Infliximab-induced symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a rare, symmetrical skin eruption triggered by various medications, predominantly beta-lactam antibiotics. We report the case of a 69-year-old male with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis who developed SDRIFE following the seventh intravenous administration of infliximab. The patient presented with symmetrical, pruritic erythema in the cubital and popliteal fossae, groins, gluteal and retroauricular regions without systemic involvement.

Cathelicidin in Urinary Tract Diseases: Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential of an Evolutionary Conserved Antimicrobial Protein.

Despite being one of the most common infectious diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) still represent a challenge for clinicians to diagnose and treat, especially in the era of growing antibiotic resistance among uropathogenic bacteria. Recent studies investigating the pathophysiology of UTIs have discovered the prominent role of antimicrobial peptides in the urinary tract defense system. Cathelicidin is an evolutionary conserved antimicrobial peptide encoded by one single gene in humans.

Current Challenges in Pancreas and Islet Transplantation: A Scoping Review.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition characterized by the destruction of pancreatic β-cells, necessitating insulin therapy to prevent life-threatening complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite advancements in glucose monitoring and pharmacological treatments, managing this disease remains challenging, often leading to long-term complications and psychological burdens, including diabetes distress. Advanced treatment options, such as whole-pancreas transplantation and islet transplantation, aim to restore insulin production and improve glucose control in selected patients with diabetes.

Melanoma's New Frontier: Exploring the Latest Advances in Blood-Based Biomarkers for Melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the most malignant cancers, and the global incidence of cutaneous melanoma is increasing. While melanomas are highly prone to metastasize if diagnosed late, early detection and treatment significantly reduce the risk of mortality. Identifying patients at higher risk of metastasis, who might benefit from early adjuvant therapies, is particularly important, especially with the advent of new melanoma treatments.

Verification of automated review, release and reporting of results with assessment of the risk of harm for patients: the procedure algorithm proposal for clinical laboratories.

Objectives: Autoverification increases the efficiency of laboratories. Laboratories accredited according to ISO 15189:2022 need to validate their processes, including autoverification, and assess the associated risks to patient safety. The aim of this study was to propose a systematic verification algorithm for autoverification and to assess its potential risks.

Predicting Mortality in Severe Burns: A Comparison of Four Mortality Prediction Scores and the Role of Organizational Changes in the Croatian Burn Center.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of four burn prognostic scores-Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), Ryan, Belgium Outcome Burn Injury (BOBI), and revised Baux score (rBaux) in a Croatian burn center. A secondary aim was to compare patient outcomes before and after the organizational and protocol changes.

Methods: A retrospective study and comparison of four prediction scores was conducted over a nine-year period in burn patients with ≥20% total body surface area (TBSA) burned.

Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music.

: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. : This study employed a single-center observational cross-sectional design, with a sample size of 36 subjects recruited from a tertiary referral audiology center. Between 2023 and 2024, the study recruited subjects with normal hearing, baseline salivary cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels.

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.

Myocardial deposition of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead accelerates heart failure and alters UPRmt in humans.

In the myocardium of control subjects and patients undergoing heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD), we analyzed concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Ni using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Myocardial generation of oxidative-stress-induced lipid peroxidation was analyzed by quantifying concentration of 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) with ELISA and pro-apoptotic DAPK2 gene expression was determined with quantitative RT-PCR. Compared to six control hearts, myocardial samples of 128 individuals undergoing heart transplantation or LVAD implantation exhibited a moderate increase in deposition of five tested non-essential elements, which was significantly increased only for Cd and cumulative deposition of Al, As, Cd, and Pb.

Understanding the Impact of Obesity and Parental Blood Pressure in Identifying Optimal Hypertension Screening Group in Youth.

Background The rising incidence of hypertension (HTN) in pediatric patients imposes the need for its timely recognition by finding the optimal screening population. The goal of our study was to explore the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) parameters in selected groups of obese children and adolescents with different obesity levels and quantify the impact of parental hypertension (PH) on their blood pressure (BP) values. Methods This retrospective study included 176 obese Caucasian patients, 94 (53.

The determination of endogenous steroids in hair and fur: A systematic review of methodologies.

Background: Endogenous steroid hormone assessment is essential for clinical practice. These hormones are typically measured in blood. More recently, measurement of steroids in hair samples has been gaining in popularity, so we have reviewed the methodologies used for this to-date.

PREVALENCE, Characteristics, and Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Croatia: The EH-UH 2 Study.

. National surveys have reported variable prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), due to differences in the characteristics of the population, study design, equations used for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and definitions. The EH-UH 2 survey is the first study evaluating CKD prevalence, characteristics, and awareness in Croatia.

Ascorbic acid and glucose can cause significant interference on quantitative measurement of biochemistry analytes in urine.

Background And Aims: Preanalytical errors due to interferences can lead to inaccurate results, necessitating an understanding of potential interferences for each test. This study explores the impact of elevated concentrations of ascorbic acid and glucose on urine analysis, a pivotal diagnostic tool.

Methods: Conducted at the Clinical Institute of Chemistry, KBC Sestre milosrdnice, the research utilized a 24-hour urine sample.

Herpes Simplex Keratitis Following Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus: A One-Year Case Series Follow-Up.

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is a medical procedure used to treat keratoconus. CXL works by strengthening the collagen fibers of the cornea through the application of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet (UV) light, which helps to stabilize the cornea and prevent further deterioration. There is a recognized risk that CXL can trigger the reactivation of dormant herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to herpetic keratitis even in patients with no history of herpetic disease.

Transient clitoromegaly in an extremely preterm twin infant with popliteal pterygium.

Clitoromegaly can be congenital or acquired, and it is usually associated with exposure to androgen excess. Pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for transient clitoromegaly in premature female infants have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we present the case of an extremely premature female twin infant, with an extensive web of skin on the back of the left leg, hypoplastic left labia majora, and normal clitoris appearance at birth.

Glucose inhibitor tubes in Croatian laboratories: are we doing well?

Introduction: Reliable and accurate measurement of blood glucose concentration is of crucial importance for making clinical decisions in diagnosis diabetes, gestational diabetes and impaired fasting glucose tolerance.

Materials And Methods: Survey was performed in form of questionnaire. Questionnaire was sent to all Croatian laboratories (N = 204) in electronic form using SurveyMonkey cloud-based software (SurveyMonkey, Inc.

CCL20 chemokine and other proinflammatory markers after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination.

Introduction: In highly stressed circumstances, such as COVID-19 pandemic, biomarkers of the vaccine-induced immunity could be especially convenient. The main aim of our study was to determine C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20) concentration after Ad26.COV2.

Enhancing postoperative analgesia in carotid endarterectomy patients: The potential of ultrasound-guided carotid sheath block combined with superficial cervical plexus block: A randomised trial.

Background And Aims: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a common procedure conducted under regional anaesthesia, providing real-time cerebral function monitoring. Many different combinations of regional cervical blocks exist, and most offer adequate analgesia in intraoperative and postoperative recovery. This research compares a superficial cervical plexus block (SCB) alone and combined with an ultrasound (US)-guided carotid sheath block (CSB).