OBJECTIVES Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disease from the spectrum of movement disorders, the prevalence of which increases significantly during pregnancy and is associated with poor sleep, a drop in daytime energy, and the development of psychological disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. METHODS The IRLSS scale was used to determine the presence of RLS symptoms. The total test sample that included the tested and control groups was (n=390) subjects. The examined group consisted of pregnant women (n=260), and the control group consisted of female students (n=130). In total, 260 pregnant women were monitored 6 months after pregnancy. Three measurements were performed, first in the third trimester of pregnancy, second two months after delivery, third 6 months after delivery, while one cross-sectional measurement was performed for the control group. RESULTS The prevalence of RLS in pregnancy is highest in the third trimester and amounts to 26.5 %. In the postpartum period, a significant decrease in the prevalence of RLS was observed, measured two months after delivery (18.1 %). Postpartum, over time, a decrease in the prevalence of RLS was noticed, and six months after delivery it was (7.3 %), when it practically approached the prevalence of the control group (standard population) which was (6.2 %). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of RLS is highest during the third trimester of pregnancy and decreases after delivery so that 6 months after delivery it approaches the prevalence of the standard population.

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of relatively rare, progressive neurodegenerative conditions (with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ALS being the most common) characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons leading to motor and extra motor symptoms. The etiology of MND is believed to involve complex interactions of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors, but so far only a few convincing risk factors have been established. Several putative risk factors associated with sporadic cases have been suggested, including repetitive blows to the head and traumatic brain injury. ALS is considered a sporadic disorder in 90% of cases. The incidence of ALS in the United States is 1.5 to 2.2 per 100.000, but varies significantly by age, sex, and race. The incidence of ALS generally increases with age and peaks during the seventh decade of life. There is not a large number of relevant studies for reliable conclusions about the connection between sports and BMN. However, there is increasing interest in the role of contact sports (eg, American football and rugby) following the diagnosis of BMN in several high-profile professional athletes. Several case-control studies have found an increased risk of MND among people who engage in strenuous physical activity, but other studies of this type did not find this risk (association) or the association was negative. Several other studies have shown an increased risk of BMN with traumatic brain injury, while others have found no association. The risk of MND varies depending on the type of sport played. For many individual sports, no increased risk of BMN was observed, including cricket, basketball, tennis, swimming, hockey, volleyball, badminton, field hockey, sailing, rowing, diving and skiing. However, several meta-analyses have shown a 1.3 to 1.7 times higher risk of MND in athletes who suffer a head injury, compared to the general population. Experience shows that exercise can be physically and psychologically important for people with ALS. Although the results so far do not provide clear conclusions regarding physical therapy or/and exrecise regimens to maintain function and quality of life in people with ALS, we can say, for sure, that moderate exercise is not harmful. Regarding the type of exercise, moderate intensity and not very high frequency (two sessions per week), combining strength and aerobic resistance, may be the best option to see improvements in ALS patients and prevent fatigue that further impairs their quality of life.Key words: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – sports – physical therapy

Background: Corona infection is primarily a respiratory disease, but the SARS-CoV-2 virus also penetrates other organs, causing various symptoms, including olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, which is why we can consider COVID-19 as a multisystem disease. Aim: To present review of some aspects of the olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in SARS-CoV- infection. Methods: The article has an analytical character and review of the literature. Results and Discussion: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a high similarity with SARS-CoV-1 and uses the same receptors to enter the human body (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/ACE2). COVID-19 is primarily a disease of the respiratory system, but SARS-CoV-2 also penetrates the other organs including central nervous system (CNS). Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection can experience a range of clinical manifestations, from no symptoms to critical illness. The entry of the virus into the brain can lead to different neurological and psychiatric manifestations, including loss of smell (anosmia) and the loss of taste (ageusia). The frequency of anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 varies widely, from 10 to 65%, being the primary symptom in about 12% of patients. For now, the etiopathogenesis of anosmia and ageusia in SARS-CoV-2 infection is still unknown. Most of the analyzed subjects reported olfactory recovery. However, anosmia and ageusia can last several months or even longer. While most patients are expected to recover their sense of smell or taste within the first three months, a major subpopulation of patients might develop long lasting dysfunction. Although a substantial proportion of patients with Covid-19 might develop long lasting of diferent level of ansomia and ageusia it is uncertain what proportion of patients develop persistent dysfunction. Anosmia/ageusia can be as an important risk factor for fog, anxiety, and depression that may show a prolonged and/or delayed impact. However, we do not yet know what long-term effects these disorders may have on the central nervous system and mental health in general. Conclusion: The COVID-19 is primarily a disease of the respiratory system, but SARS-CoV-2 also penetrates other organs (multisystem disease), causing various symptoms, including olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The frequency of anosmia and ageusia in patients with COVID-19 is common but according to different papaers varies widely, from 10 to 65%, being the primary symptom in about 12% of patients. Most of the analyzed subjects reported olfactory recovery. However, anosmia and ageusia can last several months or even longer. We do not yet know what long-term consequences these disorders may have on the central nervous system and mental health in general.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated significant symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression among health care workers, which can negatively affect the health and well-being of individuals. Although the WHO stressed the importance of nurturing mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a more significant response focused on this area was still lacking in most countries. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the differences in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare professionals in relation to exposure to contact with COVID-19 positive patients, as well as to examine the differences and correlation of sociodemographic characteristics of health workers in the experience of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Methods: The research included 266 respondents, and it used a socio-demographic questionnaire and the DASS-21 scale. Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used in data processing. Results: The prevalence of high to extremely high symptoms of depression was reported in 45.49% of employees, anxiety 63.91% and stress 23.22%. Those who have been in continuous contact with COVID-19 positive patients, or 27.07%, report experiencing high or extremely high symptoms of depression, 36.60%, high to extremely high symptoms of anxiety, and 22.18% high to extremely high symptoms of stress. Discussion: The degree of self-care and family care, education level, and work experience were found to be a statistically significant factor in experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Workers who were more in contact with COVID19 patients reported a higher degree of symptom on the DASS-21 scale. Those employees with more work experience had previously encountered similar situations of uncertainty and pressure, had better developed defense mechanisms, and showed less pronounced symptoms. A higher level of education often implies a higher degree of involvement in active treatment around each patient, which results in more responsibility and pressure in a given situation. Conclusion: High levels of stress, anxiety and depression in healthcare workers can lead to repercussions in their work with patients. Therefore, the mental health of health workers should be put in focus, as a very important part of the public health problem during the COVID19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION Anatomical variations in the innervation of intrinsic hand muscle are well known as Martin - Gruber anastomosis (MGA) that spread from the median to the ulnar nerves in the forearm. Although anatomical studies have shown that a crossover of sensory fibers is not rare in forearm MGA, it has been electrophysiologically described only in rare subjects. We hypothesized that the sensory fibers are not rare in MGA, and often follow the motor fibers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included 59 of subjects with a total of 111 arms, with electrodiagnostically confirmed the presence of MGA on the forearm for motor fibers. In order to demonstrate the presence of sensory fibers in MGA, we stimulated the median nerve at the elbow and recorded the antidromic sensory potential from ulnar innervated digit (5th finger). RESULTS Sensory MGA were present in 42 out of 111 arms (37.8%) with CI 95. There were 54 left hands with motor MGA, of which 18 (33.3%) had sensory fibers MGA, and 57 right hands with motor MGA, and 24 (42.1%) of which had sensory MGA. CONCLUSION This electrophysiologically study demonstrated the high incidence of sensory fibers in MGA anastomosis. Presence of sensory fibers as a possible anatomical variation should be taken into consideration during electroneurography analysis, diagnosis and surgical therapy.