ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER AND URINE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH MALIGNANT TUMORS OF URINARY TRACT IN OSIJEK-BARANJA COUNTY, CROATIA.

Increased values of arsenic in potable water in eastern Croatia has been a matter of scientific interest for the past two decades due to numerous health effects, including carcinogenic ones. This study investigated whether prolonged exposure to increased arsenic from water could be detectable through increased arsenic in urine, and whether it influenced the incidence of kidney and bladder cancer in Osijek-Baranja County. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for analysis of water samples from available water sources (wells, aqueducts).

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) in Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer and Its Impact on Disease Progression: Single Institution Experience.

: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the difference in VEGF-A expression in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell cervical cancer and to show the influence of VEGF-A expression on clinical, pathological, and therapeutic prognostic factors on the outcome of treatment and the survival of patients. : The study included patients with cervical cancer who were treated in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2021 at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre, Osijek. The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of data from patients' medical history, along with the pathohistological findings and oncologist findings.

PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR VULVAR CANCER.

The aim of this retrospective study was to show the effect of clinical, pathologic, cytologic and therapeutic prognostic factors on treatment outcome and survival of patients suffering from vulvar cancer and to determine prognostic significance of each of the individual factors, their mutual significance and impact on survival. The study included patients treated for vulvar cancer at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre during the 2000-2011 period. Retrospective analysis included data from patient medical files, along with their pathologic and cytologic findings, and oncologist findings.

Prognostic SIGNIFICANCE of Cytoreductive Therapy of Ovarian Cancer - eastern Croatia experience.

The aim of this retrospective study was to present the impact of successful optimal cytoreductive therapy on the overall prognosis of ovarian cancer treatment. Several factors were analyzed, including clinical (stage, age and parity), histopathologic/cytological (histologic type and grade of tumors, cytological findings of ascites or peritoneal washout), and therapeutic (surgery performed with the degree of cytoreduction, adjuvant chemotherapy and response to therapy). The study included 126 patients treated during a 5-year period at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre in Osijek.

Peritoneal and upper genital tract tuberculosis.

Aim To present diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for genital and peritoneal tuberculosis, mimicking to other pathological conditions, mainly, ovarian cancer. Methods Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, computerized tomography, Ca125 and HE 4, ROMA- index (Risk of Ovarian Maligancy Algorithm index) and diagnostic laparoscopy were performed in order to diagnose genital tuberculosis in a female patient. Results: A 23-year-old woman from Morocco presented with intermitting abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss and primary infertility.

Determinations of uranium concentrations in soil, water, vegetables and biological samples from inhabitants of war affected areas in eastern Croatia (ICP-MS method).

The occurrence of elevated uranium levels in post-war areas raise concerns among populations, especially in areas affected by heavy bombardment and potential use of depleted uranium weapons. The aim of this study was to assess public exposure to the uranium Water, soil, vegetables, urine, serum and hair samples were collected for the first time in eastern Croatia and analysed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method, in order to try to explain the possible origins of uranium in the population and environment. Urine, serum and hair samples were collected from 389 inhabitants.

The soluble fms-like tyrosin kinase-1 (sFLT-1) to placental growth factor (PIGF) ratio as a possible indicator for the severity of preeclampsia - single institution experience.

Aim To investigate a potential of the clinical use of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio from the perspective of a small hospital centre. Methods Maternal serum samples were analysed at 241/7-28 0/7, and 281/7-320/7 weeks of gestation. The level of sFLT-1 and PIGF was determined by immunoassay platform and used to calculate the sFLT-1/PIGF ratio in 35 pregnant women, and divided into subgroups according to preeclampsia occurrence at the time of delivery: preterm (≤37 weeks) or term (37-42 weeks'), and matched a control group.

Climatic Factors and Epidemiologic Characteristics of Head and Neck Skin Malignancies in Osijek Baranja County, Croatia.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of head and/or neck skin malignancies in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, and to connect them with relative climatic indicators such as the number and intensity of sunny and cloudy days over a longer period of time.

Methods: The study included patients from Osijek Baranja County with confirmed pathohistological diagnosis of the head and/or neck malignancies from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2012. The patients were analyzed according to gender, age, residence, occupation, type and location of the neoplasm, and hair and eye colour.

[CHARACTERISTICS AND INCIDENCE OF HEAD AND NECK SKIN MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS IN THE POPULATION OF THE OSIJEK-BARANYA COUNTY 2004-2012].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of malignant neoplasms of the skin of the head and neck region in the Osijek-Baranya County during the 2004-2012 period according to gender, age, place of residence, place of work, occupation, type and location of the neoplasm, and phenotypic characteristics of patients.

Subjects: The study included all subjects with the diagnosis confirmed by histopathology finding and residents of the Osijek-Baranya County. The study included a total of 2952 persons, 1487 (50.

Trace metals in the environment and population as possible long term consequence of war in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia.

War in Croatia resulted with a significant release of contaminants into the environment as a result of the use of combat assets, mainly conventional, mostly aimed at civilian targets. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of metals and metalloids in the soils, water, plants (Taraxacum officinale), serum, urine and hair of the inhabitants in eastern Croatia. Overall results show minor abnormalities in presence of some trace metals in soil (As, Hg, Pb, Sb), water (As, Fe) and dandelion leaves (As) in some locations.

Secondary abdominal appendicular pregnancy: case report.

Introduction: The case report describes a 29-year-old nulliparous woman that was admitted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Hospital Osijek complaining of mild abdominal pain without vaginal discharge.

Case Outline: The patient's menstrual cycle was irregular, from 30-45 days. An ultrasound examination showed suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy with a betaHCG level of 1358 IU/L.

Primary serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Fallopian tube cancer is least common of all gynecologic tumors, with the mean age at onset between 54 and 63 years. This case report presents a 67-year-old female, gravida 1, para 1, with primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube, detected and diagnosed preoperatively in clinical stage IIIc. The patient was asymptomatic, with only mild vaginal discharge of amber color and normal measured value of CA 125.

Management of cervical ectopic pregnancy after unsuccesful methotrexate treatment.

Background: Cervical pregnancy is rare and dangerous form of ectopic pregnancy which can be treated surgically or conservatively. Methotrexate is reasonable conservative option with high efficiency and acceptable level of side effects. Aim of this paper is to present possible treatment option in case of methotrexate failure, still keeping the postulates of minimal invasive surgery.

Heavy metals and metalloid content in vegetables and soil collected from the gardens of Zagreb, Croatia.

Aim of this study was to determine concentration of Pb, Cd, As and Hg in green leafy vegetables and soil in the urban area of Zagreb, Croatia and to determine if there is a connection between the contamination of soil and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables and soil samples were taken from the gardens located in the outskirts of the city. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, As and Hg were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry; showing that average concentrations of metals and metalloids in vegetables and in soil, regardless of the location of sampling were below the maximum allowed concentration (MAC).

Intermittent hepatic porphyria in pregnancy with good perinatal outcome.

Porphyrias are rare metabolic diseases caused by enzymatic defects of the haeme biosynthesis. Association of pregnancy and acute porphyria is rare, but mortality rate among pregnant women from acute attack has been reported up to 42%. This paper presents a patient with pregnancy complicated by intermittent hepatic porphyria with good perinatal outcome.

Chemometric analysis of groundwater quality data around municipal landfill and paper factory and their potential influence on population's health.

Aim: To assess the level of 15 groundwater quality parameters in groundwater samples collected around municipal landfill and paper factory in order to evaluate usefulness of the groundwater and its possible implication on the human health.

Methods: Obtained data have been analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) technique, in order to differentiate the groundwater samples on the basis of their compositional differences and origin.

Results: Wastes and effluents from municipal landfill did not contribute significantly to the pollution of the aquatic medium.

Role of laparoscopic surgery in treatment of infertility.

The role of laparoscopy in assisted reproduction is disputed by many. A rising problem of infertility is battled by an increasing number of centres for reproductive medicine in the region. Nevertheless, there is a large number of indications and conditions where laparoscopic surgery should not be avoided as a therapeutic choice or an aid in assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

An analysis of the pollution problem in Slavonski Brod (eastern Croatia).

H2S, PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2 and meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and wind direction were measured simultaneously in an eastern Croatian town called Slavonski Brod during the season winter/spring 2010. Emissions from the nearby cross-border (Bosnia and Herzegovina) oil refinery were identified as sources of temporary elevated concentrations of H2S.

Changes in the lower Drava River water quality parameters over 24 years.

The goal of this study was to analyse 13 physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Drava River water at three sampling sites in the lower Drava region (eastern Croatia) over two distinct periods: the pre-war period between 1985 and 1992 and the post-war period between 1993 and 2008. Over both periods, most parameters kept within the tolerable water quality limits, while NO3-N, NH4-N and BOD5 were higher. The lower Drava showed slight organic pollution with high concentrations of dissolved oxygen.

Surgical treatment of large smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential during pregnancy.

This paper presents a case of a 37-year old pregnant woman with a large tumor extending from pelvis to xyphoid, diagnosed at 14 weeks of pregnancy. At 18 weeks myomectomy was performed and the tumor weighing 4250 g was removed. Hystopathological findings showed a uterine smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential.

Methotrexate in local treatment of cervical heterotopic pregnancy with successful perinatal outcome: case report.

This case report describes a case of heterotopic cervical ectopic pregnancy in a nulliparous woman that was successfully treated with single-dose local, intra-amniotic methotrexate injection in the gestational sac. Pregnancy was achieved spontaneously. The patient had previously undergone hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Placenta previa percreta with bladder invasion.

A 43- year old woman, with ten previous deliveries and history of two cesarean sections was admitted to our Department at 32 weeks of gestation with massive vaginal hemorrhage from an ultrasound diagnosed placenta previa. An emergency cesarean section with vertical abdominal incision was performed. A healthy 2300 g female infant was delivered.