A new scoring system for Covid-19 in patients on hemodialysis: Modified Early Warning score

Introduction. At the very beginning of the Corona virus epidemic there was not enough data on whether hemodialysis patients have a higher risk for Corona virus infection and which factors may affect the severity of clinical picture. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the significance of the Modified Early Warning Assessment (MEWS) score for the assessment of coronavirus disease exacerbation. Methods. The research was conducted in COVID dialysis, as a retrospective, descriptive-analytical study, at the University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia, which was organized ad-hoc for treatment of SARS-Cov-2 infection positive patients, which are transfered from Center for Hemodialysis "Ćuprija". They were evaluated routine laboratory findings, demographic and gender structure, arterial blood pressure, presence of comorbidities and residual diuresis, duration of dialysis, radiological evaluation of lungs, determination of MEWS score were the parameters that were monitored. The results were monitored on admission and and in the end of treatment. Results. A statistically significant difference was registered in serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration (486 ± 107.62 vs. 423.7 ± 92.4 U/L); p = 0.022 and absolute monocyte count (0.46 ± 0.15 vs. 0.67 ± 0.34 x 103; p = 0.008). The significant increase in MEWS score was also found (b = 0.017; p = 0.030). There was a positive correlation between increase of MEWS score and age (b = 0.027; p = 0.002) and arterial hypertension as a concomitant comorbidity (b = 0.700; p = 0.033). Conclusion. In the observed period, there was a significant increase in the degree of MEWS score of dialysis patients who had SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Orthodontic treatment of a disto-occlusion with and favorable growth pattern

The variety of etiological factors contributing to the development of distal bite various form, as well as the structures that are affected by the disorders determine the deegre of complexity of the malocclusion itself, and thus the choice of therapeutic procedure by which it will be treated. An 11-year-old female patient was diagnosed with this type of malocclusion with a certain degree of presence of other irregularities. After a detailed diagnostic procedure, and determining the type of growth, we approach the therapeutic procedure in two phases. By applying the funcional therapy in the first phase, we correct the vertical growth type, and then in the second phase of therapy using a fixed technique we achieve harmonious intermaxillary relations, an adequate molar and canine Class I relationship as well, thus improving the aesthetics of the patient's face.

Sensory processing disorders in premature infants

Introduction. Children born prematurely have an increased risk of immediate medical complications, as well as socioemotional, cognitive, linguistic and sensory processing disorders later in life. Studies have examined the effects of prematurity on developmental outcomes, such as cognition, however, there is a need for a more detailed examination of sensory processing disorders in preterm infants. Not only is prenatal neurosensory development interrupted in utero, but these children may also experience intense stimulation in the neonatal unit, which can further alter the development and function of the sensory system. Objective. The paper presents an overview of research on sensory processing disorders in premature infants, with special emphasis on the impact of the environment of the neonatal unit. Method. Insight into the relevant literature was performed by specialized search engines on the Internet and insight into the electronic database. Results. Sensory processing disorders affect 39% to 52% of newborns born prematurely, with some evidence to suggest that children born before 32 weeks are most at risk. The literature to date has consistently reported difficulties in sensory modulation of preterm infants, within the tactile, vestibular, auditory, oral, and visual domains. Conclusion. Sensory processing disorders in preterm infants appear to occur as a result of their immature neurological and biological system and being in the environment of a neonatal intensive care unit, which is unable to meet the sensory needs of preterm infants. Altered sensory experiences, during periods of neurodevelopmental vulnerability and fragility, can result in sensory processing disorders, which may include enhanced responses or less response to stimuli (hyper or hyposensitivity).

Secondary hyperaldosteronism and hypertension

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor affecting about 10-40% of the adult population. Secondary endocrine hypertension most often results from excessive aldosterone secretion. Complications related to excessive aldosterone secretion include atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, myocardial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, stroke, and increased cardiovascular mortality. Case report: This report presents a hypotensive woman with hypertensive reactions, newly diagnosed unilateral hyperplasia of the left adrenal gland and secondary hyperaldosteronism. Due to good blood pressure and normalized electrolyte status as a result of antihypertensive drug therapy and absence of damage to target organs, surgical treatment of unilateral adrenal hyperplasia was postponed. Conclusion: In case of midlife and late-life hypertension, it is necessary to consider a cause in the patient's endocrine system. AUTHORS SUMMARY SRPSKI 2021; 50 (1,2) 51-54

Respiratory epithelium: Place of entry and / or defense against SARS-CoV-2 virus

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is caused by the RNA virus SARS-CoV-2. The primary receptor for the virus is most likely Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the virus enters the body by infecting epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. Through the activation of Toll Like Receptors (TLRs), epithelial cells begin to synthesize various biologically active molecules. The pathophysiology of the COVID 19 is primarily attributed to the hyperactivation of host's immune system due to direct damage to the cells, with consequent release of proinflammatory substances, but also due to the activation of the innate immune response through the activation of alveolar macrophages and dendrite cells (DC). A strong proinflammatory reaction causes damage to alveolar epithelial cells and vascular endothelium. Respiratory epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages and DC are likely to be the most important cells involved in the innate immune response to the virus, since prolonged and excessive SARS-CoV-2-induced activation of these cells leads to the secretion of cytokines and chemokines that massively attract leukocytes and monocytes to the lungs and cause lung damage.

Analysis of the occurrence, location and treatment of laryngeal carcinoma recurrence

Introduction: The efficacy of the applied model of laryngeal cancer treatment is measured by recurrence. Recurrence significantly reduces survival and determines the type of subsequent treatment. Objective: To determine the incidence of laryngeal cancer recurrence, the location of recurrence, and the definitive treatment of laryngeal cancer recurrence concerning different types of surgical treatments applied. Results: In the period from 2002 to 2017, 844 subjects with primary operated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. Recurrence developed in 191/844 (22.6%) subjects. The mean recurrence time is 12.6 months. Supraglottic carcinoma is more likely to recur than glottic carcinoma 35.93% / 17.46%, p = 0.000. In N0 necks the recurrence rate is 14.42% and in N + necks it is 45.91, p = 0.000. In more advanced stages of the disease, the number of recurrence increases, p = 0.000. The most common area of recurrence is the neck with 45%, followed by local recurrence with 25.1%. Recurrence most often occurs in subjects with total laryngectomy and partial pharyngectomy, 50%. The most common development of regional recurrence is in the N3 category and extracapsular spread, 72.7%. The definitive treatment of recurrence usually involves radical neck dissection and total laryngectomy. Subjects with recurrence have a significantly lower three-year overall survival compared to those without recurrence, 47.6% / 92.3%, p = 0.000. Conclusion: Recurrence is expected in every fourth patient in the first 36 months following any type of surgical treatment of laryngeal carcinoma. The efficacy of treatment is directly related to recurrence. Recurrence is more common in more advanced stages of disease, extracapsular spread, and present metastases in the neck. Recurrence significantly reduces the overall survival of patients with laryngeal cancer.

Dijabetesna ketoacidoza kod bolesnika sa cerebrovaskularnim insultom - uzroci, mehanizmi, dijagnostika i naše smernice za terapiju

Although cerebrovascular disease may be a well recognised trigger for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), literature data on the precise mechanisms, characteristics, or treatment guidelines are rare. The risk of developing an ischemic stroke is doubled in adults with diabetes compared to people with normal glucose metabolism. It is important to point out that even children with DKA have a significantly increased risk of cerebrovascular insult and that they can have a stroke with a frequency of about 10%. Given the significant overlap of symptoms between these two diseases, it can be assumed that attributing DKA symptoms as a manifestation of stroke is not uncommon, especially in elderly and less communicative patients. In addition, pH, bicarbonate concentration, and anion gap are not routinely measured in all diabetics suffering from stroke, at least not in secondary health institutions.Children who develop cerebrovascular stroke during DKA often at the beginning have a preserved consciousness or only mild confusion or lethargy. After a few hours, with the institution of therapy, however, loss of consciousness may occur accompanied by signs of increased intracranial pressure. It was previously thought that the cause was too fast fluid replacement. Recent data suggest that reperfusion injury may be a more likely mechanism. Although most of these studies relate to younger individuals with ketoacidosis, it is clear that at least some of them may be operative in adult DKA. Literature therapeutic guidelines for adult diabetics with stroke-related diabetic ketoacidosis are almost lacking, although it is clear that they could not be the same as those utilised in population with normal glucose metabolism. In this paper, we have tried to define our treatment guidelines for these particular patients.

The ectopic spleen-incidental finding on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging

The ectopic spleen (ES) is a rare variation occurred depend on the absence or laxity of the suspensory ligaments. The ES is a rarely diagnosed clinical condition. Less than 500 symptomatic patients have been reported. Less than 0.25% of splenectomies are performed on the ES. Patients are usually asymptomatic. It's diagnosed incidentally in general. The incidence is not clear. ES incidence is reported less than 0.5%. However, this rate covers all of the relocations. The spleen can be found anywhere in the abdomen or pelvis, depends on the length of the vascular pedicle. The pelvic ES is a rarely encountered situation. Knowing this anomaly is essential for early diagnosis and prevention serious problems such as torsion, infarction and acute abdomen. A 21 years old female patient with ES was presented on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging.

Examination of early adaptation of newborns small for gestational age

Introduction: Children with low body weight for gestational age are five times more likely to die in the neonatal period and 4.7 times more likely to die in the first years of life compared to children born at term. The aim To analyze early adaptation to extrauterine life of low body weight for gestational age. Material and methods: Retrospective study with the observation period January-September 2018. The data were obtained by reviewing the medical histories of newborns. As parameters of early adaptation, we observed the Apgar score in the 1st and 5th minute as well as the presence of polycythemia at birth. Results: Out of a total of 405 newborns, 52 had low body weight for gestational age. Apgar score in the 1st and 5th minute was statistically significantly lower in children small for gestational age compared to children with normal body weight for gestational age (p <0.05). Polycythemia is a mechanism of adaptation statistically significantly more often present in children of small body weight for gestational age (p <0.05). Conclusion: Children of low body weight for gestational age have a lower Apgar score in the first and fifth minutes as well as more frequent polycythemia compared to children with normal body weight and we can take them as good indicators of adaptation to early extrauterine life.

The immediate effects of the Covid-19 pandemia on postpartum women

The new pandemic, caused by the corona viral disease 2019 (Covid-19), has brought with it a series of restrictive measures that have drastically altered people's way of life and which restrict freedom of movement, behavior and social engagement. At the time of pandemia, almost all aspects of each individual lifestyle have been impaired, especially in members of vulnerable groups, particularly women in postpartum women. Acute psychological reactions to a pandemia may include insomnia, fear of infection, anxiety, frustration, panic attacks, loneliness, but also depressive episodes. Non-psychotic postpartum mood and anxiety disorders can occur as an inability to adapt to stressful life situations. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of the pandemia on the mental health of women in the postpartum period is needed, in order to devise adequate approaches to recovery from such a major disaster as the Covid-19 pandemic.