Background/Aim. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton characterized by a decrease in bone mass and changes in the bone structure. An increased tendency of the bone tissue for fractures ...occurs as a consequence of these changes. The initial phase of physiological aging of the bones that gradually leads to osteoporosis is osteopenia. This paper tracks the effects of a specific kind of physical exercise program in women with osteopenia. The aim was to quantify the impact of this program on: the concentration of bone metabolism blood markers, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and physical dimensions. Methods. The sample consisted of 26 women in postmenopause (age 46?58) divided into two groups ? experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 11). A combined program of exercise consisting of aerobic activities and strength training was applied in the experimental group, while the control group did not join in the exercise program. The program lasted for 7 weeks, three times a week with a break day between the trainings. The intensity of the aerobic training was in the span of 60% to 70% of heart rate reserve (HRR), and the intensity of the strength training was in the span of 60% to 85% of one repetitive maximum (1RM). Osteopenia was diagnosed prior to the experiment by applying a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and the hip. The following was measured before and after the experiment: the level of biochemical markers in the serum Beta-aspartic acid ?-cross laps (CTx), total procollagen type 1 N-terminal peptide (tP1NP) and bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 1RM of leg extensors, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max), bodily height and mass, and a calculated Body Mass Index (BMI). Results. Significant changes were determined only in the experimental group. During the experimental period, there was a significant increase of muscle strength and VO2 max, with a decrease of Beta-CTx concentration. No statistically significant changes were recorded in the control group. Conclusion. A 7- week period of systematic exercise showed to be sufficient to increase muscle strength and VO2 max, partially also to decrease bone resorption, but insufficient to alter bone volume, bodily mass, and BMI.
nema
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a static magnetic field on six behavioral parameters (travel distance, average speed while in motion, travel distance of the head, ...body rotations, time in movement, and immobility time) of the ground beetle
L
aemostenus
(
P
ristonychus
)
punctatus
(
D
ejean) (
C
oleoptera:
C
arabidae). Adults of this troglophilic and guanophilic beetle were randomly divided into two groups, the first exposed to a static magnetic field of 110 mT for 5 h, and the second a control group. Beetle behavior after these 5 h was monitored in an open‐field test for 12 min and analyzed using ANY‐maze software. Exposure to a static magnetic field of 110 mT increased motor activity (travel distance and average speed while in motion) in the first 4 min. After that there were no significant differences. We conclude that the applied static magnetic field affects motor activity of adult specimens of
L
. (
P
.)
punctatus
, and we discuss the mechanism, possibly through acting on the control centers responsible for orientation and movement.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
All anesthesia procedures represent a real danger to life in patients with renal insufficiency, which is why these patients are classified in category IV, so anesthesia procedures for this population ...are adjusted depending on their individual characteristics. Although local and general anesthesia are acceptable modalities for arteriovenous fistula formation, it is known that local anesthesia is associated with tissue reduction and edema, which may be associated with reduced electrocautery efficiency, increased risk of infection, and vasospasm, especially with repeated injections. It must be noted that there is no consensus on whether an arteriovenous fistula should be created under local, regional, or general anesthesia. Still, it is considered that regional block anesthesia provides reduced vasospasm of blood vessels, provokes venodilatation and complete sensory and blockade of motor neurons, as well as higher primary functional rates in the first 3 months, since its creation, compared with local anesthesia. Overall, patients with end-stage renal disease are a group of patients with a wide range of comorbidities which, along with chronic kidney damage, increase the risk of perioperative anesthetic complications, especially when subjected to general anesthesia. Therefore, alternative modes of anesthesia, such as local and regional blockade, could bring obvious benefits to these patients. It can be concluded that the choice of anesthesia method is determined by several interrelated factors, anesthesiologist, patient and the surgeon, which implies expertise, inclination, habits, practicality, and norms.
The aim of the study was to assess diagnostic value and utility of selected morphological features in predicting lymph node (LN) malignancy using B-mode, Doppler ultrasonography and multivariate ...settings in a tertiary radiological referral center. The study included 123 patients having undergone ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and cytologic analysis (FNAC) of cervical, axillary and inguinal LNs. Each LN was characterized by long/L and short/T-axis, shape, margins, echogenicity, cortical thickness, vascularization, and examiner's subjective impression. Within the limitations of FNAC, altered shape and vascularization had relatively high specificity and positive predictive value (>80%), whereas subjective impression had high sensitivity and negative predictive value (100%) for malignancy. The cut-off levels for different features of LN by ROC analysis were as follows: long-axis 23 mm, short-axis 11 mm, L/T ratio 2.19, and maximal cortical thickness 5.1 mm. On multivariate analysis (adaptive regression splines, n=108), the addition of long-axis, L/T ratio, age and sex considerably improved diagnostic accuracy (88%), sensitivity (margins + vascularization) and specificity (subjective impression) of the diagnostic model. The combination of morphological and demographic features could improve diagnostic accuracy, usually with a trade-off between the sensitivity and specificity of the predictive model. The performance may depend on the level of expertise and institutional settings.
Ovarian and fallopian tube cancer, i.e., adnexal tumours, and primary peritoneal cancer is the sixth most common female cancer and the deadliest gynecologic tumor in Croatia. Hystologically, these ...tumors are most commonly of epithelial origin, a serous subtype. Less common are various non-epithelial ovarian malignancies, as well as ovarian metastases. A special group consists of epithelial carcinomas of low malignant potential characterized by non-invasiveness, clinically indolent course, and good prognosis. Clinically, these cancers are generally asymptomatic in early stages, and therefore usually diagnosed in later, advanced stages. The diagnosis is confirmed by pathological examination, or exceptionally by cell block cytology finding after the completion of diagnostic procedures. Multidisciplinary team makes treatment and follow-up decisions, taking into account patients’ (age, general condition, and comorbidities) and tumor characteristics (stage of disease, histological type and grade, homologous recombination status or BRCA gene 1 and 2 status, as well as the response and toxicity to previous treatment in case of relapse). The treatment of primary ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer is based on surgical procedures, systemic administration of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy, as well as symptomatic-supportive measures throughout the whole treatment. Treatment approach differs in less frequent non-epithelial histological types of these tumors because they are commonly diagnosed in early stages of the disease, have a more indolent course, different disease biology and sensitivity to systemic treatment. The following text presents the updated and supplemented clinical guidelines in order to standardize procedures and criteria for diagnosis, management, treatment and monitoring of patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer in Croatia. The first edition of the guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with ovarian cancer was published in 2013.1
Adults with systemic anaphylactic reactions (SAR) to insect sting show often multiple-positivity of serum-specific IgE (sIgE) to Hymenoptera venoms. Unnecessary long-lasting venom-specific ...immunotherapies (VIT) in false-positive patients increase the risk of recurrent SAR. This report aims to analyze the diagnostic importance of recombinant allergen IgE testing in patients with SAR to Hymenoptera sting. In 82 patients we measured sIgE to honeybee venom (HBV), wasp venom (WV) and hornet venom (HV) extracts, recombinant phospholipase A2 from HBV (sIgE-rApi m1), recombinant antigen 5 from WV (sIgE-rVes v5), and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants-CCD-bromelain by ImmunoCAP. We analyzed the correlation of ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot for HBV and WV extracts, rApi m1, and rVes v5 in 39/82 patients. According to the history of the culprit insect, we compared sensitivity and specificity between the two methods. The severity of the SAR does not depend on the sIgE level to venom extracts and recombinant allergens. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a multiple-positivity to HBV/WV or HBV/WV/HV extracts. Severe SAR and CCD-sIgE were more frequent in multiple-positive than single-positive patients. CCD-sIgE were more frequent in HBV allergic patients than WV and HV allergic patients. There was a significant correlation between levels of sIgE to venom extracts and recombinant allergens measured by ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot. ImmunoCAP has higher sensitivity and specificity than Immunoblot for diagnosis of SAR to Hymenoptera venoms. IgE testing to recombinant CCD-free allergens is necessary for the adequate selection of long-lasting VIT, especially in patients with multiple sensitivities to venom extracts.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
As an ecological factor, a magnetic field can affect insects causing a wide range of responses. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the fitness components (postembryonic development and ...viability of individuals) and the antioxidant defense (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total glutathione) in laboratory strains of
Drosophila subobscura
, originating from oak and beech forests after exposure to the strong static magnet (2.4 T, VINCY Cyclotron magnet). The first instar larvae were placed near the north pole (N group) or the south pole (S group) of the magnet for 2 h. Oak and beech populations of
D. subobscura
had longer development time and lower viability in N and S groups compared to controls. These differences were significant only in S group of oak population and in N group of beech population. Total glutathione content was significantly decreased in both exposed groups of oak population, while catalase activity was significantly increased in both exposed groups of beech population. Being significantly decreased in both exposed groups of oak population and significantly increased in S group of beech population in comparison to controls, superoxide dismutase activity was observed in different values. According to the results, it can be stated that applied static magnetic field could be considered a potential stressor influencing the fitness components and antioxidant defense in
Drosophila
flies.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Introduction
There are no many data on association between progression rate of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and disease outcome.
Aim
The aim of our study was to analyze short-term outcome of GBS in ...relation to the rate of disease progression.
Methods
Our retrospective study included patients diagnosed with GBS in seven tertiary healthcare centers from 2009 to 2014. According to the rate of disease progression from onset of symptoms to the nadir, patients were divided in three groups: rapid-onset GBS (nadir reached in maximum 48 h), gradual-onset (nadir reached in three to 14 days), and slow-onset (nadir in 15 to 28 days). GBS disability scale (GDS) was used to assess functional disability at nadir and on discharge.
Results
Among 380 patients included in the study, 24 (6.3%) patients had rapid-onset, 274 (72.1%) gradual-onset, and 82 (21.6%) slow-onset GBS. Time from the onset of the disease to the hospital admission was much shorter in faster-onset forms (3.0 ± 4.1 days in rapid-onset vs. 6.8 ± 9.5 days in gradual-onset and 21.0 ± 9.6 days in slow-onset GBS,
p
< 0.01). Preceding events were less commonly identified in slow-onset forms. Patients with rapid-onset GBS were more likely to have axonal variants (
p
< 0.05). All three groups of patients were treated in a similar way, and there were no differences in GDS score at nadir (
p
> 0.05) and on discharge (
p
> 0.05) and no differences in the duration of hospital stay.
Conclusion
Faster progression of GBS does not imply a poorer short-term functional outcome of the disease.
► Four injections of ghrelin (0.3pmol) were applied every 24h to 4th instar larvae of L. dispar. ► The nutritional parameters were higher in the ghrelin treated than in the control group. ► The ...relative midgut/fat body mass, digestive enzyme activities increase after ghrelin treatment. ► The morphometric changes of columnar and goblet cells of the midgut were correlated with ghrelin treatment. ► In this report, the presence of ghrelin-like hormone in insect's midgut is presented for the first time.
Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide that has significant effects on appetite and growth in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to examine 4th instar larvae of the pest insect Lymantria dispar L. after ghrelin treatment. Parameters included changes in nutritional indices (efficiency of conversion of ingested food, efficiency of conversion of digested food, approximate digestibility); midgut and fat body mass; total proteases, trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase activities in the midgut; number, height and width of columnar and goblet cells and their nuclei in the midgut epithelium and detection of ghrelin-like immunoreactivity in the midgut tissue. Four subpicomolar injections of ghrelin (0.3pmol) or physiological saline (control) were applied every 24h. The nutritional indices were higher in the ghrelin treated than in the control group. Ghrelin treatment was also associated with elevation of midgut mass, induced digestive enzyme activities, increased fat body mass and morphometric changes in columnar and goblet cells. This is the first report of the presence of ghrelin-like hormone in endocrine cells of an insect midgut. Such information provides additional evidence for application of this relatively simple model system in the future studies of the mechanisms underlying of digestion and energy balance in more complex organisms.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•SF-36 is able to capture specific life domains omitted by standard outcome measures.•SF-36 score at day 14 is an independent predictor of SF-36 score at month 6.•Neurologists should look both on ...disability and quality of life in GBS patients.
Longitudinal health-related quality of life (QoL) data in Guillain-Barré (GBS) patients are still scarce. We, therefore, investigated health- related QoL in GBS patients from Serbia and surrounding countries during a six-month follow-up period, and analyzed its association with patients' disability. Our study comprised 74 adult patients diagnosed with GBS from May 2017 until May 2018 in seven tertiary healthcare centers. Health-related QoL was investigated using the SF-36 questionnaire, and compared with functional disability assessed by the GBS disability scale (GDS). Tests were performed at day 14, day 28, month 3 and month 6 from disease onset. GDS and SF-36 scores improved over time (p < 0.01). GDS scores were different at all four time points, while SF-36 did not differ between day 14 and day 28. Pooled SF-36 scores (especially physical ones) correlated with pooled GDS scores, except for Bodily Pain and Role Emotional scores. We found that GDS score at day 14 was an independent predictor of GDS score at month 6 (β = +0.52, p < 0.01), while SF-36 score at day 14 was an independent predictor of SF-36 score at month 6 (β = +0.51, p < 0.01). Neurologists should look not only on disability but also on QoL in GBS patients, since these two measures provide us with important complementary items of information.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
PDF
