Serum bicarbonate stability study at room temperature - influence of time to centrifugation and air exposure on bicarbonate measurement reported according to the CRESS checklist.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the stability of serum bicarbonate at room temperature, depending on time to centrifugation and air exposure.

Methods: Stability study was conducted in the laboratory of Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Croatia in January-February 2022. Nine samples from 10 volunteers were collected in clot activator gel tubes (Greiner Bio-One).

Verification of automatic analysers Roller 20PN and iSED for measuring erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Introduction: Automated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analysers are based on different methodology than Westergren method. It is questionable whether ESR values obtained from those analysers are comparable with determined values with Westergren method. The aim was verification of the precision, method comparison and accuracy of automated ESR analysers: Roller 20PN (Alifax S.

Coronal Restoration as a Predictor of Periapical Disease in Non-Endodontically Treated Teeth.

Objectives: To compare the frequency of apical periodontitis (AP) in non-endodontically treated teeth restored with full coverage crowns, amalgam and resin composite fillings, and to disclose the association of type and quality of coronal restoration with periapical disease.

Material And Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 597 subjects who attended the Dental Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia for the first time. Data were collected by means of a clinical and radiological survey.

Evaluation of the glycemic effect of methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis patients with metabolic syndrome: A pilot study.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a systemic immunosuppressant drug used for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Previous studies demonstrated a potential association between psoriasis and diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, eventuating into metabolic syndrome. This study aimed at exploring the glycemic effects of MTX in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.

Socio-economic and health status as a predictor of apical periodontitis in adult patients in Croatia.

Objective: A few studies focused on determinants of apical periodontitis other than technical or biological factors. This research aimed to investigate to what extent socio-economic and health status can predict apical periodontitis in adult patients.

Subjects And Methods: The cross-sectional study included 599 adult patients.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and choline acetyltransferase co-expression in rat spinal cord neurons after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in overproduction of reactive oxygen species leading to tissue oxidative stress which impacts the neuronal network in the spinal cord as well as glial cells. We investigated the expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in neurons and glial cells after occlusion of the abdominal aorta followed by IRI as well as the time-dependent expression of Nrf2 in the same cells. The experimental method of transient aortic occlusion was carried out on rats by cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta for 45 minutes.

Effect of timing of levothyroxine administration on the treatment of hypothyroidism: a three-period crossover randomized study.

Aim: Hypothyroidism is a common clinical problem that is successfully treated with hormone substitutes in the form of levothyroxine (LT4). LT4 is a drug with a narrow therapeutic index and is usually administered by strict rules, standardly at least half an hour before breakfast. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible effect of different timings of administration on thyroid function status and lipid profile.

The effect of various doses of infusion solutions on the endothelial glycocalyx layer in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is located on the luminal side of blood vessels and maintains vessel integrity. This study analysed how various dosages of infusion affected the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and potential glycocalyx damage in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We hypothesised that the liberal administration of Ringer's solution during the operation can cause iatrogenic hypervolemia with releasing of ANP and glycocalyx damage.

Influence of tobacco smoking on dental periapical condition in a sample of Croatian adults.

Background: Since current evidences support a negative influence of tobacco smoking on the periodontal bone, an increased prevalence or severity of periapical lesions would be expected among smokers. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the periapical status of endodontically treated and untreated teeth in current smokers and never-smokers.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 259 subjects, 108 current smokers and 151 never-smokers, presenting as new patients at the Dental Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Croatia.

Influence of a prolonged fasting and mild activity on routine laboratory tests.

Objectives: Despite the standardization of the phlebotomy procedure, blood analysis is occasionally requested after recommended hours with the excuse that the patient is still fasting. We aimed to examine the influence of prolonged fasting and mild physical activity on routine laboratory tests.

Design And Methods: The study was conducted on 30 volunteers (27 female) median age 40y (20-59).

Management and prognosis of primary cerebral melanocytic tumors. A case report and systematic review.

Primary melanocytic cerebral tumors form a spectrum of different lesions that range from benign to extremely malignant, such as an intracranial melanoma. This article points out some characteristics of primary melanocytic cerebral tumors and discusses their management and prognosis, based on a systematic literature review and a case of primary cerebral malignant melanoma.Because the biological characteristics of primary melanocytic cerebral tumors remain unclear, it appears that total surgical resection of the tumor followed by oncologic treatment is the mainstay of the management.

Salami publication: definitions and examples.

Salami publication or segmented publication is a distinct form of redundant publication which is usually characterized by similarity of hypothesis, methodology or results but not text similarity. These aspects of publications are not objectively detected by software applications and therefore present a serious threat to publication ethics. This article presents a practical approach for dealing with manuscripts suspected of salami publication during the submission process and after article publication in Biochemia Medica.

How do we handle self-plagiarism in submitted manuscripts?

Self-plagiarism is a controversial issue in scientific writing and presentation of research data. Unlike plagiarism, self-plagiarism is difficult to interpret as intellectual theft under the justification that one cannot steal from oneself. However, academics are concerned, as self-plagiarized papers mislead readers, do not contribute to science, and bring undeserved credit to authors.

Patchwork plagiarism--a jigsaw of stolen puzzle pieces.

Plagiarism remains at the top in terms of interest to the scientific community. In its many vicious forms, patchwork plagiarism is characterized by numerous unresolved issues and often passes "below the radar" of editors and reviewers. The problem of detecting the complexity of misconduct has been partially resolved by plagiarism detection software.

Validation of methods performance for routine biochemistry analytes at Cobas 6000 analyzer series module c501.

Introduction: Cobas 6000 (Roche, Germany) is biochemistry analyzer for spectrophotometric, immunoturbidimetric and ion-selective determination of biochemical analytes. Hereby we present analytical validation with emphasis on method performance judgment for routine operation.

Materials And Methods: Validation was made for 30 analytes (metabolites, enzymes, trace elements, specific proteins and electrolytes).

Zinc levels in human milk and umbilical cord blood.

Zinc levels were determined in human milk and umbilical cord blood samples collected in the Rijeka Clinical Hospital during the period from September 1995 to January 1996. The average concentrations of zinc were 4.98 +/- 2.