Bone Tissue Changes in Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS: The Importance of a Hierarchical Approach in Investigating Bone Fragility.

Skeletal alterations and their complications can significantly impact the quality of life and overall prognosis of patients living with HIV (PLWHIV). Considering skeletal alterations are often asymptomatic and unapparent during routine clinical evaluation, these conditions are frequently overlooked in the clinical management of PLWHIV. However, since the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has increased life expectancy in PLWHIV effectively, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fragility are now considered to have a major health impact, with a substantial increase in healthcare costs.

Comparison of Perinatal Outcome of Delta and Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Infection-A Retrospective Observational Study.

: The aim of the present work was to compare the characteristics of delta and omicron variants of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women, the association of infection with comorbidity, clinical manifestation of the disease, type of delivery, and pregnancy outcome. : The study was designed as an observational, retrospective study of a single center. The analysis included the cohort of women who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and/or childbirth in the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Pharmacokinetic and toxicological considerations affecting antiretroviral drug dosing in pregnant women.

Introduction: To prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy, the appropriate dosing regimens of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs need to be determined. Reliable data about pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of ARVs from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are lacking, and post-marketing observational studies may offer valuable, but sometimes insufficient data, especially in pregnant people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This review article is focused PK and toxicological considerations affecting ARV dosing in pregnant PLWHIV.

Nurses' Perception of Tension, Stress, and Pressure before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Serbian Study.

The mental health of healthcare workers, especially the nursing staff in intensive care units, is crucial for the optimal functioning of healthcare systems during medical emergencies. This study implements a cross-sectional design to investigate the associations between nurses' personal characteristics, workplace challenges, and job satisfaction with the increased perception of tension, stress, and pressure at the workplace (TSPW) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, we surveyed 4210 nurses from 19 intensive healthcare facilities in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, and, at that time, collected data about their perceived TSPW before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Correlation between metabolic syndrome and relative telomere length shortening in HIV/AIDS patients on combined antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) play an important role in the accelerated aging process. Relative telomere length (RTL) is a marker of biological aging. The aim of our study was to determine RTL and its possible association with MetS and the components of MetS in HIV-infected patients treated with cART.

Screening performance of congenital heart defects in first trimester using simple cardiac scan, nuchal translucency, abnormal ductus venosus blood flow and tricuspid regurgitation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze if the addition of simple cardiac scan in cases with increased nuchal translucency (NT) and/or abnormal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow, and/or tricuspid regurgitation (TCR) can improve detection of congenital heart defects (CHD) in chromosomally normal fetuses without non-cardiac defects at 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks in a population of singleton pregnancies.

Methods: During the 10 years period, all singleton pregnancies at 11-13 + 6 weeks were routinely scanned for NT, DV blood flow and TCR assessment and, if a single of these parameters was abnormal, simple cardiac scan with 2D gray scale and color and/or directional power Doppler in 4-chamber (4-CV) and 3 vessel and trachea views (3VTV) was performed.

Results: The sensitivity and specificity of NT ≥ 95th + DV R/A a-wave + TCR in detecting CHD were 77% and 97%, respectively, and of simple cardiac scan, 67% and 98%, respectively.

Screening performances of abnormal first-trimester ductus venosus blood flow and increased nuchal translucency thickness in detection of major heart defects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening performances of abnormal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow for the detection of heart defects in chromosomally normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness at 11-13 + 6 weeks' gestational in a population of singleton pregnancies.

Methods: During an 8-year period, all singleton pregnancies from 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks were scanned for NT and DV blood flow assessment. Two groups of cases with abnormal NT were evaluated: NT ≥ 95th and NT ≥ 99th centile.

Improved diagnostic accuracy by using secondary ultrasound markers in the first-trimester screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and Turner syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a combination of parameters at first-trimester screening for fetal aneuploidies, including ultrasound assessment of the nasal bone (NB), blood flow in the ductus venosus (DV) and flow across the tricuspid valve.

Methods: Screening for aneuploidy was carried out in 4172 singleton pregnancies between January 2006 and December 2010. Diagnostic accuracy of combined screening [inclusive of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness and maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A] and of secondary ultrasound markers [NB, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and Doppler studies of the DV] obtained at the same visit was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

[Significance of transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography for detection of malignant gestational trophoblastic disease].

Transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography has an important role in detecting and confirming the gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). It can also be helpful in early detection of the malignant cases of GTD such as the invasion and protrusion of trophoblastic tissue into the uterine wall. Ultrasonographic picture of the malignant GTD is also specific for the presence of prominent zones of vasculavization in the peritrophoblastic tissue, as well as in the uterine tissue in which malignant GTD is developed.