Psoriasis is an autoimmune and inflammatory skin disease. Psoriatic patients express higher levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and pro-inflammatory mediators than healthy people; this is frequently associated with vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the effects of high doses of vitamin D supplementation on the parameters of Hcy metabolism and cytokines in sera of psoriatic patients. This prospective study was conducted on 40 psoriatic patients who had the vitamin D deficiency. All patients received vitamin D 5000 IU/day for three months. Clinical and biochemical measurements were taken at baseline and at follow up (3 months). The results showed that the severity of clinical features, measured by the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score, were considerably improved in patients after vitamin D supplementation. After vitamin D supplementation, most of the patients (n = 25 or 62.5%) had mild clinical form (p < 0.001). After twelve weeks of intervention period, there were significant increases in vitamin D and B12 serum levels in comparison to the levels that had been measured at the beginning of the study (56.77 ± 14.66 nmol/L and 301.08 ± 95.02 pg/mL vs. 103.85 ± 32.20 nmol/L and 362.81 ± 118.56 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). Moreover, serum levels of Hcy and folate were significantly lower at the end of the study in comparison with the initial levels (12.45 ± 1.92 µmol/L and 8.01 ± 3.88 mg/mL vs. 10.38 ± 1.66 µmol/L and 6.27 ± 2.60 mg/mL, respectively). High doses of vitamin D supplementation led to a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-ɤ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), whereas the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-5) was up-regulated. In conclusion, supplementation with high doses of vitamin D could be one of the possible preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce systemic inflammation in psoriatic patients.

Background: Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is one of the countries of Southeast Europe with the lack of data about chronic autoimmune thyroid diseases (CAITD) epidemiology. Objective: This research aimed to assess incidence of CAITD in the Tuzla Canton of B&H during a 6-year period (2015–2020). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 82,000 hospital records of inpatients and outpatients with possible thyroid symptoms residing in Tuzla Canton of B&H (total of 445,028 inhabitants). The study included patients with laboratory and clinical proof of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Incidence rates were calculated with age standardisation using European standard population. Trends in incidence were evaluated as moving three-year averages. Results: During the observed period, 1875 patients satisfied the diagnostic criteria for CAITD with male to female ratio of 1: 8.01. Median age of all cases was 46 years (interquartile range: 31 to 61) and women and men were on average the same age at the time of diagnosis. The overall standardized incidence was found to be 71.25 per 105 (%95 CI=63.36–79.15). The overall standardized incidence in men was 16.25 per 105 and 123.74 per 105 in women. In the end of the observed period, AITD prevalence was 427.52 per 105 (% 95 CI=408.17-446.87). Conclusion: There was a slight decline of incidence in our region during the observed period. This decrease might be the result of combination of various factors, mainly the Corona epidemics outbreak and emigration. On the basis of the lower incidence rate in the Tuzla Canton, one can assume that iodine prophylaxis carried out in order to eradicate goitre had satisfied expectations because there had not been any enormous increase in patients with AITD.

Negativni efekti izvođenja radova u sektoru šumarstva sa aspekta zdravlja i sigurnosti radnika posebno su izraženi u okviru tehnološkog procesa iskorištavanja šuma. Sječa stabala i izrada šumskih drvnih sortimenata u Bosni i Hercegovinin obavlja se motornim pilama, a privlačenje drveta skiderima u najvećem broju slučajeva. Cilj istraživanja prikazanog u ovom radu je utvrđivanje opterećenja radnika u fazi sječe i izrade šumskih drvnih sortimenata iz razloga djelimične mehanizacije radova, tj. upotebe motor-manuelnog sredstva rada. Težina rada može se procijeniti na osnovu pulsa radnika, poređenjem pulsa mjerenog tokom odmora i rada, što je zbog praktičnosti veoma pogodan metod za istraživanja u oblasti šumarstva. Mjerenje pulsa sjekača obavljeno je uz upotrebu Garmin Forerunner 35 pametnog sata za trčanje (Garmin Ltd., United States) sa kontinuiranim mjerenjem i čuvanjem podataka. Rad sjekača sniman je akcionom kamerom tokom cijelog radnog dana. Istraživanje je provedeno u mješovitim raznodobnim šumama bukve i jele sa smrčom na području kojim gazduju KJP „Sarajevo šume“  i JP „Šumsko - privredno društvo Zeničko - dobojskog kantona“  d.o.o. Zavidovići. Prosječan puls tokom rada uključujući produktivno vrijeme i prekide rada iznosi 117 o/min (otkucaja u minuti) za radnika A, odnosno 113 o/min za radnika B. Rezultati Kruskal-Wallis testa su pokazali postojanje statistički značajnih razlika u vrijednostima prosječnog pulsa u zavisnosti od elementa studija rada (radne operacije i prekidi rada). Najmanje vrijednosti pulsa evidentirane su tokom pripremno-završnog vremena za oba radnika, a najveće vrijednosti tokom hoda do radilišta za radnika A, odnosno rješavanja ustave za radnika B. Prosječni puls tokom rada (%HRR) za radnika A iznosi 47.15%, odnosno 50.00% za radnika B. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da opterećenje sjekača prelazi dozvoljenu vrijednost od 40% što odgovara teškom radu i može imati negativni uticaj na zdravlje radnika. Uzimajući u obzir da su utvrđene nešto veće vrijednosti prosječnog pulsa tokom rada (%HRR) u odnosu na rezultate drugih istraživanja neophodno je razmotriti mjere za njegovo smanjene a koje bi podrazumijevale obuku radnika, promjene u organizaciji rada i kontinuiranu procjenu radne sposobnosti radnika.

The paper investigates the phenomenon of soil erosion on skid roads/trails. The aim was to discover how and to what extent different longitudinal slopes can influence the occurrence of erosion processes. For this purpose, a total of nine experimental plots were set up at three different sites. The length of the plots was 110 m, and at all localities, the research was carried out on different longitudinal slopes (up to 10%, 10 - 20% and over 20%) over the observed period of approximately two and a half years. The research focused on determining the volume of material removed and the dynamics of the development of erosion processes observed in phases (shifts) between recordings. Forests are the most effective natural factor in protecting land from erosion, and if they are managed on the principles of sustainable management, the so-called "normal" erosion usually occurs. However, as it is necessary to build a relatively dense network of skid roads/trails for different phases of management, it makes them susceptible to more intensive erosion processes. If we take into account that they were built with very low criteria (technical elements) and without the existence of facilities that would ensure the drainage of surface and rainwater, and can be built with a large longitudinal slope, it creates optimal preconditions for the development of intensive erosion process. The conducted research has obtained results that clearly show that erosion processes occur frequently, of varying intensity depending on the factors that prevail for a given locality. The value of the volume of the removed material ranges from 1.278 m3, ie 0.0116 m3/m to 5.313 m3, or 0.0483 m3/m. The obtained minimum value of the volume of the removed material can be related to the strong water permeability of the parent substrate (limestone), which affects the reduction of surface runoff, as well as shallow soils that are formed on it. When it comes to the maximum value of the volume of removed material, which is 5.333 m3 or 0.0483 m3/m, it can be related to the continuous occurrence of surface runoff that causes surface sapping and removal of material from the skid roads/trails. The performed statistical analyzes (through a linear model) indicate different correlations of investigated influencing factors (volume of transported material and length of skid roads/trails on different longitudinal slopes). The obtained correlation values range from r = 0,29 (weak correlation) to r = 0,79 (very strong correlation).

BACKGROUND patients with different types of dementia may experience changes in nutritional status, which are manifested by specific eating habits. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status and eating habits of patients at the time of confirmed diagnosis of primary progressive dementia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included 40 outpatients (63% women) diagnosed with either form of dementia. The mean age at diagnosis was 77±6 years and the mean time between the onset of first symptoms of the disease and diagnosis was 3-36 months. Nutritional assessment was determined at the time of confirmed diagnoses and included dietary habits (non-quantitative modified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)), anthropometric (body weight and height and body mass index-BMI) and biochemical parameters (serum concentrations of vitamin B12, folic acid and 25-hydroxy vitamin D). Dietary habits were collected over a 12-month period with the help of a spouse or close family member. RESULTS The results showed that none of the outpatients were malnourished, the largest number of outpatients (43%) were in the normal body mass category followed by 33% in the overweight category. The results of this study confirmed previous findings of higher preference for sweet foods observed in 53% of patients with dementia. Low status of vitamin B12 was observed in 57% of outpatients, folic acid in 24% and 25 (OH) D in 75% of outpatients. Lower frequency of consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and lower consumption of poultry meat, fish and eggs could have an impact on nutrient deficiency. CONCLUSIONS The poor nutritional status of outpatients with primary progressive dementia is associated with unhealthy dietary habits that may lead to micronutrient deficiencies. Dietary monitoring and intervention should be initiated immediately after the diagnosis of primary progressive dementia with the goal of reducing nutritional deficiencies and preventing further and more severe impairment of cognitive function.

Abstract Interspecific hybridization in the Cyprinidae family has been recorded worldwide, with Abramis brama (bream) and Rutilus rutilus (roach) as one of the often-reported hybridizing pairs. The only account of such an event in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been in Modrac Reservoir. Using morphological and molecular markers, the presence of hybrids was surveyed, the hybridization direction was determined and the hybrid group structure in this ecosystem was evaluated. Our findings confirmed unhindered natural hybridization between roach and bream in Modrac Reservoir. Over 50% of the hybrid specimens were classified as F2 hybrids by the NewHybrids software, while the rest were categorized as pure parental form, making it the first such finding in Europe. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b showed that 90% of hybrid individuals were of bream maternal origin. The hybrid group expressed higher mean values of observed heterozygosity and gene diversity than both parental species. Signs of introgressive hybridization between parental species were detected. The hybrid zone of Modrac Reservoir appears to follow the intermediate or “flat” hybrid model based on the balanced distribution of parental and hybrid genotypes. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the factors that enable the survival and mating success of post-F1 individuals.

The research aimed to determine the start, end and duration of leafing phases, the degree of plant damage caused by late spring frost, and the retention of leaves in autumn. The research was conducted in the international common beech provenance test in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The test contains eight provenances from Bosnia and Herzegovina, four from Germany, three from Serbia, two each from Croatia, Romania and Switzerland, and one from Hungary. Leafing phenology, canopy damage caused by late spring frost, and leaf retention were assessed in 2019. Most provenances started opening buds on 17 April 2019. Complete canopy damage affected the highest percentage of plants in provenance BW Bad Wildbad, Germany (68 %), and the lowest in provenance Konjuh Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina (3.2 %). Provenance Herzogenbuchsee from Switzerland had the highest percentage of winter leaf retention (37.5 % of plants). The results can be used in choosing provenances that are resistant to low temperatures in zones of late spring and early autumn frost.

Globalna pandemija prouzrokovana virusom COVID-19 bitno je utjecala na poslovanje u visokoškolskim bibliotekama u cijelom svijetu, a cilj ovoga istraživanja je utvrditi kako su javne visokoškolske biblioteke u Federaciji Bosne i Hercegovine prilagodile i/ili redefinirale svoje bibliotečko-informacijske usluge pandemijskim okolnostima rada. Za potrebe prikupljanja takvih podataka, anketirani su samo bibliotekari/ke onih javnih visokoškolskih biblioteka koje imaju kontakt (e-mail) na web stranici fakulteta / akademije / univerziteta, a samo istraživanje, koje je kvantitativne prirode, realizirano je korištenjem posebno kreiranog anketnog upitnika, upotrebom Google Forms, u junu 2021. godine. Od ukupno 47 mapiranih biblioteka, 26 biblioteka je sudjelovalo u ispunjavanju ankete (ukupno 55,3%). U ovom istraživačkom radu, koji je prvi ove vrste u Federaciji Bosne i Hercegovine, donose se pristupi visokoškolskih biblioteka koje, za razliku od visokoškolskih biblioteka iz razvijenih evropskih zemalja, djeluju u vrlo specifičnim uslovima koje, prije svega, karakteriziraju ograničeni i nedovoljni budžeti za nabavku građe, ali i nedostatak osnovne IT opreme. Rezultati pokazuju da su uprkos zatečenim, često neodgovarajućim elementarnim uslovima rada, visokoškolski bibliotekari ulagali izvjesne napore orijentirane ka zadovoljenju informacijskih potreba korisnika tokom svjetske zdravstvene krize, ali i da je pandemija naglasila hitnu potrebu digitalne transformacije istraživanjem obuhvaćenih visokoškolskih biblioteka. = The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has significantly affected library processes and procedures in academic libraries worldwide, and the aim of this study is to determine how public academic libraries in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) have adapted and/or redefined their library and information services to pandemic circumstances. For the purposes of collecting such data, only librarians of those public academic libraries who have contact information (e-mail) displayed on the faculty / academy / university website were surveyed. The research itself, which is of a quantitative nature, was realized by using a survey questionnaire, which was created on Google Forms, in June 2021. Out of a total of 47 mapped libraries, 26 academic libraries participated in the survey (response rate of 55.3%). This research paper, which is first of its kind in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, brings approaches of academic libraries which, unlike academic libraries from developed European countries, operate in very specific circumstances which are primarily characterized by limited and insufficient budgets for procurement of collections but also basic IT equipment. Results showed that despite the found inadequate elementary working conditions, academic librarians made certain efforts aimed towards meeting the information needs of library users during the world health crisis, but also that the pandemic emphasized the urgent need for digital transformation of surveyed academic libraries.

Surgically perforated stomach (since direct injury in rats until persisting defect and huge adhesions (day 1, day 7)) fairly represent an unresolved cytoprotection issue, and thereby, we focused resolving of the immediate triad, particular vascular failure (vessels 'disappear'/empty), prolonged bleeding, debilitated defect large widening. Agents (mg/kg) or saline (controls) were given at 1 min post-injury as an abdominal bath (10 ml/rat throughout 2 min). Within 1 - 15 min post-injury period, with cytoprotective BPC 157 (0.01 μg), the rapidly restored vessels 'run' (vessels filled/reappeared) toward the perforated defect, and there is less bleeding, and defect contraction; advanced perforated lesion healing (day 1) to complete healing (day 7), and less adhesions. With pantoprazole (10 mg), early (vessels (worsening), bleeding (prolongation), defect (attenuated widening)) effect means eventual lesions and adhesions severity as in controls. Ranitidine (10 mg) early effect (vessels (improvement), bleeding (less bleeding), defect (eliminated widening, defect not changed)) means final lesions attenuation, but not complete healing, less adhesions. L-NAME (5 mg) early (vessels worsening, less bleeding, attenuated defect widening) and final (lesions aggravation, more adhesions) effect, versus L-arginine (100 mg) early (vessels improvement, more bleeding, attenuated defect widening) and final (lesions attenuation, less adhesions) effect, combined few simultaneously occurring nitric oxide (NO)-system distinct processes. Finally, in the stomach tissue surrounding defect, increased malondialdehyde (MDA)- and decreased NO-values, BPC 157 reversed to the normal healthy values, and mRNA expression studies (Cox2, VEGFa, Nos1, Nos 2, Nos3, Nkap (NF-kappa-B-activating protein gene)), done at that very early post-perforation-time, indicate a way how BPC 157 may act beneficially in the perforated stomach lesion throughout NO- and prostaglandinds-system.

O amendoim é uma cultura agrícola amplamente conhecida no Brasil. O consumo in natura é o principal meio de aproveitamento da produção. Originário da América do Sul é uma das oleaginosas mais cultivadas em todo mundo, em razão da grande variabilidade nas formas de consumo, sabor e adaptabilidade de produção em áreas tropicais e subtropicais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho das características agronômicas de crescimento e produtividade de cinco acessos de amendoim sob adubação orgânica. O trabalho foi conduzido no câmpus das Auroras da Unilab, entre abril e julho de 2018. Foi utilizado um delineamento estatístico de blocos casualizados (DBC) com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições. Foram analisadas as características agronômicas: Dias de Emergência (DE), Altura das Plântulas (AP), Números de Ramos, Número de Vagens por Planta (NVP), Número de grãos por Planta (NGP), Peso de massa fresca (PMF), Peso de Massa Seca (PMS) e Peso de 100 grãos (P100G). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância em delineamentos de blocos casualizados com três repetições. Os quadrados médios foram comparados pelo teste F e as médias pelo teste de Tukey a 5%. Os acessos Unilab 130 e Unilab 138 destacaram-se em peso e produção de vagens sendo bons genótipos de porte rasteiro. Unilab 107 e 124 situaram-se como intermediários aos demais acessos em relação à produção e podem ser considerados para produção desde que atendidas suas exigências de cultivo. Unilab 130 apresenta-se como um bom genótipo a ser utilizado como genitor em programas de melhoramento.