Bone material characteristics are important contributors in the determination of bone strength. Raman spectroscopic analysis provides information on mineral/matrix ratio, mineral maturity/crystallinity, relative pyridinoline (Pyd) collagen cross-link content, relative proteoglycan content and relative lipid content. However, published reference data are available only for adults. The purpose of the present study was to establish reference data of Raman outcomes pertaining to bone quality in trabecular bone for children and young adults. To this end, tissue age defined Raman microspectroscopic analysis was performed on bone samples from 54 individuals between 1.5 and 23 years with no metabolic bone disease, which have been previously used to establish histomorphometric and bone mineralization density distribution reference values. Four distinct tissue ages, three well defined by the fluorescent double labels representing early stages of bone formation and tissue maturation (days 3, 12, 20 of tissue mineralization) and a fourth representing old mature tissue at the geometrical center of the trabeculae, were analyzed. In general, significant dependencies of the measured parameters on tissue age were found, while at any given tissue age, sex and subject age were not confounders. Specifically, mineral/matrix ratio, mineral maturity/crystallinity index and relative pyridinoline collagen cross-link content index increased by 485%, 20% and 14%, respectively between days 3 and 20. The relative proteoglycan content index was unchanged between days 3 and 20 but was elevated in the old tissue compared to young tissue by 121%. The relative lipid content decreased within days 3 to 20 by -22%. Thus, the method allows not only the monitoring of material characteristics at a specific tissue age but also the kinetics of tissue maturation as well. The established reference Raman database will serve as sensitive tool to diagnose disturbances in material characteristics of pediatric bone biopsy samples.

UDK: 630*93:630*68(497.6) Illegal logging and related trade represent one of the most important forest-related issues at international policy scene. In 2002, the European Union had initiated establishment of regional initiatives on preventing trade of illegally harvested wood, well known as FLEGT process. Other important segment of European Union efforts is adoption of legally-binding Regulation No. 995/2010 - EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) that prohibits import of illegally harvested wood and their products into EU. Bosnia-Herzegovina is country with economy in transition and with relatively slow progress toward EU integration process, while rising of awareness on need for prevention and combat with illegal activities and corruption represent one of the mayor challenges for its society. This paper analyse forestry professionals’ awareness of the EU Timber Regulation in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina as precondition for planning further steps on improving human and institutional capacities in forest sector to prevent and combat with illegal activities. In order to conduct the analysis of forestry professionals’ awareness on EUTR, survey was conducted among currently employed forestry professionals in forest sector of the FB-H. Results revealed that employed forestry professionals in the FB-H have different level of awareness on EUTR. Therefore, creation and consistent implementation of informational forest policy instruments are needed in order to increase capacities of forestry professionals related to elements of EUTR implementation process. Efforts on prevention and combat with illegal activities in forest sector should involve implementation of mix of forest policy instruments directed toward harmonization of forest policy in the FB-H with EUTR requirements based on active participation of forestry professionals that are aware of EUTR implementation process and its potential influences on forest and wood-processing sectors of the FB-H.

Introduction: Results of routine health statistics show that in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH) are the leading causes of death of population are diseases of circulatory system (53% in 2012) namely, cardiomyopathy, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. This data are red alert for immediate and imminent action. Methods: Two cross-sectional population surveys were conducted in 2002 and 2012 in the FBIH among adult population aged 25-64 years for assessment and distribution of major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), preferably hypertension, obesity and smoking. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension among adult population in the FBIH in year 2012 was 41%, similar as in 2002. Prevalence of obesity in 2012 among men was higher compared to 2002, stood at 20.3%, while for women it was 24.1%. Total of 61.3% of men and 35.9% of women said they were daily smokers, while the percentage in 2002 was 49.3% among men and 29.8% among women and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: Distributions of the major risk factors for CVD are worsening in the adult population in the FBIH, especially in middle age men, what can result in serious deterioration of health and increased rates of chronic diseases, especially CVD.

Abstract Introduction. BNP plasma levels are significantly increased in heart failure and have an excellent negative predictive value for left ventricular dysfunction. Measurement of BNP level is useful for “screening” in high-risk populations. It is suitable for detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and/or dysfunction and risk assessment in the sub-acute phase of acute myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients. The aim of our study was to find whether BNP may correlate with the left ventricular systolic function, i.e. its echocardiographic parameters in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods. In a prospective study performed at the Department of Nephrology and Clinic for hemodialysis at the Clinical Center in Sarajevo we followed-up 80 patients stratified in three separate groups according to CKD stage (Stage III, IV and V) for two years, regardless of their cardiovascular symptoms. We analyzed levels of BNP before and after diuretic therapy or hemodialysis and echocardiographic characteristics of the left ventricle. Results. There was a strong negative correlation between BNP values and the size of the EF before (rho=−0.692, p<0.0001) and after diuretic therapy (rho=−0.683, p<0.0001) for patients in CKD stage III, stage IV (rho=−0.314, p>0.05) and after diuretic therapy (rho=−495, p<0.05) Similarly, a negative correlation was found for BNP and EF values before (rho=−0.432, p<0.05) and after hemodialysis (rho=−0.556, p<0.01) for stage V CKD. Conclusions. Our study confirmed that the value of BNP in CKD patients may represent a measure of left ventricular systolic function with a strong negative correlation with ejection fraction. BNP measurement is a reliable parameter for further follow-up and prognosis in patients with established left ventricular dysfunction, acute coronary syndrome and for estimation of the left ventricular dysfunction.

Introduction: High blood pressure is the cause of almost 13 % of all deaths in the world. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is “gold standard” in diet recommended by American Society of Hypertension, American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 for reduction many CV risk factors including hypertension. Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension through DASH dietary program with reduction of salt intake can significantly reduce high values of blood pressure and decrease general cardiovascular risks. Goal: The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence of hypertension among miners in Banovici coal mine and amount of salt taken in meals during work time. Material and methods: We inspected the medical documentation and registers for all employees in coal mine Banovici in order to provide calculation of hypertension prevalence. Based on reports and company standards on grocery usage and average amount of salt used in preparation of one meal in coal mine kitchen, we have calculated the average consumption of salt of one employee per meal. Results: There are 2700 of employees in coal mine Banovici with average life age of 46 years. From them 694 (25.7%) miners have arterial hypertension. Also 707023 kg of salt is being spent for preparation of meals in coal mine kitchen on yearly basis. Employees take between 4-9 grams of salt per one meal excluding the salt contained in bread. Conclusion: the amount of salt intake per one meal in the coal mine kitchen is larger from daily doses recommended by ACC/AHA.

Introduction: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is defined as a human cancerogen class A, due daily exposure is responsible for health hazards consider as almost equal as smoking of tobacco. Goal: Monitoring of exposure of school children to ETS as indicator of enforcement of ban of smoking in public places as tobacco control measure in the Federation of BiH. Methods: Analysis of surveys findings performed in the Federation of BiH in period 2008-2013, with particular focus on ETS exposure in school children. Results: A survey findings indicates decrease of exposure to ETS in school children ate home from 79.0% in 2008 to 62.1% in 2013, as well decrease of exposure to ETS in public places from 85.0% in 2008 to 59.8% in 2013. However, 65.8% of school children in the Federation of BiH are daily expose to ETS in school premises and only 54.6% of school children have been taught in school about health consequences of tobacco smoke. Over three quarter of school children or 80.1% are in favor of ban of smoking in public places. Conclusions: Exposure to ETS in school children considers as significant evidence for more efficient enforcement of tobacco control legislation in the Federation of BiH.

Introduction: Quitting tobacco use has many benefits for both individuals and society. For individuals, quitting of smoking provides immediate and long-term benefits to health. Higher levels of nicotine addiction and start smoking at a younger age are factors consider as strongly influence on quit smoking. Access to youth friendly quit lines increases a smoking cessation of school children. Goal: Monitoring of trends of age of initiation of smoking and current smoking cigarettes as good motivation for smoking cessation among school children in the Federation of BiH. Methods: Analysis of survey’s findings performed in the Federation of BiH in period 2008-2013, with particular focus on indicators of every smokers, currents smokers, start to smoke before age of ten, signs of smoking dependence and motivation for quitting smoking in school children. Surveys involves two-stage cluster sample design aimed to enroll students in grades 7, 8 and 9th of primary and 1th grade of secondary school. Results: A survey findings indicates ever cigarettes smokers decreases from 45.9% in 2008 to 43.2% in 2013, as well decreases of current cigarette smoking from 14.3% in 2008 to 12.7% in 2013, both boys and girls. However, survey data shows decrease of current smoking students who want to stop smoking now from 50.5% in 2008 to 45.8% in 2013. Conclusions: Collected data confirmed decreases of current cigarette smoking in school children in the Federation of BiH in period 2008-2013. Access to available smoking cessation services and quit lines for school children and youth considers should be a significant part of tobacco control measure in the Federation of BiH.

Introduction: During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which lasted from 1992-1995, the functioning of all sectors was disturbed, including the health sector. The priority of the heath sector was treatment and less attention was paid to prevention, and this applies also to the Program of implementation of obligatory immunization, as one of the most important prevention measures. This program was conducted with difficulty and sometimes was completely interrupted because of the lack of necessary vaccines and the inability of adequate maintenance of the cold chain. It was difficult and sometimes completely impossible to bring children to vaccination. Because of these problems, a great number of children stayed unvaccinated so they suffered from vaccine-preventable diseases several years after the war. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective epidemiological study. We analyzed data from January 1994 to July 2014 in Canton Sarajevo, and data about measles outbreak in 2014. Results: In the period from January 1994 to July 2014, 3897 vaccine-preventable diseases were registered in Canton Sarajevo. Among them measles, rubella and mumps were the most frequent. In March 2014, measles outbreak was registered. Almost all cases are unvaccinated (99%) and 43% of all cases are connected with failure of vaccination during the war. Conclusion: During the war, routine immunization program was disrupted in Bosnia and Herzegovina (also in Canton Sarajevo). The consequences are presented as vaccine preventable diseases cases.

We consider the following system of difference equations: xn+1=axn21+xn2+cyn, yn+1=byn21+yn2+dxn, n=0,1,… , where a, b, c, d are positive constants and x0,y0≥0 are initial conditions. This system has interesting dynamics and can have up to nine equilibrium points. The most complex and perhaps most interesting case is the case of nine equilibrium points, four of which are local attractors, four of which are saddle points, and one of which is a repeller. Using recent results of Kulenović and Merino we are able to characterize the basins of attractions of all local attractors and thus to describe the global dynamics of this system. This case can be considered as a two-dimensional version of the Allee effect for competitive systems. MSC:39A10, 39A30, 37G35.