On twentieth of December 2015 in Sarajevo, died one doyen of medicine and health care, a student of the fi rst generation of Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo, distinguished professor Dragomir Kosoric. Professor Kosoric was born on June 19, 1922 in Kovin in Vojvodina (Serbia). He graduated high school in Sarajevo during war in 1941. As a student of the National Liberation Struggle he was wounded in the fi ghting for the liberation of Western Serbia. Most of the war years he spent in Uzice and Belgrade and was demobilized in 1946. He started the studies at the Medical Faculty in 1946/1947 and graduated in 1953. During the study of medicine, he was a demonstrator on subjects Anatomy with professor Hajrudin Hadziselimovic and Physiology and Biochemistry with professor Aleksandar Sabovljev. After the compulsory internship in Clinical hospital in Sarajevo he worked in Children’s clinic in Sarajevo and Ilidza. In 1955 he started residency in pediatrics at the Clinic of Pediatrics, which was then led by professor Milivoje Sarvan. In 1957 he was elected to assistant lecturer in Pediatrics, was re-elected in 1960, after passing the specialist exam in Pediatrics in 1958 and the passing the phases of academic elections for the subject of Pediatrics: assistant professor in 1963, associate professor in 1968 and full professor in 1975. After completing the specialist exam in Pediatrics, 1960 opted for studying hematology, cytology, hematology and pediatric hepatology, as Clinic of Pediatrics did not have such experts. He habilitated in 1963 on topic “Acute leucosis at children’s age.” After habilitation he went on education with a respected professor Stanoje Stefanovic in Belgrade and professor E. Hauptman in Zagreb and then at six-month training in Paris, with professor D. Alagille’s (University Hospital Saint Vincent de Paul) and professor JP Soulier (National Blood Transfusion Centre), with scholarship from the World Health Organization (WHO) in the period 1963/1964. Also studied with professor G. Mathe in Paris in 1976. Education in these reputable centers helped professor Kosoric to raise Sarajevo School of Children’s Hematology to extremely high scientifi c and practical level, due to which even today has this rating. Professor Kosoric until his last days of life was always ready to give advice to younger colleagues, which was the trait that has adorned him and due to which he enjoyed a reputation and respect from us, his students. He never passed me, because we were neighbors, without sharing “few words” in a few minutes of conversation, and he was particularly happy to take the new issues of Medical Archives to read them and have in his library. He was also a member of editorial boards of several scientifi c journals (Yugoslav Pediatrics, Pharmaca, Bulletin of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, etc.). He has authored or co-authored numerous articles and other scientifi c and professional publications and congress proceedings. In addition to the scientifi c associations and bodies of these associations at the local, national and international level, he was also highly engaged in social-political sphere. During the time he was leading the Pediatric Clinic (19771979) and the Department of Pediatrics (1982-1984), Pediatric Clinic in Sarajevo gained a signifi cant reputation and produced many generations of well-trained pediatricians throughout the country. He also teaches Pediatrics at medical faculties in Tuzla and Banja Luka, and the Faculty of Dentistry in Sarajevo. A signifi cant contribution to the development of pediatrics in Bosnia and Herzegovina gave professor Dragan Kosoric, which most likely, all his pupils will remember due to his noble character, selfl ess carrier of knowledge, professional and scientifi c, but also a great humanist. Numerous awards which he received are: the Order of Work with Golden Wreath in 1967, the Order of Brotherhood and Unity in 1975, and number of diplomas and plaques at the level of the former Yugoslavia, are arguments for my statements. Especially I will remember the Celebration of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo 30th anniversary, when we, professor Kosoric and myself were tasked by the then management (professors: Esref Sarajlic, Zdravko Besarovic, Mladen Scepovic, Muhamed Teftedarija, Rifat Tvrtkovic, Hajrudin Hadziselimovic, etc.) and perform this tas “professionally” to the satisfaction of all then invited to a festive dinner. We sang, each in their own way and at its option, professor Kosoric in front of the 1st and I in front of the 25th generation, he one old city song and I sevdalinka song, as Professor Kosoric love and know how to enjoy your life. After this we will remember him. Sarajevo, January 20th, 2016. Professor Izet Masic, MD, PhD IN MEMORIAM

This year journal “Medical Archives” celebrates 70th anniversary of its continuing publication. Medical Archives is oldest biomedical journal in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the oldest medical journals in Europe, established in the year 1947, as official scientific and professional journal of Association of Physicians of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Until present Medical Archives has published over 5000 articles. Today Medical Archives is internationally recognized medical peer-reviewed indexed journal, visible in more than 30 international on-line databases.

This paper analyses agriculture and the food industry as dominant sectors of the Serbian agro industrial complex. The goal of the research is to stress the significance of the agro industry for economic development and the directions of its future development, as well as the significance of the agricultural and industrial policy for its development. For the purpose of a hypothesis the testing indicators of development, structural changes and work productivity will be analyzed. A correlation analysis is used to determine the character of dependence and the impact of the agriculture and food industry on key indicators of economic growth. The comparative method is used for a comparative analysis of the structural changes of Serbian agriculture as well as for some of the new EU member states. Research results show that new EU member states adapt the structure of their agriculture more efficiently to the new demands of development, resulting in the agro industry creating a greater added value which influences overall economic development. The great potential of the Serbian agro industrial complex could be a very good foundation for efficient agro industrial growth and an increase of competiveness on EU and Russia markets, as well as on numerous markets of other world countries, having in mind that overall demands for ecologically healthy food will grow rapidly in the following period.

Background: Due to the enormous migration as the result of war and disasters during the last decades, health systems in Europe are faced with various cultural traditions and both healthcare systems and healthcare professionals are challenged by human rights and values. In order to minimize difficulties in providing healthcare services to patients with different cultural backgrounds, cultural competence healthcare professionals are needed. Material and Methods: Four focus group interviews, were conducted with Kurdish immigrants in Scandinavian countries (N=26). The majority were males (n=18) aged between 33-61 years (M= 51.6 years) and a few were (n=8) females aged 41-63 years (M=50.7 years). The data were analyzed by using qualitative content analysis method. Results: According to the study results participants experienced that diversities both in culture and healthcare routines create a number of difficulties regarding contact with healthcare services. Though culture related aspects influenced the process of all contact with health care services, the obstacles were more obvious in the case of psychological issues. The results of the study showed that cultural diversities were an obvious reason for immigrants’ attitudes regarding healthcare services in resettlement countries. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed a number of difficulties beyond linguistic problems regarding immigrants’ contact with healthcare services in Scandinavian countries. Problems were rooted both in diversities in healthcare services and cultural aspects. Immigrants’ views of healthcare systems and healthcare professionals’ approach in providing healthcare were some of the problems mentioned.

Aim: The aim of this research is to show why is it important in diagnosing children with lung infiltrates. Methods: Our study included 50 children with lung infiltrates during period 2005-2012, and was conducted on Pediatric Clinic of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo. We sent all cytological BAL analyses to the University Clinical Center Sarajevo. Cytology was performed by direct microscopy. BAL cytology was performed by the principle of sending samples for centrifuging, 12000 revolutions during a 10 min Shandon-cyto spin. Then the centrifuged sample is dried in the air during 1-2 hours, and is then dyed under the May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining, and analyzed under the Olympus BX41 microscope. Results: Nosocomial pneumonia has occurred in 32% children, acquired pneumonia in 38%, and 30% children had a lung infiltrates. 6 (12%) of children were younger then 1 year old, 23 (46%) children were between 1 to 5 years, 14 (28%) of children were between 5 to 10 ages, and 7 (14%) of children were between 10-15 ages. The most of the changes in observed children took place on the right lung, 34%, while 26% occurred on the left side, 22% were normal and 18% changes have affected both lungs, right and left. Percentage of cells in cytological smear in children with BAL were: cylindrical cells 28%, lung macrophage 26%, lymphocytes 17%, detritus 17% and phlegm 12%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in children with BAL was up to 10-52%, to 50-30%, while ESR after first hour was above 50-18 %. Conclusion: Clinical parameters and local inflammation of the affected lobe are associated with positive bronchoalveolar cytology lavage findings.

Introduction: Renalase is a protein secreted in kidneys and considered as a blood pressure modulator. High rates of hypertension and its regulation in patients on hemodialysis demands search for potential cause and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the genotype and allele frequencies of renalase gene rs2576178 polymorphism in population from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, the objective of present study was to find the possible association between renalase gene rs2576178 polymorphism and hypertension in patients on hemodialysis. Material and Methods: The genotype of renalase gene rs2576178 polymorphism was determined in 137 participants (100 patients on hemodialysis and 37 controls), using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent cleavage with MspI restriction endonuclease. Genotype and allele frequencies were assessed for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium using a Chi-squared test. The value of P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Comparison of genotype distribution and allele frequency in participants on hemodialysis with and without hypertension, and healthy control showed no statistical difference. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that renalase gene rs2576178 polymorphism is not a factor that influences blood pressure in patients on hemodialysis.

Background This article provides a summary of the 2013 European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report (available at http://www.era-edta-reg.org), with a focus on patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) as the cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods In 2015, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for ESRD from 49 national or regional renal registries in 34 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Individual patient data were provided by 31 registries, while 18 registries provided aggregated data. The total population covered by the participating registries comprised 650 million people. Results In total, 72 933 patients started RRT for ESRD within the countries and regions reporting to the ERA-EDTA Registry, resulting in an overall incidence of 112 per million population (pmp). The overall prevalence on 31 December 2013 was 738 pmp (n = 478 990). Patients with DM as the cause of ESRD comprised 24% of the incident RRT patients (26 pmp) and 17% of the prevalent RRT patients (122 pmp). When compared with the USA, the incidence of patients starting RRT pmp secondary to DM in Europe was five times lower and the incidence of RRT due to other causes of ESRD was two times lower. Overall, 19 426 kidney transplants were performed (30 pmp). The 5-year adjusted survival for all RRT patients was 60.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60.5–61.3] and 50.6% (95% CI 49.9–51.2) for patients with DM as the cause of ESRD.

The aim: of the study was to determine the situation of preterm births and early neonatal mortality during 2007-2014 in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: The study covers a 8-year period and is based on the protocols at the Tuzla Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics that covers all birth in Tuzla Canton area. We analyzed the gestational age of all newborns and recorded the number of neonatal deaths in the first week after birth. Demographics, pregnancy and birth characteristics were collected from the maternal records. Results: The total number of births in the period was 32738. Preterm birth was identified in 2401 (7.3%) cases with 12,5% occurring before 32 gestational weeks and 64% in 35-36 gestational weeks. The mothers of the 24-31 gws preterm group were significantly younger that those in the 32-36 group. In the 32-36 group there were significantly greater proportions of mothers with assisted reproductive technology and pre-eclampsia and 16.7% was medical induced preterm births versus 11.4 % in the 24-31 PTB group, p<0.05. The incidence of PTB did no vary significantly during the period, the lowest rate was found in 2010 (6.4%). A total of 221 children died giving a early mortality rate of 6.8 per 1000 live born over the 8 years. The majority 156 dying infants (70.6%) were preterm, only 5.7% died being born in the 35-36 gestational week (5.9 per 1000). Overall the preterm early mortality (7.3 per 1000) has shown a decreasing tendency during the latter years. Conclusion: During the last 8 years there have been no significant decline in preterm birth in the Tuzla region while a decline in early neonatal death has been registered.

Introduction: Materia Socio Medica Journal has a long history. It was founded in 1978. Aim: To evaluate journal articles in 2015 and compare findings to previous years. Material and methods: The study has retrospective and descriptive character, and included the period 2009-2015. Results: A total of 99 articles were published in Materia Socio Medica during 2015 and it shows an upward trend during the period 2009-2015. Original articles are present in majority during the last seven years (69,2%). Analyzing the last seven years, 44,1% of articles were from the field of clinical medicine. Articles from the fields of public health show an upward trend during the last four years. Collaboration rate in 2015 was 0,95. Authors of the articles are from ten countries (four continents). H index of journal is 8 and g index is 12 (Publish or Perish software). According to GoogleScholar, h5 index for Materia Socio Medica is 8 and h5 median is 9. Conclusions: The objectives of the journal in the next year are: to become a part of the Scopus and Web of Science databases, further internationalization and promotion of the journal in the country and the region, revision and broadening of the Editorial Board, trying to follow trend in reducing the number of days required for a decision on acceptance or revision of article and involvement of the younger generation of professionals and scientists into the journal work and publishing scope, which will lead to emergence of new enthusiasm and ideas (Journal intends to follow the trends of modern biomedical publishing worldwide).

Background: necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious condition that affects mostly preterm infants, with high mortality rate. Aim: to estimate the influence of potentially contributing factors of this multifactorial disease. Methods: the study group included 51 necrotizing enterocolitis infants who were less than 37 week gestation who were hospitalized in NICU during a five year period. The control group consisted of 71 patients with approximately the same gestational age and birth weight. Average gestational age in the study group was 30.2 weeks (SD 3.7), average birth weight 1502g (SD 781.5). Average postnatal age in the time of the presenting NEC was 18.2 days (SD 12.8). Results: Logistic regression estimates the influence of risk factors, which in our study related to the treatment of preterm infants on the likelihood of NEC development. Our regression model consisted of seven independent variables (nosocomial infections, mechanical ventilation, nasal continuous positive pressure, morphine, inotropes, blood transfusions, and H2 blockers), which were shown to have a statistically significant impact, X2 (7, n=1222) = 49.522, p<0.0001; two independent variables (nosocomial infection and H2 blockers use) were statistically significant. Preterm infants with nosocomial infection had a three times greater chance of developing NEC, and infants who received H2 blockers had a 1.5 higher risk. Conclusions: Underlying pathology of very low birth weight infants and their treatment in NICU contribute to NEC development. Identifying risk factors can be crucial for the early diagnosis and outcome of disease. Awareness of risk factors should influence changes in practice to reduce the risk of NEC.

Introduction: Due to sedentary lifestyles and excessive calorie intake, metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common health problem in the world, as well as in our country, and it is estimated to occur in 30% of the population of middle and older age. The metabolic syndrome is a combination of disorders that include: obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, impaired regulation of body fat and high blood pressure. Complications resulting from metabolic syndrome significantly reduces quality of patient’s life and represents a huge socio-economic burden. Metabolic syndrome therapy is directed to reduce all risk factors, and that means the change of lifestyle, which includes a reduction of body weight, physical activity, antiatherogenic diet and smoking cessation. Medical therapy is aimed to the individual risk factors. Case report: In case of our patient, despite the optimal standard therapy, including drugs for the regulation of LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, an intensive control of blood pressure and glucose, failure to implement the recommended treatment led to a myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The fundamental problem is not the lack of efficacy of available therapeutic measures, medications and procedures, but in insufficient implementation.

RATIONALE Mass spectrometry has shown itself to be the most efficient tool for the sequencing of peptides. However, de novo sequencing of novel natural peptides is significantly more challenging in comparison with the same procedure applied for the tryptic peptides. To reach the goal in this case it is essential to select the most efficient methods of triggering fragmentation and combine all the possible complementary techniques. METHODS Collision-induced dissociation (CID), high-energy collision dissociation (HCD), and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) tandem mass spectra recorded with a LTQ Orbitrap Velos instrument were used for the elucidation of the sequence of the natural non-tryptic peptides from the skin secretion of Rana latastei. Manual interpretation of the spectra was applied. RESULTS The combined approach using CID, HCD, and ETD tandem mass spectra of the multiprotonated peptides in various charge states, as well as of their proteolytic fragments, allowed the sequences of seven novel peptides from the skin secretion of Rana latastei to be established. CONCLUSIONS Manual mass spectrometry sequencing of natural non-tryptic peptides from the skin secretion of Rana latastei provided the opportunity to work successfully with these species and demonstrated once again its advantage over automatic approaches.

Aim: The aim of this study is to represent the prevalence of non-communicable diseases risks among patients of family medicine practices in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Risks prevalence was obtained from an organized massive screening being performed by 100 family medicine teams in four cities of the Federation of B&H during 2013. Material and Methods: Our concept of “preventive treatment of a patient” included detecting and monitoring the following chronic non-communicable diseases risk factors: (a) hypertension; (b) obesity; (c) smoking; (d) physical inactivity; and (e) dyslipidemia; (f) diabetes mellitus. Our sample of examined patients was 46.638. Results: Highest risk prevalence within entire F B&H is observed for dyslipidemia (90.3%) and physical inactivity (64.7%). Lowest prevalence was found for blood sugar and hypertension at 19.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Smoking prevalence of the examined patients was 28.4%. Prevalence of the obesity as health risk (ITM > 30) was 25.5 %. It is of interest that statistically significant differences of individual risk prevalence among cities are evident. Risk distribution among cities ranked from highest to lowest prevalence, shows clearly that Sarajevo is leading in four risks compared to the other cities, while Zenica is ranked lowest for four risk factors. The examined population of the four cities can be ranked from lowest to highest prevalence of the examined risk factors as follows: Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla, and Zenica.

Background: The increase in the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections lacking risk factors for exposure to the health care system has been associated with the recognition of new MRSA clones known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). These strains have been distinguished from health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains by epidemiological, molecular and genetic means as well as by antibiotic susceptibility profile, tissue tropism and virulence traits. Objective: To assess prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of CA-MRSA in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: Out of 1.905 positive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from various samples of outpatients collected during six months, 279 (14,64%) were MRSA isolates. Out of 279 MRSA samples, 133 (47,67%) were found in nasal swabs, from which 48 (36,09%) were in the age group <1 year and 39 (29,32 %) are in the age 1-5 year. Rate of the positive skin swabs was highest among the subject of age group <1 year (46 or 54,12 %) and 1-5 year (18 or 21,18 %). Predominantly antibiotic types among MRSA strains are resistant to penicillin and cefoxitin (36,90 %) and to penicillin, cefoxitin and erythromycin (61,35 %). Conclusion: Continued monitoring of epidemiology and emerging drug resistance data is critical for the effective management of these infections.

Reassessment of the existing didactic-methodological organization within the University lectures as well as the role of students and University lecturers is a result of the current process of higher education reforms. The advancement of pedagogical and didactic-methodological competences of university lecturers represents an imperative in reaching a high quality education. The results of this research may function as a starting point in the self-evaluation of University lecturers. The point of this work was to present didactic and methodical elements of contemporary university teaching, according to Bologna concept of higher education, and position of students. Taking into consideration the very definition and didactic methodological structure and legality of teaching, researches related to representation of individual didactic and methodical elements of contemporary university teaching are presented, which relate to forms of teaching, methods of teaching and application of teaching and technical aids. In the context of the current reform of the high education and considering the Bologna Declaration it could be concluded that contemporary university teaching is marked with cooperative interactive teaching in which the position of students and teachers is defined as partnership.