Lipid multilayer gratings are promising optical biosensor elements that are capable of transducing analyte binding events into changes in an optical signal. Unlike solid state transducers, reagents related to molecular recognition and signal amplification can be incorporated into the lipid grating ink volume prior to fabrication. Here we describe a strategy for functionalizing lipid multilayer gratings with a DNA aptamer for the protein thrombin that allows label-free analyte detection. A double cholesterol-tagged, double-stranded DNA linker was used to attach the aptamer to the lipid gratings. This approach was found to be sufficient for binding fluorescently labeled thrombin to lipid multilayers with micrometer-scale thickness. In order to achieve label-free detection with the sub-100 nm-thick lipid multilayer grating lines, the binding affinity was improved by varying the lipid composition. A colorimetric image analysis of the light diffracted from the gratings using a color camera was then used to identify the grating nanostructures that lead to an optimal signal. Lipid composition and multilayer thickness were found to be critical parameters for the signal transduction from the aptamer functionalized lipid multilayer gratings.

We present a detailed computational study of the UV/Vis spectra of four relevant flavonoids in aqueous solution, namely luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. The absorption spectra are simulated by exploiting a fully polarizable quantum mechanical (QM)/molecular mechanics (MM) model, based on the fluctuating charge (FQ) force field. Such a model is coupled with configurational sampling obtained by performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The calculated QM/FQ spectra are compared with the experiments. We show that an accurate reproduction of the UV/Vis spectra of the selected flavonoids can be obtained by appropriately taking into account the role of configurational sampling, polarization, and hydrogen bonding interactions.

This short biography details the life and medical activities of Rosa Einhorn, mariée Bloch (1872-1950), who practised as an Austro-Hungarian (AH) official female physician in Travnik in occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) from 1902 to 1904, and as a semi-official private physician from 1905 to 1912/13. Born in Hrodna district in the Russian Pale of Crescent, Einhorn had qualified and practised as a "feldsheritsa" in Russia and went to Switzerland to study medicine in 1896. Upon receiving her medical doctorate from the University of Lausanne in 1901, she became recommended as a particularly adequate candidate for the not-yet-created position of an AH official female physician in BH. After Einhorn functioned as a general practitioner for women and children in Travnik and the adjacent districts for two years, the AH public health authorities officially dismissed her due to her engagement and marriage to the AH judiciary Sigismund Bloch (1850-1927). However, she obtained a right to private practice in 1905 and was employed as a private physician in AH anti-syphilis campaigning. Struggling for her reinstatement as an official female physician in Travnik, she also strove for the accreditation of her Swiss diploma in Austria, though in vain. After two attempts to emigrate to the United States in 1904 and 1913, Rosa Einhorn finally left Europe to work as a physician in the United States and Mandatory Palestine/Eretz Israel in 1923. She died in New York on May 27, 1950. CONCLUSION: Rosa Einhorn was employed as a provisory official female physician in Travnik in 1903/1904, the AH authorities accepting her only as a local private female physician after her marriage in 1905. Struggling in vain for her reinstatement, she finally left Bosnia in 1913.

INTRODUCTION Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is the most common female cancer in women 15 to 44 years old. Cervical cancer is etiologically associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HRHPV). Data on the prevalence of HRHPV in Bosnia and Herzegovina are scant. This study investigates the prevalence of HRHPV infection among women of reproductive age compared with cervical cytology in the Tuzla Canton. METHODS We analyzed the results of HRHPV testing and Papanicolaou (Pap) test results in women up to 40 years old diagnosed at the Tuzla University Clinical Center (UCC) from January 2019 to March 2020. RESULTS Among 880 women tested for HRHPV, 27.2% (n = 239) were ≤ 40 years. In this age group HRHPV was detected in 33.5% (n = 80) of women, and 23.8% (n = 19) were women < 30 years. Out of 239 women tested for HRHPV, 60.2% had an abnormal Pap smear result. Therefore, 40.7% (n = 59) of HRHPV-positive women had an abnormal Pap test result. Women with a normal Pap test result had an HRHPV-positive test in 22.3% (n = 21) of cases. CONCLUSION The results obtained contribute to the knowledge about HPV prevalence and the incidence of squamous cell abnormalities in the most populous canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina, possibly reflecting the situation nationally. The high prevalence of HRHPV in women of reproductive age calls for urgent implementation of an organized cervical cancer screening program and HPV vaccination.

Parental/familial factors are important determinants of the physical activity level (PAL) in children and adolescents, but studies rarely prospectively evaluate their relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physical activity levels among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina over a two-year period and to determine parental/familial predictors of PAL in early adolescence. A total of 651 participants (50.3% females) were tested at baseline (beginning of high school education; 14 years old on average) and at follow-up (approximately 20 months later). The predictors included sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender) and parental/familial factors (socioeconomic status of the family, maternal and paternal education, conflict with parents, parental absence from home, parental questioning, and parental monitoring). Physical activity levels were evidenced by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A; criterion). Boys were more active than girls, both at baseline (t-test = 3.09, p < 0.001) and at follow-up (t-test = 3.4, p < 0.001). Physical activity level decreased over the observed two-year period (t-test = 16.89, p < 0.001), especially in boys, which is probably a consequence of drop-out from the sport in this period. Logistic regression evidenced parental education as a positive predictor of physical activity level at baseline (OR [95% CI]; 1.38 [1.15–170], 1.35 [1.10–1.65]), and at follow-up (1.35 [1.11–1.69], 1.29 [1.09–1.59], for maternal and paternal education, respectively). Parents with a higher level of education are probably more informed about the importance of physical activity on health status, and thus transfer this information to their children as well. The age from 14 to 16 years is likely a critical period for maintaining physical activity levels in boys, while further studies of a younger age are necessary to evaluate the dynamics of changes in physical activity levels for girls. For maintaining physical activity levels in adolescence, special attention should be paid to children whose parents are less educated, and to inform them of the benefits of an appropriate physical activity level and its necessity for maintaining proper health and growth.

Background: From 2013 the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki explicitly requires pre-registration of a study involving human subjects. The registration gives a chance for improvement of design and avoidance of bias. Objective: The aim of this article was to describe process of bearing decision to create regional registry of clinical studies for Balkan countries. Methods: After finding relevant studies about research registries and designing the concept and structure of future regional registry an article was published in IJBH journal. The article was than used as basis for discussion at 2020 meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AMSBH), and final decision was made by the Academy to create the research registry. Results: Regional registry of clinical studies will be under the auspices of AMSBH and web-based, with the option of online registration of new studies. The data required to be entered in the moment of registration relate to key elements of research plan: topic, variables, sample, type of the study and the study population. After applying for registration of a clinical study, the authors will soon receive the review made by the AMSBH expert committee. The application could be accepted, rejected or returned for major or minor revision. After an application is accepted, it will be deposited in the searchable database and given the registration number. Conclusion: The AMSBH’s decision to create the regional registry of clinical studies will satisfy needs of researchers from Balkan countries in the first place, who share cultural and lingual similarities. It will also help with increasing standards of clinical research in the region.

Background: Accurate human body composition assessment is becoming very important in clinical practice due to the possibility of early diagnosis and preventive interventions of metabolic disorders. Fats are one of the most important elements in maintaining normal body structure and different methods are used to determine its total amount and distribution. The amount and distribution of abdominal white adipose tissue, and especially the visceral type, provides important parameters in the development assessment of central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and other chronic non-infectious diseases. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the amount of visceral adipose tissue in adults who are overweight and then estimate the probability of developing insulin resistance (IR) in those with higher amounts of visceral adipose tissue. Based on a comparison of the amount of visceral adipose tissue and the frequency of IR, evaluate the clinical significance of a routine procedure for body structure assessment in relation to the amount of visceral adipose tissue. Methods: Subjects were adults of both sexes aged 20 to 77 years, who were patients in two family medicine clinics. Including criteria for the study were: increased body weight (BMI≥25) and normal blood glucose values (4.0 – 5.4 mmol/L). All subjects underwent anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio) and body structure assessment with bioelectrical impedance. According to the values for the amount of visceral adipose tissue (below and above 110 cm2), the subjects were divided into two groups. All subjects underwent an IR test. We used the HOMA 1 value of 2 as a cut off for the risk of chronic non- infectious diseases in non-diabetic population. Results: The study included 80 patients. 14 patients did not complete the study, so the total number of subjects was 66 (39 women and 27 men). 36 subjects had elevated values of visceral adipose tissue (over 110 cm2). In this group, the presence of IR was registered in 30 patients or 81%. In the control group with a normal amount of visceral adipose tissue, IR was registered in 10 subjects or 33%, which is a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Increased amount of visceral adipose tissue in overweight patients significantly affects the occurrence of IR. For the patients with an increased amount of visceral adipose tissue, it is necessary to introduce intensive preventive measures to stop the development of diabetes and other complications as a result of IR presence.

Background: Enormous number of medical journals published around the globe requires standardization of editing practice. Objective: The aim of this article was to enlist main principles of editing biomedical scientific journals adopted at annual meeting of Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia & Herzegovina (AMSB&H). Methods: The evidence for writing this Guideline was systematically searched for during September 2020 in the PUBMED and GOOGLE SCHOLAR databases. The inclusion criteria were: original studies, systematic reviews, invited expert opinions, guidelines and editorials. The exclusion criteria were narrative reviews and uninvited opinion articles. The retrieved evidence was analyzed by members of the AMSB&H, then discussed at 2020 annual meeting of the AMSB&H and adopted by nominal group technique. Results: In total 14 recommendations were made, based on A to C class of evidence. The editors should educate potential authors and instruct them how to structure their manuscript, how to write every segment of the manuscript, and take care about correct use of statistical tests. Plagiarism detection softwares should be used regularly, and statistical and technical editing should be rigorous and thorough. International standards of reporting specific types of studies should be followed, and principles of ethical and responsible behavior of editors, reviewers and authors should be published on the journal’s web site. The editors should insist on registration of clinical studies before submission, and check whether non-essential personal information is removed from the articles; when essential personal information has to be included, an article should not be published without signed informed consent by the patient to whom these information relate. Conclusions: Principles of editing biomedical scientific journals recommended in this guideline should serve as one of the means of improving medical journals’ quality.

Background: One of the most vulnerable group to cope with the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic are women, particularly pregnant ones. Objective: The aim of this article was to make review of the scientific literature to show clearly that pandemic is not so dangerous neither for mother nor her unborn and newborn children. Results and Discussion: It should be stated that most of the scientific papers on COVID-19 are currently being conducted in a way that would probably be completely unacceptable to serious science in any other circumstances. Taking into account everything we have learned about the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far it comes as a surprise that there has not been a more intense scientific debate on whether the blind lockdown model, implemented by most national governments, was truly an appropriate response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Conclusion: Deep analysis what science in perinatal medicine did assess and what it recommended to perinatal world it may be followed by principles that the research of the members of the Academy will not be the first to be published, but we certainly aim that the scientific evidence published by Academy is fast, reliable and implementable.

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) is a typical technology for identifying different modulation types, which has been widely applied into various scenarios. Recently, deep learning (DL), one of the most advanced classification algorithms, has been applied into AMC. However, these previously proposed AMC methods are centralized in nature, i.e., all training data must be collected together to train the same neural network. In addition, they are generally based on powerful computing devices and may not be suitable for edge devices. Thus, a distributed learning-based AMC (DistAMC) method is proposed, which relies on the cooperation of multiple edge devices and model averaging (MA) algorithm. When compared with the centralized AMC (CentAMC), there are two advantages of the DistAMC: the higher training efficiency and the lower computing overhead, which are very consistent with the characteristics of edge devices. Simulation results show that there are slight performance gap between the DistAMC and the CentAMC, and they also have similar convergence speed, but the consumed training time per epoch in the former method will be shorter than that on the latter method, if the low latency and the high bandwidth are considered in model transmission process of the DistAMC. Moreover, the DistAMC can combine the computing power of multiple edge devices to reduce the computing overhead of a single edge device in the CentAMC.

Abstract Line surge arresters are mainly used for transmission line lightning performance improvement. Calculation of energy stresses of lines surge arrester is of extreme importance for the selection of the arrester class. Energy stresses of transmission line surge arresters due to multicomponent lightning flashes are analysed in this paper. To obtain lightning data two approaches were used: direct measurements using instrumented towers and lightning location systems. Both lightning monitoring systems are described. Data obtained from lightning monitoring systems are compared and used in simulations. Detailed modelling procedure for a transient analysis of the transmission lines is also described. Multicomponent lightning flash and 110 kV transmission line were modelled using Electromagnetic Transient Program -Restructured Version (EMTP – RV). The arrester current shapes and arrester energy duties are presented in order to clearly show influence of lightning current parameters to arrester energy duty.

Abstract This paper specifies and compares the ancillary services used by transmission system operators in selected countries within ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators-Electricity) for operational needs of their transmission systems. The comparison of the ancillary services’ unit prices is also given. In addition, analyses of various experiences gained by ENTSO-E countries within their electric power systems in relation to initiatives supporting the power generation from renewable energy sources (RES) and the methods of their integration into the electric power system were made. Namely, depending on the total amount of RES, depending on the incentive system for electricity production from RES and the development of an organized electricity market, different balancing responsibility models for electricity producers from RES were established.

Objectives Demarcated opacities (DO) on teeth affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) were observed to investigate if parameters of DO existence and the number of teeth affected could be used to predict the progression of disease. Material and methods In 2009, the MIH prevalence was 11.5% (n=51) among 446 subjects in Sarajevo, aged from 6 to 9 years. In subjects with MIH who gave consent for further participation (n=25), the teeth with DO were observed after a 12-month period. Results our sample included 29 permanent incisors and 14 first permanent molars with DO. The number of teeth with light opacities was significantly higher than the number of teeth with dark opacities. Opacities were more numerous on surfaces which were not exposed to masticatory pressure. The size of tooth surface affected by DO occurrence ranged from 1.33% to 56.56%. The number of affected teeth ranged from two to six. A strong positive correlation between MIH progression and dark colored opacities located on the occlusal/incisal surface of teeth was noted. Larger part of tooth surface was affected by hypomineralisation in the case of dark-colored opacities. The DO presence on incisors was more likely to be located on vestibular surfaces and on the first permanent molars on their occlusal surfaces. Conclusions The color of DO occurrence was the best predictor for MIH progression both independently and in combination with the number of affected teeth. Location of DO occurrence was a good independent predictor for MIH progression. It is important to collect information about color and location of DO presence.