This paper examines customer perceived value as one of the most important marketing concepts in business markets and its mediating role between corporate reputation and word of mouth. Corporate reputation represents an intangible asset for the company and its positive influence on customer value has been widely researched. Additionally, reputation is usually related with the concept of word of mouth (WOM). WOM is becoming one of the most powerful promotional tools, and this is especially true for business markets as well as for services. Our research is done in the organizational services setting with focus on the relationships of banks with their organizational customers. Data in the study were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling. Results of the study confirm hypothesized model and show that customer perceived value is mediating the relationship between corporate reputation and word of mouth.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide epidemic with considerable health and economic consequences. T2DM patients are often treated with more than one drug, including oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) and drugs used to treat diabetic complications, such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. If genetic testing could be employed to predict treatment outcome, appropriate measures could be taken to treat T2DM more efficiently. Here we provide a review of pharmacogenetic studies focused on OAD and a role of common drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) and drug-transporters (DT) variants in therapy outcomes. For example, genetic variations of several membrane transporters, including SLC22A1/2 and SLC47A1/2 genes, are implicated in the highly variable glycemic response to metformin, a first-line drug used to treat newly diagnosed T2DM. Furthermore, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are implicated in variation of sulphonylurea and meglitinide metabolism. Additional variants related to drug target and diabetes risk genes have been also linked to interindividual differences in the efficacy and toxicity of OAD. Thus, in addition to promoting safe and cost-effective individualized diabetes treatment, pharmacogenomics has a great potential to complement current efforts to optimize treatment of diabetes and lead towards its effective and personalized care.

The growth kinetics and electrochemical properties of the oxide film formed on iron were studied in 0.01 and 0.1 mol L −1 NaF solutions with different pH values (4.5, 5.5 and 6.5) by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The growth of the oxide film on iron in potentiodynamic conditions, characterized by the occurrence of "current plateau" recorded on the cyclic voltammograms, showed that the growth of the oxide film takes place by low-field migration mechanism. The ionic conductivity of the oxide during its growth (~ 10 −12 S cm −1 ) and the electric field strength through the oxide (~ 10 6 V cm -1 ) were calculated. Thickness of oxide film is dependent upon the solution pH and fluoride concentration; thinner and more compact film forms in solution with lower fluoride concentrations and higher pH values. Impedance measurements were carried out on the potentiostatically formed oxide films after electrode stabilization for 30 minutes at the open circuit potential (EOCP). The charge transfer resistance and the electrode capacitance were determined. The resistance value, as well as EOCP value, decreases with increasing concentration of F − and lowering the pH. Corrosion rate values were computed from charge transfer resistance and it was found that corrosion rate increased with increased F − concentration and decreased pH, being highest in 0.1 mol L −1 NaF, pH=4.5 (60.69 g cm -2 h -1 ) and lowest in 0.01 mol L −1 pH=6.5 (0.25 g cm -2 h -1 ).

Aim To detect polymorphisms of 23 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, including 6 new loci, in a reference database of male population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to assess the importance of increasing the number of Y-STR loci utilized in forensic DNA analysis. Methods The reference sample consisted of 100 healthy, unrelated men originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sample collection using buccal swabs was performed in all geographical regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 2010 to 2011. DNA samples were typed for 23 Y STR loci, including 6 new loci: DYS576, DYS481, DYS549, DYS533, DYS570, and DYS643, which are included in the new PowerPlex® Y 23 amplification kit. Results The absolute frequency of generated haplotypes was calculated and results showed that 98 samples had unique Y 23 haplotypes, and that only two samples shared the same haplotype. The most polymorphic locus was DYS418, with 14 detected alleles and the least polymorphic loci were DYS389I, DYS391, DYS437, and DYS393. Conclusion This study showed that by increasing the number of highly polymorphic Y STR markers, to include those tested in our analysis, leads to a reduction of repeating haplotypes, which is very important in the application of forensic DNA analysis.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED Goal The goals of this study are to: a) determine the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPNP) in hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2; b) determine the frequency of DPNP in hospitalized patients with type 2 DM in relation to gender, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c; c) identify the dominant DPNP symptoms and the presence of variable risk factors in hospitalized patients; and d) determine the frequency and motor nerve conduction velocity of n. peroneus (electroneuromyography) in relation to the treatment of type 2 DM in hospitalized patients with DPNP. Material and methods The study was conducted on 141 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized at the Neurological clinic of Clinical Center of Sarajevo University in the period from June 1 2009 to June 1 2010. All patients included in the study were older than 18. Values determined for all subjects are: age, sex, dominant symptoms, duration of type 2 DM, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, motor conduction velocity of n. peroneus, diabetes risk factors (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, alcoholism, obesity) and DM treatment type. Results Of 141 patients with type 2 DM, DPNP was confirmed in 50 patients (35.5%). Men were slightly more represented in the total sample (51.8%). In a sample of patients with DPNP, there were slightly more male patients (n=26; 52%). The average age of patients with DPNP was higher in men (58.3±12.5) (p<0.05). The average age of the patients with DPNP was 55.1± 13.2. Average values of fasting glucose was higher in the group of patients with DPNP (11.032±5.4 mmol/l) compared to patients without DPNP (9.7±2.8 mmol/l) (p<0.05). Mean values of HbA1C were higher in patients with DPNP (8.212±3.3%) compared to patients without DPNP (6.9±2.6%) (p<0.05). Analysis of DM duration between patients with and without DPNP did not show statistically significant difference (chi-square=3.858, p>0.05). In both groups, most of the patients had duration of DM over 10 years, with a minimum duration of DM of 12 months. There are statistically significant differences in applied DM therapy by gender (chi-square=11.939, p<0.05). Hypertension was more frequent in women (79.2%:69.2%), hyperlipidemia was equally presented in both sexes (50%:50%), obesity was more prevalent among women (25%:7.7%), while alcoholism and smoking were more frequent in men (7.7%:0%; 34.6%:8.3%). There are statistically significant differences in the prevalence of risk factors by gender (chi-square=10.013, p<0.05). Conclusions The DPNP incidence was higher in patients with longer duration of the disease, but without significant gender differences. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were significantly higher in patients with DPNP compared to patients without DPNP (p<0.05). The dominant symptoms of DPNP were paresthesia (44%) and hypoesthesia (28%). Regarding variable risk factors, the most common were hypertension and hyperlipidemia, without statistical significance in gender distribution, while smoking was significantly more common in men than women (34.6%:8.3%). DPNP was present in 43.2% of men who use insulin therapy, while 54.2% of women with DPNP used oral therapy. The lowest frequency of DPNP was found in patients treated with combined therapy. Motor conduction velocity of n. peroneus was significantly lower in men using insulin therapy and/or combined therapy (p<0.05), whereas in patients on oral therapy there was no significant gender difference. Timely DM type 2 diagnosis with proper treatment and electromyoneurographic monitoring (especially in older men) can prevent onset of diabetic polyneuropathy and contribute to its successful treatment.