Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare chronic granulomatous vasculitis of large vessels. Initial symptoms and signs are usually non-specific, therefore a high index of suspicion is needed to make a timely and correct diagnosis.

Abstract Fostering of civil society is vital in multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious and post-conflict societies such as that of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Therefore, this paper examines the role of Muslim women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this regard, this paper puts in the perspective present role of Muslim women's NGOs by providing the theoretical background and a survey of NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In order to determine the role and function of Muslim women's NGOs, the author examines main criteria of civil society functions such as control of political power, monitoring of political participation and elections, promoting of anti-corruption awareness, advocating values of human rights, tolerance and understanding, offering civic training, promoting civic education and public issues through media, and promoting conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. By analyzing civil society functions, this paper answers a question of Muslim women's NGOs involvement in socio-political aspects of a democratic state and fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The author uses ethnographic methodology, written sources and interviews in analyzing two leading Muslim Women's NGOs such as Nahla Education Center for Women and Kewser-Zehra Association of Muslim Women. The results of this paper indicate that although Muslim women's NGOs in theory do not emphasize on several civil society actors, especially those of political and legal nature, they are significantly involved throughout their various activities in socio-political aspects of the democratic state and as such they have contributed significantly toward fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Printed textile materials are often exposed to certain external impacts. One of the most common impact, these materials are subjected to, is thermal load. This effect causes certain changes in textile fibers as well as changes of ink colour reproduction printed on these materials. In this paper is presented an investigation of the series of thermal loads effects on print quality parameters of digitally produced impressions on textile substrates. The research includes basic print quality attributes: colour reproduction, macro non-uniformity and quality of line reproduction. Investigation results indicate that by increasing number of thermal loads, bigger changes in colour reproduction occur. Also, the influence of the series of thermal loads on mottle and line reproduction variations is confirmed, as well as the influence of printing substrate characteristics on print quality.

UDK: 582.475:582.728.4(497.6)            630*44:582.475(497.6) In terms of the health status, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, European silver fir (Abies alba) is currently most threatened by the white mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. abietis). Along with drought and pollution, white mistletoe infestation plays an important role in silver fir decline. The aim of this research was to determine the intensity of infestation of European silver fir trees by the white mistletoe. In order to realize the defined aim, two compartments were chosen in the area of Forest Management Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton and Forestry Office “Olovo” where the analysis of the presence of mistletoe was conducted. In total, 451 fir trees were examined and an assessment of the intensity of infested trees was carried out by implementation of Hawksworth Index of Infestation. According to the results conducted by the research, it was determined that the intensity of infestation of European fir stands differed according to the thirds of crown of the tree. Significant differences were also found in the severity of mistletoe intensity on trees of host trees within the diameter classes. A large number of mistletoe shrubs further deplete the host tree, making it more susceptible to secondary attacks by harmful insects and pathogens.

UDK 582.475:502.131.1(497.6) Adoption and implementation of sustainable biodiversity conservation policy is essential for sustaining natural resources. But development of effective strategies to achieve them is problematic. This is often the case due to the limited knowledge about the impact of biodiversity conservation policies on livelihood of local people. This study uses dichotomous choice format to assess cost and willingness to engage in the conservation of an endemic species – Picea omorica (Pančić) Purk.in Bosnia Herzegovina. The empirical data was generated from sites in the vicinity of Srebrenica, north east Bosnia and Herzegovina. The data was analyzed with the aid of the logit regression model. The study showed that the respondents’ mean willingness to pay per year to conserve the pine was 1.4 percent of their income from non-timber forest products. The decision to conserve Picea omorica was influenced by factors such as cost associated with conservation, income from non-timber forest products, the distance of the respondent’s residence to the site location, education and occupation.

UDK: 630*235: 632.95(497.6) Seedlings are produced by implementation of technical-technological procedures at specially prepared area which we call nurseries. With produced seedlings is additionally completed natural restoration of forests, forestation of bare lands, and plantations are established, melioration of degraded forest and brush-wood is conducted, eroded lands are repaired, etc. In the actual Registry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina are registered 11 nurseries which produce forest and horticultural seedlings. In their production program dominant are three conifer tree species: Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) and Black pine (Pinus nigra). Seedlings of broadleaves tree species in total production participate with only 2%. In nurseries is implemented the concept of integral protection of plants in the form of program which is consisted of combination of agrotechnical, mechanical, physical, biological and chemical measures. Chemical measures are based on the use of pesticides in integral protection of plants. Pesticides are organic and non-organic chemical compounds, as well as the products of living organisms which are used in agriculture and forestry for prevention of occurrence, control and suppression of caused of plant diseases, pest and weed, as well as for protection of agricultural and food products. Main goal of this research was to identify the quantity indicators of use of pesticides in production of seedlings of forest trees in forest nurseries in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research has covered three nurseries in Zenica-Doboj Canton and three nurseries in Central-Bosnia Canton. The research is related to the period from 2007 to 2011.

BACKGROUND/AIM Early detection of left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction could be a clue for surgical treatment in patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS). Therefore, we evaluated LV peak of global longitudinal strain (PGLS) using speckle tracking imaging at rest and during low-dose dobutamine infusion in asymptomatic patients with moderate and severe AS and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF). METHODS All the patients underwent coronary angiography and had no obstructive coronary disease (defined as having no stenosis greater than 50% in diameter). The patients were divided into two groups: above and below median of 0.785 cm2 aortic valve area (AVA). PGLS was measured from acquired apical 4-chamber and 2-chamber cine loops using a EchoPac PC-workstation at rest and during 5 microg/kg/min, 10 microg/kg/min, and 20 microg/kg/min dobutamine infusion, respectively. The global strain was the average of segment strains from the apical views. RESULTS A total of 62 patients with moderate and severe AS (AVA < = 1.5 cm2), the mean age 66.12 +/- 9.91, (57.14% males), were enrolled in this prospective study. At rest, mean gradient was 43.57 +/- 0.29 mmHg and mean EF was 72.24 +/- 0.45%. When divided according to median AVA, both groups had decreased average PGLS at rest (-9.33 +/- 4.46% vs -8.95 +/- 3.08%; p = ns). During dobutamine both groups increased their average PGLS, but only the group with AVA > median reached the statistical significance (- 8.71 +/- 2.68% vs -11.93 +/- 3.74%, p = 0.002). In addition, PGLS increase was also significant in 4-chamber view in the patients with AVA above median, but only when comparing baseline to peak 20 microg/kg/min (-10.72 +/- 3.07% vs -13.14 +/- 4.79%; p = 0.034). Conversely, in both groups the increase of PGLS in 2-chamber view did not reach significance. CONCLUSION Two-dimensional strain speckle tracking analysis of myocardial deformation with measurement of peak systolic strain during dobutamine infusion is a feasible and accurate method to determine myocardial longitudinal systolic function and contractile reserve and may contribute to clinical decision making in patients with significant AS.