Objective. Long-term care represents a series of health and social care services that are provided at home or in an institutional environment to people with reduced functional capacity (reduced physical and/or cognitive abilities) who need support in performing daily activities, and who depend on the help of others for a long time period. The goal of the research was to examine the quality of life of users with long-term health care, with a special focus on comparing the quality of life between people placed institutionally and outside of the institution. Methods. The research was designed according to the principle of a cross-sectional study. In the research, a general questionnaire and a scale for assessing the quality of life Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were used. Among the statistical tests, the ch2 square test was used. The usual value of p<0.05 was taken as the level of statistical significance. Results. Subjects who were institutionalized had statistically significantly lower values of domains and summary scores of quality of life compared to subjects whose health care took place outside of institutions, whereby the difference was observed in physical functioning (p<0.001), social functioning (p=0.003) and mental health summary score (p=0.015). Conclusion. Users of long-term health care placed in an institution had significantly worse physical functioning, a higher level of limitations due to physical problems, worse general health, a lower level of social functioning, as well as mental health.

Background: A laboratory professional concerned with the quality of work in medical-biochemical laboratories ensures the accuracy and precision of laboratory analyses through the implementation of international and European guidelines for working with hazardous substances, through the availability and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Laboratory hazards that affect the concentration and safety of workers arise from laboratory deficiencies such as: lack of preventive measures, knowledge and skills implemented through SOPs and good laboratory practice. Biophysical hazards in medical laboratories are manifested by needles and sharp objects, infectious materials, noise, vibration, radiation, poor air quality, temperature inversions. Objective: The aim of the research was to raise awareness of the quality of work in medical-biochemical laboratories in order to ensure the safety of workers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 100 laboratory professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia. The research was conducted over a period of three months. Results: A higher percentage of exposure to infectious agents and needles and sharp objects was found among respondents from BiH compared to CRO (p=0.018 and p=0.001, respectively). We found that respondents employed in accredited laboratories are aware of exposure to hazards in a high percentage related to infectious agents, toxins (p=0.0012 and p=0.0046, respectively). A significant statistical difference was found between respondents with BiH and respondents with CRO in terms of knowledge of accreditation standards of medical-biochemical laboratories (p=0.0155). Respondents who have standard operating procedures available are aware of the hazards of infectious agents (p=0.0001), toxins (p=0.0466), needles and sharp objects (p=0.0052), noise (p=0.0030), vibration (p=0.0007) and extreme temperatures (p=0.0014). Conclusion: Efficient implementation and continuous compliance with the ISO 15189: 2018 standard requires constant commitment and active participation of laboratory staff. Laboratories must have standard operating procedures in place and actively monitor their use.

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrom coronavirus 2 and causes a series of respiratory symptoms. Considering the appearance and development of symptoms, the course of COVID-19 can go from mild to severe. Depending on the course of COVID-19, the laboratory parameters change a lot, trying to defend the organism against the foreign pathogen and all the changes it causes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the differences between biochemical, hematological and coagulation parameters depending on the disease stage of COVID-19 patients. Material and methods: We conducted cross-sectional study which included 160 COVID-19 patients from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Biochemical, hematological and coagulation analyzes were performed. Results: COVID-19 patients with a severe clinical course have higher average values of fibrinogen (6.53±4.47,p<0.001), D-dimer (6.89±7.81, p<0.001), APTT (32.05±5.96, p=0.002), eosinophil (0.66±0.09, p=0.002) and CRP (93.42±75.86, p= 0.023), and lower values of lymphocytes (1.04±0.98, p<0.001), monocytes (0.45±0.3, p<0.001), compared to COVID-19 patients with a mild clinical course. COVID-19 patients with a severe clinical course had higher average values of neutrophils (10.12±5.80, p=0.002) and lower values of reactive lymphocytes (0.02±0.03, p<0.001) compared to COVID-19 patients with a mild clinical course. Conclusion: Biochemical, hematological and coagulation parameters can be a sensitive and specific biomarker for distinction of mild and severe COVID-19.

Background: The treatment strategy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has not changed significantly over the past 30 years. Chemotherapeutic agents (mitomycin-C, epirubicin, etc.) and BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) immunotherapy are used as adjuvant intravesical therapy. Objective: To compare the difference between adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant immunotherapy in their efficacy of reducing the number of tumor recurrences. Methods: In this prospective clinical study, which included 99 patients with NMIBC from March 2018.–March 2023., we publish the results for all risk groups of patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy Epirubicin or with BCG immunotherapy, after TURBT (Trans urethral resection of bladder tumor) within 1 year. Patients were stratified into 2 groups. The first group was treated with Epirubicin (1 dose within 24 hours of surgery, then 6 weekly instillations and 3 maintenance doses), and the second group was treated with BCG (2-3 weeks after TURBT 6 weekly instillations, and 3 maintenance doses). The monitoring period was 24 months. Results: In patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy, recurrence occurred in 9 patients (17.64%), and in patients treated with BCG, recurrence occurred in 7 patients (14.58%). A similar incidence of disease recurrence was observed in both groups (p=0.787). Conclusion: The results of our study show a similar therapeutic response by risk groups of patients treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Since BCG production will cease in the future, the task of urologists is to introduce intravesical chemotherapy into wider use and to modernize it as a safe and effective method of adjuvant treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

The paper provides general information and guidelines for the development of Mobility the Hub’s Action Plan of the City of Sarajevo. The action plan will cover a short-medium term time frame and vision, establishing a series of actions and measures to look for a visible and different concept of mobility through five basic components, such as: infrastructure, electromobility, auxiliary services, renewable energy sources and digital solutions. The main purpose of the work is to reduce the negative effects of traffic on citizens and the environment, encourage the transformation of urban mobility and direct the way of thinking towards sustainable development. Above all, defining the criteria for locating mobility hubs in urban areas. The conclusion is that mobility nodes are built in places of high concentration of people, which are places of exchange of passengers and places to which a large number of people gravitate. The Mobility Hub’s concept represents an attractive location/facility that offers users options for environmentally clean and practical modes of travel. It unites infrastructure and services in one place, creating a reliable model for a new way of moving around the city that saves money, is healthier, and increases involvement in green city transportation.

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Following modern global trends in the commercialization of education and adopting the lifelong learning concept, as well as rapid development of adult education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this research connects the adult education field with one of the vital management models in each organization/company's practice – marketing management. The number of adult education providers is increasing, but practical tools and research of their scope of work are in deficit. With the intention to contribute to the improvement of the theory and practice of adult education and marketing management and to help adult education providers adjust their promotional messages to their target groups, for the purpose of this research, the population of adults is divided into four generations: Baby Boom, X, Y and Z. This research aims to understand opinions and attitudes of the four generation's representatives on the elements of the promotional mix of educational institutions and determine whether changes between them exist or not. A qualitative research approach has been used in collecting primary data with focus groups as the main research method. The final result of this research is a projection of twenty recommendations to adult education providers (public and private schools, organizations and adult education centers), which are not only applicable in these education institutions. Other companies and organizations creating offers for age-segmented markets could also benefit greatly from these recommendations.

Background: Pleural disorders in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), responsible for the deaths of more than 6.7 million people worldwide, are relatively uncommon and underappreciated findings. The severity of the pleural disease in these patients correlates with the treatment outcome and overall prognosis. Objective: We aim to review our experience with treatment modalities and prognosis in 45 patients with COVID-19, who were treated at our Clinic between April 2020 and October 2021. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study. Demographic data, the type of thoracosurgical intervention(s), and treatment outcome for 45 patients included in this study were recorded for every patient. We analyzed the type and number of treatment modalities according to the pleural disorder, and the outcome of the treatment. Results: Pneumothorax was the most common COVID-19-related pleural disorder, followed by the pleural effusion. Tube thoracostomy was the mainstay of treatment, performed in 84.4% of patients with unilateral pleural complications. In total, 20% of our patients were on mechanical ventilation, and all of them had a fatal outcome. We found statistical significance in comparison to the percentage of fatal outcomes between patients treated with and without mechanical ventilation (p=0.000). Conclusion: COVID-19-related pleural disorders are prognostic markers of disease progression. Mechanically ventilated patients who require tube thoracostomy have an unfavorable prognosis.

Background: Discus hernia represents an intervertebral disk prolapse. The intervertebral disk provides stability in rest state and distributes the load of the spinal column on the move. Changes that lead to the occurrence of disc prolapse are desiccation, reduction of proteoglycan content, mucoid degeneration, and fibrosing tissue uptake. Predisposing factors of lumbar pain are heavy physical tasks with lifting loads over twenty pounds, especially professional use of heavy tools. Objective: The aims of this article is the review of diagnostics and physical therapy of lumbar disc herniation at levels L4/L5 and L5/S1. Methods: Authors used descriptive method for review lumbar disc herniation including diagnostic procedures and physical therapx based on scientific literature stored in medical databses PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, etc.. Results: The most common area of the spine to experience a herniated disk is the low back, just below the waist level. Herniated disks also commonly occur in the neck.. Conclusion: Rehabilitation is a delicate problem and requires long-term treatment and multidisciplinary cooperation, and is carried out in accordance with the principles of diagnostic and physical therapy of lumbar dics herniation depending of level of demaged and level of causes of lumbar disc herniation. The majority of herniated disks do not require surgery, and respond best to physical therapy. Physical therapists design personalized treatment programs to help people with herniated disks regain normal movement, reduce pain, and get back to their regular activities.

Background: The lumbar spinal canal consists of 5 interconnected lumbar vertebrae through which the final part of the spinal cord passes and the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves that form the cauda equina. The lumbar canal stenosis can directly affect neurological symptoms and pain in the lumbar region and lower extremities. Due to the frequency of such symptoms, lumbar stenosis has been the subject of research around the world. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure, analyze and compare the mediosagital and interpeduncular diameters of the lumbar spinal canal in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina to other populations around the world. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study on patients (n=200) who underwent Multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT) performed on a 40-slice CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Definition AS) for lumbar pain between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. Age, gender, midsagittal (MSG) and interpeduncular (IP) diameters of the lumbar spine were recorded for each patient. Results: Results of our study show that the largest MSG diameter is at L1 level for both sexes, with an average length of 19,06mm, and the smallest at L3 level, with an average length of 16,66mm. Our study shows that the MSG diameter is significantly larger in females than males on all levels from L1 to L5. In both sexes, MSG diameter shows the form of an hourglass with narrowing at L3 level. IPD is largest at L5 level for both sexes, with an average length of 31,94mm, and the smallest average length at L1 level, at 24,78mm. IPD diameter is significantly larger in males than females on all levels from L1 to L5. IPD shows a tendency of growth from L1 to L5 in both sexes. Conclusion: There were significant differences in the dimensions of the lumbar spine canal between female and male patients. We found significant difference in MSG and IP diameters measurements between Bosnian and Herzegovinian population compared to other populations. The dimensions of the lumbar canal provide a baseline of normative data for the evaluation of patients presenting with lower back pain and lumbar canal stenosis in study population.

Background: In the last two decades diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury (AKI) were developed: Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of Kidney Function, End-Stage Kidney Disease (RIFLE), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classifications. Objective: The study aimed to determine the incidence of AKI based on the RIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO criteria, as well as analyze their predictive value for mortality and renal function outcome. Methods: This was a single-center prospective study of patients diagnosed with AKI. Acute kidney injury was defined and classified according to the RIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO criteria. The outcomes were renal function outcome and in-hospital mortality. Results: The incidence rates of AKI based on the RIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO criteria were 13.4%, 14-36%, and 14.64%, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher stages of AKI according to the KDIGO criteria were independently associated with non-recovery of renal function (p=0.011). However, the predictive ability of RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO classifications for renal function recovery was poor (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics-AUROC=0.599, AUROC=0.637, AUROC=0.659, respectively). According to the RIFLE and AKIN criteria, in-hospital mortality was statistically significantly higher in stage Failure/3 (p=0.0403 and p=0.0329, respectively) compared to stages Risk/1 and Injury/2. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that all three classifications had poor predictive ability for in-hospital mortality (AUROC=0.675, AUROC=0.66, AUROC=0.681). Conclusions: KDIGO classification is an independent predictor of renal function non-recovery. However, by ROC analysis, all three classifications have poor predictive ability for renal function outcome and mortality.

Introduction:The diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm newborns with perinatal asphyxia based on increased serum creatinine (sCr) value and oliguria/anuria is usually delayed. The Aim of this paper is to evaluate serum cystatin C as an early predictor of AKI. Materials and methods:The study included 42 preterm newborns (24-37 weeks) with perinatal asphyxia (Apgar score (AS) ≤ 3 at 5 minutes of life or blood pH on admission ≤ 7.00). The sCr and sCysC levels were measured on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day of life. According to KDIGO criteria, the newborns were classified into groups, and sCr and sCys-C values were compared. Results:The mean gestational age was 29.9 ± 3.0 weeks. AKI was diagnosed in 62.8 % of patients. Of these patients, 81.5% belonged to AKI 1 group, and 18.5 % to AKI 2 group.No newborns had the criteria for AKI 3. On day 7 the mean sCr values were significantly higher in AKI (65.4± 21.8) compared with the non-AKI group (168.4±38.2) (p<0.001), but not on day 1 and 3 (p = 0.322, 0.012, respectively). The sCys-C values were significantly higher in the AKI group on day 3 ( AKI vs. non-AKI group, 0.69 ±0.22 vs. 1.22 ±0.20; p <0.001) and day 7 (AKI vs. non-AKI group, 0.62 ±0.41 vs. 1.68 ±0.20; p <0.001). The sCys-C was also an earlier marker of a more severe stage of AKI than sCr. Conclusion:The sCys-C was elevated earlier than sCr, making it a valuable diagnostic tool for AKI in preterm newborns.

Concrete is a material that has been used for centuries and is often modified using polymers. In the last fifty years, synthetic polymers have been used for the modification of concrete, but also for the production of concrete. In recent decades, sulfur concrete has been an interesting product that can be used mainly in low-rise construction due to its characteristics. In this work, we used the starting mixture for the preparation of sulfur concrete (sand, elemental sulfur with the addition of modified sulfur and fillers) heated to a temperature of 120 ºC to 170 ºC and homogenized. The results of previous research on the production of sulfur concrete showed that the density of the obtained product changes depending on the type as well as the amount of filler added to the basic mixture based on raw materials. Talc, microsilicon, plate alumina and fly ash were used as fillers. The amounts of fillers were 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10%.

Thermal shock stability plays a great role in the selection of optimal refractory material. Different methods of characterization were developed for this purpose, including the implementation of nondestructive testing. Image analysis is a very well method for characterization of different materials structures, as well as changes and occurred defects in structure caused by different influences. In this paper, possible application of image analysis will be presented related to the monitoring thermal shock behavior of selected refractory materials. Different parameters such are R parameter, level of destruction, as well as determination of morphological descriptors (area, perimeter, diameter, roundness) using Image analysis, will be presented.