Introduction: Planning cluster randomized studies requires special attention due to their specific design. To achieve balance on a cluster level as well as on individual level, it is necessary to apply randomization techniques which involve restricted randomization. Objective: Determine randomization techniques as well as their frequency in protocols for cluster randomized trials. Materials and method: Searching the MEDLINE bibliographic database, there were 1020 bibliographic units, the analysis included only the protocols for cluster randomized trials, which was a total of 169 trials. Data on randomization techniques, units of randomization and publication years of protocols were extracted. Results: The randomization technique with most frequency was stratification (35.9%). After stratification the most frequent was simple randomization (13.5%), followed by a combination of block and stratification (10%), block randomization (9.4%) and matching (9.4%). The most frequent units of randomization were health facilities (52%). The number of published protocols statistically increases during time (p<0.01). Conclusion: The most frequent randomization technique used by researchers is restricted randomization

Validity shows the degree of concurrence between the results received by an actual measuring and that of what an instrument is supposed to measure. There are three main types of validity: content validity, criterion-related validity and construct validity. Factor validity is a special approach to constructive validity, tested by statistical analysis called factor analysis. Hamilton rating scale for depression and Montgomery-Asberg depression scale are the most widely used psychiatric instruments. The aim was to carry out a systematic review of the literature on factor structure of psychiatric scales reported in different times during longitudinal studies. The units of analysis were published papers obtained by searching the two bibliographic databases: MEDLINE and PsycINFO. Factor validity of the HAMD scale was reported in 6 (0.09%) of 6590 studies which used this scale, whereas the factor validity of the MADRS scale was reported in 4 (0.2%) of 2051 studies which used the MADRS scale. The difference between the first and the last measuring in relation to values was not statistically significant: median of the number of extracted factors of the HAMD scale (p=0.371), median of total explained factor variance of the HAMD scale (p=0.250), median of variance explained by the first factor of the HAMD scale (p=0.125). Factor validity of the MADRS scale in repeated measuring also did not have statistically significant difference for the following values: median of the number of extracted factors of the MADRS scale (p=0.174), median of variance explained by the first factor of the MADRS scale (p=0.125). Coefficients of concurrent validity of the HAMD i MADRS depression scales show the trend of increase in longitudinal studies and their values are for about a third higher at the end of studies than in their beginning. Low frequency of reporting the data about reliability and validity of applied rating scales is the main problem in using the meta-analytical methods effectively to study changes in adequacy of measures in longitudinal studies.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus is primarily hepatotropic, causing chronic hepatitis B in 5-10% of patients. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is a dynamic process, which may have five phases: immunotolerant, immunoactive, latency phase, reactive and HBsAg negative phase. Aim: Analyze clinical and biochemical parameters in relation to morphological condition of the liver. Material and Methods: The study enrolled 35 patients diagnosed with CHB, 24 males and 11 females, aged between 12 and 62 years, in the period 2015-2016. The diagnosis was based on serological, biochemical results, and liver biopsy. In patients in an ELISA assay demonstrated the presence of HBsAg in serum. Results: The study shows that middle-aged male patients are more prone to chronic hepatitis B infection. Most patients have one or two symptoms.Fatigue and right subcostal pain are most commonly present in the groups with fibrosis in second- and third-degree,and hepatomegaly in the group with fibrosis in first-degree. Splenomegaly is present only in groups with fibrosis in third and fourth degree. Elevated average aminotransaminase levels reflected the degree of fibrosis. Significant statistical difference in aminitransaminase levels was confirmed between the group of patients with third- and forth-degree and patients without fibrosis. Conclusion: The increase in ALT levels reflect the degree of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the occurrence. ALT levels may be a predictor of the process of the fibrogenesis, as well as to indicate the degree of fibrosis in HHB infection. Due to frequent discrepancies between clinical manifestations and results of laboratory tests, liver biopsy has been considered “gold standard” for establishing the diagnosis, staging chronic hepatitis B, making therapeutic decisions, monitoring the course of the disease, and assessing prognosis.

Introduction: Age-related cataract (senile cataract) is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the world. Objective: To determine whether other ocular comorbidities (glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy) affect visual function and quality of life in cataract and pseudophakic patients, and, if possible, to determine which disease has a significant effect. Methods: In this study 202 patients were examinated, regarding of the status of cataract on the second, following eye; the patients were divided into two groups: cataract and pseudophakia. Results: Patients with myopia and capsular glaucoma had significant improvement in average visual acuity (0.87 vs. 0.65) after surgery compared to preoperative results (0.38vs.0.24) (p<0.01). Also, patients with age related macular degeneration and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy with an average preoperative visual acuity (0.05 vs. 0.05) after surgery have a significant improvement in average visual acuity (0.2 vs.0.2) (p<0.01). Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma have significant improvement in average postoperative visual acuity (0.28) compared to the preoperative results (0.05) (p<0.01), while patients with primary angle closure glaucoma had improvement in postoperative average visual acuity (0.1) compared to the preoperative results (0.05) (p<0.1). Conclusion: Significant improvements in postoperative average visual acuity compared to preoperative results reduce difficulties in vision-related activities thus providing higher quality of life.

It is well known that there is a relationship between the zinc and diabetes, and its antioxidant potential. Based on that, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of different doses of zinc (9,2 and 18,4 mg / day) in combination with metformin and glibenclamide, to the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in experimentally-induced diabetic rabbits. The study was conducted on 24 New Zealand rabbits of both sexes, body weight 2,5 to 3,2 kg. In rabbits, experimental diabetes was induced i.v. injection of alloxan (80 mg / kg body weight). Three weeks after causing diabetes, the animals were divided into two groups: first group was treated oral with metformin, an appropriate dose (120 mg / kg body weight), while the second group of rabbits was treated with a suitable dose of glibenclamide (0,6 mg / kg BW). After the washout period (10 t1/2), the rabbits were treated with metformin and a first dose of zinc (9,2 mg) combination, i.e. glibenclamide and zinc (9,2 mg). After another washout period (10 t1/2) the rabbits were treated with metformin and a second dose of zinc (18,4 mg) combination, i.e. of glibenclamide and zinc (18,4 mg). Blood samples were taken in a specified time interval. The TAS value was significantly increased after administration of metformin, single and in combination with zinc, in doses of 9,2 and 18,4 mg, with respect to the value recorded before their application (p <0.05). Also, it is noted a significantly increased SOD activity after administration of metformin (i.e., glibenclamide), and zinc in combination, in a dose of 18,4 mg (p <0.05). This indicates that zinc and metformin have a significant positive effects on the parameters of antioxidative status, but with glibenclamide this effect did not occur.

Introduction. The incidence of both non-melanoma (NMSC) has been increasing over the past decades worldwide. The objective of the paper was to determine incidence trend of NMSC in the Serbian population on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija in the period 2004-2013. Method. Descriptive epidemiological study was done. Data about incidence for NMSC were obtained from the record. Data about population originated from International Red Cross and UMNIK. Crude incidence rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitans. Trend lines were estimated using linear regression. Results. During a 10-year period a total number of new NMSC cases was 304 (173(56,9%) in men and 131(43,1%) in women). Аverage crude annual incidence rate was 29,08/100 000. A significantly increasing incidence trend for NMSC in men (y=0,617x+24,29, R2=0,500) was determined. Conclusion. Our findings showed significantly increasing incidence trend of NMSC. Presented findings support the important role of primary prevention and early detection of NMSC in the earliest age. Screening of skin cancers may improve treatment and prognosis by earlier diagnosis.

Gout is a direct consequence of chronic hyperuricaemia, who 's prevalence is following sedentary lifestyle and improper diet dominated by foods rich in purines and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages with sweeteners. Since gout is associated with other serious comorbidities is essential that the treatment of this disease would be adequate. The results of numerous studies indicate that the worldwide therapy of gout is insufficient in most patients. There is no doubt that this assessment is true for the treatment of gout in the Republic of Serbia, and the reasons for such an assessment are numerous. The most important reason is related to the choice of drugs, because in Serbia they are only available xanthine oxidase inhibitors, which reduce the formation of uric acid, while drugs that increase the excretion of uric acid- Uricosuric drugs are not registered. Beside uricosurics, in Serbia is not registered neither colhicine, a drug that has a very important role in the prevention of adverse effects of antihyperuricaemia drugs in the first few weeks of treatment.

Arthritis following dyzentery or urethritis was mentioned before our era and later by many others. In 1818 Benjamin Brodie described 5 patients with typical „ Reiters disease”: urethritis, conjunctivitis, arthritis. Many diagnostic criteria for Reiters disease / reactive arthritis have been proposed for practical purpose the most acceeptable is the folowing one: posturethritic or postenterocolitic arthritis is Reiters disease / reactive arthritis. The findings of Chlamydiy from the synovia or in the synovial fluid of itients with RD suggest that arthritis may be of infective but not of reactive origin.

Topiramate is a newer drug with a strong antiepileptic potential, but also with adverse effects, especially on cognitive functions. This review deals with the study covering the impact of topiramate on cognition in patients with epilepsy. The most common side effects are included somnolence, psychomotor slowing, difficulty in memory, concentration and attention disorder and problems with speaking. Most studies have shown that a high initial dose, rapid titration and application in polytherapy increase the risk of cognitive impairment after-introduction of topiramate. In addition, depression and early onset of the disease can also contribute to cognitive adverse effects, even at low doses of the drug. Although topiramate indisputably linked to the risk of interference cognitive impairments, some studies suggest their reversibility. This, together with high efficiency antiepileptic obliges researchers to continue searching for the risk factors and mechanisms of cognitive side effects in order to define the profile of patients who would be of maximum benefit of the drug in controlling seizures with absent or acceptable side effects.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was described for the first time by Sato in Japan in 1990. It is also called: stress cardiomyopathy, ampulla cardiomyopathy, transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, "broken heart" syndrome and takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction. It is characterized by finding of transient abnormal wall motion of the left ventricle, without significant coronary artery stenosis (<50% of lumen), typically accompanied by chest pain, dynamic, reversible disorders of ST-T segment and a slight increase in levels of cardiac enzymes. Previously it was thought that this disease occurs primarily in older women, usually in menopause. With the increase of knowledge and experience about this cardiomyopathy, it is more and more often diagnosed in younger people of all ages, even in younger women during pregnancy or childbirth. Etiology of this disease still remains unknown. The trigger for development of this syndrome is usually, but not always, an intensive emotional or physical stress. Pathogenesis is still not clear enough. There are several pathogenetic theories, and the most widely accepted is a catecholamine theory. It is described seven different types of cardiac dysfunction until now, and the most common are apical akinesia of the left ventricle with a compensatory basal hyperkinesia (classical form), akinesia of the middle part of the left ventricle with preserved ability of contraction in the basal and apical regions (MLV form), biventricular akinesia and isolated right ventricular dysfunction. In this paper are presented the latest findings about this cardiomyopathy, by etiopathogenetic, clinical and therapeutic aspects.