Comparison of pharmacotherapeutic analgesic response and safety profile of tapentadol with other opioids.

Tapentadol is a unique opioid analgesic due to its dual mechanism of action. Compared to other opioids with a classical mechanism of action, its analgesic potential is not far behind them, and its advantages are: a better safety profile in terms of a lower potential for drug-drug interactions and a lower potential for causing adverse events, and it is safe to use in sensitive populations. Tapentadol in the form of a immediate release formulation is an adequate drug of choice for achieving a pharmacotherapeutic analgesic response in acute pain conditions, while in the form of a extended release formulation it is an adequate pharmacotherapeutic analgesic solution for chronic pain syndromes of various etiology.

Clinical and sociodemographic predictors of depressive symptoms in epilepsy patients in a single tertiary epilepsy center.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy (PWE) in a tertiary epilepsy center and to analyse possible predictors of depression in several domains, including clinical characteristics of epilepsy and sociodemographic factors.

Methods: PWE patients who visited our epilepsy clinic during the 6th month in 2020 and 2021 were enrolled in our study. To collect the data, structured scales were created for the clinical characteristics of the disease and for the sociodemographic data.

The Potential of Hemp Extracts to Modify the Course of Oxidative-Stress Related Conditions.

The leaves of industrial hemp, which have long been considered as a waste product, have been proven to contain numerous compounds that possess potential biological activity. One of the most interesting groups of compounds present are polyphenolic compounds, which, due to their specific structure, have a pronounced antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential. This study aimed to detect biological activity, including antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential, of water and water-alcoholic extracts of five commercially available hemp teas, followed by phytochemical profiling.

Where is obstetric anesthesiology heading in the next decade? An Eastern European perspective.

European countries of "Eastern Block" origin took different healthcare and economic development trajectories after the Berlin Wall fell. Despite decreased maternal and neonatal mortality in the last two decades, healthcare disparities exist between the various countries. Minimum standards for obstetric anesthesia are not available for every maternity patient.

The Influence of Myopia on the Foveal Avascular Zone and Density of Blood Vessels of the Macula-An OCTA Study.

Myopia is the most common refractive eye anomaly with a prevalence that is constantly increasing. High myopia is associated with numerous complications that can lead to permanent vision loss. It is believed that the basis of these complications lies in changes in the microvasculature of the retina caused by an increase in the longitudinal axis of the eye.

Assessment of Life Quality in Children with Dysphonia Using Modified Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire in Serbia.

(1) Background: Hoarseness is not uncommon in children, especially at school age, as communication with peers is intensified. It is caused by improper use or overuse of the vocal apparatus. (2) Methods: The study included 85 hoarse children aged 6-12 (study group) and 240 healthy children (control group) of the same age.

Association of multiple retinal nodular hamartomas and "confetti" skin lesions with end-stage renal disease in patients with tuberous sclerosis.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to explore characteristics of patients with chronic kidney disease in tuberous sclerosis (TSC) and to underline differences in clinical characteristics between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and patients in earlier stages of chronic kidney disease.

Methods: This multicentric, retrospective study included data for 48 patients from seven South-Eastern European countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia) in the period from February to August 2020. Researchers collected data from local and national nephrological and neurological registries and offered clinical and laboratory results from medical histories in follow-up periods.

A Prospective Trial with Long Term Follow-up of Patients With Severe, Steroid-Resistant Ulcerative Colitis Who Received Induction Therapy With Cyclosporine and Were Maintained With Vedolizumab.

Background: Combining vedolizumab with a rapid-onset drug such as cyclosporine is a novel combination treatment for severe steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis (UC). This prospective study describes the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine in conjunction with vedolizumab in patients with severe, steroid-resistant UC with 1 year of follow-up.

Methods: Seventeen steroid-resistant UC patients were treated with cyclosporine in combination with vedolizumab, with a follow up of 52 weeks.

Occupational radiation dose of personnel involved in sentinel node biopsy procedure.

Introduction: Sentinel node biopsy is a procedure used for axillary nodal staging in breast cancer surgery. The process uses radioactive Tc isotope for mapping the sentinel node(s) and all the staff involved in the procedure is potentially exposed to ionizing radiation. The colloid for radiolabelling (antimone-sulphide) with Tc isotope (half-life 6 h) is injected into the patient breast.

Advanced 3-Dimensional Characterization of Hill-Sachs Lesions in 100 Anterior Shoulder Instability Patients.

Purpose: We sought to qualitatively and quantitatively describe characteristics of Hill-Sachs lesions (HSL) in a cohort of anterior shoulder instability patients using advanced 3-dimensional (3-D) modeling software and assess the impact of various HSL parameters on the HSL volume, location, and orientation in patients with anterior shoulder instability.

Methods: A total of 100 recurrent anterior instability patients with evidence of HSL with a mean age of 27.2 years (range = 18 to 43 years) were evaluated.

CT protocols and radiation doses for hematuria and urinary stones: Comparing practices in 20 countries.

Purpose: Patients with hematuria and renal colic often undergo CT scanning. The purpose of our study was to assess variations in CT protocols and radiation doses for evaluation of hematuria and urinary stones in 20 countries.

Method: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) surveyed practices in 51 hospitals from 20 countries in the European region according to the IAEA Technical cooperation classification and obtained following information for three CT protocols (urography, urinary stones, and routine abdomen-pelvis CT) for 1276 patients: patient information (weight, clinical indication), scanner information (scan vendor, scanner name, number of detector rows), scan parameters (such as number of phases, scan start and end locations, mA, kV), and radiation dose descriptors (CTDI, DLP).

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).

Evaluation of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents with Epilepsy in a Tertiary-Level Medical Center in Serbia.

Backgrounds: Even though epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in adolescence; studies of adolescents with epilepsy are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate whether adolescents with epilepsy are more likely to develop anxiety and depressive symptoms than their healthy peers and to determine the relationship of depression and anxiety scores to epilepsy-related variables.

Settings And Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Febrile neutropenia induces changes in insulin sensitivity similar to obesity.

: To determine insulin sensitivity before chemotherapy and during febrile neutropenia in patients with acute leukemia and to assess its effect on the number of documented infections, the severity of infection and the outcome of the first hospitalization. To compare insulin sensitivity in the study group to a group of patient with obesity. : The study group consisted of 30 (37% of the total number) patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia.

A Survey of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols for Cesarean Delivery in Serbia.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been described for patients undergoing colon surgery. Similar protocols for cesarean delivery (CD) have been developed recently. CD is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and adoption of ERAS protocols following CD might benefit patients and the health-care system.

Efficacy and safety of etanercept in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the PRESTA study: analysis in patients from Central and Eastern Europe.

Background: Data are limited on the effectiveness of anti-TNF and other biologics on psoriatric arthritis (PsA) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of etanercept (ETN) in PsA patients from CEE.

Methods: In PRESTA, patients were randomized to receive ETN 50 mg BIW or 50 mg QW for 12 weeks (double-blind phase) and ETN 50 mg QW for 12 additional weeks (open label).

Fatal Intoxication with Toluene Due to Inhalation of Glue.

Two cases of fatal intoxications with toluene due to glue sniffing are described. In case 1, the autopsy did not indicate cause of death, while in case 2, the cause of death was determined to possibly be due to mechanical asphyxia by drowning. As the decedents had a history of glue sniffing, toxicological analyses were performed.

Do Health Reforms Impact Cost Consciousness of Health Care Professionals? Results from a Nation-Wide Survey in the Balkans.

Background: Serbia, as the largest market of the Western Balkans, has entered socioeconomic transition with substantial delay compared to most of Eastern Europe. Its health system reform efforts were bold during the past 15 years, but their results were inconsistent in various areas. The two waves of global recession that hit Balkan economies ultimately reflected to the financial situation of healthcare.

History of alcohol abuse after major non-cardiac surgery and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Introduction: The risk factors for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after non-cardiac surgery include advanced age and preexisting cognitive impairment.

Material And Methods: Data was collected in a prospective manner on 220 patients of both genders. Patients were triaged into three groups, with American Society of Anesthesiologists-ASA Physical Classification System levels I-IV.

Analysis of the influence of type of diabetes mellitus on the development and type of glaucoma.

Aim: Main the goal of the research is to analyze the occurrence of glaucoma in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM type 1) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2).

Patients And Methods: The study involved 140 patients, 34 with DM type 1 and 106 with DM type2. In relation to the type of glaucoma to the patients are divided into two groups: Primary and Secondary glaucoma.

Multivitamin mineral supplementation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by medically unexplained persistent or reoccurring fatigue lasting at least 6 months. CFS has a multifactorial pathogenesis in which oxidative stress (OS) plays a prominent role. Treatment is with a vitamin and mineral supplement, but this therapeutic option so far has not been properly researched.

Expression and subcellular localization of estrogen receptors α and β in human fetal brown adipose tissue.

Context: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has the unique ability of generating heat due to the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). A recent discovery regarding functional BAT in adult humans has increased interest in the molecular pathways of BAT development and functionality. An important role for estrogen in white adipose tissue was shown, but the possible role of estrogen in human fetal BAT (fBAT) is unclear.

Pancreas divisum: analysis and therapeutic alternatives with a case report.

Introduction: Pancreas divisum is a relatively common pancreatic duct anatomic variant, firstly described in the 17th century.

Case Report: We reported a 2-year-old child admitted to the Pediatric Clinic with breathing difficulties and abdominal pains. Examination and X-ray image, showed a vast right hydrothorax containing rusty coloured solution with a high degree of amylase.