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High concentrations of pesticides and toxic metal pollutants in the environment, often present in surface waters in nature, can accumulate in wild animals and are a significant public health concern. Serbia is a moderately developed, south European country in transition, with a long tradition in agriculture, particularly in the northern part, Vojvodina. Our study aimed to assess the presence of pesticides and to measure concentrations of toxic metals in the district of Backi Petrovac, Vojvodina. Water samples were analyzed from canals, ditches, fish from the canals and wild animals caught in the Backi Petrovac district. We identified nine pesticides in water samples. Of all detected pesticides, one was a hormonal disruptor. There were no pesticides in animals, fish and organs in a concentration above the limit of detection (LOD) in observed periods. The concentrations of toxic metals detected in superficial water (Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Mn, Cu) were below the permitted limits, as well as the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, As and Mn in the whole bodies of fish. Concentrations in kidneys and livers of wild animals (rabbit and roe deer) were below the permitted limits, with the exception of cadmium, whose concentrations in some animal samples were above the permitted limit. Based on the obtained results, we concluded that in the developed agricultural region unencumbered by heavy industry, pollution by pesticides and heavy metals can be controlled.

Background/Aim. Although it is well-known the high sensitivity of brush cytology for the diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma, this kind of diagnostics is not routinely used, and for the past years it has even been declining. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of brush cytology for the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, by comparison the results of brush cytology and biopsy, and then the results of both diagnostic methods with the final patohistological diagnosis of colorectal resection. Methods. This retrospective study included 173 patients with brush cytology of colorectal region during colonoscopy. In 166 patients concomitant biopsy specimens were obtained, and in 116 of them resection of the intestine as well. A total of the 106 patients underwent to all three diagnostic procedures. Results. Out of 166 patients who went through both brush cytology and biopsy, the congruent diagnosis was made in 129 (77.7%) patients: in 109 (65.7%) adenocarcinoma was diagnosed, which was confirmed after the resection of the intestine in 75 of the patients, and in 14 (8.4%) benign lesion, so there was no need for resection of the intestine. In 6 (3.6%) of the patients, both cytology and biopsy were negative, but the resected specimen was malignant. In 10 of the patients with malignant cytology in whom biopsy was not done, resection of the intestine confirmed malignancy. The sensitivity of detecting malignancy by brush cytology and biopsy were 87.9% and 78.3%, respectively (but this difference was not statistically significant, p = 0.083). Both methods had specificity and positive predictive values 100%. Negative predictive values for cytology and biopsy were 50% and 37.8%, respectively. The accuracy of cytology and biopsy was 89.2% and 80.8%, respectively. The combination of the results of brush cytology and biopsy increased the sensitivity of preoperative diagnostics to 94.8% which was significantly higher than sensitivity of biopsy (p < 0.001), but not than sensitivity of cytology (p = 0.102). Conclusion. Brush cytology could be a routine method, along with biopsy, in the diagnosis of colorectal malignancy. Both methods have comparable both sensitivity and accuracy, and its combination increases sensitivity of preoperative diagnostics of colorectal adenocarcinoma, which gives opportunity to better estimation of further diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Background/Aim. The overuse of antibiotics unnecessarily exposes patients to risk of side effects, encourages reconsultation for similar problems and enhances antimicrobial resistance. The use of antibiotics in the year 2011 in Montenegro was high (39.05 Defined Daily Dose ? DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day), but it was not considered in relation to the frequency of bacterial diseases. The aim of our study was to determine the degree of conformance between the amount of outpatient antibiotic consumption and the reported prevalence of outpatient bacterial infections in the Republic of Montenegro. Methods. Data on the use of antibacterial drugs was obtained from the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Montenegro for the year 2012. The amount of antibiotics was calculated using the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) DDD methodology. Data on the prevalence of outpatient infective disease was obtained from the Health Statistical Yearbook 2012 of Montenegro and it was expressed per 1,000 inhabitants. Results. A total of 30.34 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day of antibiotics in outpatients were prescribed in Montenegro in 2012, with penicillins being most frequently prescribed. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid were the most frequently used antibiotics. The prevalence of outpatient bacterial infections was 6,745 cases or 10.87/1,000. The most frequent infections were respiratory tract infections. Less than 50% of the prescribed amount of antibiotics were prescribed in accordance with national guidelines on treatment of bacterial infections. Conclusion. Use of antibiotics in Montenegro in 2012 was more than double than necessary according to prevalence of bacterial infections and average duration of treatment. The structure of antibiotics was not in full compliance with the national good practice guidelines, but it was in accordance with data on bacterial antibiotic resistance in outpatient practice. It is necessary to initiate measures to rationalize the use of antibiotics both in terms of quantity and in terms of the structure of the most used antibiotics.