The main goal of our study was to assess the potential effect of the polymorphism of the coagulation-related genes F2, F5, and F13A on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development. The study was conducted at the Clinical Center, Podgorica, Montenegro, and included 103 VTE patients and 106 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from the medical records and questionnaires. Genotyping for F2 19911A>G (rs3136516), F5 6665A>G (rs6027), and F13A 102G>T (rs5985) was performed by allele-specific PCR. Controlling for the effect of known risk factors, the presence of at least one variant F5 6665 G allele conferred a significantly higher risk of VTE among females [OR (95%CI): 64.06 (5.38; 763.61)], but not among males. In addition, thromboembolic events were associated with comorbidities [OR (95%CI): 197.10 (19.17; 2026.19)], overweight [OR (95%CI): 33.59 (2.47; 456.65)], and the presence of F2 20210G>A [OR (95%CI): 32.43 (4.21; 249.77)] and F5 1601G>A [OR (95%CI): 144.80 (13.59; 1542.63)] in females, as well as with comorbidities [OR (95%CI): 6.32 (1.90; 20.98)], family history of VTE [OR (95%CI): 8.10 (2.28; 28.83)], and the presence of F5 1601G>A [OR (95%CI): 20.10 (2.34; 173.02)] in males. Our study reports an association between the presence of at least one F5 6665G variant allele and an increased risk of VTE development in females. Our results indicate that F5 6665A>G, in combination with other confirmed factors of influence, such as comorbidities, overweight, F2 20210G>A, and F5 1601G>A, could contribute to VTE risk prediction in females.

(1) Background: We aimed to analyze the oxidative status of patients with unstable angina pectoris (UA), as well as to determine the correlation of these parameters between coronary arterial and peripheral venous blood samples. (2) Methods: The study included 47 human subjects with UA and 45 control subjects. We performed clinical examinations, hemodynamic and coronary angiography measures. Also, in the blood samples, we measured routine laboratory markers and the concentration of pro-oxidants: index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitrites (NO₂⁻), while antioxidant parameters were determined from red blood cells: reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). All parameters were determined spectrophotometrically. (3) Results: Significantly higher values of TBARS and all measured antioxidants SOD, CAT and GSH were observed in the coronary arterial blood of the UA group relative to coronary arterial blood of the control subjects. On the other hand, in the peripheral venous blood samples, a significantly lower GSH value was found in the UA group compared to the control. (4) Conclusions: This study has shown that the majority of changes in all measured redox markers are found in coronary blood, especially related to the activity of antioxidant components. In patients with an unstable form of angina, prooxidants (superoxide anion radical and index of lipid peroxidation) and endogenous antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione) are in direct correlation with the course of ischemic disease. Future studies, where participants would be randomized depending on symptom duration, are necessary to confirm these conclusions.

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The aim of our study was to investigate the role of ABCB1 polymorphism in the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine (CBZ) in children. The study enrolled 47 Serbian pediatric epileptic patients on CBZ treatment. Genotyping for ABCB1 1236C<T (rs1128503), 2677G<A/T (rs2032582) and 3435C<T (rs1045642) was carried out using the TaqMan method. Steady-state CBZ serum concentrations were available from our previous study, determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The NONMEM software and one-compartment model were used for pharmacokinetic analysis. ABCB1 1236C<T, 2677G<A/T and 3435C<T variations were found at the frequencies of 47.9%, 48.9% and 52.1%, respectively. The equation that described population clearance (CL) was CL (L/h) = 0.175 + 0.0403 × SEX + 0.0332 × ABCB1 + 0.0176 × CYP1A2 + 0.000151 × DD where SEX has a value of 1 if male and 0 if female, ABCB1 has a value of 1 if C-G-C/T-T-T and 0 if any other ABCB1 diplotype, CYP1A2 has a value of 1 if −163A/A and 0 if −163C/C or C/A, and DD is the total CBZ daily dose (mg/day). The presence of the ABCB1 1236T-2677T-3435T haplotype is associated with an increased clearance of CBZ in pediatric epileptic patients.

(1) Background: The aim of our study was to determine the role of oxidative stress (OS) during early evaluation of acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients in order to define the role of redox balance in profiling the development of myocardial infarction (MI). (2) Methods: This prospective observational case-control study included 40 consecutive STEMI and 39 NSTEMI patients hospitalized in the coronary care unit of the cardiology clinic at the Kragujevac Clinical Center, Serbia, between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2017. Blood samples were collected from all patients for measuring cardio-specific enzymes at admission and 12 h after admission to evaluate systemic oxidative stress biomarkers and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. (3) Results: In this study, participants were predominately female (52%), with a mean age of 56.17 ± 1.22 years old in the STEMI group and 69.17 ± 3.65 in the non-STEMI group. According to the Killip classification, the majority of patients (>50%) were at the second and third level. We confirmed the elevation of superoxide anion radicals in the non-STEMI group 6 h after admission in comparison with the STEMI and CTRL groups, but levels had decreased 12 h after admission. Levels of hydrogen peroxide were statistically significantly increased in the NSTEMI group. A positive correlation of superoxide anion radicals and levels of troponin I at admission was observed (r = 0.955; p = 0.045), as well as an inverse correlation between reduced glutathione and levels of NT-pBNP measured 6 h after admission (r = −0.973; p = 0.027). (4) Conclusions: We confirmed that superoxide anion radicals and reduced glutathione observed together with hs-troponin I at admission and NT-pBNP during hospital treatment could be predictors of ST evolution.

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.