Object: The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-related complications after intradural spinal tumor (IST) surgery is high and reported in up to 18% of patients. However, no efficient way to prevent those complications has been reported so far. Treating these complications may require prolonged bed rest, re-exploration, external lumbar drain, use of antibiotics, and possible precipitation of other complications. To alleviate the risk of CSF-related complications, we prospectively adopted the intraoperative use of autologous fat grafting after IST surgery. Methods: This is a perspective analysis of 37 cases (out of 40 cases series) that a prospective use of abdominal fat autograft was applied during dural closure. After the tumor was resected and the dura closed, we used the Valsalva maneuver to ensure watertight closure. CSF leak was prevented with the enforcement of suture with a fat autograft as necessary. In addition a thin layer of fat tissue was then placed over the dura to obliterate any dead space. Fibrin glue was then applied over the graft. Filling the dead space with the fat graft prevented a low-pressure space in which CSF could pool and form a pseudomeningocele. Results: After adopting the fat autograft technique, we did not observe any post-surgery CSF-related complications in any of these patients. Conclusions: The prospective use of autologous fat grafting can ensure watertight dural closure and obliterate the dead space created during surgical exposure and bone removal. This technique significantly reduces, and may completely eliminate, postoperative CSF-related complications in patients with ISTs.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of antibiotic consumption on development of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in University Clinical Center of Sarajevo. In our retrospective study Acinetobacter baumannii isolated in period from July 1st 2009 to December 31st 2012. Isolates were detected from different clinical samples including urine, wound swab, blood, bronchial aspirate and other samples which were collected from patients situated on various hospital wards. Clinical isolates belonged to one per patient in a given period of time. Results: Antimicrobial resistance was interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints. Consumption of antibiotics was analyzed according to recommendations of the ESAC-Net and current Acinetobacter baumannii classification. Pearson’s correlation showed a positive correlation between gentamicin consumption and emerging of resistance (p = 0.023). Conclusion: Increase in the antimicrobial use was followed with an increase in resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance and consumption is of a great importance in order to reduce the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant organisms in the health care settings.

A new low potential electrochemical sensor for determination of L-cysteine based on carbon electrodes modified with Ru(III) Schiff base complex, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and Nafion is presented. Cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and flow injection analysis were employed. Measurements were carried out using Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 5.50). The results showed that addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to Ru(III) complex modified glassy carbon and screen printed carbon electrodes gives increased current signals at the potential where oxidation of L-cysteine occurs. Flow injection amperometric measurements were performed at the operating potential +0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) electrode and showed fast electric current response for L-cysteine oxidation, demonstrating good reproducibility and stability. The sensor has a detection limit of 0.11 mg L -1 and a dynamic range of 50-500 mg L -1 . The repeatability was calculated as 2.8 %. New sensor was used for the determination of L-cysteine in pharmaceutical products.

Objective: Objective of this work is to determine influence of palliative care on the quality of life in patients with lung cancer. Subjects and Methods: Our study group included 40 patients, consecutively selected, which is determined by symptomatic treatment and hospitalized at the Department of Palliative Care of University Clinical Center Tuzla. The control group consisted of 40 patients who had a diagnosis of lung cancer treated at home by an authorized ambulance Health Center Tuzla. Tests in both groups were carried out using the test SF-36 scale for assessing quality of life in period of two weeks. Two-stage test was performed, initially, immediately after disease was diagnosed, and two weeks later. Results: All life quality parameters (general, physical and emotional) were better in second test, in patients who were situated in the department of palliative care (study group) (p<0.0001). In the area of physical health (physical function, physical limitations, pain, general health), in patients who have resided in the department of palliative care (study group), showed a statistically significant improvement in all the aspects (p<0.0001). In the study patients all aspects of mental health were statistically significantly improved after two weeks being in department (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Two weeks treatment of patients with lung cancer in the Department of Palliative Care significantly improve all general aspects of quality of life.

Introduction: Tonsillopharyngitis (sore throat) is a common disease mainly related to the seasonal common cold. To relieve unpleasant symptoms and discomfort of acute tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold, patients usually take some non-prescription drugs. The aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess subjective determinations of the efficacy and the safety/tolerability of an oral spray comprising a combination of lysozyme chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in those patients. Material and methods: The study involved 1727 patients with tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold and treated with the studied drug, in the period from December 2014 through March 2015. Results: In total, 95% of patients rated the studied drug to be well, very well and excellently effective. In 32% of patients, the symptoms were relieved 10 minutes after the application of the spray. Significant correlations were found between the two subjective assessments of the drug efficiency with the total of 74.11% (95% CI: 73.41, 77.47%) of patients who said that the feeling of pain in the throat completely disappeared after the drug administration, evaluated the impact/effect of the drug was very good or good (Pearson Chi Square=391.401, p<0.001). The effectiveness was significantly better in patients with up to two episodes of common cold a year (Pearson Chi Square=6.101; p=0.014). The studied drug was rated to be well, very well and excellently tolerated by 97% of patients. Conclusion: According to patients’ subjective assessment, the combination of lysozyme chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in a formulation of spray can quickly, efficiently and safely resolve the symptoms of acute tonsillopharyngitis associated with common cold.

Background: Nifuroxazide is well known and often used anti-diarrhoeal medicine which has been pushed back from routine practice in recent years and often replaced with probiotics. Even probiotics are accepted and placed in some therapeutic guidelines for diarrhoea treatment, there are no enough evidence for its effectiveness and no comparative efficacy data with nifuroxazide in treatment of acute diarrhea. Patients and Methods: In open, prospective observational study, the efficacy and safety of nifuroxazide were compared with a probiotic containing lactic acid bacteria in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. A total number of 169 adult patients were included in this study, who administered nifuroxazide in the dose of 200 mg/4 times a day, while they took preparation containing lactic acid bacteria (1,2 x 107 live lyophilised lactic-acid bacteria) three times a day for three days. Results: Mean time to last unformed stool (TLUS) in a group which was treated with nifuroxazide was two days, while it took five days for the stool normalisation in the group using probiotic (p=0.0001). Conclusions: Orally administered nifuroxazide has demonstrated better efficiency as compared to probiotic in treating acute diarrhoea, and both medicines have shown the same safety and tolerance in this study.