Background/Aim: Until March 2023, it has been reported over 676 million cases of COVID-19 globally with almost 7 million deaths caused by this disease. Aim of this study was to determine COVID-19-related deaths and to study how COVID-19 pandemic impacted mortality of residents in the Canton of Sarajevo in 2020-2022 time period. Also, aim was to analyse to what extent the number of registered non-COVID-19-related deaths have changed in the Canton of Sarajevo compared to what would have been expected in the absence of the virus to better measure the impact of COVID-19. Methods: This study used mortality data obtained from Federal Institute for Statistics for period 2017-2022. Data was analysed and presented as raw numbers, age-, sex-, cause of death - crude death rates (CDR), excess mortality and P-score. Results: CDR in the Canton of Sarajevo in 2020 was 1246.3 per 100.000 persons, 1488.6 in 2021 and 1153.4 in 2022, while in period from 2017-2019 CDR ranged from 1051.3 to 1057.9. Total CDR in 2020 increased by 18.3 % compared to 2017-2019 average CDR, this relative difference being even greater in 2021 (41.3 %) and lower in 2022 (9.5 %). In 2020-2022 time period, 9 of the 10 leading causes of death remained the same as in 2019. COVID-19 was the 3rd leading cause of death in 2020 and 2022, while in 2021 spiked as the leading cause of death. In 2020 there was increase of 7 % in deaths from non-COVID-19 related deaths compared to mean number of deaths for period 2017-2019. As for 2021, this number goes higher (9.5 %) and in 2022 was much lower (1.0 %). Conclusion: In the Canton of Sarajevo, COVID-19 pandemic made a big impact on mortality in 2020-2022 years period. Data have changed in total mortality, leading causes of death and excess mortality. Deep-rooted organisational weaknesses that were exposed during pandemic that can bring harm to population from preventable chronic diseases needs to be addressed which have impact on morbidity and at the end, on mortality.

Capacity of railway station is highly dependable on used interlocking system and traffic management pattern. Interlocking system's improvement requires significant financial resources, while traffic pattern could be changed by applying different management rules, depending on transport demand. This means that it is desirable to determine a certain trade-off between these parameters, up to the maximum capacity utilization index with the existing interlocking system. Several methods have been developed that consider given parameters for station capacity determination. In this paper we compare some of the methods for capacity determination, using the example of the Kalenic station, which was recently taken over by TENT from another industrial system.

Trains move in a specific way, along a pre-determined path, i.e. rails. The wheels of railway locomotives and rails are steel, and because of this, it is possible to achieve very high speeds, with relatively low resistance to movement. Analysis and research related to the movement of trains are very important from many aspects, especially for traffic safety. In this paper, a simulation of train movement under realistic conditions was performed. The simulation was created using the Python programming language. Infrastructure data, locomotive data, and resistances were used as input data, which Python later converts for simulation. The results of the simulation are presented both graphically and numerically. All data used in the Python simulation model was also input into the verified railway simulation software OpenTrack. The results from both tests were compared and analyzed, and a report was generated on the feasibility of using the created program in real-world scenarios.

Background: The incidence of HF following ACS remains unacceptably high at discharge and several identified risk factors contribute to the development of HF in this context. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and clinical significance of HF in patients admitted to the Clinic for Heart, Blood Vessels, and Rheumatic Diseases at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo following ACS. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Clinic for Heart, Blood Vessels, and Rheumatic Diseases of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo between February 1st and April 1st, 2023, involving patients who were admitted because of ACS. Results: Patients with HFrEF were significantly (p=0.034) older (70.0 (62.0;76.0) vs 67.0 (57.5;75.0)), had (p=0.046) higher median score of LDH (321.5 (222.3; 501.5) vs. 256.0 (200.0; 420.0)), fibrinogen (p=0.047) (4.5 (3.2; 5.1) vs 3.6 (2.8; 5.0)), and NT-proBNP (p<0.001) (3705.0 (2500.0; 12559.5) vs. 500.0 (275.0; 333.0)), had enlarged left atrium diameter (3.9 (3.4; 4.4) vs 3.6 (3.1; 4.1)), enlarged left ventricular diameter both in diastole (5.1 (4.5; 5.8) vs 4.6 (4.1; 5.1)) and systole (3.7 (3.2; 4.1) vs 3.5 (3.1; 3.7)), thinner interventricular septum diameter both in diastole (1.1 (1.0; 1.2) vs 1.2 (1.1; 1.3)) and systole (1.3 (1.2; 1.5) vs. 1.4 (1.3; 1.5)) and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (37.0 (30.0; 47.5) vs. 35.0 (28.0; 40.0 )) compared to patients without HFrEF. Severe mitral regurgitation was more observed in group of patients with HFrEF (p<0.001). Conclusion: HFrEF patients showed a 40% incidence of post-ACS, had elevated LDH, fibrinogen, and NT-proBNP levels, along with distinct echocardiographic differences, including enlarged heart chambers and higher mitral regurgitation rates following ACS. Early HF risk factor management is crucial for optimizing outcomes in ACS patients.

Background/Aim: To evaluate the effect of curing light parameters (intensity, duration, and distance of curing tip) on the depth of cure of conventional resin-based composite. Material and methods: Cylindrical specimens made of nanohybride resin-based composite are cured with 12 different curing protocols, combined with 3 different light intensities (300, 650, and 1100 mW/cm²), 2 distances of curing tip (0 and 8 mm), and 2 exposure times (20 and 40 seconds). The specimens were measured after scraping the uncured composite material according to the ISO 4049 standard. The depth of cure was calculated by dividing the length of the remaining composite by 2. Data were analyzed using: Levene's test and Multivariate Analysis-of-variance (MANOVA). The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The highest depth of cure (3.332 mm) was observed for curing protocol 1100mW/cm²/0mm/40s. The lowest depth of cure had specimens cured with curing protocol 300 mW/cm²/8mm/20s (2.034mm). MANOVA showed a significant influence of the distance of the curing tip (P=0.014; P=0.001) regardless of light intensity and duration of exposure time. Exposure time was a significant factor (P=0.009) when cured from different distances. Although higher light intensity produced a higher depth of cure, light intensity was not a significant factor. Conclusions: The depth of cure can be increased by reducing the distance of the curing tip, when it is possible. At a distance of 8 mm, the depth of cure can be increased by a longer exposure time, regardless of curing light intensity.

The article presents an approach to the automatic derivation of conceptual database models from heterogeneous source artifacts. The approach is based on the integration of conceptual database models that are derived from source artifacts of one single type by already existing tools, whereby those models possess limited certainty given their limited completeness and correctness. The uncertainty of the automatically derived models from specific source artifacts is expressed and managed through the effectiveness measure of the generation of specific concepts of the input conceptual database models. The approach is implemented by the DBomnia tool - the first online web-based tool enabling automatic derivation of conceptual database models from heterogeneous source artifacts (business process models and textual specifications). DBomnia employs other pre-existing tools to derive conceptual models from sources of the same type and then integrates those models. The case study-based evaluation proves that the implemented approach enables effective automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from a set of heterogeneous source artifacts. Moreover, the automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from a set of heterogeneous source artifacts is more effective than each independent automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from sources of one single type only.

Background. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential procedure for diagnosing and treating biliary and pancreatic disorders but carries the risk of significant complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions. The most critical complications include acute pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, and cholangitis. Early detection and comprehensive therapeutic interventions are key factors in patient recovery and require seamless communication among healthcare professionals at all levels of care. Close collaboration between medical staff ensures a well-coordinated treatment strategy, even at the primary care level. Objective: This article aims to present a case of a patient who developed multiple severe complications following ERCP, including ulcer perforation with pneumoperitoneum, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, and cardiac decompensation, all of which were successfully managed within an outpatient and family medicine setting. Methods and Design: The patient’s clinical history, laboratory findings, radiological imaging, and endoscopic evaluations were carefully analyzed and described to outline the approach to diagnosis and management. Case Presentation: An 86-year-old male with a known history of peptic ulcer disease opted for outpatient treatment after undergoing an ERCP procedure. The patient subsequently developed a series of severe complications, including ulcer perforation, pneumoperitoneum, acute pancreatitis, and cholangitis, along with cardiac decompensation. However, through meticulous outpatient management and primary care follow-up, the patient achieved a favorable recovery. Conclusion: This case report highlights that comprehensive outpatient management can effectively address complex complications following ERCP, even in patients with pre-existing conditions. Coordinated care at the primary healthcare level plays a vital role in ensuring positive outcomes.

Background: Patulin (4-hydroxy-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-2(6H)-one; CAS Number 149-29-1) patulin as a secondary metabolite of certain types of molds, primarily Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochlamys, belongs to the group of mycotoxins. Patulin is a well-known toxicant in food, with adverse immunological, neurological and gastrointestinal outcomes associated with chronic intake. Patulin is an enteropathogenic mycotoxin and has the ability to alter the function of the intestine. Methods and Objectives: The method for determining patulin using liquid chromatography is described in AOAC method 995.10, by which patulin is extracted three times with ethyl acetate, followed by purification using sodium carbonate solution, evaporation of the organic solvent, and determination of patulin on a C-18 reverse phase column, with a UV detector. 24 samples of baby food containing apple were analyzed. All samples were imported. Results: In the group of products for infants and small children, patulin was detected in juices and porridges, in average concentrations below 10mg/kg. The maximum determined content of patulin was 3.3 and 2.7 mg/kg in juices and porridges, respectively. In none of the 24 samples of food for infants and young children tested in this research, the patulin content was not over 10 mg/kg, from which it follows that all tested samples in terms of patulin content meet the legal requirements. Conclusions: The safety rating of the tested samples was given on the basis of a comparison of the obtained results with the relevant maximum permitted levels defined by the legislation in the Republic of Srpska. In order to preserve public health, it is necessary to monitor and control the population's exposure to patulin.

Background: Nasal decongestants are drugs that are used to prevent excessive nasal secretions, and to facilitate breathing in case of a cold, allergy or other disorders of the upper respiratory tract. They are most often used locally in the form of sprays, nasal drops or inhalation products, but they can also be used oraly in the form of tablets or capsules, alone or in combination with other medicines. Monitoring the consumption of medicines is important for the analysis and improvement of its rational use, and the aim of this paper is to analyze the outpatient consumption of nasal decongestants for local administration, in the Republic of Srpska during the period from 2020 to 2022. Methods and Objectives: The data were obtained from the Annually Drug Consumption Report of the Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, and are expressed in defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), in accordance with the recommendations and classifications of the World Health Organization. Results: Among the drugs for the treatment of the respiratory tract, nasal preparations (drugs for the treatment of diseases of the nasal mucosa) are in second place, right after the drugs for the treatment of obstructive lung diseases. Among the nasal preparations, the sympathomimetics xylometazoline and oxymetazoline, and the combination of xylometazoline with dexpanthenol, are used the most, similarly to other countries in the region. Conclusions: During the observed period, a slight increase in the consumption of nasal preparations was observed, and it is necessary to continue monitoring the trend of consumption and work on improving cooperation between doctors, pharmacists and patients in order to rationalize therapy and raise knowledge and awareness about the correct use of nasal decongestants in accordance with modern therapeutic guidelines.

Background/Aim: Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) are psychological phenomena normally arising and developed in the dental office during various kinds of dental procedures and interventions. The most usual stressors for the DFA appearance are those related to dental pain, no matter if the pain has already been caused, or potentially will be committed. There are a few main dental pain-provoking factors related to endangering body integrity in the oral cavity, and tooth extraction is the strongest one. The research aimed to observe, notify, and analyze physiological parameters of DFA in adults related to oral surgical therapy procedures of removing impacted third permanent molars. Material and Methods: After inclusive selection 500 patients entered into the study. The study protocol included preoperative assessment of DFA presence with Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS) on examination day, preoperative assessment of physiological parameters on examination day and operative day before the treatment, as well as their postoperative assessment followed by evaluation of postoperative pain, on the day after the treatment. Results: The results of our research indicated that an increase in DFA led to increased values of the measured physiological parameters for all preoperative measurement days. The postoperative decrease in the physiological parameters values could be explained by the fact that the oral-surgical procedure was completed, so the psychological burden of the patients was also less. Conclusions: Patients with higher values of the DFA presence have also declared more postoperative pain.