The Cigarette Smoking, Coffee and Supplements Intake at Students of Sarajevo University.

INTRODUCTION: The dietary supplements are defined as vitamins and minerals or herbal products and are typically given in the form of a capsule or tablet. The nonsmokers are more attempted to use dietary supplements than individuals who smoke. AIM: In our investigation, we examined associations between vitamin B, folic acid, multivitamin or mineral intake among the student population and their correlation with smoking prevalence and drinking coffee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a questionnaire to examine the general characteristics of the subjects, age, sex, their lifestyle, cigarette smoking, coffee intake and their use of dietary supplements. Data were collected from participants of the University of Sarajevo and a longitudinal study of 960 men and women aged 18-24 years from 2017 to 2018 was conducted. RESULTS: The results showed that 32% of students took vitamin B supplements and 10% folic acid. In opposite, more than half of students took multivitamins (59.5%) and minerals (60.4%) less than one year. About a quarter or less took multivitamins (23.9%) and minerals (24.3%) for years. Less than 20% of students took multivitamins and minerals within a period of one year. In student population smoking prevalence was estimated at 21.2% and coffee intake in 71.2%. The smoking and use of vitamin B supplements were independent of each other, p = 0.201. The use of folic acid did not depend on smoking p = 0.501. There were no observed correlations between multivitamin and mineral supplement consumption compared to smoking status or drinking coffee. CONCLUSION: Deficient dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins from food and supplemental sources appear to be one of the atherosclerosis incidences. Further studies should examine associations between dietary supplements intake and lifestyle of students, as well as smoking status and coffee intake.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec characterization of community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) represents one of the most important microorganism that is part of the normal microflora of humans, but in certain conditions can cause very serious infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for a wide spectrum of nosocomial and community associated infections worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA), as well as the frequency of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types in isolates obtained from outpatients in the region of 700,000 people (Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) Methods: Our investigation included phenotypic and genotypic markers such as antimicrobial resistance, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), SCC typing, and PVL detection. RESULTS: Antimicrobial susceptibility: all MRSA isolates were resistant to the ß-lactam antibiotics tested, and all isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole, rifampicin, fusidic acid, linezolid, and vancomycin. After the PFGE analysis, the isolates were grouped into five similarity groups: A-E. The largest number of isolates belonged to one of two groups: C - 60% and D - 27%. In both groups C and D, SCCmec type IV was predominant (60% and 88.8%, respectively). A total of 24% of the isolates had positive expression of PVL genes, while 76% showed a statistically significantly greater negative expression of PVL genes. CONCLUSIONS: Using combination techniques, we were able to investigate the origin and genetic background of the strains. PFGE analysis revealed two large, genetically related groups of strains consisting of 87 isolates. Our results suggest failure to apply the screening policy, and a lack of knowledge about multiresistant MRSA strains. This study showed the local epidemiological situation which should be the basis of antimicrobial empiric therapy for non-hospitalized patients.

Torture vs other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment: is the distinction real or apparent?

CONTEXT: After the reports of human rights abuses by the US military in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, questions have been raised as to whether certain detention and interrogation procedures amount to torture. OBJECTIVE: To examine the distinction between various forms of ill treatment and torture during captivity in terms of their relative psychological impact. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a population-based sample of survivors of torture from Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka in Republica Srpska, Rijeka in Croatia, and Belgrade in Serbia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 279 survivors of torture accessed through linkage sampling in the community (Banja Luka, Sarajevo, and Rijeka) and among the members of 2 associations for war veterans and prisoners of war (Belgrade). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the Semi-structured Interview for Survivors of War, Exposure to Torture Scale, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, and Clinician-Administered PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) Scale for DSM-IV. RESULTS: Psychological manipulations, humiliating treatment, exposure to aversive environmental conditions, and forced stress positions showed considerable overlap with physical torture stressors in terms of associated distress and uncontrollability. In regression analyses, physical torture did not significantly relate to posttraumatic stress disorder (odds ratio, 1.41, 95% confidence interval, 0.89-2.25) or depression (odds ratio, 1.41, 95% confidence interval, 0.71-2.78). The traumatic stress impact of torture (physical or nonphysical torture and ill treatment) seemed to be determined by perceived uncontrollability and distress associated with the stressors. CONCLUSIONS: Ill treatment during captivity, such as psychological manipulations, humiliating treatment, and forced stress positions, does not seem to be substantially different from physical torture in terms of the severity of mental suffering they cause, the underlying mechanism of traumatic stress, and their long-term psychological outcome. Thus, these procedures do amount to torture, thereby lending support to their prohibition by international law.

[The frequency of pollen allergy at the population of Sarajevo region during the 2002 year]. / Ueestalost polenskih alergija u populaciji sarajevskog podrucja tokom 2002. godine.

The frequency of pollen alergy in the sample of population of Sarajevo region during the 2002 year has been investigated. The age and gender population has been different. For determination of allergy has been use of standard test carryed out in the respective laboratories of Clinical center of University of Sarajevo. The testing has been on the pollen of weed plant species and grass (graminejae) pollen. In the mixture of pollen weed plant species have been following plants: Plantago lanceolata L., Chenopodium album L., Solidago gigantea L., Artemisia vulgaris L. and Urtica dioica. 589 have been tested patients by mixture of pollen mentioned plant species and found 115 as a sensitive on pollen alergy; 65 male and 50 females. Even 61 are children to 14 years, or 53% of total sick patients. The origin of grass pollen is no determined by taxonimicly, but on the base of phenophase of grasses from this area it is possible determine potential allergenic species: Dactylis glomerata, Cynosusrus cristatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Phleum pratnse, vrstama rodova Bromus, Hordeum, Festuca and Poa. 116 pateints have been identified as sensitive on pollen alergy; 49 male and 65 females. The highest proportion of sick people have been in correlation with pollination of allergenic plants in this area.

Incidence of major congenital malformations in a region of Bosnia and Herzegovina allegedly polluted with depleted uranium.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of major congenital malformations in West Herzegovina, a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, immediately and five years after 1991-1995 military activities, which allegedly included the use of weapons with depleted uranium. METHODS: The study included all live-born and stillborn neonates and excluded all aborted fetuses in two one-year cohorts (1995 and 2000) of neonates in the Maternity Ward of the Mostar University Hospital. Malformations were recorded according to the recommendations of the EUROCAT protocol. RESULTS: Major malformations were found in 40 (2.16%) out of 1,853 neonates in 1995 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.82%) and in 33 (2.26%) out of 1,463 neonates five years later (95% CI, 1.50-3.01%), ie, at comparable prevalence. In both cohorts, anomalies of the musculoskeletal system were the most common, followed by anomalies of the digestive system (in 1995) and the cardiovascular system (in 2000). The prevalence of malformations and the organ systems involved were essentially comparable with those in other populations not affected by military activities. CONCLUSION: Despite alleged environmental pollution in some regions of the former Yugoslavia, which was attributed to military activities and the presence of depleted uranium (the "Balkan syndrome"), there was no significant postwar increase in the prevalence of congenital malformations.

Nutritional influences on growth and prevalence of anaemia in children during the war in Sarajevo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess growth and prevalence of anaemia in hospitalised children during the war in Sarajevo. DESIGN: A random sample of children who were patients in the paediatric clinic over a period of six months (1 June to 31 December 1993) were anthropometrically measured and blood samples taken to determine prevalence of anaemia. SETTING: The study was conducted at the paediatric clinic, Kosevo Hospital, Sarajevo. SUBJECTS: The sample comprised 542 children aged from 0 to 14 years of whom 50.6% were boys and 49.4% were girls. INTERVENTIONS: The children were weighed and had their heights measured. Nutritional status was assessed through calculating the weight for height percentile and comparing these with international standards. Blood samples were taken and low haematocrit and haemoglobin values were used to indicate nutritional anaemia. The cut-off points used were: haematocrit < 0.34 (6 months-5 years) and < 0.35 (6-14 years); haemoglobin < 105 g/l (6 months-5 years) and < 110 g/l (6-14 years). RESULTS: On average, 69% of boys and 71% of girls fell within the 10th to 90th percentile range (weight for height). 7% of boys and 5% of girls were below the 5th percentile. A total of 24.7% children aged from six months to five years and 16% of children aged from six to 14 years had haematocrit values below the cut-off points. The highest percentage of children with low haematocrit values came from the six months to one year age group. Anaemia as defined by haemoglobin value was diagnosed in 10.6% of children aged from six months to five years and 9.6% of six to 14 year olds. CONCLUSIONS: War and disruption of the food supply have not had the expected negative impact of child growth and prevalence of anaemia. Reasons for this may include: increased levels of breast feeding, distribution of supplementary food commodities enriched with micronutrients, and good parental care.