Objective – The present study was undertaken to determine alcohol consumption among adolescents attending state schools in the BrAko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Participants and method – The subjects were pupils in the ninth grade of elementary school and all high school pupils. 4,188 pupils took part in the survey. The research was planned as a cross-sectional study, and it was conducted using the ESPAD questionnaire, which was adjusted for this research. Demographic data were collected through a specific question-form for each enrolled adolescent . Results – More than half the adolescents consumed alcohol. Boys did so more often, whilst there was no difference in alcohol consumption between those who lived in villages or towns. At the age of 14 years nearly half the adolescents had consumed alcohol, where boys had done so more often, as well as the adolescents from villages. The places where the adolescents most often consumed alcohol were discotheques, “at friends’ homes”, and in cafA©s. More than half the members of the adolescents’ households consume alcohol. Adolescents in the BrAko District of BH had consumed alcohol over the previous 30 days in a significantly higher percentage than pupils from the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of BH, and in a significantly lower percentage than pupils from Croatia, whilst the difference in comparison with Serbia was not significant. The frequency of alcohol intoxication in the BrAko District of BH was the lowest in comparison with the Republic of Srpska, the Federation of BH, Croatia and Serbia. Conclusion – Overall alcohol consumption amongst adolescents is becoming generally acceptable behaviour, which is tolerated by the community and parents, in that alcohol consumption is becoming a life-style, but it is not being systematically studied as a negative phenomenon, nor are there any long-term programmes to deter adolescents from consuming alcohol.

We calculate zeta and normal zeta functions of space groups with the point group isomorphic to the cyclic group of order 2. The obtained results are applied to determine the number of subgroups, resp. normal subgroups, of a given index for each of these groups.

Objective – We report an unusual case of split cord malformation (SCM) associated with open spinal dysraphism and other anomalies of the central nervous system. Case report – A male newborn was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit immediately after birth by Caesarean delivery. Clinical examination and diagnostics (MRI) showed open spinal dysraphism in the distal part of the spine (level L5 and S1), split cord malformation type I which separated two hemicords, tethered cord and syringomyelia. Two days after birth microneurosurgery was performed. Cranial and cervical MRI showed Chiari I and corpus callosum hypoplasia. There was no hydrocephalus. Preoperatively the patient had paraparesis and discretely moved his left foot. MRI showed a dilated bladder so he may have had urinary retention. The postoperative recovery was satisfactory. The patient did not have any additional neurological deficit. The patient was followed up by a neurosurgeon, pediatric surgeon, pediatrician and physiatrist. Control MRI scans showed significant regression of the syrinx and some ascensus of the medulla. About 18 months after operation the patient had discrete paresis of the left foot. Conclusion – Complex spina bifida is an extremely rare condition. In this paper we describe this interesting case of complex spina bifida: a split cord malformation characterized by atypical bony morphology with a dural fold into the bone septum.

BackgroundRed foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have recently been recognized as potential reservoirs of several vector-borne pathogens and a source of infection for domestic dogs and humans, mostly due to their close vicinity to urban areas and frequent exposure to different arthropod vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon canis, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., ‘Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis’, Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia spp. and blood filaroid nematodes in free-ranging red foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina.MethodsSpleen samples from a total of 119 red foxes, shot during the hunting season between October 2013 and April 2014 throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, were examined for the presence of blood vector-borne pathogens by conventional PCRs and sequencing.ResultsIn the present study, three species of apicomplexan parasites were molecularly identified in 73 red foxes from the entire sample area, with an overall prevalence of 60.8%. The DNA of B. canis, B. cf. microti and H. canis was found in 1 (0.8%), 38 (31.9%) and 46 (38.6%) spleen samples, respectively. In 11 samples (9.2%) co-infections with B. cf. microti and H. canis were detected and one fox harboured all three parasites (0.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between geographical region, sex or age of the host in the infection prevalence of B. cf. microti, although females (52.9%; 18/34) were significantly more infected with H. canis than males (32.9%; 28/85). The presence of vector-borne bacteria and filaroid nematodes was not detected in our study.ConclusionThis is the first report of B. canis, B. cf. microti and H. canis parasites in foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the data presented here provide a first insight into the distribution of these pathogens among the red fox population. Moreover, the relatively high prevalence of B. cf. microti and H. canis reinforces the assumption that this wild canid species might be a possible reservoir and source of infection for domestic dogs.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have recently been recognized as potential reservoirs of several vector-borne pathogens and a source of infection for domestic dogs and humans, mostly due to their close vicinity to urban areas and frequent exposure to different arthropod vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon canis, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., ‘Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis’, Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia spp. and blood filaroid nematodes in free-ranging red foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spleen samples from a total of 119 red foxes, shot during the hunting season between October 2013 and April 2014 throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, were examined for the presence of blood vector-borne pathogens by conventional PCRs and sequencing. In the present study, three species of apicomplexan parasites were molecularly identified in 73 red foxes from the entire sample area, with an overall prevalence of 60.8%. The DNA of B. canis, B. cf. microti and H. canis was found in 1 (0.8%), 38 (31.9%) and 46 (38.6%) spleen samples, respectively. In 11 samples (9.2%) co-infections with B. cf. microti and H. canis were detected and one fox harboured all three parasites (0.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between geographical region, sex or age of the host in the infection prevalence of B. cf. microti, although females (52.9%; 18/34) were significantly more infected with H. canis than males (32.9%; 28/85). The presence of vector-borne bacteria and filaroid nematodes was not detected in our study. This is the first report of B. canis, B. cf. microti and H. canis parasites in foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the data presented here provide a first insight into the distribution of these pathogens among the red fox population. Moreover, the relatively high prevalence of B. cf. microti and H. canis reinforces the assumption that this wild canid species might be a possible reservoir and source of infection for domestic dogs.

Immunoregulatory cytokines influence the persistence of hepatitis C virus chronic infection and the extent of liver damage. Interleukin-1 plays an important role in the inflammatory process. Some studies have demonstrated that IL-1 production was impaired in patients with chronic infections of hepatitis C virus, implying that IL-1 may play a role in viral clearance. In this study, along with routine laboratory tests, has been performed the analysis of serum levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1α in order of better understanding and monitoring of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of study was to analyze the usefulness of laboratory tests, which are routinely used in the assessment of liver disease with specified immunological parameters, in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Total of 60 subjects were divided into two groups: HCV-PCR positive and negative group. The control group of 30 healthy participans was included. Apart from standard laboratory tests, the analysis included serum levels of cytokine IL-1α. IL-1α had the highest mean concentration in group of viral hepatitis C, with PCR positive test (5.73 pg/mL), and then in of chronic viral hepatitis C, PCR negative test (5.39 pg/mL). ANOVA test proves that IL-1α in the healthy group was different from other groups as follows: in relation to HCV-RNA-PCR positive patients statistical significance level was p < 0.001 (F = 32,755); in relation to HCV-RNA-PCR negative was also statistically significant at p < 0.001 (F = 182,361); Cytokine IL-1 was statistically analyzed separately and compared by group 1 and 2 using Student t-test for independent samples. Statistical significance was observed at p = 0.026. IL-1α was positively correlated with the duration of the illness (p < 0.01) and with serum ALT activity (p < 0.01) and serum AST activity (p < 0.01). Using multivariate analysis model "Factor Analysis", was made significant stratification predic- tive parameters in relation to the cytokine IL-1α, stratified significance is indicated as follows: 1. Age, 2. history of receiv- ing transfusions, 3. ALT 4. AST, 5. MELD score (negative), 6. Child-Pugh score (negative). IL-1α was significantly ele- vated in inflammatory conditions of pronounced activity (PCR positive hepatitis). IL-1α may have important role as marker of both inflammation and hepatic injury, particularly in the course of hepatitis C. Results suggest that inflammatory and immune parameters, analyzed together can significantly contribute to the understanding and predicting of chronic liver damage.