Browsing by Author "Dragović, Tamara (6603024367)"

Background/Aim: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent albuminuria, increasing arterial blood pressure and progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). When persistent albuminuria is established, antihypertensive treatment becomes most important factor in slowing the progression of diabetic glomerulopathy. The aim of this study was to examine if renoprotective response to a short-term losartan therapy depends on 1166 A/C gene polymorphism for its target receptor. Method. The study included 35 patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and persistently high urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE: > 30 mg/24 h), genotyped for the 1166 A/C gene polymorphism for the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). The participants were segregated into 3 genotype groups according to combinations of A or C allele: AA(16%), AC(15%) and CC(11%). The patients received losartan 50 mg daily for 4 weeks, following 100 mg daily for another 8 weeks. At baseline and after 12 weeks of the treatment period UAE, blood pressure, GFR and filtration fraction (FF) were determined. Results. After 12 weeks of the treatment with losartan, albuminuria was reduced from baseline by 9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1-17, p = 0.039] in the AA genotype, and by 11% (95% CI: 6-17, p = 0.0001) in the AC genotype. Losartan treatment reduced albuminuria in the CC group by 5% (95%CI: -13-22, p = 0.47). Glomerular filtration rate remained unchanged in all genotype groups. Filtration fraction was significantly reduced from baseline by 0.018 ± 0.024 (p = 0.012) only in the AC genotype. In the AA genotype, FF was reduced from baseline by 0.017 ± 0.03 (p = 0.052), and in the CC genotype by 0.01 ± 0.008 (p = 0.092). In the AA group, systolic blood pressure declined from 136 ± 24 mmHg at baseline, to an average of 121 ± 18 mmHg at the end of the study (p = 0.001). The AC group achived reduction from 131 ± 10 mmHg at baseline to 115 ± 7 mmHg (p = 0.001) during the investigation period. In the AA genotype group losartan reduced diastolic blood pressure from 86 ± 13 mmHg at baseline to 78 ± 8 mmHg (p = 0.004), and in the AC genotype from 88 ± 5 mmHg at baseline to 11.7 ± 5.6 mmHg during the investigation period (p = 0.001). In the CC genotype diastolic blood pressure reduction remained nonsignificant (p = 0.066). Conclusion. The results of our small sample size study provide the evidence that 1166 A/C AT1R polymorphism could be associated with the renoprotective response to losartan therapy.

[No abstract available]

Introduction. Turner syndrome presents with one of the most frequent chromosomal aberrations in female, typically presented with growth retardation, ovarian insufficiency, facial dysmorphism, and numerous other somatic stigmata. Gigantism is an extremely rare condition resulting from an excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion that occurs during childhood before the fusion of epiphyseal growth plates. The major clinical feature of gigantism is growth acceleration, although these patients also suffer from hypogonadism and soft tissue hypertrophy. Case report. We presented a girl with mosaic Turner syndrome, delayed puberty and normal linear growth for the sex and age, due to the simultaneous GH hypersecretion by pituitary tumor. In the presented case all the typical phenotypic stigmata related to Turner syndrome were missing. Due to excessive pituitary GH secretion during the period while the epiphyseal growth plates of the long bones are still open, characteristic stagnation in longitudinal growth has not been demonstrated. The patient presented with delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea along with a sudden appearance of clinical signs of hypersomatotropinism, which were the reasons for seeking medical help at the age of 16. Conclusion. Physical examination of children presenting with delayed puberty but without growth arrest must include an overall hormonal and genetic testing even in the cases when typical clinical presentations of genetic disorder are absent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous presence of Turner syndrome and gigantism in the literature. © 2016, Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All rights reserved.

Background/Aim. Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the basic complication of diabetes, associated with impared glucoregulation, metabolic distrurbances, microvascular vessel damage and increased cardiovascular risk. We monitored the impact of glucoregulation on the efficacy of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) treatment, when all pharmaceutical treatment options were exhausted. Methods. Patients (n = 53, both gender, average age 68.3 ± 12.6) with PDN resistant to the pharmacotherapy were treated with the ultrasound- guided local anesthetic (0.5% procaine hydrochloride, 1% lidocaine, 0.25% levobupivacaine) blocks. Neuropathy was confirmed in accordance with the applicable European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) criteria. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and blood glucose levels were monitored before and after therapy and one month after the treatment. Neuropathic pain was confirmed by Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) or Douleur neuropathique (DN4) or pain DETECT scales. The pain intensity was assessed by Visual analog scale, Neuropathic pain symptom and Neuropathic pain symptom inventory (VAS, NPS and NPSI, respectively) scales before and after therapy and one month after the treatment. The efficacy of the therapy was assessed as: excellent result (> 50% of pain loss), good result (30%–49% of pain loss and the therapy does not work (< 30% of pain loss). The correlation between glucoregulation and the outcome was examined. Results. Because the values of glycenia and HbA1c were not different among patients treated with different local anesthetics, they were presented together. All patients had elevated blood glucose and HbA1C levels before (8.23 ± 2.77 mmol/L and 8.53% ± 2.48% respectively), after (8.43 ± 2.461 mmol/L and 8.85% ± 2.87%, respectively) and one month after the treatment (8.49 ± 2.22 mmol/L and 8.51% ± 2.09%, respectively). The loss of the pain was not result of the decrease in blood glucose and HbA1C blood levels. VAS, NPS, NPSI values were the following before the therapy: 81.53 ± 11.62 mm; 62.00 ± 13.04; 53.40 ± 17.63, respectively; after the therapy: 29.00 ± 9.23 mm; 13.79 ± 6.65; 11.83 ± 7.93, respectively; and one month later: 26.15 ± 8.41 mm; 12.68 ± 6.03; 9.81 ± 7.64, respectively]. There was no correlation between glucoregulation and excellent outcome. Conclusion. Even though the disturbance of glucose control is the key factor for the progression of PDN, it is not significant for the outcome of the pain treatment. New investigations are required. © 2018, Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

[No abstract available]

Introduction. Fahr’s syndrome is a rare, slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by extensive, bilateral, and symmetrical basal ganglia calcification. It is associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations and gradually progressive cognitive impairment. Fahr’s syndrome is the secondary form of brain calcification that is caused by various metabolic, infectious, or degenerative diseases. Case report. We presented a middle-aged male with Fahr’s syndrome due to primary idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Clinical diagnosis was based on signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia, progressive neuropsychiatric illnesses, laboratory evidence of hypoparathyroidism, and radiological signs of calcifications in the basal ganglia. The patient improved after only a few days of intravenous rehydration and calcium substitution, followed by oral supplemental calcitriol. Conclusion. Timely recognition of idiopathic and iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism allows appropriate treatment that can prevent the development and clinical manifestations of Fahr’s syndrome and potentially slow its progression. © Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All rights reserved.

Introduction. Hypokalemic thyrotoxic paralysis is a very rare form of periodic paralysis in Caucasian population. In this population, a more frequent form is familiar hypokalemic periodic paralysis with the same clinical presentation. It is flaccid paralysis of proximal muscles in extremities. Having in mind that clinical presentation of hyperthyroidism in these patients is milder than it could be expected with given values of thyroid hormones, differential diagnosis to other forms of hypokalemic paralysis is essential. Case report. We presented a case of a young male with hyperthyroidism and severe periodic flaccid paralysis particularly of leg muscles. Laboratory findings showed elevated thyroid hormones levels and hypokalemia during the attacks with normalized potassium levels between attacks. The patient had no relatives with the similar condition. Also, he never had anything like these attacks prior to development of hyperthyroidism. After differential diagnosis, other reasons for hypokalemic periodic paralysis were excluded. We intensified the hyperthyroidism treatment and resolved hypokalemic periodic paralysis attacks with potassium chloride (KCl) infusions. The patient was advised to start a definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism after stabilization of hormonal levels. Conclusion. Hypokalemic thyrotoxic paralysis is a rare and potentially dangerous condition which, if recognized, can be prevented by resolving hyperthyroxinemia and the use of nonselective β blockers. © 2020 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Background/Aim. Arterial stimulation with calcium and venous sampling (ASVS) enables us to reach the goal of avoiding that any patient with insulinoma undergoes a blind surgical exploration. Since ASVS is both a functional and morphological localization procedure, its sensitivity is not influenced by factors that are causing the insensitivity of usual anatomical and morphological procedures. Based on our own experience in preoperative localization of insulinoma, we indented to show why we believe that ASVS should be performed to all patients regardless of data collected from other preoperative localization methods. Methods. We have analyzed the accuracy of preoperative localization methods retrospectively. First anatomical and morphological procedures like transabdominal ultrasound (US), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were done. Then we analyzed the data collected during a functional procedure which, at the same time, allows regionalization (ASVS). To estimate the accuracy, the results of every single method were correlated with the operative findings in all sixteen cases. Results. Prior to ASVS, fourteen patients underwent US, fifteen had CT, MRI was performed in eight patients and EUS in thirteen. Using only one of these methods enabled identification of tumors in five patients, using two methods in six patients while three and four in one patient each. For three patients, none of these methods was successful. ASVS revealed that all seen tumors were functional except three of the six visualized with two methods (US and EUS). In two of these three cases, US and EUS localized the tumors in pancreatic tail/body while ASVS accurately identified the tumors in pancreatic head. For these patients US and EUS showed false positive results. In the third of these patients EUS showed the tumor localized in pancreatic head, while US and ASVS accurately pointed to tail. This, too, was a false positive result of EUS. ASVS successfully provided regionalization data in three patients where other visualization methods failed. Operative and later histological findings confirmed the accuracy of ASVS in all sixteen patients including two patients that previously underwent distal pancreatectomy based on false positive EUS findings. Conclusion. Two patients, with accurate insulinoma regionalization in pancreatic head, obtained with ASVS, previously underwent unsuccessful distal pancreatectomy based on the false positive EUS findings. The same goes to three other patients with the false positive results obtained with other anatomical and morphological findings, as well as those three patients that had no preoperative visualization with other methods prior to ASVS. Therefore we suggest ASVS performing in each suspected insulinoma patient before the surgery, regardless of the data collected using other methods. This would enable us to test functional characteristics of visualized findings and to regionalize part of pancreas with uncontrolled insulin secretion when no suspicious changes were found. © 2018, Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Introduction. Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary kidney disease characterized by the occurrence of cysts (fluid-filled enlargements) in cortex or medula of the kidney, and is inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. In addition to multiple cysts in kidneys, there may be many extra-renal manifestations (cysts of the liver, pancreas, lungs, heart, etc.), among which the most serious one is intracranial aneurysms. Case report. A 57-year-old female patient with polycystic kidney disease and stage IV renal failure was hospitalized at our clinic due to decreased renal function, the development of urinary tract infections, headaches and unregulated blood pressure despite the usual treatment. This patient also had a number of associated diseases: obesity, diabetes mellitus (the insulindependent type), hypothyroidism, and depression syndrome. After better regulation of blood pressure, resolved urinary tract infections and improved renal function, there were still persistent headaches (resulting in the excessive use of analgesics). With adequate preparation, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography of blood vessels of the head was performed. As a result, we diagnosed the saccular intracranial aneurysm (IA) with anterior localization. Regarding the symptoms, age and comorbidity, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed, and showed saccular IA (5.2 mm × 4 mm), with wide neck affecting both middle cerebral artery branches (MCA). During the procedure the stent was placed, which filled the aneurysm with spirals, cutting it off from circulation. After the successful procedure and without further complications, the patient no longer had headaches and blood pressure was maintained within the required limits with stable parameters of chronic renal failure. Conclusion. The case of the patient with polycystic kidney disease, stage IV chronic renal failure, with a number of comorbidities (headache, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism) and diagnosed with symptomatic intracranial aneurysm was successfully solved with a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in daily practice. © 2018, Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

ence (WC), blood pressure (BP), serum triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also compared between the two groups. Results. PDG patients had statistically significantly higher TNF-α values compared to the HCG patients (73 pg/mL vs. 55 pg/mL, p = 0.024). A trend towards higher levels of IL-8 and IL-1β and lower levels of E-selectin, VEGF-A, and IL-18 was registered in PDG patients but without statistical significance. Furthermore, PDG patients had higher values of BMI, WC, systolic BP, serum TG, FPG, and HbA1c when compared to HCG. Conclusion. The results of our study suggest the importance of inflammation and some inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of early glycoregulation disorder. We believe that the main goal of future studies should focus on anti-inflammatory therapy in prediabetes.; Background/Aim. Prediabetes is a condition that refers to the state of hyperglycemia not sufficiently high to reach the diagnostic values for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This condition often precedes the appearance of T2DM. The association between the development of early glycoregulation disorders and the state of low-grade chronic inflammation is still not sufficiently well understood. The aim of the study was to assess the values of different inflammatory mediators and biomarkers in individuals with prediabetes. Methods. This cross-sectional, observational study included 60 respondents divided into two groups: the prediabetes group (PDG) with 31 patients and the healthy control group (HCG) with 29 respondents. Serum values of seven selected cytokines/biomarkers were compared between the two groups. Examined biomarkers were: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, E-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. In addition, the values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumfer-ence (WC), blood pressure (BP), serum triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also compared between the two groups. Re-sults. PDG patients had statistically significantly higher TNF-α values compared to the HCG patients (73 pg/mL vs. 55 pg/mL, p = 0.024). A trend towards higher levels of IL-8 and IL-1β and lower levels of E-selectin, VEGF-A, and IL-18 was registered in PDG patients but without sta-tistical significance. Furthermore, PDG patients had higher values of BMI, WC, systolic BP, serum TG, FPG, and HbA1c when compared to HCG. Conclusion. The results of our study suggest the importance of inflammation and some inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of early glycoregulation disorder. We believe that the main goal of future studies should focus on anti-inflammatory therapy in prediabetes. © 2024 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

[No abstract available]

Background/Aim. The importance of chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, certain cytokines, and selectins in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasingly evident and supported by evidence. However, the role of chronic inflammation in the development of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in the early stages of cardiomyopathy in T2DM patients is insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to examine the possible association of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1α, IL-6, and E-selectin with DD in T2DM patients with still preserved ejection fraction (EF). Methods. The research included a total of 74 subjects divided into two groups: a group with proven T2DM, i.e., diabetes group (DG) (n = 45), and a healthy control group (HCG) (n = 29). Echocardiographic parameters of DD and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-6 and E-selectin were compared between the two groups, and the correlation of echocardiographic parameters of DD and serum biomarkers was examined in both groups. Results. Subjects with T2DM had significantly different values of DD parameters compared to HCG but also higher values of IL-6 (19 pg/mL vs. 12 pg/mL, p = 0.002), E-selectin (2,036 pg/mL vs. 1,522 pg/mL, p < 0.001), and IL-1α (46 pg/mL vs. 37 pg/mL, p = 0.003). The majority of subjects who met the echocardiographic criteria of DD were from DG. In subjects with proven DD, significantly higher values of IL-6 (20.5 pg/mL vs. 16 pg/mL, p = 0.003) and IL-1β (15.0 pg/mL vs. 11.4 pg/mL, p = 0.036) were verified compared to subjects without DD. Conclusion. The results of our study indicate the presence of a connection between chronic inflammation and echocardiographic parameters with the onset of DD in the phases of preserved cardiac EF in patients with T2DM. © 2025 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.