The Predictive Role of Procalcitonin On the Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Infections.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the algorithm of procalcitonin (PCT) and its role on the duration of antibiotics prescription for intra-abdominal infections.

Materials And Methods: This study is a prospective controlled study that is conducted in groups of 50 hospitalised patients and 50 controlled group patients.

Results: The results indicated that the average duration of antibiotic delivery to the PCT group was -10.

Immunoproteomic identification of antigenic candidate Campylobacter jejuni and human peripheral nerve proteins involved in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Immunoproteomics is become a potent methodology used for identifying immunoreactive proteins. In this study, an immunoproteomic approach based on 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and immunoblotting combined with high resolution mass spectrometry (MS) was used to identify immunoreactive proteins that might be involved in mechanisms of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) development, regardless of their potential reciprocal molecular mimicry. Proteins isolated from C.

Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence of Patients in Kosovo.

Setting: The poor patient adherence in tuberculosis (TB) treatment is considered to be one of the most serious challenges which reflect the decrease of treatment success and emerging of the Multidrug Resistance-TB (MDR-TB). To our knowledge, the data about patients' adherence to anti-TB treatment in our country are missing.

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the anti-TB treatment adherence rate and to identify factors related to eventual nonadherence among Kosovo TB patients.

Monoamine Oxidase A Gene Methylation and Its Role in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: First Evidence from the South Eastern Europe (SEE)-PTSD Study.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is characterized by an overactive noradrenergic system conferring core posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms such as hyperarousal and reexperiencing. Monoamine oxidase A is one of the key enzymes mediating the turnover of noradrenaline. Here, DNA methylation of the monoamine oxidase A gene exonI/intronI region was investigated for the first time regarding its role in posttraumatic stress disorder risk and severity.

Influence of Gender and Age on Average Dimensions of Arteries Forming the Circle of Willis Study by Magnetic Resonance Angiography on Kosovo's Population.

Background: Circulus arteriosus cerebri is the main source of blood supply to the brain; it connects the left and right hemispheres with anterior and posterior parts. Located at the interpenducular fossa at the base of the brain the circle of Willis is the most important source of collateral circulation in the presence of the disease in the carotid or vertebral artery.

Aim: The purpose of the research is to study the diameter and length of arteries and provide an important source of reference on Kosovo's population.

The gastrointestinal-brain axis in humans as an evolutionary advance of the root-leaf axis in plants: A hypothesis linking quantum effects of light on serotonin and auxin.

Living organisms tend to find viable strategies under ambient conditions that optimize their search for, and utilization of, life-sustaining resources. For plants, a leading role in this process is performed by auxin, a plant hormone that drives morphological development, dynamics, and movement to optimize the absorption of light (through branches and leaves) and chemical “food” (through roots). Similarly to auxin in plants, serotonin seems to play an important role in higher animals, especially humans.

Infection prevention and control practice for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever-A multi-center cross-sectional survey in Eurasia.

Background: Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life threatening acute viral infection that presents significant risk of nosocomial transmission to healthcare workers.

Aim: Evaluation of CCHF infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices in healthcare facilities that routinely manage CCHF cases in Eurasia.

Methods: A cross-sectional CCHF IP&C survey was designed and distributed to CCHF centers in 10 endemic Eurasian countries in 2016.

The impact of socio-cultural factors on transmission of Taenia spp. and Echinococcus granulosus in Kosovo.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu latu (s.l.) and Taenia hydatigena are common parasites of ruminant intermediate hosts in the Balkans.

The impact of bilateral vagotomy on the physostigmine-induced airway constriction in ferrets.

Vagal innervations have a great role in the respiratory function and are the main route of signal transmission from respiratory neural centers into the trachea and others conducting airways. We have investigated the role of central mechanisms related to vagal neural pathways and the cholinergic outflow in tracheobronchial smooth muscle tone and lung mechanics parameters. Parameters of lung mechanics such as lung resistance (RL), dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and pressure in bypassed tracheal segment (Ptseg) were measured before and after vagotomy and asphyxia test.

Lightness, chroma, and hue distributions in natural teeth measured by a spectrophotometer.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the distribution of color parameters, lightness (L*), chroma (C), hue (H), a* and b*, in the intercanine sector in maxilla.

Material And Methods: Patients' tooth color measurements were performed using an intraoral spectrophotometer VITA Easyshade (VITA Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH and Co.

Traditional food uses of wild plants among the Gorani of South Kosovo.

A food ethnobotanical field study was conducted among the Gorani of South Kosovo, a small ethnic minority group that speaks a South-Slavic language and lives in the south of the country. We conducted forty-one semi-structured interviews in ten villages of the Kosovar Gora mountainous area and found that seventy-nine wild botanical and mycological taxa represent the complex mosaic of the food cultural heritage in this population. A large portion of the wild food plant reports refer to fermented wild fruit-based beverages and herbal teas, while the role of wild vegetables is restricted.

From Pre-Existing Renal Failure to Perioperative Renal Protection: The Anesthesiologist's Dilemmas.

Context: Pre-existing renal dysfunction presents specific features that anesthesiologists must deal with. Anesthesia and renal function are connected and can interfere with each other. Induced hypotension anesthesia and the toxic effects of anesthetic drugs can further deteriorate renal function.

Essential Oil Composition of Pinus peuce Griseb. Needles and Twigs from Two National Parks of Kosovo.

The principal aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and qualitative and quantitative variability of essential oils obtained from seven naturally grown populations of the Pinus peuce Grisebach, Pinaceae in Kosovo. Plant materials were collected from three populations in the Sharri National Park and from four other populations in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, in Kosovo. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry).

Radon in soil gas in Kosovo.

An assessment of the radiological situation due to exposure to radon and gamma emitting radionuclides was conducted in southern Kosovo. This study deals with sources of radon in soil gas. A long-term study of radon concentrations in the soil gas was carried out using the SSNTDs (CR-39) at 21 different locations in the Sharr-Korabi zone.

Effects of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin, Alone or in Combination, on Lipoprotein (a).

Background: There are little evidences about the therapeutic efficacy of different lipid-lowering agents in the reduction of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)].

Objective: testing the effect of different lipid-lowering agents on elevated Lp(a).

Methods: prospective interventional study performed in patients with CAD, or high CAD risk, with Lp(a), >50 mg/dL.

Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of Pistacia terebinthus essential oils derived from wild populations in Kosovo.

Background: Plant material from different organs of Pistacia terebinthus L., (Anacardiaceae) were collected in Kosovo with aim to analyze the chemical variability of the essential oils among native populations and to test them for potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods: Essential oils obtained from leaves, pedicels, fruits and galls were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS.

Drusus sharrensis sp. n. (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae), a new species from Sharr National Park in Kosovo, with molecular and ecological notes.

In this paper we describe Drusus sharrensis sp. n., from the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo.

Spatial distribution of lead in soils of Pb-Zn mining and smelting area of the Mitrovica Region, Republic of Kosovo.

An area of 301 km(2) in the Mitrovica region, Republic of Kosovo, was selected in order to evaluate the lead distribution in the soil. In total, 156 surface soil samples (0 to 5 cm) were collected. The lead content was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of the SLCO1B1 gene in selected populations of the western balkans.

As a membrane influx transporter, organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) regulates the cellular uptake of a number of endogenous compounds and drugs. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene encoding this transporter in two ethnic groups populating the Western Balkans. The distribution of SCLO1B1 alleles was determined at seven variant sites (c.

New records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna with the description of a new species, Drusus dardanicus sp. nov. (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae).

The Balkan Peninsula is one of the most important European hotspots of freshwater biodiversity. The region is, however, to a large extent insufficiently investigated. Here we present data on distribution of caddisflies in one particularly understudied area, the Republic of Kosovo.

Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS): new insights in the molecular mimicry between C. jejuni and human peripheral nerve (HPN) proteins.

Profile and immunoreactivity of proteins from HPN tissue, and from Campylobacter jejuni (O:19) were investigated. Proteins were extracted, separated by SDS-PAGE, their cross reactivity monitored by Western blotting, and identified by nHPLC-nESI-HRMS analysis. Proteins from C.

Chemical Composition of Juniperus communis L. Cone Essential Oil and Its Variability among Wild Populations in Kosovo.

Ripe cones of Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) were collected from five wild populations in Kosovo, with the aim of investigating the chemical composition and natural variation of essential oils between and within wild populations. Ripe cones were collected, air dried, crushed, and the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation.

Surveillance of antibiotic and analgesic use in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo.

Background: Because Kosovo has no reliable information on antimicrobial and analgesic use in dental practice, the survey reported here evaluated the antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo (UDCCK).

Methods: The data of 2,442 registered patients for a 1-year period were screened and analyzed concerning antibiotic and analgesic use as per standards of rational prescription.

Results: Dentistry doctors prescribed antibiotics significantly more often than analgesics.

A century of oil and gas exploration in Albania: assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs).

The Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) that are potentially generated from oil and gas extractions in Albania have been disposed of without regulations for many decades, and therefore, an extensive survey in one of the most productive regions (Vlora-Elbasan) was performed. A total of 52 gamma ray spectrometry measurements of soil, oil-sand, sludge, produced water and crude oil samples were performed. We discovered that relatively low activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th and (40)K, with concentrations of 23±2Bq/kg, 23±2Bq/kg, 24±3Bq/kg and 549±12Bq/kg, respectively, came from the oil-sands produced by the hydrocarbon extraction of the molasses formations.

The McDonald exponentiated gamma distribution and its statistical properties.

Unlabelled: In this paper, we propose a five-parameter lifetime model called the McDonald exponentiated gamma distribution to extend beta exponentiated gamma, Kumaraswamy exponentiated gamma and exponentiated gamma, among several other models. We provide a comprehensive mathematical treatment of this distribution. We derive the moment generating function and the rth moment.