Craniocervical Dystonia Questionnaire (CDQ-24): Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation in Serbian Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validation of the translated and culturally adapted CDQ-24 questionnaire on a group of Serbian patients. The study was comprised of 100 consecutive patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD) and blepharospasm (BSP) who were evaluated at the Institute of Neurology, Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade between March and June 2007. The linguistic validation of CDQ-24 involved 3 steps, according to an internationally accepted methodology. Most of the patients with CD and BSP accepted the CDQ-24 questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.97. The mean total score of the CDQ-24 was 35.6±23.5. Patients with BSP had better HRQoL scores in the Pain subscale (p=0.025) compared with CD patients. However, patients with CD had better HRQoL sores in the Activities of Daily Living subscale (p=0.028) compared with BSP patients. Statistically significant positive correlations were registered between the Dystonia Movement Scale score and almost all CDQ-24 scales. The Serbian version of CDQ-24 should be recommended for HRQoL evaluation among patients with CD and BSP as an important outcome measure

When do the symptoms of autonomic nervous system malfunction appear in patients with Parkinson’s disease?

Background/Aim. Dysautonomia appears in almost all patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in a certain stage of their condition. The aim of our study was to detect the development and type of autonomic disorders, find out the factors affecting their manifestation by analyzing the potential association with demographic variables related to clinical presentation, as well as the symptoms of the disease in a PD patient cohort. Methods. The patients with PD treated at the Clinic of Neurology in Belgrade during a 2-year period, divided into 3 groups were studied: 25 de novo patients, 25 patients already treated and had no long-term levodopa therapy-related complications and 22 patients treated with levodopa who manifested levodopa-induced motor complications. Simultaneously, 35 healthy control subjects, matched by age and sex, were also analyzed. Results. Autonomic nervous system malfunction was defined by Ewing diagnostic criteria. The tests, indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, were significantly different in the PD patients as compared with the controls, suggesting the failure of both systems. However, it was shown, in the selected groups of patients, that the malfunction of both systems was present in two treated groups of PD patients, while de novo group manifested only sympathetic dysfunction. For this reason, the complete autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed only in the treated PD patients, while de novo patients were defined as those with the isolated sympathetic dysfunction. The patients with the complete autonomic neuropathy differed from the subjects without such neuropathy in higher cumulative and motor unified Parkinson’s disease rating score (UPDRS) (p < 0.01), activities of daily living scores (p < 0.05), Schwab-England scale (p < 0.001) and Hoehn-Yahr scale. There was no difference between the patients in other clinical-demographic characteristics (sex, age at the time of diagnosis, actual age, duration of disease, involved side of the body, pain and freezing), but mini mental status (MMS) score and Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scale were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results confirm a high prevalence of autonomic nervous system disturbances among PD patients from the near onset of disease, with a predominant sympathetic nervous system involvement. The patients who developed complete autonomic neuropathy (both sympathetic and parasympathetic) were individuals with considerable level of functional failure, more severe clinical presentation and the existing anxiety and depression. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175090

Clinical characteristics of multiple system atrophy in Serbian population

Background/Aim. Mulstiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative central nervous system disorder, characterized by any combination of extrapyramidal, cerebellar, pyramidal or autonomic disturbance. The aims of our study were to define clinical characteristics of MSA patients in our population, to account for neuroradiological and electrophysiological profile of the disease and to evaluate one-dose levodopa response. Methods. We have diagnosed 29 patients as MSA, with disease duration from the first symptom 5 years on average on examination. The examinating procedure included an anamnesis and complete neurological investigations, as well as neurootological and neuroradiological examinations. The study included the patients of the Institute of Neurology of the Clinical Center of Serbia in the period of 1996-2001, who completed both clinical and diagnostic criteria for a possible and probable MSA. Results. Autonomic disturbances were documented in 93.1%, whereas extrapyramidal symptoms were seen in additional 89.3% with symmetrical onset in 60%. Levodopa response was poor or moderate. Cerebellar signs were present in 63%, while pyramidal signs occured in 78.7%. There was no a cognitive deterioration (MMSE &gt; 24). CT scan and MRI showed cerebellar and brainstem atrophy, as well as diffuse cortical atrophy. Conclusion. Failure of additional diagnostic procedures to distinguish MSA patients required a precise understanding of their clinical specificities. Our results support this statement

Prevention of polymicrobial biofilms composed of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pathogenic fungi by essential oils from selected Citrus species

Mixed microbial infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pathogenic fungi are commonly found in patients with chronic infections and constitute a significant health care burden. The aim of this study was to address the potential polymicrobial antibiofilm activity of pompia and grapefruit essential oils (EOs). The mechanism of antimicrobial activity of EOs was analysed. EOs of pompia and grapefruit inhibited fungal growth with MIC concentrations between 50 and 250 mg L-1, whereas no effect on P. aeruginosa growth was observed. Both citrus EOs inhibited formation of bacterial and fungal monomicrobial biofilms in concentrations of 50 mg L-1 and were efficient in potentiating the activity of clinically used antimicrobials in vitro. The concentration of 10 mg L-1 EOs inhibited mixed biofilm formation composed of P. aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus or Scedosporium apiospermum. Citrus EOs affected quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa and caused fast permeabilisation of Candida albicans membrane. Pompia and grapefruit EOs potently inhibited biofilm formation and could be used for the control of common polymicrobial infections

Study toward resolving the controversy over the definition of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

Dysbiosis of the microbiome on the airway mucosa leads to the development of chronic inflammatory and allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to consider the potential diagnostic criteria for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and nonallergic fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS), and the role of fungal presence in an environment for the development of AFRS. In this study, 136 patients were divided into two groups: patients with positive specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and fungal finding (AFRS group), and patients with negative sIgE and positive fungal finding (FRS group). The study design included: anamnesis data, sIgE, eosinophil count and skin-prick test, rhinology and computerized tomography (CT) observation and mycological finding. Our results showed: (i) the prevalence in Serbia is: AFRS 1.3%, FRS 2.8%; (ii) 30.4% patients with sIgE+ had more often severe and recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) (P = .005) and the presence of polyps (P = .025); (iii) 46.4% patients with sIgE+ had positive fungi on the sinonasal mucosa and were considered as AFRS; (iv) patients with AFRS had more frequent asthma (P = .024) and chronicity of CRS > 10 years (P = .000). The persistent fungal presence and prolonged duration of CRS could be a silent threat for the progression of inflammation and development of FRS. Lavage with hypertonic-NaCl should be included in the everyday hygiene routine in an effort to decrease fungal load and antigenic exposure. The presence of allergological parameters and better response to corticosteroid therapy in AFRS patients should be considered as crucial diagnostic criteria for AFRS

Supplementary material for the article: Lazić, J.; Ajdačić, V.; Vojnovic, S.; Zlatović, M.; Pekmezovic, M.; Mogavero, S.; Opsenica, I.; Nikodinovic-Runic, J. Bis-Guanylhydrazones as Efficient Anti-Candida Compounds through DNA Interaction. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018, 102 (4), 1889–1901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8749-3

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8749-3]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2078

Osetljivost sojeva Candida spp. izolovanih kod čoveka i psa sa stomatitisom na etarsko ulje timijana

Candida spp. form a part of human and animal oral cavity flora. However Candida spp. is the main cause of dental related stomatitis in humans and stomatitis in dogs. Stomatitis treatment implies the use of azoles and polyenes to which yeasts build up resistance. The research is directed to the use of natural compounds such as essential oils. The aim of this paper is to define the antifungal activity of thyme oil on 15 clinical strains of Candida spp., isolated from humans and dogs and to determine if there is a difference in susceptibility between human and dog isolates. Sampling in patients with stomatitis was done by swabbing the denture or oral mucosa swab while sampling in dogs was done by swabbing the oral cavity mucosa after stomatitis has been diagnosed. In order to investigate the antifungal activity of thyme oil in vitro, microdilution method was used. Thyme oil expressed antifungal effects on all investigated strains. Also, our data show that the values of minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) are lower in human strains. Explanation is that in most cases, stomatitis in humans is asymptomatic and thus not treated, so Candida strains have not developed resistance. On the other hand, stomatitis in dogs is followed by a marked clinical picture and treated is by antimicotics (mostly by azoles), therefore resistant Candida strains are more likely to occur.Candida spp. je sastavni deo mikrobioma usne duplje čoveka i psa. Međutim Candida spp. predstavlja glavni uzročnik proteznog stomatitisa kod čoveka i stomatitisa kod psa. Terapija stomatitisa podrazumeva korišćenje azola i poliena na koje poslednjih godina gljivice razvijaju otpornost. Istrživanja se usmeravaju ka primeni prirodnih preparata kao što su etarska ulja. Cilj rada je utvrdi antifungalnu aktivnost ulja timijana na kliničke izolate Candida spp. čoveka i psa, i utvrdi da li postoji razlika u osetljivosti sojeva Candide spp. izolovanih kod čoveka i psa. Uzorkovanje kod pacijenata sa stomatitisom je vršeno brisom proteze ili brisom sluzokože. Kod pasa je uzrokovanje vršeno brisom sluzokože usne duplje kada je dijagnostikovan stomatitis. Zasejani sojevi su in vitro tretirani korišćenjem mikrodilucione metode da bi se utvrdilo da li ulje timijana deluje na kliničke izolate Candida spp. čoveka i psa. Rezultati pokazuju da su vrednosti minimalne fungicidne koncentracije (MFC) i minimalne inhibitorne koncentracije (MIC) manje kod čoveka. Stomatitis je kod ljudi najčešće je asimptomatski, pacijenti se ne podvrgavaju lečenju, pa sojevi Candida spp. nisu razvili rezistenciju na antifungicidne preparate. Kod pasa stomatitis je praćen burnijom kliničkom slikom, leči se antimikoticima (uglavnom azolima) pa je verovatnoća pojave rezistentnih sojeva Candida spp. veća

Supplementary material for the article: Lazić, J.; Ajdačić, V.; Vojnovic, S.; Zlatović, M.; Pekmezovic, M.; Mogavero, S.; Opsenica, I.; Nikodinovic-Runic, J. Bis-Guanylhydrazones as Efficient Anti-Candida Compounds through DNA Interaction. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018, 102 (4), 1889–1901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8749-3

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8749-3]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2078

Supplementary data for the article: Ajdačić, V.; Senerovic, L.; Vranić, M.; Pekmezovic, M.; Arsic-Arsnijevic, V.; Veselinovic, A.; Veselinovic, J.; Šolaja, B. A.; Nikodinovic-Runic, J.; Opsenica, I. M. Synthesis and Evaluation of Thiophene-Based Guanylhydrazones (Iminoguanidines) Efficient against Panel of Voriconazole-Resistant Fungal Isolates. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 2016, 24 (6), 1277–1291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2016.01.058

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2016.01.058]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2058]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3627

Supplementary material for the article: Savić, N. D.; Vojnovic, S.; Glišić, B. Đ.; Crochet, A.; Pavic, A.; Janjić, G. V.; Pekmezović, M.; Opsenica, I. M.; Fromm, K. M.; Nikodinovic-Runic, J.; et al. Mononuclear Silver(I) Complexes with 1,7-Phenanthroline as Potent Inhibitors of Candida Growth. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2018, 156, 760–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.049

Supplementary data for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.049]Research data for this article: [https://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/structures/search?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1zdr7c&sid=DataCite]Research data for this article: [https://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/structures/search?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1zdr6b&sid=DataCite]Research data for this article: [https://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/structures/search?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc1zdr59&sid=DataCite]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2213]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2993