The influence of gastronomic identity factors on food tourism development in the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background And Aims: The gastronomic identity of an area is the key factor in tourism development, attracting numerous tourists and generating significant income. Numerous economic actors participate in its use and proper placement, and their perception of the gastronomic potential significantly affects its distribution and use in tourism. The main aim of this study is to investigate the factors of gastronomic identity that influence the development of tourism, observed at two tourist destinations in Southeast Europe [the Republic of Serbia (RS) the city of Novi Sad with Fruška Gora Mountain, = 305 and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) the city of Sarajevo with Jahorina Mountain, = 301].

Correlation of kidney size with kidney function and anthropometric parameters in healthy subjects and patients with chronic kidney diseases.

Background/aim: Echosonography is a simple, noninvasive method of kidney visualization. The objective of this study was to compare the kidney echosonograpic characteristics with the kidney function and anthropometric characteristics in healthy subjects and patients with the chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: The study involved 49 patients (21 men; 46.

[A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: a 12-year follow-up].

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic immunological disease causing a significant morbidity and mortality in younger women and involving several organs and systems, most often the kidneys, being consequently the incidence of lupus nephritis (LN) about 60%.

Case Report: We reported a 57 year-old patient with the diagnosed SLE in 1995. Pathohistological analysis of kidney biopsy revealed LN type V.

Cyclosporine versus azathioprine therapy in high-risk idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients: A 3-year prospective study.

There is no consensus regarding the modality of therapy for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), especially for patients who did not react to treatment with cytotoxic drugs. This study followed prospectively for 3-year IMN patients who did not react to Ponticelli protocol comparing effects of 2-year course of cyclosporine (CsA) with azathioprine (Aza) treatment both with small doses of prednisolone. Twenty-three patients were randomly assigned to receive either cyclosporine at 3mg/kg per day (10 patients) or azathioprine at 1.

Renal biopsy registry from a single centre in Serbia: 20 years of experience.

Background: There is not enough epidemiologic data of biopsy proven renal diseases. This is the first report of clinicopathologic correlations over a period of 20 years from central Balkan country-Serbia.

Methods: A retrospective review of reports of 2 362 native renal biopsies performed on patients at the leading nephrology unit in Serbia from 1987 to 2006 was undertaken.

Comparison of kidney size between patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy and other kidney diseases.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between kidney dimensions and creatinine clearance (Ccr) in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), nephrosclerosis (NSc), glomerulonephritis (GN), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and in healthy persons. The main objective was to find out at which stage of BEN the kidneys start to shrink.

Methods: The study involved 84 patients with BEN, 39 with NSc, 56 with GN, 55 with DN, and 52 healthy subjects, allocated to group 1 (n = 28) sex- and age-matched with BEN/NSc patients, or group 2 (n = 24) sex- and age-matched with GN/DN patients.

[Lupus nephritis: retrospective analysis of the course of the disease].

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystemic autoimmune disease characterized by various clinical manifestations, as well as unpredictable course and therapy response. Lupus nephritis is a severe manifestation of the disease, significantly influencing its prognosis. Since the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis has not been elucidated, optimal therapeutic approach is still subject of numerous studies.

[Comparison of various cyclophosphamide treatment regimens on the course and outcome of lupus nephritis ].

Introduction: Immunosuppressive drugs, particularly cyclophosphamide, are widely accepted as the treatment of choice for severe, proliferative lupus nephritis. However, there is no consensus with regard to: 1) the dose required for achieving control of disease activity; 2) duration of cyclophosphamide therapy after the achievement of treatment response; 3) treatment of lupus nephritis relapses [1-5]. In the Institute of Rheumatology, Belgrade, two regimens of intravenous cyclophosphamide have been introduced in the treatment of lupus nephritis patients years ago.

[Therapy of lupus nephritis with standard therapeutic protocols and cyclosporine].

The study carried out was at the Department of Nephrology, Military Medical Academy, over the period from 1996 to 2001. Different types of lupus nephritis were documented in 42 patients and were treated with standard therapeutic protocols (corticosteroids, the pulse dose of cyclophosphamide + corticosteroids) and cyclosporine in the target serum concentration of 100-120 ng/ml along with pronisone of 15-20 mg per day. The different degree of damaged renal function was observed.