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Serum concentrations of adenosine deaminase were determined in 223 febrile patients. In 62, we discovered extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Serum levels of immunoglobulin G were monitored in 287 febrile patients, and 68 had extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum concentrations of adenosine deaminase were significantly higher in patients with tuberculosis compared to other patients with fever of unknown origin. Serum concentrations declined during antituberculosis therapy. A correlation with the localization of infection was not found. Levels of immunoglobulin G were higher in patients with tuberculosis. Both tests had high sensitivity and specificity and could therefore be used for screening extrapulmonary tuberculosis; however, they can only be interpreted adequately following a full clinical investigation.

This paper deals with the friction coefficient behaviour during dry reciprocating sliding of UHMWPE in contact with alumina (Al2O3), within a range of velocities typical for hip implants. Five values of normal force (100 - 1000 mN) and three values of sliding speed (4 - 12 mm/s) have been observed. Real time diagrams of the friction coefficient as a function of the sliding cycles were recorded for each test. Dynamic friction coefficient curves exhibited rather uniform behavior for all test conditions. Somewhat larger values of friction coefficient could be observed during the running-in period in case of low loads (100 - 250 mN) and the lowest velocity (4 mm/s). In case of high loads and speeds, friction coefficient reached steady state values shortly after the beginning of the test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a continous (cw) lasers in visible region were applied in order to study the influence of quantum generator to certain plants. The aim of such projects is to analyse biostimulation processes of living organizms which are linked to defined laser power density thresholds (exposition doses). The results of irradiation of corn and wheat seeds using He-Ne laser in the cw regime of 632.8nm, 50mW are presented and compared to results for other laser types. The dry and wet plant seeds were irradiated in defined time intervals and the germination period plant was monitored by days. Morphological data (stalk thickness, height, cob lenght) for chosen plants were monitored. From the recorded data, for the whole vegetative period, we performed appropriate statistical data processing. One part of experiments were the measurements of coefficient of reflection in visible range. Correlation estimations were calculated and discussed for our results. Main conclusion was that there were a significant increments in plant's height and also a cob lenght elongation for corn.

Introduction. Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients maintained with hemodialysis have more severe anemia than patients with other kidney diseases. Objective. The aim of the study was to compare the improvement of anemia in BEN patients and those with other kidney diseases during treatment with human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEpo). Methods. The study involved 240 patients on regular hemodialysis for more than one year. Out of them 146 had BEN and 94 other kidney diseases (21 glomerulonephritis, 20 hypertension, 18 diabetes, 10 policystic kidney disease, 5 obstructive nephropathy, 18 other diseases). Treatment with rHuEpo was carried out according to European guidelines for the management of anemia. Results. Patients with BEN were older and were less frequently treated with ACEi than patients with other kidney diseases. At the onset of the study mean hemoglobin level (109.6±22.3 vs. 112.7±11.3 g/l) was significantly lower, but serum ferritin level and rHuEpo dose (65.4±22.3 vs. 57.5±22.5 U/kg/week) were significantly higher in BEN patients than in others. In prospective four months study these differences in hemoglobin levels and rHuEpo doses maintained. The rate of anemia improvement was examined in 15 BEN patients and 10 patients with other kidney diseases at the beginning of rHuEpo treatment. No difference in the rate of anemia improvement was found between the two groups but higher rHuEpo doses were used in BEN patients. Conclusion. Patients with BEN on regular hemodialysis had more severe anemia and required higher rHuEpo doses for maintaining target hemoglobin level.

This study aimed to translate and validate the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head & Neck (FACT-HN) in a Serbian-speaking population, assessing its psychometric properties and utility in evaluating the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. The research focuses on determining the translated questionnaire's reliability, validity, and cultural relevance. A total of 106 Serbian-speaking head and neck cancer patients completed the translated FACT-HN, along with other validated instruments, including the EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-HN43, CES-D, and GAD-7. The translation followed a standard internationally accepted procedure. Psychometric analyses were conducted using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlations, and reliability measures such as Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients. The Serbian version of the FACT-HN showed excellent internal consistency across all subscales, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.70 to 0.89. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five-factor structure. Strong correlations were observed between the FACT-HN and other validated QoL measures, particularly with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-HN43. Convergent validity was satisfactory for all components except the Social Well-Being component. The Serbian version of the FACT-HN is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. It provides a comprehensive assessment of physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being, making it valuable for clinical and research applications in Serbian-speaking populations. Further research is needed to assess its sensitivity to longitudinal treatment-related changes., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval: This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine (No.17/I-36) on January 12, 2023. Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background/Objectives : Spinal cord injuries are debilitating conditions with significant impacts on physical function and patient quality of life. The high incidence of urinary tract infections in these patients can be attributed to neurogenic bladder-a major complication of spinal cord injuries. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injuries and their relation to the method of bladder emptying. Methods : A retrospective analysis on 560 patients admitted for rehabilitation at the Clinic for Rehabilitation "Dr Miroslav Zotovic" from December 2009 to January 2023 was conducted. Patients over 18 years old who were inpatients for longer than 30 days without any symptoms of urinary tract infection on admission were included. Patient demographics, injury details, and bladder emptying methods were recorded. Results : In our study, 402 (71.8%) participants developed a urinary tract infection during their rehabilitation. Urinary tract infections were significantly more common in patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries, lower ASIA scores, and thoracic-level injuries. The highest incidence of urinary tract infections was observed in intermittent self-catheterization patients (62.7%), with Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis being the most frequently isolated pathogens. Conclusions : The method of bladder emptying significantly impacted the incidence of urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injuries. Despite guidelines favoring intermittent catheterization, this study found it to be associated with the highest infection rates. These findings suggest a need for personalized bladder management strategies to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and improve outcomes for spinal cord injury patients.

Diagnosing intracardiac masses poses a complex, multimodal challenge. We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic fever leading to mitral stenosis and a previous mitral valve commissurotomy who reported fatigue, weakness, and palpitations over the past three months. Echocardiography revealed a tumor (53 × 40 mm) in the enlarged left atrium, attached by a wide base to the left atrium wall, exhibiting variable densities. Computerized tomography identified a heterodense mass (53 × 46 × 37 mm) with similar attachments. Angiography showed two branches from the circumflex artery intricately associated with the mass. Despite unsuccessful embolization of the mass' blood supply, surgical intervention including mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve annuloplasty, and tumor removal was pursued. Pathohistological analysis confirmed the mass as a thrombus. During the postoperative follow-up, the patient presented with no complaints. Follow-up echocardiography indicated the normal function of the mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and the absence of intracardiac masses. While it remains unknown whether this neovascularization is specific to patients with severe mitral valve disease, this case highlights the diagnostic challenges of differentiating between thrombi and tumors in the context of mitral valve disease. It illustrates the critical role of multimodal imaging in elucidating the anatomical and functional relationships within the heart, thereby guiding accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.