AbstractThe primary objective in the study is determination of efficacy of probiotic preparation as a supportive therapy in eradication of Helicobacter pylori.The study was multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, and double-blind. The subjects first filled out a specially designed questionnaire to assess the severity of the 10 symptoms, which can be related to eradication therapy to be monitored during the trial. Each subject then received 28 capsules of probiotic preparation or matching placebo capsules, which they were supposed to take over the following 14 days, twice a day, at least 2 hours prior to or after the antibiotic therapy administration.A total of 804 patients were enrolled in the trial, of which 650 (80.85%) were included in the analysis. The results show a significantly larger share of cured subjects in the probiotic arm versus the placebo arm (87.38% vs 72.55%; P < 0.001). Additionally, presence and intensity of epigastric pain, bloating, flatulence, taste disturbance, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, rash, and diarrhea were monitored over the study period. At 15 days postinclusion, probiotic treatment was found superior to placebo in 7 of 10 mentioned symptoms. Average intensity for symptoms potentially related to antibiotic therapy was significantly higher in the placebo group, 0.76 vs 0.55 (P < 0.001).Adding probiotics to the standard triple therapy for H pylori eradication significantly contributes to treatment efficacy and distinctly decreases the adverse effects of therapy and the symptoms of the underlying disease.

The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive and robust analysis of the determinants of the capital structure of the Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) companies at the industry level. A large number of hypotheses of different classes of theories are tested. Estimating the dynamic panel models using the system of generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, we captured both cross-sectional and inter-temporal relationships between the leverage in companies and its determinants. The results show that profitability, collateral value of the assets and the risk, measured by earnings volatility, negatively affect company's leverage, while inconsistent results were for the relationship between different proxies for firm's future growth opportunities and leverage, whereby the firm size overall has no relationship with the firm' s leverage. The findings reflect the transitional nature of the FBiH corporate environment.They suggest that some of the insights from modern finance theory of capital structure are applicable in the FBiH in that certain firm-specific factors that are relevant for explaining capital structure in developed economies are also relevant in the FBiH. Overall, the empirical evidence presented in this Study finds it difficult to demonstrate the validity of the trade-off and the pecking order theories as stand-alone models. The Study’s results also point at several unique aspects of financing behavior in developing countries, from which specific implications for further research follow. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s5p188