and environmental performances (Fauzi, Svensson and Rahman, 2010). Given that top managers are very often the owners in SMEs, their values are largely reflected in the organizational values, which means that in small pro-environmentaly oriented firms, the personal values of owners-managers seem to play a much stronger part in motivating pro-environmental behaviors than in other SMEs (Lawrence at al., 2006). With regard to business sustainability, it is still insufficiently known, developed and understood in Southeast Europe and in developing countries. Therefore, this research may be used to encourage companies and local governments to include a sustainability issues in their business activities as a pre-condition for business success and competitiveness. The managers in SMEs can use this research as a guideline on introduction of contemporary principles of sustainability into their companies and to improve and direct their personal values towards sustainability.

The aim of the study was to investigate parasitic contamination of soil and vegetation on different locations in the Sarajevo Canton and to propose the rehabilitation measures. Among 55 locations sampled in the Canton Sarajevo in 2015, 33 (66.0%) were positive. In total, 220 soil samples and 80 plant samples were tested, and 59 (26.82%) and 12 (15.00%) were positive, respectively. Five different parasite-developing stages were determined. The highest level of contamination was detected in the parks (77.77%) and playgrounds (75.00%). Among 33 positive locations (60.00% of examined locations), taeniid eggs were detected in four (12.12%), Toxocara canis eggs in 32 (96.97%), Trichuris spp. eggs in nine (27.27%) and ancylostomatid eggs in six locations (18.18%), while nematode larvae were identified in 14 locations (42.42%). Out of 71 soil and plants positive samples, taeniid eggs were identified in four (5.63%) and Toxocara canis eggs in 50 samples (70.42%). Trichuris spp. eggs were found in nine (12.67%), ancylostomatid eggs in six (8.45%) and nematode larvae in 17 samples (23.94%). Concerning the public health aspect, it is crucial to reduce parasitic contamination by implementing adequate preventive measures in line with the legislation. Involvement of all concerned particularly pet owners (parents and children), veterinarians, physicians, and environmentalists, should be strongly encouraged with major emphasis on permanent education.

Introduction: Homocysteine is process-product of methionine demethylation. It has proatherogenic, prothrombotic, prooxidative, proapoptotic, osteoporotic, neurotoxic, neuroinflamatory, and neurodegenerative effects. Hyperhomocysteinemia correlates with C667T MTHFR mutation, decrease of folic acid and vitamin B, as well as prolonged use of certain medications. Materials and Methods: We measured levels of homocysteine in thirty patients (15::15) with “de novo” Parkinson’s disease, with average age 64.17 ± 13.19 (28-82) years (Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center Tuzla). Normal level of homocysteine for women was 3.36-20.44 micromole/l and 5.9-16 micromole/l for men. We followed the effects of medicament approach (folic acid) every six months for next five years. Results: 20% of patients with “de novo” Parkinson’s disease exhibited hyperhomocysteinemia. An average level of homocysteine was 13.85 ± 5.82 micromole/l. Differences due to age and homocysteine levels, regardless of sex, were not concluded. For the next five years intake of folic acid (periodically, 1-2 months, 5 mg per day, orally) was effective to normalized levels of homocysteine in all. Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia is present in every fifth patient with “de novo” Parkinson’s disease. Folic acid is medication of choice in treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia coexisting with Parkinson’s disease.

Aim: The goal of this study was to examine the general satisfaction of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with treatment opportunities for their children in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An additional goal was to assess the level of mothers’ satisfaction with their own involvement in the creation and implementation of Individual Education Plans. Methods: The sample consisted of 98 mothers of children with ASD. Mothers answered to questions related to their perceived satisfaction with treatment options. Results: The results of this study indicated that mothers are generally satisfied with educational opportunities for their children (61.2%). However, their satisfaction with involvement in the creation and implementation of Individual Education Programs was much lower (35.7%). Most comments of the mothers were that the treatment options should be more widely available and that the educational programs could be improved. Conclusions: Parents of children with ASD should have more information on the treatment options available for their children. More educational opportunities need to be offered to children with ASD in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Higher education in Europe and in the Balkan’s countries is undergoing major reforms. The Bologna Process was a major reform created with the claimed goal of providing responses to issues such as the public responsibility for higher education and research, higher education governance, the social dimension of higher education and research, and the values and roles of higher education and research in modern, globalized, and increasingly complex societies with the most demanding qualification needs. Changes in the curricula, modernization of facilities and their alignment with the programs of other European universities, employment of a larger number of assistants, especially in the clinical courses at our universities are necessary. Also, it is necessary to continue to conduct further detailed analysis and evaluation of teaching content and outcomes in the future. In this review authors expressed their views and experience of using Bologna model of education in the Balkan’s countries with emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Macedonia.

Introduction: The hospital blood bank (HBB) need to timely provide adequate amounts of blood and blood products for surgeries. For various surgical programs are performed assessments of the average number of blood doses needed for surgery. By using two types of requisitions BT/AB (blood type/antibody) and BT/AB/MT (blood type/antibody/match test) for pretransfusion immunohaematological testing in General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakas” is achieved more rational consumption of blood and blood derivatives and financial savings through reduced number of matching tests (MT). Goal: To determine the total amount of pre-operative requisitions (BT/AB and BT/AB/MT) for blood and blood products at surgical departments of the General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakas” in the period from June 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 and analyze the consumption/return of blood in reserve in relation to the surgical disciplines, the total number of savings in MT. Conduct assessments MSBOS (Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule). Results: The total amount of preoperative requisitions for blood and blood products in surgical wards was 927 requests from which 623 demands or 67.2% is tested by BT/MT, while 304 or 32.8% was tested by BT/AB/MT. Transfused in total was 617 units of blood and blood products, 275 units were not transfused. Probability of transfusions for surgery was 51.3, the highest in the case of surgical intensive care 70.4 and the lowest for the department of general surgery 37.2%. Assessment of indicators of efficient resource management indicates they are the best at the delivery ward 0.89, while a total for surgical wards is 0.69. In total for surgery on the average were required 2.1 units of blood. By using two types of requisitions for pretransfusion immunohaematological testing (BT/AB and CG/AB/MT) is achieved more rational use of MT. In 623 requests for BT/AB only 61 MT were performed. Average of blood units issued in accordance with these requirements is 0.08 and the savings in the number of MT amounts to 562.