Aim To present the results obtained in the identification of human remains from World War II found in two mass graves in Ljubuški, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods Samples from 10 skeletal remains were collected. Teeth and femoral fragments were collected from 9 skeletons and only a femoral fragment from 1 skeleton. DNA was isolated from bone and teeth samples using an optimized phenol/chloroform DNA extraction procedure. All samples required a pre-extraction decalcification with EDTA and additional post-extraction DNA purification using filter columns. Additionally, DNA from 12 reference samples (buccal swabs from potential living relatives) was extracted using the Qiagen DNA extraction method. QuantifilerTM Human DNA Quantification Kit was used for DNA quantification. PowerPlex ESI kit was used to simultaneously amplify 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, and PowerPlex Y23 was used to amplify 23 Y chromosomal STR loci. Matching probabilities were estimated using a standard statistical approach. Results A total of 10 samples were processed, 9 teeth and 1 femoral fragment. Nine of 10 samples were profiled using autosomal STR loci, which resulted in useful DNA profiles for 9 skeletal remains. A comparison of established victims' profiles against a reference sample database yielded 6 positive identifications. Conclusion DNA analysis may efficiently contribute to the identification of remains even seven decades after the end of the World War II. The significant percentage of positively identified remains (60%), even when the number of the examined possible living relatives was relatively small (only 12), proved the importance of cooperation with the members of the local community, who helped to identify the closest missing persons’ relatives and collect referent samples from them.

SUMMARY Stress is defined as a state in which homeostasis, as a dynamic balance of internal conditions necessary for the proper functioning of cells or the living organism as a whole, is affected by the action of various stressors. Stress reaction occurs as a result of stress system activities, which is located in the central and peripheral nervous system. Stress evaluation involves a qualitative and quantitative analyses and valuation of certain biologically active substances (biomarkers of stress) in body fluids that are so often associated with stress. Saliva as a diagnostic medium is being increasingly used for purposes of clinical and basic research because of its composition and content as well as the advantages of the process of sampling, as compared to traditional methods of collecting blood samples and urine samples. Cortisol, as a biomarker of stress, is the most often studied salivary biomarker, which is associated with the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis. Since stress leads to the suppression of the immune system, values of salivary secretory IgA and salivary lysozyme, as biomarkers of stress, can be analyzed. In saliva, it is difficult to monitor acute stress parameters, catecholamines, due to their low concentrations, rapid degradation and instability in the samples. Chromogranin A (CgA) and α-amylase enzyme can be used as alternative indices of adrenergic activity during stress reactions, due to their stability in saliva and reliability of the obtained values. Stress reaction and the diseases in whose pathogenesis it participates are yet another proof of the constant interaction of physical, psychological and social factors in health / disease SAŽETAK Stres se definiše kao stanje u kome je homeostaza, kao dinamička ravnoteža unutrašnjih uslova neophodnih za pravilno funkcionisanje ćelija ili živog organizma u cjelini, ugrožena djelovanjem različitih stresora. Stresna reakcija nastaje kao posljedica aktivnosti tzv. stres sistema, koji je smješten u centralnom i perifernom nervnom sistemu. Stres sistem, preko odgovarajućih medijatora, stimuliše kataboličke, lipolitičke, antireproduktivne i imunosupresivne efekte stresne reakcije s ciljem preusmjeravanja energije zbog povećane potrebe organizma u trenutku značajnim za njegovo preživljavanje. Evaluacija stresa podrazumijeva kvalitativno i kvantitativno analiziranje i vrednovanje određenih biološki aktivnih komponenti (biomarkera stresa) u tjelesnim tečnostima koje se dovode u vezu sa stresom. Pljuvačka se kao dijagnostički medijum sve češće koristi za klinička i bazična istraživanja zbog mogućnosti koje pruža, s obzirom na njen sastav i sadržaj kao i na prednosti samog procesa uzorkovanja u odnosu na tradicionalne metode prikupljanja uzoraka krvi i urina. Od biomarkera stresa, u pljuvački je najčešće ispitivan kortizol, koji se dovodi u vezu sa aktivacijom hipotalamus-hipofiza-adrenalne (HPA) osovine. S obzirom da stres dovodi do supresije imunog sistema, u pljuvački se mogu analizirati i vrijednosti sekretornog IgA i lizozima kao biomarkera stresa. Parametre akutnog stresa, kateholamine, teško je pratiti u pljuvački zbog njihove male koncentracije, brze degradacije i nestabilnosti u uzetim uzorcima. Kao alternativni indeksi adrenergičke aktivnosti tokom stresne reakcije, zbog stabilnosti u pljuvački i pouzdanosti dobijenih vrijednosti, mogu se koristiti hromogramin A (CgA) i enzim α-amilaza. Stresna reakcija i oboljenja u čijoj etiopatogenezi ona učestvuje još su jedan dokaz stalne interakcije fizičkih, psihičkih i socijalnih faktora u zdravlju/bolesti

Introduction: Hypoxia is a basic stimulant in production of erythropoietin (EPO). The primary function of erythrocytes is the transport of oxygen to tissues. Erythropoietin stimulates erythropoiesis which leads to increased production of erythrocytes- their total mass. This increases the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen, reduces the hypoxic stimulus and provides a negative feedback of stopping EPO production. The aim of this study was to establish a quantitative relationship between the concentration of erythropoietin, hemoglobin and hematocrit in different values of renal insufficiency. Material and methods: The survey was conducted on 562 subjects divided into two groups: with and without renal insufficiency. EPO, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum creatinine and additional parameters iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid were determined by using immunochemical and spectrophotometric methods and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated as well. Results: EPO values (median) grow to the first degree of renal insufficiency, as compared to EPO values of healthy subjects, this increase is statistically significant, p=0.002. With further deterioration of renal function the values of EPO between all pathological groups are decreasing, and this decrease is statistically significant between first and second degree of renal insufficiency (RI) p<0.001. In the group of healthy subjects EPO is correlated rho = -0.532, p <0.0005 with hematocrit. The correlations are negative and strong and can be predicted by regression line (EP0 = 41.375- Hct * .649; EPO = 61.41–Hb * 0.355). In the group of subjects with the first degree of renal insufficiency EPO is in correlation with hematocrit rho=-0.574, p<0, 0005. It is also correlated with hemoglobin rho=-0.580, p< 0.0005. The correlation is negative (EP0= 42.168- Hct * 0.678). In the group of subjects with the third degree of renal insufficiency EPO is in correlation with hemoglobin rho=0.257, p=0.028. The correlation is medium strong and positive. In the group of subjects with third and fourth degree of renal insufficiency EPO is not in correlation with hemoglobin and hematocrit p>0.05. Conclusion: Renal dysfunction, depending on the level of RI effects differently on the biosynthesis of EPO in a diseased kidney, and consequently it also has a different effect on biosynthesis of HB in bone marrow and its content in the blood.

UDK: 547.56:582.711.714(234.422 Trebević) Methanolic and acidified methanolic extracts of C. monogyna and C. rhipidophylla dried fruits were used in estimation of total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. The extracts of fruit were examined for their antioxidant activity by DPPH method. Antioxidant activity of the extracts varied from 17.65 to 22.05 mg ascorbic acid equivalents per g-1 dry weight. Total phenols, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in fruits ranged from 21.53 to 34.72 mg gallic acid equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 0.75 to 1.92 mg rutin equivalents and 0.13-0.93 mg quercetin equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 0.51 to 0.82 mg cyanidin-3- glucoside equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 11.27-18.77 mg cyanidin chloride equivalents per g-1 dry weight respectively. The higher values of total flavonoids generally are obtained with 80% methanol extracts for both species. The amounts of all investigated compounds and antioxidant activity were significantly higher in C. monogyna fruits which were confirmed by one-way ANOVA analysis.  Correlations between antioxidant activity and total phenols and proanthocyanidin contents were found as the main compounds influencing the antioxidant capacity of the samples. Obtained results suggest that both species represent valuable source of antioxidant compounds.

Ethnicity and religion are known to be important factors associated with substance use and misuse (SUM). Ethnic Bosniaks, Muslims by religion, are the third largest ethnic group in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, but no study has examined SUM patterns among them. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of SUM and to examine scholastic-, familial- and sport-factors associated with SUM in adolescent Bosniaks from Bosnia-and-Herzegovina. The sample comprised 970 17-to-18-year-old adolescents (48% boys). Testing was performed using an previously validated questionnaire investigating socio-demographic-factors, scholastic-variables, and sport-factors, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, simultaneous smoking and drinking (multiple SUM), and the consumption of other drugs. The 30% of boys and 32% of girls smoke (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.86–1.49), 41% of boys and 27% of girls are defined as harmful alcohol drinkers (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.48–2.54), multiple SUM is prevalent in 17% of boys and 15% of girls (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.79–1.56), while the consumption of other drugs, including sedatives, is higher in girls (6% and 15% for boys and girls, respectively; OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 1.89–4.70). Scholastic achievement is negatively associated with SUM. SUM is more prevalent in those girls who report higher income, and boys who report a worse familial financial situation. The study revealed more negative than positive associations between sport participation and SUM, especially among girls. Results can help public health authorities to develop more effective prevention campaign against SUM in adolescence.

Introduction: Inferior oblique overaction (IOOA) can be primary or secondary, isolated or combined to other types of horizontal deviation, mostly with esotropias. Surgical weakening of IOOA means several techniques like; recession, myotomy, myectomy, anteroposition etc. Goals: we analyzed the effect of inferior oblique muscle surgical weakening comparing two groups of patients with primary hypertropia. Material and methods: In 5-years retrospective study, we observed 33 patients on which we did the surgical procedure of weakening inferior muscle overaction by two methods; recession and myotomy. Results: In total number of 33 patients, there were 57,6% male and 42,4% female patients with average age of 10,6±7,5 (in range of 4–36). There was 33,3% of isolated primary hypertropias, and 66,7% combined with esotropias. At 23 (69,9%) patients the recession surgical procedure was done, and with 10 (30,1%) myotomy. Better effect and binocularity was in 65,2% of patients in recession group which was statistically significant with significance level of p<0,0, χ2=5,705; p=0,021. Conclusion: Comparing of two surgical procedures of weakening inferior oblique muscles overaction, recession is better procedure than myotomy.

The aim of this study was to analyze one year outcome of the acute stroke patients with sleep apnea in order to gender and age. Methods: It was analyzed 110 patients with acute stroke and sleep apnea. Among them 65(59%) were men. Average age of all participant was 65.13±9.27 years. The same number and gender distribution of participants with stroke and without apnea were in control group. Evaluation of sleep apnea has been done with: “The Sleep Disorders Questionnaire”, “Berlin Questionnaire to identify patients at risk for the sleep apnea syndrome” and “The Epworth Sleepiness Scale”. Results: One year after stroke onset survived 91 (82.7%) out of 110 patients with apnea. Average age of survived patients was 63.66±8.78 years. Among them 52(80%) were men. In control group, without apnea survived 104 (94.5%) patients with average age of 65.00±8.62 years. Among them 62 (95.4%) were men. In men with apnea there is significantly lower survival range in order to patients without apnea (X2=8.22, p=0.004). In women there is no difference. Survival of both gender in patients with apnea (22; 64.7%) was the lowest in group older than 70 years of age. Sex ratio (men : women) was 15 (68.2%):7(58.3%). Survival in both gender in patients without apnea was the same in group older than 70 years of age: 27 (81.2%) out of 33. Average age of patients who died with apnea was significantly higher in order to patients without (t=1.97, p=0.03). Conclusion: One year after stroke, significantly more patients survived without (94.5%) than with apnea (82.7%) (p=0.01). In order to sex survived range was significantly (p=0.004) lover in men with apnea than without but in women there is no difference. Survival range of both gender in patients with apnea was the lowest in group older than 70 years (p=0.03).