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Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):561-563

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Croatian Catholic University, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Surgery, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Sveti Duh University Hospital and Croatian Catholic University, Zagreb, Croatia.

We present an atypical case of retrouterine gangrenous perforated appendicitis with Douglas abscess in a 33-year-old woman, with clinical picture developing over two weeks. Laparotomy and appendectomy with abdominal drainage and antibiosis were performed and resulted in complete recovery. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):556-560

1Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb; 2Department of Oral Diseases, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Hematology, School of Medicine and Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Croatian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

A 40-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Oral Medicine due to oral ulcerations. Oral ulcerations were present on vestibular mucosa above teeth 21, 22, 25 and 26 and were 1 cm in diameter, and also around teeth 45 and 46. The patient had prolonged neutropenia due to therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome that progressed to therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):550-555

1Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Acute optic neuritis has the age and sex adjusted incidence of 1-5/100,000 in general population. It is mostly a disorder affecting young Caucasian women (31-32 years). Patients present to a wide range of clinicians including general practitioner, emergency physician, ophthalmologist, neurologist, etc. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):546-549

1Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria; 2Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria; 3Emergency Center, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.

A case of a 66-year-old man with West Nile neuroinvassive disease manifested with fever, weakness, fatigue, consciousness disorders and underlying diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases is presented. Laboratory data showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen. Serological tests revealed West Nile virus specific antibodies of class IgM and IgG in serum. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):540-545

1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; 3Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; 4Pathology and Histology Center, Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; 5Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 6Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 7Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.

Nocardia is a ubiquitous microorganism which can be the cause of local and disseminated infection in humans. Immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients both can be affected and was reported as a pathogen isolated in patients worldwide. In most cases, nocardiosis is present as pulmonary infection because inhalation is the primary way of bacterial exposure. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):535-539

1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Surgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 5Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 6Department of Pediatrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) affects the aorta and its branches. Immunosuppressants are the usual course of therapy, while surgery has been used in acute cases. There is only scant information on TA in infancy, and the nonspecific symptoms in the initial stage of the disease make the diagnosis difficult and delayed, thus increasing the mortality rate. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):529-534

1Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zagreb, Croatia; 2School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Oncology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease of unknown precise etiology and immunopathogenesis. Peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages are the major sources of cytokines, which regulate inflammation. Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is a method where blood is processed by apheresis system that removes lymphocytes and plasma before being returned to the body. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):523-528

1Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2One Health Group, Sheffield, United Kingdom; 3Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate clinical results before and after vertebroplasty in the treatment of myeloma-induced vertebral fractures. Success of the surgery was defined by increased or reduced pain intensity before and after the treatment, as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). The study was designed as a retrospective-prospective study. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):516-522

Ondokuz Mayis University Health Science Faculty, Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey.

This study aimed to determine the effects of daily living activities and self-care capacity on depression of the elderly in northern Turkey. The study was conducted with participation of 451 voluntary elderly individuals. Data were collected a questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Exercise of Self-care Agency Scale, Daily Activities Index, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Index. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):508-515

1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Jesenice General Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Jesenice, Slovenia; 3Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Dr Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 6Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

This study aimed to investigate whether infertility and its treatment affect couple sexuality. A systematic literature review was performed, focusing on female and male sexual dysfunctions due to infertility. The method was descriptive, using a meta-synthesis of scientific research published between 2012 and 2017 in the English language. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):497-507

1Department of Social Medicine, Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia; 2Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; 3Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Rijeka University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.

This paper deliberates on the place and role of informed consent in everyday clinical laboratory practice. Taking into account international ethical guidelines such as the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association, and Croatian national laws and codes such as the Act on the Protection of Patients' Rights, the Act on Medical Biochemistry, the Code of Ethics of Medical Biochemists and Medical Deontology, the Act on Healthcare Services, and the Code of Ethics of the Croatian Chamber of Healthcare Workers, an overview is given on the actual implementation of the aforementioned recommendations and regulations. A distinction between consent to a medical procedure and consent to enrolment in a research protocol is strongly stressed out. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):491-496

1Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia; 3Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, School of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia; 4Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 5University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; 6Department of Neurosurgery, Varaždin General Hospital, Varaždin, Croatia.

Lumbar spine synovial cysts are benign growths adjoining the facet joints that may induce low back pain, lumbar radiculopathy and neurological deficit. However, they are not well defined concerning their origin, cause and pathology, as well as available treatment strategies. The scope of different surgical procedures includes image-guided epidural steroid injection, direct cyst puncture by percutaneous epidural needle, spinal canal decompression and cyst resection, and spinal bone fusion with/without instrumentation. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):481-490

1Croatian Institute of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Medical Statistics, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia; 3School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Breastfeeding is related to better overall health in adult life and is one of the commonly described protective factors for childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between breastfeeding duration, childhood lifestyle habits, overweight and obesity in a cohort of Croatian second- and third-grade schoolchildren. Randomly selected second- and third-grade children aged 6-11 years (N=5662) were measured for weight and height in order to calculate nutritional status for each child. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):473-480

1Pediatric Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Split University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Split University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the strabismus angle variability and rationality of surgical treatment of strabismus in prematurely born children with neurological impairment during 12-year follow up. Eleven premature infants born in 2003 were included in the study and treated with equal conservative approach from 2005 until 2016. Initial esotropia was found in seven and exotropia in four of eleven children. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):467-472

1Oftalmos, Paraćin, Serbia; 2Ophthalmology Department, Kragujevac Clinical Centre, Kragujevac, Serbia; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.

The aim was to determine early changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) following uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in healthy eyes. This prospective interventional case series study was conducted at Ophthalmology Department, Kragujevac Clinical Centre, Kragujevac, Serbia. The study included 123 eyes of 123 cataract patients, 66 women and 57 men, age range 50-88 (mean 70. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):463-466

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karlovac General Hospital, Karlovac, Croatia.

The 20-year experience with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) at Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre from Zagreb is presented. This retrospective observational study included 1407 women with cervical dysplasia treated by LLETZ technique during the 1995-2016 period. LLETZ was most commonly performed in the 25-35 age group (51%), followed by the 36-45 age group (22%), and least frequently in the >65 age group (2%). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):455-462

1Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Pathology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Dermatovenereology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans. Clinically useful molecular markers that help predict response to therapy and prognosis are still rare. The research was conducted in 55 patients with GBM, 26 (47. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):446-454

1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 2School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia; 3Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 6Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Rijeka University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia; 7School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.

We investigated mortality, causes, timing and risk factors for death until hospital discharge in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants born in two Croatian perinatal care regions. This retrospective study included 252 live born VLBW infants. The mortality rate until hospital discharge was 30. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):439-445

1Clinical Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Protection, Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Mineral Research, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia.

Patients with urolithiasis, particularly hypercalciuria, may have reduced bone mineral density (BMD). There are numerous risk factors contributing to reduction of BMD such as advanced age, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, low calcium intake, etc. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of lifestyle risk factors and daily intake of milk and dairy products with determinants of BMD in a group of recurrent calcium stone formers (RSF) compared with healthy subjects (HS). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):430-438

1Subotica General Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Subotica, Serbia; 2University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Novi Sad, Serbia; 3University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Novi Sad, Serbia; 4University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Internal Disease, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Novi Sad, Serbia; 5Clinical Center of Serbia, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Belgrade, Serbia; 6University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Internal Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia.

The relationship between aging and changes in heart rate variability (HRV) could depend on the metabolic profile of obese people, i.e. metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):421-429

1Department of Infectious Diseases, Mostar University Hospital, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 2School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Dr. Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia.

Pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) 2009 causes a disease that is epidemiologically and clinically not significantly different from seasonal influenza, but there are differences. The aim of the study was to display and compare epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pandemic influenza in children. At Dr. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):417-420

Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Golkoy, Bolu, Turkey.

Physicians and surgeons pay much attention to evaluating thyroid nodules due to the malignant potential of these growths. Inflammation has a crucial role in the development of cancer. Increase in the mean platelet volume (MPV) has been described in various inflammatory conditions. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):410-416

1Molecular Virology Department, St. S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania; 2Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Cuza Voda Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Hospital, Iasi, Romania.

The aim of the study was to assess the role of behavioral factors in persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection. Out of a cohort of 605 women included in a study of HPV infection prevalence, 142 HPV positive women (aged 18-57) were retested after a 12-month interval. None of the patients underwent surgical treatment during that period. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Sep;58(3):403-409

1University Children's Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia;3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 6Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Unicameral bone cysts (UBC) are benign bone tumor-like lesions. Mostly they are located in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal region of long bones in children and adolescents. The etiology of UBC is still unclear. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):391-393

1Department of Cardiology, Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Electrostimulation, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia; 2Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

We present a case of a 64-year-old female patient scheduled for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Dual coil, active fixation ICD lead was introduced through the axillary vein. More than 20 positions were changed in the right ventricle (RV) (outflow tract, high, mid and apical septum, infero-basal, apical and lateral wall). Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):386-390

1Department of Gastroenterology, Rijeka University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia; 2Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Rijeka University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia; 3Department of Pathology, Rijeka University Hospital Centre, Rijeka, Croatia; 4Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 5University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia.

Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, is the fastest growing human cancer, presenting pathologically with a 'starry sky' pattern. It is most often found in the abdomen and the jaw, however, localization in the abdomen other than the ileocecal area is very rare and described only in a handful of cases. Standard treatment consists of initial tumor cytoreduction followed by intense chemotherapy. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):379-385

1Department of Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Centre and School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Trauma and Orthopaedics Department, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom.

Bone drilling causes focal temperature rise due to metal-to-bone contact, which may result in thermal osteonecrosis. Newly constructed internally cooled medical drill of an open type decreases temperature rise at a point of metal-to-bone contact although standard sterilization of such a drill could be inadequate due to bacteria retention within the drill lumen. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of sterilization and to propose sterilization recommendations for internally cooled open type bone drills. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):371-378

Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

Self-perceived stress during undergraduate medical training could influence forthcoming career choices. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and potential differences between 1 and 6 year students regarding aspects of medical training and career plans. As many as 570 students in 1 and 400 in 6 year of studies at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, were recruited on December 2-9, 2013. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):365-370

1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zenica Cantonal Hospital, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3Sarajevo Medical School, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 4Jordanovac Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

In the era of new molecular, epigenetic and proteomic discoveries, birth canal injuries seem like outdated discussion. A vast increase in the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) has been recorded in the last two decades despite advantages in modern medicine and new obstetric methods. This increase might be attributed to the new classification of perineal injury but also to the new imaging methods, including endoanal sonography, which earlier identifies injuries that previously were considered to be occult and actually underwent unrecognized, and which should have been recognized immediately postpartum. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):354-364

1Department of Medical Biology, Medical Academy SI Georgievsky, Crimea Federal University, Simferopol, Russian Federation jurisdiction; 2Faculty of Earth, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland; 3A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russian Federation.

The literature devoted to changes in the expression of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) proteins of cancer cells was analyzed. The dynamics of RAS protein expression in malignant tumors and the possible role of epigenetic mechanisms in these processes are briefly reviewed. Through research of the epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, principally new techniques for their correction based on the use of selective regulatory systems of covalent modification of histone proteins (for example, deacetylase inhibitor) and microRNA synthesis technologies have been developed. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):348-353

Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

The Vibrant Soundbridge represents a new approach to hearing improvement in the form of active implantable middle ear hearing device. Unlike conventional acoustic hearing aids, which increase the volume of sound that goes to the eardrum, the Vibrant Soundbridge bypasses the ear canal and eardrum by directly vibrating the small bones in the middle ear. Because of its design, no portion of the device is placed in the ear canal itself. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):343-347

1Department of Urology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre and School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Pathology and Cytology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre and School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Twenty to thirty percent of patients with clinical stage I testicular tumor have metastases in the retroperitoneum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of OCT4 immunohistochemistry in histopathologic diagnosis of lymph node metastases in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors. All clinical stage I patients with staging laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy from 2001 until 2009 were included. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):337-342

12 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland; 2Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland; 3Centre for Research, Training and Innovation in Surgery (CERTAIN Surgery), Krakow, Poland.

Surgical procedure has immense impact on the immune balance. However, little is known about perioperative changes in T regulatory and Th17 lymphocyte subpopulations in patients undergoing colorectal resection. Patients with resectable colon cancer were enrolled in the study. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):333-336

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

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology from 2009 introduced a new category in thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings named atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), which usually appears in around 5% of FNA findings. Our study aimed to assess the utility of AUS finding in determining the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules. In our study, 160 patients with AUS finding on initial FNA were regularly followed-up. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):321-332

1Department of Public Health Nursing, Ordu University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ordu, Turkey; 2Department of Public Health Nursing, Inonu University Nursing Faculty, Malatya, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of home care provided for stroke patients and education of caregivers on the caregiver burden and quality of life. The study was conducted by using a true experimental method with pre-test and post-test control group. The study included 43 experimental and 43 control patients and their caregivers. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):311-320

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Osijek University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vukovar General Hospital, Vukovar, Croatia; 4Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

The aim of this retrospective study was to present the impact of successful optimal cytoreductive therapy on the overall prognosis of ovarian cancer treatment. Several factors were analyzed, including clinical (stage, age and parity), histopathologic/cytological (histologic type and grade of tumors, cytological findings of ascites or peritoneal washout), and therapeutic (surgery performed with the degree of cytoreduction, adjuvant chemotherapy and response to therapy). The study included 126 patients treated during a 5-year period at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek University Hospital Centre in Osijek. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):303-310

1Health Sciences Faculty, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey; 2Health Sciences Faculty, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey.

This methodological study was conducted for Turkish adaptation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parental Beliefs Scale (NICU PBS). The study sample consisted of 136 mothers and 97 fathers who had agreed to participate in the study. Turkish linguists were consulted to test the linguistic validity of the scale. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):295-302

1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ege University, School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey; 2Department of Pediatric Neurology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.

Vitamin B12 is one of the essential vitamins that affect various systems in the body, including the central nervous system. Vitamin B12 plays an important part in the metabolism of the nervous system, although its exact role under pathological conditions is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency in the light of the characteristics of the patients enrolled. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):288-294

1Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb and Faculty of Medicine in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Daruvarske Toplice Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, Daruvar, Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of foot deformity in urban children, as well as possible generational and gender differences using graphic and angular methods. The sample of study subjects included 426 1 to 4 grade schoolchildren (7 to 10 years of age). Out of the total number of schoolchildren, 181 children (88 boys and 93 girls) were measured in 2005, and 244 children (122 boys and 123 girls) in 2011. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):281-287

1Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

A 24-hour shift is one of the major stressors for physicians because, apart from causing fatigue and circadian rhythm disorders, it often requires making vital decisions for patients within a short time frame. It is known that workplace stress leads to the activation of the coagulation system, which can result in imbalance of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system. The state of stress can also generate proinflammatory mediators. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):274-280

1Department of Anesthesiology, Institute for Children's Diseases, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro; 2Centre for Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro; 3School of Medicine, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia; 4Centre for Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia; 5School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 6University Children's Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia.

Surgical procedure causes multisystem stress response reactions. The aim of this study was to assess whether gender has an impact on the level of neuroendocrine response to surgical stress and intensity of postoperative pain in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair surgery, as well as satisfaction of their parents with preoperative and postoperative care. The study included 60 children aged 3-6 years, all of them the only child in the family. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):265-273

1In-Medico Department of Research and Development, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 3Clinical Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Centre for Intensive Therapy, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 4Department of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Therapy, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Delirium is a clinical syndrome often underestimated in the intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that influence the onset of delirium. A questionnaire was sent to intensivists in Slovenian ICUs, who estimated the prevalence of delirious patients. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):255-264

1Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 3Department of Pediatrics, Slovenj Gradec General Hospital, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia; 4Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

To review the outcome of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy in all implanted Slovenian patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, data on 48 patients implanted between 2001 and 2015 were obtained retrospectively from medical records. The outcome was assessed in 2016. Out of 48 patients, 39 responded at follow up. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):249-254

1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Ljudevit Jurak University Department of Pathology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the performance of transvaginal sonography in relation to histologic diagnosis of samples obtained by hysteroscopy through analysis of data collected over 16 years. Data on suspected formation of endometrial polyp or submucosal fibroid found on ultrasound examination were extracted. The study included a total of 3679 women examined during the 2000-2015 period. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):240-248

1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnosis, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 4Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 5School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Gastrointestinal tract is an important connector between food intake and body weight, it senses basic tastes in a similar manner as the tongue. The aim of the study was to find out how gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) influences taste preference. Fourteen healthy participants (six male and eight female) were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):229-239

1Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Cvjetno naselje Elementary School, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia.

The principal study objective was to define whether memory deficits (numerical, working, verbal-mechanical, verbal-logical and visual memory) occurred in patients submitted to surgery for brain artery aneurysm and whether significant recovery of memory took place with time. The study sample included 92 patients, i.e. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):221-228

1Department of Neurosurgery Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

Treatment modalities affecting quality of life and survival in elderly brain glioblastoma patients are not well defined. A single-institution data were analyzed during a 3-year period to disclose prognostic difference in management related to age. Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), overall survival (OS), and adjuvant therapy were evaluated. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):213-220

1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Department of Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine arterial stiffness and the effect of stenting in patients with renal artery stenosis. We hypothesized that ostial renal artery stenosis is not only a marker of more pronounced atherosclerosis of large arteries, but is also a predictor of higher cardiovascular mortality. We enrolled 33 patients with renal artery stenosis refractory to pharmacological treatment and divided them according to the renal artery stenosis location, ostial and truncal (23 . Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):202-212

1Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Department of Mathematics, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia.

It has been suggested that various environmental factors play a very important role in the etiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and that they have a significant effect on the course of these diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of daily physical activity on the activity of IBDs in therapy-free patients. This cross-sectional population based study was conducted in eastern Croatia from January to June 2016. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2019 Jun;58(2):195-201

1Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia; 3University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 4University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Zagreb, Croatia; 5Occupational Medicine Office, Zagreb, Croatia; 6Sveti Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; 7Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; 8Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

Detecting predictors of poor outcome is crucial for understanding the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and thus creating new therapeutic concepts. It is well established that low serum lipid levels are associated with unfavorable outcomes in HF patients. Several studies examined the association between serum lipids and established predictors of mortality in HF patients. Read More