Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy. One of the neuropsychological tests that detects MHE is the Stroop test (via EncephalApp). The aim was ...to evaluate the Stroop test for the screening and diagnosis of MHE. Methods: This prospective case–control study was performed at the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, and included patients with cirrhosis and MHE and healthy controls. In all patients, the presence of MHE was confirmed using the animal naming test. The Stroop test was performed on each participant, and the results were compared between the two groups. The test has two components, the “OFF” and “ON” states. Results: A total of 111 participants were included. The median OFF time did not differ between the two groups, 106.3 and 91.4, p > 0.05. However, in patients with MHE, the median values of ON time and total time were significantly higher, with 122.3 vs. 105.3 and 228.0 vs. 195.6, respectively, p < 0.05. Statistical significance between patients and controls in examined parameters was detected in younger participants and the group with higher educational levels. Conclusions: The Stroop test displayed limited sensitivity in Serbian patients. Age and education affect time measurements and test performance.
Foreign body ingestion is a frequently encountered emergency in healthcare institutions. It mostly affects pediatric populations, although it can also affect adults with developmental delays, those ...with psychiatric diseases, drug abusers, and prisoners. Endoscopy is a diagnostic and treatment method for suspected foreign body ingestion. In this article, we discuss a 45-year-old tailor who swallowed a sewing pin while at work. The abdominal X-ray showed a needle-shaped metal shadow in the stomach region. During an upper endoscopy, it was discovered that a sewing pin with a sharp edge was stuck in the pylorus. The sewing pin was extracted endoscopically, and the patient was discharged the same day in good condition. Since the estimated risk of complications of foreign body ingestion in the adult population is about 35%, and the most common complications include impaction, laceration, bleeding, or perforation of the gastrointestinal wall, endoscopic or surgical removal is necessary. This also emphasizes the importance of a careful endoscopic evaluation of some at-risk occupations for foreign body ingestion with or without gastrointestinal complaints.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a gestation-specific liver disorder, defined most often as the onset of pruritus, usually from the third trimester of pregnancy, associated with ...abnormal liver test results and/or increased total serum bile acids and spontaneous relief after delivery. The 21-year-old patient was admitted to our ward in the 11th week of pregnancy due to raised liver enzymes. The first onset of pruritus and jaundice appeared a month before hospitalization. Immunology tests and
were negative. We excluded viral etiology, while alpha-1-antitrypsin, serum and urine copper levels, and thyroid hormones were within the reference values. The patient denied she had taken any medicines and herbal preparations before and during pregnancy. Total bile acids in the serum were significantly elevated (242 μmol/L). The abdominal ultrasound revealed a regular finding. Liver biopsy suggested a cholestatic liver disorder. After a presentation of all risks, the patient decided to stop the pregnancy. After a month, the hepatogram was within the reference values. Very rarely an ICP can occur in early pregnancy (first trimester), which calls for close monitoring. The risk of serious adverse fetal outcomes and spontaneous preterm delivery is proportional with increased levels of maternal serum bile acid.
This compilation of essays by scholars from the region, Western Europe, and the US, explores the intersection of international politics in the post-Yugoslav states with a focus on the influence and ...impact of the European Union, the United States, Russia, China, and Turkey. The implications of external actors’ policy in the region for its Euro-Atlantic integration, its security, and stability are examined and discussed. In assessing the importance of the post-Yugoslav states for the EU and US and the current trend of disengagement by these two democratic actors in the region, answers are revealed regarding the question whether we are seeing a new Eastern Question emerging in the post-Yugoslav states. Likewise, when looking at the role of Russia, China, and Turkey in the region—and in contrast to European and US policies—, it becomes obvious to what extent the region, once again, is becoming the playground of Great Power games and wider geopolitical strategic interests.
The analytical time frame covers the period 1991–2018. The changes in the foreign policies of great powers are explored as they relate to the institutional set-up of the region. For instance, do the changes affect the EU’s hegemony in the region? Do Russia, China, and Turkey actively contribute to changing the rules of the game in the region—be it the accession process or regional cooperation?
While closely examining the behaviour of China in the United Nations, more specifically its newfound commitment to UN peacekeeping, the article discusses the conduct of emerging powers in key ...international organisations. It concludes that China as an ascending power shows no tendency to completely break away from the current international system. Instead, China seeks opportunities within the system, which it uses to support its economic and political interests. This approach brings multiplicative effects for other aspects of China's performance in international institutions, e.g. compensating for the normative criticism it has attracted.
This article appraises effectiveness in operational conflict prevention. By focusing on the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo, it assesses the most extensive civilian Common ...Security and Defence Policy mission so far. Contrary to prevailing assessments, it posits that EULEX, despite its challenges and deficiencies, presents positive contributions to operational conflict prevention, and peace-building in general. This is uncovered through structured focused analysis according to effectiveness criteria and success indicators that allow for identification of and distinction between different types and levels of effectiveness, considering both means applied and ends achieved. In so doing, the article contributes to the general literature on operational conflict prevention and on the specific case of Kosovo. The empirical analysis is based on fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with EU personnel, governmental and non-governmental actors in Kosovo, and independent observers.
Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and there have been outbreaks worldwide. The presentation may include ...unspecific and mild symptoms, myalgia, headaches, high fever, dry cough, severe dyspnea and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Case study: We present a rare case of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) with interstitial lung disease and without renal involvement misdiagnosed as COVID-19.
Conclusions: Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 is extremely important, and must be correctly identified in order to proceed with correct treatment.
Članek znotraj postpozitivistične metateo-retske pozicije trdi, da je študij poglavitnih zahodnih reprezentacij Kitajske v literaturi konsistentno zane-marjen in površno obravnavan. Pomen teh ...reprezen-tacij za dejansko oblikovanje politik zahoda do Kitajske je prav tako v veliki meri prezrt. Članek želi znova ovrednotiti zahodne reprezentacije Kitajske kot grožnje in Kitajske kot priložnosti, na katere gleda kot neločljive od znanstvenega diskurza med zahodom in Kitajsko, ki z nami ostanejo tudi v daljšem časovnem obdobju: pri tem se osredotoči na zahodne zgodovinske reprezenta-cije Kitajske v mednarodnih odnosih in prenos teh idej v moderni čas. Ključna ugotovitev članka je, da takšni pristopi gradijo na ideji drugačnosti Kitajske, kar nam pove, da zahod vidi Kitajsko v kontekstu zahodne indu-strializacije, zahodne univerzalnosti in skozi posplo-šene zahodne izkušnje, prenešene na lokalni kontekst kitajske države. Vse povedano uspešno zmanjšuje sicer večplastno kitajsko družbo in državo na niz poenosta-vljenih empiričnih primerov, ki služijo generalizaciji zahodnega pogleda na kitajsko rast. Ključni pojmi: Kitajska, kitajska rast, znanstvene repre-zentacije, znanstveni diskurz, zahod, grožnja
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