Management of patients with newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation: Insights from the BALKAN-AF survey.

Background: BALKAN-AF evaluated patterns of atrial fibrillation (AF) management in real-world clinical practice in the Balkans. The objectives were: to assess the proportion of patients with first-diagnosed AF in the BALKAN-AF cohort and to compare the management of patients with newly-diagnosed AF and those with previously known AF in clinical practice.

Methods: Consecutive patients from 7 Balkan countries were enrolled prospectively to the snapshot BALKAN-AF survey.

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale.

Adherence to the ABC (Atrial fibrillation Better Care) pathway in the Balkan region: the BALKAN-AF survey.

Introduction: The Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway provides a useful way of simplifying decision‑making considerations in a holistic approach to atrial fibrillation management.

Objectives: To evaluate adherence to the ABC pathway and to determine major gaps in adherence in patients in the BALKAN‑AF survey.

Patients And Methods: In this ancillary analysis, patients from the BALKAN‑AF survey were divided into the following groups: A (avoid stroke) + B (better symptom control) + C (cardiovascular and comorbidity risk management)-adherent and -nonadherent management.

Stroke prevention in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the BALKAN-AF survey.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common amongst the elderly, but this group tends to be suboptimally treated. Limited data are available on the stroke prevention strategies in the elderly, especially in the Balkan region.

Aim: We investigated the use of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) amongst elderly AF patients in clinical practice in the Balkan region.

Microbiological diagnostics of bloodstream infections in Europe-an ESGBIES survey.

Objectives: High-quality diagnosis of bloodstream infections (BSI) is important for successful patient management. As knowledge on current practices of microbiological BSI diagnostics is limited, this project aimed to assess its current state in European microbiological laboratories.

Methods: We performed an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey comprising 34 questions on practices of microbiological BSI diagnostics.

Trends in Vena Cava Filter Placement: An Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database Over an 11 Year Period.

Objectives: There have been increasing concerns regarding inappropriate usage of vena caval filters. Our study was done to analyze the current trends in vena caval filter placement.

Methods: This study used the data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for the years 2002- 2012 to identify patients with vena caval filter placement.

Erratum to: Allergen immunotherapy for insect venom allergy: protocol for a systematic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13601-016-0095-x.].

The Patterns of Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) Use in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Seven Balkan Countries: a Report from the BALKAN-AF Survey.

Introduction: Data on management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Balkan Region are scarce. To capture the patterns in AF management in contemporary clinical practice in the Balkan countries a prospective survey was conducted between December 2014 and February 2015, and we report results pertinent to the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Methods: A 14-week prospective, multicenter survey of consecutive AF patients seen by cardiologists or internal medicine specialists was conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia (a total of about 50 million inhabitants).

EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Hymenoptera venom allergy is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction following a honeybee, vespid, or ant sting. Systemic-allergic sting reactions have been reported in up to 7.5% of adults and up to 3.

Smoking Behaviors in Kosova: Results of Steps Survey.

Introduction: Tobacco use continues to be the leading global cause of preventable death. Most of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, and this trend is expected to widen further over the next several decades. The overall objective of the study is to describe and analyse the smoking behaviours of adults in Kosova.

Allergen immunotherapy for insect venom allergy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is in the process of developing the EAACI Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) for the management of insect venom allergy. To inform this process, we sought to assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of AIT in the management of insect venom allergy.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review, which involved searching 15 international biomedical databases for published and unpublished evidence.

Essential Oil Composition of Pinus peuce Griseb. Needles and Twigs from Two National Parks of Kosovo.

The principal aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and qualitative and quantitative variability of essential oils obtained from seven naturally grown populations of the Pinus peuce Grisebach, Pinaceae in Kosovo. Plant materials were collected from three populations in the Sharri National Park and from four other populations in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, in Kosovo. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry).

A warning sign.

A 64year old man presented with atypical chest pain of 6h duration. Physical examination showed tachycardia and an irregularly irregular pulse. Initial EKG showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate.

Demographic parameters related to 30-day readmission of patients with pulmonary embolism: Analysis of 650,819 hospitalizations.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious medical condition associated with major morbidity, mortality and economic burden. Preventable hospital readmissions are a major economic challenge for the healthcare organizations and identifying patient subsets at risk of readmission will help report the issue. This retrospective study was performed to determine demographic parameters and major diagnosis linked with 30day readmission after a PE.

Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of Pistacia terebinthus essential oils derived from wild populations in Kosovo.

Background: Plant material from different organs of Pistacia terebinthus L., (Anacardiaceae) were collected in Kosovo with aim to analyze the chemical variability of the essential oils among native populations and to test them for potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods: Essential oils obtained from leaves, pedicels, fruits and galls were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS.

Risk factors associated with provoked pulmonary embolism.

Background/aims: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with provoked pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 237 patients with PE. Patients that had transient risk factors at diagnosis were classified as having provoked PE, with the remaining patients being classified as having unprovoked PE.

Allergen immunotherapy for insect venom allergy: protocol for a systematic review.

Background: The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is in the process of developing the EAACI Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) for the Management of Insect Venom Allergy. We seek to critically assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of AIT in the management of insect venom allergy.

Methods: We will undertake a systematic review, which will involve searching international biomedical databases for published, in progress and unpublished evidence.

Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and 'real world' adherence to guidelines in the Balkan Region: The BALKAN-AF Survey.

Data on the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Balkan Region are limited. The Serbian AF Association (SAFA) prospectively investigated contemporary 'real-world' AF management in clinical practice in Albania, Bosnia&Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia through a 14-week (December 2014-February 2015) prospective, multicentre survey of consecutive AF patients. We report the results pertinent to stroke prevention strategies.

Essential oil composition variability among natural populations of Pinus mugo Turra in Kosovo.

Pinus mugo Turra, is a native pine species in central and southern Europe, growing in high mountains area (altitudes 1.800-2.300 m.

Chemical Composition of Juniperus communis L. Cone Essential Oil and Its Variability among Wild Populations in Kosovo.

Ripe cones of Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) were collected from five wild populations in Kosovo, with the aim of investigating the chemical composition and natural variation of essential oils between and within wild populations. Ripe cones were collected, air dried, crushed, and the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation.

Regulator Versus Effector Paradigm: Interleukin-10 as Indicator of the Switching Response.

The interleukin-10 (IL-10) is generally considered as the most important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties and one of the key cytokines preventing inflammation-mediated tissue damage. In this respect, IL-10 producing cells play a crucial role in the outcome of infections, allergy, autoimmune reactions, tumor development, and transplant tolerance. Based on recent findings with regard to the mentioned clinical conditions, this review attempts to shed some light on the IL-10 functions, considering this cytokine as inherent inducer of the switching immunity.

Clinical findings and outcomes in patients with possible usual interstitial pneumonia.

Background: Patients with possible usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) constitute a substantial group, and their clinical characteristics and outcomes are not well defined. We compared the clinical characteristics and survival between patients with possible UIP and the UIP pattern.

Methods: We evaluated 62 patients with possible UIP and 544 patients with the UIP pattern.

Unusual reactions to hymenoptera stings: what should we keep in mind?

This review includes a variety of extremely rare and unusual hymenoptera sting (HS) circumstances with regard to sting localization, geographic region, massivity of multiple stings, and particularly related to clinical symptoms. Such reactions occur in a temporal relationship to HS (s), differ from typical allergic symptomatology, and sometimes need follow-up during many months. With respect to pathogenesis, the major mechanisms involved are toxic, autoimmune, and other delayed immunological ones.