Marko Baralic
@kcs.ac.rs
Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade and University Clinical Centre of Serbia
Clinical Ass. Prof, Ass. Research Prof, MD, PhD, Internal medicine specialist / Nephrologist
EDUCATION
Medical Doctor - Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
Ph. D -Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
Internal medicine specialist -Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
Neprologist - Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Chemistry
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Zorana Dobrijević, Jovana Stevanović, Dragana Robajac, Ana Penezić, Danilo Četić, Marko Baralić, and Olgica Nedić
Elsevier BV
Marko Petrović, Voin Brković, Marko Baralić, Ivko Marić, Nenad Petković, Sanja Stanković, Nataša Lalić, Dejana Stanisavljević, Ljubica Đukanović, and Višnja Ležaić
MDPI AG
This retrospective study aimed to compare risk factors for vascular calcification (VC) between pre-hemodialysis (HD) and prevalent HD adult patients while investigating associations with calcification biomarkers. Baseline data from 30 pre-HD and 85 HD patients were analyzed, including iPTH, vitamin D, FGF 23, fetuin-A, sclerostin, and VC scores (Adragao method). Prevalence of VC was similar in both groups, but HD patients had more frequent VC scores ≥ 6. Pre-HD patients were older, with higher prevalence of hypertension and less frequent use of calcium phosphate binders. Both groups showed similar patterns of hyperphosphatemia, low vitamin D, and iPTH. Fetuin-A and sclerostin levels were higher in pre-HD, while FGF 23 was elevated in HD patients. Higher VC risk in pre-HD patients was associated with male gender, older age, lower fetuin-A and higher sclerostin, lower ferritin, and no vitamin D treatment, while in HD patients with higher sclerostin, FGF 23 and urea, and lower iPTH. Conclusion: Biomarkers could be measurable indicators of biological processes underlying VC in CKD patients that may serve as a potential guide for considering personalized therapeutic approaches. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying pathways.
Marko Baralić, Mirjana Laušević, Danica Ćujić, Ana Bontić, Jelena Pavlović, Voin Brković, Aleksandra Kezić, Kristina Mihajlovski, Lara Hadži Tanović, Iman Assi Milošević,et al.
MDPI AG
The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a great impact on the population of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study demonstrates the impact of infection and vaccination in 66 patients treated with PD and their outcomes during a 6-month follow-up. This is the first research that has studied the dynamics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum and effluent. In our research, 57.6% of PD patients were vaccinated, predominantly with Sinopharm (81.6%), which was also the most frequently administered vaccine in the Republic of Serbia at the beginning of immunization. During the monitoring period, the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the PD patients had an increasing trend in serum. In the group of vaccinated patients with PD, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies had an increasing trend in both serum and effluent, in contrast to non-vaccinated patients, where they decreased in effluent regardless of the trend of increase in serum, but statistical significance was not reached. In contrast to vaccinated (immunized) patients who did not acquire infection, the patients who only underwent the COVID-19 infection, but were not immunized, were more prone to reinfection upon the outbreak of a new viral strain, yet without severe clinical presentation and with no need for hospital treatment.
Voin Brkovic, Gorana Nikolic, Marko Baralic, Milica Kravljaca, Marija Milinkovic, Jelena Pavlovic, Mirjana Lausevic, and Milan Radovic
MDPI AG
The global outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has prompted significant public health concerns. This study focuses on 442 chronic hemodialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19, emphasizing the impact of vaccination status on clinical outcomes. The study investigates the correlation between vaccination status and laboratory findings, aiming to identify predictive factors for mortality. Results indicate that vaccination status plays a crucial role in outcomes. Full vaccination, evidenced by two or three doses, is associated with better outcomes, including reduced incidence of bilateral pneumonia and lower risks of complications such as hemorrhage and thrombosis. Laboratory analyses reveal significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in parameters like C-reactive protein, ferritin, and white blood cell counts. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identify several factors influencing mortality, including comorbidities, pneumonia development, and various inflammatory markers. In conclusion among hemodialysis patients affected by COVID-19 infection, vaccination with at least three doses emerges as a protective factor against fatal outcomes. Independent predictors of mortality are CRP levels upon admission, maximum CRP values during the illness and cardiovascular comorbidities. Noteworthy lymphocytopenia during infection exhibits a notable level of specificity and sensitivity in predicting mortality.
Nikola M. Stojanović, Katarina V. Mitić, Milica Nešić, Milica Stanković, Vladimir Petrović, Marko Baralić, Pavle J. Randjelović, Dušan Sokolović, and Niko Radulović
MDPI AG
This study aimed to evaluate the protective action of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil and its monoterpene constituents (thymol and carvacrol) in L-arginine-induced kidney damage by studying inflammatory and tissue damage parameters. The determination of biochemical markers that reflect kidney function, i.e., serum levels of urea and creatinine, tissue levels of neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), as well as a panel of oxidative-stress-related and inflammatory biomarkers, was performed. Furthermore, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidneys obtained from different experimental groups were conducted. Pre-treatment with the investigated compounds prevented an L-arginine-induced increase in serum and tissue kidney damage markers and, additionally, decreased the levels of inflammation-related parameters (TNF-α and nitric oxide concentrations and myeloperoxidase activity). Micromorphological kidney tissue changes correlate with the alterations observed in the biochemical parameters, as well as the expression of CD95 in tubule cells and CD68 in inflammatory infiltrate cells. The present results revealed that oregano essential oil, thymol, and carvacrol exert nephroprotective activity, which could be, to a great extent, associated with their anti-inflammatory, antiradical scavenging, and antiapoptotic action and, above all, due to their ability to lessen the disturbances arising from acute pancreatic damage. Further in-depth studies are needed in order to provide more detailed explanations of the observed activities.
Marilia Dagnon da Silva, Sidney Marcel Domingues, Stevan Oluic, Milan Radovanovic, Pratyusha Kodela, Terri Nordin, Margaret R. Paulson, Bojan Joksimović, Omobolanle Adetimehin, Devender Singh,et al.
MDPI AG
Unlike other adverse drug reactions, visceral organ involvement is a prominent feature of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome and correlates with mortality. The aim of this study was to systematically review cases published in PubMed-indexed, peer-reviewed journals in which patients had renal injury during the episode of DRESS syndrome (DS). We found 71 cases, of which 67 were adults and 56% were males. Female sex was associated with higher mortality. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was present in 14% of patients who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) during DS. In 21% of cases, the kidneys were the only visceral organ involved, while 54% of patients had both liver and kidney involvement. Eosinophilia was absent in 24% of patients. The most common classes of medication associated with renal injury in DS were antibiotics in 34%, xanthine oxidase inhibitors in 15%, and anticonvulsants in 11%. Among antibiotics, vancomycin was the most common culprit in 68% of patients. AKI was the most common renal manifestation reported in 96% of cases, while isolated proteinuria or hematuria was present in only 4% of cases. In cases with AKI, 88% had isolated increase in creatinine and decrease in glomerular filtration (GFR), 27% had AKI concomitantly with proteinuria, 18% had oliguria, and 13% had concomitant AKI with hematuria. Anuria was the rarest manifestation, occurring in only 4% of patients with DS. Temporary renal replacement therapy was needed in 30% of cases, and all but one patient fully recovered renal function. Mortality of DS in this cohort was 13%, which is higher than previously reported. Medication class, latency period, or pre-existing CKD were not found to be associated with higher mortality. More research, particularly prospective studies, is needed to better recognize the risks associated with renal injury in patients with DS. The development of disease-specific biomarkers would also be useful so DS with renal involvement can be easier distinguished from other eosinophilic diseases that might affect the kidney.
Marko Baralić, Dragana Robajac, Ana Penezić, Voin Brković, Nikola Gligorijević, Ana Bontić, Jelena Pavlović, Jelena Nikolić, Goran Miljuš, Zorana Dobrijević,et al.
MDPI AG
In previous publications, we pointed out the importance of mannosylation of fibrinogen for the development of cardiovascular complications and fucosylation as a predictor of peritoneal membrane dysfunction in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). After a follow-up period of 30 months from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the significance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) therapy, primary disease, biochemical and hematologic analyzes, and previously performed glycan analysis by lectin-based microarray as predictors of mortality in this patient group. After univariate Cox regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) and calcitriol therapy were found to be potential predictors of mortality. Additional multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that only DM was a predictor of mortality. Nevertheless, the use of calcitriol in therapy significantly reduced mortality in this patient group, as shown by the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. The presence of DM as a concomitant disease proved to be a strong predictor of fatal outcome in PD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This is the first study to indicate the importance and beneficial effect of calcitriol therapy on survival in PD patients with COVID-19 infection. In addition, this study points to the possibility that adverse thrombogenic events observed in PD patients during the pandemic may be caused by aberrant fibrinogen glycosylation.
Marko Baralić, Lucia Pažitná, Voin Brković, Mirjana Laušević, Nikola Gligorijević, Jaroslav Katrlík, Olgica Nedić, and Dragana Robajac
MDPI AG
As we already reported, fibrinogen fucosylation emerged as a prognostic marker of peritoneal membrane function in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis. After a follow-up period of 18 months, we estimated the ability of employed lectins, as well as other biochemical parameters, to serve as mortality predictors in these patients. Following a univariate Cox regression analysis, ferritin, urea clearance, residual diuresis, hyperglycemia, and an increase in the signal intensity obtained with Galanthus nivalis lectin (GNL) emerged as potential mortality predictors, but additional multivariate Cox regression analysis pointed only to glucose concentration and GNL as mortality predictors. Higher signal intensity obtained with GNL in patients that died suggested the importance of paucimannosidic/highly mannosidic N-glycan structures on fibrinogen as factors that are related to unwanted cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality and can possibly be seen as a prediction tool. Altered glycan structures composed of mannose residues are expected to affect the reactivity of mannosylated glycoproteins with mannose-binding lectin and possibly the entire cascade of events linked to this lectin. Since patients with ESRD are prone to cardiovascular complications and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, one can hypothesize that fibrinogen with increasingly exposed mannose residues may contribute to the unwanted events.
Marko Baralić, Ivan Spasojević, Goran Miljuš, Miloš Šunderić, Dragana Robajac, Zorana Dobrijević, Nikola Gligorijević, Olgica Nedić, and Ana Penezić
Elsevier BV
Mihailo Stjepanovic, Ivana Buha, Nikola Maric, Slobodan Belic, Mirjana Stjepanovic, Sanja Dimic-Janjic, Marko Baralic, Milica Stojkovic-Lalosevic, Dragana Bubanja, and Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic
National Library of Serbia
Sarcoidosis afflicts the central nervous system more frequently than previously believed. Neurological symptoms are present in roughly one-half of patients, and depend on the location in the central nervous system. The probability of spontaneous regression is significantly less when compared to other forms of sarcoidosis, which means that the proper diagnosis and treatment is paramount. Even when properly treated, functional defects are not uncommon. Majority of these patients require immunomodulating drugs and continuous follow-up. New immunomodulating drugs, especially biological agents, have shown to be significantly more effective, with fewer side effects, and are important when corticosteroids could not be applied. Less invasive methods, such as cerebrospinal analysis, help greatly in the diagnostics procedure, and require further research and improvement.
Mihailo Stjepanovic, Slobodan Belic, Ivana Buha, Nikola Maric, Marko Baralic, and Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction. COVID-19 pneumonia does not have a characteristic course and prognosis. Many facts still remain hidden, mainly why certain patients develop complications with serious tissue damage and whether it causes a permanent organ impairment. If and when will fibrosis develop in COVID-19 pneumonia requires further research, but a link between the amount of tissue afflicted and the development of fibrosis exists. Case outline. A previously healthy, non-smoker, woman with minor symptoms on admission had suddenly developed a serious respiratory insufficiency and whose radiographic finding on computed tomography scan had shown a serious progression with the development of fibrosis in a matter of days. The exact mechanism and correlation of this clinical course remains unknown; however, it is clear that the pulmonary fibrosis is caused by COVID-19 pneumonia. Follow-up computed tomography scan, performed 50 days after initial symptoms, had shown a partial regression of consolidations and post-inflammatory fibrosis. Conclusion. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most severe complication of COVID-19 infection on the respiratory system. Who, when or if a patient will develop any complication is still unclear, as well as whether these changes are reversible? Also, the number of recovered patients who later develop some chronic complications remains to be seen.
Dragoslava Djerić, Aleksandar Perić, Bojan Pavlović, Miljan Folić, Ana Bontić, Marko Baralić, Jelena Pavlović, and Milan Radović
SAGE Publications
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, characterized by necrotizing granulomas. It is an autoimmune disease affecting small- and medium-sized vessels of upper and lower respiratory tract, kidneys, and other organs. We described a case of a patient with otitis media with effusion as the first manifestations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A 54-year-old female presented as an urgent case with history of a severe otalgia, hearing loss, vertigo, and fever. The patient was treated with diagnosis of otitis media with effusion and acute rhinosinusitis, but without significant success. She developed an acute kidney dysfunction as a sign of glomerulonephritis with rapidly progressive renal failure. Diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was confirmed after the histopathological analysis of kidney tissue, not by analysis of middle ear and paranasal sinus mucosa specimens. The patient was treated according to generally accepted protocol, and over time, there was an almost complete recovery.
Dragan Pavlovic, Jelena Djordjevic, Aleksandra Pavlovic, Mirjana Stjepanovic, and Marko Baralic
National Library of Serbia
Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a complex, multisystem disease with chronic course significantly affecting patients? quality of life. Physical and mental exertion intolerability, muscle pain, and sleep problems are the main features accompanied often with cognitive inefficacy and vegetative symptoms. Prevalence is 7?3000 per 100,000 adults. It is estimated that 90% of the patients are misdiagnosed. Pathogenesis is still only speculative but current research points to disturbances in the immunological system, inflammatory pathways, autonomic and central nervous system, muscle and mitochondria, as well as alterations of gut microbiota and gut permeability. The onset is typically acute, following an infectious disease. Exertional intolerance lasting for more than six months is an important diagnostic factor. The core features must be moderate to severe and present at least 50% of the time. Diagnostic criteria should be fulfilled and differential diagnosis should be made to exclude other potential pathological conditions or to diagnose comorbidities. Brain magnetic resonance imaging morphometry has shown gray matter atrophy in occipital lobes bilaterally, right angular gyrus, and the posterior division of the left parahippocampal gyrus, consistent with memory problems and potentially with impairment of visual processing. Treatment is still symptomatic and of partial benefit. Symptomatic treatment can include medications for controlling pain and sleep problems, graded exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Larger controlled trials are needed to shed more light on this challenging condition.
Mihailo Stjepanovic, Slobodan Belic, Ivana Buha, Nikola Maric, Marko Baralic, and Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction. COVID-19 is responsible for the current global pandemic. Globally, over 15 million people are currently infected, and just over 600,000 have died due to being infected. It is known that people with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems can develop more severe clinical presentation. Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the biggest epidemiological problems worldwide. Both of these diseases can be misdiagnosed and can manifest in a similar way. We will present a case study of a patient who was initially treated as a COVID-19 infection, with TB being diagnosed later on. The recovery began only after being treated for both diseases simultaneously. Case report. The patient is a 27-year-old male, non-smoker, with no history of any significant diseases. He presented with fever, fatigue and hemoptysis. Computed tomography pulmoangiography had shown massive consolidations and excavations, which could be caused by COVID-19. Despite being treated for COVID-19, there was no clinical improvement. On the follow-up chest X-ray, beside signs of COVID-19, there were also changes that could indicate TB. TB was detected in sputum, using PCR and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube, and only after being treated for both diseases did his condition improve. Conclusion. There are a few reported cases of COVID-19 and TB coinfections, and we believe that there are many more patients with this coinfection being unrecognized
Mirjana Lausevic, Voin Brkovic, Milica Kravljaca, Marija Milinkovic, Marko Baralic, Selena Gajic, and Radomir Naumovic
Baskent University
OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to evaluate the influence of pretransplant risk factors on posttransplant anemia recovery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This single-center observational retrospective study included 80 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients who had been followed up to 16 months after kidney transplant. Time point of posttransplant anemia recovery was considered the time when hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL was achieved and maintained for 3 consecutive monthly visits. We collected donor/transplant characteristics (age, sex, hypertension history, cause of death, donor kidney function, expanded criteria donor status, deceased donor score, HLA mismatch, and cold ischemia time) and recipient data (pretransplant hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone, kidney graft function, delayed graft function, acute rejection, infections, surgical bleeding, posttransplant parathyroid hormone, iron stores, and C-reactive protein and tacrolimus levels). We used univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses and Kaplan-Meier plots to determine associations between variables and posttransplant anemia recovery rate. P < .05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
We identified 62 deceased donors (33 male; mean age 50 ± 15.1 years) and 80 kidney transplant recipients (52 male; mean age 47.0 ± 10.6 years). Mean pretransplant hemoglobin was 11.4 ± 1.5 g/dL. Donor age, deceased donor score, pretransplant parathyroid hormone, posttransplant transferrin saturation (all P < .05), and tacrolimus level (P < .01) were significantly related to posttransplant anemia recovery. Kaplan-Meier curve identified that recipients of deceased donors below 60 years old achieved hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL more frequently and earlier than recipients of deceased donors above 60 years old (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Deceased donor age, deceased donor score, pretransplant serum parathyroid hormone, posttransplant transferrin saturation, and tacrolimus level were significantly associated with posttransplant anemia recovery rate in deceased donor kidney transplant recipients. Anemia recovery was more frequent and earlier in recipients of deceased donors below 60 years than in recipients of donors 60 years old and above.
Tamara Milovanovic, Igor Dumic, Ivana Ilic, Marko Baralic, Sanja Dragasevic, Milica Stojkovic-Lalosevic, and Vladimir Arsenijevic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction. Gallbladder varices (GBV) represent a rare form of ectopic varices that usually occur in patients with portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis. Case outline. We present a case of a 38-year-old woman with decompensated autoimmune liver cirrhosis who was referred to our institution for evaluation for liver transplantation. She was incidentally discovered to have GBV during a routine B-mode abdominal ultrasonography as part of pre-transplant evaluation. GBV were confirmed by the Color Doppler Sonography, and multi detector computed tomography angiography. Interestingly, portal vein was patent and without thrombus. Conclusion. Despite being asymptomatic in most cases, the presence of GBV is valuable information for a surgeon because they might be a source of potentially catastrophic bleeding, which is particularly poorly tolerated by patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Ultrasound has the irreplaceable role not only in discovering GBV, but in prompt diagnosis of rare, but unpredictable and fatal complications as well.
Marko Petrovic, Marko Baralic, Voin Brkovic, Aleksandra Arsenovic, Vesna Stojanov, Natasa Lalic, Dejana Stanisavljevic, Aleksandar Jankovic, Nenad Radivojevic, Svetlana Pejanovic,et al.
MDPI AG
Background and Objectives: Abnormal arterial stiffness (AS) is a major complication in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients treated by dialysis. Our study aimed to determine the significance of AS for survival of prevalent dialysis patients, as well as its association with cardiovascular parameters or vascular calcification promoters/inhibitors or both and AS. Materials and Methods: The study involved 80 adult hemodialysis patients. Besides standard laboratory analyses, we also determined promoters and inhibitors of vascular calcification (bone biomarkers): serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), soluble Klotho, intact parathormone (iPTH), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, osteoprotegerin, sclerostin, AS measured as ankle carotid pulse wave velocity (acPWV), Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), and vascular calcification (VC) score. Patients were monitored for up to 28 months. According to the median acPWV value, we divided patients into a group with acPWV ≤ 8.8 m/s, and a group with acPWV > 8.8 m/s, and the two groups were compared. Results: Values for bone biomarkers were similar in both groups. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), central systolic and diastolic brachial blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse pressure were higher in the group with acPWV > 8.8 m/s than in the group with acPWV ≤ 8.8 m/s. The mortality was higher for patients with acPWV > 8.8 m/s at any given time over 28 months of follow-up. In multivariable analysis, predictors of higher acPWV were age >60.5, higher pulse rate, and higher central systolic or brachial diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: According to our results, we advise the measurement of acPWV preferentially in younger dialysis patients for prognosis, as well as intervention planning before the development of irreversible changes in blood vessels. In addition, measuring central systolic blood pressure seems to be useful for monitoring AS in prevalent hemodialysis patients.
Marko Baralić, Nikola Gligorijević, Voin Brković, Jaroslav Katrlík, Lucia Pažitná, Miloš Šunderić, Goran Miljuš, Ana Penezić, Zorana Dobrijević, Mirjana Laušević,et al.
MDPI AG
Glycosylation may strongly affect protein structure and functions. A high risk of cardiovascular complications seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is, at least partly associated with delayed clot formation, increased clot strength, and delayed cloth lysis. Taking into consideration that fibrinogen mediates these processes, we isolated fibrinogen from the plasma from patients with ESRD on peritoneal dialysis (ESRD-PD), and examined glycosylation of native fibrinogen and its subunits by lectin-based microarray and lectin blotting. Compared to healthy controls, fibrinogen from patients had increased levels of A2BG2 and decreased levels of FA2 glycan. The distribution of glycans on individual chains was also affected, with the γ chain, responsible for physiological functions of fibrinogen (such as coagulation and platelet aggregation), being most prone to these alterations. Increased levels of multi-antennary N-glycans in ESRD-PD patients were also associated with the type of dialysis solutions, whereas an increase in the fucosylation levels was strongly related to the peritoneal membrane damage. Consequently, investigation of fibrinogen glycans can offer better insight into fibrinogen-related complications observed in ESRD-PD patients and, additionally, contribute to prognosis, choice of personalised therapy, determination of peritoneal membrane damage, and the length of utilization of peritoneum for dialysis.
M. Baralić, D. Robajac, A. Penezić, G. Miljuš, M. Šunderić, N. Gligorijević, and O. Nedić
Pleiades Publishing Ltd
Mihailo Stjepanovic, Nikola Maric, Marko Baralic, Jasmina Maric-Zivkovic, and Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction. Orbit is one of the rarer locations for the metastasis of malignant tumors. The symptoms of orbital tumors are nonspecific, but require detail diagnostics. Methods of visualization, such as ultrasound, radiography, computed tomography scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the endocranium are a mandatory step in the diagnostics in order to determine not only the spread of the malignancy but also the affliction of the surrounding structures. The orbital manifestations can be the first sign of the malignant disease. Outline of cases. The first case report presents a female patient with ocular symptomatology as a result of a metastasis of previously undiscovered breast cancer, and the second report presents a male patient with undiscovered lung cancer also presenting with ocular symptomatology. Conclusion. An orbital tumor should instigate further diagnostic procedures, as it can be the first sign of a disseminated malignant disease.
Tamara Milovanovic, Milica Stojkovic-Lalosevic, Sanja Dragasevic, Nevena Jocic, Marko Baralic, Igor Dumic, and Aleksandra Pavlovic-Markovic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction/Objective. Due to a very high mortality risk, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients require early identification and intensive treatment. Precise prediction is crucial for determining the urgency degree and therapy appropriateness, considering high mortality and multitude of clinical resources. The aim of our study was to determine the exact cut-off values of various prognostic scores in the prediction of morality of ACLF. Methods. This prospective study includes chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, admitted due to decompensation, that were subsequently diagnosed with ACLF at the Emergency unit. All patients were evaluated based on various prognostic scores, including Child?Pugh, MELD Na, MELD, SOFA, APACHE II, and CLIF C, which were calculated on admission. Results. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was the most common underlying CLD cause (77.9%), followed by viral (8.6%), autoimmune (7.7%), and other causes (5.8%). A total of 37.5% of the patients died at the end of the first month of treatment. Average values of Child?Pugh, MELD Na, MELD, SOFA, APACHE II, and CLIF C scores were significantly higher in patients who died compared to survivors (p < 0.05). CLIF C score showed the best performance with a cut-off value of 50.5, with a sensitivity of 94.9% and specificity of 40%. Conclusion. ACLF remains a condition with a high short-term mortality. Of all of the scores examined in our study, CLIF C proved to be the best scoring system for predicting short term and end of treatment mortality in patients with ACLF.
Aleksandra Kezic, Marko Baralic, Djina Tomasevic, Sasa Kadija, and Radmila Sparic
National Library of Serbia
Introduction. Pregnancies in women with membranous nephropathy (MN) are usually complicated by increased proteinuria and superimposed preeclampsia, and this frequently results in poor pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this paper is to present case series of pregnant women with MN and different fetal and maternal outcomes. Outline of cases. Case 1 presents a 25-year-old woman with MN, who had relapsed nephrotic syndrome in early pregnancy with proteinuria of 4.14 g/day and serum albumin of 30 g/L accompanied by hypertension. Due to a missed abortion, the pregnancy was terminated. Three months later her proteinuria was still increased, measuring 3 g/day. Case 2 presents a 29-year-old woman with a history of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, who conceived with proteinuria below 0.5 g/day. The proteinuria ranged between 1 and 2 g/day from the 32nd until the 38th gestational week, when she delivered a healthy neonate. After delivery, the woman underwent a kidney biopsy, which revealed MN. Case 3 presents a 25-year-old woman with MN, whose proteinuria was 1 g/day at the time of conception, but in the 35th gestational week proteinuria of 4.2 g/day was noticed. In the 36th gestational week, increased proteinuria was detected, and a cesarean section was performed with favorable neonatal outcome. After two weeks her proteinuria dropped to 0.6 g/day. Conclusion. Pregnancies in women with MN associated with low-grade proteinuria at the time of conception may have a favorable perinatal outcome. Such pregnancies require multidisciplinary management by both obstetricians and nephrologists, and team decision regarding the best timing of delivery.
Kristina Radinovic, Ljiljana Markovic Denic, Zoka Milan, Andja Cirkovic, Marko Baralic, and Vesna Bumbasirevic
Elsevier BV
Nikola Gligorijevic, Milos Sunderic, Aleksandra Vilotic, Marko Baralic, and Olgica Nedic
National Library of Serbia
A simple and reliable method for the determination of the concentration and function of alpha-2-macroglobulin (?2M) by zymography was developed. The method is based on the covalent binding of ?2M and trypsin followed by non-reducing PAGE and zymography with gelatine incorporated in the electrophoretic gel. The results showed that ?2M binds trypsin in a concentration-dependent manner exhibiting a linear relation. The sensitivity of the method is 125 nM and the intra-assay coefficient of variation 4.2 %. Freezing of ?2M induces its partial denaturation, which could be seen as the reduction in the amount of functional molecule and its reactivity with trypsin. The reported method enables measurement of ?2M taking into consideration both its quantity and function, stressing the importance of the determination of the amount of physiologically active molecules and not just their presence in the sample. The method was further confirmed using ?2M from patients with end-stage renal disease who are known to be under increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which are expected to modify the structure of proteins.
Marko Baralić, Voin Brković, Vesna Stojanov, Sanja Stanković, Nataša Lalić, Petar Đurić, Ljubica Đukanović, Milorad Kašiković, Milan Petrović, Marko Petrović,et al.
Centre for Evaluation in Education and Science (CEON/CEES)
Summary Background Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in dialysis (HD) patients, and its mechanism is multifactorial. Most likely that systemic or local inhibitory factor is overwhelmed by promoters of VC in these patients. VC increased arterial stiffness, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association of VC and myocardial remodeling and to analyze their relationship with VC promoters (fibroblast growth factor 23-FGF23, Klotho, intact parathormon-iPTH, vitamin D) in 56 prevalent HD patients (median values: age 54 yrs, HD vintage 82 months). Methods Besides routine laboratory analyzes, serum levels of FGF 23, soluble Klotho, iPTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; pulse wave velocity (PWV); left ventricular (LV) mass by ultrasound; and VCs score by Adragao method were measured. Results VC was found in 60% and LV concentric or eccentric hypertrophy in 50% patients. Dialysis vintage (OR 1.025, 95%CI 1.007–1.044, p=0.006) FGF23 (OR 1.006, 95% CI 0.992–1.012, p=0.029) and serum magnesium (OR 0.000, 95%CI 0.000–0.214, p=0.04) were associated with VC. Changes in myocardial geometry was associated with male sex (beta=-0.273, 95% CI -23.967 1.513, p=0.027), iPTH (beta 0.029, 95%CI -0.059–0.001, p=0.027) and vitamin D treatment (beta 25.49, 95%CI 11.325–39.667, p=0.001). Also, patients with the more widespread VC had the highest LV remodeling categories. PWV was associated patient’s age, cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, LV mass (positively) and serum calcium (negatively), indicating potential link with atherosclerotic risk. Conclusions Despite to different risk factors for VC and myocardial remodeling, obtained results could indicate that risk factors intertwine in long-term treatment of HD patients and therefore careful and continuous correction of mineral metabolism disorders is undoubtedly of the utmost importance.