Review and External Evaluation of Population Pharmacokinetic Models for Vedolizumab in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Assessing Predictive Performance and Clinical Applicability.

Background/objectives: Several population pharmacokinetic models of vedolizumab (VDZ) are available for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, their predictive performance in real-world clinical settings remains unknown. This study aims to externally evaluate the published VDZ pharmacokinetic models, focusing on their predictive performance and simulation-based clinical applicability.

Vedolizumab Clearance as a Surrogate Marker for Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Insights from Real-World Pharmacokinetics.

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is approved in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). VDZ exhibits considerable variability in its pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, and its exposure-response relationship is not yet fully understood. The aim was to investigate the variability in VDZ trough levels and PK parameters, to assess the relationship between VDZ PK and biochemical response, as well as clinical and endoscopic outcomes.

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Anti-Mycobacterial Therapy (RHB-104) in Active Crohn's Disease.

This study, conducted between 4 October 2013, and 30 November 2018, tested the hypothesis that triple antimicrobial therapy, targeting subspecies (MAP), long considered a putative cause, would favorably affect Crohn's disease. A double-blind multicenter study of adults with active Crohn's disease, (i.e.

The effects of synbiotics on the liver steatosis, inflammation, and gut microbiome of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease patients-randomized trial.

Introduction: Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Liver Disease (MASLD) represents a spectrum of conditions from simple fat accumulation to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The possible role of the intestinal microbiome on MASLD development has been in focus. Our study aimed to examine the effects of synbiotics on the liver steatosis, inflammation, and stool microbiome.

The Impact of Synbiotic Treatment on the Levels of Gut-Derived Uremic Toxins, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiome of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients-A Randomized Trial.

Objective: Altering dysbiotic gut flora through synbiotic supplementation has recently been recognized as a potential treatment strategy to reduce the levels of gut-derived uremic toxins and decrease inflammation. Assessing its efficacy and safety has been the main goal of our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Methods: A total of 34 nondialyzed chronic kidney disease patients, aged ≥18 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 15 and 45 mL/minute, were randomized either to an intervention group (n = 17), receiving synbiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium lactis, 32 billion colony forming units per day plus 3.

Micro-elimination of HCV as a possible therapeutic strategy: our experience and a review of literature.

Background: Serbia has an intermediate estimated prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection, approximately 1.13%, with hepatitis C remaining one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality in Serbia with impaired quality of life and overwhelming cost of treating its complications As the availability of new treatment options and resources for screening remains limited, micro-elimination of CHC becomes a top priority.

Methods: Review of the available published data related to the clinical and epidemiological situation of the hepatitis C infection in Serbia, including the unpublished data from the databases of four major reference centres in Serbia (Clinical Center Serbia, Clinical Center Niš, Clinical Center Vojvodina and Clinical Center Kragujevac).

Mortality predictors of patients suffering of acute pancreatitis and development of intraabdominal hypertension.

Background/aim: Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) occurs frequently in patients with acute pancreatitis and adds to their morbidity and mortality. The main aim of the study was to identify the determination of the predictive factors connected to IAH that influence the evolution of acute pancreatitis.

Materials And Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted on 100 patients who had acute pancreatitis.

Remodeling of extracellular matrix of the lamina propria in the uninvolved human rectal mucosa 10 and 20 cm away from the malignant tumor.

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that malignancy arises and advances through the molecular interplay between tumor cells and non-malignant elements of the tumor stroma, that is, fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. However, in contrast to the mounting evidence about the role of tumor stroma in the genesis and progression of the malignant disease, there are very few data regarding the uninvolved stromal tissue in the remote surrounding of the tumor. Using the objective morphometric approach in patients with adenocarcinoma, we demonstrate the remodeling of extracellular matrix of the lamina propria in the uninvolved rectal mucosa 10 and 20 cm away from the neoplasm.

The influence of intraabdominal pressure on the mortality rate of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background/aim: Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) is a common clinical finding in patients with acute pancreatitis and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine the impact of intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on the mortality rate in patients with acute pancreatitis in an intensive care unit.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this prospective cohort study.

COLITIS AND "DIAPHRAGM DISEASE" OF THE COLON IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENT DUE TO PROLONGED USE OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG.

Introduction: The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may lead to stricture of the small intestine and less frequently of the colon. Colonic strictures have not been described in patients on dialysis and the aim of this report is to show the case of dialysis patient who was followed for recurrent and prolonged diarrhea.

Case Report: We present the patient on chronic dialysis for 15 years who used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs due to chronic pain and who developed recurrent diarrhea.

Boceprevir in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C: first experiences in Serbia.

Introduction: The triple therapy which consists of one of the protease inhibitor plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin (P/R) is the standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (G1) infection both in treatment-naïve and experienced patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and tolerability of this regime in hospital practice in Serbia.

Methods: From July 2012 to October 2012, 20 previously treated patients with advanced fibrosis and HCV G1 infection were included in the triple antiviral regimen in six referral centers in Serbia.

[Importance of adherence for efficacy of hepatitis C combined therapy].

Introduction: Dual antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin leads do sustained elimination of hepatitis C virus infection in over 50% patients with genotypes 1 and 4 and in over 80% with genotypes 2 and 3. In addition to genotype, for predicting success of therapy, important factors are baseline HCV RNA level, age, sex, stage of fibrosis, insulin resistance, degree of fat in liver, and patient's weight and genetics. Also, adherence to therapy could be a very important factor associated with success of therapy.

Microsatellite instability affecting the T17 repeats in intron 8 of HSP110, as well as five mononucleotide repeats in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate mononucleotide markers: BAT-25, BAT-26, NR-21, NR-22 and NR-24 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and the status of HSP110T17, KRAS, BRAF and the MLH1 promoter mutations in microsatellite unstable CRC.

Methods: Genetic assessments were performed on samples obtained following resection of CRC in 200 patients.

Results: Allelic variations of HSP110T17 were found in all 18 patients with microsatellite instabilities (MSIs) in at least three markers (high-frequency MSI).

Morphometric study of uninvolved rectal mucosa 10 cm and 20 cm away from the malignant tumor.

Recently, many details of the interplay between tumor cells and tumor-associated stromal elements leading to the progression of malignant disease were elucidated. In contrast, little is known about the role of uninvolved stromal tissue in the remote surrounding of the malignant tumor. Therefore, we performed a computer-aided morphometric study of rectal mucosa in samples taken 10 cm and 20 cm away from the malignant tumor during endoscopic examination of 23 patients older than 60 years.

The influence of single and combined IL28B polymorphisms on response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near IL28B gene were shown to be highly predictive of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Objectives: This study attempted to demonstrate the role of single and combined IL28B polymorphisms (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs12980275) and other host and viral factors in predicting response to treatment, in Caucasian patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

Study Design: The IL28B genotypes at 3 SNPs were determined in 106 patients who underwent standard 48-week therapy and out of which 55.

Clinical and pathological tools for identifying microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer.

Aim: To assess practical accuracy of revised Bethesda criteria (BGrev), pathological predictive model (MsPath), and histopathological parameters for detection of high-frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) phenotype in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

Method: Tumors from 150 patients with CRC were analyzed for MSI using a fluorescence-based pentaplex polymerase chain reaction technique. For all patients, we evaluated age, sex, family history of cancer, localization, tumor differentiation, mucin production, lymphocytic infiltration (TIL), and Union for International Cancer Control stage.

Ultrasound measurement of visceral fat in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background/aim: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive, chronic liver disease with elevated serum lipids, but it is unclear whether hyperlipidemia in PBC patients is associated with atherosclerosis. Metabolic syndrome promotes development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease related to abdominal type obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of our study was to assess abdominal adiposity in patients with PBC.

The role of pelvic MRI in assesment of combined surgical and infliximab treatment for perianal Crohn's disease.

Aim: To evaluate the role of pelvic MRI in diagnosis and assesment of combined surgical and infliximab treatment of perianal Crohn's disease (PACD).

Method: 24 patients with signs of PACD were prospectively evaluated. They were previously treated with azathyoprin for a period of 6 months to 7 years and antibiotics and than started on Infliximab 5 mg/kg (IFX) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks induction protocol.

Old age as a privilege of the "selfish ones".

In the past couple of centuries, scientists proposed great number of aging theories but neither of them appears to be fully satisfactory. In the statistical sense, we are dealing with an even greater challenge because large array of factors affects the aging process. Although at this point the most of these factors are well known, it is the very fact of their innumerability that complicates approaches to the issue at hand.

Neuroendocrine gastric carcinoma in a young patient.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors cover a spectrum of neoplasms showing wide variations in their clinicopathological and pathogenetic features, as well as prognosis. They may develop throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract.

Case Report: We described a case of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 29-year-old male.

[Splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Background/aim: Splenomegaly is a frequent finding in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension and may cause hypersplenism. The occurrence of thrombocytopenia in those patients can be considered as an event with multiple etiologies. Two mechanisms may act alone or synergistically with splenic sequestration.

Morphometric study of healthy jejunal and ileal mucosa in adult and aged subjects.

Small intestine mucosa is often affected with malabsorptive, autoimmune and inflammatory pathological processes. However, morphometric data on the healthy human small intestine mucosa, especially ileum, are scarce. We aimed to obtain histoquantitative data on the healthy jejunal and ileal mucosa and assess the effects of gender and ageing on these parameters.

CARD15 gene polymorphisms in Serbian patients with Crohn's disease: genotype-phenotype analysis.

Objective: Genetic heterogeneity and incomplete phenotype penetrance complicate genetic analysis of Crohn's disease (CD). Studies in western Europe have shown that CARD15 polymorphisms increase susceptibility to CD, but frequencies vary within different European populations. The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of CARD15 mutations and their phenotypic correlation in a Serbian population.