Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) represents a major health problem that significantly affects a patient’s quality of life (QoL). This infection presents with a plethora of clinical manifestation, and this is the first study that carries out a cluster analysis of these signs and symptoms (SS). The goals are to evaluate the distribution of species causing RVVC, their in-vitro susceptibility to antifungals, and the patient’s QoL. Additionally, the clinical characteristics are analyzed using cluster analysis. Prospective analysis of data was performed for women diagnosed with RVVC in the period from January 2016 to December 2019 based on the analysis of data from a single-center’s records. The standard mycological methods and antifungal susceptibility testing were done. Clinical characteristics and QoL were examined by appropriate questions. The cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of SS. A total of 320 women were diagnosed. The dominant species was Candida (C.) albicans. Non-albicans Candida (NAC) yeast was found in 24.4%, and the most common was C. glabrata. Interestingly, Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae was detected in 2%. All of the isolated species, except C. parapsilosis and C. kefyr, demonstrated reduced susceptibility to antifungals. We confirmed the emergence of the NAC species and S. cerevisiae with reduced susceptibility to antifungals. Cluster analysis represented by a dendrogram revealed three SS clusters: irritation, uncommon, and discharge, but further studies are needed to examine the relationship between clusters, Candida strains, and outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This study investigates whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation affects prolactin receptor (Prlr) gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys of female rats with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one-week-old female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: Group S consisted of ten rats who received sulpiride injections (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 6 weeks; Group D (10 rats) received daily supplementation of 50 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D along with sulpiride for the last 3 weeks; and Group C consisting of seven age-matched nulliparous rats serving as a control group. Real-time PCR was used to assess Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys. Results: In Group S, Prlr gene expression was notably decreased in the duodenum (p < 0.01) but elevated in the vertebrae and kidneys compared to Group C. Conversely, Group D exhibited significantly increased Prlr expression in the duodenum (p < 0.01) alongside elevated expression in the vertebrae and kidneys. Conclusions: In sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia, decreased Prlr gene expression in the duodenum may lead to reduced intestinal calcium absorption. Consequently, prolactin may draw calcium from the skeletal system to maintain calcium balance, facilitated by increased Prlr gene expression in the vertebrae. However, vitamin D supplementation in sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia notably enhances Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, potentially ameliorating intestinal calcium absorption and mitigating adverse effects on bone health.

Background and Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased number of hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this research study was to explore factors associated with the length of hospitalization of patients with T2DM and the mild form of COVID-19. Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved all patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and those who were treated in the dedicated COVID-19 department of the University Clinical Center (UCC) in Nis between 10 September 2021 and 31 December 2021. Upon admission, patients underwent blood tests for biochemical analysis, including blood count, kidney and liver function parameters (C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine kinase, and D-dimer), and glycemia and HbA1c assessments. Additionally, all patients underwent lung radiography. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of specific factors on the length of hospitalization among patients with T2DM. Results: Out of a total of 549 treated COVID-19-positive patients, 124 (21.0%) had T2DM, while 470 (79.0%) did not have diabetes. Among patients with T2DM, men were significantly younger than women (60.6 ± 16.8 vs. 64.2 ± 15.3, p < 0.01). The average hospitalization length of patients with diabetes was 20.2 ± 9.6 (5 to 54 days), and it was significantly longer than for patients without diabetes, at 15.0 ± 3.4, which ranged from 3 days to 39 (t-test ≈ 5.86, p < 0.05). According to the results of the univariate regression analysis, each year of age is associated with an increase in the length of hospital stay of 0.06 days (95% CI: 0.024 to 0.128, p = 0.004). Patients who received oxygen therapy were treated for 2.8 days longer than those who did not receive oxygen treatment (95% CI: 0.687 to 4988, p = 0.010), and each one-unit increase in CRP level was associated with a 0.02-day reduction in the length of hospitalization (95% CI: 0.004 to 0.029, p = 0.008). Based on the results of the multivariate regression analysis, each year of age is associated with an increase in the length of hospitalization by 0.07 days (95% CI: 0.022 to 0.110, p = 0.003). Patients who received oxygen therapy were treated for 3.2 days longer than those who did not receive oxygen therapy (95% CI: 0.653 to 5726, p = 0.014), and each unit increase in CRP level was associated with a 0.02-day reduction in the length of hospitalization (95% CI: 0.005 to 0.028, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Based on the presented results, COVID-19-positive patients with diabetes had, on average, longer hospitalizations than COVID-19 patients without diabetes. The hospital treatment of patients with T2DM and a milder form of COVID-19 was associated with older age, the use of oxygen therapy, and elevated CRP values. Patients who received oxygen therapy were treated approximately 3 days longer than those who did not receive this therapy.

Background. Private security refers to the security protection services that private security organizations provide to control crimes, protect lives and other assets, and to maintain order at their employers’ facilities. The objective of the study was to analyze the burnout syndrome and the quality of life among security employees of the professional private security sector in Central Serbia. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional questionay-based study was performed in seven different cities in central Serbia. The study included the representative sample of security staff employed. The study was performed in the period from March 3, 2019 to April 30, 2019. Results. A total of 353 respondents (330 male and 23 female) participated in the study. The Response rate was 80%. Men were significantly older than women: 44.09±11.44 vs. 36.91±7.92 (F=8.752; p=0.003). Approximately one third (32.6%) had symptoms of total burnout and a much higher number of responders had moderate or high level of burnout in individual subscales; in emotional exhaustion (high 66.3%, moderate 19.8%), in depersonalisation (high 82.4%, moderate 16.2%) and slightly more than one third 34.5% had low personal achievement, about one third 32.9% had moderate personal achievement. Our study has shown that female sex and older age were associated with higher risk of total burnout and for the development of emotional exhaustion. Male sex, university education and managerial position were associated with higher personal achievement and lower risk of of total burnout because this subscale is inversely correlated with the burnout. Male sex, marritual union, two and more childreen and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with lower quality of life of employees. Conclusion. Nearly one third (32.6%) of security employees had symptoms of total burnout. Female sex and older age were associated with higher risk of total burnout and for the development of emotional exhaustion. Male sex and higher level of education were associated with greater personal achievement. Managerial position and higher education were protective factors in relation to the development of burnout. Male sex, marritual union, two and more childreen, direct contact with clients were significantly associated with lower quality of life of employees. security staff, professional private sector, quality of life

Introduction. Burnout syndrome develops as a consequence of chronic stress among employees. The study objectives were to examine burnout syndrome and to evaluate the quality of life among security employees of the professional private security sector in Central Serbia. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. The questionnaire for staff employed at institutions who are in direct contact with people (Human Services Survey, MBI-HSS) and Short Form 36 Health Survey-(SF-36). Results. A total of 353 respondents participated in the study. The response rate was 80%. Approximately one-third (32.6%) had symptoms of total burnout, and a much higher number of responders had a moderate or high level of burnout on individual subscales:- depersonalization (high 82.4%, moderate 16.2%) and emotional exhaustion (high 66.3%, moderate 19.8%) and, slightly more than one-third (34.5%) had low personal achievement, while about one-third (32.9%) had moderate personal achievement. Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of emotional exhaustion. Male sex, higher education, and managerial position were associated with higher personal achievement and lower risk of total burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of employees. Conclusion. Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of emotional exhaustion. Male sex, university education and managerial position were associated with greater personal achievement and were protective factors in relation to the development of burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with lower quality of life of employees. Keywords: burnout syndrome; security employees; professional private sector; quality of life

Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased number of the hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this research was to explore factors associated with the length of hospitalization of patients with T2DM and mild form of COVID-19. Material and Methods. This retrospective cohort study involved all patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and were treated in the dedicated COVID department of the University Clinical Center (UCC) in Nis between September 10, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Upon admission, patients underwent blood tests for biochemical analysis, including blood count, kidney and liver function parameters (C-reactive protein-CRP, creatinine kinase, D-dimer), as well as glycemia and HbA1c assessments. Additionally, all patients underwent lung radiography. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of specific factors on the length of hospitalization among patients with T2DM. Results. Out of the total 549 COVID-19 positive patients treated, 124 (21.0%) had T2DM, while 470 (79.0%) did not have diabetes. Among patients with T2DM, men were significantly younger than women (60.6±16.8 vs. 64.2±15.3, p