To assess the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a middle-aged urban population and the relationship between ARM and the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The survey ...according to the WHO MONICA study protocol was carried out in Kaunas city, Lithuania, from 2001 to 2002. A total of 1403 persons aged 35 to 64 years were screened (626 men and 777 women: response rate 62.4%). Ophthalmologic investigation was performed for 1337 respondents (594 men and 743 women). Analysis of the relationship between ARM and risk factors of CVD was performed in case-control subdivision matching for sex, age, and education level.
Early ARM was diagnosed in 7.4% of men and 5.4% of women. Rate of current smoking in case and control groups did not differ in men but in case group of women it was greater than in control group. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in male case group and mean fasting blood glucose concentration in female case group were higher than in corresponding control groups. Frequency of diastolic hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in male case group was higher than in control group. ARM was not associated with cholesterol and triglyceride levels in men and women.
Early ARM in middle-aged Lithuanian urban population was associated with current smoking in women but not in men; it was associated with diastolic blood pressure and BMI in men and with fasting glucose level in women.
To evaluate the safety and performance of Alione Hydrocapillary dressing (Coloplast A/S) in the management of highly exuding chronic venous leg ulcers and compare it with two hydropolymer ...dressings,Tielle and Tielle Plus (Johnson & Johnson).
A comparative clinical trial was conducted on 97 patients with an ankle brachial pressure index > or = 0.8 and a highly exuding leg ulcer. Ulcer duration was at least four weeks. Treatment continued until healing or for a maximum of 12 months.
There was no statistically significant difference in healing time or wound area reduction between the two treatment protocols. The test dressing (Alione Hydrocapillary) had better absorption capacity and was more comfortable for the patients than the comparator dressings (Tielle/Tielle Plus) and adhered less to the wound bed.Also, more patients preferred the test dressing to their previous treatment. Although severe leakage and maceration were observed more frequently in the comparator group compared with the test group, this was not statistically significant.
Both treatment protocols were safe and effective in treating highly exuding chronic venous leg ulcers. The test dressing performed as well as or better than the comparator dressings for all study parameters and more patients preferred the test dressing to their previous dressing compared with the comparator dressings.
This paper presents investigation of normal contact interaction between two bonded spherical particles with interface layer. For the evaluation of the interface of the finite size, the new analytical ...model involving sequentially connected spring was suggested.
A unified equations system for analysis of elastic-plastic frame structures under given thermal effects supports displacements and known plastic strains is obtained by using a concept of distortion. ...Distortion, concentrated at the main (bounding) nodes of finite equilibrium elements, enable the uniformly load
p applied at the element to be changed by constant loads. Relations between unified matrix equations system and extremum energy principles are shown.
In this paper data about four types cast irons chemical composition, microstructure, static mechanical properties, durability and cyclic fracture toughness is given. Ultimate stress obtained using ...cylindrical specimens of diameters 8-14 mm with circular notch are σ.sub.u = 403-692 MPa. Endurance limit values of notched specimens are σ.sub.0 = 85-96 MPa.
An actual design of light-weight structures must evaluate strength, stiffness and stability constraints as well as the nature of external loading. A designed structure must satisfy optimality and ...safety criterions per prescribed maintenance period. One faces the known difficulties when trying to implement several from the above mentioned requirements into optimization problem for further successful numerical realization. A method to formulate the optimization problem, incorporating all above described criterions, the mathematical model and algorithm to solve it numerically, taking into account the stochastic nature of external loading, are presented for elastic–plastic truss-type structure.
Patients with diabetes mellitus in Lithuania have access to almost all the latest blood glucose-lowering drugs available in the rest of the world. This study evaluated the effects of prescribing of ...treatment (oral medications, insulin, or both) in Lithuanian patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes and poor blood glucose control.
The relevant information was obtained from specialized questionnaires completed by 26 consulting endocrinologists in Lithuania between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. The study cohort comprised 865 randomly selected patients with diabetes mellitus and a glycosylated (HbA1c) level ≥7%. In total, there were 95 patients with type 1 diabetes and 770 with type 2 diabetes.
Linear regression for patients with type 1 diabetes revealed a weak trend towards higher doses of insulin reflecting lower HbA1c values. The mean dose of insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes before an endocrinology consultation was 57.1 ± 15.7 U/day (0.8 ± 0.2 U/kg), which increased significantly to 63.3 ± 16.5 U/day (0.9 ± 0.2 U/kg) after an endocrinology consultation (P < 0.05). Treatment prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes depended on the duration of disease. Earlier treatment recommended for 68% of patients with type 2 diabetes was subsequently changed by the endocrinologist. Linear regression showed that the insulin dose prescribed before a specialist consultation as well as that recommended by an endocrinologist was significantly correlated with body mass index.
Appropriate prescribing of blood glucose-lowering drugs does not always translate into good metabolic control of diabetes mellitus. The mean HbA1c was 8.5% ± 1.3% in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral drugs alone versus 9.0% ± 1.3% in those treated with insulin alone.
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