Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of expanded hemodialysis on the degree of b2-microglobulin removal. Methods. Sixteen patients treated with extended MCO hemodialysis were examined. The main parameter for assessing the efficiency of removal of uremic toxins of middle molecular weight is the concentration of b2-microglobulin in the serum before and after a single session of extended MCO hemodialysis. The following were used for statistical analysis: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's T test for bound samples and Wilcoxon test. Results. Extended MCO hemodialysis effectively removes uremic toxins of middle molecular weight. The reduction index of b2-microglobulin during a single session of extended MCO hemodialysis is 70.60 ± 5.88%. The average loss of albumin during a single session of extended MCO hemodialysis is 1.88 ± 1.02 g/4h, and the index of albumin reduction is 4.94 ± 2.49%. Conclusion. Extended MCO hemodialysis effectively removes b2-microglobulin. The b2-microglobulin reduction index is ~ 71% and the albumin loss is less than 4.0 g/4h. This dialysis modality prevents the development of amyloidosis, atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in the population of patients treated with regular hemodialysis.

The concept of proper nutrition implies meeting the needs of the body concerning daily energy intake and a sufficient amount of nutrients and protective substances necessary to maintain the physiological functions of the body and its health. Nutrients are divided into macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Accelerated growth and development during adolescence increase nutrient requirements. Therefore, energy and nutrition requirements must meet the needs of adolescents. During their growth and development, there is an increased need for vitamins and minerals, especially for calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D. During intensive growth, adolescents require more vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, the intake of calcium and phosphorus is necessary as well, and the insufficient needs for proteins affect the development of muscles and energy levels. Proper nutrition and eating habits during the period of growth are of the utmost importance for the appropriate physical, psychosocial and cognitive growth and development of a child. Eating disorders usually occur as a result of low or high energy intake, and the most common types of these disorders are anemia, anorexia and bulimia, obesity and comorbidities, and poor eating habits. When it comes to the implementation of various programs concerning the prevention of bad eating habits and eating disorders, the school management, expert teams and student parents should bear the overall responsibility. Once or twice a year, preventive check-ups and BMI measurements are recommended to identify eating disorders.

Introduction: Cognitive abilities are defined as the awareness of immediate discovering, rediscovering, and recognizing information in various forms, understanding, and comprehension. Objective: To examine the cognitive impairment rate and its effect on the functional status of elderly persons, retirement home beneficiaries. Method: The research has been designed as a cross-sectional study, including 110 elderly persons. Research instruments comprised a general questionnaire, Katz index of independence in activity of daily living, Lawton instrumental activities of everyday life, and Mini-mental state examination. The statistical test used was the ch2 test, while Pearson's correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. Results: Out of the total number of subjects, 60% had an impaired cognitive status. When it comes to functional status, assistance was necessary for 79.2% of the subjects. Statistically significant weak positive correlation existed between the subjects' cognitive status and their functional abilities (r = 0.331; p<0.001; r = 0.386; p<0.001). Conclusion: The cognitive deficit rate was high in the retirement home subjects. Cognitive deficit brings about a significant decline intellectual functioning and undermines the subjects' daily living activities.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between subjective well-being and quality of life of the elderly in relation to their demographic characteristics, health, social and financial status. Methods. The study sample was comprised of 159 subjects of both sexes and of older age. The respondents underwent research in Banja Luka in the premises of the Association of Pensioners of the Republic of Srpska, senior citizens' clubs when coming to some of financial institutions to get help, to open bank accounts etc., as well as in the premises where pensioners gather to socialize and communicate. The survey questionnaire developed for the purpose of the paper and adapted to this population was used in the study. The survey questionnaire consisted of the following elements: sociodemographic data, self-assessment concerning the quality of life and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. Results. The study included a total of 159 subjects, 56.6% males and 43.4% females, of whom the majority were 65-75 years old (67.3%). The average health status (M = 2.17; SD = 0.68) was higher than the expected value, while the social status (M = 1.93; SD = 0.60) and the social needs (M = 1.91; SD = 0.72) were slightly lower compared to theoretical mean. Furthermore, the financial status had an average value (M = 2.08; SD = 0.59). The distribution of social needs was unsatisfactory. The obtained value of the Self-Perceived Quality of Life Scale was within the range of the theoretical mean values (M = 5.54, SD = 2.47), indicating that the distribution of the obtained quality of life values was symmetrical. Conclusion. Financial status significantly affects the quality of life of the elderly. The distribution of social needs is unsatisfactory. The level of education significantly affects the quality of life: highly educated respondents have a better health, social and financial status compared to the elderly with a lower level of education.

Previous research suggested that several genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke (IS) in young adults. However, the predictive biomarkers of IS in young adults are still unclear. Our aim was to assess the contribution of modifiable and genetic factors in IS in young adults. In total, 40 stroke patients and 40 healthy controls aged 20 to 50 years were recruited. Data on modifiable factors were collected, then participants were genotyped for seven SNPs linked to thrombophilia: ACE rs1799752, PAI-1 rs1799889, APOE rs1412 and rs429358, FV rs6025 and rs1800595, and FII rs62623459. Significantly increased risk factors: hypertension and dyslipidaemia in stroke patients compared with the controls: 50.0 % vs 27.5 % and 75.0 % vs 40.0% (P = 0.039 and P = 0.002, respectively) were observed. Stroke patients compared with controls did not differ in distribution of ACE, APOE, FV, and FII variants. The 4G4G homozygotes of the PAI-1 gene were significantly more prevalent in stroke patients compared to the controls: 42.5 % vs 17.5 %, (P = 0.033). In the group with the small vessel occlusion subtype of stroke, statistically significant overrepresentation of 4G4G homozygotes and frequency of the 4G allele compared with controls: 57.1 % vs 17.5 % and 0.7 vs 0.45 (P = 0.026 and P = 0.03, respectively) were observed. Independent predictors of stroke incident were: dyslipidaemia (OR (95% CI) = 4.2 (1.4-12.4)) and 4G4G genotype (OR (95% CI) = 3.9 (1.1-13.7)). These results confirm the contribution of dyslipidaemia and 4G4G genotype in the increased risk of IS in young Bosnian adults.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and lamotrigine (LTG) treatment on bone metabolism in epileptic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed on normal controls (N=30) and 100 patients with symptomatic epilepsy caused by a primary brain tumor, divided into two groups according to the treatment: LTG monotherapy group (N=50) and CBZ monotherapy group (N=50). For each participant serum levels of 25-OHD and osteocalcin (OCLN) were measured, and bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of vitamin D in serum between the CBZ and LTG groups (Vitamin D CBZ 17.03±12.86 vs. Vitamin D LTG 17.97±9.15; F=0.171, P=0.680). There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of OCLN between the CBZ and LTG groups (OCLN CBZ 26.06±10.87 vs. OCLN LTG 27.87±28.45; F=0.171, P=0.674). The BMD value was lower in both groups using antiepileptic agents compared to the controls, but when comparing the CBZ group to the LTG group, a statistically significant difference was only observed for the Z score (T-score CBZ: 0.08± 1.38 vs. T-score LTG: 0.37± 1.02; F=1.495, P=0.224; Z score CBZ: -0.05±1.17 vs. Z. score CBZ: 0.38±0.96; F=4.069, P=0.046) (Table 3). CONCLUSION The choice of antiepileptic agents for treating seizures in patients with brain tumors should be carefully evaluated in relation to their impact on bone health. These patients could benefit from supplementation and regular measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover and BMD.

Introduction. Deja vu (franc. Déjà vu) is a phenomenon experienced by two thirds of all people. However, this phenomenon can follow aura during the temporal lobe epilepsy. It is believed that it originates from hippocampus, which plays a major role in generating epileptic discharges. Some authors emphasize that in these patients déjà vu phenomenon is not an aura but rather it sometimes refers to the attack itself. Method. In this case report, an eightyear-old girl suffering from repeated crisis of consciousness is described. Case report. The aim of the study was to present the case of an eightyearold girl who underwent three crisis of consciousness, headache behind the forehead as well as the repeated déjà vu phenomenon. The girl was hospitalized, after which medical history was taken and physical examination, as well as other diagnostic tests, were performed. EEG recording revealed an increased electrocortical epileptic activity above the right frontotemporal region. An antiepileptic therapy (Karbapin) leading to attack control was introduced. Conclusion. It is necessary to give temporal lobe epilepsy in children with déjà vu phenomenon serious consideration.