bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early career accuracy of shoulder ultrasound in evaluating rotator cuff tendon tears
Authors: Obeida Naser , Al-Mnayyis Asma’a , Bani Essa Suhaib , Alkhatatba Mohammad , Al Qudah Heba , Aljarrah Majed M. , Alshgerat Yahya , Al-Tawarh Ammar , Al-titi Raghad , Alzuqaili Taqwa , Samir Waseem
Published: April 2024

Aim
To compare the accuracy of shoulder ultrasound (US) in diagnosing rotator cuff tendon tears between junior and experienced musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists. Also, to compare the overall ultrasound accuracy referenced to MRI.
Methods
A retrospective data collection for patients with clinically suspected rotator cuff tears who underwent ultrasound from
June 2021 - June 2023 was conducted. Patients who also performed MRI for the same shoulder were only included in the study. US and MRI images were evaluated by two MSK radiologists with different experience levels. The diagnosis of rotator cuff tears was done on MRI through consensus. Ultrasound accuracy referenced to MRI was calculated for each radiologist. A second consensus was conducted for US images to calculate the overall US accuracy.
The percentage of agreement and Cohen’s kappa correlation coefficient were calculated before and after the US consensus.
Results
Forty-one patients were included in the study, 12 (29.3%) males and 29 (70.7%) females, with a mean age of 49.6 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and accuracy of US interpreted by junior vs experienced MSK radiologists for supraspinatus full thickness tears (FTTs) were 100% vs 91%, 90% vs 93%, 79% vs 83%, 100% vs 97%, and 93% vs 93%, respectively. After the second consensus, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, and accuracy were 91%, 90%, 77%, 96%, and 90%, respectively.
Conclusion
The accuracy of shoulder ultrasound in diagnosing supraspinatus FTTs by junior MSK radiologists compares well to the
more experienced ones, but not for partial thickness tears (PTTs).
Identification of microorganisms on mobile phones of intensive care unit health care workers and medical students in the tertiary hospital
Authors: Kotris Ivan , Drenjančević Domagoj , Talapko Jasminka , Bukovski Suzana
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To identify and investigate a difference between microorganisms present on intensive care unit (ICU) health care workers' (HCW, doctors, nurses or medical technicians) and medical students' mobile phones as well as to investigate a difference between the frequency and the way of cleaning mobile phones.
Methods
 Fifty swabs were collected from HCWs who work in the ICU (University Hospital Centre Osijek) and 60 swabs from medical students (School of Medicine, University of Osijek). Microorganisms were identified according to standard microbiological methods and biochemical tests to the genus/species level.
Results
 Out of 110 processed mobile phones, mobile phones microorganisms were not detected on 25 (22.7%), 15 (25%) students' and 10 (20%) HCW's mobile phones. No statistically significant difference was found between the number of isolated bacteria between the HCW' and students' mobile phones (p>0.05). Statistically significant difference was found between both HCW and students and frequency of cleaning their mobile phones (p<0.001). A significant difference was also obtained with the way of cleaning mobile phones between HCWs and students (p <0.001).
Conclusion
 The most common isolated microorganisms in both groups were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus. Most HCWs cleaned their mobile phones at least once a week, 35 (52.0%), and most medical students several times per year, 20 (33.3%). HCW clean their mobile phones with alcohol disinfectant in 26 (40.0%) and medical students with dry cloth in 20 (33.3%) cases.
Early results of the conservative treatment of distal radius fractures-immobilization of the wrist in dorsal versus palmar flexion
Authors: Grle Maki , Miljko Miro , Grle Ivana , Hodžić Faruk , Kapidžić Tarik
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To evaluate immobilization with dorsal forearm plaster splint with the wrist in dorsal flexion vs palmar flexion in patients with distal radius fracture.
Methods
 In the prospective study (2012-2014) 122 patients (of which 22 patients lost) with fractures of the distal radius type A2, A3 and C according to the AO classification were investigated. At the end there were 50 patients in each of the two groups: the dorsiflexion (DF) group had a total of 37 women and 13 men, mean age was 63.48 ± 14.70, and in the palmar flexion (PF) group there were respectively 38/12, and the mean age was 64.20 ± 12.99. In both groups measurements of radiological, clinical and functional parameters were conducted. Patient related wrist evaluation survey (PRWE) and SF12 questionnaire were used for evaluation of pain and function of the wrist and physical and mental condition, respectively.
Results
 The study showed excellent results in both groups but there was significant improvement in the range of motion (ROM) on every measurement in the DF group: dorsal flexion 47.70±15.29; ulnar deviation 24.10±7.80; radial deviation 11.50±5.65 vs PF 22.80±19.04; 16.00± 9.31; 4.80± 494 (p<0.001). Also, radiological parameters showed significant improvement until the end of the follow-up. Functional parameters showed significant improvement of physical component of SF-12 in the DF group (p˂0.014).
Conclusion
 Immobilization with forearm plaster splint on the dorsal side and with the wrist in dorsiflexion gives better early clinical, radiological and functional results in patients with fractures of type A2, A3, C1-3 in patients of all age groups, compared to immobilization with the wrist in palmar flexion.
Revision of the demographic and clinical data of patients with ulcerative colitis in Turkey
Authors: Karagoz Hatice , Erden Abdulsamet , Karaman Hatice , Karaman Ahmet
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To evaluate the demographic and clinical data of fifty two patients with the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Methods
A total of 52 patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis by clinical, endoscopical and histopathological evaluations were included the study. Demographic data, colon involvement site of the disease and disease severity were examined from the patients' records. The patients were divided into groups according to the Baron grading system.
Results
Distribution of patients according to the colon involvement site was: 10 (9.2%) rectal, 16 (30.8%) rectosigmoid, 13 (25%) left sided, 10 (19.2%) extensive colitis and 3 (5.8%) pancolitis. According to colon involvement sites and Baron classification the results were: five (9.6 %), two (3.8%) and three (5.7%) patients with ulcerative proctitis were at grade 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Two (3.8%), six (11.5 %), six (11.5 %) and two (3.8%) patients with rectosigmoid ulcerative colitis were at grade 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Four (7.6 %), five (9.6%) and four (7.6%) patients with left sided ulcerative colitis were at grade 1, 2, and 3, respectively. One (1.9 %), three (5.7%), and six (11.5 %) patients with extensive ulcerative colitis were at grade 1, 2 and 3, respectively. All three (5.7%) patients with pancolitis were at grade 3 (p=0.11)
Conclusion
 The ratio of pancolitis is found to be lower in our series. There was no statistically significant difference among the genders according to the age, involvement site and the severity of the disease as well as according to the colon involvement sites and grading.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and CT for N staging of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Vegar Zubović Sandra , Kristić Spomenka , Hadžihasanović Besima
Published: April 2024

Aim
 The aim of this study is to investigate the possibilities of non-invasive diagnostic imaging methods, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and CT, in clinical N staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods
Retrospective clinical study included 50 patients with diagnosed NSCLC who have undergone PET/CT for the purpose of disease staging. The International association for the study of lung cancer (IASLC) nodal mapping system was used for analysis of nodal disease. Data regarding CT N-staging and PET/CT Nstaging were recorded. Two methods were compared using χ2 test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
Results
Statistical analysis showed that although there were some differences in determining the N stage between CT and PET/CT, these methods were in significant correlation. CT and PET/CT findings established the same N stage in 74% of the patients. In five patients based on PET/CT findings the staging was changed from operable to inoperable, while in four patients staging was changed from inoperable to operable.
Conclusion
 PET/CT and CT are noninvasive methods that can be reliably used for N staging of NSCLC.
Mental diseases and criminal offences committed by persons placed at the Forensic Department of the Penitentiary in Zenica, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Bjelošević Edin , Krehmić Adisa , Hadžikapetanović Halima , Čoralić Sanel , Bjelošević Sonja
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To investigate an impact of various biological, psychological and social factors on perpetration of criminal offences by persons with mental disorders and to examine legal requirements for placement of persons with mental disorders, who committed criminal offences.
Methods
This retrospective, descriptive study based on the analysis of data collected from records of the Zenica Penitentiary, Forensic Department (age, qualifications, employment status, marital status, mental disorders, information related to earlier treatments, type of committed criminal offense, duration of the security measure of mandatory psychiatric treatment and custody) included 154 examinees.
Results
 The study included 154 male examinees. An average age of the examinees was 34 years. An average duration spent at the Forensic Department was 3 years, murder was committed by 68 (44.15%) examinees, and 34 (22.07%) examinees committed attempted murder. Eighty-five (55. 19 %) examinees suffered from schizophrenia, 30 (19.48%) had delusional disorder, and 19 (12.33%) had mental retardation.
Conclusion
 The highest number of committed crimes was in correlation with schizophrenia, (the highest number of examinees suffered from schizophrenia). It is necessary to work on the establishment of a forensic hospital in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to create good conditions for rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders who committed criminal offences.
Metformin use associated with lower risk of cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Kusturica Jasna , Kulo Ćesić Aida , Gušić Edis , Maleškić Sanita , Rakanović-Todić Maida , Šečić Damir
Published: April 2024

Aim
 In order to increase the database related to the antineoplastic potential of metformin, association between the use of metformin and risk of cancer occurence in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) was investigated.
Methods
 In this cross-sectional study, medical records of patients with DM2 were reviewed for cancer occurence. Data on age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol and nicotine consumption, glucose and HbA1c levels, duration of DM2, medication used in the treatment of DM2 and cancer occurence were collected and analyzed. Unpaired Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons between treatment groups, and logistic regression to asses how well our set of predictor variables predicts occurence of carcinoma. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
 The mean age of 234 included patients was 66.8±11.5 years, and DM2 duration was 7± 6.49 years. Mean glucose value was 8.51±4.17mmol/L, and HbA1c 7.74±1.53. Metformin therapy was prescribed in 190 (81%) patients. Cancer was diagnosed in 16 (6.8%) patients: prostate cancer in eight (3.4%), breast cancer in four (1.7%), rectal cancer in two (0.9%) and cancer of the uterus and cervix in one patient. Age, duration of DM2 and BMI did not contribute significantly to the model, while metformin use was shown to be a significant independent predictor (OR=0.049; 95% CI=0.013-0.181; p=0.001).
Conclusion
 Our findings support the hypothesis that the use of metformin compared to the use of other oral antidiabetic drugs is associated with a lower risk of cancer in patients with DM2.
Nitric oxide biosynthesis during normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia
Authors: Hodžić Jasmin , Izetbegović Sebija , Muračević Bedrana , Iriškić Rasim , Štimjanin Jović Hana
Published: April 2024

Aim
To investigate biosynthesis in nitric oxide (NO) during normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Methods
 This prospective cross-sectional study included 80 patients hospitalized at the Department of Women's Health, Neonatology and Perinatology Cantonal Hospital in Zenica. Serum NO concentration in 20 non-pregnant women, 40 healthy pregnant women and 20 pregnant women with preeclampsia aged 17-40 years were measured. The group of healthy pregnant women were divided into 4 subgroups by gestational age. For each woman with preeclampsia, a healthy pregnant control was matched for age, parity and gestational age. Serum NO concentrations were determined after reduction of nitrates to nitrites using the Griess reaction.
Results
 NO concentrations during second trimester of pregnancy (37.2±1.7µM; p<0.05) and third trimester of pregnancy (40.9±2.8μM; p<0.05) were significantly higher in healthy pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (29.3±1.7μM). Serum NO concentrations were lower in preeclamptic women (30.7±1.8μM) compared to matched healthy pregnant women of the third and the late third trimester (35.1±2.2μM), without significant differences. Mean NO concentrations in pre-eclamptic women was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.58; p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.45; p<0.05), creatinine clearance (r=0.48; p<0.05), uric acid (r=0.49; p<0.05), and negatively correlated with platelet count (r=-0.57; p<0.05).
Conclusion
 NO production was increased with gestational age during normal pregnancy and slightly decreased in preeclampsia suggesting that NO may modulate the cardiovascular changes during normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia.
Serum homocysteine levels in patients with probable vascular dementia
Authors: Alajbegović Salem , Lepara Orhan , Hadžović-Džuvo Almira , Mutevelić-Turković Alma , Alajbegović Lejla , Zaćiragić Asija , Avdagić Nesina , Valjevac Amina , Babić Nermina , Dervišević Amela
Published: April 2024

Aim
To investigate total homocysteine (tHcy) serum concentration in patients with probable vascular dementia (VD) and in agematched controls, as well as to determine an association between tHcy serum concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with probable VD.
Methods
Serum concentration of tHcy was determined by the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay on the AxSYM System. Cognitive impairment was tested by the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each subject included in the study.
Results
 Age, systolic, diastolic blood pressure and BMI did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean serum tHcy concentration in the control group of subjects was 13.35 µmol/L, while in patients with probable VD it was significantly higher, 19.45 µmol/L (p=0.002). A negative but insignificant association between serum tHcy concentration and cognitive impairment in patients with probable VD was found.
Conclusion
Increased tHcy concentration in patients with probable VD suggests the possible independent role of Hcy in the pathogenesis of VD.
Attainment of gross motor milestones in children with Down syndrome in Kosovo - developmental perspective
Authors: Beqaj Samire , Jusaj Njomza , Živković Vujica
Published: April 2024

Aim
To investigate the age (in months) at which motor skills are developed in children with Down syndrome (DS), and compare it to the age of the development of the same skills in both, children with typical development (TD), and children with DS reported by four other studies.
Methods
 Sixteen children (7 girls and 9 boys) were monthly assessed for the development of nineteen motor skills between 2008 and 2011. The mean ages when the skills were accomplished were presented using descriptive statistics. Independent T-samples test (significance < 0.05) was used to compare the mean developmental ages from our study with those seen in children with TD (Comparison 1) and also in children with DS reported by four other authors (Comparison 2a-2d).
Results
Children with DS developed at a significantly slower pace compared to children with TD (p=0.005). Generally, delay and variance of developmental age in children with DS increased chronologically with the complexity of the skills. No significant difference was found between developmental age in children from the present study and children with DS from other studies. Conclusion
The rate of attainment of motor skills is delayed in children with DS in comparison to children with TD, however, the developmental sequence is the same. The delayed development is more prominent in more complex skills.
Anthropometric characteristics and traffic accident circumstances of patients with isolated whiplash injury in University Clinical Hospital Mostar
Authors: Rastović Pejana , Definis Gojanović Marija , Perić Ines , Pavlović Marko , Lesko Josip , Galić Gordan , Ostojić Marko
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To investigate anthropometric characteristics and traffic accident circumstances of subjects with isolated whiplash injury. Methods
 This cross sectional study involved 75 subjects from traffic accidents with isolated whiplash injury classified by Quebec Task Force (QTF). Anthropometric data were collected as well as claims about circumstances of traffic accidents.
Results
 Distribution of 1 st (28; 37.3%), 2 nd (25; 33.3%) and 3 rd (22; 29.3%) grade of whiplash injury was almost equal. Females had smaller anthropometric measurements than males; neck circumference was the most significant difference between males and females in the context of whiplash injury. The most frequent collision mechanism was impact to front (26; 34.7%) or to rear end (26; 34.7%) of a small passenger's car. Assertions of participants were that their car damage was significant (37; 49.2%) or total (24; 32%). A total of 38 (50.7%) participants claimed that they were not wearing safety belt and 52 (69.3%) did not find themselves responsible for accident.
Conclusion
 Driving habits of our participants facilitate incidence of whiplash injuries, especially in vulnerable groups such as women and elderly.
Influence of C-reactive protein on the occurrence and assessing of albuminuria severity in diabetics
Authors: Pojskić Lamija , Hasić Sabaheta , Tahto Ema , Arnautović-Torlak Vildana , Pojskić Belma
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To asses relation of serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level with albumin concentration in daily urine in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM).
Methods
 The prospective study included 69 patients with T2DM, both sexes (24 males, 45 females), aged 30-82 years. They were
divided into two groups: patients with T2DM and normoalbuminuria (T2DM-NA; n=40) and patients with T2DM and microalbuminuria (T2DM-MA; n=29). Patients were hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, in the period January-April 2014. Immunonephelometry measurement of hsCRP was performed on the Nephelometer Analyzer BN II (Siemens, Germany).
Results
 Frequency of patients in T2DM-NA and T2DM-MA groups was not significantly different in relation to sex and age.
There was significant difference in relation to duration of diabetes ( p=0.001). Average glucose and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in T2DM-NA group comparing to T2DM-MA group (p=0.008 and p=0.047, respectively). Serum creatinine (p=0.011), urea (p=0.009) and hsCRP (p=0.005) were significantly higher in T2DM-MA group compared to T2DM-NA group. Urinary albumin showed significantly positive correlation with the hsCRP (rho=0.286; p=0.017), urea (rho=0.503) and creatinine (rho=0.438) (p<0.0005). A one unit (mg/L) increase in hsCRP concentration
was associated with 11.5% increase of odds of microalbuminuria OR=1.115; 95% CI 1.014-1.225; p=0.025).
Conclusion
Significantly higher values of serum hsCRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria in comparison
to those with normoalbuminuria as well as the correlation of values of inflammatory marker with urinary albumin implicate a low grade inflammation in the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
The traditional medicine aspects, biological activity and phytochemistry of Arnebia spp.
Authors: Hosseini Amirsaeed , Mirzaee Fatemeh , Davoodi Ali , Jouybar Hossein Bakhshi , Azadbakht Mohammad
Published: April 2024

Arnebia, a sub cosmopolitan and important genus of the Boraginaceae family, comprises 25 species distributed among the world. Based on the studies of Persian medicine texts, there are some promising bioactivities for this genus that is unknown in modern medicine and some of them are still the basis of new remedies. This article presents Arnebia according to the most important ancient information by the most famous Persian medicine books like Makhzan Al Advieh, Tohfat Al-Momenin, Al-Qanun, Al-Seidaneh and Ekhtiarate Badiei. A search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar was done to find articles published between 1991 and 2017 on pharmacology and phytochemistry of Arnebia spp. In Persian medicine texts, Arnebia's different exclusive forms of preparations are effective for treatment of some disorders such as diarrhoea, amenorrhea, gout, kidney stone, jaundice, chronic fever and burn wounds. There are some activities that are the same in Persian and modern medicine research such as burn wound healing and fever amelioration. Phytochemical investigations on the title genus have led to characterization of many secondary metabolites. Naphthoquinones such as alkannins, shikonins, and their derivatives are the major constituents that have shown pharmacological activities in different Arnebia species. Among the major properties of Arnebia, only two of them (burn healing and fever amelioration) were investigated in modern medicine. The major aforementioned properties discussed in details in ancient sources might be a novel research sources leading to important discoveries in clinical usages of Arnebia.
Identification of conditions which lead to unjustified requests for emergency treatment of hypertensive patients
Authors: Sivić Suad , Gavran Larisa , Tandir Salih , Peštalić Elvir
Published: April 2024

Aim
To determine most common factors making patients with high blood pressure seek professionally unacceptable treatment of hypertension at the Emergency Department.
Methods
 The survey was conducted at the Emergency Department of the Primary Health Care in Gradačac on randomly selected 207 patients who requested medical help because of high blood pressure. For all patients arterial blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured. A survey about knowledge and attitudes regarding habits that affect high blood pressure as well as the socioeconomic conditions was made.
Results
Prevalence of 10.3% was found with regard to visits to emergency care by patients due to high blood pressure. Most patients, 127(61.4 %), were overweight and 36(17.4%) were obese. Patients who rarely controlled their blood pressure were more frequent visitors of emergency medical services. Stressful situation occurs as a factor in a variety of forms. The survey showed that 76 (36.7%) patients sought medical help even though they had no blood pressure values that required emergency care.
Conclusion
 Poorly organized health care system with no continuous and comprehensive preventive promotional programs caused by inappropriate use of resources in health care. The reorganization of primary care with full implementation of family medicine and greater integration of family medicine with other levels of the health care system should provide a better control and treatment of other diseases such as hypertension.
Quality of care for patients with diabetes done by family medicine team during the period 2013-2016
Authors: Gavran Larisa , Tandir Salih , Sivić Suad , Topčić Fatima
Published: April 2024

Aim
To assess whether the quality of diabetes care provided by a family medicine team changed over the course of four years and to identify potential gaps in our practice in order to improve it in the future.
Methods
 An audit was carried out for randomly selected 120 medical records (MC) from the Diabetes Registry of patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus treated by one family medicine team for four consecutive years, from 2013 to 2016. We examined demographic data (gender, age, diabetes type, family history), annual examinations (glycated haemoglobin, blood glucose, lipid profile, neurological examination, urinalysis, foot care, ocular fundus and body mass index), prescribed insulin or other drugs and patients' education.
Results
 Over the years females dominated with the maximum of 63% in 2013. In most years type 2 diabetes occurred in 93% of patients. The acceptable level of monitoring included examination of ocular fundus, lipid profile or total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting and postprandial blood glucose with more than 80% annually. A low level of monitoring complications of diabetes was found on monofilament test, 26% in 2016, urinalysis, 20% in 2016 and examination of feet with the maximum of 46% in 2013. Outcome measurement showed satisfactory levels of glycated haemoglobin of 60% in 2014, blood pressure 76% in 2014, fast 56% and postprandial blood glucose of 73% in 2013.
Conclusion
 We still need to find effective interventions that will lead to improvement of care for patients with diabetes in family medicine.
Role of inhaled corticosteroids in the exacerbation rate of moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Rakanović-Todić Maida , Maleškić Sanita , Burnazović Ristić Lejla , Kulo Ćesić Aida , Kusturica Jasna , Prnjavorac Besim
Published: April 2024

Aim
To analyse frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation in patients on therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and relevant factors that influence the rate of COPD exacerbations in a subgroup of moderate illness, like FEV1, comorbidities and other concomitant therapy.
Methods
 The study included patients with moderate COPD with at least 10 pack-years history of smoking and accompanying cardiovascular comorbidity. Demographic data, frequency of exacerbations and information about proscribed treatments-ICS alone or in combination with long acting beta agonist (LABA), were collected from medical records for the previous 12 months from the index date.
Results
Data were collected for 210 patients (170 males) with the mean age 65.63±8.66 years, 72 of which were treated with a fixed combination of long acting beta blocker (LABA) and ICS. Significantly more frequent exacerbations were detected in patients using ICS p<0.0001) and having higher Modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) score p=0.004). No statistically significant difference was registered related to ratio of FEV 1 /FVC (p=0.121) or a number of cardiovascular comorbidities per patient (p=0.969).
Conclusions:
Our results present a small contribution to the current scientific discussion about the use of ICS in COPD treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the impact of ICS on the frequency of COPD exacerbations.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and coping styles of war veterans from Tuzla Canton twenty years after the war
Authors: Selimbašić Zihnet , Brkić Maja , Kravić Nermina , Hamidović Jasmin , Selimbašić Mirna
Published: April 2024

Aim
To analyse symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and coping strategies of war veterans in Tuzla Canton twenty years after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).
Methods
 The study analysed a group of 120 war veterans from the Tuzla Canton who had experience of the war in B&H. For assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used, a version for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for assessment of coping styles Life Style Index was used.
Results
 Concerning number of traumatic experiences of war veterans, it was found that they suffered 12 traumatic experiences. Most often traumatic experience was the participation in fighting and shelling (90.0%), knowledge of injuries in combat or landmine injuries of family members or friends (75.8%), exposure to snipers (74.2%). The most important were the symptoms of numbnessemotional numbness (2.62%), the symptoms of intrusion (2.58%) and the severity of the symptoms of PTSD (2.39%). The most common strategy of dealing with veterans of war was a projection (68.31%) and intellectualisation (56.20%).
Conclusion
 War veterans have experienced polytraumatic experiences in war and show increased expression of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, emphasised psychosocial problems with a common defence mechanism in the form of projections twenty years after the war. War veterans are in need of continuous treatment in order to reduce long-term consequences of war trauma.
Public health significance of immunization and epidemic occurrence of measles
Authors: Čalkić Lejla , Skomorac Muhamed , Tandir Salih , Sivić Suad , Bajramović-Omeragić Lejla
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To investigate epidemiological characteristics of the measles epidemic (risk factors and reasons for its emergence) in order to establish better control and prevention of future epidemics as well as to determine an influence of poor collective immunization of children against measles on appearance of epidemic disease.
Methods
 An open retrospective epidemiological study of measles infection was conducted during the epidemic in Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) in the period 2014-2015. Disease reports, Disease Reporting Forms for measles and rubella cases and the Bulletin of the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica were used for data collection.
Results
 A total of 325 patients with the diagnosis of measles were registered, 262 (80.61%) in 2014 and 63 (19.39%) in 2015 resulting in overall incidence of 81.25/100.000. The majority of patients were aged 0-6 (p <0.05). Of the total number of patients, only 13 (4.73%) were orderly vaccinated (p <0.05). In the period 2009-2015 in ZDC 25.444 (83.34%) children (p <0.05) were vaccinated with measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Conclusion
Results of the study show that the low level of vaccination of children continues to a risk of the emergence of epidemics of measles and other infectious diseases. Therefore, in order to prevent the disease there is a need for a better vaccination campaign.
Experience of registered nurses in assessing postoperative pain in hip fracture patients with dementia
Authors: Krupić Ferid , Sadić Sahmir , Seffo Nail , Bišćevic Mirza , Fazlić Mirsad , Čustović Svemir , Samuelsson Kristian
Published: April 2024

Aim
To explore the experience of registered nurses in assessing pain in hip fracture in patients with dementia in the postoperative setting.
Methods
 The study questionnaire contained 23 items mainly addressing demographic and social data, information about communication and pain assessment, attention and awareness of the health-care professionals on the ward and suggestions for improving nursing.
Results
 The nurses claimed that they began their assessment of pain in patients with dementia first by observing the patient and making a visual assessment of pain, after which they began to communicate with these patients; majority of dementia patients with hip fractures displayed more facial expressions of pain than patients without dementia. All the nurses agreed that the more severe the patient's dementia was, the less clear the facial expressions and that this in turn made it difficult for the nurses to take care of such patients. Body language was the most common way the patients with dementia and hip fractures expressed their pain. Assessing the pain of a dementia patient with hip fracture and interpreting a non-verbally communicative patient was experienced as very difficult by all the nurses.
Conclusion
 The nurses found that the fact that they had not attended any courses on dementia and pain assessment in those patients made their work more difficult; they need to know more and to have more information about those patients and their needs for a more comprehensive exchange of information between the hospital wards and the patients' care homes.
Identification of risk factors for hearing impairment in newborns: a hospital based study
Authors: Hrnčić Nermin
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To identify risk factors for hearing impairment presented in neonates born in Cantonal Hospital Zenica (CHZ) and to estimate their influence on outcome of hearing tests in Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS).
Methods
 Retrospective-prospective study was done at the Department of Gynaecology and Maternity. The NHS was performed with transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) during a six-month period using "Titan" device (Interacoustics, Denmark). The questionnaire was written for the purpose of getting more structured basic information about every newborn and to identify risk factors for hearing impairment. Chi-square test was used to investigate the difference between experimental and control group refer incidence.
Results
 A total of 1217 newborns was screened for hearing impairment of which 259 (21.28%) with one or more known risk factors for hearing impairment. The following risk factors for hearing impairment were identified during the study period: family history of permanent childhood hearing impairment in 42 (3.45%) newborns, prematurity in 39 (3.21%), low APGAR scores in 29 (2.40%), asphyxia in 31 (2.55%), hyperbilirubinemia in 41 (3.37%), admission of ototoxic medication (aminoglycosides) after birth in 155 (12.74%).
Conclusion
There were many serious risk factors for hearing loss identified in this study. Identification of risk factors for hearing impairment in neonates is necessary because a follow up of the children with risk factors is very important.
Significance of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) as an improving factor in contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enterography in evaluation of patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Imširović Bilal , Zerem Enver , Efendić Alma , Mekić Abazović Alma , Zerem Omar , Djedović Muhamed
Published: April 2024

Aim
To determine capabilities and potential of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enterography in order to establish the diagnosis and to evaluate severity and activity of intestinal inflammation.
Methods
 Fifty-five patients with suspicion for presence of Crohn's disease were evaluated. All patients underwent contrast enhanced MRI enterography and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and subsequently endoscopic examination or surgical treatment. Four parameters were analysed: thickening of the bowel wall, and presence of abscess, fistula and lymphadenopathy. Results
Comparing results of DWI and contrast enhanced MRI enterography a significant difference between results given through diffusion and histopathological test was found, e.g. a significant difference between results obtained through diffusion and MRI enterography was found. MRI enterography sensitiveness for bowel wall thickening was 97.7% and specificity 70%, whilst DWI sensitivity for bowel wall thickening was 84% and specificity 100%. The diagnostics of abscess and fistula showed no significant difference between DWI and MRI, while in lymphadenopathy significant difference between contrast enhanced MRI enterography and DWI was found.
Conclusion
 Contrast enhanced MRI enterography in combination with DWI allows for excellent evaluation of disease activity, but also problems or complications following it. The examination can be repeated, controlled, and it can contribute to monitoring of patients with this disease.
Observational multicenter study of efficacy of paroxetine filmcoated tablet in the treatment of anxiety disorder
Authors: Džubur Kulenović Alma , Memić Serdarević Amra , Halilović Zehra , Mašnić Haris , Bahto Amra , Kapo Belma , Delić Daniela , Hadžimuratović Amila
Published: April 2024

Aim
To examine the efficiency of paroxetine treatment of anxiety disorders in adult patients over the period of 12 months and the improvement of symptoms of anxiety disorder during this period, as well as to examine the tolerability of the administered treatment and patient compliance during the study.
Methods
 This observational, multicenter, cohort, clinical study included 171 patients with diagnosed anxiety disorder who were administrated paroxetine film-coated tablets 20 mg and followed up during the next 12 months. Patients were observed at 6 points, baseline and five additional assessments. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to determine the baseline severity of anxiety and Patients Health Questionnaire module GAD-7 was used to determine the severity of anxious symptoms and to follow up patients during the additional observations. Tolerability and patient compliance were followed throughout the study. Results
 Statistically significant decline in severity of anxiety disorder over the observation period (p=0.001) was found. At the beginning of the study, 64 (45.7%) patients had severe anxiety symptoms, 43 (30.7%) moderate, 25 (17.9%) mild and eight (5.7%) had none to minimal symptoms. At the end of the study, there were no more patients with severe anxiety, while four (3.4%) had moderate symptoms. On the other hand, 26 (22.2%) had mild symptoms and 87 (74.4%) had none to minimal symptoms of anxiety disorder.
Conclusion
 The results of this study provide further evidence for paroxetine's efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of anxiety disorders with good patient compliance.
The association of factor V G1961A (factor V Leiden), prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss in Bosnian women
Authors: Jusić Amela , Balić Devleta , Avdić Aldijana , Pođanin Maja , Balić Adem
Published: April 2024

Aim
To investigate association of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss in Bosnian women.
Methods
A total of 60 women with two or more consecutive miscarriages before 20 weeks of gestation with the same partners and without history of known causes or recurrent pregnancy loss were included. A control group included 80 healthy women who had one or more successful pregnancies without history of any complication which could be associated with miscarriages. Genotyping of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms were performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragments length polymorphism method (PCR/RFLP).
Results
Both factor V Leiden and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were significantly associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Bosnian women while prothrombin G20210A and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms did not show strongly significant association.
Conclusion
 The presence of thrombophilic polymorphisms may predispose women to recurrent pregnancy loss. Future investigation should be addressed in order to find when carriers of those mutations, polymorphisms should be treated with anticoagulant therapy.
Effects of early diagnosis of the wrist over-use syndrome on the treatment
Authors: Talić Tanović Adnana , Tanović Edina , Mekić Mevludin , Mađar Šimić Ivanka , Papović Adnan , Konjo Hadžan
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To demonstrate the effects of early diagnosis of overuse syndrome in the wrist on healing, pain intensity and quick recovery to daily work and sport activities.
Methods
 This clinical retrospective study included 60 patients of both sexes aged from 22 to 44 years, with pain in the wrist and clinical signs of creeping tenosynovitis. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group-persons doing sports activity, and the second group-patients who did not deal with sports activities.
Results
 Females in 31 (51.7%) cases compared to males with 29 (48.3%) were slightly more represented in the total sample. Patients with injuries due to sports activities had previously reported to the physician and the diagnosis was set at an average of 3.1±0.9 days after the first symptoms (the range of 2-5 days), compared to the patients of the second group whose diagnosis was set at an average of 4.7±1.1 days after the first symptoms (p <0.05).
Conclusion
 Patients involved in sports activities were more motivated for faster recovery, they had earlier doctor's examination with rapid reduction of subjective symptoms during intensive physical therapy.
The predictive value of the clinical sign of limited hip abduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
Authors: Čustović Svemir , Šadić Sahmir , Vujadinović Aleksandar , Hrustić Asmir , Jašarević Mahir , Čustović Amer , Krupić Ferid
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To assess the relationship between the clinical sign of limited hip abduction and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods
 A research was conducted on 450 newborns at the Neonatal Unit at the Clinic of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic of the University Clinical Centre, Tuzla, between 30 th August 2011 and 30 th April 2012. Clinical (degree of hip abduction) and ultrasound examination of all newborns' hips were performed using the Graf method on their first day of life.
Results
Clinical sign of limited hip abduction showed significant predictive value for DDH. There were 67 (14.7%) newborns with the clinical sign of limited hip abduction, of which 26 (5.7%) were on the left hip, 11 (2.4%) on the right hip and 30 (6.6%) on both hips. Limited hip abduction had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 40.3% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.4% for DDH.
 Conclusion
 Limited hip abduction, especially unilateral, is a useful and important clinical sign of DDH. Doctors, who perform the first examination of the child after birth, would have to pay attention to this clinical sign. Newborns with this clinical sign would have to go to an ultrasound examination of the hips for further diagnosis.
Patients’ experience regarding informed consent in elective and emergency surgeries
Authors: Perić Olivera , Mišić Marinko , Tirić Dejan , Penava Nikolina , Bušić David , Tomić Vajdana
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To examine whether there are differences in the experience in giving informed consent of patients whose surgery was elective compared to emergency surgery in the same department.
Methods
 A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of University Clinical Hospital Mostar during a 6-month period. The sample of respondents consisted of two groups of patients, 145 with elective surgery and 90 patients with emergency surgery. The study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire.
Results
 Patients in both examined groups were equally satisfied with the procedure of informed consent. Most patients signed the informed consent at the request of a nurse, 195 (83%). During the process of consenting, almost all patients, regardless of whether they had elective or emergency surgery, claimed that they understood the form, which had to be signed, it was important to them, 230 (97.9%), except the patients who had elective surgery, 130 (90.3%), regularly stated that having an opportunity to ask questions was important to them. Respondents with emergency surgery more frequently agreed to sign whatever was in the form, 42 (46.7%).
Conclusion
 Patients who had a planned surgery and patients who had an urgent surgery, mostly declare contentment with the use of informed consent although they did not have the same experience about informed consent.
Antimicrobial effectiveness of polyhexamethylene biguanide on Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans
Authors: Medvedec Mikić Ivana , Cigić Livia , Kero Darko , Kalibović Govorko Danijela , Prpić Mehičić Goranka , Tambić Andrašević Arjana , Simeon Paris
Published: April 2024

Aim
To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.2% polyhexamethilene biguanide (PHMB) in root canal models infected with Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. PHMB was compared in these tests with 2.5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX.
Methods
 Prepared models of 50 human root canals (n=50) were immerged in mixed, four-weeks old culture that consisted of E .faecalis, S. epidermidis and C. albicans. Roots were randomly divided into three groups: one with 30 (n=30) and two with 10 (n=10) samples. Samples were treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) (0.2%), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (2.5%) and chlorhexidine (CHX) (0.2%), respectively. Root dentin was sampled before and after the tretment with these solutions. Colony-forming units (CFU) were counted to asses the antimicrobial effects of three solutions on viability of selected microrganisms in specimens before and after the treatment.T-test was used for comparison of results between specimens before and after the treatment, while Newman-Keuls test was used for pairwise comparison at p=0.05.
Results
The PHMB was significantly more efficient in reducing the number of all three tested microorganisms. NaOCl and CHX made only statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in case of E. faecalis and S. epidermidis. In the case of C. albicans, this difference was not statistically significant due to the small number of positive samples and high initial dispersion of results. Conclusion
 Both solutions PHMB and NaOCl were successful in eliminating E. faecalis and S. epidermidis from the mature dentin biofilm, CHX was not successful enough.
Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: caesarean section vs. vaginal delivery
Authors: Yildiz Aydın
Published: April 2024

Aim
 To investigate the association between the incidence of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO) and delivery by caesarean section or spontaneous vaginal labour.
Methods
 A total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as CNDO and treated with lacrimal probing between January 2011 and February 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (caesarean section delivery) and group 2 (spontaneous vaginal delivery).
Results
 A total of 22 patients delivered by caesarean section (group 1) were compared with 18 patients delivered by spontaneous vaginal labour. There were 10 male (45%), 12 female (55%) patients in group 1 and nine (50 %) males, nine females (50 %) patients in group 2. The mean age of group 1 was 14.85 months (12-22 month) and group 2 was 15.20 months (12-23 month). Mean birth time was 38.1 week (36-40 week) in group 1 and 39.4 week (38-41 week) in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the age, gender and birth time between the groups (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the way of delivery (caesarean section or spontaneous vaginal delivery) and the incidence of CNDO (p>0.05).
Conclusion
 Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction was found less frequently among the patients delivered by vaginal delivery comparing to the patients with caesarean delivery, however this difference was not statistically significant. It is considered that, with the studies which include more patients, the difference may become significant.