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The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to analyse the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population toward COVID-19. This population-based study was conducted in a group of 1,855 randomly selected individuals from all municipalities from 1 December 2020 to 15 January 2021. All individuals were asked to sign a consent form and to fill in a questionnaire, following which a blood samples were collected. Total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined in serum specimens using the total Ab ELISA assay. The overall seroprevalence rate was 40.3%. Subjects aged

The human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2, c-erb-B2) is present in 15-20% of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. Overexpression of HER2 receptor is associated with more aggressive form of breast cancer. Trastuzumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the signaling pathways of cell proliferation by binding to the HER2 receptor. Due to the possible occurrence of resistance to trastuzumab (binds to the subdomain of II HER2 receptor and thus achieves the ligand-independent inhibition of cell proliferation), another monoclonal antibody pertuzumab was produces in the course of time (binds to the subdomain of IV HER2 receptor and thus achieves the ligand-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation), forming the basis of dual HER2 receptor blockade. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of administering trastuzumab and pertuzumab, initially in metastatic, and then in adjuvant and neoadjuvant regimens. Neoadjuvant (preoperative) therapy is given in inoperable tumors, in patients at high risk of poor outcomes (HER2-positive tumors, nodus positive tumors, inflammatory breast cancer, large tumors), as well as in additional risk factors - HR negative tumors where no beneficial effect is expected from the hormonal therapy in the adjuvant setting. Neoadjuvant therapy also provides an “in vivo” insight into the tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy. A pathological complete response (pCR) is an early parameter of the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy which also allows us to discover the sensitivity of the tumor in time and make a decision on adjuvant treatment. pCR has a predictive and prognostic value. Namely, the rate of pCR is associated with desease-free survival and overall survival. On the basis of the rate of pCR, numerous studies have shown that there are subgroups of HER2-positive breast cancer: subgroup of hormone receptor-negative tumors that have a higher response rate to the existing anti-HER2 therapy and HER2-positive breast carcer; the subgroup of hormone-dependent tumors in which an adequate pCR rate is not achieved by existing therapeutic options, which represents a new area of research and the possibility for finding new treatment strategies.

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome among nursery teachers in Belgrade's preschool institutions, and to assess the role of personality traits in its development.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in all Belgrade's preschool institutions. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to obtain a representative sample. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory- General Survey (MBI-GS). The MBI-GS adaptation was based on an internationally accepted methodology for translation and cultural adaptation. Psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the MBI-GS were analyzed through the examination of factorial structure and internal consistency. A shortened version of Big Five Plus Two questionnaire was used to measure Personality traits.ResultsThree hundred two health care professionals were enrolled. The mean age was 38±9.2 years and all were female. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the three-factor structure of the questionnaire (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy). Overall, 251 (83.1%) respondents were found to have moderate burnout. In multiple regression analysis, positive valence and conscientiousness were significantly associated with professional efficacy. Aggressiveness, neuroticism, openness, and age, were significantly associated with exhaustion. Aggressiveness, neuroticism and additional jobs showed association with cynicism.ConclusionPresent study provided the evidence for the appropriate metric properties of the Serbian version of MBI-GS. Most nurses demonstrated moderate burnout level. Personality traits are characteristics that affect presence of burnout syndrome in healthcare professionals working in preschool institutions.

BACKGROUND:The scientific community increasingly is recognizing the need to bolster standards of data analysis given the widespread concern that basic mistakes in data analysis are contributing to the irreproducibility of many published research findings. The aim of this study was to investigate students' attitudes towards statistics within a multi-site medical educational context, monitor their changes and impact on student achievement. In addition, we performed a systematic review to better support our future pedagogical decisions in teaching applied statistics to medical students. METHODS:A validated Serbian Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS-36) questionnaire was administered to medical students attending obligatory introductory courses in biostatistics from three medical universities in the Western Balkans. A systematic review of peer-reviewed publications was performed through searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Medline, and APA databases through 1994. A meta-analysis was performed for the correlation coefficients between SATS component scores and statistics achievement. Pooled estimates were calculated using random effects models. RESULTS:SATS-36 was completed by 461 medical students. Most of the students held positive attitudes towards statistics. Ability in mathematics and grade point average were associated in a multivariate regression model with the Cognitive Competence score, after adjusting for age, gender and computer ability. The results of 90 paired data showed that Affect, Cognitive Competence, and Effort scores demonstrated significant positive changes. The Cognitive Competence score showed the largest increase (M = 0.48, SD = 0.95). The positive correlation found between the Cognitive Competence score and students' achievement (r = 0.41; p

This article describes the process of competence-based curriculum development in nursing education at Western Balkan (WB) universities. Nursing education in the WB has been noncompliant with the standard educational approaches of the European Union's directive on regulated professions. The overall aim of the TEMPUS project "Competency-Based Curriculum Reform in Nursing and Caring in Western Balkan Universities" was to bring curricular reform for bachelor's nursing education in the WB region in line with competence-based education and professional standards to demonstrate compliance with all member countries of the European Union.