Gene Polymorphisms and Salbutamol Responsiveness in Serbian Children with Asthma.

Inhaled β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonists are the mainstay of asthma therapy. The β2-AR protein is encoded by the gene and variants within this gene can have significant consequences for modulating the response to asthma therapy. This cross-sectional study performed at the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, included 54 children with asthma.

Influence of the Polymorphism C-509T in the Gene Promoter on the Response to Montelukast.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) is a multifunctional cytokine with a key role in asthma airway inflammation and remodeling. Since elevated levels of this cytokine in airways might be associated with response to asthma therapy, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of the polymorphism C-509T in the promoter of the gene is associated with response to montelukast. A group of 102 asthmatic patients was genotyped for the presence of the C-509T polymorphism by DNA sequencing and subjected to induced sputum sampling.

Neutrophil elastase gene polymorphisms: modulators of response to therapy in childhood bronchiectasis?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms in the promoter region of the neutrophil elastase (ELANE) gene as potential modulators of the therapeutic response in children with idiopathic bronchiectasis.

Methods: The study included 48 children between 5 and 17 years old who were diagnosed with idiopathic bronchiectasis based on high-resolution computed tomography of the thorax. In all patients therapy included administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, expectorants, and postural drainage.

Complications of mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients in Serbia.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a frequently applied therapy in critically ill children and can be lifesaving in many cases. Clinical use of this technique has well documented benefits, but can be associated with different complications and adverse physiologic effects.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the complications and clinical outcome of mechanical ventilation in Serbian pediatric patients.

Presentation of an infant with nutritional deficiency dermatitis as the initial manifestation of cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic autosomal recessive disease most frequently recognized by characteristic respiratory and/or digestive manifestations. Exceptionally rare, as is the case with the infant we are presenting, the initial sign of the disease can be nutritional deficiency dermatitis (NDD).

Case Outline: A three-month-old male infant of young and healthy non-consanguineous parents, born at term after the first uneventful pregnancy, was hospitalized due to atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin changes, failure to thrive and normochromic anemia (Hb 60 g/L).

Assessing the quality of angiographic display of brain blood vessels aneurysms compared to intraoperative state.

Background/aim: Aneurysms in brain blood vessels are expanding bags composed of a neck, body and fundus. Clear visibility of the neck, the position of the aneurysm and surrounding structures are necessary for a proper choice of methods for excluding the aneurysm from the circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of spatial reconstruction of blood vessels of the brain based on the original software for 3D reconstruction of the equipment manufacturer and a personal computer model developed earlier in the Clinic for Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, compared to intraoperative identification of these aneurysms.

Surgical treatment problems of hydrocephalus caused by spontaneus intraventricular hemorrhage in prematurely born children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate method of surgical treatment of hydrocephalus in preterm infants that is caused by spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to identify predictive factors of poor perioperative outcomes.

Material And Methods: We present a series of 60 patients with IVH and hydrocephalus, to whom a VP shunt or subcutaneous (Omaya) reservoir was placed, during the period from March 2006 to March 2011.

Results: Predictors of poor outcome with VP shunt placement were: gestational age (t=2.

Anaphylaxis followed by unilateral lung opacity and hypocomplementemia in a young female.

A 36-year-old woman was stung in the right wrist by a bee, suffered typical anaphylaxis, and was transferred to a local hospital. After a few hours, which corresponded to late-onset reaction, she developed shortness of breath and weakness and was transferred to the emergency department, where the diagnosis of anaphylaxis was confirmed. Serum complement levels, components C3 and C4, were undetectable.

Analysis of CFTR Gene Variants in Idiopathic Bronchiectasis in Serbian Children.

This study has investigated a potential role of common Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene variants in the etiology of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Serbian children. The study has encompassed 48 patients (19 male and 29 female, aged between 5 and 18 years, median age 10.6±3.

The results of treatment of primary brain tumors in children.

During the period of 2009-2011 in UCH in Belgrade, we treated 22 patients with brain tumors. Treatment included the diagnosis and therapy that included surgery and postoperative neuroradiological follow-up of all patients regardless of whether radiotherapy was conducted with or without chemotherapy. The most frequent were low grade astrocytomas and medulloblastomas.

Predictable morphometric parameters for rupture of intracranial aneurysms - a series of 142 operated aneurysms.

Aim: Intracranial aneurysm rupture is followed by high mortality and morbidity. In order to understand the aneurysm's natural course, it is necessary to recognize the predisposing factors for the rupture.

Material And Methods: Analysis included 142 operated aneurysms (94 hemorrhaging and 48 unruptured) in the period from 2008 to 2010.

Immediate allergic reaction to methylprednisolone with tolerance of other corticosteroids.

Introduction: In spite of the wide usage of corticosteroids for the treatment of a plethora of diseases, sometimes they can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which are however uncommon.

Case Outline: We report a case of immediate allergic reaction induced by intravenous methylprednisolone given before operation for surgical repair of an arm contracture as a sequel of burns, which the child had tolerated a month before. Six weeks later the patient repeated the anaphylactic reaction during skin testing to methylprednisolone.

Surgical treatment of glioblastoma multiforme localized in the motor area of the brain using the technique of cortical electrostimulation.

Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme in the motor area is the surgical challenge because of the need for more radical resection in order to extend the life of the patient, and the risk that radicalism could lead to additional neurological deficit.

Material And Methods: We present series of 26 patients with glioblastoma multiforme localized in and around the motor area, who were hospitalized from October 2004 to February 2009. During all operations, we conducted electrostimulation display area of the brain, to the anatomical location of M1 segment of the motor cortex.

[Comparative results of operative and endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms].

Therapeutic protoclol for intracranial aneurysm treatment is very complex. In depand od patient status and anviografic founding we determinate modality and time of treatment. Analysis included 137 patients who were treated in Neurosurgical clinic CCS because sponatenus subarachnoid haemorrhage rigine from aneurysm belading.

[Operative treatment of primary brain tumors localised in motor zone with direct corticalis electrostimulation--series of 62 patients].

Unlabelled: In spite of the progress made in diagnostic procedures and development of the operating rooms technology, considerable neurological deficit after operation of tumors localised in the brain motor zone commits one to direct intraoperative identification of the motor zone. By introducing direct electrocortical stimulation into the routine intraoperative application the primary goal has been achieved -reaching the maximum degree of radicalness of surgical resection while preserving motor centres in the cerebral cortex.

Method: We are hereby demonstrating a series of 60 patients operated for primary brain tumors localised in the area in the front and around the central sulcus.

[Kiss-induced severe anaphylactic reactions].

Introduction: Ingestion is the principal route for food allergens to trigger allergic reaction in atopic persons. However, in some highly sensitive patients severe symptoms may develop upon skin contact and by inhalation. The clinical spectrum ranges from mild facial urticaria and angioedema to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.

Novel cftr gene sequence variation in Serbian patient with idiopathic disseminated bronchiectasis.

This paper reports a novel Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene variant, 1811+1G-->T, detected in a 5-year-old girl diagnosed with idiopathic disseminated bronchiectasis and negative sweat chloride test (17 mmol/L). The performed CFTR gene mutation analysis included detection of the F508del mutation, analysis of Tn polymorphism and screening of CFTR exons 3, 10 and 11. The CFTR gene screening has shown the altered band pattern in exon 11.

Induced sputum in systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease: comparison to healthy controls and bronchoalveolar lavage.

Background: Induced sputum (IS) is a noninvasive tool, which can be used to collect cellular and soluble materials from lung airways.

Objective: To evaluate if IS may be a useful and safe tool for the detection of airway inflammation in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with SSc and ILD as well as 18 healthy individuals (controls) were selected and submitted to IS examination.

[Surgical treatment of brain stem cavernoma--current approaches].

Results of our series of 10 operated patients who had cavernous malformation of the brain stem, in accordance with the findings of other authors, have confirmed that surgical removal of cavernomas is an absolutely appropriate approach as regards the prevention of repeated and disabling hemorrhages, also from the point of view of the recovery of the neurological deficit. In patients with disturbed vital functions (breathing, swallowing) evacuation of hematomas and removal of the malformation eliminate life endangering compressive effect on the vital structures of the brain stem. It is not disputable that patients with superficially localized cavernomas and progressing neurological deficit should be subjected to surgical treatment.

[Results of the surgical treatment of patients with brain cavernoma that manifested by intracerebral hemorrhage].

Although, for a long time, they have been known as a kind of vascular lesion, cavernomas have mostly been incidental or causative autopsy finding or have subsequently been histologically confirmed after surgical interventions undertaken due to intracerebral and spinal spontaneous hematoma of various localization. The aim of this study was to establish on the basis of the outcome of the operative treatment, whether the surgical interventions were justified and to systematize indications for surgical treatment of the cerebral cavernoma that initially manifested by hemorrhage. The subject of the study was a group of 38 patients who had been operated at the Institute for Neurosurgery during a ten-year period, from 1990 until 2000.

[Cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

Cerebral vasospasm causes permanent neurolological deficit or death occurance in 13% of clinical cases. Peak frequency is from 8-10th day after SAH. The purpose of this study is factor analysis that may have influence on vasospasm development , as well as predictor determination.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a rupture of a spinal arteriovenous malformation].

The authors report on a patient presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage that was caused by a rupture of an spinal combined arteriovenous malformation at cervicothoracic junction. The patient was a 30-year-old female, who had exhibited an abrupt onset of severe low neck and occipital pain with radiation into shoulders and vomiting. Neurological examination revealed severe meningism without motor or sensory deficit.

[Screening of risk groups for discovering intracranial aneurysms before rupture].

In development of intracranial aneurysms contribute genetic factors together with smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. Epidemiology studies suggest that as many as 5% of people harbour a cerebral aneurysm by age 75. Rupture of cerebral aneurysm is the most frequent cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (up to 80%.

[Morphologic analysis of the coexisting anomalies of the arteries of the cerebral base and aneurysms: clinical study].

During operations of the aneurysms showing anatomical details is the means that leads to the aim, and it is not only a purpose in itself. Data on details that the surgeons come across during their work and which sometimes represent difficulties during interpretations of angiographic findings and planning operations, as well as the intraoperative orientations and identifications of the elements . Frequency of occurrence of such anatomical details and anomalies may be completely different from the one that autopsy series show.