Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of young people related to drinking and driving in Mostar region, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The traffic accidents became the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young population groups during the late 60s and early 70s. Among several European countries that are in transition, Bosnia and Herzegovina takes the leading place in fatal traffic accidents. In this study we have investigated knowledge, attitudes and behavior of young people related to alcohol impaired driving. Our aim was to investigate the patterns and behavior among young people that could be useful for public health intervention among them. This is of special interest as there is a lack of such information from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study was performed in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study included 189 examinees of both genders, aged between 18 and 24 years, who have been divided in two groups: students of the University of Mostar and those who did not go for further education after high school (nonstudents). Sampling was performed in July 2006 in Mostar and surrounding area. The Gallup organization questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistic test and chi-square were used in statistical analysis. Result of this study could be helpful in taking preventive measures for lowering number of traffic accidents among young people or they could be base in some protective programs for increasing traffic safety.

Treatment cost of patients with maxillofacial fractures at the University Hospital in Mostar 2002-2006.

The aim of this study was to establish the costs structure of medical treatment for the patients with maxillofacial fractures, to perform a treatment cost evaluation, describe the factors which considerably influence the costs and discover the ways of achieving financial savings in treated patients. The study group consisted of patients with maxillofacial fractures who were admitted and treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital Mostar in the period from January 2002 until December 2006. Data for the study were collected from the patients' databases, case histories and data obtained on the basis of individual payments for the treatment that was collected by Finance Department of the University Hospital of Mostar Most patients in this study were men (83%), of average age 34 +/- 19 years. Zygomatic bone fracture was the commonest injury. Open surgical procedure was performed in 84.7% of treated cases. The costs for the open procedure were considerably higher than conservative treatment. Medication cost made up a total of 37.9% and cost of hospital accommodation 27.3% out of total hospital charge. Cost reduction in treated patients with maxillofacial fractures should be achieved through protocols of urgent treatment of maxillofacial trauma patients immediately after sustaining an injury and with earlier discharge of the patients when postoperative complications are not expected.

Myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Rare malignant tumor of the salivary gland, a myoepithelial carcinoma, arose de novo in the right parotid gland. The initial tumor was composed predominantly of myoepithelial cells. Subsequently the tumor recurred three times, with infiltration of the bones of the cranial base. Histological examination showed sarcomatoid neoplasm composed of malignant spindle cells with high mitotic rate and perineural invasion. There was no involvement of cervical lymph nodes. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated myoepithelial differentiation: tumor cells were positively stained with vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin and S-100 protein antibodies, and focal positively was noticed with cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) antibody. Large number of tumor cells nuclei was reactive with the monoclonal anti-p63 antibody, clone 4A4. Myoepithelial carcinomas exhibit a wide spectrum of morphological heterogeneity and for that reason could be confused with many tumors. Cytoarchitectural patterns and immunohistochemical profile are crucial for identification. These tumors are malignant neoplasms with diverse clinical outcomes, sometimes very aggressive.

A case repot of Madelung's disease in a 69 years old man.

Madelung's disease is an extremely rare disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the huge, bilateral, fatty deposits in regions of the neck, shoulders and the upper extremities. A 69-old patient with developed symptoms of Madelung's disease with a 12-years history is described in this study. The patient was initially considered to have a goiter and chronic heart insufficiency, for which he has been treated for three years. Although the Madelung's disease can be diagnosed right after detailed clinical examination, this study pointed out possible diagnostic and therapeutic mistakes when a physician in a differentiation of symmetrical neck and shoulder swellings doesn't consider the possibility of diagnosing a Madelung's disease.

An age-colour relationship for main-belt S-complex asteroids.

Asteroid collisions in the main belt eject fragments that may eventually land on Earth as meteorites. It has therefore been a long-standing puzzle in planetary science that laboratory spectra of the most populous class of meteorite (ordinary chondrites, OC) do not match the remotely observed surface spectra of their presumed (S-complex) asteroidal parent bodies. One of the proposed solutions to this perplexing observation is that 'space weathering' modifies the exposed planetary surfaces over time through a variety of processes (such as solar and cosmic ray bombardment, micro-meteorite bombardment, and so on). Space weathering has been observed on lunar samples, in Earth-based laboratory experiments, and there is good evidence from spacecraft data that the process is active on asteroid surfaces. Here, we present a measurement of the rate of space weathering on S-complex main-belt asteroids using a relationship between the ages of asteroid families and their colours. Extrapolating this age-colour relationship to very young ages yields a good match to the colour of freshly cut OC meteorite samples, lending strong support to a genetic relationship between them and the S-complex asteroids.

What do young people from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina know about contraception and sexual health?

AIM: To determine the knowledge of adolescents living in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, about contraception and sexual health. METHODS: We used an anonymous questionnaire to survey a random sample of 120 high school students, 60 from two general high schools and 60 from a vocational school. There were 30 male and 30 female students aged 15-17 years from each type of school. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions: 17 tested the students' knowledge on the menstrual cycle, contraception, emergency contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and six inquired how they obtained the information on these issues. Student t-test was used to test for score differences between male and female students, and between general high school and vocational school students in their general and specific knowledge. Pearson's r coefficient was used to test the correlation between average grades and knowledge. RESULTS: Female students had greater general knowledge (t=3.69, df=118, p<0.001), knowledge on contraception (t=3.66, df=118, p<0.001), and knowledge on STDs (t=2.71, df=118, p=0.008) than their male peers. General high school students also had greater general knowledge (t=2.44, df=118, p=0.016), and knowledge on contraception (t=2.18, df=118, p=0.031) or STDs (t=2.36, df=118, p=0.020) than their vocational school peers. Major sources of information were magazines (69%), TV/radio (50%), school (37%), and friends (36%). The most common reason that kept our examinees from obtaining information on these issues was shame (52%). The two most common contraception methods known to them were a condom (82%) and contraception pill (77%), whereas 17% of all students were unfamiliar with any contraception method. When asked what could be done to improve their knowledge on sexuality, contraception, and STDs, most students opted for the inclusion of sexual education into the school curricula. CONCLUSION: Female students knew more about contraception and sexual health than their male peers. Young people should be provided with more information on sexual health.