Background:Inflammatory and procoagulant markers are potential mediators for the cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], is another important risk factor with inflammatory and procoagulant effects.Materials and methods:In 78 hemodialysis patients and 40 controls, C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], fibrinogen, D-dimer, von Wilebrand factor (vWF) and serum albumin were determined.Results:CRP, IL-6, Lp(a), fibrinogen, D-dimer and vWF, were significantly higher, and serum albumin was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (24.40 mg/L vs. 6.39 mg/L, p<0.001; 1.92 pg/ml vs. 0.35 pg/ml, 28.05 mg/dL vs.16.25 mg/dL, p<0.001; 3.44 g/L vs. 2.55 g/L, p<0.01; 1.81 µgFEU /ml vs. 0.50 µgFEU /ml, p<0.01; 152.9 % vs. 85.6 %, p<0.001; 32.1 g/L vs. 40.50 g/L, p<0.001). The patients were divided into two groups: 40 patients with CRP levels over than 10 mg/L and 38 with CRP levels in normal range. These parameters showed significant differences between patients with elevated CRP and patients with normal CRP levels. CRP and IL-6 correlated positively with Lp(a), (r = 0.62, p < 0.001; r=0.54, p<0.001), fibrinogen, (r = 0.63, p < 0.001; r = 0.49, p<0.01) D dimer (r = 0.72, p<0.001; r = 0.55, p<0.01), vWF (r = 0.76, p<0.01; r = 0.63, p<0.001) and negatively with serum albumin (r = -0.80, p<0.01; r = -0.60, p<0.001), in patients with elevated CRP, but not in patients with normal CRP levels and controls.Conclusion:According to the results hemodialysis patients with increased inflammatory markers, have the elevated Lp(a) and procoagulant markers and the greater risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Numerous studies have reported a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among healthy and non-healthy persons in different places. The Aim of the study is to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among Kosovo’s Blood donor associated with ABO/Rhesus blood group.Methods: 671 blood donors are tested for H. pylori antibodies and results are classifi ed by way of donation, age, gender, blood groups and education level. Serum antibodies are analyzed by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay test for H. pylori IgG with Biomerieux HPY-VIDAS.Results: The frequency of IgG antibody for H. pylori among healthy blood donors is 56.9%, there is not found any difference between voluntary and non-voluntary blood donors (57.4% respectively 56.3%)(OR=1.05; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.43; p=0.8). H pylori IgG antibodies positive are detected in 57.0 % ( 126 of 221) of women, compared with 56.9 % ( 256 of 450) of men(OR=0.99; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.38; p=0.96). Serpositive donors are older than seronegative ones (31.9 years, respectively 29.5 years, p=0.02). Mean value of IgG antibody of H. pylori is 3.61 with no significant difference between males and females (3.72 respectively 3.44; p=0.2). The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection is similar among blood groups: O (57.4%), A (56.2%), B (59.6%), AB (51.4%), RhD positive (56.7%) and RhD negative (58.3%).Conclusions: The seropositivity of H. pylori is moderately higher in the non voluntary and familiar blood donors among the total Kosovo blood donors. There is not found a significant relationship between infection with H. pylori and ABO/Rhesus blood group among blood donors.

Rapid and early diagnosis of systemic infections is very important for acting on time with an adequate therapy. e aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic importance of procalcitonin (PCT) and Creactive protein (CRP) of bacterial infections in diff erent stages of sepsis. PCT and CRP have been determined in  newborns, - days of age, with diff erent stages of sepsis, in the centre for prematurely born neonates. ese parameters have also been determined for control group, in which there were  healthy newborns. Procalcitonin values were signifi cantly increased in neonates with septic shock (, ng/mL; ,- ng/mL) compared to the systemic infl ammatory response syndrome-SIRS ( ng/mL; ,- ng/mL), neonatal sepsis (, ng/mL; ,-, ng/mL), neonatal sepsis and purulent meningitis (, ng/mL; ,-, ng/mL). e control group values were lower than , ng/mL. CRP is increased without statistical diff erences in all stages of sepsis in newborns with septic shock (, mg/L; ,- mg/L) in cases with SIRS (, mg/L; ,- mg/L), neonatal sepsis (, mg/L; - mg/L), neonatal sepsis and purulent meningitis (, mg/L; - mg/L).e average values for the control group were , mg/L. Procalcitonin is increased in all stages of sepsis with higher values in the septic shock. e increase of PCT levels is related to the severity, course of infection and prognosis of disease.KEY WORDS: procalcitonin (PCT), C reactive protein (CRP), infection, sepsis, septic shock.

Introduction: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare, but aggressive tumor in the pediatric population. PPB is a dysontogenetic neoplasm of childhood that involves the lungs and/or pleura. Young relatives of children with PPB have an increased incidence of neoplasias and dysplasias. According to tumor tissue histopathology, PPB evolves from a cystic to solid state over time. PPBs can be sub-classified as type I (purely cystic), type II (having both cystic and solid elements), and type III (completely solid). Type II and type III tumors may be associated with metastasis, with the brain being the most common metastatic site. Due to the primitive nature of cells in the tumor mass, PPBs are very aggressive tumors that are resistant to therapy. The prognosis depends on the histopathology content and tumor type. Respiratory problems are the main complaint and diagnosis can be made only after additional examinations. Genetic relations through family members are associated with mutations in the DICER1 gene; between 60-80% of patients with PPBs are positive for DICER1 mutations. Mosaicism has also been reported. Aim: The aim was to present a case of a 4 month-old infant with type II PPB, who had a negative result for DICER1 mutation in next generation sequencing. To detail the clinical presentation of this patient, we present radiographic and ultrasound findings and results of histopathological analysis, as well as genetic and scintigraphic findings and chemotherapy treatment. Case report: Here we describe the genetic analysis of a patient with PPB who was negative for mutations in DICER1 and who had no relatives with disease. This patient underwent radical resection of the tumor and began therapy, but subsequently died after developing leukopenia and sepsis. Conclusion: This case provides an example of a patient with PPB who was negative for DICER1 mutation upon genetic analysis and emphasizes the potential for disease that does not involve mutation of this gene.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem, but it is not known about its status in the Kosovo population. AIM: The purpose of this study is to determine the status of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in our population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection was done from January 2020 to July 2021, during which period blood samples were collected. The sampling was done for 769 selected subjects and statistical data (frequency, mean values, and standard deviation) have been analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. They were categorized by age group, gender, and level of 25(OH)D. The prevalence and percentage of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the study population were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean concentration of 25(OH)D in the serum of the study group was 18.3 ng/ml. The mean value was significantly lower for females when compared for that of males (17.89 and 19.58 ng/ml, respectively), with p < 0.0035, but there was no significant difference between age groups. The level of 25(OH)D less than 20 ng/ml was observed in 62% of the cases in our study population with a slight difference between female (63.6%) and male (57.2%) group. The age group of >60 had 25(OH)D deficiency in 62.3% of cases when compared to other age group categories. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 20.2% of cases; meanwhile, its insufficiency was present in 41.9% of cases. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 21.1% of females and 17.1% of males, while 42.4% of females, respectively, and 40.1% of males had Vitamin D insufficiency. CONCLUSION: The mean values of 25(OH)D in the study population are relatively low, which corresponds to significant Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in all age groups, and which may also have serious implications for their overall health.