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Introduction/Aim Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon compounds and is a leading cause of poising throughout the world. The objective of this paper is to analyze 5 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning in petroleum industry workers, occupying a shared accommodation and to present diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures. Case report the workers had to be treated by the emergency medical service during the night for health problems arising from carbon monoxide inhalation from a faulty installation. Venous blood samples were collected to measure the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and gas analyses were done upon admission and 120 minutes later. They were treated with parenteral therapy and oxygen by mask, and they made a complete recovery. Conclusion Faulty installation of a gas-powered heating system caused acute carbon monoxide poisoning in 5 people occupying the space. After 120 minutes in a closed environment, the carbon monoxide concentration was high enough to cause a significant increase of COHb in the venous blood. Prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy are crucial to ensure a favorable treatment outcome. Preventive measures, such as educating workers and introducing health and safety measures into the work environment are extremely important in preventing accidents such as these.

Introduction. Even though lumbar pain is one of the most common medical problems of today, it is difficult to determine its precise origin. When identifying the risk factors for developing lumbar pain, one should also take into account the personal characteristics such as gender, age, body mass index, smoking habits, physical activities etc. The basic goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of education), the body mass index, smoking habits, and lumbar pain in nurses. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five healthcare institutions in the area of Vojvodina by interviewing nurses by means of the modified Nordic questionnaire. Results. The participants were predominantly female, the majority of them having secondary school degree. The study revealed a statistically significant relationship between lumbar pain and the increase of age and body mass index, while smoking habits did not influence the occurrence of lumbar pain. Conclusion. A better organization of work in relation to the age and gender as well body mass control would reduce the risk of lumbar pain.

Introduction. Anthropozoonoses are diseases that affect humans and animals and they can be transmitted naturally from animals to humans. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics and types of occupational hazards that lead to occupational anthropozoonoses, determine their incidence in economic activities of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Material and Methods. Using a descriptive, epidemiological study we analysed the occupational anthropozoonoses occurring in the Vojvodina which were registered at the Institute of Occupational Health Novi Sad, Serbia, from 1992 to 2016. Results. In the observed period, a total of 481 occupational diseases were identified, out of which 62 (12.9%) cases were the occupational infectious diseases. A total of 19 cases of occupational anthropozoonoses were registered. The average annual incidence of occupational anthropozoonoses was 0.96 per 100,000 employees. The linear trend of annual incidence was neg?ative. The average age was 44.05?8.34 years. Male patients accounted for 73.7% of cases. The average length of service among patients was 19.63?8.2 years. Conclusion. In addition to the implementation of available specific immunization measures and personal protection measures that prevent contact with pathogens, it is important to continuously educate workers concerning the work?place risks and perform preventive medical examinations in order to enable early recognition and treatment of the disease. In addition, continuous education of medical practitioners of different specialities would help to better identify occupational anthropozoonoses.

Sclerosing mesenteritis (SM) is a rare and poorly understood chronic benign inflammatory condition of the mesentery that sometimes can be manifested as acute abdominal emergency. In this paper sclerosing mesenteritis was discussed on the occasion of experience in the diagnosis and the treatment of patients in clinical practice, a 62-year-old man who was diagnosed SM on computed tomography (CT) which was confirmed histopathologically. SM manifests grossly as a diffuse, localized, or multinodular thickening of the mesentery. Microscopically, according to the pattern of the disease, SM can be divided into sclerosing panniculitis where necrosis and inflammation predominate and retractile mesenteritis in which fibrosis and retraction are hallmarks of the disease. Clinical presentation of patients suffering from SM is quite diverse - from asymptomatic, which is the most common, to abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and febrile episodes. The 'fat ring sign' and peripheral pseudocapsule are virtually pathognomonic CT findings of SM. Management of SM is empirical with no guidelines yet established. SM should be listed in the differential diagnosis in every older patient with diverse abdominal complaints.

Background/Aim. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) occurs as consequence of combined effects of genetic, age-related, environmental and occupational factors. Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) develops mostly due to IDD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the frequency of LDH is higher at the level of the most pronounced IDD, and whether a category of physical workload influences higher IDD on level L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 separately. Methods. The research included 60 patients with permanent employment, hospitalized due to LDH. A grade of IDD was assessed by lumbosacral preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to Pfirmann's MRI classification system. Occupational factors were determined by a specific questionnaire. Results. Out of the 60 patients participating in the study, 33.3% had jobs with easy workload, 23% had moderate workload, while 43% had heavy workload. Herniated discs were found at level L3-L4 in 8.3%, at level L4-L5 in 46.7% and at level L5-S1 in 45% patients. The symptomatic discs at level L5-S1 showed statistically significant frequency of degenerative changes of grades IV and V. Binary logistic regression results showed that the strongest predictor of IDD grade for examined levels was physical workload. Positive association of physical workload and IDD grade was observed in all cases. Higher grades of IDD are more likely for patients with both higher TE and heavier physical workload (OR 2.011) at level L3-L4. At levels L4-L5 and L5-S1 higher degree of IDD was more likely for females with heavier physical workload (OR 1.978 and 2.433 respectively). Conclusion. Symptomatic discs show higher frequency of higher grades of IDD but herniation does not occur solely at the disc of the most prominent degenerative changes. The results suggest importance of inter-influence of physical workload and the years of employment and the inter-influence of physical workload and gender, on degeneration of lumbar discs.

Osteoporotic bone is a bone with decreased bone density and due to that predispose for fractures. Aim. To determine frequency of risk factors, type and localization of fractures in patients with decreased bone density. Material and method. Analysis included 763 patients of both sex. Osteodensitometry was performed and data on clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures were collected. Results. Most of patient were female (96%) and average age was 63 years. The most frequent risk factors were early menopauses, previous fractures and fractures in relatives. Most of patients with osteoporotic fractures had T score of hip on osteopenia level and type was predominantly nonvertebral. Vertebral fractures were more frequent in patients with T score -2,5 SD. Conclusion. Besides osteodensitometry finding of decreased bone density, identifying of clinical risk factors for osteoporosis is essential for early making of diagnosis of osteoporosis and prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

Background/Aim. Stevioside is a glycoside that supposedly possesses a number of pharmacodynamic effects such as anti-infective, hypoglycemic, along with the beneficial influence on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rats pretreatment with aqueous solution of stevioside on pharmacological actions of adrenaline, metoprolol and verapamil. Methods. Rats were administered (intraperitoneally 200 mg/kg/day) stevioside as aqueous solution or physiological saline in the course of 5 days, then anaesthetized with urethane and the first ECG recording was made. The prepared jugular vein was connected to an infusion pump with adrenaline (0.1 mg/mL), verapamil (2.5 mg/mL) or metoprolol (1 mg/mL). Control animals, pretreated with saline, in addition to the mentioned drugs, were also infused with the solution of stevioside (200 mg/mL) in the course of recording ECG. Results. The infusion of stevioside produced no significant changes in ECG, even at a dose exceeding 1,600 mg/kg. In the control group, a dose of adrenaline of 0.07 ± 0.02 mg/kg decreased the heart rate, whereas in the steviosidepretreated rats this occurred at a significantly higher dose (0.13 ± 0.03 mg/kg). In stevioside-pretreated rats, the amount of verapamil needed to produce the decrease in heart rate was significantly lower compared to the control. The pretreatment with stevioside caused no significant changes in the parameters registered on ECG during infusion of metoprolol. Conclusion. The results suggest that pretreatment with stevioside may change the effect of adrenaline and verapamile on the heart rate. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 41012]

A 45-year-old woman was referred for CT of the abdomen due to endoscopically detected esophageal varices. The patient complained of dizziness and long-term epigastric pain. The CT scan showed five aberrant splenic nodules (Picture a), a short pancreas (Picture b, arrowhead), a preduodenal portal vein (Picture b, arrow), intestinal malrotation (Picture c) and a symmetric midline position of the liver (Picture c), all of which were consistent with a diagnosis of polysplenia syndrome. Polysplenia syndrome (PSS) is a rare congenital disease that occurs in patients with two or more spleens and various organ anomalies. Unlike that occurring in children, PSS in adults is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally since cardiovascular anomalies are minor or nonexistent (1). However, anomalies of the abdominal viscera sometimes lead to clinical manifestations or represent a surgery danger (2). Fortunately, conducting a careful analysis of systemic anomalies, which is required in medical evaluations, is therefore facilitated using modern imaging techniques.

Introduction. Dental professionals may be at increased risk of developing occupational allergic diseases specially to methacrylates that can permeate protective disposable gloves. Case report. We presented a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a 28-year-old dental technician. The patient had complained of itching and cracking of fingers for 6 months. The dermatitis improved over weekends. Skin erythema and scaling were present with primarily involvement of the fingertips. Patch testing with dental series gave positive vesicular reaction to methyl methacrylate. Follow-up after 6 months of allergen avoidance showed a complete regression of dermatitis. Conclusion. Methacrylates serve as bases for acrylic resins which are used in prosthetics. Methyl methacrylate as a small molecular acrylate can permeate thin protective disposable gloves. Using adequate personal protective equipment, like nitrile rubber gloves, is the most important preventive measure in this occupation. Health practitioners should recognize possible occupational hazards in dentistry and implement appropriate preventive measures to protect health of workers.

Synopsis The increased incidence of congenital postural deformities among newborns with breech presentation may be associated with causes of breech presentation rather than the presentation itself.

The most important safety measure for prevention of CO poisoning is the installation of automatic systems that signal high CO concentrations in the work environment. Public health measures that include stringent pollution control, introduction of low-cost CO monitors, and public education aimed at the high-risk population (e.g., new workers, drivers) should decrease the number of deaths from CO poisoning and should save productive years of life. Toxicity of CO is a consequence of tissue hypoxia created by the displacement of oxygen from hemoglobin and the subsequent impairment of oxygen release to the tissues. Early symptoms of CO intoxication are insidious and can resemble other diseases; physical examination may be unremarkable. For these reasons, many cases of CO poisoning are not readily recognized.

The aim is to investigate the influence of the antidiabetic drug gliclazide on the ileal permeation of the semisynthetic bile acid, MKC, in tissues from healthy and diabetic rats. Sixteen Wistar rats (350 +/- 50 g) were randomly allocated into four groups (4 rats per group, 8 chambers per rat, i.e., n=32) two of which were made diabetic (given alloxan i.v. 30 mg/kg). Group 1 was used to measure the permeation of MKC (50 microg/ml) alone (control) while group 2 to measure MKC permeation in the presence of gliclazide (200 microg/ml). The diabetic groups 3 (gliclazide) and 4 (MKC+gliclazide) were treated in the same way. Rats were sacrificed and tissues were mounted into the Ussing chamber for the measurement of MKC mucosal to serosal (absorptive) and serosal to mucosal (secretory) fluxes. In healthy tissues, gliclazide reduced MKC absorptive flux (p0.01) and increased its secretory flux (p0.01). In diabetic tissues, gliclazide had no effect on either the absorptive or the secretory fluxes of MKC. The lack of effect of gliclazide on MKC permeation in diabetic tissues suggests the absence or suppressed drug transporters. Furthermore, gliclazide inhibition of MKC absorptive flux and induction of MKC secretory flux in healthy tissues may result from the selective inhibition of an efflux drug transporter.