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IntroductionThere is limited data on the awareness and use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in high-risk population in Serbia, despite SCs becoming more and more common at illicit drug market.AimThis pilot study aimed to examine the awareness and prevalence of use of SCs in patients with an opioid-use disorder and to identify patient characteristics and other factors associated with SCs use.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Serbia, the largest tertiary health care institution in this region of the country. All patients hospitalized due to the treatment of opioid dependence during November and December 2017 were included (response rate 100%), and filled-out an anonymous questionnaire specifically developed for the purpose of this study. Differences between patients reporting SCs use and those who did not were compared using chi-square test with values of p

IntroductionOne of the most common oral diseases affecting children is early childhood caries (ECC). The link between oxidative stress and ECC has been proven in numerous clinical studies. Technical and biological variability were so high in most of the studies that none of the markers have yet been proven suitable for routine clinical use. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant status and the levels of leptin and adiponectin in saliva of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).MethodsMorning unstimulated saliva samples were collected from children (n = 40, 0–6 years old) for the evaluation of oxidative stress which were measured by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, as well as to assess the salivary levels of leptin and adiponectin. FRAP, TAC, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were evaluated in S-ECC group (n = 31) and caries free group CF (n = 9). All results were analyzed based on age and sex.ResultsOverall median salivary leptin and adiponectin levels were 5.59 pg/mL and 24.86 ng/mL, respectively. Significantly lower leptin levels were observed in saliva of caries free children (4.66 pg/mL) than in the S-ECC group (6.64 pg/mL, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed for adiponectin levels (S-ECC and CF, 25.31 and 23.2 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.961). TAC and FRAP values of saliva had similar values in children with S-ECC and caries free children. TAC and FRAP values also remained stable with the age of the children, without significant differences with respect to sex.ConclusionThe increased concentrations of leptin in saliva of children with S-ECC suggests that leptin may play a role in inflammatory and immune responses in the development of early childhood caries.

The global prevalence of dyslipidemia (elevated plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, triglycerides, and lower plasma levels of HDL-Cholesterol) is constantly on the rise. Lately, carob pulp has been recognized as an effective natural product for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The two main components of the carob pulp, polyphenols, and insoluble fiber are believed to have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism. Studies on humans and animals confirmed its lipid-lowering effects. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, namely by affecting three organ systems: 1) gastrointestinal tract, 2) liver and 3) adipose tissue. Also, carob products have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vascular-protective activity.

There is little published information about antibiotic utilization in outpatients in Serbia. The objective of this study was to determine the amount and structure of outpatient antibiotic use in South Backa District (SBD) in Serbia, to assess prescibing quality of antibiotics and to compare with results from Scandinavian countries. Data on the antibiotic use were collected from all private and state-owned pharmacies from January through March 2008 in SBD. Results were expressed as the number of defined daily doses/1,000 inhabitants/day. The drug utilization 90% method was also used. Penicillins were the most frequently used antibiotic subgroup in SBD (35.20%), followed by cephalosporins (19.16%) and macrolides (13.18%). Thirteen drugs accounted for 90% of total antibiotics consumption (DU90% segment). The average cost/DDD within the DU90% segment was 0.95 euros, whereas the average cost/DDD beyond the DU90% segment was 1.89 euros, indicating that less expensive antibiotics were more frequently used. High use of ampicillin, third-generation cefalosporins, co-trimoxazole, and gentamicin, will aggravate the alarming problem of resistance in Serbia. Differences in the amount and structure of antibiotic consumption between SBD and Scandinavian countries indicate the need of updated national guidelines for rational antimicrobial drug use in Serbia.

Skin cancers are among the most common cancers worldwide and are increasingly prevalent. Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is characterized by the malignant transformation of melanocytes in the epidermis. Although CM shows lower incidence than other skin cancers, it is the most aggressive and responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Indeed, 75% of patients present with invasive or metastatic tumors, even after surgical excision. In CM, the photoprotective pigment melanin, which is produced by melanocytes, plays a central role in the pathology of the disease. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation and scavenges reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) resulting from the radiation exposure. However, the scavenged ROS/RNS modify melanin and lead to the induction of signature DNA damage in CM cells, namely cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, which are known to promote CM immortalization and carcinogenesis. Despite triggering the malignant transformation of melanocytes and promoting initial tumor growth, the presence of melanin inside CM cells is described to negatively regulate their invasiveness by increasing cell stiffness and reducing elasticity. Emerging evidence also indicates that melanin secreted from CM cells is required for the immunomodulation of tumor microenvironment. Indeed, melanin transforms dermal fibroblasts in cancer-associated fibroblasts, suppresses the immune system and promotes tumor angiogenesis, thus sustaining CM progression and metastasis. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of melanin secretion in CM aggressiveness and the molecular machinery involved, as well as the impact in tumor microenvironment and immune responses. A better understanding of this role and the molecular players involved could enable the modulation of melanin secretion to become a therapeutic strategy to impair CM invasion and metastasis and, hence, reduce the burden of CM-associated deaths.