Background The increasing global prevalence of mental disorders as well as a persistent stigma make mental disorders a public health priority. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of psychotropic drugs utilization from 2006 to 2021 in the Republic of Serbia, examining both pre pandemic and pandemic-related changes. Methods To conduct this descriptive study, publicly available data on psychotropic drugs were retrieved from the official website of the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Serbia (ALIMS). The linear and joinpoint regression were used in data analysis. Results A total of 54 psychotropic drugs use was analyzed from 2006 to 2021. There was an increase in the consumption of antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-dementia drugs and gabapentinoid-based drugs. The increase in the consumption of the psychotropic drugs was linear, with no differences between the pre-COVID-19 period and the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary, a significant decrease in use was observed for some antidepressants (maprotiline, moclobemide, mianserin), antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine), psychostimulants and nootropic drugs (piracetam), anxiolytics (diazepam, prazepam), sedatives and hypnotics (midazolam). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic did not contribute to change in consumption of psychotropic drugs in Serbia. Still, the use of antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-dementia drugs and gabapentinoids increased from 2006 to 2021.

Visceral disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection (VD-VZV) involves the hematogenous spread of VZV from the skin to the internal organs. Though rare, it is potentially life-threatening, predominantly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific symptoms mimicking other viral illnesses. While the vesicular rash is a hallmark sign, it is absent in approximately 5% of cases. Visceral involvement may precede cutaneous lesions, complicate early recognition, and increase the risk of severe complications. This scoping review screened 594 articles of which 153 met the inclusion criteria, yielding 156 individual cases. Patients were predominantly male (53.8%), with a mean age of 42.3 years. The overall mortality rate was 25.0%. Multiple organs were involved in 46.1% of cases. The most frequently affected were the lungs (56%), liver (44%), heart (16%), kidneys (11%), pancreas (11%), stomach (10%), and esophagus (6%). Antivirals were administered in 89.1% of cases, while corticosteroids were used in 22.4%, with no significant impact on outcomes. Early diagnosis, achieved in 65.4% of patients, was significantly associated with survival (p = 0.043). Mortality was significantly associated with underlying comorbidities (p = 0.004), especially autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppression (p = 0.048). Septic shock or multi-organ dysfunction (MODS), hepatitis, acute kidney injury, and acute liver failure were linked to higher mortality in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified comorbidities (p < 0.001), septic shock/MODS (p = 0.008), and acute liver failure (p = 0.039) as independent predictors of mortality. Patients with septic shock/MODS had over twice the risk of death (OR = 2.24; p = 0.008). This review underscores the diagnostic challenges and high mortality of VD-VZV. Early recognition and timely administration of antiviral treatment appear critical for survival. Greater clinical awareness and further research are needed to guide management.

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>Optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) is one of the most common congenital disorder of the optic nerve with prevalence from 0,5-2% in general population. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a condition that occurs in children, unlike adults, regardless of gender or the presence of obesity. Both conditions in children present on the eye as swelling of the optic disc, which is difficult to distinguish by clinical examination. They are extremely rarely associated.</p> <p><strong>Case report. </strong>A 15-year-old girl was urgently admitted due to decreased vision in both eyes for the past 7 days. Computerized visual field (CVP) testing revealed annular scotoma in both eyes, with a residual of 10 degrees and decreased sensitivity. Fundus examination showed an edematous both ONH. Echo B scan showed highly reflective changes corresponding to drusen in ONH. Acetazolamide 250 mg orally three times a day was introduced into the therapy. Neurological examination and MRI of endocranium was normal. After 3 weeks, VA in both eyes was 0.5 corrected with -0.50 Dsph to 1.0. ONH significant regression with unclear boundaries temporally, superiorly and inferiorly. The follow-up period over the next year, visual acuity was stable, and normal CVP, only slightly unclear boundaries of the ONH.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>The diagnosis of optic nerve drusen is possible in children with benign intracranial hypertension. For this reason, it is necessary to thoroughly diagnose the patient in order to start treatment in a timely manner and prevent the development of visual impairment.</p>

Introduction Prisoners are at a higher risk of communicable diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis) than the general population. Therefore, medical screening is crucial for early diagnosis, treatment, identifying those at higher risk of infection, and prevention of infection spread. Objective The main objective of this study was to analyze the factors associated with hepatitis B and C seropositivity in the prison population in Montenegro in two consecutive study years. Method Prisoners of Prison for Short and Long prison terms in Spuž, Montenegro, were included in two cross-sectional studies during 2012 and 2021. Data on socio-demographic factors, risky behavior, and preventive measures related to blood-borne viruses were collected. The data were statistically processed by statistical testing of differences and applying regression models in SPSS Windows, version 19. Results A total of 506 prisoners (2012–298; 2021–208) were included in this study. One fifth of prisoners were seropositive for viral hepatitis B (2012–0.7%; 2021–3.4%) or C (2012–21.8%; 2021-20.7%) or both (2012–0.33%; 2021–0.0%). Factors associated with viral hepatitis B and C seropositivity in both years were shorter prison terms served and injection drug use. Additionally, factors associated with prisoners seropositivity in 2012 were ever drug use and lack of free hygiene kits in prison, and in 2021 were condom use with a permanent partner, non-condom use with non-permanent partner, and availability of free syringes and needles distribution. Conclusion and recommendation Prevalent risky behaviors and the lack of harm reduction interventions are more common among seropositive prisoners. Establishing a prison hospital, improving the surveillance system, introducing new or improving old harm reduction interventions is imperative.

Background: Undernutrition disorder is a prevalent comorbidity (up to 25%) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients which significantly compromises their health. We aimed to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphysms (SNPs) adiponectin (ADIPOQ) +276 (G/T) and resistin (RETN) −420 (C/G) with the risk of developing T2D and undernutrition in patients with T2D. Methods: The research was conducted as prospective case-control study among 106 patients with T2D and 106 healthy control individuals in the territory of the Bosnia and Herzegovina from Sep 1st 2022 to May 1st 2023. For assessing the nutritional status, the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) was used. DNA analysis was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) method. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, t-test for independent samples and binary multivariate logistic regression. Results: The research included 212 subjects of which 124 (58.5%) were male. The mean age of the subjects was 68.48±4,67 yr. Almost 20% of subjects were undernourished, significantly more T2D patients when compared to controls (33% vs. 6.6%; P<0.001). ADIPOQ +276 GT genotype was identified as significant predictor of T2D (OR: 3.454; 95% CI: 1.400–8.521; P=0.007) and undernutrition disorder (OR: 3.453; 95% CI: 1.331–8.961; P=0.011) in T2D population, while the presence of RETN −420 CG genotype had protective effect against occurrence of T2D (OR: 0.353; 95% CI: 0.144–0.867; P=0.023). However, RETN genotypes were not associated with undernutrition disorder. Conclusion: ADIPOQ +276 gene polymorphism represent a significant predictor for development of T2D and undernutrition disorder in T2D population, while RETN −420 gene polymorphism was identified as a significant factor associated with a reduced risk for T2D, but was not associated with undernutrition.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were recommended to implement new health behaviors into their daily routines to prevent the viral spread. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific health behaviors, such as wearing face masks, taking immunity boosters and visiting risky places were associated with a higher level of stress due to COVID-19 in the general adult population. This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021 in eight randomly chosen cities of two Serbian speaking countries (Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska - Bosnia and Herzegovina). Participants filled a socio-epidemiologic questionnaire, COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The study included 2,301 participants with an average age of 36.72 ± 13.82 years of whom 54.9% were female (p = 0.001). Most participants were healthy, highly educated, employed, married, non-smokers and consumed alcohol. The mean total CSS score was 32.7 ± 23.8 out of 144, suggesting a relatively low stress due to COVID-19. The mean PSS was 19.43 ± 5.05 out of 40 indicating slightly increased level of general stress. Participants who reported higher CSS scores were more likely to wear face masks, use immunity boosters, go to cafes and clubs, have chronic illnesses, have suspicious, but not proven contact with COVID-19 positive people, and use multiple sources of information about COVID-19. Few participants experienced high levels of stress due to COVID-19. People who used face masks, immunity boosters and visited risky places reported a higher level of stress during the pandemic.

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health globally. The aim was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms isolated from samples&nbsp;<br />obtained during standard hospital care in one hospital center. &nbsp;<br /><strong>Methods.</strong> Data were obtained retrospectively from a database of the hospital microbiology laboratory. Study sample consisted of 3012 samples tested before the pandemic in 2019 and 3130 samples from the pandemic period in 2021.&nbsp;<br /><strong>Results.</strong> There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of agents that were resistant to all antibiotics between the observed years, but there was the difference in the occurrence of those agents between departments, with the highest frequency in the intensive care unit and the COVID-19 department (p&lt;0.001). Isolation of Acinetobacter bacteria increased 2.7 times, and Clostridioides difficile 6.4 times during 2021 compared to 2019. Statistically significant differences were registered in resistance to: imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftayidime, cefepime, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in 2021 compared to 2019.&nbsp;<br /><strong>Conclusion. </strong>Our results suggest possible influence of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance and input a need for a new larger study addressing this issue.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The growing trend of securing private industry funding for biomedical research, particularly from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, has raised significant ethical concerns. Since the 1980s, private industry has become the primary funder of biomedical research, surpassing government funding in the U.S. and other developed countries. This shift introduces potential ethical violations, including hidden conflicts of interest, data manipulation, disregard for ethical guidelines, non-disclosure of negative results, and compromised research independence. These issues can undermine research integrity, compromise patient safety, and erode public trust in scientific findings. Effective measures to prevent ethical violations include strengthening transparency, enhancing research independence, promoting ethical education, and reinforcing regulatory frameworks. By fostering open dialogue, implementing stringent disclosure requirements, and ensuring independent oversight, participants can uphold ethical standards in sponsored research. Addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining the credibility of biomedical research, protecting participant rights, and ensuring that research outcomes reliably contribute to evidence-based medicine and public health.</p>

In contrast to electromagnetic fields, static magnetic fields (SMFs) have not been extensively studied in terms of their potential health consequences. Although upward- and downward-oriented magnetic poles may cause various biological effects, only the pole with the upward orientation has been mainly investigated. Considering that the interaction of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T lymphocytes is crucial to trigger an immune response, we assessed the effect of long-term exposure of human T lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) to moderate strength SMFs of different orientations focusing on the cytokine profile of activated T cells. Cultures of allogenic T lymphocytes and DCs (immature and matured by TLR3 and TLR7 agonists) were continuously exposed to four SMFs. The intensity of the applied field was 1 militesla (mT) or 56 mT of the upward- and downward-oriented pole of the SMF. Cell culture supernatants were assayed for IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 by ELISA or flow cytometry. The upward-oriented 56 mT SMF significantly increased the release of IFN-γ and TNF-β (both p < 0.05) in the cell culture supernatants of T cells and immature DCs. In contrast, the same cultures exposed to the upward-oriented 1 mT SMF showed significantly elevated levels of IL-17 (p < 0.05). The levels of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were not affected by the upward-oriented SMF. The downward-oriented 56 mT SMF increased TNF-α release when T cells were stimulated with mature DCs. The production of other cytokines was unchanged by the downward-oriented SMF. These findings demonstrate for the first time different in vitro biological effects of upward- and downward-oriented static magnetic fields on the cytokine production of T cells activated by DCs, helping to better understand SMF effects on the immune system and suggesting that the selective SMF effect on the immune response could have potential therapeutic effects in different immune-mediated disorders.