Trends in Melanoma Mortality in Serbia: A 22-Year Population-Based Study.

Background: We aimed to investigating the sex-specific and age-specific melanoma mortality trends observed on the territory of Serbia between 2000 and 2021.

Methods: This population-based study used data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia database during the period 2000-2021. The calculation of the gender and age-standardized rates (ASR) was performed.

Effects of Different Therapeutic Approaches on Redox Balance in Psoriatic Patients.

Given that oxidative stress represents an important etiological factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of different therapeutic approaches, methotrexate, secukinumab, and ustekinumab on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in psoriatic patients. This study involved 78 psoriatic patients, divided into the group treated with methotrexate (23 patients), secukinumab (28 patients), and ustekinumab (27 patients), and 15 healthy controls. Oxidative stress biomarkers (index of lipid peroxidation measured as TBARS, nitrites (NO), superoxide anion radical (O), and hydrogen peroxide (HO)) and antioxidative defense system (superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH)) were determined spectrophotometrically from the blood before the initiation of therapy in 16th, 28th, and 52nd week.

Activity of enzymes in the follicular fluid and outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Defining certain parameters of the oocyte microenvironment that can be simply and quickly detected and that enable differentiation of oocytes that have better or worse quality could potentially increase the efficacy of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) method. Follicular fluid represents the microenvironment for the development of oocytes during different stages of maturation. Enzymes present in the follicular fluid may affect the quality of oocytes.

The Influence of Treatment Modalities on the Quality of Life of Psoriasis Patients.

Background: We aimed to identify the quality of life (QoL) of patients with psoriasis, to determine the possible differences depending on the therapeutic modalities (biologic, conventional treatment and phototherapy), and to examine other variables that could affect the success of the treatment.

Methods: This research was a non-experimental, quantitative, observational study that included 183 psoriasis patients. The study was conducted from November 2021 to December 2022 at the University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia.

Psoriasis between Autoimmunity and Oxidative Stress: Changes Induced by Different Therapeutic Approaches.

Psoriasis is defined as chronic, immune-mediated disease. Regardless of the development of new therapeutic approaches, the precise etiology of psoriasis remains unknown and speculative. The aim of this review was to systematize the results of previous research on the role of oxidative stress and aberrant immune response in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as well as the impact of certain therapeutic modalities on the oxidative status in patients with psoriasis.

Self-Assessment of Health among the Citizens of Serbia in the Transition Period.

Background: The aim of the research was to compare the differences between the self-assessment of the health in the latest National Health Surveys research and in the one before that.

Methods: We used the database of the latest National Health Survey in the Republic of Serbia (2013) and of the one before that (2006), as cross-sectional studies (n=29485). Logistic regression was used to predict the relationship between self-assessment of health and independent predictors.

Discrepancy between Admission and Discharge Diagnoses in Central Serbia: Analysis by the Groups of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision.

Background: Repeated research while using the same methodology can be useful and it can enable relevant conclusions in the same health care system. The aim of our study was to perform comparative analysis of the agreement between admission and discharge diagnostic groups in period 2014-2017 with period 2006-2013 in the Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia.

Methods: The 5% simple, random sample was made from the basic set of all hospital reports from Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia, in the period 01.

Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Reproductive Health Behaviors, and Health Literacy of Women in Serbia.

Health literacy of women can significantly affect different aspects of reproductive health. The aim of this study was the assessment of relationship of health literacy, socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health behaviors of women in Serbia. This was a cross-sectional study on a random sample of women aged 18 and over from the territories of three Serbian regions, stratified according to age groups, region and type of settlement.

Prevalence and correlates of low back pain among undergraduate medical students in Serbia, a cross-sectional study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a serious health problem among medical students. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for LBP among Serbian medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among medical students at one University in Serbia.

EUS-FNA of the Merkel cell carcinoma metastasis to the pancreas: Cytomorphology and immunocytochemistry on direct cytological smears.

Objective: To report two cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) metastatic to the pancreas diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound-guided-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and to add the case of concomitant chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and MCC to the literature. The aim is to alert the cytopathologists once more to the problems of differential diagnosis of pancreatic metastasis of MCC and to describe the possibilities of ancillary methods performed on direct cytological smears.

Methods: EUS-FNA procedures were performed according to standard institution protocol, using 22-G needles with cytopathologist on-site.

CROATIAN UROLOGISTS' CLINICAL PRACTICE AND COMPLIANCE WITH GUIDELINES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-NEUROGENIC MALE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS.

The aim of this study was to assess the Croatian urologists' management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their compliance with the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. A cross-sectional survey included 51/179 Croatian urologists. We developed a questionnaire with questions addressing compliance with EAU guidelines.

Does Cytological Laboratory Holds the Responsibility for the Low Sensitivity of the PAP Test in Detecting Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer but there is no economically justified screening method. Although we can detect endometrial cells in the sample using PAP test, many studies show low sensitivity and positive predictive value of PAP test for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The goal of this research was to determine significance of PAP test for the diagnostics of endometrial carcinoma.

Impact of Positive Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy on Disease Progression and Adjuvant Treatment in Pathologically Localized Prostate Cancer.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of margin positivity in clinically and pathologically localized prostate cancer (pT2) after radical prostatectomy on biochemical recurrence and time to adjuvant treatment. We analyzed data from 371 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. At the mean follow up of 36 (25-54) months, impact of margin positivity in pT2 patients on prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and time to introduction of adjuvant treatment was noted.

Biopsy Quantitative Patohistology and Seral Values of Prostate Specific Antigen-Alpha (1) Antichymotrypsine Complex in Prediction of Adverse Pathology Findings after Radical Prostatectomy.

In this prospective study we examined the utility of parameters obtained on prostate needle biopsy and prostate specific antigen-alpha(1)-antichymotripsine complex (PSA-ACT) to predict adverse pathologic findings after radical prostatectomy. 45 consecutive patients assigned for radical prostatectomy due to clinically localized prostate cancer were included in the study. Prostate biopsy parameters such as number of positive cores, the greatest percentage of tumor in the positive cores, Gleason score, perineural invasion, unilaterality or bilaterality of the tumor were recorded.

Coronary flow and oxidative stress during local anaphylactic reaction in isolated mice heart: the role of nitric oxide (NO).

The aim of this study was to assess the role of nitric oxide (NO) in cardiac anaphylaxis regarding changes in coronary reactivity and oxidative status of the mice heart. The animals were divided into two groups: experimental group (CBA, iNOS(-/-) mice) and control group: wild-type mice (CBA/H). The hearts of male mice (n = 24; 6-8 weeks old, body mass 20-25 g, 12 in each experimental group) were excised and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a constant perfusion pressure (70 cm H2O).

Diagnostic value of cytology of voided urine.

There are 961 new cases and approximately 366 deaths from urothelial carcinoma registered annually in Croatia. Exfoliative urinary cytology has important role in detection of high grade urinary tumors, invasive and in situ lesions respectively. In contrast to cystoscopy and biopsy, cytology is a noninvasive method which is easily repeated.

Value of cytology in small cell lung carcinoma diagnostic--single-center study.

Small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) together with the large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), typical carcinoid (TC), and atypical carcinoid (AC) make a group of morphologically identifiable neuroendocrine tumors. The differential diagnosis of SCLC includes, first of all, other neuroendocrine tumors, and primary or metastatic non-small cell carcinomas. Although the criteria for the morphologic separation from other tumors of the lung are defined, in everyday practice it can be a problem, both in cytology and with histological samples.

Association between socioeconomic status and obesity in children.

The perception of obesity among people has not changed significantly regardless numerous public educational programs. Reasons for obesity pandemics are numerous and complex, but can be mostly resumed to life-style changes. The aim of this research was to determine connection between socioeconomic factors and obesity with children of our region.

Influence of health education regarding correct diet on anthropometric indexes in children.

Obesity is one of the leading public health issues in the world whose significance lies, not only in its prevalence, but also in its consequences i.e. diseases that gradually develop in obese people.

Potential value and disadvantages of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of ameloblastoma.

Ameloblastoma is a benign, slow growing but locally aggressive tumor that is clinically manifested as swelling in a jaws. Prone to relapse (30%) even 30 years after inadequate primary operation. The most important cytological features of this tumor are small bazaloid cells in clusters, and single spindle and stellate shaped cells.