Primary undifferentiated carcinoma of rete testis with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis and fatal outcome: Case report.

Carcinoma of rete testis is an extremely rare malignant tumor arising from its epithelium. Prognosis is poor with mean survival of 8 months. Lymph node metastases and the size of the tumor larger than 5 cm are poor prognostic factors.

Relationship between COMT Gene Polymorphism, Anxiety, and Pain Perception during Labour.

Background: The COMT gene polymorphism is associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders and pain perception. The present study investigates the existence of anxiety and pain perception in relation to the COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene polymorphism in labouring women (during "natural" childbirth) with or without inhaled analgesia.

Methods: A total of 181 women who chose vaginal birth were enrolled in this study.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Ethanol in a Human Study: New Modification of Mathematic Model.

In the pharmacokinetic analysis of ethanol after oral administration, only single- or two-compartment models are used, but their precision in estimating pharmacokinetic parameters might be insufficient. In a recent study, pharmacokinetic analysis using a modified Norberg three-compartment model was performed after oral administration of differently sweetened alcoholic solutions and compared to pharmacokinetic analysis using the classic Widmark model. On three occasions, eight male volunteers consumed differently sweetened alcoholic solutions: non-sweetened, sweetened with sucrose, and sweetened with steviol glycoside.

Molecular Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Pharmacodynamics of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive degenerative illness that affects 1 in every 6 to 11,000 live births. This autosomal recessive disorder is caused by homozygous deletion or mutation of the gene (survival motor neuron). As a backup, the gene has the gene, which produces only 10% of the functional SMN protein.

Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Tissue Biomarker Analysis: A Comparison of Human Protein Atlas and Individual Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Component Immunohistochemistry.

The accurate management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) depends on identifying the individual histological tumor components. Currently available data on protein expression in TGCTs are limited. The human protein atlas (HPA) is a comprehensive resource presenting the expression and localization of proteins across tissue types and diseases.

CHRONIC COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

The course of diabetes is marked by the development of chronic complications that, in addition to affecting health, also affect the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes based on their chronic complications. The study, which was conducted from March 2019 until March 2020, included 382 diabetic patients, specific data from medical records, and the application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire.

Relationships between Physical Activity and Selected Chronic Diseases among Functionally Independent Long-Term Care Residents during the Post-Lockdown Period in Croatia.

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the level and association of physical activity and selected chronic diseases in functionally independent LTC residents after prolonged physical and social isolation during COVID-19 in Croatia. Adhering to the inclusion criteria, 180 functionally independent residents were included in the study. Assessment of physical activity was carried out by 7-day motor monitoring.

Molecular classification of muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on a simplified immunohistochemical panel using GATA3, CK5/6 and p16.

The choice of therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) could be influenced by the tumor's molecular subtype. Currently, well-defined consensus subtypes are based on tumor microarray mRNA data. Clearly defined and easy-to-use surrogate molecular subtypes, based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on whole slides, are needed to make subtyping cost-effective and useful in routine work and future research.

Serological Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Hemodialyzed Patients and the Association with Later COVID-19 Positivity.

Background: The effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine may differ in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to determine the degree of serological response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in the population of dialysis patients and its association with later SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Methods: A blood sample was taken for the determination of COVID-19 serological status (IgG antibodies) in 706 dialysis patients 16 weeks after vaccination with the second dose (Pfizer-BioNTech).

PARENTAL AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF FOREIGN BODY INHALATION IN CHILDREN.

Background: The presence of a foreign body in the airways is a life-threatening condition and thus a medical emergency that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. If not recognized, it can lead to a number of serious complications. It is of the utmost importance to raise public awareness and educate parents and other caregivers on all aspects of this topic.

COMPARISON OF HEARING OUTCOMES AFTER STAPES SURGERY DEPENDING ON PROSTHESIS TYPE: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.

Stapes surgery is generally performed to treat otosclerosis, and there are numerous surgical techniques and prosthesis materials available. Critical evaluation of postoperative hearing outcomes is crucial for identification and further improvement of treatment options. This study is a non-randomized retrospective analysis of hearing threshold levels before and after stapedectomy or stapedotomy in 365 patients during a twenty-year period.

Development of simple descriptions of the ICF Generic-30 Set in different languages: laying the foundation for an ICF-based clinical tool for Europe.

Background: Functioning is considered a third indicator of health and a key outcome in rehabilitation. A universal practical tool for collecting functioning information is essential. This tool would be ideally based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Effects of different progesterone levels on reproductive outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies: from molecular basis to treatment strategies.

Purpose: The aim of this narrative review is to offer an overview about the role of progesterone levels on pregnancy outcome in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).

Methods: A detailed computerized search of the literature was performed in the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science) to determine the importance of elevated progesterone levels at different stages of the cycle for pregnancy rates in the fertilization (IVF) cycle. Our review also provides information on the differences between elevated progesterone levels and their interpretation in normal and in poorly responding women.

Impact of COVID-19 on inpatient care related to skin conditions.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected our society and healthcare system. This study aims to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on the number of hospitalized patients with dermatological diseases in Croatia, as well as the number of these patients treated surgically and conservatively, before (2017-2019) and during the pandemic (2020-2021).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, comparative study of the hospital admission rate for patients with skin, subcutaneous tissue, and breast disorders both before and during the pandemic.

Apremilast Use in Severe Psoriasis: Real-World Data from Central and Eastern Europe.

Introduction: The broad and sustained efficacy of apremilast for psoriasis has been demonstrated in randomized and real-world observational studies. Data from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are lacking. Moreover, apremilast use in this region is limited by country-specific reimbursement criteria.

Melatonin in Dermatologic Allergic Diseases and Other Skin Conditions: Current Trends and Reports.

Melatonin is the main hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, and it is mostly produced by the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan. It has cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Melatonin is also one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, directly acting on free radicals and the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system.

Applying Explainable Machine Learning Models for Detection of Breast Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients Eligible for Neoadjuvant Treatment.

Background: Due to recent changes in breast cancer treatment strategy, significantly more patients are treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). Radiological methods do not precisely determine axillary lymph node status, with up to 30% of patients being misdiagnosed. Hence, supplementary methods for lymph node status assessment are needed.

Remineralization effects of Er,Cr:YSGG and/or bioactive glass on human enamel after radiotherapy-an in vitro study.

The aim was to evaluate the effects of Er,Cr:YSGG and/or bioactive glass 45S5 (BG) on the chemical and physical properties of enamel after radiotherapy. Third molar crowns were cut in half (buccal-lingually), and the mid part of the labial/oral surface was subjected to different protocols. All samples were treated with standard 70 Gy.

cfDNA methylation in liquid biopsies as potential testicular seminoma biomarker.

Seminoma is a testicular tumor type, routinely diagnosed after orchidectomy. As cfDNA represents a source of minimally invasive seminoma patient management, this study aimed to investigate whether cfDNA methylation of six genes from liquid biopsies, have potential as novel seminoma biomarkers. cfDNA methylation from liquid biopsies was assessed by pyrosequencing and compared with healthy volunteers' samples.

Influence of the Cognitive and Emotional Status of Patients with Chronic Pain on Treatment Success (Reduction in Pain Intensity and Adherence to Pharmacotherapy): A Prospective Study.

This prospective study aimed to determine the cognitive and emotional status among patients with chronic pain and to examine the potential influence on the treatment success, measured by the reduction in pain intensity and adherence to pharmacotherapy. A total of seventy patients were followed for two months. The results of the comparison between patients who did and did not follow the physician’s instructions regarding adherence to pharmacotherapy showed a significant difference in cognitive status and a reduction in pain intensity.