1 University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia 2 Prydniprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine 3 University of Zenica, Faculty of Metallurgy and Material Science, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia 5 University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia * E-mail: zstevic@tfbor.bg.ac.rs

Background and Aims: This study aimed to understand the use of massive transfusion (MT) for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with GIB for the type of bleeding, quantity of blood products transfused, and risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and death. MT was defined as transfusion of 10 or more units of red blood cell (RBC) within a 24-h period in a 1-unit RBC: 1-unit fresh frozen plasma: and 1-unit platelet ratio. TRALI was defined as development of acute lung injury (ALI), within 6 h of transfusion, with new bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, absence of circulatory overload, or other explanation for ALI. Results: In a 43-month interval, 169 patients were admitted to the ICU with GIB and received blood products, of whom 13 received MT. Ten patients developed TRALI, of whom 7 (70%) had received MT. MT was associated with an increased risk of TRALI (odds ratio [OR]: 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–111.2, P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, baseline vitals, and laboratory data. Death was predicted by MT (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.6–19.7, P = 0.007), TRALI (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.6, P = 0.02), and Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR: 1.17 per unit increase, 95% CI: 1.09–1.26, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. Conclusions: MT for GIB is associated with an increased risk of TRALI and death. Prospective studies assessing the use of MT in this population are needed to understand and improve outcomes.

Introduction: Transcranial sonography (TCS) is a relatively new ultrasound modality which could display echogenicity of human brain tissue through the intact skull. TCS may be useful in differentiation of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) from other parkinsonian disorders. Therefore, we studied different ultrasound markers by TCS in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Patients and Methods: We performed TCS in 44 patients with PD and 22 patients with other parkinsonian disorders. Echogenic sizes of the substantia nigra (SN) and the lentiform nuclei (LN), as well as the width of the third ventricle and the frontal horns of the lateral ventricle, were measured. We also analyzed the echogenicity of the brainstem raphe (BR). Results: An unilateral hyperechogenic SN was observed in 31 (70%) patients with PD and only in 2 patients (9%) with other parkinsonian disorders (P<0.0001). Hyperechogenicity of the LN was no observed in patients with PD; however, it was present in 7 (32%) patients with other parkinsonian disorders (P=0.0002). Diameter of third ventricle (8.6+/-2.2 mm vs. 6.9+/-1.7mm, P=0.001), right (18.5+/-2.6 mm vs. 16.5+/-2.3 mm, P=0.003) and left frontal horn of lateral ventricle (19.0+/-3.7 mm vs. 16.2+/-2.6 mm, P=0.0006) was significantly wider in patients with other parkinsonian disorders compared with patients with PD. There was no difference in presence of hypoechogenic or interrupted BR in patients with PD and patients with other parkinsonian disorders (39% vs. 27%, P=0.4). Conclusion: TCS is a promising diagnostic technique and can be very helpful in differentiating between idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian disorders.

Introduction: This research was to follow characteristics of breakthrough pain caused by cancer (BTcP) and other most common sympthoms (ESAS) at patients in advanced stage of cancer disease in palliative care. Patients and methods: Prospective study included 433 patients which were treated in Palliative Care Centre in UKC Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Group 1 was consisted of 353 patients whose basal cancer pain of intensity 4-7 NRS was treated weak opiates (basal analgetic- fixed combination of tramadol/paracetamol (37.5 mg/325 mg) in initial dose 3x1tbl for pain intensity 4, to 4x2tbl (for pain intensity 7). In Group 2 (80 patients) basal pain of intensity 8-10 was treated strong opiates as basal analgetic (oral morphine and transdermal fentanil). If the previous day were 2 or more breakthrough pain that required ‘’rescue dose’’ of analgetics (tramadol 50-100 mg orally in group 1 ie. Oral morphine 8-12 mg in the group 2), the dose of basal analgetic was increased. Results: The total number of reported breakthrough pain in all 433 patients for 10 days of treatment was 3 369 (0.78 BTcP /per patient/day), where at Group 1 patients showed significantly lower BTcP (0.56 BTcP/patient/day). The average intensity of BTcP was 5.91 where in the Group1 was 4.51 while in the Group 2 8.04. 582 (17.28%) was rated grade 7, of which 539 were successfully coupled by strong and 43 (7.39%) successfully coupled by weak opiates. From 556 BTcP who were rated with 8, 540 of them were coupled strong and only 16 successfully coupled by weak opiates. 1967 (58.39 %) of breakthrough pain has occured in the evening hours (18-06 h), while 1402 (41.62%) BTCP occured during day hours (06-18h). Most (1290 or 38.29%) of breakthrough pain lasted less than 10 minutes, 882 (26.18%) between 16 and 20 minutes, 752 (22.32%) between 11 and 15 minutes, 407 (12.8%) between 21 and 30 minutes and 38 (1.13%) lasted longer than 20 minutes. Conclusion: Duriong our study, we noted a relatively large number of breakthrough pain with lower intensity (3-6) in patients treated with weak opiates, which are also adversely affected patients satisfaction with pain treatment and required additional doses of analgetics. In the small percentage is possible the breakthrough pain of stronger intensity (7-8) treat by maximum doses of weak opiates.

The seismic activity in Pedra Preta (RN), Northeast of Brazil, region of main intraplate seismicity of the country, began in December 2010. Before that year, there was no record of earthquakes in this area. During 2013 and early 2014, the seismographic network deployed in Pedra Preta registered 273 local earthquakes in 3 or more stations. Of these, 50 events with the best readings of the arrival times of the P and S waves were selected to determine velocity model (V p /V s = 1.72 and V p = 5.90 km/s) and their hypocenters were calculated, with HYPO71 software. For the determination of the composed focal mechanism, it was realized a new selection with earthquakes obeying more stringent criteria for the hypocenters (epicenters located within the network with mean arrival-time residue ≤ 0.01 s, number of observations ≥ 10, mean horizontal error < 0.1 km, mean vertical error < 0.1 km), having been selected 24 events by these criteria. The hypocenters of earthquakes show that the seismogenic fault is about 3 km long, with earthquakes between 2.3 and 5.8 km deep. The parameters of seismogenic fault were obtained by combining the method of least squares and FPFIT software (strike = 254o, dip = 67o and the rake = -66o), indicating a normal fault. The hypocenters and focal mechanism were used to verify if there was possible correlation with geological features mapped in the area and the conclusion is that there are no mapped geological features that may be directly related to the seismic activity studied.

Introduction: Main categorisation of azospermic is in two grups: nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA). We had evaluation of prognostic factors and determinants in sperm retrieval procedures in azoospermic patients. Methods: Retrospective evaluation observed 21 selected patients with NOA and OA azoospermia, after that complete history, physical examination with ultarsound volume of testis and hormonal profile. Hormonal profile included: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosteron (T) and prolactin (P) serum levels. Also karyotype and Y-deletion analysis were done and analyzed. Results: 9 OA patients (42,9%) were undergone for TESE operation and 12 NOA patients (57,1%) for Micro-TESE operation. All TESE procedures were positive (100%). Micro-TESE in 12 selected NOA patients, 5 patients (41,6%) were positive and 7 patients (58,4%) negative. Patients testicular size, serum FSH and testosterone level showed correlation in success of sperm retrieval procedures. Conclusion: TESE is elected procedure for obstructive azospermia (OA). Micro-TESE is appropriate sperm retrieval procedurec for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and correlate with high FSH and small volume of testis.

Ethics is a philosophical discipline and present set of customs, habits and norms, by which people of one community manage their actions and their overall behavior. Ethical behavior and ethical norms have a great impact on scientific publications, and the goal of each magazine, especially the Editorial Board of journal, and Editors themselves, are to follow the ethical behavior principles in all steps of publishing (from the design of the study to the final process of publication). The list of authors is written below the title, along with the statement who is the corresponding author.