Helmy NM, El-Shenawy R, Abdelhafez TH
… +6 more, Tabll AA, Petrović A, Horvatić E, Smolić M, Gjoni D, Smolić R
Acta Clin Croat
· 2025 Mar · PMID 41340792
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Evaluation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in cell culture is important for development of new antiviral agents and for understanding the viral life cycle, as well as the correlation among the genotypes spreading wo...Evaluation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in cell culture is important for development of new antiviral agents and for understanding the viral life cycle, as well as the correlation among the genotypes spreading worldwide. Development of HCV cell culture systems offers great advantage by enabling growth of the virus in cell culture, allowing for discovery of potential therapeutics and vaccines. The aim of this study was to introduce the steps of HCV infection in the cell culture system as a determinant for the competence of more potent antiviral compounds. Two plasmids, JFH1 (genotype 2a) full length and 4a (ED43/C-NS2/NS5A) were subjected to transcription for HCV RNA synthesis followed by transfection of Huh7.5 with the resulting RNA from each genotype processed to generate the virus. Later, Huh7.5 cells infected with the replicated virus resulted in the generated HCV infected cells. Immunostaining of the infected cells showed fluorescence of green color, indicating positive infection of both genotypes 2a and 4a. In addition, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure viral load from extracted cells previously infected with the RNAs of genotypes 2 and 4, which resulted in 32,500 and 107,375 copies/mL, respectively. In conclusion, introduction of HCV cell culture system is a convenient method to evaluate active antiviral drugs against HCV genotypes 2a and 4a using both qualitative and quantitative techniques in distinguishing the effectiveness of antiviral agents.
Kovačević J, Musil V, Sović S
… +2 more, Zombori D, Jureša V
Acta Clin Croat
· 2025 Mar · PMID 41340791
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A mammography response rate exceeding 70% is one of the parameters for monitoring the success of a national breast cancer screening program (BCS). The aim was to explore the potential for improving the response rate in t...A mammography response rate exceeding 70% is one of the parameters for monitoring the success of a national breast cancer screening program (BCS). The aim was to explore the potential for improving the response rate in the BCS in Croatia, based on the accuracy of the invitation database and availability of mammography services. In this cross-sectional study, data from the fifth and sixth implementation cycles were collected through a questionnaire from the BCS county coordinators (N=21). The quality of the invitation database and the number of available mammography appointments were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. Seventeen percent of women were not available at the address listed in the database and could not be invited for mammography, with variations observed across counties ranging from 31% (Lika-Senj County) to 7% (Krapina-Zagorje County). Only eight counties had a sufficient number of mammography appointments for initial and repeat invitations. With a higher estimate of unavailable women by counties at the end of the fifth cycle, the response rate at the end of the cycle was lower (=-0.51, p=0.018). In conclusion, participation in the BCS could be increased with a more accurate invitation database, thereby freeing up additional mammography appointments for both initial and repeat invitations.
Jelić I, Novak R, Hrkač S
… +3 more, Salai G, Močibob M, Grgurević L
Acta Clin Croat
· 2025 Mar · PMID 41340790
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Orthodontic tooth movement relies on the application of force that drives bone resorption and formation. As saliva reflects these processes and harbors proteins of diagnostic and prognostic value, we studied these change...Orthodontic tooth movement relies on the application of force that drives bone resorption and formation. As saliva reflects these processes and harbors proteins of diagnostic and prognostic value, we studied these changes in patients with malocclusion. This study sampled the proteomes and evaluated the intensity of experienced pain related to the apparatus placement in ten male patients with malocclusion on day 0, 30 and 60 of orthodontic therapy. A prospective shotgun proteomic pilot study identified 947 proteins, and demonstrated a shift in the salivary proteome during orthodontic therapy. Gene enrichment analysis revealed hemostasis, but also platelet activation, signaling, aggregation and degranulation as prominent processes occurring 30 days post appliance placement, while proteins related to antimicrobial resistance were detected throughout the observed tooth movement period. Our research indicated an increased expression of proteins related to the immune and protective response to foreign bodies and pathogens, cellular and tissue injury, and biomechanical stimuli associated to bone remodeling. While a direct linkage between the alteration of the proteomic profile and the direction of painful perception was not identified, all results suggest a well-coordinated yet complex occurrence involving a multitude of biologically active signaling pathways and molecules.
Bulat V, Šitum M, Filipović N
… +2 more, Delaš Aždajić M, Crnarić I
Acta Clin Croat
· 2025 Mar · PMID 41340789
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The COVID-19 pandemic has put a tremendous burden on the medical community and brought a great number of accompanying issues, as well as other closely associated diseases. The response to this public health and medical c...The COVID-19 pandemic has put a tremendous burden on the medical community and brought a great number of accompanying issues, as well as other closely associated diseases. The response to this public health and medical challenge was outstanding. However, dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and various issues brought on by the earthquake was successfully facilitated by the use of teledermatology. This innovative technology enabled dermatovenereologists to stay in continuous touch with their patients and provide much needed care and assistance in difficult circumstances caused by several crises.
Aćimović M, Šantric V, Prijović N
… +6 more, Babić U, Stanković B, Petrović M, Milosavljević M, Božović K, Hadži-Đokić J
Acta Clin Croat
· 2025 Mar · PMID 41340788
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Urethral stricture is a complex disease with an etiology that remains insufficiently studied. The frequency of etiological factors associated with urethral stricture has undergone significant changes in recent decades, c...Urethral stricture is a complex disease with an etiology that remains insufficiently studied. The frequency of etiological factors associated with urethral stricture has undergone significant changes in recent decades, considering geographical factors, socioeconomic characteristics of the population, and the different etiological factors present in developed and developing countries. We retrospectively collected data from 146 patients who underwent urethroplasty for urethral stricture between 2009 and 2019 at the University Clinical Center of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia). The patients with urethral stricture were divided into several groups based on their age and the localization of the stricture. Eleven causes of urethral stricture were identified. Urethral catheterization was the leading cause of strictures, regardless of age, accounting for 48.6% of all patients (p<0.001). The most common localization was the penile urethra, accounting for 41.8% of patients (p<0.001), whereas posterior strictures were observed in only 5 patients (3.4%). Considering etiology, iatrogenic (catheterization) and idiopathic urethral stenosis are the predominant factors. Careful urethral manipulation during catheterization is crucial, as it contributes to the prevention of the most common etiological factor of urethral stricture.
Smajlbegović V, Ramić S, Kirac I
… +3 more, Solak Mekić M, Ćurt L, Vrdoljak DV
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41099068
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Our study aimed to analyze the correlation of cancer-related parameters with tumor regression grade (TRG) and disease-free survival (DFS) by gender in 192 rectal cancer patients operated on after neoadjuvant long-course...Our study aimed to analyze the correlation of cancer-related parameters with tumor regression grade (TRG) and disease-free survival (DFS) by gender in 192 rectal cancer patients operated on after neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT). Preoperative diagnostics revealed no significant gender differences in any clinical parameters other than obesity (p=0.031). We found that slightly overweight men had a lower incidence of distant metastases (p=0.042). The post-LCCRT pathologic finding showed that women had more positive lymph nodes (ypN, p=0.002) while no other pathologic parameter differed significantly between the genders. Overall, a poor response to therapy correlated with a shorter time to disease progression (p=0.002). Women achieved ypN0 in 50% of cases, but only 27% had a good TRG compared to 40.5% of men (p=0.073). Women had a worse DFS than men, even when complete response to therapy was achieved (p=0.003), and greater depth of residual tumor invasion (ypT, p=0.035) and higher ypN (p=0.002) correlated with shorter DFS. Positive resection margins (p<0.001), higher ypN stage (p=0.003), and poor TRG (p=0.025) correlated with shorter DFS in men. We conclude that women have a poorer response to LCCRT with the possibility that therapeutic approach to the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer may be gender-specific.
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050262
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Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition caused by impaired lymphatic transport, leading to edema in the lower and/or upper extremities, depending on the underlying cause. The diagnosis is based on clinical examina...Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition caused by impaired lymphatic transport, leading to edema in the lower and/or upper extremities, depending on the underlying cause. The diagnosis is based on clinical examination, ultrasound findings, and imaging tests. Treatment is mostly conservative, usually long-term, and often yielding unsatisfactory results. Recently, surgical options have also become available. Lymphoscintigraphy, a non-invasive and simple nuclear medicine imaging technique, is considered the method of choice in diagnostic workup. It consists of intracutaneous or subcutaneous application of colloidal particles labelled with radioactive technetium-99m and two-dimensional or three-dimensional gamma camera imaging. Lymphoscintigraphy helps differentiate lymphedema from edema of another origin, assess disease severity, and evaluate surgery outcome. However, the procedure is not fully standardized, especially in terms of semiquantitative methods, which are additionally used in disease staging; however, their implementation varies depending on local experience and expertise.
Hajdarević A, Piljić D, Šabanović F
… +4 more, Piljić D, Babić F, Beganović A, Kšela J
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050261
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The aim of this research was to examine the rheological parameters of carotid arteries and the frequency of abnormal values in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The sample c...The aim of this research was to examine the rheological parameters of carotid arteries and the frequency of abnormal values in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The sample consisted of 90 subjects and was divided into two equal groups. The first group consisted of patients with MetS but without DM, while the second group had both MetS and DM. We used the values of the peak systolic velocity (PSV) as a reference for pathology. The results showed pathological values of PSV in the right internal carotid artery (ICA) in twelve patients in the MetS + DM group. The study found that the incidence of pathological rheological parameters was higher in subjects with MetS + DM as compared to those with only MetS. Subjects with MetS + DM had higher values of maximum acceleration during systole in various carotid arteries. A subject with MetS + DM also showed total flow obstruction in the left and internal carotid artery (ICA) and a severe narrowing of the right ICA, indicating the presence of carotid artery disease. The study also found that nearly two-thirds of subjects with MetS + DM had pathological values of PSV in the right ICA and slightly fewer in the left ICA. Research on French populations has shown similar results. Eleven patients had pathological values in the left ICA. The frequency of the carotid rheological parameters' abnormalities was significantly higher in the MetS with DM patient group. The frequency of abnormalities in the rheological parameters of carotid circulation was significantly higher in patients with MetS and DM (as compared to non-diabetic patients). In our study, pathological changes were generally more susceptible to ICA. This indicates the importance of screening the rheological parameters of subjects with MetS for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.
Knezović I, Djurić S, Vrkić N
… +2 more, Parać A, Jovanović N
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050260
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The aim was to compare corneal densitometry, haze development, visual and refractive results after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed with different epithelial removal techniques. This study included 42 patients...The aim was to compare corneal densitometry, haze development, visual and refractive results after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed with different epithelial removal techniques. This study included 42 patients (84 eyes) who underwent PRK with one eye de-epithelialized with 20% ethanol solution (PRK-a group) and another one with rotating brush (PRK-b group). The procedures were performed by the same surgeon on the same laser platform after comprehensive preoperative assessment. Follow up examinations of the patients were scheduled on postoperative day 4, then 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Faster recovery of visual acuity was achieved in the PRK-b group during 12-month postoperative period but differences were statistically nonsignificant. Haze was significantly less present in the brush group measured 12 months after surgery. Also, eyes in the PRK-b group returned close to its basal corneal densitometry values faster than those that underwent PRK-a. Short-term visual recovery occurred faster in the PRK-b group. Less haze development and better corneal transparency were achieved in the PRK-b group throughout the 12-month follow-up period. However, both procedures showed great results and patient satisfaction was high regardless of the de-epithelialization method.
Kovačević P, Gusar I, Ljubičić M
… +8 more, Samardžić N, Caktaš D, Lovrić M, Lauš K, Pantalon P, Pantalon J, Gusar AM, Vukojević K
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050259
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The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of medical students in relation to COVID-19 according to different medical schools and duration of studies. A validated questio...The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of medical students in relation to COVID-19 according to different medical schools and duration of studies. A validated questionnaire was administered to 192 medical students at two universities in Croatia and one from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fisher-Freeman-Halton and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences among study groups. The association of variables was tested with a linear regression model. A negative correlation was found between adherence to measures and attitudes (ß=-0.36; p<0.001). Studying at the University of Zagreb was positively associated with students' knowledge about COVID-19 (ß=0.24; p=0.033) but negatively with students' attitudes (ß= 0.26; p=0.013). Compared to the last study year students, second-year students had lower knowledge (ß=-0.28; p=0.040) and statistically nonsignificant negative attitudes (ß=-0.24; p=0.055). Fifth-year students had more negative attitudes (ß=-0.24; p=0.008) compared to sixth-year students. The association between knowledge and attitudes was weak and statistically borderline nonsignificant (ß=0.14; p=0.056). The lack of association between knowledge and attitudes requires additional research to identify the potential factors that favor the formation of attitudes toward appropriate protection against COVID-19.
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050258
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The aim of this paper is to present data on hospitalized patients in Zagreb clinics and hospitals, from 2007 to 2021. This paper is a continuation of our previous paper, but for a different time period. All data were col...The aim of this paper is to present data on hospitalized patients in Zagreb clinics and hospitals, from 2007 to 2021. This paper is a continuation of our previous paper, but for a different time period. All data were collected from the official patient registry of the Zagreb Antirabies Clinic, which operates within the Reference Center for Rabies at Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health. During this period, there were 9960 patients examined for injuries inflicted by animals, of which 98 (0.98%) were hospitalized in different departments and hospitals in Zagreb due to wound severity. All the hospitalized patients were examined to exclude the possible risk of rabies. The official patient registry of the Zagreb Antirabies Clinic is the source of the presented data, which were collected and analyzed retrospectively. We conducted a descriptive analysis. The ages of the hospitalized patients ranged from 17 days to 82 years, 55 (56.12%) were adults, and 43 (43.88%) were children; among the adults, there were 29 (29.59%) men and 26 (26.53%) women, while among the children there were 25 (25.51%) boys and 18 (18.37%) girls. The most common causes of hospitalization after an animal bite were infectious diseases (cat-scratch disease, rat-bite fever) and severity of wounds, which is comparable to the data available from other countries. There is no statistically significant difference in the frequency of hospitalization between children and adults, while dogs are statistically significantly more likely to inflict injuries that result in hospitalization than other animals. However, no specific anatomical location exhibited a statistically significant higher frequency of bites compared to others, as one might expect.
Vasilj-Mihaljević M, Mihaljević I, Bekić S
… +5 more, Zubčić Ž, Vasilj A, Daus-Šebeđak D, Škrlec I, Talapko J
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050257
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This study aimed to determine the relationship between the concentration of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in patients...This study aimed to determine the relationship between the concentration of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. This cross-sectional study included 144 patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis whose mean age was 46±15 years at the time of diagnosis. According to their TSH concentration, the patients were either euthyroid or hypothyroid. After 59 patients were excluded due to TSH levels below the reference range, no TPO-Ab findings, substitution therapy, immune hyperthyroidism, or TPO-Ab and TSH levels outside the reso- lution limits of the laboratory tests, 85 patients remained in the study. A positive correlation was found between TPO-Ab and TSH concentration within the euthyroid and hypothyroid range and a negative correlation between TPO-Ab and FT4 concentration. The result suggests that the TSH and TPO-Ab concentration could be used to identify individuals at risk for the development of hypothyroidism in the general population.
Prpić A, Ferček I, Kasa K
… +7 more, Kasumović A, Matoc I, Guarro IG, Vukić V, Novak-Lauš K, Sabol I, Vatavuk Z
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050256
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The aim was to examine peripapillary and macular superficial vessel density, peripapillary thickness of the nerve fiber layer, and inner thickness of the macula in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoe...The aim was to examine peripapillary and macular superficial vessel density, peripapillary thickness of the nerve fiber layer, and inner thickness of the macula in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) depending on the visual field impairment. A total of 50 eyes were diagnosed as POAG and 50 as PXG. Both groups were divided into 3 subgroups according to HAP2 criteria of visual field impairment. All eyes underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, superficial macular vessel density (SMVD), and macular thickness between the inner limiting membrane and inner plexiform layer (ILM-IPL) were compared. The overall mean measured values did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. All measured parameters were statistically significantly lower with more extensive visual field damage within the group. The strongest positive correlation was found between the pRNFL thickness and RPC density values (p=0.893), and strongest negative correlation between the mean defect of visual field and ILM-IPL (p=-0.824). No statistically significant difference was found between POAG and PXG in all values measured on OCT-A. In conclusion, visual field loss is more strongly correlated with the loss of nerve fiber layer thickness than the superficial vessel density, which may suggest that the loss of RNFL precedes the loss of superficial vessel density.
Lijović L, Jaman J, Mudrovčić Y
… +5 more, Ivanković D, Jelić K, Videc Penavić L, Radočaj T, Silovski H
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050255
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Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) cause more deaths in the European Union than all other infectious diseases. Hand hygiene (HH) has been considered the most important means of preventing HAIs but HH compliance is ge...Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) cause more deaths in the European Union than all other infectious diseases. Hand hygiene (HH) has been considered the most important means of preventing HAIs but HH compliance is generally less than 50%. One of the five steps that the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines identify to be specifically implemented are poster reminders. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance with HH by healthcare workers before and after an intervention on standardized WHO HH poster reminders. An observational one-month study was conducted in a university hospital center surgical intensive care unit. HH compliance was measured through direct observation using WHO observation tool. Intervention was done on day 15 by replacement of standard WHO posters with posters containing a message aimed to call for personal responsibility in patient outcome. A total of 1113 HH opportunities were observed. Overall, HH was performed in 15.4% of cases pre-intervention and 28.3% of cases post-intervention (p<0.001). The preferred method of HH was soap and water. Healthcare workers mostly chose to perform HH after exposure to body fluids, where compliance was 35.1% pre-intervention and 58.7% post-intervention. Gloves were used in 98% of cases of clean/aseptic procedures where HH was not performed. In conclusion, using standard posters to convey additional messages of awareness of consequences and personal responsibility may improve HH and should be considered in multimodal approaches to improve HH compliance.
Sari T, Menemenlioglu D, Alkan P
… +3 more, Aydin E, Irmak H, Sencan I
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050254
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Dengue virus is endemic in almost all tropical and sub-tropical countries which also are popular tourist destinations, and it is a major international public health problem. Presented herein are six travel-associated den...Dengue virus is endemic in almost all tropical and sub-tropical countries which also are popular tourist destinations, and it is a major international public health problem. Presented herein are six travel-associated dengue fever cases diagnosed between 2016 and 2017 in Turkey. The current situation in Turkey and in the world, as well as epidemiological data regarding the vector and relationship between the disease and traveling are also discussed. This retrospective study evaluated dengue fever cases identified using serological and molecular methods between January 2016 and February 2017 in the National Virology Reference Laboratory. Two patients had a travel history to Maldives, two patients to Thailand, one patient to Sri Lanka, and one patient to Guiana. Fever was present in all cases. The most common other symptoms were fatigue, myalgia, and arthralgia. Increased liver enzymes (50%) and thrombocytopenia (66%) were the most commonly encountered laboratory changes. In conclusion, imported dengue fever cases are increasingly reported due to facilitation of international travels and increasing commercial activities. Before traveling to a region where dengue fever is endemic, consulting a travel medicine counseling desk or a doctor is suggested. Dengue fever should be kept in mind in a patient with travel history presenting with fever, elevated liver enzyme and thrombocytopenia.
Bohaček I, Plečko M, Lindi H
… +6 more, Plečko D, Vranić Ladavac M, Kučinar J, Čengić T, Stojanović A, Delimar D
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050253
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Large sporting events during the pandemic are organized as 'COVID-19 free zones', function under quarantine measures, and are regularly testing all participants. Recently, point-of-care tests (POCT) for rapid detection o...Large sporting events during the pandemic are organized as 'COVID-19 free zones', function under quarantine measures, and are regularly testing all participants. Recently, point-of-care tests (POCT) for rapid detection of COVID-19 antigen were presented as a cheaper, faster, and easier-to-perform option than reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. However, no study confirmed the efficacy of POCT used at a large sporting event that includes close physical contact, such as judo. An observational study was conducted that included 670 participants from 36 countries attending two consecutive judo competitions. In total, 839 RT-PCR tests and 839 POCT tests for COVID-19 were performed. There were 508 participants tested at one time point when entering the venue, while 162 were tested at two time points in order to participate in both competitions. Seven subjects had positive RT-PCR results, while 4 had positive POCT results, meaning the prevalence of COVID-19 at the competitions was 1.04% according to the RT-PCR results. The main finding of this study was that POCT testing proved to be an effective method in detecting true-negative results. However, due to sensitivity that is insufficient to detect all true-positive cases, POCT should always be used in combination with RT-PCR at large sporting events with close physical contact between competitors in order to avoid COVID-19 outbreak.
Romstein K, Habek D, Velki T
… +1 more, Košuta Petrović M
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050252
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The main objective was to analyze prenatal and obstetric risk factors in relation to the development of disabilities. For that purpose, data on medication, i.e., use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, gestational weeks...The main objective was to analyze prenatal and obstetric risk factors in relation to the development of disabilities. For that purpose, data on medication, i.e., use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, gestational weeks, mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section), duration of delivery, and fetal presentation were retrieved from medical records and semi-structured interviews with mothers/legal guardians. Trained professionals clinically assessed the children's developmental status (N=107). Fisher exact test with post hoc analysis of standardized residuals showed that a statistically significant number of children with multiple disabilities were born by cesarean section (z=3.7, p<0.001), prematurely (z=4.8, p<0.001), and by mothers using benzodiazepines (z=2.6, p<0.01). Children with autism spectrum disorders were more often delivered post-term (z=2.0, p<0.05) by induced delivery (z=2.9, p<0.01). Children with developmental coordination disorder were more often born post-term (z=2.2, p<0.05). As for the duration of delivery and fetal presentation, there was no statistically significant correlation with developmental disabilities. There is a cumulative risk of developmental disabilities rather than just a single risk factor. More interdisciplinary and longitudinal research on developmental disabilities, including children's educational outcomes should be conducted.
Hadavi K, Esmaeili A, Moallemi Z
… +1 more, Hashemi J
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050251
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Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism have an increased risk of developing clinical hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland, which has the highest concentration of selenium per gram of tissue among adults, plays a crucia...Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism have an increased risk of developing clinical hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland, which has the highest concentration of selenium per gram of tissue among adults, plays a crucial role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the North Khorasan province of Iran and assess the serum selenium levels in affected individuals. We conducted a prospective study involving 550 females aged 20-55. Serum samples were collected from individuals based on the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. We measured the serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). Subsequently, individuals with high TSH but normal T4 and T3 levels were selected for further analysis (group I). The serum levels of TSH, T4, T3 (using the ELISA method), and selenium (using the atomic absorption method) were measured and compared with those of a control group comprising healthy women matched to group I in terms of number, age, and body mass index. The overall prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the study population was 6.48%. Significant differences were observed in serum TSH and selenium levels between the subclinical hypothyroidism group and the control group. Furthermore, a positive correlation between TSH and selenium levels was found exclusively within the subclinical hypothyroidism group. The occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism was positively correlated with serum selenium levels.
Basioli Kasap E, Glavaš Obrovac L, Jukić M
… +3 more, Mihaljević I, Posavi A, Cincar SŠ
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050250
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Environmental factors play an important role in the onset and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous studies have shown that global DNA methylation could be a useful biomarker in COPD. We h...Environmental factors play an important role in the onset and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous studies have shown that global DNA methylation could be a useful biomarker in COPD. We hypothesized that COPD patients from two different Croatian regions might have clinical characteristics, quality of life, and global DNA methylation, which could be used as a possible epigenetic marker. The study included 136 COPD patients with an average age of 70 years, of whom about 70% were men. Among them, 37% were active smokers, 58% ex-smokers, and 5% non-smokers. There were 69 patients in Osijek and 67 in Zadar. The control group consisted of 64 subjects who were not diagnosed with COPD or other respiratory diseases, 32 from each center. We analyzed risk factors, severity and type of symptoms, exacerbations, comorbidities, and numerous parameters of lung function, phenotypic characteristics, quality of life, and global DNA methylation. We found that COPD patients in Zadar had more pronounced emphysema (P<0.001), while COPD patients from Osijek had more severe symptoms of cough and expectoration (P<0.001 for both). Patients from Osijek had more cardiovascular comorbidities (P<0.001) and depression (P=0.01) than patients from Zadar. Analysis of global DNA methylation found that patients with COPD had lower values than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Bakula M, Tomašić L, Kokan I
… +3 more, Mucić K, Marić N, Bakula M
Acta Clin Croat
· 2024 Dec · PMID 41050249
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Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that present with a broad spectrum of symptoms and signs, making differential diagnosis broad. They can cause a pheochromocytoma crisis that manifests with arterial blood pressure oscill...Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that present with a broad spectrum of symptoms and signs, making differential diagnosis broad. They can cause a pheochromocytoma crisis that manifests with arterial blood pressure oscillations, and subsequent symptoms and signs of catecholamine overproduction. There are many potential triggers of this condition. This report presents a 33-year-old man with an obvious pheochromocytoma crisis that occurred due to beta-blocker application without a concomitant alpha-blocker. The crisis was treated with high doses of urapidil, and once permanent hemodynamic stabilization was achieved, urapidil was replaced with phenoxybenzamine. This report demonstrates that pheochromocytoma crisis can be successfully treated with urapidil but further consideration is needed on the use of urapidil both in pheochromocytoma crisis and preoperative management of pheochromocytoma patients.