Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation “Dr Miroslav Zotović”, Banja Luka, the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia.

Introduction: Carrying a school bag is a dominant activity that a child performs during daily productive activities. The aim of the research is to examine how carrying a school bag of different weights affects the distribution of force and plantar pressure during normal walking on the flat terrain of children of varying levels of physical activity.Methods: The pilot study included 124 students aged 11-12 from Banja Luka. According to the protocol, each group of respondents was treated with an intervention-customized school bag and a comparator-school bag that the child only opted for. For the research, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, measurement of anthropometric parameters, school bag weight, and Zebris tape (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) were used for gait analysis.Results: Inactive children achieved the lowest and active children’s highest walking speed during normal walking without a bag, with their customized school bag. When carrying a custom school bag: The highest maximum force is projected on the left heel 330.72 N in inactive children, and the lowest 265.93 N in moderately active children, the highest maximum pressure on the left heel is registered in inactive children, 27.60 N/cm2, and the lowest 21.85 N/cm2 in moderately active children. The maximum force-time of % of standing time on the left foot in the middle part lasted the longest in inactive children, and the shortest active children carried their school bag 40.31% and a custom school bag 39.76%.Conclusion: High physical activity and individual adjustment to distribute the burden well allow the child to adequately respond to the loads carried by the weight of the school bag.

The main objective of this quantitative study is to examine the relationship between the following independent variables: capital adequacy ratio (CAR), liquid assets to total assets (LATA) and bank size (BS) and dependent variables: return on assets (ROA), credit worthiness indicator (Zscore) and return on equity (ROE) for selected Western Balkan bank countries. This model was estimated using a panel data methodology based on the assumption of a fixed and a random effect as decided in the Hausman test. The results showed that the variable size of the bank (BS) has a positive effect on the return on assets of banks in the Western Balkans, while the variable liquid assets to total assets (LATA) and capital adequacy ratio (CAR) have a negative impact. The results also showed that the variable share of liquid assets in total assets has a positive impact on the creditworthiness indicator of banks in the Western Balkans (ZScore). The third result is the variable return on equity (ROE) and it had the strongest positive impact with the independent variable size of the bank.

Bancassurance is a term used to describe a partnership or relationship between a bank and an insurance company, where the insurance company uses a banking sales channel to sell insurance products. The implementation of banking insurance activities in the financial system contributes to the strengthening of the competitive environment, the development of new insurance products, and greater satisfaction of customer needs. The main goal of this research is to point out the importance and significance of the application of bank insurance for both financial institutions, through the analysis of financial performance indicators of both banks and insurance companies, through the aspect of income and expenses. Also, this research presents an econometric analysis that tests the impact of other income, profit/loss growth rate, as well as the cost-income ratio as independent variables and their impact on the dependent variable, i.e., return on assets of banks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results of the econometric analysis showed that other revenues have the greatest impact on the profitability of banks in B&H. The weakest impact on bank profitability has a cost-to-earnings ratio.

The intent to humiliate, hurt or cause harm through the use of digital technology, that is through the use of smartphones and internet is called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take a number of different ways and forms. Most common ways of cyberbullying are blackmailing, threats, harassment, sexual harassment, creating and using fake profiles impersonating the victim as well using their photos without permission. Within the program "Skola bez nasilja" (School without violence), in which 50 elementary (primary) schools participated, showed that 28% of students in Serbia have been involved in cyberbullying either as the victim or the bully, whilst 64% of the students stated that they have been a victim of cyberbullying in the last three months. A survey done by UNICEF showed that 1 in 3 young people have been a victim of cyberbullying. The survey was done across 30 different countries. The goal of the review paper is firstly to point out the importance of the protection of privacy and prevention of cyberbullying among minors, as well as the people that interact with kids and help in their education. To keep ourselves and our kids as safe as possible, it is necessary to inform all internet and social media users on how to protect their privacy and how to safely use digital devices in today's age. Idea behind this work is to raise awareness among young people about the possible dangers of social media which could lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, isolation, suicidal thoughts and even suicide.

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare mortality of patients after colorectal cancer surgery between hospitals in Serbia, which performed organized colorectal cancer screening and those which did not. Methods. The database included all patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer after the introduction of organized colorectal cancer screening Program in Serbia, in 2014-2015. The target group were patients 50-74 years old in the colorectal screening program, and the data was compared to the age-matched group from hospitals which did not perform the program logistic regression. Results. The was used to determine the significance of the differences in the observed variables, and the predictors of mortality after colorectal cancer surgery. Results. The 3631 patients were included in this study. The majority of them were operated due to the rectal cancer 2111 (58%), while 1062 (29.2%) were operated due to the colon cancer. Postoperative survival was significantly better in the target group in organized screening program (p<0.001; OR=0.46; 95%CI 0.33-0.62). There was a significant difference between patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer localized in the left colon, compared to the patients with localization in the right colon (p<0.001). The mortality after the surgery of colorectal cancer (4.7%) was followed by high comorbidity of cardiovascular diseases (24%). Conclusion. Patients included in the organized colorectal cancer screening have lower postoperative mortality than these not included. This indicates the necessity for further work on organized colorectal cancer screening, in order to reduce postoperative and overall mortality.

Introduction/Objective. The aim of the study was to examine the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in a prospective three-year period as well as to establish the risk factors for DN progression. Methods. The study involved 45 patients with type 2 diabetes and DN (26 males, aged 18?62 years) followed up for three years. All the patients underwent physical examination and laboratory analysis at each visit. Laboratory analyses included complete blood count, serum glucose, urea, creatinine, protein, lipid concentration, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and urine protein, albumin and creatinine concentration. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Kidney length and parenchymal thickness were measured by ultrasound. Results. Fasting serum glucose concentration (12.0 ? 2.79 vs. 9.50 ? 2.22, p < 0.001) and HbA1c (7.99 ? 1.43 vs. 7.49 ? 1.29, p < 0.031) were decreased over the three years. Albuminuria increased (43.75 ? 10.83 vs. 144.44 ? 52.70 mg/l, p < 0.001) and GFR (63 vs. 58.3 ml/min/1.73 m2) decreased significantly during the study, but serum lipid concentration remained unchanged. Mean kidney length and parenchymal thickness decreased during the three years. Linear regression analysis found systolic blood pressure, fasting glycemia, HbA1c as positive and kidney length and parenchymal thickness as negative predictors of proteinuria increase, but proteinuria as negative and serum iron and albumin concentrations as positive predictors of annual change in GFR. Conclusion High blood pressure and high HbA1c are selected as significant risk factors for increasing proteinuria, which is a significant predictor of GFR decreasing in patients with DN.

Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and its complications. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common microangiopathic chronic complications of diabetes. Oxidative stress occurs under condition of increased production of free radicals and/or decreased activity of antioxidant defense mechanisms and it is an important link in the complex mechanism of diabetic vascular changes. Glutathione transferases (GST) are enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and they are part of complex antioxidant defense mechanisms. Numerous studies have found an association of GST gene polymorphism to a predisposition to various diseases, including diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Our and other authors' results suggest that genetic variations in enzymes involved in free radical metabolism are associated with the development of end-stage kidney disease in patients with diabetes, which could become the basis for the development of preventive and early therapeutic strategies in high risk people.

Paraovarian cysts originate from the mesothelium and are presumed to be remnants of M?llerian or Wolffian ducts. In majority of cases they are found to be 10-80 mm in diameter and do not cause any symptoms. Paraovarian cysts can be found unexpectedly during an operation or on ultrasound examination performed for other reasons. They are most freequently discovered on ultrasound examination. However, due to the proximity of the ovary for which cystic formations are not rare, the diagnosis of these lesions can be a challenge. They are mostly asymptomatic and only large lesions (?20 cm in diameter) become symptomatic. Although these are mostly benign tumors, in rare cases they can become borderline or true malignancies. Most paraovarian cysts are found in the third and fourth decade of life. Paraovarian cyst complications include: compression of the surrounding structures of the pelvis minor and abdomen, pelvic pain, cyst torsion and rupture. Except for the already mensioned complications available literature has so far failed to show cases of uterine prolapse caused by an increase of intra-abdominal pressure due to the expansive growth of giant paraovarian cystic formation.

Cardiovascular diseases rank first on the mortality list globally or 31%. The basic measure of prevention in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization is a change in risk lifestyle in terms of diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Vitamin D was previously recognized as a regulator of calcium and phosphorus ratio, bone remodeling or the main controller of skeletal pathophysiology. However, vitamin D enjoys great interest in clinical and epidemiological research in terms of its possible impact on reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Among other things, vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of endothelial dysfunction. Although the deficiency has been identified as a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases, the mechanism of action of vitamin D on the path from endothelial dysfunction to cardiovascular diseases has not been fully revealed. The findings in this segment of activity of vitamin D would be significant in terms of reducing morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Background/Aim: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is considered to be a drop in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (> 20 mmHg; > 10 mmHg) 3 minutes from postural changes. The objective of this study was to analyse the correlation of body mass index (BMI) and OH during the treatment with trandolapril, as a single-drug treatment of hypertension. Methods: The study involved 255 patients (average age 54.3 ± 11.7; 54.1 % men) with poorly regulated hypertension, who were given trandolapril as a single-drug treatment. The patients were divided into two groups regarding stage of hypertension: first-degree arterial hypertension (140-149 mmHg for systolic and 90-109 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure) and second-degree arterial hypertension (> 150 for systolic and > 110 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure). Incidence of OH occurrence was then analysed regarding hypertension stage and BMI during 6 months of follow-up, on 4 control examinations. Results: During 24-week period after trandolapril introduction into the treatment of hypertension, a statistically significant difference in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure values was observed. No statistically significant difference was observed in incidence of OH between the first and second as well as between third and fourth examination during the study. Regarding the incidence of OH in normal body weight and obese patients, there was also no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: As shown in this study, trandolapril, along with some other ACE inhibitors, has shown good balance in hypertension control and OH occurrence.

Ulcerative colitis is chronic immune-mediated disorder that affects primarily colonic mucosa. The metabolic syndrome has increasing global prevalence with a significant impact on biology of chronic diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Today it is known that the metabolic syndrome attenuates severity of ulcerative colitis. Still, there is no evidence that different stages of metabolic syndrome alter the course of the ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to dissect out how progression of the metabolic syndrome impacted the biology of ulcerative colitis and severity of clinical presentation. Seventy-two patients (41 men and 31 women, 22-81 years old) were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. Concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and feces samples were measured and phenotype of colon infiltrating cells was analyzed. Patients in the terminal phase of the metabolic syndrome have clinically and pathohistologically more severe form of ulcerative colitis, which is followed by decreased concentrations of systemic galectin-1, increased values of systemic pro-inflammatory mediators and increased influx of lymphocytes in affected colon tissue. Our data suggest that reduced concentrations of galectin-1 and predomination of the pro-inflammatory mediators in patients with terminal stage of the metabolic syndrome enhance local chronic inflammatory response and subsequent tissue damage, and together point on important role of galectin-1 in immune response in ulcerative colitis patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Background/Aim. Reactive thrombocytosis, as a paraneoplastic syndrome, is often observed in cancer patients. A variety of tumor-related humoral factors and cytokines con-tribute to tumor-stimulated thrombopoiesis. However, the exact role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of thrombocytosis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze systemic values of cytokines and clinical-pathological characteristics in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients with and without thrombocytosis. Methods. Fifty nine CRC patients were involved in this study and divided into two groups according to the number of platelets. We recorded and analyzed the data about: age, gender, size of the cancer, localization, metastasis, vascular or lymph vessel invasion, nuclear grade, histological differentiation rate, tumor, nodus, metastasis (TNM) stage and concentration of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1, IL-33, IL-12, IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-?] in both groups. Results. CRC patients with thrombocytosis had significantly higher nuclear grade of the cancer (p = 0.002); higher percentage of detectable metastatic lesions in the liver (p = 0.002), lung (p = 0.001), peritoneal carcinomatosis (p = 0.001), detectable invasion of blood (p = 0.012) and lymph vessels (p = 0.010). Concentrations of tumor markers [alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)] and se-rum values of IL-1 a nd I L-33 were significantly higher in CRC patients with thrombocytosis. IL-1/IL-12 (p = 0.016), IL-1/IFN-? (p = 0.007), IL-1/IL-17 (p = 0.006), IL-33/IL- 12 (p = 0.001), IL-33/IFN-? (p = 0.001), IL-33/IL-17 (p = 0.002), and IL-33/IL-1 (p = 0.006) ratios were significantly higher in CRC patients with thrombocytosis in comparison to CRC patients without thrombocytosis. Analysis of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves showed that values of IL-1 [area under curve (AUC) = 0.718; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.567?0.868; sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 62.9%] and IL-33 (AUC = 0.763; 95% CI: 0.614? 0.911; sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 65.7%)], could be serve as possible markers for paraneoplastic thrombocytosis in CRC patients. Conclusion. IL-1 a nd I L-33 significantly correlated to high thrombocyte number in patients with more aggressive CRC.