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Background/Aim. The term “internet addiction” (IA) describes a compulsive behavior associated with any online activity that disrupts everyday social interactions. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors and predictors of the development of IA in adolescents. Methods. Data were collected using an online form consisting of demographic data, questions related to the use of the Internet, and the Internet Addiction Test (version for adolescents). Results. A total of 1,669 respondents participated in this research; 1,040 of them (62.3%) were female, 590 (35.4%) were male, and 39 (2.3%) did not want to declare their gender. The average age of the respondents was 15.09 ± 1.757 years. Significant factors in the multivariate factor analysis model were age, addictive substance use frequency, purpose, and time spent on the Internet (p < 0.05). Analysis results indicate that the risk of developing IA was higher if an adolescent spent 1–3 hrs and more than 3 hrs daily on the Internet (2.8 and 8.2 times, respectively). With increasing age numbers for one unit (year), the risk of developing IA was decreasing by 11.3%. Conclusion. According to the findings of the present study, the relationship between IA and age, addictive substance use frequency, purpose, and time spent on the Internet has been proven. These results should be highlighted so that educators and all those who work with children could create targeted treatments to prevent the development of IA in adolescents.

The COVID-19 pandemic began in China in December 2019, from where it spread throughout the world and caused a serious threat to both physical and mental health. People were afraid due to COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing all over the world and the quick changes in how people lived. Previous studies have clearly linked the pandemic with signs of depression, stress, anxiety, and suicide thoughts, as well as with excessive internet use. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the available scientific findings regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and internet addiction in adolescents. Having insight into the scientific literature on COVID-19, mental health, and internet addiction, we have concluded that during the COVID-19 pandemic time spent on the internet increased due to reduced social activities, which consequently led to internet addiction and thus to psychological distress, increased loneliness, and depression in adolescents. Early intervention is essential to reduce internet addiction and preserve the mental health of adolescents, especially in conditions of increased social stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wheat chaff as an agricultural waste represents a cheap raw material for biotechnological processes. With its lignocellulosic composition, it is suitable for producing hydrolytic enzymes for second generation renewable fuel production technologies. The aim of this work was to optimize the process parameters (cultivation temperature 25–35°C, pH value 4–6 and cultivation time 3–7 days) of the cultivating fungi (Trichoderma reesei QM 9414) on a media based on wheat chaff by submerged and solid-state techniques, in order to enhance and compare the two types of simultaneous cellulase and xylanase production. Optimal conditions for the submerged fermentation were 29.65°C for temperature, pH 4.27 and 7 days of cultivation, while for the solid-state fermentation, the optimal conditions were 28.01°C, pH 6.00 and 7 days. The cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities of the obtained cultivation broth filtrates were 0.0535 and 0.1676 U mL-1 for the submerged fermentation, and 0.0407 and 0.1401 U mL-1 for the solid-state fermentation, respectively, and with a 26.77 and 13.39 % enhancement of enzyme activity for submerged fermentation, and a 22.96 and 42.66 % enhancement for solid-state fermentation, respectively, compared to the results obtained before optimization. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR-31002]

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cells generated by reprogramming an adult somatic cell genome to the stage of a pluripotent stem cell in vitro by inducing a forced expression of specific transcription factors that are important for the maintenance of pluripotency. The iPSCs seem to be very similar to Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) in terms of morphology, cell surface markers and gene expression levels, but recent studies have demonstrated some differences between the two cell types. However, iPSCs might have potential application in regenerative medicine, transplantation, drug testing, disease modelling, and avoidance of tissue rejection and with less ethical concern than ESCs. This paper aims to present the most important characteristics of iPSCs which have therapeutic significance.

Background/Aim. Intravenous drug users (IDUs) are still a high risk-group for cross-reacting blood-borne infections, for vertical pathogen transmission as well as for potentially blood/plasma donation (especially as “paid” donors). The aim of our study was to establish the profile of opiate addict and prevalence of blood-borne pathogens – Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among 99 patients on substitution therapy with methadone and buprenorphine from Šumadia District. Methods. The Treatment Demand Indicator (TDI) of Pompidou-questionnaire was used to assess the history of drug abuse and risk behavior. All blood samples were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibody (anti-HCV) and HIV antigen/antibody (HIVAg/ Ab) by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) or Chemiluminescent Immuno-Assay (CIA). Investigations were also performed for HBV, HCV and HIV by molecular testing – Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Results. The majority of patients were males (81.8%), median age 32 (19–57) years, lived in a city (99%), unemployed (58.6%), with finished secondary school (67.7%), unsafe injecting practices (34.3%) and never previously tested for HBV (39.4%), HCV (36.4%) nor HIV (28.3%); only 4% of them previously got HBV-vaccine. The complementary testing resulted with following results: HBV ELISA/CIA and PCR negativity for 66 patients and positive results (by ELISA/CIA and PCR) for 19 patients. However, a difference was observed in the ELISA/CIAnegative/ PCR-positive result for 12 and ELISA/CIApositive/ PCR-negative for two patients respectively. Further, the negative results for HCV (ELISA/CIA and PCR testing) were found in 15 IDUs and positive results (using both methods) were found in 58 patients. Different results for ELISA/CIA-negative / PCR-positive results were found in 11 IDUs and ELISA/CIA-positive/PCR – negative results were found in 15 patients. All investigated IDUs were negative for HIV (ELISA/CIA and PCR testing) and for pathogens of opportunistic infection (Cryptococcus neoformans; Pneumocystis carinii; PCR testing), as well as for West Nile Virus (PCR testing). Just one IDU was positive for syphilis (ELISA and confirmatory testing). Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that the positivity for HBV and HCV is still very high (33.4% and 84.8%, respectively) in IDUs. Thus, we suggest that drug users have to be periodically screened using a complementary serological/molecular testing – concerning differences/discrepancies in the results obtained using these methods.

Background/Aim. During a progress of addictive behavior treatment, the strategies of coping with stress are engaged, but addicts may continue with self-handicapping behavior which is opposite to changing a problematic behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the stress coping (CS) strategies and self-handicapping (SH) strategies in relation to the process of addictive behavior change. Methods. In the descriptive clinical study, the sample of 200 consecutively recruited inpatient opiate addicts were explored. They underwent methadone therapy. The general information questionnaire, the Indicator of coping strategies (CSI), SHquestionnaire for assessing self-handicapping behavior (SH) and the University Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) questionnaire for the assessment of process of change were completed. The Student t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were applied. The SPSS for Windows was used and the p ≤ 0.05 defined as statistically significant. Results. Among the CS, there were significant correlations between avoiding problems strategy and all SH strategies (p ≤ 0.02). The social support was directly proportionate to the process of change (p = 0.03, β = 0.35). However, the process of change inversely correlated to internal handicaps in interpersonal relationships strategy (IHI) (p = 0.02; β = -0.54) and strategy of focusing to the problem (p = 0.00, β = -0.44). Conclusion. The significant positive predictor for the process of addictive behavior change was a strategy of social support, but focusing on the problem and the strategy of internal handicaps in achievement situations were significant negative predictors. The evaluation of motivation process and stress coping strategies could be useful for creation of improved tailored treatment of opiate addiction. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. OI 175014]

Background/Aim. Suicide is a public health problem. Due to frequent overdose among drug addicts, there is a question about suicidality in this population. The aim of this study is to determine the specificity and distinctive factors in opiate addicts who have overdosed with an intention to commit suicide compared to addicts who have overdosed accidentally. Methods. The survey included 150 heroin addicts who were in the substitution program: 49 subjects who overdosed with a clear suicidal intention and 101 addicts who overdosed without suicidal intention. The subjects filled out the questionnaire about socio-demographic data and data regarding their addiction, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) as well as the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) questionnaire about the quality of life. For statistical analysis, Pearson's χ2 test, Student t-test and univariate variance analysis were used. Results. The addicts who attempted suicide wеre younger persons (29.7 vs. 36.3 years of age), started to take heroin earlier (17.8 vs. 21.3 years of age; p= 0.013), they use it for a longer period (14.1 vs. 9.2 years; p = 0.00) and take it intravenously for a longer period (11.6 vs. 6.5 years; p = 0.00). The suicide was preceded by a traumatic event (p = 0.015) and there were several attempts of suicide (p = 0.004). The quality of life regarding accommodation, friends and organization of their free time was assessed as not so good (p = 0.03). Conclusion. In accordance with the obtained data, it is necessary to design programs for the prevention of suicide among addicts in general and especially programs that would be aimed at younger addicts.

Background/Aim. Data about effects of antidepressant on calcium, phosphorous and magnesium metabolisms are very scorce. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of antidepressants on serum concentration of bone metabolism markers and main electrolytes in patients from routine psychiatric practice. Methods. A prospective, before-and-after, time-series research included 9 males and 24 females, with average 53.3 ± 11.5 years-of-age, suffering from depression (n = 26) and neurotic disorders (n = 7), mostly taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. We measured analytes at baseline, and 4th, 6th and 12th weeks during the treatment and tested the parameter changes from baseline and the trends with appropriate statistics at p ≤ 0.05 significance level. Results. The age above 60 years was a significant factor for appearance of negative cumulative changes (in percent) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D – 25(OH)D concentrations from the base-line (OR = 11.4, 95% CI 1.2–113.1, p = 0.037). Serum concentrations of calcium significantly correlated with sodium (rs = 0.531, p < 0.001), with chloride (r = 0.496, p < 0.001), with magnesium (rs = 0.402, p < 0.001) and with osteocalcin (r = 0.240, p = 0.019). Significant correlations were among phosphorous with chloride (r = -0.218, p = 0.035); magnesium with sodium (r = 0.295, p = 0.004) and with potassium, (r = 0.273, p = 0.009); osteocalcin with C-telopeptide (r = 0.760, p < 0.001) with sodium (r = 0.215, p = 0.039) and with chloride (r = 0.209, p = 0.041); sodium with chloride (r = 0.722, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant changes between antidepressant treatment and changes of absolute serum concentration of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, 25(OH)D, osteocalcin, C-telopeptide, sodium, potassium and chloride. There were no statistically significant changes in frequency of disturbances in values of laboratory analytes (below/above lower/upper normal limits), too. Conclusion. Antidepressant treatment was not significantly associated with the changes in study analytes but some of them positively correlated with each other, suggesting the need for individual patient approach and further research in the field of bone metabolism in patients with mental disorders.

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Background and Objectives There is a paucity of published cost-effectiveness studies of alternative scenarios in depressive episode acute medical care in Eastern European populations. Methods Prospective cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted on 65 depressive patients in a large university clinic [May 2010-February 2012]. Patient visits to attending psychiatrists were scheduled at baseline, 3rd and 8th week. HDRS-17 was deployed to assess clinical efficiency and Q-LES-Q-SF scale for life quality assessment. Resource use and costs were evidenced from the Clinic's electronic registry of discharge invoices [national currency 1 €≈115.85 CSD]. Societal perspective and time horizon of 14 weeks were adopted. Results No statistically significant difference in HDRS scores before and after introducing treatment [χ2=4.339; r=0.362]. QALY value increased by the following: 11.77 of the SSRI, 8.93 of the SNRI, and 12.54 of the heterocyclic antidepressant group. Mean ICERs were: SSRI to SNRI [-44,148 CSD/QALY]; SNRI to Heterocyclics [-45,716 CSD/QALY]; Heterocyclics to SSRI [-51,501 CSD/QALY]. Therapeutic response in increment free days: 28.69 days gained SSRI, 21.78 days SNRI, 30.59 days in heterocyclics. Incremental cost per additional depression free day gained was for: SSRI 346.38 CSD per day, SNRI 327.74 CSD, and heterocyclics 201.54 CSD. Conclusions This trial evidence elucidates that the heterocyclic antidepressants provide highest 'value for money' in QALYs for the depressive episode treatment. According to Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio calculations, heterocyclic antidepressant proved superior to other two options. Cost-effectiveness evaluations have heavier impact to clinical decision making with regards to major depressive disorder treatment in the absence of clear clinical superiority of any major pharmacological protocol.

Introduction. Nowadays women constitute one third of all addicts. In the last decade, there has been a remarkable growth in scientific interest in biochemical and psychosocial aspects of women’s addiction. Many researches point out the specific character of women’s addiction. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess and compare psychosocial aspects, including the socio-demographic characteristics as well as the specific aspects of functioning of family and interpersonal relationships of the subjects addicted to opiates and alcohol. Methods. There were two substance addict groups (32 and 30 subjects addicted to drugs and alcohol, respectively) and the control group, consisting of 30 subjects (no substance addiction). A socio-demo- graphic data questionnaire and semi-structured Addiction Severity Index (ASI) interview were used. Results. The results of the research indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the compared groups in respect to the age of the subjects, family history of addiction disorders, education, parenthood, employment work status, and marital status. The subjects addicted to opiates differed significantly in respect to manifestation of aggressive, delinquent behaviour, infectious diseases, presence of addicts-partnerships, but there were no significant differences in relation to physical abuse, sexual abuse and self-assessment of depression. Conclusion. The results of this research suggest that subjects addicted to opiates differed largely from the subjects addicted to alcohol in terms of the age of the subjects, education level, family relationships, partnerships and social relationships, which all have to be taken into consideration when designing a therapy protocol and planning activities for prevention.

Background/Aim. Children and adolescents who enter a child welfare system are at higher risk of suffering from mental disorders, physical health, and/or social and educational problems than the general population of the same age is. This study was organized with the aim to evaluate the general characteristics of quality of life (QOL) in children and adolescents living in residential and foster care in Serbia. Methods. Two hundred and sixteen children and adolescents, aged 8-18 years, from residential and foster care and 238 children and adolescents from the general population participated in the study. QOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - Serbian version. Three groups were created: residential care group (RCG), foster care group (FCG), and control group (children and adolescents from biological families - CG). Descriptive data were calculated for all questionnaires’ scores, while t-test and ANOVA were used to compare them. Results. The mean value of the total PedsQL was lower in the RCG, 67.47 ± 17.75, than in the FCG and the CG, 88.33 ± 11.27 and 80.74 ± 11.23, respectively. Additionally, the RCG reported lower all PedsQL Scale scores, but the lowest value was for the psychosocial domain. These differences were statistically significant (F value ranged from 17.3 to 49.89, p < 0.000). However, only the scores of the RCG were statistically different from the FCG and the CG, while the differences between the FCG and the CG were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Children and adolescents living in residential care have significantly poorer QOL than those living in foster care or in biological families. On the other side, QOL in children and adolescents from foster care is similar to the one of those living in biological families.

Introduction. Consequences of heroin abuse include organic damage of cerebral structures. The level of impairments is in a direct and positive relation with the length of heroin abuse. Objective. The aim of this research was the evaluation of the reaction time with heroin addicts with different length of substance abuse. Methods. Research method: 90 examinees were divided into three groups with relation to the length of heroin abuse. Data collection included a questionnaire referring to socio-demographic and addictive characteristics. A specially designed programme was used for the evaluation of reaction time to audio/ visual signal. Results. In relation to the reaction time as overall model, the difference between examinees with different length of heroin abuse can be found on the marginal level of significance (F=1.69; df=12; p=0.07). In visual modality, with the increase of length of heroin abuse leads to a significant prolongation of simple (the first visual sign: F=3.29; df=2; p=0.04) and choice reaction time (the second visual sign: F=4.97; df=2; p=0.00; the third visual sign: F=3.08; df=2; p=0.05). Longer heroin consumption also leads to the prolongation of the simple (the first auditory task: F=3.41; df=2; p=0.04) and the complex auditory reaction time (the second auditory task: F=5.67; df=2; p=0.01; the third auditory task: F=6.42; df=2; p=0.00). Conclusion. Heroin abuse leads to the prolongation of both simple and choice reaction time in visual as well as auditory modality. The average daily dose of opiates was the most important predictor of the abovementioned cognitive dysfunction.

The acid-base equilibria of a novel hepatobiliary imaging agent, 2,4-diiodo-6-methylphenylcarbamoylmethyl iminodiacetic acid (DIIODIDA) were studied. The potentiometrically determined acidity constants of the second carboxylic group, amino and amide groups were pK2 = 2.52 ± 0.02; pK3 = 5.86 ± 0.06 and pK4 = 10.9 ± 0.1. The determinations were performed at 25 ºC and an ionic strength of 0.1 mol/dm3 (NaCl). The acidity constants (pK1 = 1.3 ± 0.4) corresponding to the first carboxylic group was determined indirectly, on the basis of equilibrium constants obtained in a heterogeneous system, at 25 ºC and an ionic strength 1 mol/dm3 (HCl, NaCl). DIIODIDA was labeled with technetium-99m, and the influence of pH on the yield of labeling was investigated. It was found that labeling within the pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 provided a radiopharmaceutical of high radiochemical purity (>98 %).

Introduction. Induced pluripotent stem cells are ethically much more acceptable than embryonic stem cells. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the knowledge on these cells among the general population and medical professionals, because this may influence further research. Material and Methods. We conducted a survey to assess knowledge on induced pluripotent stem cells among the general population and medical workers. The inclusion criteria were age over 18 years and the ability to read and write in Serbian. The survey was conducted via email and printed materials using a validated questionnaire for evaluation of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards donation, storage, and application of induced pluripotent stem cells. The collected data were entered into an Excel database, and complete statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. Results. The rate of correct answers among health workers ranged from 17.5% to 67.1%, and among the general population from 16.4% to 49.4%. The average number of correct answers per respondent in the population of health workers was 6, while in the general population it was 4, which is statistically significantly lower. Conclusion. The research results showed that healthcare workers have a higher level of knowledge on induced pluripotent stem cells than members of the general population, but the level of knowledge can be influenced by the level of education, availability of information, socioeconomic status, ideology, and conservative attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) opened the possibilities for reprogramming adult somatic cells back to a pluripotent state in vitro by inducing a forced expression of specific transcription factors. Thus, iPSCs might have potential application in regenerative medicine, transplantation, avoidance of tissue rejection, disease modeling, and drug testing. Because of apparent ethical issues connected with donation and derivation of biomaterials, iPSCs are considered as a research alternative to ethically highly disputed Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe the development of a questionnaire for evaluating information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs (i.e., the QIPSC). We performed a prospective qualitative study based on the development, validation and reliability testing of the QIPSC. The study included 122 respondents and the final version of the QIPSC with 34 items. The reliability analysis for part of information and knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was then performed with the questions included in this two-component model and obtained a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.783 and 0.870, respectively. It has been shown that the range of correct answers to questions in part of knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was from 17.2-63.1%. The results of our study show that the QIPSC was a unique, reliable, and valid questionnaire for assessing the level of information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]