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).

The role of neuropeptide-Y in nandrolone decanoate-induced attenuation of antidepressant effect of exercise.

Since the increased prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroids abuse in last few decades is usually accompanied by various exercise protocols, the scope of our study was to evaluate the effects of chronic nandrolone decanoate administration in supraphysiological dose and a prolonged swimming protocol (alone and simultaneously with nandrolone decanoate) on depressive state in male rats. Simultaneously, we investigated the possible alterations in neuropeptide Y (NPY) content in blood and the hippocampus, in order to determine the role of NPY in the modulation of depressive-like behavior.Exercise induced antidepressant effects in tail suspension test (decrease of the total duration of immobility), as well as significant increase in the number of hippocampal NPY-interneurons in CA1 region.

Influence of regular reporting on local Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. sensitivity to antibiotics on consumption of antibiotics and resistance patterns.

What Is Known And Objective: Regular surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is an important component of multifaceted interventions directed at the problem with resistance of bacteria causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs). Our aim was to analyse antimicrobial consumption and resistance among isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. causing HAIs, before and after the introduction of mandatory reporting of resistance patterns to prescribers.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors in Patients with Mental Disorders Treated in Routine Practice.

This research aimed to investigate factors associated with vitamin D deficiency and to provide data about its prevalence in patients suffering from different psychiatric illnesses. The study had a cross-sectional design and it included 220 patients of both genders, aged from 19-81 y, with a wide range of mental disorders (F00-F89), and treated in routine ambulatory and hospital practice. The researchers collected data from three sources: medical records, a study questionnaire and biochemical analysis of patients' serum samples (concentration of vitamin D measured as 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium).

Successful use of sirolimus for refractory atrial ectopic tachycardia in a child with cardiac rhabdomyoma.

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are common in tuberous sclerosis. We report a child who developed rhabdomyoma related arrhythmia refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Reversion of the atrial ectopic tachycardia was achieved with mammalian target of rapamycin pathway (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus.

Distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of pathogens isolated from adults with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care unit.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are the most common hospital infections with the highest prevalence in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of bacterial pathogens isolated from ICU patients with HAP/VAP and reveal their susceptibility rates in order to establish a basis for empirical antibiotic therapy. Prospective cohort study was conducted in central ICU of Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia, from January 2009 to December 2015, enrolling 620 patients with documented HAP (38.

VITAMIN D STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH MENTAL DISORDERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF SINGLE COHORT FROM ROUTINE PRACTICE.

Context: Clinical research suggests that vitamin D deficiency correlates with mental illnesses.

Objective: The aim was to prove that the patients from the psychiatric health care service in Serbia had higher vitamin D deficiency than patients from general practice.

Design: The study had a cross-sectional design.

Cytogenetic biomarkers in detection of genotoxic effects of gestagens in peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo.

Gestagens are the most frequently used steroid hormones in hormone-replacement therapy in the treatment of threatened miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. This therapy has been applied in a large number of women with threatened abortion, despite various degrees of success of its efficacy. Genetic factors play a key role in miscarriages, especially in the initial stages.

Influence of inhaler technique on asthma and COPD control: a multicenter experience.

Background: The successful management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mostly depends on adherence to inhalation drug therapy, the usage of which is commonly associated with many difficulties in real life. Improvement of patients' adherence to inhalation technique could lead to a better outcome in the treatment of asthma and COPD.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of inhalation technique in clinical and functional control of asthma and COPD during a 3-month follow-up.

Superior MRI outcomes with alemtuzumab compared with subcutaneous interferon β-1a in MS.

Objective: To describe detailed MRI results from 2 head-to-head phase III trials, Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis Study I (CARE-MS I; NCT00530348) and Study II (CARE-MS II; NCT00548405), of alemtuzumab vs subcutaneous interferon β-1a (SC IFN-β-1a) in patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: The impact of alemtuzumab 12 mg vs SC IFN-β-1a 44 μg on MRI measures was evaluated in patients with RRMS who were treatment-naive (CARE-MS I) or who had an inadequate response, defined as at least one relapse, to prior therapy (CARE-MS II).

Results: Both treatments prevented T2-hyperintense lesion volume increases from baseline.

Sex and age differences and outcomes in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: There is conflicting information about sex differences in presentation, treatment, and outcome after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the era of reperfusion therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to examine presentation, acute therapy, and outcomes of men and women with ACS with special emphasis on their relationship with younger age (≤65years).

Methods: From January 2010 to June 2015, we enrolled 5140 patients from 3 primary PCI capable hospitals.

Development and validation of multivariable predictive model for thromboembolic events in lymphoma patients.

Lymphoma patients are at increased risk of thromboembolic events but thromboprophylaxis in these patients is largely underused. We sought to develop and validate a simple model, based on individual clinical and laboratory patient characteristics that would designate lymphoma patients at risk for thromboembolic event. The study population included 1,820 lymphoma patients who were treated in the Lymphoma Departments at the Clinics of Hematology, Clinical Center of Serbia and Clinical Center Kragujevac.

Allergen specific sublingual immunotherapy in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Background: The incidence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) is significantly increased, especially in younger children. Current treatment for children with asthma and allergic rhinitis include allergen avoidance, standard pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. Since standard pharmacotherapy is prescribed for symptoms, immunotherapy at present plays an important role in the treatment of allergic diseases.

Laryngeal Manifestation of Forestier's Disease.

Background: Forestier's disease is a rare disorder involving bony growths that can occur in various parts of the spinal column, mostly asymptomatic, but these osteophytes, very rarely have been associated with serious complications.

Aim: We report a 69-year-old man who was admitted at foniatric departement for evaluation of presenting hoarseness, dysphagia and laborious breathing.

Case Presentation: Noninvasive endolaryngeal imaging and radiological examination revealed distortion of left side of the larynx pushing to the right due to bony mass of the anterior part of cervical spine which was prominent at the left side.

Automated development of artificial neural networks for clinical purposes: Application for predicting the outcome of choledocholithiasis surgery.

Among various expert systems (ES), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has shown to be suitable for the diagnosis of concurrent common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. However, their application in practice remains limited since the development of ANNs represents a slow process that requires additional expertize from potential users. The aim of this study was to propose an ES for automated development of ANNs and validate its performances on the problem of prediction of CBDS.

Monitoring of Chlamydia Trachomatis Genitourinary Infection in Women - Analytical Comparative Study Using Public Health Records from Two Balkan Countries.

Aim: This study investigated the cumulative incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women treated in gynaecology departments of healthcare facilities in two towns in Serbia and one town in the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia, including their medical records in public health reports.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational research design with retrospective data collection during a five-year period (2008-2012) originated from women treated as in- and out-patients. The data included the results of cervical and urethral swab testing on Chlamydia trachomatis infection and women's gynaecological diagnoses in Pomoravlje County (the Institute of Public Health Cuprija "Pomoravlje" in Cuprija, Alba outpatient clinic, Paracin) and in Skopje (Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, "Mikrolab" laboratory).

Clara cell protein 16 and eosinophil cationic protein production in chronically inflamed sinonasal mucosa.

Background: Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) is an anti-inflammatory protein mainly expressed in the epithelial cells in the upper and lower airways. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is an important marker of eosinophil activity in chronic inflammatory sinonasal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate mucosal production of CC16 and ECP in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), nonallergic and allergic patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), before and after nasal corticosteroid administration.

Parameters of Calcium Metabolism Fluctuated during Initiation or Changing of Antipsychotic Drugs.

Objective: Serum parameters of calcium homeostasis were measured based on previously published evidence linking osteoporotic fractures and/or bone/mineral loss with antipsychotics.

Methods: Prospective, four-week, time-series trial was conducted and study population consisted of patients of both genders, aged 35-85 years, admitted within the routine practice, with acute psychotic symptoms, to whom an antipsychotic drug was either introduced or substituted. Serial measurements of serum calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, osteocalcin and C-telopeptide were made from patient venous blood samples.

Analysis of cervical resistance during continuous controllable balloon dilatation: controlled clinical and experimental study.

Background: Hydraulic dilatation is a novel method of cervical dilatation that is based on continuous controllable dilatation (CCBD) by the pumping of fluid into the balloon extension of the system. The main advantage of this procedure is that it allows control of and insight into the process of cervical dilatation.

Methods: For the purposes of our research, we created a new and upgraded system for CCBD which consists of a programmed hydrostatic pump connected to a balloon extension.

Effects of Preoperative Clarithromycin Administration in Patients with Nasal Polyposis.

Objective: In recent years, various investigators have shown considerable interest in the use of macrolide antibiotics for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of preoperative long-term, low-dose clarithromycin administration in patients with nasal polyposis.

Methods: Eighty nasal polyp patients (42 non-atopic and 38 atopic) were included in this prospective, non-placebo controlled investigation and randomized equally to either the combined clarithromycin-surgical or surgical group.