Due to exceptional reactivity of 4-hydroxycoumarin, the synthesis of new coumarin derivatives of dimer and tetramer type has been carried out. The synthesis was carried out from 4-hydroxycoumarin and various aromatic aldehydes. In this way, compounds of the dimer 3,3'-(benzilidene)bis (4-hydroxycoumarin) type, as well as of the tetramer 3,3',3'',3'''-(1,4-dimethylenphenyl)tetra (4-hydroxycoumarin) type were prepared. The newly synthesized derivatives contain different functional groups, and as such they could exhibit microbiological activity. Therefore, we tested the microbiological activity of these derivatives on various species of bacteria and fungi. The tested compounds have shown different activity in terms of growth inhibition of microorganisms. Newly synthesized derivatives exhibit antibacterial activities, manifested as growth inhibition on Gram-positive bacteria types (Bacillus, Staphylococcus), while the activity against Candida was much weaker. The same compound did not show any antimicrobial activity against two Gram-negative bacteria types (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The compound 1 showed the best microbiological activity. The obtained results confirmed its good antibacterial and antimycotic activities against different microorganisms.

The human hart is in most cases vascularized by two coronary arteries, the right and the left one. Supernumerary or added coronary arteries are also present sometimes. The aim of this paper is to ascertain presence of supernumerary coronary arteries that arise directly from aorta, their frequency, flow, way of branching, and possibly their anastomoses with other coronary arteries. Out of 25 hearts, examined by dissection, 8 of them (32%) had conal artery. According to our opinion, the most suitable term for this artery, in order to differ it clearly from the conal branch of the right coronary artery, is third coronary artery. One heart (4%) had four coronary arteries. Both supernumerary coronary arteries arose from the right aortic sinus. The third coronary artery represents a significant way of collateral coronary circulation, as it frequently anastomoses with anterior interventricular branch.

The natural habitat of Gardnerella vaginalis is a vagina since it could be located among 69% of women who have no signs of vaginal infection and in the vagina of as many as 13.5% girls. G. vaginalis is almost certainly identified among women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis as well as in the urethra of their sexual partner. The increase in prevalence and concentration of G. vaginalis among patients diagnosed with this syndrome confirms that G. vaginalis plays a significant role in its pathogenesis. In our research, based on Amsel criteria for three or more clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis, it was diagnosed in 20.5% of women with subjective problems of vaginal infection, and in 48.80% of women with subjective symptoms characteristic of this disease. G. vaginalis was isolated from vaginal secretion of women without clinical signs characteristic of bacterial vaginosis. In 2.58% of cases it was solitary, while in 1.28% it was found in combination with other aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and, in 1.28% women combined with Candida albicans. The isolation of G. vaginalis was significantly increased (p<0.05) in the group of women with clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis in comparison to the group of women without these signs. Frequent recurrence of bacterial vaginosis, which is found in 20-30% of women within a three months treatment, is explained as reinfection with other biotype of G. vaginalis, different from a source biotype or as a consequence of wrong treatment. Following Piot biotype scheme, biotypes 2., 3. and 7. G. vaginalis are significantly more often isolated from women who suffer from bacterial vaginosis. Biotype 7. G. vaginalis, isolated from the group of women without clinical signs of bacterial vaginosis, accounted for 2.58% cases. Following Benit biotype scheme, biotypes IVa, IVc and IIc were identified in 12.90% cases, while biotypes IIIa, IIa, Ia, IVb, IIb were found in 6.45% cases. Lipase-positive isolates of G. vaginalis were significantly more frequently accompanied by the syndrome of bacterial vaginosis.

Serotyping of five rabies virus isolates with monoclonal anti-nucleoprotein antibodies for classical rabies virus and rabies-related viruses and phylogenetic relationships among sequences indicate that viruses circulating in population of animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina belong to the sero-genotype 1 of classical rabies virus. Phylogenetic relationships among sequences of our viruses have shown the presence of two phylogenetic lines, one which is present in the northwestern part and other which is present in the northeastern part of the country. Our viruses are closely related to Westeuropean isolates of rabies virus.

We aimed to evaluate levels of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptid (NT-proBNP) in prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure patients. Prospective study on 60 consecutive patients with symptoms and signs of heart failure was performed. Blood samples for NT-proBNP analysis was taken from all test subjects and echocardiography was also done in all of them. According to LVEF value, patients were divided into four groups; those with <or=30%, 31 to 39%, 40 to 49% and >or=50%. NT-proBNP values correlated with LVEF value. Regression analysis was used to evaluate how well NT-proBNP values predict LVEF. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve calculation to evaluate diagnostic performance of NT-proBNP in estimation of LVEF. Average value of NT-proBNP in test group was 3191.69+/-642.89 pg/ml (p<0.001). Average value of NT-proBNP decreased with higher LVEF categories with significant (p<0.001) and high negative correlation (r= -0,75). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that logarithmic value of NT-proBNP was excellent predictor of LVEF value (p<0.05). Model equation based on regression analysis was LVEF=88.645-15.311 x log (NT-proBNP). Predictive model for LVEF yielded from regression analysis had sensitivities of 98% and 81%, specificities of 20% and 90%, positive predictive values of 86% and 78% and negative predictive values of 67% and 92% for predicting patients with LVEF<50% and LVEF<40%, respectively. There was negative linear correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF. NT-proBNP was excellent predictor of LVEF value (p<0.05).

Venous abnormalities in lower extremities are among the most frequent disorders that aff ects general population with signifi cant morbidity and mortality. Usually, the problem consists of a mild form of varicose veins and teleangiectasis. Treat- ment in this stage of disease is highly recommended since progression can lead to chronic venous insuffi ciency and chronic disability with very few eff ective treat- ment options. Th e most eff ective and popular treatment of varicose veins is opera- tive treatment; specifi cally two diff erent operative procedures: method according to Myers and method according to Klapp and Smetana. We designed this study in order to determine which method is superior based on clinical parameters and patients satisfaction. Our evidence strongly support clinical superiority, as well as patient satisfaction, of Klapp and Smetana method.

In this study is represented the relationship between suicidal thoughts and psychoactive abuse. In study were involved 202 students of Banjaluka's secondary schools. By questioned for risky behaviour of adolescents was found 28.7% of them have suicidal thoughts, and 144 haven't suicidal thoughts. Students from both groups use alcohol but there are not statistically significant differences among groups. The representative sample was 202 students from Banjaluka's secondary schools. The results showed that 28.7% of them have suicidal ideas. From examined students 20.2% used cannabis, and 4% other psychoactive substances, 56.9% alcohol and 35.6% smoke cigarettes. In the group with suicidal ideas, use of psychoactive substances is 8.6%, alcohol use in 63.7% cases and cannabis 36.2%, and smoking cigarettes in 48.2% cases. We may conclude that misuse of psychoactive substances is more present in group with suicidal ideas, except in case of alcohol, which was also high in group with suicidal ideas, but without statistical significances. It is also possible to conclude that there is important connection between use of psychoactive substances and presence of suicidal ideas as first step toward a suicide in adolescents.

The aim of this trial was to examine the effects of antihypertensive fixed combination of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide (Lopril H, Bosnalijek dd, Bosnia and Herzegovina) on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential arterial hypertension. We included 297 patients in our trial, aged 54.65+/-9.6 years, with treated or untreated hypertension and with high risk of cardiac events, in an opened trial of therapy based on lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide. Patients from five European countries were followed up for a period of 12 weeks. Duration of treatment was 12 weeks. We adjusted daily doses of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide after every clinical examination and recorded adverse effects of drugs. In the beginning and after 12 weeks of treatment, 277 patients (93.2%) underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography and there were 186 patients evaluated for efficacy of treatment on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We recorded a regression of index mass LVH (168.56 vs 161.51 g/m2, P<0.0001), and regression was something more in women vs men. We recorded average reduction of left ventricular mass index for patients with LVH (N=186) by 7.05 g/m2 (4.18%) in all patients, by 6.73 g/m2 (3.93%) in men and 7.27 g/m2 (4,37%) in women. The proportion of patients who attained a regression of left ventricular mass tended to be greater in men (54.55% vs 53.21%). This research has proved regression of LVH in more than 53% patients after using fixed combination of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide.

Innocent heart murmurs are hearth murmurs that occur in patients with a normal heart structure. They do not represent a disease of the heart and vascular system, and should not be treated as such. Iron-deficiency anaemia often causes, along with other symptoms, systolic heart murmurs and tachycardia. It appears in children of all ages representing a most common haematological paediatric disease. To establish the influence of iron-deficiency anaemia on genesis of innocent murmurs and to compare auscultatory and phono-electrocardiographic findings in patients with anaemia and heart murmurs before and after iron therapy. The study includes 120 patients with innocent heart murmurs that have been auscultated at cardio-rheumatic outpatient department of Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, during the period from 01/01/2004 to 31/12/2004. Further diagnostic procedure, i.e. laboratory tests, diagnosed iron-deficiency anaemia in 30/120 patients. These patients have been followed in this study. 22/30 patients had systolic murmur I/II intensity of Levin scale; 8/30 patients had II/VI systolic murmurs of intensity by Levin. The highest number of examinees had 0-1 years of age, and in this group the number of boys was higher than the number of girls (M: F = 12:4). During the auscultatory and phono-ECG examinations of murmurs, 6 patients had haemoglobin values less than 95 g/l, which corresponds to an average and severe type of anaemia. 24 patients had haemoglobin values between 95 and 110 g/l, which corresponds to benign type of anaemia. The most numerous were patients aged between 0 - 1 year (3 patients with hemoglobin value Hb < 95 g/l, 13 patients with hemoglobin value Hb 95-110 g/l). All patients were treated with iron medicaments. After three months, clinical and laboratory re-evaluation was performed and it has demonstrated that after iron therapy 24 patients had level of a haemoglobin Hb >110 g/l and 6 patients had haemoglobin levels between 95 and 110 g/l. By auscultatory and phono-ECG examinations, murmurs of a level of intensity I/II was registered in only one child, while in the other 29 patients there were not any registered heart murmurs. Diagnosis of anaemia in the paediatric population group delays definitive diagnosis of heart murmurs. Innocent murmurs in children with sideropenic anaemia occur as its consequence. After adequately conducted iron therapy, i.e. cured anaemia, heart murmurs were not auscultated.

Anthocyanins are effective antioxidants but they have also been proposed to have other biological activities independent of their antioxidant capacities that produce health benefits. Examples range from inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro, induction of insulin production in isolated pancreatic cells, reduction of starch digestion through inhibition of a-glucosidase activity, suppression of inflammatory responses as well as protection against age-related declines in cognitive behavior and neuronal dysfunction in the central nervous system. However, to achieve any biological effect in a specific tissue or organ, anthocyanins must be bioavailable; i.e. effectively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) into the circulation and delivered to the appropriate location within the body. In this study, we assess the stability of anthocyanins from commercial Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice using an in vitro digestion procedure that mimics the physiochemical and biochemical conditions encountered in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The main objective of this work was the evaluation of stability of anthocyanins during in vitro digestion in gastric and intestinal fluid regarding whether appropriate enzyme (pepsin or pancreatin) was added or not. Anthocyanins present in commercial black currant juice remain stable during in vitro digestion in gastric fluid regardless whether pepsin was added into the medium or not. Also, they remain stable during in vitro digestion in simulated intestinal fluid without pancreatin. The stability studies of anthocyanins in the intestinal fluid containing pancreatin indicated reduced stability, which also mainly contribute to slight reduction of total anthocyanins content (-1.83%) in commercial black currant juice.

This paper describes research on a ldquomental commitment robotrdquo. These robots have a different target audience to industrial robots, one that is not so rigidly dependent on objective measures such as accuracy and speed. The main goal of this research is to explore a new area in robotics, with the emphasis on human-robot interaction. In previous research, we classified robots into four categories, which related to their appearance. We then introduced a robot cat and a robot seal, which we evaluated by interviewing a large group of people. The results showed that physical interaction improved their subjective evaluation of the robots. Moreover, a priori knowledge of a subject has a considerable influence on the subjective interpretation and evaluation of mental commitment robots. In this paper, we asked several groups of subjects to evaluate the seal robot known as dasiaParopsila by answering questionnaires that were given out in exhibitions that were held in seven different countries; Japan, U.K., Sweden, Italy, Korea, Brunei and U.S. This paper reports the results of statistical analysis of the evaluation data.

The synthesis of Ir/γ-Al2O3 using the dendrimer metal nanocomposites (DMN) approach is reported. Fourth generation hydroxyl-terminated polyamidoamine dendrimer was complexed with Ir3+ in aqueous solution and the process monitored using ultraviolet−visible and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. No discernible reduction of Ir3+ to form zerovalent nanoparticles was observed after bubbling hydrogen or adding NaBH4 into the complex solution. Standard wet impregnation of the DMN precursors were used to prepare Ir/γ-Al2O3, which were compared with conventionally prepared samples. In situ transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy during dendrimer thermal decomposition in different atmospheres and CO adsorption allowed for identification of catalyst activation treatments that expose the maximum metal surface area. The particle size distributions of these catalysts were investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, revealing that all of the catalysts have small particle sizes (0.4−3 nm...

Introduction Notation, linear orders, weak partitions, and operads CDGA models for operads Real homotopy theory of semi-algebraic sets The Fulton-MacPherson operad The CDGAs of admissible diagrams Cooperad structure on the spaces of (admissible) diagrams Equivalence of the cooperads D and H * (C[ * ]) The Kontsevich configuration space integrals Proofs of the formality theorems Index of notation Bibliography

Instantaneous frequency (IF) estimation through the estimation of peak locations in the time-frequency plane is an important approach for signals contaminated with additive white Gaussian noise. In this paper, the forementioned analysis is carried out for continuous wavelet transform. The analysis of the scalogram as the instantaneous frequency estimator is performed for any FM signal regardless of the mother wavelet. Accurate expressions for the bias and the variance of the estimator are derived, and reveal that the bias and the variance are signal dependent. Results are statistically confirmed through the numerical analysis for several mother wavelets, and among considered wavelets, the Morlet wavelet produces the smallest estimation error. Furthermore, the performance of the IF estimator based on the scalogram and the spectrogram were compared through analysis of mean square error. These results showed that the scalogram with the Morlet wavelet exhibited good performance for the sample linear FM signal and the sample hyperbolic FM signal in comparison to the spectrogram.