It is widely accepted that menopause leads to changes in hormonal status, metabolism and lipid profile. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of menopause on the concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins and, the influence of estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH on lipid profile in menopausal women as well. The menopausal women had higher but non-significant (p>0,05) concentrations of total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, and triglycerides than women with regular menstruation. The concentration of HDL was significantly lower in menopausal women than in women with regular menstruation (p<0,05). Also, the concentration of apolipoprotein B was significantly higher in menopausal women (p<0,05), but the concentrations of apolipoprotein and lipoprotein (a) were lower but without significance (p>0,05). Estrogen concentration has significant negative correlation with VLDL and triglycerides (p<0,05) and significant positive correlation with HDL (p<0,05) in menopausal women. Progesterone concentration has shown no correlation with concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in menopause. We can conclude that menopause leads to changes in lipid profile by reducing HDL, and elevating apolipoprotein B levels, thus increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. These changes were caused by reduction of estrogen concentrations in menopause.

Purpose: The basic research goal of the current study was to determine the relationship between stressful life events and the appearance and course of psoriasis under the extreme conditions of war. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was made encompassing 181 patients with psoriasis. One half of the patients were soldiers in active duty under war conditions, the other half consisted of civilians who were living in an area that was frequently subject to shelling from across the nearby frontline. Diagnosis was based on clinical picture, patient history, and auxiliary diagnostic methods. The study has been carried out at the University Clinical Center of Tuzla, as a result of the cooperation between the Departments of Dermatology and Psychiatry. Although numerous measurement instruments were used, the present article concentrates on the analysis of stressful life events with standardized instruments such as ‘Five-Stage Rating Scale’, and ‘Social Readjustment Rating Scale’. Severity of the clinical picture was estimated according to the PASI score, a standardized measurement instrument. Results: Stress levels were observed to be very high: 75% of the soldiers scored above 300 points, with 34% even above 500 points. Civilians scored significant lower, but 51% still had scores above 300 points. Stress was found to be strongly correlated to severity of the disease with correlations of 0.862 and 0.773 (Kendall’s tau-b, p < 0.0001) for soldiers and civilians, respectively. Conclusions: In the past, many authors reported correlations between stress and severity of psoriasis. Our findings demonstrate that under extreme circumstances the correlation between severity of psoriasis and the experience of stress is also extremely strong.

I ntroduction: in fighting sports there are many opened issues related with levels of aggression and anxiety. Material and methods: Our study is performed with healthy young athletes: kick boxers, karate fighters, and boxers. Examined group consisted of 55 members (45 male) with average age of 20.2±3.8 years. In analysis of level of aggression Questionnaire A-87 is used. Its purpose is assessment of aggressive behaviour in provoked situations, or measurement of impulsive aggression. Questionnaire A-87 consists of 15 items of different situations with five possible responses. Results and Discussion: The possible responses or reactions are the five most frequent forms of aggressive responses: a) verbal manifest aggression (VM); b) physical manifest aggression (PHM); c) indirect aggression (IND); d) verbal latent aggression (VL), and e) physical latent aggression (PHL). In the analysis of anxiety is used Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI. Average training period was 7.8±3.6 years. Even 37 athletes during sporting carriers were injured, and most of examiners (precisely 13) experienced 3 injuries. Average value of BAI was 12.7±8.7. Average value of total aggression was 152.2±40.9; highest levels were observed in VM (33.9) and VL (30.1). Significant positive correlations of all components of aggression with level of anxiety is observed (p<0.05), most prominent IND (r=0.4263; p=0.0012), and VL (r=0.4163; p=0.0016), and also total aggression (r=0.4822; p=0.0002). Slightly significant positive correlation of total aggression with age of examiners is also observed (r=0.2668, p=0.0489). Positive correlation VM (r=0.4928; p=0.0001), PHL (r=0.2761; p=0.0413), and total aggression (r=0.347; p=0.0094) is observed with number of injuries of examined athletes. Also, positive correlation (r=0.2927, p=0.0301) is observed with level of anxiety and number of injuries. Higher level of aggression and anxiety might change attitude of some sports authorities (especially coaches), and additional psychological training of fight sports might be necessary. Conclusion: Assessment of basically levels of aggression and anxiety of athletes might be valuable not only in sport activities, but in overall aspects of life.

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An examination of neurophysiologic features of median nerve in third trimester of regularly controlled normal risk pregnancies is performed at the Department of Neurophysiology of Primary Health Centre in Tuzla during January / April 2006. Examined group consisted of 40 young females in third trimester of pregnancy, and average age of 25,6 +/- 4,9 years. Control group consisted of young healthy females with average age of 31,1 +/- 4,4 years. Symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel sy. (CST) had 12 patients, but diagnosis is neurophysiologically confirmed in 9 (75%) patients. In group of pregnant females without symptoms 3 (10,7%) patients showed neurophysiologic evidence of CTS. Sensory velocity of right median nerve was significantly lower in pregnant group of patients (p=0,002), but area of sensory potentials on both sides were lower in pregnant group (p<0,0001). Area of CMAP of right median nerve was significantly lower in pregnant group (p=0,0003). Significant differences in CTS group compared with control group were in sensory velocities of median nerve (left median nerve p=0,0007, right p<0,0001), and area of SNAP of both sides (left p<0,0001, right p=0,0001), but area of CMAP right (p=0,0003). In CTS group 7 females had unilateral and 5 had bilateral neurophysiological changes. Our conclusion is that neurophysiological parameters of median nerve in third trimester of pregnancy are changed mainly due to high prevalence of CTS that might disturb quality of life and have psychological and physical implications on future mother. Hence, it is necessary to, continuously, pay enough attention in prevention or treatment of mentioned syndrome in this population group.