Journal of Health Sciences
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Lifestyles of university students in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Get PDFIntroduction: Currently, there is a growing interest in alcoholism-related studies among healthcare community. Cigarette smoking is five times more prevalent among adult men compared to women but these gender differences have been decreasing among young people. In developed countries, harmful effects of sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity have led to increased rates of obesity in young population. The main aim of this study was to explore the lifestyles of students at the University of Sarajevo. We investigated the prevalence of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, eating habits, and physical activity in this student population.
Methods: Students from Faculty of Health Sciences [FHS], Faculty of Political Science [FPS], and Faculty of Traffic Engineering and Communications [FTEC]) voluntarily participated in this questionnaire-based study. We surveyed a total of 410 students.
Results: On average, 21.8% of participants consumed cigarettes (a significantly higher number of those who smoked cigarettes was in FPS group). The highest number of students who reported physical activity (recreational or active sport) was in FTEC group (66.5%), and the difference was statistically significant compared to FHS (48.2%) and FPS (51.9%) groups. Over 60% of participants in all three groups experienced stress occasionally. The majority of students in three groups consumed fast food while at campus. The highest number of students in all three groups reported to drink water compared to other drinks.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the lifestyles of university students in Sarajevo are subject to concern. Frequent alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are typical examples of behaviour that should be reduced through educative programs and workshops
Decrease in body mass index: Personal genotyping, individual diet, and exercise plan
Get PDFIntroduction: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have lately been used for prediction of metabolic processes that may be related to obesity. The aim of our study was to examine the association of SNPs of several genes with obesity and physical activity in 18 healthy volunteers.
Methods: We used buccal swabs to collect and extract DNA from 18 volunteers. Pyrosequencing was used for molecular analysis of 13 polymorphisms in 10 genes (APOA2, MTHFR, MCM6, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma, FABP2, beta-2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB)2, ADRB3, A-actinin-3, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and FUT2). The volunteers’ personal data included body mass index (BMI), dietary practice and information on daily fitness and workout routine. Association between the 13 observed gene polymorphisms and individual BMI status (normal or overweight) was analyzed. Results of the DNA analysis were used for the expert evaluation by nutritionists and physiologists to obtain optimal regulation of nutrition and exercise. The volunteers had a dietary and fitness program for 12 months which they tracked by filling in a suitable study form.
Results: 14 volunteers had a moderate genetic predisposition for abdominal adipose-tissue accumulation, while 4 of them had genotypes not associated with abdominal fat tissue accumulation. A statistically significant difference was found between the value of BMI before and after the implementation of personalized training and nutrition plan within the group of overweight volunteers (paired sample t=3.382; p = 0.006; exact p = 0.015). The single-locus F-test showed no association between the gene polymorphisms and BMI values. In addition, no correlation was detected between the gene polymorphisms and amount of BMI reduction prior and after the implementation of the personalized training and nutrition plan within the overweighed group of volunteers.
Conclusion: Optimal nutrition and training plan are crucial for the BMI reduction as observed in the overweighed volunteers after the 12-month personalized training and individualized nutrition plan. However, the analyzed polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the obesity in this study
Is the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, -9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, -2, and -3) associated with angiogenesis and clinicopathological features for breast cancer?
Get PDFIntroduction: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are involved in the progression of several tumors, including breast cancer. Our aim was to investigate the association of immunohistochemical expression of protein MMP-2, and -9 and tissue inhibitors TIMP-1,-2,-3 by tumoral cells in the process of angiogenesis and to define their relation with clinicopathological features for breast cancer.
Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of MMP-2,-9, TIMP-1,-2,-3, endoglin/CD105, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status was performed on 79 tissue samples of breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection.
Results: Statistically significant difference was found between mean age of patients and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) expression status (p=0.008), i.e., women with TIMP-1 negative tumors were on average younger (mean age 46.5) compared to women with TIMP-1 positive tumors (mean age 58.1); TIMP-2 expression status showed association with ER status (p=0.017), while TIMP-3 negative tumors were on average more frequently ER and PR negative (p=0.016; p=0.027). Status of protein expression of MMP-9 was associated with TIMP-1 protein expression status (p=0.033), i.e., breast cancers with overexpression of protein MMP-9 were more frequently TIMP-1 protein positive.
Conclusion: Only TIMPs were associated with clinicopathological features for breast cancer. TIMP-2 expression was associated with worse (TIMP-2 positive tumors were frequently ER-negative), while TIMP-3 expression in tumoral cells was associated with better clinicopathological features for breast cancer (TIMP-3 positive tumors were frequently ER and PR positive)
Self-assessment of managerial knowledge and skills of medical doctors in primary health care
Get PDFIntroduction: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the managerial knowledge and skills of mid-level managers – medical doctors in Medical center of the Canton Sarajevo.Methods: A cross-sectional study of the mid-level managers in the Medical center of the Canton Sarajevo was conducted using an originally developed questionnaire for self-assessment of managerial knowledge and skills. The respondents answered each of the questions using a 5-point Likert scale. Apart from the quantitative section, the respondents could present their observations concerning the educational needs in the health care system.Results: Almost 40% of the respondents said that the process of assessing health care needs is not conducted. No statistical significance was observed in the responses according to the length of service in a managerial position. In total, 41% of the respondents were not sure whether a plan exists, even though the development of these plans should be a principal managerial responsibility in the quality management. Managers who were longer in the position reported no plans for corrective actions. This result was in contrast with the answers obtained from the managers who were in the position for a shorter period. In addition, 91% of the respondents said that they regularly discuss problems with their employees.Conclusions: Self- assessment and assessment of managerial competencies should be regular activities in a health care organization, in order to monitor the knowledge and skills, as well as to make the development plans. The results of this study could serve as the basis for planning and developing the health management education in the Canton Sarajevo
Quality of life as a predictor of work ability of employees of Sarajevo Tobacco Factory
Get PDFIntroduction: Our aim was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) as a predictor of work abilities of employees in a tobacco factory.Methods: The study was performed in the period between 2011 and 2012. The sample comprised of 270 workers, males and females, aged from 20-65, with different educational backgrounds. The study was performed as cross-sectional research, on a voluntary basis, using two standardized and anonymous questionnaires: The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Work Ability Index questionnaire (WAI).Results: The participants subjectively perceived high values of QOL in general, with the highest values in the area of living environment. The lowest value was in the area of social interactions. Statistically significant differences were observed in the subjective assessments of QOL, especially in three defined areas (physical health, mental health, and social interactions). Workers age 50-65 years and workers with basic (primary) level of education exhibited a suboptimal (<70%) values in total value and the values of individually defined areas of QOL.Conclusions: Strong predictors of exemplary work ability of employees are good physical and mental health, younger age, and higher level of education. A link was observed between suboptimal work ability and dissatisfaction with profession and working environment, frequent illness, absenteeism, and exposure to health risks at the workplace.
Chromosome aberrations frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes in young tobacco smoking and non-smoking people
Get PDFIntroduction: Cigarette smoking is associated with severe health problems, especially cancers. In addition, cigarette smoking causes different genotoxic effects. Chromosome aberrations are one of well-known intermediate end points in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to compare frequencies of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes between young smokers and non-smokes groups.Methods: The study was conducted with 30 smokers (average age 26.93 years) and 30 non-smokers (average age 26.96 years), and included the analysis of 100 metaphases per each blood sample. Differences in the arithmetic means of determined frequencies of chromosome aberrations were tested by two-tailed t-test for independent samples with the significance level of p < 0.05.Results: The results showed a significant increase in the frequencies of chromatid-type aberrations and total structural chromosome aberrations in smoker group. Frequencies of numerical aberrations did not differ significantly between two groups.Conclusions: This study confirmed genotoxicity of cigarette smoking and provided new evidence about its clastogenic activity
Influenza vaccination dilemmas
Get PDFInfluenza is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the world, annually causing over one million of deaths. It is triggered by one of the types of influenza viruses (A, B or C). Most usually, it assumes the form of epidemic disease, sometimes it is a pandemic, and is very rare as a sporadic disease. In temperate zones, the influenza occurs seasonally - during the cold months of a year. In tropics, however, it occurs throughout the year, though the highest number of patients is registered during the rainy seasons. Influenza is a mild disease for young and healthy persons; however, if affecting those with a weakened immune system, it can lead to complications and even to death. The only effective preventive measure is vaccination, which precludes the disease. So far, no consensus is reached on whether the vaccination should be compulsory or recommended and who should be vaccinated. In most European countries, vaccination is recommended for certain categories of the population, while the United States recommend it to the entire population above six months of age
Effect of core stabilization exercises on functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain
Get PDFIntroduction: The aim of this study was to assess core stabilization exercise effects in reducing functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).Methods: This study included total of 90 patients aged 40 to 60 years. After a ten-day rehabilitation program the patients from an examination group (n = 30) performed home exercise program five times a week, patients from a first control group (n = 30) three times a week, while patients from a second control group (n = 30) did not perform the exercises at all. The patients performed core stabilization exercises of moderate intensity once a day in 30 minutes sessions. The patient\u27s functional disability was estimated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).Results: After two months of rehabilitation there was a statistically significant increase in functional ability in patients who performed the core stabilization exercises five times a week(p = 0.0001) and in patients who performed the core stabilization exercises three times per week (p = 0.0001). A statistically significant difference in functional ability was not recorded in patients who did not perform the exercises. The analysis of the average values of the ODI differences at the beginning and after two months of rehabilitation showed a statistically significant difference between the group who did not perform the exercises and the group who performed the core stabilization exercises three times a week (p = 0.0001), and between the group who did not perform the exercises and the group who performed the core stabilization exercises five times a week (p = 0.0001).Conclusions: The implementation of the core stabilization exercises leads to a reduction of functional disability in patients with CLBP
Classical surgical approach and treatment with clips of extracranial internal carotid artery berry aneurysm
Get PDFIntroduction: We can define extracranial carotid artery aneurysm (ECAA) as bulb dilatation greater than 200% of the diameter of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or in a case of common carotid artery (CCA) greater than 150% of the diameter. Surgical intervention is required for the treatment of this disease.Case report: This study presents an open vascular surgical procedure to resolve ECAA. We report a case of 61 years old woman with an extracranial internal carotid artery berry aneurysm, presented with a headache and dizziness when turning the head aside. Classic open surgery was performed and the lumen of berry aneurysm was separated with three clips from the lumen of ICA.Conclusions: The open surgical approach is the method of choice for the treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery pathological conditions
Ectopic decidua of the greater omentum: a case report
Get PDFEctopic decidua is defined as extrauterine deposits of decidual stromal cells. It occurs in 85-100% of pregnancies. Focal sites can be present in various locations, yet a peritoneal location is rare. A 24- year- old woman underwent a cesarean section in 39th week of her first pregnancy, during which adhesions of the omentum to the fundus, entire left side of the uterus, and a part of the right front abdominal wall were found. An operative specimen was taken for a pathohistological analysis under the assumption of being fibrous adhesive tissue. The analysis revealed ectopic decidual tissue composed of large, polygonal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm, and large nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli infiltrated with mature fatty cells and lymphocytes. Strong staining for vimentin was observed in the decidual cell cytoplasm and for a progesterone- receptor in the cell nuclei, medium staining was detected for S-100, and negative staining for CK 5/ 6, HMB-45, desmin, smooth muscle actin, estrogen and androgen- receptors. We present this case in order to educate clinicians and pathologists about the phenomenon of ectopic deciduosis. Although it can exist as asymptomatic condition, we point out the importance of considering this condition since it can result in serious pathology, like intraperitoneal hemorrhage and labour obstruction, if remains unrecognized. Another pitfall is possible confusion of this entity with other conditions. A resemblance to adhesions of the omentum and malignant neoplastic lesions, like squamous cell and metastatic carcinoma, metastatic melanoma, malignant decidual mesothelioma, metastatic mucin -producing adenocarcinoma, can be deceiving. These obstacles may present a pitfall to clinicians and pathologists, with a negative impact on patient treatment and outcome