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Introduction/Objective. The main aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness (VE) of BBIBP-CorV, Gam-COVID-Vac, BNT162b2, and ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 in Serbia during the first three months of rollout. Methods. The data from the Serbian National Immunization Registry, the Primary Health Centre Report, and the University Clinical Centre Report for Kragujevac, Serbia, for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2021 were used to compare COVID-19 vaccinated population to unvaccinated individuals in terms of laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to COVID-19. VE was estimated based on the incidence rate ratio, adjusted for age and sex. Results. Overall VE after the first dose reached 20.6%, 28.2%, and 56.1%, and 55.7%, 63.9%, and 79.8%, after the second dose for SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and ICU admission, respectively. BNT162b2 exhibited 96.7% VE against infection and no hospitalization after the second dose. Complete vaccination with BBIBP-CorV and Gam-COVID-Vac demonstrated VE of 43.2% and 78.6% against infection, 56.9% and 85.3% against hospitalization, and 82.3% and 52.7% against ICU admission, respectively. ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 after the first received dose showed VE of 10.3% and 74.7% against infection and hospitalization, with no ICU admission. Conclusion. COVID-19 vaccination in general, as well as each of the four studied vaccines, reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization due to COVID-19, and COVID-19-related ICU admission. Vaccine effectiveness significantly increases with the second received dose for all study outcomes.

Introduction/Objective. The duration of vaccine-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2 is shown to be limited. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) of a third dose of four different COVID-19 vaccines during Delta variant predominance in Serbia. Methods. The data for the period from August 18, to October 1, 2021 were used to estimate the incidence rates (IR) of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The study included 41,186 fully vaccinated subjects, of which 13,589 had received the third dose. VE was estimated based on the IR ratio following vaccination with three vs. two doses. Results. We found that a third dose of all investigated vaccines reduces the incidence of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness that requires hospitalization or ICU admission. The highest VE against infection demonstrated BNT162b2, followed by Gam-COVID-Vac and BBIBP-CorV. Third dose vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization (IR = 0 for Gam-COVID-Vac and BBIBP-CorV), and ICU admission (IR = 0 for all vaccines). The hazard distributions for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization following vaccination with three versus two doses were significantly different. Conclusion. These findings indicate that an additional, third dose of studied vaccine boosters protection against all investigated outcomes.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) are nephrotoxic mycotoxins often found together in grain. The aim of this study was to measure their accumulation in the kidney and liver of adult male Wistar rats, see how it would be affected by combined treatment, and to determine if resveratrol (RSV) would decrease their levels in these organs. The rats received 125 or 250 mg/kg bw of OTA by gavage every day for 21 days and/or 20 mg/kg bw of CTN a day for two days. Two groups of rats treated with OTA+CTN were also receiving 20 mg/kg bw of RSV a day for 21 days. In animals receiving OTA alone, its accumulation in both organs was dose-dependent. OTA+CTN treatment resulted in lower OTA but higher CTN accumulation in both organs at both OTA doses. RSV treatment increased OTA levels in the kidney and liver and decreased CTN levels in the kidney. Our findings point to the competition between CTN and OTA for organic anion transporters 1 and 3.

The aim of this study was to monitor the production of biogenic amines by 156 selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from Serbian traditionally fermented sausages and cheeses. The method for the determination of biogenic amines is liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The measured concentrations of putrescine, cadaverine, tryptamine and spermidine (except in 13 LAB strains) were below the detection limit of the analytical method (0.1 mg/L), whereas those of histamine, tyramine and spermine were above the limit of detection, but still not significant. Tyramine was the only amine that had a measured concentration of 59.89 ± 0.06 mg L-1. Most of the tested LAB strains produced tyramine in broth below 26 mg L-1 with the exception of Enterococcus faecalis strains (59.89 ± 6.66 mg L-1) and Enterococcus faecium strains (47.33 ± 8.58 mg L-1). The low concentrations of biogenic amines are considered non-significant from both a technological and safety point of view.

Background/Aim. Diabetic polyneuropathy is a common chronic complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of applied physical procedures on the functional status of diabetic polyneuropathy patients compared to the group of respondents treated by alpha-lipoic acid. Methods. Sixty sub-jects were divided into two groups: group A – diabetic polyneuropathy patients treated with physical procedures, and group B – diabetic polyneuropathy patients treated with alpha-lipoic acid. The study has lasted for three diagnostic and therapeutic cycles, each lasting for 16 days with a time between cycles of 6 weeks. Results. Manual muscle test, range of motion, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, and Berg balance scale values showed statistically significant improvement at the end of testing group A respondents, while no improvement was shown in group B respondents. Conclusion. The application of the combined physical procedures shows clear benefits for the improvement of muscle strength and mobility of the ankle joint in respondents with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Introduction: Patients with Parkinson's disease are exposed to higher number of drugs on average than other elderly persons. Levodopa, of the mainstay of Parkinson's disease therapy, is frequently interacting with numerous drugs. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in hospitalized patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Material and Methods: This was a academic retrospective cross-sectional study in PD patients hospitalized at the Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center Kragujevac. Medical records of hospitalized patients during the period 1.1.2017 - 31.12.2019 were analysed. The pDDIs were identified by means of Micromedex andLexi-Interact online softwares, and multivariate regression methods were used to reveal potential predictors of number of pDDIs per patient. Results: Micromedex detected 160 different pDDIs in 77.8% of 72 patients with PD. The most frequent pDDIs were those that involved aspirin (with bisoprolol, sertraline and perindopril). Predictors of pDDIs in general was total number of drugs, while use of antidepressants presented a significant risk factor for major pDDIs. Lexi-Interact revealed 310 pDDIs in 98.6% of patients. The three most common pDDIs were with levodopa (bisoprolol, clonazepam, perindopril). Total number of drugs, number of co-morbidities, hospitalization at the neurodegenerative ward, and use of antipsychotics were identified as the relevant predictors of pDDIs. Lexi-interact software detected significantly more pDDIs than Micromedex (p

Introduction. Early warning scoring systems are important for timely identification of the critically ill, but are they a relevant prognostic tool? Our objective was to test if Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), lactate, and base excess (BE) have any prognostic value in high dependency unit patients. Methods. This was a prospective observational study that included 364 patients treated at a respiratory high dependency unit. The values of MEWS, lactate, and BE at admission were recorded with patients’ age, sex, and comorbidities. Negative outcome was defined as death or transfer to the intensive care unit. Independent predictors of negative outcome were identified with the use of multivariable logistic regression. Results. Of 369 patients, 203 (55%) were male. Mean age was 62 ± 16. There were 138 (37.4%) patients with negative outcome: 27.37% died, while 10.03% patients required intensive care unit transfer. The median length of hospital stay was 13 days (IQR 7–15). Patients with negative outcome had a significantly higher MEWS (3.68 ± 1.965 vs. 4.57 ± 2.33, p < 0.001), lower BE (-0.139 ± 7.48 vs. -3.751 ± 6.159, p < 0.001), and a higher lactate (2.299 ± 2.350 vs. 3.498 ± 3.578, p < 0.001). MEWS ≥ 4 (OR 1.90, CI 1.082–3.340, p = 0.026) was the only independent predictor of mortality. Area under the curve (AUC) for MEWS with regard to in-hospital mortality prediction was 0.633 (95% CI 0.569–0.697). When age was added to MEWS, the AUC was 0.76 (95% CI 0.707–0.814). Conclusion. Our findings support the prognostic value of MEWS for final outcome of patients admitted to the high dependency unit.

Aims: The objectives of this study were to find out whether and to what extent Actinomyces neuii is pathogenic to humans in terms of causing invasive infections and to ascertain the most appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy against this bacterium. Material and method: This study was designed as a systematic review article. MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SCIndex, Cochrane database of published clinical trials - Central and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were systematically searched for primary case reports or case series describing invasive infection with Actinomyces neuii. Results: A literature search identified 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, describing cases of patients with an invasive infection caused by Actinomyces neuii. It was found that A. neuii could cause endocarditis, endophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, pleural empyema, soft tissue abscesses, neonatal sepsis, ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections and periprosthetic tissue infections. The most prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of Actinomyces neuii infections were amoxicillin and vancomycin (n = 10; 12.3%), followed by penicillin (n =9; 11.1%), gentamicin (n = 6; 7.4%), ampicillin (n = 5; 6.2%) and ceftazidime (n = 4; 4.9%). Antibiotic treatment of infections caused by A. neuii was followed by clinical improvement or complete cure of all patients, with no recorded deaths. Conclusion: A. neuii has a relevant pathogenic potential to cause invasive infections of various organs and tissues, especially in immunocompromised individuals of any age. For the treatment of mild infections caused by this bacterium, the antibiotics of choice are penicillin or amoxicillin, while vancomycin should be used to treat severe infections caused by Actinomyces neuii.

Introduction/Objective. Making a calculator that would recognize patterns of abnormal liver function tests and link them to the most probable etiology could help clinicians in their initial orientation towards a definitive diagnosis in patients with liver damage. The aim of our study was to design, construct, and validate a calculator that based on a pattern of abnormalities in liver function tests of a patient with liver damage would propose the most probable etiology. Methods. Patterns of abnormal liver function tests for certain etiology of liver damage were extracted from distributions of actual values taken from reports in medical literature about patients whose etiology of liver damage was proven by reliable diagnostic tests. After setting up the calculator with the patterns extracted, its diagnostic value was checked under real-life conditions, on a sample of patients with liver damage whose etiology was established by the gold standard of diagnostics (biopsy or else). The calculator validation study was carried out at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade during a two-year period (2015–2016). Results. For all tested diagnoses, the calculator demonstrated a highly significant difference between the area under the receiver-operator curves’ values and the value of 0.5 (p < 0.001), and high level of sensitivity (more than 90%, except for the model for chronic hepatitis) as well as relatively high specificity (more than 75%) were noted, indicating good ability of the calculator to detect etiology of liver damage. Conclusion. New calculators showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for revealing major liver damage etiologies. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175007]

Background/Aim. The two-part questionnaire called Injection Phobia Scale (IPS)-Anxiety and IPS-Avoidance represents one of the most commonly used questionnaires for assessing the fear of injections. The aim of the present study was to translate and culturally adapt this questionnaire from English into Serbian as well as to assess reliability and validity of the translation. Methods. The translation and cultural adaptation of the IPS–Anxiety and IPS–Avoidance was performed in accordance with the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines. Reliability testing, factor analysis and validation of Serbian translation of IPS-Anxiety and IPS-Avoidance were carried out on a sample of 485 students of pharmacy, or medicine at the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. Results. Serbian translation of IPS-Anxiety and IPSAvoidance demonstrated high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.934 for IPS-Anxiety and 0.911 for IPS-Avoidance. Factor analysis of IPS-Anxiety showed that there are two domains, which we have called as Direct Experience (9 items) and Indirect Experience (9 items); factor analysis of IPS-Avoidance also pointed out on two domains referring to direct and indirect fear of injections. Female students scored higher on the scale showing more extensive injection phobia than male students. It is also interesting that students of pharmacy have higher level of injection phobia than students of medicine, and those students of the fifth year of study feel more fear of injections than students from the first four years. Conclusion. Serbian translation of IPS-Anxiety and IPS-Avoidance showed good psychometric properties on population consisted of students medicine and pharmacy. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175007]

Background/Aim. Neuropathy represents the most frequent complication in the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Symmetric distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP), which represents the most frequent type of diabetic neuropathy, is present in 30% of hospitalized diabetic patients. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of physical therapy (PT) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on pain reduction and quality of life improvement in the DSP patients. Methods. The study was performed on 60 adult patients with DM type 2 and DSP. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 30) was treated by PT and group B (n = 30) was treated by ALA. The study lasted 6 months during which 3 diagnostictherapeutic cycles were performed. To asses their pain before and after every of 3 cycles, we used visual analog scale (VAS). We also evaluated quality of life before the 1st and after the 3rd cycle with the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). To analyze results between groups we used mixed between-within subjects ANOVA and statistical significance was set on p < 0.05. Results. Pain intensity showed statistically significant influence of both PT and ALA (λ = 0.028; p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference between the effects of those two therapy modalities was observed (F = 4.78; p < 0.05): PT reduced pain to the greater extent than ALA. A statistically significant improvement was found in the domain of pain/discomfort both in the group A (η = 0.54, p < 0.001) and group B (η = 0.57, p < 0.001), as well as anxiety/depression (group A: η = 0.32, p = 0.008; group B: η = 0.22, p < 0.019) and EQ-VAS (both groups, p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our research showed that physical therapy had a greater influence in pain reduction than alpha-lipoic acid in the patients with DSP.

The usage of microbiological screening tests is widespread in control of presence of antimicrobial drug residues in meat samples. Screening tests must be capable to detect antimicrobial drug residue of interest and detection limits must comply with MRL (Maximum Residue Limit). The aim of this study was to examine the performance of a microbiological screening test with E. coli as test microorganism: capability of detecting enrofloxacina and it's main metabolite ciprofloxacine at MRL levels in both fortified and incurred chicken tissue samples. Detection limits of microbiological screening test with E. coli was 50 ng/g for enrofloxacin and 25 ng/g for ciprofloxacin. Screening test had positive results in all samples of fortified and incurred meat with residue concentrations above MRL level. The results of this examinations shows that microbiological screening test with E. coli, as simple and cost effective test, is capable to detect enrofloxacine and it's metabolite ciprofloxacine in treated poultry at MRL level ie test is capable to detect unsafe poultry meat.

Introduction. Shortage of intensive care beds has led to more frequent use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) outside respiratory units, and data on NIV efficacy and safety on general wards is lacking. Objective. The aim was to identify potential predictors for NIV failure. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of patients treated with NIV at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina from 2009 to 2013. Demographics, blood gases, chest radiographs, setting, and outcomes were analyzed to identify predictors of NIV failure. Results. A total of 138 patients (65% men, mean age 66 ± 11 years) were treated with NIV. Indications for NIV were acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (85%) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema (7%), as well as respiratory insufficiency related to obesity and central hypoventilation (5%) and neuromuscular disease (3%). Rate of NIV failure was 34.8%. In 86 patients NIV was applied in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), while 52 received NIV on the general ward. Baseline characteristics in terms of gender, arterial blood gases, and the extent of consolidation on chest radiographs were similar. Patients treated in HDU were younger (64.4 ± 1.2 vs. 69.4 ± 1.5 years, p < 0.001). NIV on the general ward compared to HDU had higher rates of NIV failure (28/52 vs. 20/86, p < 0.001). Presence of consolidation involving two or more quadrants on chest radiograph (55% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) was associated with NIV failure. When adjusted for age and the extent of consolidation on chest radiograph, NIV failure was still less likely in patients treated in HDU (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10-0.50). Conclusion. Patients with consolidation on chest X-ray and patients treated with NIV outside of dedicated respiratory units are at a higher risk for NIV failure.

Background/Aim. Femoropopliteal bypass is a revascularization technique of lower extremities with excellent outcome. The great saphenous vein is the best graft material, but if it is not adequate or has been removed, synthetic grafts are an useful alternative. Graft occlusion is the most significant complication with the most serious consequences. The aim of this study was to analyse predictive factors for the synthetic femoropopliteal bypass occlusions. Methods. This retrospective case-control study included all patients who underwent synthetic femoropopliteal bypass due to peripheral arterial occlusive disease at the Vascular Surgery Center, Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia, from 2007 to 2013. The cases group were the patients with femoropopliteal graft occlusion (n = 44), with the control group consisted of the patients without such an outcome (n = 88). Results. Significant effects to occlusion were: concomitant cardiovascular disease (adjustedOR 27.05; 95% CI 4.74; 154.35), a type of femoropopliteal bypass (adjustedOR 16.50; 95% CI 4.05; 67.24), previous vascular intervention (adjustedOR 4.67; 95% CI 1.20; 18.14), clinical stage of the disease (adjustedOR 3.73; 95% CI 1.94; 7.18), administration of postoperative oral anticoagulant therapy (adjustedOR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01; 0.23) and the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (adjustedOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03; 0.70). A significant synergism was shown for the following combinations of the observed risk factors: type of femoropopliteal bypass and cardiovascular disease, type of femoropopliteal bypass and previous vascular intervention, previous vascular intervention and cardiovascular disease, previous vascular intervention and beta blockers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, type of femoropopliteal bypass and antiaggregant therapy, clinical stage of disease and cardiovascular disease, previous vascular intervention and antiaggregant therapy. Conclusion. Concomitant cardiovascular disease, belowknee femoropopliteal bypass, advanced stage of vascular disease and non-use of anticoagulant therapy and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the significant predictors of graft occlusion after synthetic femoro-popliteal bypass. Their synergistic effect determines the importance of diabetes, use of beta blockers and platelet antiaggregant therapy. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175007]

Atypical weather and climate conditions during the spring and summer 2012th were assumed to be the main reason for the aflatoxins contamination of corn crops in Serbia. High humidity in spring, and summer temperatures above the average contributed to the increased possibility of mycotoxins occurance in cereals in the fields. As a consequence, at the begining of 2013th contaminated corn used for dairy cows diet had negative impact on the safety of cow milk. The routine laboratory control data revealed an increased content of aflatoxin M1 in milk samples. Large number of raw milk and various feedstuff samples were collected from February to April 2013th and were analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B1 respectively. The collected samples were a part of enhanced self-control plans of the large dairy farms. Quantitative competitive and sandwich types of ELISA tests were used for the screening analysis of the feed and milk samples. Confirmation of the positive results obtained by ELISA tests was performed by UPLC-MS/MS method. Out of 281 samples of complete mixtures for dairy cows, 67 samples (24%) contained aflatoxin B1 quantities higher than the MRL of 0,005 mg/kg [4]. Corn samples were also tested for the presence of aflatoxin B1 revealing contamination of 22% above the MRL (0.03mg/kg). Aflatoxin M1 content in the 934 positive milk samples ranged from 0,005- 1,25 μg/kg. The corresponding feed samples of sunflower meal, hay silage, corn silage and sugar beet pulp were screening negative, with the content of aflatoxin B1 less than 2 μg/kg. The main source of aflatoxins were corn samples, wholemeal and feed mixtures derived from contaminated corn. The contamination peak was during March 2013, when 65% of milk samples contained amounts of aflatoxin M1 higher than 0,05 μg/kg, and 13% of milk samples contained amounts higher than 0,5 μg/kg.

In this work there was investigated the influence of selenium and deodinases blockers on juvenile rats body weight during three months. The experiment was carried out on 64 rats divided into eight groups with eight individual animals per group. Following groups were formed: 1. Se+PTU-IA- (control group), 2. Se+PTU+IA+, 3. Se+PTU+IA-, 4. Se+PTU- IA+, 5. Se-PTU-IA-, 6. Se-PTU+IA+, 7. Se-PTU+IA- and 8. Se-PTU-IA+. The groups labeled (Se+) were selenium adequate and they were fed with food that contained 0.334 mg Se/kg. The groups labeled (Se-) were selenium deficient and obtained food with 0.031 mg Se/kg. As deiodinases blockers there were used propylthiouracil (PTU+) in a dose of 150 mg/L of drinking water and iopanoic acid (IA+) in a dose of 6 mg/100 g TM intraperitoneally. Body weight of experimental rats was measured every seven days. After three weeks of treatment there were taken blood samples of animals from all experimental groups and following parameters were determined: selenium concentration in blood, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) in blood plasma. Analysis of the samples showed that the animals from the groups treated with PTU had lower body weight in regard to the control group, as well as lower concentration of T3 and T4 in plasma. Selenium deficient rats had lower average body weight compared to the selenium adequate ones after three weeks, but there were no differences in thyroid hormones concentration. The lowest average body weight was noticed in selenium deficient rats groups treated with PTU. [Projekat Ministartsva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31050 i br. TR31003]

A significant factor in the protection of consumer health is the systematic and constant implementation of control for the presence of residue of biologically active substances and their metabolites in raw materials and in primary products of animal origin. As regards meat, an essential aspect of security is definitely the control of possible residue of veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants. In that respect, the objective of the national project entitled „Development of technology for drying and fermentation of the sausage petrovačka kobasica (Petrovská klobása - registered geographic origin) under controlled conditions“, Number TR - 20037, was to protect the product petrovačka kobasica (Petrovská klobása) with the appropriate appellation. A part of the compulsory investigations also included the establishing of the presence of residue of veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants in raw materials and in the finished product, which was also the aim of this work. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-20037: Petrovská klobása - oznaka geografskog porekla u kontrolisanim uslovima]

Investigations conducted within project "Techonological and protective characteristics of autochthonous strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional fermented sausages and possibilities for their implementation in the meat industry" (Project Number: 20127), financed on behalf of the Ministry for Science and Technology of the Republic of Serbia, have provided an answer on the characteristics of the quality of the used raw materials for the production of Sremska sausage - one of the most well-known Serbian traditionally fermented sausages (choice of meat, fatty tissue, additives and spices), and data have been registered in connection with the procedures of their processing, microclimatic conditions have been established (temperature, relative humidity, and air circulation) during the entire process of production and fermentation, as well as the presence and types of microorganisms, primarily lactic acid bacteria (BMK), the carrier of lactic fermentation. The most important characteristics of the filling have been established, the smoking regimen, the regimens of fermentation, maturing, drying, as well as the parameters for quality and safety of the finished product. At the same time, the standard working procedure has been determined for the preparation of the meat, fatty tissue, the forming and inserting of the filling into the wrappers, as well as the characteristics of the finished products. The given standard working procedure should serve as a guideline for the meat industry in the production process of this traditional fermented sausage.

Introduction. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are leading cause of drug-induced angioedema, with incidence of 0.1 to 0.2%. The angioedema is not of immune nature; in predisposed individuals it is caused by accumulation of vasoactive mediators due to reduced activity of angiotensinconverting enzyme. Case report. We presented a 63-year old male patient suffering from hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who had developed two episodes of angioedema during a 5-year long therapy with enalapril. The first episode happened after three, and the second after five years of the therapy. On both occasions, the patient was admitted to the hospital and tracheotomy was avoided in the last moment. Conclusion. Long-term therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors could be associated with delayed angioedema, especially in patients with inflammation of airways caused by infection or chronic irritation.

The paper presents the results of investigations of toxic elements residue in the liver of cattle, pig and broilers, in samples taken in keeping with the Programme for the systematic monitoring of residue during the first six months of the year 2010. The objective of the work was to evaluate the health safety of livers of pigs, cattle and broilers, and to assess the importance of systematic and continuous control and sound education of all subjects involved in the food chain. Liver samples were taken on the slaughter lines, in keeping with the Regulations on establishing a programme for the systematic monitoring of residue of pharmacological, hormone and other harmful matter in animals, products of animal origin, and food for animal consumption. The quantities of arsenic in all samples were below the limit of detection by the applied method, and mercury concentration in one sample of a broiler liver was 0.006 mg/kg. Cadmium content in four samples of calf livers was 0.056 mg/kg, 0.008 mg/kg, 0.012 mg/kg and 0.049 mg/kg. Results for cadmium in eight samples of pig livers ranged in concentration from 0.019 to 0.148 mg/kg, and they were 0.017 mg/kg and 0.020 mg/kg in two samples of broiler livers. Lead was established in two samples of calf livers, in concentrations of 0.35 mg/kg and 0.18 mg/kg. The results of these investigations have shown that not a single liver sample from calves, pigs or broilers had quantities of toxic elements that were higher than the permitted levels and that the liver is a safe for use in the human diet.

Two different analytical methods for the determination and confirmation of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum, kidney and liver of pigs have been compared. Sample clean-up was based on liquid-liquid phase extraction. The detection of OTA was accomplished with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined either with fluorescence detection (FL) or electro spray ionization (ESI+) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). Comparative method evaluation was based on the investigation of 82 samples of blood serum, kidney and liver originating from different regions of Serbia. The analytical results are discussed in view of the respective method validation data and the corresponding experimental protocols. In general, analytical data obtained with LC-MS-MS detection offered comparably good results in the sub-ppb concentration level indicating that the liquid chromatography electro spray tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was more specific and sensitive for the analysis and confirmation of ochratoxin A in pig tissues than high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method after methylation of OTA.

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of kidney from individual healthy slaughtered pigs were collected (n=90) and analyzed by HPLC for ochratoxin A. In addition, histological examinations were carried out. The incidence of OTA in kidney was 33,3% and varied between 0.17-52.5 ng/g. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolization. In addition, hemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules cells were found. These findings indicate that it is likely that most of the kidney injury is related to ochratoxin A and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of OTA.

The aim and task of this study was to determine the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum, liver and kidneys of fattening swine, slaughtered regularly, originating from different areas of Serbia. During meat inspection on the slaughterhouse line samples of blood, kidney and liver per animal were randomly sampled (n=90) and analyzed by HPLC for ochratoxin A. Also, the presence of nephrotoxic (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) elements in kidneys was carried out. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g, while the incidence of OTA in serum and kidney samples were very similar (31 and 33.3%, respectively). The analyses showed that serum samples were positive in the range of 0.22-221 ng/mL, while ochratoxin A concentrations in the kidney were between 0.17 and 52.5 ng/g. The mean distribution of OTA residue followed the pattern: serum>kidneys>liver (100>34>17), while in respect to occurrence it followed the pattern: kidneys>serum>liver (100>93.4>79.9). The results of this study showed that 2.2% of kidney sample had a content of ochratoxin A above the maximum permitted limit in Serbia of 10 ng/g. The results from this survey indicated that there was a low correlation between the OTA level in serum and liver as well as in the OTA level in kidney and liver (r=0.319 and 0.341, respectively) while the strongest correlation was found between the OTA level in serum and in kidney (r=0.973). The presence of mercury was found in 33.3% of kidney samples in the range of 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while the presence of cadmium was found to a lesser degree (27.7%). The Hg concentrations in the kidney samples were lower than 0.10 mg/kg and did not exceed the guideline level established in Serbia, while concentration of cadmium in only one kidney sample was greater than 1.0 mg/kg, and exceeded the limit proposed by the Serbian Rule Book. The presence of arsenic was found only in one sample, while the presence of lead was not established. This study shows the presence of OTA in Serbian slaughtered pigs at levels comparable to those reported in other countries.

The objective of control and systematic monitoring of residue is to secure, by the examination of a corresponding number of samples, the efficient monitoring of the residue level in tissues and organs of animals, as well as in primary products of animal origin. This creates possibilities for the timely taking of measures toward the securing of food hygiene of animal origin and the protection of public health. Residue can be a consequence of the inadequate use of medicines in veterinary medicine and pesticides in agriculture and veterinary medicine, as well as the polluting of the environment with toxic elements, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and others. Residue is being monitored in Serbia since 1972, and in 2004, national monitoring was brought to the level of EU countries through significant investments by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. This is also evident in the EU directives which permit exports of all kinds of meat and primary products of animal origin, covered by the Residue Monitoring Program. The program of systematic examinations of residue has been coordinated with the requirements of the European Union, both according to the type of examined substance, as well as according to the number of samples and the applied analytical techniques. In addition to the development of methods and the including of new harmful substances into the monitoring programme, it is also necessary to coordinate the national regulations that define the maximum permitted quantities of certain medicines and contaminants with the EU regulations, in order to protect the health of consumers as efficiently as possible, and for the country to take equal part in international trade.

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)

Copyright of Meat Technology is the property of Institute of Meat Hygiene & Technology 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.)