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Objective:This observational, cross-sectional study, investigates and compares the differences of BMD, T-score, Z-score and isometric strength between dominant (D) versus non-dominant (ND) arms of 162 subjects aged 40-65 in a developing, low income country (Kosova).Material and Methods:Bone Mineral Density (BMD), T-score and Z-score at distal forearm regions of both arms (measured by DXA scan), together with the Handgrip Isometric Strength (HIS) (by handgrip) were evaluated in a total subjects (53 Males and 109 Females). Additionally, General Healthcare Status Questionnaire together with self-administrated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were filled.Results:Significant differences (p<0.05) between arms were found in BMD, T-score, and Z-score in total subjects and in females, whereas not significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in Males BMD comparing to significantly higher results (p<0.05) in T-score and Z-score. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also found in total subjects and in females handgrip, but not (p>0.05) in males. When comparing the total subject’s BMD, T-score, Z-score and Handgrip based on the PA levels (1 to 3 according to IPAQ scoring) no significant differences (p>0.05) were found between PA1, as well as PA3 whereas significantly differences (p<0.05) were found in D arms of PA2 level.Conclusion:The study analyses side-to-side differences in bone density and muscular force between D and ND arms amongst a population which is frequently exposed to diagnostic screenings for age related osteomuscular conditions (aged 40-60), and demonstrates that these differences should be in consideration amongst clinicians, but not in the way it is done right now.

ABSTRACT. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the infectious agent of both acute and chronic hepatitis. HBV exists in multiple genotypic variants that differ in their capacity to become persistent chronic infections and in their clinical manifestations, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The 8 genotypes (A-H) of HBV show a specific worldwide geographic distribution and are correlated with different disease course, severity, and response to therapy. We isolated DNA from 75 HBV-positive blood donors, chosen randomly from the database of the National Blood Bank in Tirana, to specifically analyze the UGT1A1 polymorphism to determine its correlations with bilirubin levels and liver function. The large number of subjects who were HBV-positive carriers of 5222 E. Marku et al. ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (2): 5221-5228 (2015) heterozygosis or homozygosis for the UGT1A1*28 (TA) 7 polymorphism suggests that these individuals may be more susceptible to cancer and should follow a strict regime of prevention.

Aim: The present study analyzes the adherence phenomenon and possible correlations between active individuals and their educational status on the prevalence of medicine use in the population of a young and developing country such as Kosova. Materials and methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, research study including a total number of 162 subjects aged 40-65 years residents of Kosova. Gender distribution was: 32.7% males and 67.3% females. Assessments of medication adherence and compliance, the level of physical activity (PA), and education were made by reliable and validated questionnaires. Results: Analyzing medication compliance, of 162 interviewed subjects, 29.6% (32.1% males and 28.4% females) and 27.2% (22.6% males and 29.3% females) responded that they sometimes forget to take their medicines, or that they stop taking them for reasons other than forgetting. Meanwhile, 40.1% declared that they usually stopped the medicine only because they felt better, 38.9% claimed to have stopped the medicine because they believed they felt worse, whereas more than half of our study responders declared having problem with buying the medicine. Regarding PA, significantly better results (p<0.05) in medicine use were shown by subjects with higher PA level in our population. Additionally, higher levels of education correlated with lower amount of medication consumption. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest for certain lack of adherence, difficulties and information related to medicine use. Consequently this raises the need for public education on the medication adherence and life style factors such as PA for the success of the treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two combined oral contraceptives on two inhibitory coagulation proteins. The study included 56 women between ages 20 and 55, twenty six of them taking 30μg ethinyloestradiol (EE) and 75μg gestodene (GSD) and thirty of them taking 30 μg ethinyloestradiol and 75 μg levonogestrel (LNG) for two months. The subjects were healthy and they had not taken any other drug two months before starting the hormonal therapy. Plasma was used for measuring protein C and antithrombin III (AT III), before using the pill and after stopping it. Comparison of the values of protein C and AT III between two periods (before and after treatment) showed the following results: Concentrations of protein C was significantly increased while AT III level was decreased after treatment with 30 μg EE/ 75 μg GSD (p=0.001). Treatment with 30 μg EE/ 75 μg LNG showed no significant change in the level of AT III (p=0.058) and significantly increased protein C concentration (p=0.001). We conclude that treatment with 30 μg EE/ 75 μg GSD induces more changes in the inhibitory coagulation proteins than treatment with 30 μg EE/ 75 μg LNG, indicating an increased risk for thrombotic diseases.