SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a major challenge to scientists and clinicians. We examined the significance of the serum concentrations of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer for the severity of the clinical picture and mortality in COVID-19. Materials and methods: A total of 288 patients treated for COVID-19 infection participated in the research. The patients were treated in the period from May 2020 to January 2021. All patients were divided based on the need for oxygen therapy (Sat > 94%) into patients with mild or severe clinical pictures. The biochemical and radiographic parameters of the patients were analyzed. Appropriate statistical methods were used in the statistical analysis. Results: In patients with COVID-19 with confirmed severe clinical pictures, lower values of serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.004) were recorded, as opposed to elevated values of D-dimer (p < 0.0005). Accordingly, the patients with fatal disease outcomes had lower levels of albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.002), while their D-dimer (p < 0.0005) levels were elevated. An increase in the radiographic score, as a parameter for assessing the severity of the clinical picture, was accompanied by a decrease in serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and a simultaneous increase in D-dimer (p < 0.0005), without a change in the vitamin D concentration (p = 0.261). We also demonstrated the interrelations of the serum levels of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 as well as their significance as predictors of the outcome of the disease. Conclusion: The significance of the predictive parameters in our study indicates the existence of an important combined role of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in the early diagnosis of the most severe patients suffering from COVID-19. Reduced values of vitamin D and albumin, in combination with elevated values of D-dimer, can be timely indicators of the development of a severe clinical picture and death due to COVID-19.

This case report presents a unique instance of small bowel perforation caused by solitary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a rare and complex clinical scenario. The patient, a 59-year-old male with a history of RCC treated with nephrectomy four years prior, presented with acute abdomen symptoms. Emergency diagnostic procedures identified a significant lesion in the small intestine. Surgical intervention revealed a perforated jejunal segment due to metastatic RCC. Postoperatively, the patient developed complications, including pneumonia and multi-organ failure, leading to death 10 days after surgery. Histopathological analysis confirmed the metastatic nature of the lesion. This case underscores the unpredictable nature of RCC metastasis and highlights the need for vigilance in post-nephrectomy patients. The rarity of small bowel involvement by RCC metastasis, particularly presenting as perforation, makes this case a significant contribution to medical literature, emphasizing the challenges in the diagnosis and management of such atypical presentations.

Being overweight is one of the leading health problems of the 21st century. In different parts of Europe, different overweight statuses are noted. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between the socioeconomic environment and the level of nutrition in the Serbian population. This research is part of the fourth national survey of the health of the population of Serbia. It was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional study. For the purposes of this research, the adult population over the age of 20 was included, and 12,439 respondents were analyzed. The nutritional status was assessed by the body mass index value—BMI. In order to investigate the differences between groups, the chi-squared test was used. The risk of being overweight was evaluated by calculating the odds ratio value, using univariate and multivariate regression. The prevalence of obesity was higher in females than in males, but pre-obesity was more common among male respondents. Males in the age category 55–64 years old, married, employed, with a higher level of education and material status were more likely to be overweight. As for the females, being overweight was most common among unemployed and economically inactive respondents, widowed/divorced, aged 65–74, with a primary school educational level and low material status. The level of nutrition is significantly associated with the socioeconomic environment.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a partial or complete obstruction of blood flow through the portal vein (PV) due to an intraluminal thrombus. Neoplastic portal vein thrombosis is a common complication in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is a sign of a poor prognosis. Diagnosing HCC and tumor PVT is usually performed using non-invasive radiological imaging and measuring tumor marker blood levels. Sometimes, a PVT is present without any detectable liver tumor mass or conclusive findings. In cases like these, a tumor PVT biopsy is performed for confirmation. In the available literature, tumor PVT biopsy is performed either percutaneous or endoscopic, as fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Only a single publication was regarding PVT CORE needle biopsy (CNB). At this moment, we present three cases of percutaneous transhepatic ultrasound-guided biopsy. For the patients in question, the single method remained for diagnostic, staging, and pathohistological verification due to the insufficient sensitivity of the performed radiological imaging. In all three cases, the diagnosis of HCC was confirmed. All three procedures have been carried out without any complications.

Background/Objectives: One of the raising public health problems in the adolescent population is obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The aim of this work is to determine the prevalence of obesity in the population of children of secondary school, age 15 to 19 years in Serbia and the determinate connection with demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their eating habits and physical activity. Methods: The research is part of the fourth National Population Health Survey conducted in 2019, which was conducted by the Republic Institute of Statistics, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. As a research instrument, questionnaires were used in accordance with the methodology of the European Health Survey. For the purposes of this research, data on the adult population aged 15–19 and over were used. Results: The association of overweight with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics was examined using binary regression. In the univariate model, male gender (OR = 1.95), younger age (OR = 1.57) and Region of Vojvodina (OR = 2.47) stood out as significant predictors of overweight, which was confirmed by the multivariate model. Conclusions: The results of our study emphasize that the prevalence of obesity in the population of high school youth is at a significant level and that a lot more needs to be done to promote healthy lifestyles and raise awareness of their benefits on health status.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the standard initial diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules; however, a considerable proportion of results are non-diagnostic or indeterminate, often requiring repeat procedures and delaying management. Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been proposed as a second-line option. This study evaluated the frequency of non-conclusive FNAB and CNB results and assessed the diagnostic contribution of CNB in nodules with initially non-conclusive FNAB findings. Methods: A retrospective–prospective study was conducted between 2019 and 2025 at a tertiary referral center, including 434 thyroid nodules. Ultrasound risk stratification followed ACR TI-RADS criteria. FNAB was performed in 430 nodules, and CNB in 85 nodules, including 82 evaluated by both methods. Biopsy results were classified according to the Bethesda system as conclusive or non-conclusive. Paired comparisons were analyzed using the McNemar test, and associations with ultrasound risk were assessed. Results: FNAB produced non-conclusive results in 56.5% of cases, compared with 23.5% for CNB. In paired analysis, 53.7% of nodules with non-conclusive FNAB were reclassified as conclusive after CNB (p < 0.001). CNB significantly distinguished benign from malignant lesions, unlike FNAB. Hypoechogenicity, irregular margins, and punctate echogenic foci were independent predictors of malignancy. Minor complications were more frequent after CNB, while major complications were rare in both groups. Conclusions: CNB improves diagnostic yield when used as a second-line procedure in nodules with non-conclusive FNAB findings. Selective use in higher-risk nodules may reduce repeat procedures and facilitate more structured clinical management.