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Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms crucial in the development of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the pediatric population are still not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension, oxidative stress, and inflammation in pediatric patients during the acute phase of the disease. Methods: The study included 33 children, aged 2 to 9 years, with nephrotic syndrome. Blood samples were collected during the acute phase and remission. Parameters of oxidative status were determined, including total oxidative status (TOS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), sulfhydryl groups (-SH), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum, measured spectrophotometrically. Inflam - matory parameters such as pentraxin 3 (PTX3), leptin, program med cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and E-cadherin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Patients with nephrotic syndrome and hypertension had significantly higher levels of advanced oxidation protein products and total antioxidant status (p=0.029 and p=0.003, respectively). During the acute phase of the disease, lower activity of sulfhydryl groups and paraoxonase 1 was observed compared to remission (p

In this paper, the author analyses a lawsuit for unjust enrichment through the prism of two institutes: condictio and actio de in rem verso. The origin of these two notions is linked to Roman law, although their essence has been drastically changed in modern law. It is necessary to determine them in relation to other lawsuits in order to further clarify the boundaries of these institutes through negative definitions as a preliminary step in this presentation. It is necessary to determine their mutual similarities and differences, as well as different understandings of the institutes, depending on the point of view of the legal system in terms of regulating the lawsuit for unjust enrichment, in order to adequately compare them. Comparative law and dogmatic methods were used in the paper.

As the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) can have significant metastatic potential with a high rate of dissemination to the liver and peritoneal cavity. Based on the modified NIH (National Institutes of Health) classification, these tumors are classified into four stages: very low, low, intermediate and high-risk tumors. For low-risk tumors (LRG), minimally invasive surgery with R0 resection is the most common therapeutic option, while for high-risk tumors (HRG), imatinib adjuvant therapy is included post-surgically. Preoperative risk stratification is important for determining the therapeutic treatment and the patient's prognosis. With modern advances in diagnostic modalities, imaging analysis is no longer limited to visual assessment. As a modality of functional multidetector CT diagnostics, CT perfusion enables the quantification of tumor vascularization, while texture analysis provides a quantitative assessment of the degree of tumor heterogeneity, which overall can help in differentiating the metastatic potential of these tumors. The importance of morphological characteristics of tumors obtained by conventional CT examination in risk prediction has already been proven by numerous studies, and it is considered that, together with the advanced CT techniques mentioned above, it can provide a predictive model for the preoperative assessment of GIST risk stratification.

Background/Aim. One of the complications that can occur during pregnancy is the development of preeclampsia (PE). The main characteristics of this condition are high blood pressure and very often signs of kidney damage or other organ damage. The condition affects 5–7% of all pregnant women and is one of the main factors of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural and functional modifications of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles during high-risk pregnancies (HRP) for PE development. Methods. The longitudinal prospective study included a total of 91 pregnant women with a HRP for developing PE. Out of this total number, 71 women did not develop PE until delivery, and this group was designated as the group without PE (WPE). The rest of the 20 HRP women developed PE before delivery and were designated as the PE group. The blood was sampled toward the end of each trimester and before the delivery. The distribution of HDL particles was determined by the vertical 3–31% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis method. The antioxidative capacity of HDL particles was measured by the activity of the HDL-associated enzyme – paraoxonase 1 (PON1). PON1 activity was determined by the method of kinetic spectrophotometry from serum samples. Results. The results have shown that the proportions of HDL2b particles significantly increased in the 2nd trimester (p ˂ 0.05) and remained increased until the end of pregnancy in the WPE group. PON1 activity was significantly higher in the 3rd trimester (p < 0.05) of the WPE group. In the PE group, we found that the proportions of HDL3a particles significantly decreased in the 2nd trimester (p < 0.05) and remained decreased until the end of pregnancy. PON1 activity has not changed in the PE group during pregnancy. Conclusion. Dyslipidemia in pregnancy could be associated with different modifications of HDL particles. The adaptive pregnancy mechanisms expressed as a functional modification of HDL particles in pregnant women who develop PE seem inadequate and, therefore, lose their atheroprotective role.

The 1st trimester of pregnancy is accompanied with changes in different biochemical and hematological parameters. Analyses scheduled to be performed in the 1st trimester are complete blood count, blood group, Rh factor and the double test. Many experts also suggest the determination of lipid status parameters as a routine analysis in the early pregnancy. Reliable data about maternal and fetal health can be obtained by the assessment of the above-mentioned parameters. They may be helpful in assessing the risk for pregnancy complication development and/or perinatal adverse outcomes.

There are several previously published studies suggesting that different people deposit different quantities of their own DNA on items they handled, so can be considered good or bad shedders. This study aimed to investigate the amount of DNA deposited on sterile plastic tubes handled by the employees in our lab for 15 seconds. In particular, we wanted to test if there are differences in the amount of DNA deposited by dominant versus non-dominant hand. Moreover, we investigated the amount of DNA deposited before, immediately after and 30 minutes after hand washing. In the end, this study compared two sampling techniques, namely wet and dry swabbing, aiming to define the technique that guarantees better recovery of touch DNA. A samples were collected from 6 individuals and analyzed for differences in DNA quantity between the two hands of the same individual, but also between different individuals and different sampling techniques. In general, our preliminary results have shown that there are no significant differences between dominant vs nondominant hand. Consistent differences were observed between individuals regarding their ability to deposit biological material on handled objects. Sampling technique was factor that significantly influenced the amount of recovered DNA, suggesting that wet swabbing recovered higher DNA amounts compared to dry swabbing. Hand washing can be considered efficient anti contaminant measure as it significantly reduces the amount of biological material deposited on handled object. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings, especially those considering quantification of DNA deposited by individuals for prolonged period of time.

Introduction. Ectopic thyroid is a rare anomaly characterized by presence of thyroid tissue outside its normal location, which could be the consequence of developmental abnormality, sequestration of thyroid nodes from nodal thyroid goiter or mechanical implantation of thyroid tissue after resection or trauma. Ectopic thyroid is commonly incidentally detected and causes differential diagnostic dilemma towards the neck and mediastinal tumors. The object of this report was to present two types of ectopic thyroid nodes located in the upper mediastinum, incidentally discovered by computed tomography (CT). Outline of cases. A hyperdense nodular lesion was found in the anterior upper mediastinum in a 42-yearold woman with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction in whom CT was performed due to staging purposes. Metastatic left supraclavicular lymph node was considered in the differential diagnosis. However, as the node was located in front of the neck fascia and just below the thyroid gland and showed similar density to thyroid tissue, the diagnosis of accessory thyroid gland was made, which was later confirmed by multiple repeated CT scans during the two-year follow-up period. In a 52-year-old woman presenting with intermittent chest pain and cough, contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed nodal thyroid goiter and three nodes of similar CT texture, located in the upper mediastinum, below the thyroid gland. Accordingly, the diagnosis of parasitic mediastinal goiter thyroid nodes was made. Conclusion. Ectopic thyroid nodes are presented by CT as well-circumscribed nodes of the same density as the thyroid gland, typically located anteriorly in the upper mediastinum.

Adrenal incidentalomas are unexpectedly identified adrenal masses without prior suspicion of the existence of adrenal disease. The majority of adrenal incidentalomas are benign adrenal adenomas (80-90%), and they are non-functioning adrenocortical adenomas in more than 70% of cases. Mild hypercortisolemia is the most common finding in hormonally active adrenal incidentalomas. It is defined as autonomous cortisol secretion in up to 15% of patients. Despite a lot of research that anticipated higher cardiometabolic risk in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion, there is still no clear consensus on biochemical criteria for an autonomous cortisol secretion diagnosis in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. This review delineates the advantages and limitations of different laboratory tests recommended for the diagnosis of autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas.

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Introduction. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men and women worldwide. The contemporary multidisciplinary approach has decreased rates of local recurrence and improved outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer. We present a case of a primarily metastatic rectal cancer patient who underwent multidisciplinary planned treatment and showed complete response with now three years disease-free survival. Case outline. A 61-year-old female was diagnosed with a T4N2M1a rectal adenocarcinoma at the age of 58. She underwent six cycles of systemic chemotherapy capecitabine-oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab with partial response confirmed by diagnostic imaging procedures. According to multidisciplinary board decision, preoperative radiotherapy treatment was administered with concomitant capecitabinebased chemotherapy. A 50.4 Gy total dose was delivered with 1.8 Gy fraction dose. After concomitant chemoradiotherapy treatment, two more cycles of systemic chemotherapy capecitabine-oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab were administered. One month after completion of systemic chemotherapy, primary rectal cancer was operated with a complete response on histopathologic specimens. Six weeks following previous surgery, metastasectomy of lung deposits was performed; histopathology confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma of colorectal origin. Three more cycles of postoperative chemotherapy capecitabineoxaliplatin plus bevacizumab were administered. Conclusion. On regular follow-up, no evidence of disease was shown, with disease-free survival of three years. The treatment improved the patient’s quality of life.

Video surveillance, the monitoring of a specific area, event, activity or person through an electronic device or a system for visual monitoring is already established as a central tool of public security policy. Video surveillance represents a starting point for implementing advanced technologies such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and automatic facial recognition (AFR), which tend to become standards in many urban areas. Based on the increased use of video surveillance technologies, governments and private actors' capabilities in terms of monitoring of the population and potentially violating fundamental human rights are colossally increased. The article will provide a comparative analysis of national regulatory frameworks of video surveillance in public spaces in former Yugoslav states and its compliance with standards provided by new data protection regulatory framework, particularly General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The article will also give an overview of the major violations of the right to privacy by video surveillance and insight into and potential impact of new projects and technologies currently under deployment in the observed countries.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is repeatedly reported in colorectal cancer (CRC). Since cholesterol and vitamin D share common precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), it would be important to explore the associations of key vitamin D metabolites and serum lipid parameters in patients with high and low grade CRC. The aim of this study was to analyze relationships between serum 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3 and 7-DHC levels and serum lipids in patients with CRC, and to evaluate their potential for prediction of risk for development of high grade CRC. Methods: We recruited 82 patients CRC and 77 controls. 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 were quantified by LC-MS/MS methods. Results: 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 and vitamin D metabolic ratio (VDMR) were significantly lower in CRC patients than in control group (P

Introduction. Spontaneous cholecystoduodenal fistula is a rare complication of the gallbladder calculosis. Bowel obstruction is the complication in less than 1% of these patients. The pathognomonic triad (Rigler triad) of pneumobilia, small-bowel distention, and ectopic gallstones is typical for gallstone ileus. In only 1–3% of the patients with bowel obstruction by ectopic gallstone the localization of obstruction is in the duodenum, and it is called Bouveret syndrome. The rarest complication is a floating non-obstructing gallstone trapped in the stomach. Outline of cases. We present three elderly female patients with persistent abdominal pain and known gallbladder calculosis in the patients’ histories. Plain radiography of the thorax and abdomen and ultrasound were performed as the first choice and contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CT) was done subsequently. In the first patient, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed signs of pneumobilia, cholecystoduodenal fistula, and the presence of the gallstone in the stomach. The iodine contrast X-ray swallow test revealed a cholecysto-duodenal bulb fistula and floating calculus in the stomach, confirmed by endoscopy. In the second patient with persistent abdominal pain, CT and barium swallow test showed signs of pneumobilia, cholecystoduodenal fistula, and two ectopic gallstones obstructing duodenum – Bouveret syndrome. The third case showed signs of the Rigler triad – typical signs of gallstone ileus. Conclusion. Spontaneous cholecystoduodenal fistula is a rare condition with possible complications such as Bouveret syndrome, gallstone ileus and floating, non-obstructive gallstones in the stomach, as the rarest possible complication. CT, MRI with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, as well as the contrast X-ray swallow test can be very helpful in the detection of the bilio-enteric fistula and ectopic gallstones.

Introduction. Duodenal hematomas are commonly traumatic, caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Nontraumatic spontaneous intramural hematomas of the duodenum are rare, and in most cases induced by anticoagulant therapy. The diagnosis is based on clinical and biochemical parameters, endoscopy, and radiological examinations. The objective of this report was to present a clinical and radiological presentation of an intramural duodenal hematoma caused by anticoagulant therapy. Case outline. A 43-year-old female was presented with epigastric pain, nausea, hematemesis, and melena. She had a positive medical history of deep venous thrombosis of the pelvis, which was diagnosed the previous month, for which she received oral anticoagulant therapy (coumarin). Physical examination revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness, while laboratory analyses showed markedly elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time (INR > 7), which indicated the anticoagulant intoxication. Computed tomography (CT) showed luminal narrowing with uniform circumferential wall thickening of the descendent and horizontal part of duodenum, which was hyper dense in the native series and slight and uniform ring-formed enhancement in post-contrast phases, a typical CT presentation of intramural duodenal hematoma. Periduodenal and right sided pararenal hematomas were also visualized. After stopping the anticoagulant therapy and performing conservative treatment (vitamin K) with good therapeutic effect being monitored by physical examination, laboratory analyses and transabdominal ultrasonography, spontaneous resolution of the duodenal hematoma was revealed by follow-up CT examination two weeks after the onset. Conclusion. Ultrasonography and CT are useful diagnostic tools in recognition of the intramural duodenal hematoma and other locations of hemorrhage and in monitoring therapeutic effects.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic, progressive disorder with a high prevalence in the population. Without timely diagnosis and therapy OSA can significantly affect the quality of life of the patients. OSA is a common co-morbidity in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is an important risk factor for their development. The presence of untreated, severe OSA is associated with an increase in total and cardiovascular mortality. Numerous studies have pointed to the relationship between MS and OSA, and this phenomenon was described as syndrome Z. Investigation of the causal relationship between OSA and CVD has been greatly confounded by the complex nature of the disease itself. Cardiometabolic risk in OSA is associated with arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress. The treatment of OSA is now most effectively performed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a type of non-invasive ventilation which prevents the onset of sleep apnea. The results of clinical studies have shown that CPAP therapy significantly improves haemodynamic parameters, regulates hypertension, increases insulin sensitivity, and corrects dyslipidemia. Future investigations should clarify whether sleep apnea is a risk factor for CVD per se or is a consequence of a broader pathophysiological process, of which OSA is part.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic high-prevalence metabolic disease, which is characterized by hyperglycaemia, but also with lipid and protein metabolism disorders. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and dyslipidemia is considered as a key marker of this increased risk. Hypertriglyceridemia, reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations, and a shift in low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL) distribution toward the small, triglycerides-rich particles, are the most important changes in the lipid profile in diabetes.Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with low grade inflammation and oxidative stress, so in this condition high density lipoprotein particles (HDL) also undergo structural and functional changes and, as a consequence, lose their atheroprotective role. Dyslipidemia treatment in type 2 diabetes patients younger than 40 and without any other risk factor for CVD development starts with changes in a lifestyle, but in patients older than 40 years, first line medications are statins.Glycemic and lipid control in type 2 diabetes patients significantly reduces CVD risk.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is important parameter for the assessment of long term metabolic control and risk for development of chronic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study investigates associations between achieved metabolic control in type 2 DM with the risk for the development of diabetic foot (DF) and its treatment modalities. The study included 111 patients (80 men and 31 women) with type 2 DM, aged 65.5±9.8 years. In 41 patients DF was treated by a conservative approach, 41 patients underwent a minor limb amputation (foot amputation) and 29 patients underwent a major limb amputation (below-knee amputation). The levels of HbA1c and serum biochemical parameters were measured by standard laboratory methods. The most frequent risk factor for DF in the examined group (82% patients) was poor glycaemic control (HbA1c>8%). The level of HbA1c was significantly higher in surgically treated patients than in the conservatively treated group (P

Matrix metaloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors - tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play an important role in pulmonary extracellular matrix destruction. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs. It has been reported that MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and induced sputum of sarcoidosis patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 complex concentrations and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in sarcoidosis patients, their relationship with inflammatory markers and their ability do predict the existence of disease. We included 101 sarcoidosis patients and 50 healthy subjects. Serum samples were analyzed. Besides routine biochemical parameters, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 complex concentrations were measured. MMP-9 (P

Osteoporosis is characterised by reduced bone mineral density (BMD), increased bone fragility and risk of fractures. We investigated clinical significance of bone turnover biomarkers determination for the prediction of fracture risk and response to therapy. We performed three months follow-up study in 48 women with osteoporosis. During the follow-up period 32 patients were on antiresorptive and 16 patients received anabolic therapy. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I and vitamin D were measured before and 3 months after initiation of the therapy. Higher osteocalcin and ALP levels were significantly associated with increased risk of BMD loss. Following antiresorptive therapy levels of C-terminal telopeptide (P

Background: Unfavorable lipid profile presents one of most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal pathology. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) as enzyme which oxidizes lipoproteins and paraoxonase1 (PON1) as anti-oxidative enzyme have been involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. In the present study we sought to assess oxidative stress status, lipoprotein subclasses distribution as well as functionality of high density lipoprotein (HDL) trough M PO/PON1 ratio in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and children after renal transplantation. Methods: PON1 activity and oxidative stress parameters were measured spectrophotometrically, while MPO concentration was determined using immunoassay. Separation of lipoprotein subclasses was performed by vertical gradient gel electrophoresis in 19 children with different stage of CKD and 19 post-transplantation patients (PT). Results: CKD patients had increased MPO/PON1 ratio and higher prevalence of smaller HDL subclasses when compared to PT subjects. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between MPO level and MPO/PON1 ratio with relative proportion of smaller HDL subclasses. Conclusions: Children with CKD have impaired HDL distribution that is improved after kidney transplantation. Since that measurement of HDL distribution and functionality are not routinely available, MPO/PON1 ratio may be useful marker that could provide necessary information.

Introduction: Obesity is a growing health problem in economically developed countries. Abdominal fat is distributed in two large compartments: visceral fat is localized in the abdominal cavity (around the abdominal organs) and subcutaneous fat (between the skin and muscle layers of the abdominal wall). Ultrasonography is the most appropriate imaging method for estimating the amount of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat in obese patients. Aim: The aim is to assess the correlation between the amount of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, estimated by ultrasound in obese individuals, and biochemical indicators of their glycolipid status. Material and Methods: Retrospective study included 183 adult obese patients (131 women and 52 men, mean age 42.6 ± 12.2, mean weight 123.4 ± 26.7 kg, mean BMI 43.5 ± 7.6kg/m2), in whom diameters of visceral (dVAFT) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (dSCAFT) were measured by ultrasonography. Following anthropometric parameters, height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and hip cimrcumference (HC) were also measured. Also, biochemical analysis of the concentration of glucose, insulin, HbA1c, triglycerides and cholesterol (parameters of the glycolipid status) was done. Correlation among these parameters was tested using Pearson's test of linear correlation (r). Results: Positive correlation was found between the dVAFT and all analyzed biochemical parameters of the glycolipid status (p < 0.001). The exceptions were total cholesterol (p = 0.158), negative correlation between the dSCAFT and concentrations of serum glucose, HbA1c and triglycerides (p < 0.01), dVAFT/dSCAFT index most strongly positively correlated with the glucose concentration (r = 0.534), HbA1c (r = 0.456) and triglyceride levels (r = 0.443). WC and WC/HC index significantly correlated with the concentration of all biochemical parameters of glycolipid status, except total cholesterol, but less strongly than dVAFT and dVAFT/dSCAFT index. Conclusion: Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat diameters were measured by ultrasound, and especially dVAFT/dSCAFT index, express stronger correlation with the biochemical parameters of glycolipid status, than the anthropometric parameters, in adult obese people.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore oxidative stress status, especially the enzyme myeloperoxidase in children with end-stage renal disease. Also, we investigated possible associations between the atherogenic index of plasma and these parameters. Methods: Lipid status parameters, oxidative stress status parameters, and myeloperoxidase concentration were measured in the sera of 20 children in the last stage of chronic renal disease (ESRD) and 35 healthy children of matching age and sex. The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) was calculated according to the appropriate equation. Results: We did not find any significant differences in myeloperoxidase concentrations between the investigated groups (p=0.394). Oxidative stress parameters were, however, significantly higher in the patient group (p

Specifically altered lipid profile and physiological hyperlipidemia during pregnancy are considered essential for the normal course of pregnancy and fetal development. This specific alteration of the lipid profile raises the questions about potential proaterogenic effect of these altered lipid parameters during pregnancy and its influence on the development of cardiovascular disease in women later in life. Research topic was also the association of altered lipid profile during pregnancy with the development of complications in pregnancy, especially gestational diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia. Through the mediation of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), the activity of which grows in mid-gestation, there are exchanges of the triglycerides between VLDL and LDL or HDL particle, which leads to increased accumulation of triglycerides in these particles, causes them to become smaller and denser with much greater atherogenic potential. These changes in lipid profile point out that a large number of pregnancies increase risk of development of cardiovascular diseases later in life. In order to optimize the predictive capacity of the lipid profile during pregnancy, it is recommended to determine the indexes of lipid.