Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training conditions, results from a pan-European survey: Between vision and reality.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) still has a relatively high complication rate, underscoring the importance of high-quality training. Despite existing guidelines, real-world data on training conditions remain limited. This pan-European survey aims to systematically explore the perceptions surrounding ERCP training.

The Effects of Intensity, Exposure Time, and Distance of Polymerization Light on Vickers Microhardness and Temperature Rise of Conventional Resin-Based Composite.

(1) Background: This study investigates the effects of curing light intensity, exposure time, and distance on the Vickers microhardness (VMH), hardness bottom-to-top ratio (HR), and temperature rise (TR) of conventional dental resin-based composite (RBC). (2) Materials and Methods: Specimens of one conventional RBC (Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent) were cured with 12 different curing protocols (CPs), created with three different light intensities (Quartz Tungsten Halogen 300 mW/cm, LED 650 mW/cm, LED 1100 mW/cm), two exposure times (20 and 40 s), and two distances of curing tip (0 and 8 mm). The VMH of top (VMH-T) and bottom (VMH-B) surfaces was measured.

Study of the Acidic, Basic, and Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Three Antihypertensive Drugs-Individually and in Combination.

Background/objectives: The importance of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) for the treatment of hypertension is well established. However, from a stability perspective, FDCs present a challenge since the degradation of one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can be affected by the presence of another API. The aim of this study was to compare the degradation behaviors and evaluate the degradation kinetics of three antihypertensive drugs, perindopril tert-butylamine (PER), amlodipine besylate (AML), and indapamide (IND).

Gut Microbial Taxonomy and Its Role as a Biomarker in Aortic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Future Perspectives.

Evidence of the association between the gut microbiome and cardiovascular diseases has accumulated. An imbalance or dysbiosis of this system has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events, including aortic diseases. We aimed to elucidate the findings of the gut microbial taxonomy associated with aortic diseases and their subtypes.

Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children and Adolescents from a Major Dental Clinic in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A 5-Year Retrospective Study.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of dental trauma in a public dental clinic in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2019 to 2024.

Methods: This research was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study. The data were analysed and compared between injured primary and permanent maxillary and mandibular teeth.

The Trend of Changes in Adiponectin, Resistin, and Adiponectin-Resistin Index Values in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with the Development of Metabolic Syndrome.

: This study aimed to investigate the novel adiponectin-resistin (AR) index as a predictor of the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MetS is common in T2DM and increases cardiovascular risk. Adiponectin and resistin, adipokines with opposing effects on insulin sensitivity and inflammation, make the AR index a potential marker for metabolic risk.

Comparative Diagnostic Value of 18F-FDG-PET-CT and Intraoperative Examination in Cervical Cancer Staging.

: The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of 18F-FDG-PET-CT in preoperative staging of cervical cancer, focusing on determining surgical operability and exploring the correlation between its quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics. : This retrospective study included 62 cervical cancer patients treated at the Department of Gynecology, Clinic for Operative Oncology at the Institute of Oncology Vojvodina between January 2016 and January 2020, where preoperative clinical examinations and 18F-FDG-PET-CT were performed to assess the extent of cancer, followed by intraoperative and pathohistological examinations of surgically removed specimens to provide a comprehensive evaluation. : The mean tumor size measured by 18F-FDG-PET-CT was slightly greater than that obtained through clinical examination (26.

Antibiotics Knowledge and Prescription Patterns Among Dental Practitioners in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia: A Comparative E-Survey with a Focus on Medically Healthy and Compromised Patients.

Background: The non-specific prescription of antibiotics, especially in dentistry, contributes to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance and highlights the need for education on the proper use and serious consequences of overprescribing these drugs. The main objective of this study is to assess and evaluate antibiotic knowledge and prescribing patterns in dental practice in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, focusing on understanding the rationale for prescribing, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and dentists' awareness of antibiotic resistance.

Methods: A total of 795 dentists participated in this electronic cross-sectional survey (Croatia N = 336, Bosnia and Herzegovina N = 176, and Serbia N = 283).

Noonan Syndrome: Relation of Genotype to Cardiovascular Phenotype-A Multi-Center Retrospective Study.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a congenital genetic disorder with a prevalence of 1 in 1000 to 2500 live births, and is characterized by distinctive facial features, short stature, chest deformities, and congenital heart disease. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of specific genetic mutations and their impact on cardiovascular and other outcomes in NS. We conducted a retrospective clinical study of 25 pediatric patients diagnosed with NS at two institutions: The Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia and the Clinic for Children Diseases, University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska.

Comprehensive Characterization of Anti-HLA and Non-HLA Antibodies in Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List and Evaluation of Their Impact on Alloimmunization Risk and Dialysis Treatment.

Alloimmunization remains a major obstacle to successful kidney transplantation, mainly due to the formation of anti-HLA antibodies. In recent years, non-HLA antibodies have emerged as additional immunologic factors that can potentially contribute to graft rejection. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and specificity of both anti-HLA and non-HLA antibodies in patients with end-stage renal disease on a waiting list for kidney transplantation.

Efficient Access to New Thienobenzo-1,2,3-Triazolium Salts as Preferred Dual Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

In previous research, 1,2,3-triazolium salts showed significant biological activity as potential inhibitors of cholinesterase enzymes (ChEs), which are crucial for neurotransmission. In this research, pairs of uncharged thienobenzo-triazoles and their charged salts were prepared in order to further examine the role of the positive charge on the nitrogen of the triazole ring in interactions within the active site of the enzymes, and to compare the selectivity of 1,2,3-triazolium salts in relation to their uncharged analogs obtained by photochemical cyclization. Neutral thienobenzo-triazoles showed very good selective activity toward butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), while their salts showed excellent non-selective inhibition toward both BChE (the most active : IC 0.

Sex-Specific Associations Between Lifestyle Factors and Sick Leave in the Serbian Working Population: Findings from the National Health Survey.

: Sick leave is influenced by various modifiable lifestyle factors and sex differences. This study investigates the associations between body mass index, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption and sick leave among Serbia's working population, with emphasis on sex differences. : Data from the 2019 National Health Survey of Serbia were analyzed, involving a sample of 4652 individuals.

The Relationship Between Psychological Factors and Nutritional Status in Adolescence.

Background: The aim of the research is to explore the relationship between psychological factors and nutritional status in adolescence. The issue of adolescent nutrition is related to several psychological problems, as well as to developmental changes during this period. Research on body image dissatisfaction has confirmed that most adolescents are dissatisfied with their bodies.

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Microbiome Decision-Making: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background/objectives: The study of microbiome composition shows positive indications for application in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions and diseases. One such condition is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to analyze gut microbiome samples from children in Bosnia and Herzegovina to identify microbial differences between neurotypical children and those with ASD.

Integrated physiotherapy approach for susac syndrome: A comprehensive case study.

Introduction: Susac's syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by a triad of encephalopathy (brain dysfunction), branch retinal artery occlusion (loss of vision) and sensorineural hearing loss. This study presents the case of a patient undergoing intensive physiotherapy intervention following an injury, focusing on assessments such as volume and range of motion measurements, manual muscle tests, and pain intensity evaluations using various scales.

Case Description: The patient, aged 17, initially presented with severe limitations in mobility, diagnosed with Susac syndrome.

Epigenetics of cardiomyopathies: the next frontier.

Cardiomyopathies (CMP) are a diverse group of myocardial diseases that cause structural, functional, and pathological changes to the heart. Alterations at the molecular level associated with the clinical phenotype and progression of CMPs cannot be solely explained by the genetic mutations, even in inherited cardiomyopathies. Epigenetics and environmental factors are likely to significantly modify the clinical manifestations of CMPs, resulting in variable clinical expression and different age-related penetrance.

Evaluating Pharmacists' Knowledge of Food-Drug Interactions in Croatia: Identifying Gaps and Opportunities.

Food-drug interactions (FDIs) are pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic changes in drug effects caused by the presence of specific foods. To identify and prevent FDIs, pharmacists, alongside other healthcare professionals, should possess a certain level of knowledge. This study aimed to assess knowledge of FDIs among Croatian pharmacists.

Alternative Splicing: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Hematological Malignancies.

Leukemia represents the most prevalent malignancy in children, constituting 30% of childhood cancer cases, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being particularly heterogeneous. This paper explores the role of alternative splicing in leukemia, highlighting its significance in cancer development and progression. Aberrant splicing is often driven by mutations in splicing-factor genes, which can lead to the production of variant proteins that contribute to oncogenesis.

Physical Activity Levels During Physical Education Classes and Their Impact on Physical Fitness in 10-Year-Old School Children: A Comparative Study.

: The aim of this research was to determine the differences in physical fitness according to the level of physical activity (PA) during physical education classes in 10-year-old school children. : The research included 315 primary school children (age 10 ± 1.3 years), divided into three groups by level of PA: low, moderate and high.

Four new species of Stephens, 1836 from the Balkans (Plecoptera, Leuctridae).

Four, presumably microendemic new species are described on the basis of morphology of the adult males and females. Each species was collected only in a single mountain range of the western Balkans: Kovács & Murányi, (Albania, Çermenikë), (Serbia, Golija), (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kozara), (Montenegro, Visitor). Their morphological affinities and ecology are discussed, phylogenetic relations will be described in the framework of ongoing molecular studies of Balkan species.

Impact of short-term patient education intervention on the teaching skills of physical therapy students: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patient education is an important aspect of physiotherapy. Effective education is based on quality communication and understanding of patients' needs. For a successful practice, it is necessary to recognize the factors that affect the ability to teach the patient and prepare new physiotherapists for this task.

Triple inhaled therapy in asthma: Beliefs, behaviours and doubts.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) in association with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA) are recommended by the GINA report as further option in step 4 and first choice in step 5 treatment. Despite consistent evidence of its efficacy and safety, inhaled triple therapy (ITT) is still not largely used in patients with asthma. With the aim to explore belief and behaviours of asthma specialists, an ad hoc survey has been developed by a panel of Interasma Scientific Network (INESnet) experts and subsequently defined by two Delphi rounds among an international group of physicians.