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Background During the first epidemic wave, COVID-19 surveillance focused on quantifying the magnitude and the escalation of a growing global health crisis. The scientific community first assessed risk through basic indicators, such as the number of cases or rates of new cases and deaths, and later began using other direct impact indicators to conduct more detailed analyses. We aimed at synthesizing the scientific community's contribution to assessing the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health through indicators reported in research papers. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify and describe health indicators included in articles published between January 2020 and June 2021, using one strategy to search PubMed, EMBASE and WHO COVID-19 databases. Sixteen experts from European public health institutions screened papers and retrieved indicator characteristics. We also asked in an online survey how the health indicators were added to and used in policy documents in Europe. Results After reviewing 3891 records, we selected a final sample of 67 articles and 233 indicators. We identified 52 (22.3%) morbidity indicators from 33 articles, 105 severity indicators (45.1%, 27 articles) and 68 mortality indicators (29.2%, 51). Respondents from 22 countries completed 31 questionnaires, and the majority reported morbidity indicators (29, 93.5%), followed by mortality indicators (26, 83.9%). Conclusions The indicators collated here might be useful to assess the impact of future pandemics. Therefore, their measurement should be standardized to allow for comparisons between settings, countries and different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare carotid endarterectomy patch angioplasty (p-CEA) with eversion carotid endarterectomy (e-CEA) and associated risks of early cardio-cerebrovascular complications. Methods: The study was a prospective randomized single-blind trial, monocentric, clinically applicable, descriptive analytical and comparative. From June 2021 to June 2023, 62 consecutive patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery, admitted to our department and randomized into two groups: carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty and eversion carotid endarterectomy. Follow-up for 30 days after surgery. Original Article Results: During surgery e-CEA, 70% patients had an arrhythmia, and 24 hours after 66.7%, seven days after 46.7% and month after 13.3%. During surgery p-CEA, 33.3% patients had an arrhythmia, 24 hours later 33.3%, 7 days after 13.3% and 30 days after 13.3% patients. Statistically significant difference observed during surgery (Fishers p=0.004). One day after the surgery rate of patients with arrhythmia that were treated e-CEA has decreased, but it was still higher than after p-CEA (Fishers p=0.010). Conclusion: The frequency and categorization of postoperative cardiac arrhythmias after eversion carotid endarterectomy, the clinical implications of various postoperative heart rhythm disturbances and their longterm effects on patients need to be further investigate through sufficiently powered randomized controlled studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. Gunshot residue (GSR) on the skin of a victim are important evidence, with far better precision, for reconstructive questions in the forensic investigation of cases involving gunshot wounds. The aim of this experimental study was to analyze if there was any significant difference in macroscopic characteristics of wounds that were caused with different types of weapons from three different distances. Methods. This study was conducted at the Department of Ballistic and Mechanoscopic Expertise, Federal Police Directorate. Experiments were done on pigskin and 55 samples were made. Shooting was conducted using a system for safe firing. Samples of the pigskin were shot by firing projectiles from four different weapons and from three different distances, (contact wound, five centimetres and 10 centimetres). Results. At the contact range, wounds caused by automatic rifle had horizontal, vertical diameters larger than those made by pistols. Diameters on the wounds that were caused with different pistols, were similar. At the range of five centimetres, the narrowest part of contusion ring significantly differs even through pistol wounds. Diameters at the range of 10 centimetres are in favor of these results. Gunpowder residue scattering area was statistically different depending of type of weapon (p = 0.004). Conclusion. Wound diameters and surface area are useful for differentiation between pistol and rifle caused wounds. It is unsecure method for determination of pistol caliber or fire range. GSR have much greater potential for future analyses, but even GSR cannot be used to determine pistol caliber.

INTRODUCTION Immunization is healthcare attainment and the most cost-effective protection for the individual and the entire population. However, despite increased COVID-19 vaccine supplies, there is hesitancy and refusal to vaccinate. We aim to assess medical and non-medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccination and COVID-19, at two major universities. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study, surveying students at two universities in Sarajevo Canton and Rijeka, from 18 February to 1 May 2021 for sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and practices. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used, and the data were statistically processed. RESULTS There was a significant difference among groups of participants’ attitudes toward vaccination (p=0.001). Significant differences in vaccine knowledge were revealed between two groups of students: medical and non-medical (p=0.001). The primary information sources for immunization among students were healthcare professionals, followed by the Internet and social networks, professional literature, TV and media, friends and families, and magazines. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirmed potential areas where targeted interventions could be implemented to improve knowledge about immunization and COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between chronological age and pulp/tooth volume (PV/TV) ratio of intercanine teeth using cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images and to provide equations for age estimation based on PV/TV ratio. Methods: The study was conducted on CBCT scans of 30 patients of the Faculty of Dentistry University of Sarajevo. The sample included 17 males and 13 females with chronological age ranging from 17 to 54 years. A total of 180 teeth (central, lateral incisors and canines) were evaluated. Pulp and tooth volume of 180 teeth were measured using ITK software. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the correlation between chronological age and PV/TV ratio. The simple linear regression model was used to determine the formula in order to estimate chronological age. Results: The regression analysis showed the highest Pearson correlation (0.612) for the maxillary central incisor. PV/TV ratio showed no statistical differences between male and female subjects (p>0.05), therefore no gender related formula was developed. Conclusion: Strongest correlation was found between the age and PV/TV ratio measured on maxillary central incisors. This study showed that PV/TV ratio was not gender dependent. The obtained valid regression formula in this study can serve as a tool for age estimation. This formula should be further validated on a larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laboratory personnel (LP) represent a high-risk group of healthcare workers for whom the primary laboratory environment and specific work activities are a major source of potential exposure to health hazards. This study aimed to evaluate the developed matrix and assess risk based on self-assessment. Methods: This multicenter, qualitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted on LP employed in biomedical laboratories. The respondents were divided into groups according to their territorial affiliation. The data collection tool used was a six-area questionnaire distributed online through a network of professional associations. For the risk assessment, a matrix was developed with scores ranging from 0 to 650, dividing the risk level into four categories. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The developed model combined the classification of risk and risk factors with a certainty of p < 0.001. The regression analysis showed that working conditions had the greatest influence on overall risk, followed by physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Of the 640 respondents, the medium risk category was the highest in European Union (EU) countries (81.2%). Comparing the values in the high-risk category between the Bosnians and Herzegovinians (BiH) group and the Republic of Serbia, Republic of Northern Macedonia, and Montenegro (SCM) group with the EU group, a doubling (16.6%: 36.7%) and tripling (16.6%: 52.1%) of the proportion was found, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 1.7% of the LPs from BiH fell into the high-risk category. Conclusions: The designed matrix provides a reliable basis for identifying risk predictors in the study population and can serve as a useful tool for conducting risk assessments in biomedical laboratories. The results of the risk assessment indicate significant differences between the studied groups and highlight the need for increased control of BiH workplaces through new regulatory requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the report was to sum up all the results from the project that was conducted in three phases during a three-years period, to present the correlation and influence of dietary habits during pregnancy and the cardiovascular development in new-borns. Materials and methods: It was designed as a cohort study, including pregnant women (n=43) selected by random selection from a total number of pregnant women examined in private clinics in Mostar, Sarajevo and Komiža (Croatia). Results: Newborns from mothers with unhealthy eating habits - foods that caused a tooth decay - had significantly higher values of the right carotid artery intima-media thickness (p=0.046). There was a statistically significant difference in the diameter of the descending aorta, with larger diameters in children whose mothers had poor eating habits (p=0.021). New-borns from mothers with fibre-rich, lower-fat eating habits had higher pulmonary artery flow rate (p=0.039). Oral health was examined with the Decay-missing-filled index (DMF). Ejection fraction (FS%) was significantly higher in the group of new-borns whose mothers had a larger DMF index (p=0.03). Conclusion: Dietary habits and oral health during pregnancy significantly affect the diameter of blood vessels and the flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nationwide study from 2004 showed that the children's oral health in Bosnia and Herzegovina is poor with an average dmft index in six-year-olds being 6.2 (4.0), and DMFT 4.8 (3.9) in twelve-yearolds. After the aforementioned nationwide study, only a few regional epidemiological studies have been conducted on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All studies have shown that the state of oral health in children is poor. Although the WHO has clearly emphasized the importance of regularly conducting epidemiological research regarding children's oral health, there is a lack of recent data on the prevalence of caries in children in other areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of caries in children aged 2-18 years from the Mostar city area. In this observational, descriptive study, 500 respondents aged 2-18 years participated. For subjects up to 6 years of age, the dmft index was recorded as an indicator of oral health, for subjects with mixed dentition the DMFT index of first permanent molars was used and for subjects aged 12-18 years, the DMFT index was used. Data were analysed for 495 respondents, aged 2-18 years, of both sexes (253 female respondents and 242 male respondents). The prevalence of dental caries in respondents aged up to 6 years is 53%. The prevalence of caries of the first permanent molars in subjects aged 6-12 years is 28.3%, while the prevalence of caries in subjects older than 12 years is 44.9%. The average dmft index of five-year-olds is 3.88 (SD 3.83), while the DMFT index of twelve-year-olds is 2.51 (SD 2.17). The prevalence of caries and previous caries experience of children of all ages from the area of Mostar was lower compared to previous years, both for respondents from the same geographical area and compared to other areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. New epidemiological studies are needed in order to determine the general oral health trends in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate primary caregiver’s knowledge and impact knowledge on glycemic control in children/adolescents. Methods and participants The research was cross-sectional study conducted from October 23, 2021 year to February 28, 2022 year, in the Canton of Sarajevo. 50 primary caregiver’s of pediatric patients up to 18 years old was involved. The Diabetes Knowledge Test was used to assess primary caregiver’s knowledge of diabetes. Results Knowledge of the primary caregiver’s whose children achieve HbA1c values<7.5% is significantly better than those whose children have HbA1c value >7.5% in general knowledge (p=0.003*), total (p=0.014*), while knowledge of insulin did not differ (p=0.865). Conclusion Continuous education of nurses who are key in educating patients and diabetes specialist nurses, especially pediatric specialist nurse is needed to provide effective health care. It would also be of paramount importance to recognize the need for health professionals in the field of nutrition who would provide health services to these patients, as part of the diabetes health care team. Health service providers should regularly assess the knowledge of pediatric patients and their parents about diabetes and self-help management skills, especially in patients who do not achieve optimal HbA1c values, in order to improve knowledge levels and improve skills for disease management [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patient safety depends on a number of factors such as teamwork, working climate, employee satisfaction, work environment, stress awareness, management perception, and attitude. Nurses have a key role to play in protecting and supporting patients, and their assessment serves as a reliable predictor of overall hospital safety. A positive attitude toward patient safety is associated with a significant reduction in complications. The aim of the study was to analyze the perception of nurses about all aspects of patient safety in relation to the workplace and length of service. Methods: The research included 647 nurses employed in health care institutions at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of health care. A descriptive and cross-sectional study included nurses from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was conducted in the period from November to December 2021, during the COVID pandemic. A standardized questionnaire on the perception of patient safety was used – Safety Attitudes Questionnaire – SAQ. Results: The analysis of the examined factors in relation to the workplace of the respondents revealed a statistically significant difference in job satisfaction (p < 0.001), as well as in the safety climate at work in relation to the workplace (p = 0.005), working conditions (p < 0.001), and management perception (p < 0.001). Stress levels showed significant differences regarding working position (p = 0.017), but also through the years of service (p = 0.012). Stress was significantly correlated with teamwork (r = 0.124; p = 0.003), showing that better teamwork will help with stress. Conclusion: The synthesis of concepts that includes patient safety and orientation toward patients should be implemented as a strategic quality orientation and set as a priority of every health-care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinaria is the property of University of Sarajevo, Veterinary Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Immunization is a key step in preventing the occupational risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection for healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of the study was determination of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) coverage rate among HCWs and support staff and immune response 10 years after primary vaccination. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2005-2017. Second-generation vaccines Euvax (Sanofi Pasteur, Thailand/LG Life Sciences Ltd, Korea) and Engerix B (GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium) were applied. For quantification of antibody response to hepatitis B virus surface antigen three laboratory methods were used. A level of ≥ 10 IU/L anti-HBs was set as a cut-off value indicating the presence of protective immunity against new HBV infections and successful vaccination. Results: In total, 1541 (75.80%) were fully vaccinated, out of 1126 (73.07%) were females. The median age of participans was 50.5 ± 9.4 years. Control measurement of the anti-HBs level was performed for 409 (26.54%) HCWs, and the presence of protective antibodies was confirmed in 304 (74.33%). During the research, 37 booster doses were administered. Of the 23 retested participants, anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/L were observed in 19 (82.16%). Three non-reactors subject were revealed. Conclusion: A satisfying HepB coverage rate and a high protective rate against hepatitis B infection among HCWs and support staff was achived, although vaccination is voluntary in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These results indicate the active engagement of the institution in the implementation of preventive measures and the high level of awareness regarding the significance of immunization. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of booster doses. A low prevalence of non-reactors was revealed. Additional research with a focus on occupational risk factors in dental service is advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the population in Canton Sarajevo of 438,443 people. The first cases of COVID-19 in Canton Sarajevo were on 20th March. On that day, we had three positive cases. These days at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Canton of Sarajevo around 2500 citizens were in self-isolation at home. The aim of this paper is to show the journey of Canton Sarajevo in the fight against COVID-19 infection, the impact of measurements that were taken to stop the infection spreading and to compare pre- and post-lockdown stats. Methods: During the period March-July 2020, we have analyzed daily newly cases and followed them through the period of at least 14 days. All data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp. Released in 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, NY: IBM Corp.) and MS Office 2019 suite (Excel). For comparison, we have used the Chi-square test. Results: In the period of 10 weeks from the beginning of March to the 25th of May in Canton of Sarajevo, we had a total of 113 cases of COVID-19 infection. The number of conducted tests was 7515. In total, with positive retests, we had only 161 positive tests, which is 2.14% of all analyzed tests. From that number of patients, 58 (51.3%) were male and 55 (48.7%) were female. Regarding age distribution, under 65 years were 91.1% of patients. Conclusion: Choosing the best method to fight against COVID-19 is hard to determine. Staying at home would decrease the infection rate, but in the long term, it is not sustainable. Perhaps the mix of methods that we had in Sarajevo is the best option. Fighting against one epidemic cannot be the source for other epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Worldwide, COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of infected people and thousands of deaths. Due to enormous pressure on health-care systems and its inadequate preparedness, utter collapse is expected. In the current epidemic response, healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge and practice are crucial, while the impact on their mental health is still unknown. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs redeployed to COVID points in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton. According to guidelines and information provided by the World Health Organization and Ministries of Health, a questionnaire was developed. In addition, General Anxiety Disorder-7 as a screening tool for anxiety disorders was used. Results: Of 180 respondents, 26 (14.4%) were in direct contact with the sick patient. In total, 79 (43.9%) respondents consider their personal protective equipment is in accordance with the guidelines of the world health authorities. A total of 72 (39.7%) of respondents used the same mask for several days. In general, the danger from new coronavirus was considered minimal by 59 (32,6%) HCWs. Based on the achieved score for assessing the anxiety disorder, in 63 (35%) subjects, the presence of severe symptoms was detected. Conclusion: This study found that most HCWs do not have enough knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that there are differences in the sources of information and gap in perceptions of the native origin of the virus. Considering the frequency of anxiety symptoms among HCWs, interventions are necessary in order to preserve their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The nasals and hand carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in food handlers (FHs) represent a significant source of Staphylococcal food contamination and food poisoning. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a microorganism's ability to resist the action of one or more antimicrobial agents. S. aureus has demonstrated the ability to rapidly respond to each new antimicrobial with the development of a resistance mechanism. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nasal carriage rate and AMR pattern of isolated strains S. aureus among FHs in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: The retrospective study included laboratory results of 11.139 tested subjects between January 2014 and December 2018. The study was conducted in the laboratory of the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. Samples of nasal swabs were collected from FHs, employees in companies located in Canton Sarajevo, during sanitary surveillance prescribed by applicable legal standards. S. aureus isolates were identified according to conventional microbiological methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the agar disk diffusion method according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; 2013 standard. Results: Among the 11.138 subjects, 792 (7.1%) were carriers of S. aureus. Isolated strains were tested on eight different antibiotics, and the resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin was 788 (99.5%), 776 (97.9%), and 752 (94.9%), retrospectively. In total, 86.36% of isolated strains were multidrug-resistant. Conclusions: The low percentage of S. aureus carriers indicates that preventive measures of carrier control are being actively implemented within the legally prescribed measures. The emergence of numerous isolated strains with multidrug-resistance characteristics is a significant public health problem and consequently limits the range of antibiotics available for therapeutic purposes. The results of this research indicate that AMR has increased in Sarajevo Canton and it is following the trend of global growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is a pandemic disease that is today a global public health problem caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). COVID-19 is a disease of middle and old age, but clinical expression may also be present in childhood. Asymptomatic and mild clinical forms are most often present in persons aged 0-19, but severe clinical forms such as, among others, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multisystem inflammatory syndrome may occur. In addition to presenting the epidemiology, clinical symptomatology of COVID-19, the authors consider certain specifics of COVID-19, that is, possible reasons for the lower incidence of the disease as well as unusual and rare clinical forms of the disease in children. The current activities of health professionals in the supervision of COVID-19 are mainly focused on early detection, isolation and treatment of patients, isolation of contacts, the regular and thorough practice of respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, and physical distancing. Future efficient and safe vaccination will solve the biggest global medical challenge caused by the new coronavirus in the best possible manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Latent tuberculosis infection is a state of persist immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) antigens without any clinical evidence of active tuberculosis. A new progress and inovation in diagnostics of latent tuberculosis, more specific and susceptible than tuberculin skin test, are Interferon Gamma Release Assay, Quanti FERON-TB test, in vitro blood tests used to detect immune response to TB proteins, by measuring interferon gamma (IFN-γ (in whole blood from persons infected with M. tuberculosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to determinate the role of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT - Plus test) test in diagnostics of latent tuberculosis evaluating the results from inpatients and outpatiens. Methods: This was a retrospective study where blood samples were collected from 1st of January to 31st of December 2016 in the Microbiological Laboratory of General Hospital Tesanj. Samples were performed of full-blood from inpatients and outpatients in Zenica Doboj Canton. Full blood of male and female aged from 1 to 95 years was collected in four, special QFT plus blood test tubes and tested with QFT - Plus test in Zenica Doboj Canton. Results: The study involved 159 patients who were tested with QFT-Plus test, with the prevalence of male gender (61.63%). Out of 51 patients with the positive test, 49% had diagnosis Infiltratio pulmonum. Sensitivity of QFT - Plus test was 91.67% and test showed specificity of 73.79%. Conclusion: Our research showed that QFT - Plus test can be helpful, as a supplement, but it can not be the main parameter in diagnostics of tuberculosis. If the test is positive, it is necessary to observe all other clinical findings to complete the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the specific causes of death in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2009 to 2013 based on death certificates. Methodology: The data source was the Statistical Yearbook issued by Institute of Statistics and Institute for Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). The research covered the period of 5 years, from 2009 to 2013. We analyzed data on 102,036 deceased. Results: The leading cause of death in the FBiH during the analyzed period are Circulatory system disorders (53.2%) with highest distribution in age group 75-79 (19.82%). Female slightly prevail in this group of disorders (53.06%). Group "Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period" (P00-P96) prevail in infant age group (0-1 years) with 59.77%. In the group of violent deaths, accidents prevail with 56.89%. The MD with coroner license, up to 76.59%, determined the largest number of deaths. An increase in the number of unidentified causes of death is spotted, which is in direct correlation with the decrease in the number of autopsies. Conclusion: Causes of death established by coroner's inquest are relevant and reliable only if they were complemented by autopsy. The continued decline in autopsy performance, despite better training of professional staff and an advanced diagnostic procedure leads to an increased number of undetermined deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of this study was to present data on the prevalence of seropositive children tested in the laboratory of the Eurofarm polyclinic in Sarajevo, from September 2020 to May 2021. Material and Methods. Peripheral blood samples were collected and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results. In the total of 762 tested children, 187 were positive (24.5%), based on cut-off value. Of all the positive cases 42.8% were female while 57.2% were male. There were 10.1% of positive children in the first age group (0-5 years), 44.4% in the second group (6-13 years), and 45.5% in the third group (14-18 years). There was no statistically significant difference in seroprevalence between age groups and gender. The lowest seroprevalence (3.6%) was observed in October 2020 after the first pandemic wave, and the highest seroprevalence (60.3%) was observed in April 2021, corresponding to the third pandemic wave. Conclusion. The results of our study showed that the seroprevalence in children was low, especially during the first year of the pandemic. In the second year of the pandemic, there was an evident statistically significant increase in the number of seropositive children. Similar data have been shown in studies for adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis and early clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. In childhood, primary dyslipidemia is more common than secondary dyslipidemia, and it is hereditary metabolic disorder of lipoproteins. Given that primary dyslipidemia runs from the child's birth and that there is no symptomatic clinical manifestation, it is important to determine, as early as possible, disorder of the lipid profile in children and relatives, and prevent or reduce the accelerated atherosclerosis and early cardiovascular clinical expression. Using universal screening for dyslipidemia, which should cover as many prepubertal children with proper state of health, we can identify the disorder of lipid profile in children, and slow down or reduce the early clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The basic therapeutic approach to prevent and control children with dyslipidemia includes practicing healthy eating habits, regular physical activities, limiting sedentary lifestyle and avoiding inhalation of smoke, and use of lipid-altering drugs in indicated cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some patients, dermatomyositis (DM) appears as a paraneoplastic syndrome, however the incidence and factors that indicate the coexisting malignancy still remain unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate the connection of DM and malignancy and to identify risk factors associated with cancer in this group of patients. Clinical and laboratory data of 40 patients with DM, treated over a 30 year period (from 1985 to 2014) at the Clinic of Dermatovenerology were reviewed retrospectively. The main recorded parameters included: association with cancer, age, gender, presence of some clinical signs and biological tests. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate differences between patients with and without associated malignancy. The mean age was 55 years and the sex ratio (female/male) was 1.2. Malignant tumors were detected in 10 (25%) patients (mean age: 63.7 years, sex ratio=1). Malignancies related to colon cancer (3 patients), ovarian cancer (3 patients) and the remaining cancers were those of lung, breast, pancreas and prostate. Factors significantly associated with malignancy were cutaneous necrosis and elevation in muscle enzymes. Our data indicate that necrotic skin ulcerations and high muscle enzyme levels are highly associated with a concomitant malignancy. An extensive search for malignancy should be provided in a subset of patients with DM, and predictive factors of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]