Scorpion sting accidents are a public health problem in Belo Horizonte and veterinarians play an important role in its control program when based on capture, mapping of cases and educational actions with the population. A retrospective epidemiological study was done to analyze the frequency and spatial distribution of scorpion sting cases in Belo Horizonte, between 2005 and 2009, and to associate them with the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS), a regional and composed socio-economic index. Notification data of scorpion sting accidents were used from the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and Epidemiological Surveillance System (SISVE) for years 2008 and 2009. For the period between 2005 and 2007 it was necessary to retrieve data from the clinical records of Joao XXIII Hospital (HPSJ XXIII) which were not digitalized in the referred information systems. For georeference and spatial analysis, geographic base EndGeo and features of the programs MapInfo version 10.0, Hotspot Detective and SatScan were used. Between 2005 and 2009 2769 cases of scorpionism, occurred in Belo Horizonte which represents an average incidence of 22.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Among 1924 (69.5%) georeferenced cases, the highest incidence was observed in two Sanitary District (DS). A large concentration of cases was also observed in the areas of the city cemeteries. Two clusters were detected during this period, one in 2005, located in the Northwest and West DS, and another between 2006 and 2007 in the Northwest and Northeast DS. There was no association between higher incidence areas of scorpionism in Belo Horizonte and the areas of higher health risk classified by IVS. It is necessary to improve the reporting process regarding scorpion sting accidents. Another conclusion is that the mapping of cases is a relevant tool to base the targeting of educative actions to the priority areas of Belo Horizonte.

“Social Perspectives - Journal for Legal Theory and Practice“ is available in full text at the Central and Eastern European Online Library - CEEOL (www.ceeol.com) and on the web page www.ssrc.ibu.edu.ba

The vulnerability results of groundwaterbodies of southeastern Bosnia are shown in this paper. On the examined area 27 groundwater bodies were extracted, where 12 groundwaterbodies are in rocks with intergranular porosity and 15 groundwaterbodies are in rocks with karst-fissure porosity. All of the groundwater bodies were analysed through DRASTIC, GLA, PI and EPIK vulnerability determination methods, where the gained results are presented tabular. Depending on the porosity type, the vulnerability determination methods were used. So for intergranular groundwaterbodies the best results were gained by DRASTIC and GLA methods, while for the karst-fissure groundwater bodies the best results were gained by the EPIK method, which is the implementation of PI method.

SUMMARY Qualitative characteristics of bauxite deposit „Ostrelj“ are defined through extensive laboratory testing of chemical and mineralogical-petrographic composition, and geomechanical characteristics. Chemical composition has shown that it is a relative poor bauxite with low Al/Si module (2,28). Low values of Al/Si module are result of lower Al2O3 concentration (48 %), and higher SiO2 concentration (21 %), what these bauxites define as high silicic or »acidic«. Identified are increased concentrations of larger number of analyzed trace elements (B, Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, Sn, V, Zn) comparing to the medium content in the Earth's crust. Mineralogical composition, structure and texture are uniform. Holders of Al mineralization are bemite and diaspor (to a lesser extent) as crypto-crystalline phases of rock matrix. Lower Cretaceous age (K1) of roof layers over bauxite deposit is paleontologicaly documented, while in the bauxite any fossils are not registrated. Values of geomechanical paramers of layers under and over bauxite is uniform. In bauxite value of compressive strength is increased, which is equivalent to chemical and mineralogical composition, and structural and textural characteristics of tested bauxite samples.

The effect of Sn for Ti substitution on the crystal structure of a perovskite, barium titanate stannate (BTS), BaTi1−xSnxO3 for x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10, 0.12, 0.15 and 0.20, was investigated. The powders were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique. The structural investigations of the BTS powders were done at room temperature by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Rietveld refinement of XRD data indicates that gradual replacement of titanium by tin in BaTiO3 provokes a phase transition from tetragonal for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07 to cubic for x = 0.12, 0.15 and 0.20. The coexistence of tetragonal (P4mm) and cubic (Pm\overline 3m) crystal phases was established in powder with nominal composition BaTi0.9Sn0.1O3. The crystal phases determined by Rietveld refinement were confirmed by HRTEM and SAED analyses. The crystal structures of the BTS powders at short-range scale were studied by Raman spectroscopy, which shows tetragonal (P4mm) and a small fraction of orthorhombic (Pmm2) crystal phases for all the examined BTS powders, implying a lower local ordering when compared to the average symmetry.

Background: Various complications occur in patients with advanced stages of liver diseases. Renal dysfunction, a parameter included in the MELD score, is the most important prognostic factor. There is a strong need in clinical practice to estimate the GFR in this patients. Objectives: The aim of our study was to detect differences in renal function among patients with different stages of chronic liver diseases caused by HBV and HCV, also to determine the impact of viral etiology and gender on the values of eGFR and renal function. Patients and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study performed on patients with HBV and HCV chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC caused by these viruses hospitalized during period 2009–2014 in the Clinic of Gastroenterohepatology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. The estimated GFR (eGFR) was evaluated by the MDRD4 method. For the processing of data SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used. Statistical methods used in this study where: analysis of variance test (ANOVA test), Student’s t-test for independent samples and Pearson coefficient of correlation. The level of significance was p <0.05. Results: Among this three groups of patients there was a statistically significant difference in eGFR (F= 18.79, p<0.05), i.e. increase of degree of liver damage was related with increase of renal impairment, as reflected by a significant reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Gender had no significant effect on eGFR and renal function (p>0.05), except in group of patients with HCC (p<0.05). Etiology had no significant effect on eGFR and renal (p>0.05). There was statistically significant inverse correlation between glomerular filtration rate and liver enzymes AST (-.184) and GGT (-.181). Conclusions: By calculation of GFR, we determined the existence of a significant reduction of kidney function through progression of liver damage from HBV and HCV chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis to HCC caused by these viruses, which drawing attention to the importance of the assessment of renal function in patients with this liver pathologies. Gender and etiology had no significant effect on eGFR and impairment of renal function. Given the statistically significant inverse correlation between eGFR and AST and GGT this liver enzymes may have important role as marker for both renal and hepatic injury.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate a relationship between seasonal variation and incidence of type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) and spontaneous abdominal aneurysm rupture (rAAA) in Canton Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patients and methods: A total of 81 cases, 41 AAD and 40 of ruptured AAA were identified from one center over a 6-year, from 2008 till 2013. In 2012 were admitted (45.6% or 36 patients). Results: Seasonal analysis showed that 19(23.4%) patients were admitted in spring, 15(18.5) in summer, 26(32%) in autumn and 21(25.9) in winter. The most frequent period was autumn/winter with 47 or 58% patients. A causal link between atmospheric pressure (AP) and incidence of rAAA and AAD on seasonal and monthly basis was found.

Introduction: Antimicrobials are widely used in infectious diseases. Only the timely intervention will contribute to the positive outcome of the disease. Unjustified use of antimicrobial prophylaxis may have adverse effects, i.e., result in bacterial resistance to existing antimicrobials, as well as toxic effects on leukocyte lineage and other parameters of the blood. Goal: The goal of this study was to confirm that the antimicrobial therapy of urinary, gynecological and respiratory infections has a toxic effect on leukocyte lineage. Followed by lowered immunity and the emergence of risk for health complications especially in oncology and other immunodeficient patients for whom to apply pharmacotherapy it is necessary to have adequate immunity, or white blood cell count that is greater than 4.0x109/L. Material and methods: A prospective-retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 30 patients in a Primary Health Care Center in Gracanica during the period from March 01, 2013 until April 01, 2014. Testing of this sample was conducted by survey on health status and treatment, or on taking of antimicrobial therapy and other treatment regimens, with the referral diagnosis and determination of leukocytes count in by hematology counter SYSMEX. Results of leukocytes below and close to the lower reference values were statistically analyzed by Students t-test. Results: Mean WBC count in the group treated with antimicrobial therapy was 3.687±0.83 x109/L, in the group which during repeated infection did not use the antimicrobial therapy 5.09±1.04 x109/L, and in the control group of healthy subjects 7.178±1.038 x109/L. Statistical analysis with Student’s t test indicate highly significant differences between group of patients that used antimicrobial therapy with the group of patient that did not used antimicrobial during repeated infection (t=6.091; p=0.0001), as well as significant differences in mean WBC count of both of these groups and the controls (t=4.984; p=0.0001, and t=8.402, p=0.0001). Conclusion: Use of antimicrobial drugs leads to serious toxic reactions, or leukopenia. Indications for the use of antimicrobial therapy must be strictly followed, because banal, frequent infections are not indication for antimicrobial therapy. It is necessary to know the types of infection causes. Important is the proper and timely selection of antimicrobial therapy. When selecting the drug we should bear in mind its antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetic and toxic properties, as well as patient health status. Possible is also the application of preventive medicine as well as other manner of solving infection.

Introduction: Meningococcal meningitis now represents a significant public health problem, not only in developing countries but also in developed ones. The disease usually occurs sporadically, and much less in smaller epidemics. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal meningitis in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton in the five-year period from 2008 to 2012th. In total there were 38 reported and hospitalized patients, with an average of 7-8 patients per year. Results: Most commonly disease occurred in infants and young children (28.9%). The highest number was recorded in 2011, 10 cases or (26.3%). Most patients in the monitored period were registered in the municipality of Zenica–12 cases (31.6%) and Zepce 8 cases (21.1%). All hospitalized patients were sporadic cases, there has never been an epidemic in the observed period. Conclusions: Epidemic Meningitis is a very serious disease and a significant public health problem that requires a serious medical scientific approach for its resolution, primarily in finding adequate vaccine and its administration.

Introduction: Meningococcal meningitis now represents a significant public health problem, not only in developing countries but also in developed ones. The disease usually occurs sporadically, and much less in smaller epidemics. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal meningitis in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton in the five-year period from 2008 to 2012th. In total there were 38 reported and hospitalized patients, with an average of 7-8 patients per year. Results: Most commonly disease occurred in infants and young children (28.9%). The highest number was recorded in 2011, 10 cases or (26.3%). Most patients in the monitored period were registered in the municipality of Zenica–12 cases (31.6%) and Zepce 8 cases (21.1%). All hospitalized patients were sporadic cases, there has never been an epidemic in the observed period. Conclusions: Epidemic Meningitis is a very serious disease and a significant public health problem that requires a serious medical scientific approach for its resolution, primarily in finding adequate vaccine and its administration.

Introduction: Fractures of the proximal femur and hip are relatively common injuries in adults and common source of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Many methods have been recommended for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Material and methods: We retrospective analyzed all the patients with fractures of the hip treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) at the Clinic of Orthopedic and Traumatology, University Clinical Centre Tuzla from the first of January 2012 to 31 December 2012 years. The study included 63 patients averaged 73.6±11.9 years (range, 29 to 88 years). Fracture type was classified as intertrochanteric (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification 31.A.1, A.2 and A.3) and subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer classification). Results and discussion: The ratio between the genders female-male was 1.6:1. There was statistically significant difference prevalence of female compared to male patients (p=0.012). There were 31 left and 32 right hip fractured. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in 57(90.5%) patients. Averaged waiting time for hospitalization was 3.2±7.5 days (range, 0 to 32 days). 44 patients were admitted the same day upon injuring. The average waiting time for the treatment was 3.6±5.7 days. The ratio between with or without co-existent disease was 4.7:1. During the three months postoperatively with ASA score 3 and 4 six patients died. There were no significant differences in deaths from ASA score 1 and 2 (p=0.52). Reoperation for the treatment of implant or fracture-related complications was required in three (4.7%) patients (infection, reimplantation and extraction). Three patient developed deep vein thrombosis. Statistically significant difference was found in the deaths in the first three months compared to the next three months (p=0.02). We found statistically significant difference between pre-injury and postoperative mobility score (p=0.0001). Conclusion: PFNA is an excellent device for osteosynthesis as it can be easily inserted. Moreover, it provides stable fixation, which allows early full weightbearing mobilization of the patient.