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Molecular-genetic diagnostics of polygenic diseases is a new and interesting area in laboratory diagnostics, especially in the area of cardiovascular diseases, as one of the leading causes of mortality in the world population. Aims: The aim of the paper was to analyse variants of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) (Glu298Asp/G894T) in the human population of Tuzla Canton in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Study Design: The study included 112 respondents of both sexes over 18 years old. The experimental group for the analysis of the polymorphism (Glu298Asp) of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene included 56 respondents of both sexes with cardiovascular disease (hypertension), while the control group comprised 56 healthy respondents of both sexes without a prior history of cardiovascular disease (sample/control). Place and Duration of Study: Blood sampling was performed at Medical Center "Plava Poliklinika", “Plava Medical Group”, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics, Tuzla. DNA isolation and molecular-genetic analysis of the samples were performed in Laboratory for scientific research at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Tuzla. Methodology: The genotyping of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism for all respondents was determined by an optimized method based on PCR-RFLP reaction. Results: In the total sample of respondents, the highest genotype frequencies of the eNOS gene were recorded for the GG genotype (53.5%) and the GT genotype (35.7%). The lowest frequency was recorded for the TT genotype, which was 10.8%. Conclusion: The results obtained in the study provide good guidelines for further study of a molecular-genetic association between a high number of gene candidates and cardiovascular diseases, which will contribute to the incorporation of these results into the existing regional and European genetic database.

A 37-year-old man presented with jaundice, upper right quadrant pain, and intermittent fever with chills. Laboratory assessment showed biliary stasis, with total bilirubin of 203 µmol/L (2–20), conjugated bilirubin of 105 µmol/L, and alkaline phosphatase of 556 U/L (30–120). Markers for hepatitis A–E viruses were negative. Serology assessment for rubeola, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Toxoplasma gondii showed negative IgM antibodies. HIV serology status was negative. For cytomegalovirus, both types of antibodies (IgM and IgG) were positive, with an IgM level >300 U/mL. pp65 antigen was also detected as well as CMV DNA. Diagnostic imaging of the abdomen except the dilated common bile duct showed a normal appearance of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen, and both kidneys. To our knowledge, cytomegalovirus cholangiopathy in the absence of any other underlying disease has not been reported. Therefore, the presence of cholangiopathy in our patient is interesting from an imaging, laboratory, and clinical point of view.

There is a large variability in clinical practice and in the literature, and no controlled trial with adequate sample size for performing pneumatic balloon dilation (BD) for achalasia. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pneumatic BD for achalasia over a 12-year period. We undertook a retrospective review of the medical records of 45 patients who underwent BD for achalasia at a single institution between 2000 and 2013. The primary objectives were the efficacy and safety of BD, patients were followed up every 6 months and the secondary goal was the evaluation of the epidemiological characteristics of achalasia. A total of 45 patients were analysed, of whom 25 (55.6 %) were female. The mean age (SD) of the sample was 54 years. Out of 66 dilations, we were successful in 62 dilations (93.94 %); three were unsuccessful due to perforation of the oesophagus, and one dilation was declared unsuccessful. Of the total patients, three (6.6 %) needed more than two BDs. Endoscopically controlled BD based on the free choice of the diameter of a balloon and duration of dilation is an effective and safe therapeutic modality of achalasia.

Highlight Kurtcehajic and colleagues present a rare case of congenital portal vein aneurysm (PVA) with biliopathy. Symptoms associated with PVA occur in less than 10% of cases. Imaging modalities showed the PVA partially compressing the common and right hepatic ducts. Conservative treatment markedly lowered bilirubin levels and relieved the abdominal pain.

Essentials D-dimer could provide important information about abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. The greatest diameter of the infrarenal aorta and the value of plasma D-dimer were determined. AAA progression is correlated with increasing plasma D-dimer levels. The increasing value of plasma D-dimer could be a predictor of aneurysm progression.Background The natural course of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is mostly asymptomatic and unpredictable. D-dimer could provide potentially important information about subsequent AAA progression. Objectives The aims of this study were to establish the relationship between the progression of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and plasma D-dimer concentration over a 12-month period and determine the value of plasma D-dimer in patients with sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation. Patients/Methods This was a prospective observational study that involved 33 patients with an AAA, 30 patients with sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation and 30 control subjects. The greatest diameter of the infrarenal aorta, which was assessed by ultrasound, and the value of plasma D-dimer were determined for all subjects at baseline assessment, as well as after 12 months for those with an AAA. Results A positive correlation was found between the diameter of an AAA and plasma D-dimer concentration at the baseline and the control measurement stages. There was a strong positive correlation between AAA progression and increasing plasma D-dimer concentration over a 12-month period. Among patients with sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation (n = 30), the value of plasma D-dimer was higher compared with matched controls (n = 30). Conclusions There is a strongly positive correlation between AAA progression and increasing plasma D-dimer concentration. The value of plasma D-dimer is higher in patients with sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation than in control subjects.

Leter to the Editor.

Highlight Kurtcehajic and colleagues present a rare case of congenital portal vein aneurysm (PVA) with biliopathy. Symptoms associated with PVA occur in less than 10% of cases. Imaging modalities showed the PVA partially compressing the common and right hepatic ducts. Conservative treatment markedly lowered bilirubin levels and relieved the abdominal pain.

The First Mediterranean Seminar on Science Writing, Editing & Publishing (SWEP 2016) was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina from 2nd to 3rd December 2016. It was organized by Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina, running concurrent sessions as part of its Annual Meeting titled “ “Days of AMNuBiH - Theory and Practice in Science Communication and Scientometrics”. Hotel Bosnia in the city centre was the chosen venue. On the first day, nineteen presentations on various issues of science writing and publication ethics were delivered by speakers from Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and the UK (Asim Kurjak, Milivoj Boranić, Doncho Donev, Osman Sinanović, Miro Jakovljević, Enver Zerem, Dejan Milošević, Silva Dobrić, Srećko Gajović, Izet Mašić, Armen Yuri Gasparyan, Šekib Sokolović, Nermin Salkić, Selma Uzunović, Admir Kurtčehajić, Edin Begić and Floreta Kurti). Each presentation had a take-home message for novice and seasoned authors, encountering numerous problems in non-Anglophone research environment. Lecturers, who were internationally recognized editors of regional journals, generously shared their experience of adhering to the best ethical guidance. Elegant presentations by Srećko Gajović (Editor-in-Chief of the Croatian Medical Journal) and Armen Yuri Gasparyan (past Chief Editor of the European Science Editing) showcased their accomplishments that strengthened ties between authors from all over the world. Gasparyan reflected on educational resources of editorial associations, such as the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and called not just to declare the adherence to, but also to enforce their ethical guidance in daily practice. Editors of Medical Archives, Croatian Medica Journal, Vojnosanitetski Pregled, Psychiatria Danubina, Acta Informatica Medica, Materia Socio-Medica, The Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstretics and Gynecology, Acta Medica Saliniana and Medicinski Glasnik presented their editorial strategies aimed at attracting best authors and resolving problems with authorship, conflicts of interest, and plagiarism. Topical education on science writing and editing was considered as an inseparable part of continuing professional development in biomedicine. Armen Yuri Gasparyan (UK) was offered an opportunity to interact with more than 70 participants, attending the SWEP 2016 on the second day. The lecturer talked about author contributions, disclosures of conflicts of interests, plagiarism of ideas and words, research performance and impact indicators, and targeting ethical journals. Topics were presented in a way to help non-Anglophone authors, reviewers and editors avoid common ethical problems. Dr Gasparyan stressed the importance of regularly arranging such meetings across Balkan and Mediterranean countries to eradicate plagiarism and other forms research misconduct. The organizers of the SWEP 2016 awarded selected keynote speakers with certificates of lifetime achievement in journal editing, and decided to run the Seminar annually with support of Balkan and Mediterranean editors and publishers. The SWEP 2016 marked a turning point in the process of regional developments since all attending editors opted for nurturing enthusiasm of the organizers and launching the Mediterranean Association of Science Editors and Publishers (MASEP). The Seminar was a great success with its impressive scientific and social activities. It attracted more than 100 students, researchers, editors, and publishers from Bosnia & Herzegovina and neighbouring countries. Proceedings, in the form of short reports, were published in Acta Informatica Medica and archived in PubMed Central. New friendships were forged between regional experts in editing and young specialists during those unforgettable two days of intensive discussions and informal interactions (a-y).