Levothyroxine therapy reduces endocan and total cholesterol concentrations in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases due to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis development. The aim of this study was to determine whether the levothyroxine therapy could impact the concentrations of endothelial dysfunction blood markers, namely endothelin-1 (ET-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and endocan, in patients with a mild form of SCH (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ≤ 10 mIU/L).

Materials And Methods: In this case-control prospective study, SCH patients and healthy controls were recruited during their regular health examinations.

Understanding green discoloration in serum and citrate plasma samples: a case report.

This case report investigates the occurrence of green discoloration in serum and citrate plasma samples collected from a male adult patient following a multivisceral organ transplant. In collected samples, it was necessary to investigate the influence of sample discoloration on the results of laboratory tests and to determine the appropriate approach to sample management. Hematology, coagulation and blood gas analysis showed no flags, but the biochemical lipemia index was susceptible to positive interference, necessitating dilution of the native sample.

Serum progastrin-releasing peptide in pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and early-stage primary lung cancers.

Introduction: Higher concentrations of the small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) serum marker, pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP), in lung inflammations has been indicated in literature. The objective of this study was to compare serum proGRP concentration in pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and early-stage primary lung cancers.

Materials And Methods: An observational study was performed to assess serum proGRP against other lung cancer markers in pneumonia, COPD and in stage 1/2 carcinomas.

Are we ready to integrate advanced artificial intelligence models in clinical laboratory?

The application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models and algorithms in clinical laboratories is a new inevitable stage of development of laboratory medicine, since in the future, diagnostic and prognostic panels specific to certain diseases will be created from a large amount of laboratory data. Thanks to machine learning (ML), it is possible to analyze a large amount of structured numerical data as well as unstructured digitized images in the field of hematology, cytology and histopathology. Numerous researches refer to the testing of ML models for the purpose of screening various diseases, detecting damage to organ systems, diagnosing malignant diseases, longitudinal monitoring of various biomarkers that would enable predicting the outcome of each patient's treatment.

Red blood cell agglutination caused by ceftriaxone and its effect on erythrocyte parameters: a case report.

Ceftriaxone, a widely used antibiotic, is one of the most common drugs to cause drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia. In this report, we describe the effect of ceftriaxone on red blood cell parameters (low red blood cell count, low hematocrit, and high erythrocyte index values) in two pediatric patients without clinical symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Although automated hematology analyzers have helped to detect incorrect results, a peripheral blood smear examination was necessary for recognizing the erythrocyte agglutinins caused by ceftriaxone.

Mithramycin targets head and neck cancer stem cells by inhibiting Sp1 and UFMylation.

Background: The development of resistance to therapy is characteristic of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the 6th most common cancer, and is often attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). By proteomic approach, we determined that UFMylation plays an important role in HNSCC CSCs. Because of the necessity for innovative therapeutic strategies, we explore here the therapy targeting CSCs based on mithramycin and its inhibitory effect on Sp1 transcription factor, UFMylation, and CSCs survival and stemness.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and peripartum depression: a longitudinal study of a bidirectional relationship.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and peripartum depression (PPD) are increasing global health issues with potentially long-lasting adverse outcomes. While limited studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between GDM and PPD, most research has been cross-sectional and focused on one direction of the relationship, primarily if GDM predicts postpartum depression. The interplay between antenatal depression and GDM is less explored, with a critical lack of prospective bidirectional studies.

Evaluating academic detailing as an antibiotic stewardship intervention in primary healthcare settings in Croatia.

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are common in primary healthcare care settings and frequently result in antibiotic prescriptions, despite being primarily viral. There is scarcity of research examining impact of academic detailing (AD) intervention on prescribing practices for these infections in resource-constrained healthcare settings like southeastern Europe. Therefore aim of this study was to evaluate impact of AD intervention as an antimicrobial stewardship measure on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in primary setting in Croatia which is located in southeastern Europe.

Conformational change induced by binding of Mn ions activates SloR transcription factor in Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium commonly found in the human oral cavity, is considered the primary causative agent of dental caries. A key player in the pathophysiology of S. mutans is SloR, a 25-kDa metalloregulatory protein.

Competing Photocleavage on Boron and at the -Position in BODIPY Photocages.

BODIPY photocages (photocleavable protective groups) have stirred interest because they can release biologically active cargo upon visible light excitation. We conducted combined theoretical and experimental investigations on selected BODIPY photocages to elucidate the mechanism of the competing photocleavage at the boron and -position. Based on the computations, the former reaction involves elongation of the B-C bond, yielding a tight borenium cation and methyl anion.

European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa part 2: Treatment.

Introduction: This second part of the S2k guidelines is an update of the 2015 S1 European guidelines.

Objective: These guidelines aim to provide an accepted decision aid for the selection, implementation and assessment of appropriate and sufficient therapy for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS).

Methods: The chapters have been selected after a Delphi procedure among the experts/authors.

Can triad forestry reconcile Europe's biodiversity and forestry strategies? A critical evaluation of forest zoning.

Balancing increasing demand for wood products while also maintaining forest biodiversity is a paramount challenge. Europe's Biodiversity and Forest Strategies for 2030 attempt to address this challenge. Together, they call for strict protection of 10% of land area, including all primary and old growth forests, increasing use of ecological forestry, and less reliance on monocultural plantations.

Pulsed Field Ablation Using Focal Contact Force-Sensing Catheters for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: 1-Year Outcomes of the ECLIPSE AF Study.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a promising treatment for atrial fibrillation. We report 1-year freedom from atrial arrhythmia outcomes using monopolar PFA delivered through 3 commercial, contact force-sensing focal catheters.

Methods: ECLIPSE AF (NCT04523545) was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study evaluating acute and chronic safety and performance using the CENTAURI system to deliver focal PFA with TactiCath SE, StablePoint, and ThermoCool ST.

Key challenges of post-liver transplant weight management.

Liver transplantation serves as a life-saving intervention for patients with end-stage liver disease, yet long-term survival remains a challenge. Post-liver transplant obesity seems to have a significant contribution to this challenge and it emerges as a significant risk factor for graft steatosis, metabolic syndrome and de-novo malignancy development. This review synthesizes current literature on prevalence, risk factors and management strategies for post-liver transplant obesity, emphasizing its impact on graft and patient survival.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in adults after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination: a retrospective study in the metropolitan area of Zagreb, Croatia (2010-2022).

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a severe form of illness caused by with high morbidity and mortality rate in the general population, particularly in children <5 years of age, adults ≥65 years of age and the immunocompromised. As known, pneumococcal vaccination lowers the risk of IPD so the aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination has influenced the incidence and mortality of IPD in adults in Croatia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among adult patients (aged ≥18 years) hospitalized due to IPD in the metropolitan area of Zagreb from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2022.

Plasma transfusion in the intensive care unit.

Background: Current guidelines discourage prophylactic plasma use in non-bleeding patients. This study assesses global plasma transfusion practices in the intensive care unit (ICU) and their alignment with current guidelines.

Study Design And Methods: This was a sub-study of an international, prospective, observational cohort.

Effect of statins on arterial wall inflammation as assessed by 18F-FDG PET CT: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is largely mediated by inflammatory process. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs which also have anti-inflammatory effects. 18 fluorine radiolabeled fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is considered to be a good indicator of arterial wall inflammation.

Development of a tool to assess the compliance of cafeteria menus with the Mediterranean Diet.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns, and an excellent model of sustainability. Higher Education food services present an excellent scenario to encourage students healthy eating habits and modulate food choices. The purpose of this work was to develop an index to evaluate MD compliance with cafeteria menus.

Core outcome set of daily monitoring of gastrointestinal function in adult critically ill patients: a modified Delphi consensus process (COSMOGI).

Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in critically ill patients and associated with poor outcomes. There is a lack of standardised methods for daily monitoring of GI function. COSMOGI aimed to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) for daily monitoring of GI function to improve consistency and comparability in future studies in critically ill patients.

Pain, dietary habits and physical activity of children with developmental disabilities in Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Multiple studies have shown that children with developmental disabilities (CDD) often live with unrecognized and untreated pain, consume inadequate diet and have inadequate levels of physical activity. This study aimed to analyze pain, dietary habits and physical activity of CDD in Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia in March-April 2023 within the Erasmus+ SynergyEd project.

Right ventricular outflow tract doppler flow abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary embolism - case series and review.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most challenging diagnoses in emergency medicine, mainly because symptoms range from asymptomatic disease to sudden death. The role of echocardiography in the workup of suspected PE has been supportive and used primarily to assess the right ventricular (RV) size and function, which is important for risk stratification. Several echocardiographic parameters described in the literature lack the desired accuracy.

Epigenetics of oogenesis.

Epigenetic changes include all modifications affecting the expression of genes without changing the nucleotide sequence of the genome. Most studied epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, histone alterations and non-coding RNAs. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark, protecting the genome during gametogenesis and early embryo development.

The intrapelvic approach to the acetabulum.

The today well accepted intrapelvic approach for acetabular and pelvic ring injury fixation was first described by Hirvensalo and Lindahl in 1993 followed by a more detailed description by Cole and Bolhofner in 1994. Compared to the well-known ilioinguinal approach, described by Letournel, this approach allows an intrapelvic view to the medial acetabulum, while using the ilioinguinal approach a more superior, extrapelvic view, is dissected to the area of the acetabulum. Several names have been used to describe the new intrapelvic approach with increasing usage, mainly ilio-anterior approach, extended Pfannenstiel approach, Stoppa-approach, Rives-Stoppa approach, modified Stoppa approach and recently anterior intrapelvic approach.