The Loss-of-Function ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 Polymorphism ABCG2 c.421C>A Reduces Lamotrigine Trough Concentrations in Adults with Epilepsy.

Background And Objectives: The commonly used antiseizure medication lamotrigine is a substrate to ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) transporter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the common loss-of-function polymorphism ABCG2 c.421C>A (rs2231142) on the lamotrigine trough concentrations at steady state in adults with epilepsy.

Implementing verifiable oncological imaging by quality assurance and optimization (i‑Violin) : Protocol for a European multicenter study.

Background: Advanced imaging techniques play a pivotal role in oncology. A large variety of computed tomography (CT) scanners, scan protocols, and acquisition techniques have led to a wide range in image quality and radiation exposure. This study aims at implementing verifiable oncological imaging by quality assurance and optimization (i-Violin) through harmonizing image quality and radiation dose across Europe.

Radiographic predictors of peritumoral brain edema in intracranial meningiomas: a review of current controversies and illustrative cases.

Meningiomas are among the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system. In the past several decades, many researchers have emphasized the importance of radiographic findings and their possible role in predicting the various aspects of the meningioma biology. One of the factors most commonly analyzed with respect to the lesions' clinical behavior is peritumoral brain edema (PTBE), not only one of the most common signs associated with meningiomas, but also a significant clinical problem.

Accounting for Red Cell Distribution Width Improves Risk Stratification by Commonly Used Mortality/Deterioration Risk Scores in Adult Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19.

Higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) levels have gained attention in the prognostication of many chronic metabolic and malignant diseases, as well as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate whether accounting for RDW might contribute to risk stratification when added to commonly used risk scoring systems in adult COVID-19 patients. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 3212 non-critical COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a tertiary-level institution from March 2020 to June 2021.

The Association between Resistance and Virulence of in High-Risk Clonal Lineages ST86 and ST101.

is an opportunistic pathogen known for two main pathotypes: classical (cKp), often multidrug-resistant and common in hospitals, and hypervirulent (hvKp), associated with severe community-acquired infections. The recent emergence of strains combining hypervirulence and resistance is alarming. This study investigates the distribution of sequence types (STs), resistance, and virulence factors in strains causing bloodstream and urinary tract infections in Croatia.

Abbreviated Breast MRI as a Supplement to Mammography in Family Risk History of Breast Cancer within the Croatian National Breast Screening Program.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of abbreviated breast MRI compared with mammography in women with a family history of breast cancer included in the Croatian National Breast Screening Program.

Methods: 178 women with a family history of breast cancer aged 50 to 69 underwent abbreviated breast MRI and mammography. Radiological findings for each method were categorized according to the BI-RADS classification.

Hepatocellular Cancer Surveillance in Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease.

Background: Patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) are at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, biannual surveillance is recommended. This large-scale multicenter study aimed to stratify the risk of HCC development in ACLD.

A Comparative Study of the Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Predicting Odontogenic Abscesses Severity: A Novel Approach to Assessing Immunoinflammatory Response.

Odontogenic abscesses are a common cause of emergency visits to oral and maxillofacial surgery departments and can lead to life-threatening complications if they are not recognized and treated promptly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) in comparison to other systemic inflammatory indices, including the Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII), the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and the Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), in predicting the severity of odontogenic abscesses. This retrospective study included 221 patients hospitalized for odontogenic abscesses at Dubrava University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023.

Computed tomography referral guidelines adherence in Europe: insights from a seven-country audit.

Background: Ensuring appropriate computed tomography (CT) utilization optimizes patient care while minimizing radiation exposure. Decision support tools show promise for standardizing appropriateness.

Objectives: In the current study, we aimed to assess CT appropriateness rates using the European Society of Radiology (ESR) iGuide criteria across seven European countries.

Proteomic exploration of potential blood biomarkers in haemophilic arthropathy.

Background And Aims: The pathophysiology of haemophilic arthropathy (HA) is complex and largely undefined. Proteomic analyses provide insights into the intricate mechanisms of the HA.Our study aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins in relation to the severity of HA, explore their pathophysiological roles, and evaluate their potential as HA biomarkers.

Cyberchondria, Health Literacy, and Perception of Risk in Croatian Patients with Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV-A Cross-Sectional Study.

The perception of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a well-researched phenomenon, but not in relation to cyberchondria and health literacy. Therefore, our aim was to examine the association between the assessment of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, cyberchondria, and health literacy. : This study was conducted in 2020-2021 in Croatia.

VCd versus VRd in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Matched Real-World Analysis from the Balkan Myeloma Study Group (BMSG).

Background: Bortezomib, dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide (VCd) remains a popular regimen, due to its activity and low toxicity, while bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) is widely used in US and Europe; both are combined with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies but VCd and VRd have not been compared directly in adequately powered prospective trials.

Aim: We compared the outcomes of 1216 patients treated with VCd (N = 690) or VRd (N = 526) in a real-world setting.

Results: Patients treated with VCd had more often severe renal dysfunction, ISS-3 disease, hypercalcemia, elevated LDH, anemia, thrombocytopenia, poor performance while VRd-treated were older and received less often autologous transplant but more frequently maintenance but the duration of induction was similar.