Assessing attitudes toward research and plagiarism among medical students: a multi-site study.

Background: Research involves the systematic collection and analysis of data to enhance understanding of a particular phenomenon. Participation in medical research is crucial for advancing healthcare practices. However, there has been limited focus on understanding the factors that motivate medical students to engage in research.

Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia.

Background/objectives: Degenerative cerebellar ataxias (DCA) present a group of complex neurological disorders primarily affecting the cerebellum and its pathways. Classic manifestations include motor symptoms of cerebellar ataxia. However, emerging evidence suggests that the cerebellum also plays a crucial role in various cognitive and emotional processes.

Aquaporin4-IgG seropositivity significantly increases the risk of comorbid autoimmune diseases in NMOSD patients: population-based registry data.

Background: The aim of our study was to estimate the frequency of autoimmune comorbidities, in NMOSD patients from the national Serbian NMOSD Registry.

Methods: Our study comprises 136 patients with NMOSD, diagnosed according to the NMOSD criteria 2015. At the time of the study, in the Registry were collected demographic and clinical data, including those related to the coexisting comorbidities and pathogenic autoantibodies.

Beneficial therapeutic plasma exchange response in the treatment of severe relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: Therapeutic plasma exchange (PLEX) is effective as a second-line treatment of severe relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) that failed to respond to standard steroid therapy. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of PLEX in the severe MS relapses in a cohort of patients treated at Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, from 2007 until 2020.

Methods: This retrospective study comprised 107 MS patients with 127 severe relapses treated with PLEX.

and Polymorphisms Affect Outcome in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

: Despite improvements in screening programs, a large number of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are diagnosed in an advanced disease stage. Previous investigations imply that glutathione transferases (GSTs) might be associated with the development and progression of CRC. Moreover, the detoxification mechanism of oxaliplatin, which represents the first line of treatment for advanced CRC, is mediated via certain GSTs.

Earlier age of symptom onset in younger generation of familial cases of multiple sclerosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of familial MS (fMS) in Belgrade MS population, discern the differences between the persons with fMS and sporadic MS, and to detect the presence of anticipation phenomenon in fMS patients.

Methods: The data on the demographic and clinical characteristics of MS patients was obtained from the Belgrade MS population Registry. In cases of vertical transmission of MS, the family members were divided into the younger and older generation, in order to assess the potential presence of anticipation phenomenon.

Correlation between Morphological and Hemodynamic Parameters of Carotid Arteries and Cerebral Vasomotor Reactivity.

The function of cerebral small vessels can be assessed using cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR). Our aim in this retrospective cross-sectional study was to investigate a correlation between carotid artery stenosis measured through ultrasonographic morphological and hemodynamic parameters and cerebral VMR. A total of 285 patients (125 males; mean age 54) were included.

The Impact of Demographic and Clinical Factors on the Quality of Life in Patients with Neurodegenerative Cerebellar Ataxias.

In neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias, not only ataxia but also extra-cerebellar signs have a significant impact on patients' health related to quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the various aspects of HRQoL and predictors of QoL in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias. We included a total of 107 patients with cerebellar degenerative ataxia.

Exclusive breastfeeding may be a protective factor in individuals with familial multiple sclerosis. A population registry-based case-control study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system, which most likely results from the interplay between environmental and genetic factors. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of breastfeeding on the risk of developing familial multiple sclerosis (fMS) in persons with positive MS history, being the first such investigation performed in fMS cohort.

Methods: A case-control study based on the Belgrade population MS Registry was conducted.

INCREASED SEVERE COVID-19-RELATED FATALITY IN HOSPITALIZED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS.

The aim of this study was to assess the case fatality ratio (CFR) in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) hospitalized due to severe COVID-19, and to investigate the role of risk factors for fatal outcome in this well-defined cohort. This case series study included all PwMS (N=32) with severe COVID-19, who were hospitalized in the COVID-19 referral center in Belgrade from January 2021 to January 2022. Eight out of these 32 patients died from COVID-19 (CFR 25%).

The impact of the comorbid seizure/epilepsy on the health related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: an international multicentric study.

Introduction: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with (Pw) multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually deteriorated. It has been recently suggested that comorbidities may have the negative influence on the quality of life of the PwMS, but according to the best of our knowledge, only one study investigated, although in a very small cohort, the impact of individual comorbidity on the quality of life of PwMS. The aim of our investigation was to assess, in an international, multicentric study, the impact of comorbid seizure/epilepsy on the HRQoL in PwMS.

CYBERBULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ONLINE INFORMATION SEEKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

Background: Cyberbullying is a serious problem among adolescents and has an impact on mental health. The purpose of this study was to: 1) translate and validate the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey in the Serbian language; 2) explore factors associated with more intense cyber victimization and cyber offending and 3) examine whether more intense cyber victimization and cyber offending are associated with a higher likelihood of online search for topics on mental health in a sample of high school students.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 702 students from 4 public high schools participated in this cross-sectional study.

Impact of the autonomic dysfunction on the quality of life in people with NMOSD and MS: An international cross-sectional study.

Background: A substantial autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction has been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) and recently, also in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The prevalence of ANS symptoms contributes to the chronic symptom burden in both diseases. The aim of our study was to assess ANS dysfunction in people with (pw) NMOSD and MS, using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31), and additionally, to evaluate if ANS dysfunction have impact on the quality of life of these patients.

Cladribine tablets in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A real-world multicentric study from southeast European MS centers.

Background: Cladribine is an oral disease-modifying drug authorized by the European Medicine Agency for the treatment of highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: To provide real-world evidence of cladribine's effectiveness and safety in people with MS (pwMS).

Methods: A retrospective observational multi-center, multi-national study of pwMS who were started on cladribine tablets in ten centers from five European countries.

IMPACT OF NEUROTROPIC VIRUSES ON SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WITH SURGICALLY TREATED GLIOBLASTOMA.

Introduction: Glioblastoma represents the most aggressive tumor of the brain with an estimated survival rate of twelve to fifteen months after the primary diagnosis. The role of neurotropic viruses in pathogenesis of the tumor has remained unclear to date. During the last two decades, many studies were conducted with the aim of confirming viral influence in the development of glioblastoma.

Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Death Attitudes Profile- Revised (DAP-R) Instrument.

The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R), one of the most widely used scales for assessing death attitudes is a multidimensional questionnaire capable of measuring a wide range of attitudes towards death. The aim of our study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Serbian version of the DAP-R. The study was conducted in October 2022 and included a total of 547 students of the Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade (FMUB).

Long-term outcome of patients with neurological form of Wilson's disease compliant to the de-coppering treatment.

Background: A substantial proportion of Wilson's disease (WD) patients exhibit residual neurological symptoms. Data on the prognostic value of initial clinical features and treatment choices in WD patients compliant to the therapy is relatively sparse.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of the long-term outcome of patients with WD with good treatment adherence.

Are pediatricians responsible for maintaining high MMR vaccination coverage? Nationwide survey on parental knowledge and attitudes towards MMR vaccine in Serbia.

Aim: To assess parental knowledge and attitudes related to MMR vaccination and to determine factors associated with parental decision whether to vaccinate their child with MMR vaccine in Serbian population.

Methods: The selection of participants was performed using multi-phase sampling. Seventeen out of the total 160 public health centers on the territory of Republic of Serbia were randomly selected.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of 806 Pediatric Oncology Patients Treated With Radiotherapy at the Serbian National Cancer Center.

Radiotherapy plays an important role in the multimodal treatment of childhood cancer. Our objective was to provide an analysis of pediatric oncology patients treated with radiotherapy in a national referral institution in Serbia. A retrospective chart review of children treated with radiotherapy between January 2007 and July 2018 was conducted.

Is the female sex associated with an increased risk for long-term cognitive decline after the first-ever lacunar stroke? Prospective study on small vessel disease cohort.

Background: Sex is a significant determinant of survival and functional outcome after stroke. Long-term cognitive outcome after acute lacunar stroke in the context of sex differences has been rarely reported.

Methods: A cohort of small vessel disease (SVD) patients presenting with first-ever acute lacunar stroke and normal cognitive status has been evaluated 4 years after the qualifying event for the presence of cognitive impairment (CI) with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery.

Changes in Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Uptake during Pandemic.

The epidemic control approach was based on non-pharmacological measures in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by vaccine uptake in the second year. Vaccine uptake depends on the individual attitude toward vaccination. The aim was to assess the changes in attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccine protection during the pandemic and to determine the vaccination uptake concerning these attitudes.

Associations of health literacy with missed free influenza immunization in people with chronic diseases.

There is a gap in understanding specific features of health literacy that might be associated with adherence to influenza immunization. The aim of this study was to examine the association of health literacy with avoidance of influenza immunization and beliefs about the influenza vaccine among people with chronic diseases. Selection of study participants was based on a case-control study design in a population of people with chronic illnesses living in the Foča region (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and who were entitled to receive a free influenza shot in season 2017/2018.