Data on the immune response to West Nile virus (WNV) are limited. We analyzed the antiviral cytokine response in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with WNV fever and WNV neuroinvasive disease using a multiplex bead-based assay for the simultaneous quantification of 13 human cytokines. The panel included cytokines associated with innate and early pro-inflammatory immune responses (TNF-α/IL-6), Th1 (IL-2/IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4/IL-5/IL-9/IL-13), Th17 immune response (IL-17A/IL-17F/IL-21/IL-22) and the key anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Elevated levels of IFN-γ were detected in 71.7% of CSF and 22.7% of serum samples (p = 0.003). Expression of IL-2/IL-4/TNF-α and Th1 17 cytokines (IL-17A/IL-17F/IL-21) was detected in the serum but not in the CSF (except one positive CSF sample for IL-17F/IL-4). While IL-6 levels were markedly higher in the CSF compared to serum (CSF median 2036.71, IQR 213.82–6190.50; serum median 24.48, IQR 11.93–49.81; p < 0.001), no difference in the IL-13/IL-9/IL-10/IFN-γ/IL-22 levels in serum/CSF was found. In conclusion, increased concentrations of the key cytokines associated with innate and early acute phase responses (IL-6) and Th1 type immune responses (IFN-γ) were found in the CNS of patients with WNV infection. In contrast, expression of the key T-cell growth factor IL-2, Th17 cytokines, a Th2 cytokine IL-4 and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α appear to be concentrated mainly in the periphery.

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Received: 14 December, 2020 Accepted: 19 January, 2021 Online: 05 February, 2021 A comparative analysis of formulas for blast wave overpressure is presented in the paper, and models were compared with available experimental data. The Kinney and Shin models show the best agreement with experimental data (Kingery-Bulmash) for free airburst, while for surface burst, Swisdak, Vanuci, and Jeon models predict test data most accurately. One of the novelties in the paper is introduction of new exponential and power functions for blast overpressure estimation, giving good agreement with experimental data. Also, several numerical simulations of free airburst explosions were performed to introduce methodology, and compare the data obtained with experimental data. A detailed description of the procedure for these simulations was provided – a contribution to numerical modeling of blast wave phenomena.

Reduced maintenance costs of concrete structures can be ensured by efficient and comprehensive condition assessment. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been widely used in the condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures and it provides completely non-destructive results in real-time. It is mainly used for locating reinforcement and determining concrete cover thickness. More recently, research has focused on the possibility of using GPR for reinforcement corrosion assessment. In this paper, an overview of the application of GPR in corrosion assessment of concrete is presented. A literature search and study selection methodology were used to identify the relevant studies. First, the laboratory studies are shown. After that, the studies for the application on real structures are presented. The results have shown that the laboratory studies have not fully illuminated the influence of the corrosion process on the GPR signal. Also, no clear relationship was reported between the results of the laboratory studies and the on-site inspection. Although the GPR has a long history in the condition assessment of structures, it needs more laboratory investigations to clarify the influence of the corrosion process on the GPR signal.

Aim To present haemoglobin and ferritin parameters in donors to highlight the importance of serum ferritin testing for the purpose of evaluating iron depots in order to make recommendations for preserving a population of blood donors. Method A prospective study was conducted on 80 blood donors divided in two groups: group I (regular donors, n =40) and group II (irregular donors, n=40). Haemoglobin and ferritin were measured twice every 45 days, before two consecutive blood donations. Results By measuring haemoglobin and ferritin values before donation in both groups, a decrease of initial ferritin value in Group I relative to Group II was observed (without statistical significance). A significant decrease was found between repeated measurements for both parameters in both groups, indicating equal intensity of the decline in value regardless of a donor status. Measurement of ferritin before and after donation revealed statistically significant loss of ferritin in all examinees (p=0.011). The decline in haemoglobin after donation, although significant, did not fall below the reference value for donation in either women or men. Conclusion Results indicate the need for periodic monitoring of the plasma value of ferritin in voluntary donors who donate blood more than twice a year and the possible oral supplementation with iron.

Aim To characterize methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains phenotypically and genotypically and to determine their clonal affiliation, representation and antibiotic resistance profile. Methods A total of 62 randomly selected MRSA isolates of different clinical samples collected from 2009 to 2017 were phenotypically and genotypically analysed. Phenotypic analyses were performed by standard microbiological procedures, and using VITEK 2/AES instrument as well as MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) technology. Genotypic characterization included spa, MLST (multilocus sequence typing) and SCCmec typing, and detection of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and other enterotoxin encoding genes. Results The largest number of isolates, 21 (33.87%) belonged to ST228-MRSA-I, spa type t041, t1003 and t001. Other major clones were: ST239-MRSA-III, spa type t037 and t030 (27.41%); ST8-MRSA-IV, spa type t008 and t121 (12.9%); ST247-MRSA-I, spa type t051 (4.83%). PVL was detected in 10 isolates (SCCmec IV/V). During 2009 and 2010 the most frequent MRSA strain was South German clone, ST228-MRSA-I (80% and 90%, respectively), while in later years it was replaced with Brazilian-Hungarian clone ST239-MRSA-III (75% in 2015 and 2016). The South German clone, spa type t041 in 90.48% of cases was resistant to clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, cefoxitin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin and penicillin, while 70.58% samples of the Brazilian-Hungarian clone spa type t037 were additionally resistant to tetracycline and rifampicin. Conclusion This research can supplement the existing knowledge about the clonal distribution of MRSA in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their sensitivity to antibiotics in order to improve the national control of these infections.

This paper presents the research results of a melt-spun Cu47Zr43Al6Y4 metallic glass. Examinations of its surface, chemical composition and electric resistance had previously been performed and published. Characterization was continued by an x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and microhardness measurements. XRD analysis has unambiguously confirmed that the sample is completely amorphous. DSC measurements were performed with different heating rates which made it possible not only to calculate activation energies, but also to analyse the crystallization process itself. Microhardness measurements have been performed on both sides of the sample.

Aim To investigate the impact of pre-treatment serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level on prevalence of prostate carcinoma detection in prostate core needle biopsy, and its correlation with established prognostic factors. Methods Prostate needle biopsy samples of 115 patients with available pre-treatment serum total PSA (tPSA) level were analysed. For all cases where morphology alone was insufficient, immunohistochemistry was performed using p63, CKHMW and AMACR antibody panel in order to confirm or exclude the existence of prostate carcinoma. Results Statistically significant positive correlation between serum total PSA values and prevalence of finding prostate carcinoma in needle biopsy specimens was found (p=0.011), as well as in the case when the patients were classified into groups according to tPSA levels (p=0.028). Serum total PSA values and levels (level groups) showed significant positive correlation with Gleason score (p=0.029 and p=0.036, respectively) and Grade Group of prostate carcinomas (p=0.044 and p=0.046, respectively). Sensitivity of the screening test by using 4 ng/mL as cut off value for tPSA was 94.12% (CI: 80.32-99.28%), specificity 8.64% (CI: 3.55-17.00%), positive predictive value 30.19% (CI: 21.65-39.87%) and negative predictive value 77.78% (CI: 39.99-97.19%). Conclusion The increase of serum tPSA value increases the likelihood of finding prostate cancer on needle biopsy specimens. Due to such findings and its positive correlation with a grade of prostate cancer, our study indicates that tPSA can still be considered as a useful tool both in detecting and predicting aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

Aim To evaluate the relationship between numerical and categorical immunohistochemical score of Ki-67 and human epidermal growth factor of receptor 2 (HER2) with clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer (BC). Methods The study included 311 patients with invasive BC diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the period 2015-2019. The expression level of Ki-67 and HER2 was detected by immunohistochemical analysis. Results The expression of Ki-67, as a numerical variable correlated significantly with tumour grade (p=0.025), progesterone receptor (PR) (p=0.034) and categorical score of HER2 (p=0.028). When Ki-67 was categorized into high (>14%) and low (≤14%) level groups, a statistically significant association was found between Ki-67 level groups and HER2 status (categorical and numerical) (p=0.001 and p=0.043, respectively), as well as significant negative linear correlation with PR (p=0.037). The expression of HER2, as a numerical variable, showed a statistically significant correlation with tumour grade (p=0.038), PR (p=0.025) and categorical Ki-67 (p=0.043). Categorical score of HER2 correlated significantly with age (p=0.025), histologic type (p=0.039), tumour grade (p=0.016), estrogen receptor (ER), (p=0.002) progesterone receptor (PR) (p=0.0001), and categorical and numerical value of Ki-67 (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001, respectively). Conclusion The results demonstrated that the categorical immunohistochemical score of HER2 provided a greater association with clinicopathological parameters than numerical score of BC. Furthermore, a slightly better correlation with clinicopathological parameters was shown by the numerical value than by the categorical score of Ki-67 by applying a cut-off value of 14%.

The rapid urbanization of cities creates a need for construction of new collective residential buildings in all major cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, residential facilities are often built without any analyses, creating unsustainable architectural structures with a very high market price. The traditional monolith construction of residential units does not allow for any transformation or adaptation of the system. This paper aims to explore the possibility of the application of alternative solutions for the construction of sustainable collective residential buildings using shipping and prefabricated modular containers. Analyzing Bosnia and Herzegovinas market, it was found that there are no empty shipping container storages, but there are a few companies which produce prefabricated modular containers which are currently not planned for residential use. These prefabricated units could be transformed and used for the construction of sustainable residential buildings with the application of simple interventions suggested in this paper. The usage of prefabricated modular containers offers the possibility of transformation of space, simple assembly and disassembly, placement on existing structures, and the lower price of living area.

In 2013, the Journal “Periodical of Engineering and Natural Sciences” was launched. By now, the journal achieved a global spread of authorship and Editorial Board. In this period, we have been publishing mainly original research articles, reviews, and case studies. In addition to the current article types, we are going to start publishing Book reviews, Minireviews, Short Communication, Commentaries, Methodology/Method starting from the next Issue. To familiarize authorship with the different types of articles we publish, here below each of them is particularly described, including the paper structure and length.

The study aimed to examine the quality of honey from the Middle Podrinje area (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The research included a total of 21 samples of honey from the Middle Podrinje area: 12 samples of honey florals (municipalities of Srebrenica and Milici), 9 samples of acacia honey (municipalities of Zvornik and Bratunac). Physico-chemical parameters were determined as the main composition criteria for quality assessment in honey samples: mass fraction of water, total acidity, electrical conductivity, and ash. Samples of honey florals are of poorer quality compared to acacia honey, two samples had values of water content and acidity above the values prescribed by the Regulation. Statistical analysis showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the arithmetic means of the water content for floral honey, the electrical conductivity of acacia honey, and the free acid content for both types of honey. Honey samples that met the criteria prescribed by the Regulation were sensory evaluated by experienced analysts. Two samples of floral honey that did not meet the criteria prescribed by the Regulation were not sensory evaluated. Based on sensory analysis, samples of floral honey from the municipality of Milici had better sensory characteristics compared to the same type of honey from the municipality of Srebrenica. Acacia honey from the municipality of Zvornik was rated better than honey from the municipality of Bratunac.

The aim of this randomized prospective study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) using the "Seattle Angina Questionnaire" (SAQ) in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) in coronary arteries treated with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or optimal medical therapy (OMT), or only with OMT.The potential benefits of recanalization of CTO by PCI have been controversial because of the scarcity of randomized controlled trials.A total of 100 patients with CTO were randomized (1:1) prospectively into the PCI CTO or the OMT group (50 patients in each group). There were no baseline differences in the SAQ scores between the groups, except for physical limitation scores (P = 0.03). During the mean follow-up (FUP) of 275 ± 88 days, patients in the PCI group reported less physical activity limitations (72.7 ± 21.3 versus 60.5 ± 27, P = 0.014), less frequent angina episodes (89.8 ± 17.6 versus 76.8 ± 27.1, P = 0.006), better QoL (79.9 ± 22.7 versus 62.5 ± 25.5, P = 0.001), greater treatment satisfaction (91.2 ± 13.6 versus 81.4 ± 18.4, P = 0.003), and borderline differences in angina stability (61.2 ± 26.5 versus 51.0 ± 23.7, P = 0.046) compared to patients in the OMT group. There were no significant differences in SAQ scores in the OMT group at baseline and during the FUP. There was a statistically significant increase in all five domains in the PCI group.Symptoms and QoL measured by the SAQ were significantly improved after CTO PCI compared to OMT alone.