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Acta Clin Croat 2021 Dec;60(Suppl 2):17-26

National Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of the National Colon Cancer Early Detection Program of the Croatian Ministry of Health, Zagreb, Croatia.

Colorectal cancer is a malignant neoplasm which has an increasing incidence and represents a global public health problem. The majority of patients are diagnosed after the age of 50, and the risk of developing it over lifetime is 5%. Development of preventive, diagnostic and treatment methods has resulted in a significant reduction in mortality and other negative clinical outcomes. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2021 Dec;60(Suppl 2):36-52

Croatian Society of Gastroenterology, Zagreb, Croatia.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term describing excessive accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, and is associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. NAFLD prevalence is on increase and goes in parallel with the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. That is why Croatian guidelines have been developed, which cover the screening protocol for patients with NAFLD risk factors, and the recommended diagnostic work-up and treatment of NAFLD patients. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):341-346

Department of General Surgery, Zemun University Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia.

Anastomotic leak (AL) after colorectal cancer surgery is one of the most serious postoperative complications which has major impact on outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for AL, as well as to examine whether there are differences in risk factors for AL depending on the primary tumor location. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients having undergone colorectal surgical procedures for malignancies between January 2013 and December 2017 in a single institution. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):457-466

1Department of Radiology, Karlovac General Hospital, Karlovac, Croatia; 2Department of Vascular Surgery, Karlovac General Hospital, Karlovac, Croatia; 3Department of Neurology, Karlovac General Hospital, Karlovac, Croatia.

In this study, we compared the measurement of carotid stenosis by computed tomography angiography (CTA) based on the narrowest diameter cross sectional area (CSA) with the measurement by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) as a reference standard, and analyzed how the application of different statistical methods affected the result. On 113 carotid arteries with ≥50% stenosis, we quantified the level of correlation among the three measurements, sensitivity, specificity, and differences in the estimated stenosis level. Correlation between both CTA measurements was good with Pearson's ρ between 0. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):548-551

1Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia; 2University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Dr. Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Zagreb, Croatia.

Abdominoplasty is one of the most popular aesthetic body contouring procedures. Seroma formation is the most common early complication after abdominoplasty. Usually, it resolves with punctions and seroma evacuation. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):519-524

1Department of Urology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Ljudevit Jurak Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia;4Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

The management of bladder cancer patients largely depends on pathologic staging and grading, and current morphological classification does not always show the individual patient's risk. Despite modern surgical techniques, pre- and postoperative therapies, clinical outcomes of these patients have not changed over decades. Today, there are new biomarkers for bladder cancer showing changes in tumor biology and progression, as a result of changes in the pathways affecting cell signaling, proliferation, apoptosis, epigenetic changes, angiogenesis, and modulation of host immune response. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):379-388

Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with ischemic heart disease being one of the most important etiologic factors. Heart failure develops due to ventricular remodeling, which leads to increases in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes. In this prospective observational study, we included 101 patients with first episode of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in whom percutaneous coronary intervention was conducted within 12 h and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction III flow was achieved. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):423-428

Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc-MIBI is an imaging technique used in nuclear medicine and performed in patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of this technique in patients who, along with suspected HPT, also have thyroid nodules. Retrospective analysis included a period of 8 years (2006-2013). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):415-422

1Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 2North University, Varaždin, Croatia; 3Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Radiology Institute, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 6Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 7Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

The sphenoid bone development occurs in both prenatal and postnatal periods. Sphenoid bone openings are used as surgical landmarks and are of great importance for neurosurgeons in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to identify morphological characteristics, postnatal development and remodeling, as well as clinical aspect of the sphenoid bone openings and to investigate their relationship and difference in size. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):476-482

1Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 2School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3North University of Varaždin, Varaždin, Croatia.

Providing in-patient nursing care inevitably involves shift work and shift patterns have been identified as an important factor in determining well-being and satisfaction among nurses. Shifts of 12 h or longer have become increasingly common for nurses in hospitals in some European countries. Longer shifts offer a potential to benefit from a compressed working week, with fewer work days and more days off-work, lower commuting costs, and increased flexibility. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):496-509

1Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Dr Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the late 2019 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes a respiratory disease which could put myasthenia gravis (MG) patients at a greater risk of developing severe disease course, since infections and some drugs are a well-recognized trigger of symptom exacerbation in MG patients. Out of ten most commonly used past and present drugs used in COVID-19 treatment, two (quinolone derivatives and azithromycin) are known to worsen MG symptoms, whereas another two (tocilizumab and eculizumab) might have positive effect on MG symptoms. Colchicine, remdesivir, lopinavir, ritonavir and favipiravir seem to be safe to use, while data are insufficient for bamlanivimab, although it is also probably safe to use. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):367-372

1Rotim Medical Center, Sesvete, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Fixed Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia; 6Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.

The etiopathogenesis of dental implant failure is multifactorial and may include numerous local and systemic factors, however, studies including both local and systemic factors are still lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether periodontal disease, oral hygiene index, i.e. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):467-475

1Bryansk City Hospital No. 1, Bryansk, Russian Federation; 2Voronezh State Medical University N. N. Burdenko, Voronezh, Russian Federation; 3Bryansk State Technical University, Bryansk, Russian Federation; 4Penza State University, Penza, Russian Federation.

The aim of the study was to investigate morphological traits of hepatic parenchymal tissue repair in response to injury using the conventional technique (closure) and an innovation method (such as hemostatic medication swab packing and modified batching). The experimental study was carried out on laboratory rats of the Winzar breed using light microscopy, standard stains for micropreparations, and morphometry. Histopathologic examination of micropreparations stained by standard methods revealed pronounced dystrophic processes in hepatocytes located near the necrotic zone (albuminous and hydropic degeneration and chromatin fragmentation in the nuclei). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):510-518

1Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Periodontology, Zagreb Dental Policlinic, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Recent clinical and scientific evidence confirms the negative impact of long-term periodontitis on the clinical course and progression of various liver diseases. Periodontitis is a chronic, slow-progressing infectious disease of the tooth supporting tissues caused mainly by the gram-negative bacteria and These specific pathogens can be easily translocated from oral cavity to the intestine. Disruption of the intestine microbiota composition by orally derived periodontal pathogenic bacteria has recently been suggested to be a causal mechanism between periodontitis and liver disease. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):406-414

1University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia; 2Dentistry Clinic, Novi Sad, Serbia; 3Department of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

Chronic periodontitis is a common complication in diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate some clinical and microbiological parameters in controlled and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) patients compared to non-diabetic (NDM) individuals, as well as to assess the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on these parameters. The study was performed in 61 type 2 DM patients with periodontitis (group 1A: 29 patients having achieved good metabolic control, HbA1c <7%; group 1B: 32 patients with poor metabolic control, HbA1c ≥7%), and 31 NDM individuals suffering from periodontitis. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):399-405

1Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

The experience of labor pain is a complex process that represents the interaction of the nociceptive stimulus within the physiologic process with a series of psychological factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the choice of epidural analgesia as a form of pain management and psychological state of woman in labor; moreover, whether the women in labor with a higher level of anxiety have a more intensive experience of pain during labor and therefore decide on epidural analgesia. Pain was evaluated by the visual analog scale, while the sensory and affective pain components were evaluated by the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and anxiety as a trait was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-form X. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):361-366

1University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; 2University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Synthetic cannabinoid (locally named 'Bonzai' in Turkey) use is increasing worldwide (especially among people with low income). One of its harmful adverse effects is an increase in serum levels of muscle enzymes (i.e. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):483-495

1Department of Functional and Laboratory Diagnostics, I Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine; 2Department of Pediatrics N2, I Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine.

This study aimed to evaluate changes of the lipid panel data in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and to identify the probable prognostic values of the lipid profile for macrovascular complication (MVC) development. The study included 370 patients presented with only T2DM and 30 patients suffering from both T2DM and SCH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify prognostically significant values of the lipid profile with the optimal ratio of sensitivity and specificity for MVC development. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):544-547

Department of Pediatrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.

CYP24A1 is an enzyme that inactivates vitamin D and encodes vitamin D 24-hydroxylase. Mutations in this enzyme have been linked with idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and nephrocalcinosis. Genetic testing for this mutation should be considered in the presence of calciuria, elevated serum calcium, elevated 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D, and suppressed parathyroid hormone. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):435-440

1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia; 3Department of Infectious Disease and Febrile Conditions, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.

Although there has been a trend towards minimally invasive and sternum-sparing procedures, median sternotomy is still a standard surgical approach in cardiac surgery. Many techniques and innovations for closure of sternal osteotomy have been developed with contradictory results. In this report, we present our first experience with the nitinol-made sternal closure system in the primary, as well as secondary closure of sternal osteotomy. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):532-539

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Split University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is amongst the most common pediatric diseases and the most common cause of hearing loss in children. It is accepted that adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is related to OME incidence. Better understanding of the correlation between the relative size of AH and the incidence of persistent OME may provide evidence to support a more standardized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of OME. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):389-398

1Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Health Care Quality Assurance and Improvement, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Dr. Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Vocational Studies for Education of Preschool Teachers and Sports Trainers, Subotica, Serbia.

The aim was to perform adaptation and validation of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care. Implicit delaying of nursing care is an intermediate step, linking nurses with the quality of outcomes for patients and nurses, and it is the result of prioritization of health care measures within the assigned group of patients cared for by nurses. The Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care instrument is a tool used to assess the rationing of care in nursing practice. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):525-531

1University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia; 4Sveta Katarina Special Hospital, Zabok, Croatia.

Camptodactyly and clinodactyly are most commonly considered just cosmetic defects, but they can pose a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, mainly because of their apparently similar clinical presentation. For years, experts have been arguing over definitions, descriptions, and therapeutic approaches to these deformities, with some favoring surgical approach, some advocating conservative treatment, while others are prone to use a combination of the aforementioned approaches. This article provides an overview of the current literature on two different entities, with emphasis on differences in clinical presentation and treatment modalities. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):373-378

1Department of Neurosurgery, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 3Department of Oncology, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 5Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 6Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Treatment of glioblastoma is challenging due to its aggressive and highly invasive nature, and no significant advances in survival have been achieved recently. The aim of our retrospective study was identification of predictive factors and consequent survival outcome in patients who underwent surgical and oncologic treatment of glioblastoma. The study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Osijek University Hospital Centre. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):429-434

1Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Experimental Mechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 4University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.

Total hip arthroplasty implies proper orientation of both acetabular and femoral components with a range of 25-40° of combined anteversion. The aim of the study was to examine resistance to periprosthetic fracture of the axially loaded cross section rectangular femoral stem (Zweymüller) with respect to different degrees of anteversion, implanted in the artificial bone model, in laboratory conditions. Femoral bone models with implanted femoral stems were divided into 3 groups depending on the degree of stem anteversion (A, control group 13-17°; B, stem retroverted 0°-4°; and C, stem anteverted 26-30°). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):347-353

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.

The objective was to investigate whether the method of treatment (surgical or medical) affects achieving a new pregnancy, as well as the time to and prognosis of the new pregnancy, in women with ectopic pregnancy (EP). Information on patients treated in our hospital between 2013 and 2014 for EP was retrieved from the computerized patient records. Data on whether these patients achieved pregnancy after EP treatment, time from treatment to new pregnancy, and prognosis of pregnancy were collected by phone interviews. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):354-360

1Molecular Diagnostics Department, Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Bagatin Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Medical Department, Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 6Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.

ABO blood group is a risk factor for several cancers, but it is not clear yet whether the risk of breast cancer is greater in particular ABO blood type carriers. The aim of this case-control study was to examine the correlation between ABO blood group genotypes, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 status as tumor grade markers (I-III), and the occurrence of breast cancer. The research included 59 patients with invasive breast cancer and 80 asymptomatic, healthy women, blood donors. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):540-543

1Krapinske Toplice Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, Krapinske Toplice, Croatia; 2Faculty of Medicine in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 5School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Antiplatelet therapy is an integral part of optimal medicamentous therapy in patients with coronary artery disease. The strategy of antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy is adjusted (combination of drugs, dosing and duration of therapy) depending on the stage of the disease (acute coronary syndrome with percutaneous coronary intervention, chronic coronary syndrome, or coronary surgical revascularization) and comorbidity of each patient (e.g. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2022 Feb;60(3):441-449

1Eye Hospital, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 3Emergency Medical Care, Belgrade, Serbia; 4Faculty of Health and Business, Singidunum University, Valjevo, Serbia.

This study was designed to explore practical differences between visual acuity (VA) scores measured on Snellen chart ETDRS chart, to grade cataracts using LOCS III system, and to compare VA on both charts depending on cataract grade and type. Prospective evaluation of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity was carried out on the eye scheduled for cataract surgery preoperatively and postoperatively on the Snellen and ETDRS charts. The study was carried out at Department of Eye Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, during a two-year period. Read More