The aim of this study was to evaluate the DNA damage and repair in kidney cells of Swiss albino mice after repeated exposure to sevoflurane and isoflurane and compare their detrimental effects. We ...used the alkaline comet assay to establish the genetic damage and measured three parameters: tail length, tail moment, and tail intensity of comets. These parameters were measured immediately after exposure to the above mentioned inhalation anaesthetics, two hours, six hours, and 24 hours later and were compared with the control group. Mean values of all three parameters were significantly higher in experimental groups compared to the control group. DNA damage in kidney cells of mice exposed to sevoflurane increased continuously before it reached its peak 24 hours after exposure. Isoflurane induced the highest DNA damage two hours after exposure. Levels of DNA damage recorded 24 h after cessation of exposure to both tested compounds suggest that sevoflurane was slightly more genotoxic than isoflurane to kidney cells of mice. According to these results, the currently used volatile anaesthetics sevoflurane and isoflurane are able to damage DNA in kidney cells of mice. Such findings suggest a possibility for similar outcomes in humans and that fact must be taken into account in everyday clinical practice.
Middle ear infection is one of the most common childhood infections and the leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions. Although the etiological diagnosis is rarely discovered, successful ...identification of pathogens depends on properly collected sample, chosen method and microbiological analysis made on time. The most common bacterial pathogen is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Others include Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known as the most common bacterial pathogen of chronic inflamations. Viral or polimicrobial upper respiratory tract infections often precede this infection. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines given during infancy decrease rates of acute middle ear inflammation. It is a self-limited disease with rare complications. The best treatment is watchful waiting for two days followed by amoxicillin during 7 days, only if it is necessary. If there is resistance, then combination of amoxicillin and beta lactamase inhibitor is second line. The best choice for patients allergic to penicillin are macrolides. Antibiotic treatment has contributed to frequent relapses and increase of multi-drug resistant pathogens by permitting their colonization, which eliminates protective nasopharyngeal flora.
Upala uha jedna je od najčešćih dječjih infekcija zbog koje se propisuju antibiotici. Premda se etiološka dijagnoza ne postavlja često, uspjeh identifikacije uzročnika ovisi o ispravnom uzimanju ...uzorka, odabiru metode i pravodobnoj mikrobiološkoj analizi. Najčešći bakterijski uzročnik je Streptococcus pneumoniae. Ostali uključuju Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxellu catarrhalis i P. aeruginosu, najčešćega bakterijskog uzročnika kronične upale. Akutnoj upali uha često prethode višestruke infekcije gornjega respiratornog trakta, virusne ili polimikrobne etiologije. Stoga su konjugirana cjepiva primijenjena u dječjoj dobi korisna u smanjenju incidencije bolesti. Akutna upala uha većinom je samolimitirajuća s rijetkim komplikacijama. Najefikasnija terapija je dvodnevno promatranje i naknadna primjena amoksicilina tijekom 7 dana samo ako je potrebno. Ako postoji rezistencija, primjenjuje se kombinacija amoksicilina s laktamskim inhibitorom, dok su makrolidi izbor kod alergije na penicilin. Česti recidivi i rezistencija na antibiotike posljedica su njihove široke primjene, koja pospješuje kolonizaciju patogena čime se mijenja protektivna fiziološka flora sluznice nazofarinksa.
Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi razine oštećenja i oporavak DNA u bubrežnim stanicama Swiss albino miševa nakon ponavljanog izlaganja sevofluranu i izofluranu te usporediti genotoksičnost ...spomenutih anestetika. Razine oštećenja DNA procijenjene su metodom alkalnoga komet-testa, u kojem su kao pokazatelji oštećenja DNA korištena sljedeća tri parametra: dužina repa kometa, intenzitet repa i repni moment. Uzorci bubrežnog tkiva miševa uzimani su netom nakon izlaganja pojedinom inhalacijskom anestetiku, dva sata, šest sati i 24 sata poslije izlaganja. Dobiveni rezultati uspoređeni su s vrijednostima izmjerenima u kontrolnim, neizloženim jedinkama. Srednje vrijednosti svih triju parametara izmjerene u svim eksperimentalnim skupinama bile su statistički značajno veće u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Razina primarnih oštećenja DNA u bubrežnim stanicama miševa izloženih sevofluranu kontinuirano se povećavala unutar 24 sata od izlaganja, za razliku od oštećenja koja su nastala nakon izlaganja izofluranu. Izofluran je uzrokovao najvišu razinu primarnih oštećenja DNA u bubrežnim stanicama dva sata nakon izlaganja, a nakon toga zamijećen je pad razine oštećenja DNA, koji upućuje na njihov učinkovit popravak. Međutim, niti nakon 24 sata od izlaganja nije zamijećeno potpuno vraćanje razine oštećenja DNA na kontrolne vrijednosti. Zaključeno je da je sevofluran u uvjetima pokusa bio genotoksičniji od izoflurana. Prema dobivenim rezultatima, inhalacijski anestetici koji se trenutačno koriste, sevofluran i izofluran, mogu uzrokovati oštećenja DNA u bubrežnim stanicama miša. Slični učinci mogli bi se očekivati i u ljudi, pa se ta činjenica mora uzeti u obzir u svakodnevnoj kliničkoj praksi.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most severe complications of the COVID-19 disease. The role of IL-33 and calpain 1 was previously described in lung infections and lung tissue ...damage. Our study examined the association between serum calpain 1 activity and IL-33 concentration in patients with COVID-19 ARDS. In the research, we included 80 subjects who had COVID-19 pneumonia and divided them into 2 groups: 40 subjects with ARDS and 40 subjects without ARDS. The basis of the research was the collection of subjects' data and the sampling of peripheral venous blood. The concentration of IL-33 was determined by the ELISA method and the activity of calpain 1 by the fluorometry method. Our research showed elevated calpain 1 activity and IL-33 concentration in the serum of COVID-19 patients who developed ARDS compared to those who did not develop ARDS and a positive correlation between them was established. Further, a positive correlation was established between the examined parameters and the severity of the disease, proinflammatory markers, and the use of mechanical ventilation. These results indicate a possible association and role of calpain 1 and IL-33 with the development of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.
The Montane
Yukon Arctic Ultra (YAU) is one of the longest (690 km) and coldest (+10.6°C-43.9°C) ultramarathons worldwide. Taking part in an ultramarathon is associated with great physiological and ...psychological stress, which can affect one's mood, level of hormones, and peptides. The current study aimed to identify relationships between peptides, hormones, and mood states in participants during this ultramarathon.
The study cohort consisted of 36 participants (19 men, 17 women, 38.64 ± 9.12 years) split into a finisher (
= 10), non-finisher (
= 19), and control group (
= 7). Data were collected at four time points: baseline (PRE), during (D1 after 277 km, D2 after 383 km), and after the race (POST). Questionnaires were used to assess ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), total quality of recovery (TQR), and profile of mood states (POMS-SF). Serum NPY, leptin, adiponectin, and cortisol were measured.
Among non-finishers, scores for confusion, anger, depression, and tension-anxiety (PRE vs. D2,
< 0.05) increased, while vigor decreased (PRE vs. D1,
< 0.05). In contrast, finishers' tension-anxiety scores decreased (PRE vs. D1,
< 0.05). Fatigue increased in finishers (PRE vs. POST,
< 0.05) and non-finishers (PRE vs. D1,
< 0.05). In non-finishers, depressive mood correlated positively with leptin, anger, and confusion at several time points (
< 0.001). In finishers, NPY correlated with TQR at PRE (
< 0.05), while leptin correlated negatively with TQR at POST (
< 0.05). Tension-anxiety correlated highly with perceived exertion in non-finishers (
< 0.001) and with cortisol in finishers (
< 0.05) and non-finishers (
< 0.001). In finishers, confusion correlated negatively with NPY (
< 0.01).
The study reveals an essential interplay between hormones and mood states affecting performance: Leptin was associated with anger and a depressive mood state in non-finishers and worse recovery in finishers. In contrast, NPY appeared linked to a lower confusion score and heightened recovery in finishers. A simultaneous increase in depressed mood, anger, tension-anxiety, and confusion might harm performance and lead to race failure.
Discussions whether hypoalbuminemia is just a marker for the malnutrition-inflammation syndrome as well as for the increased morbidity and mortality of those patients or is it an etiological factor, ...are becoming more and more intense. In this research of the relation between hypoalbuminemia and the complications that threaten the vascular access with special reference to infection, and consequently to the life of the patients treated with chronic haemodialysis, we have chosen 120 patients with terminal renal insufficiency (ESRD) treated at the Clinical Hospital Mostar by chronic haemodialysis. The chosen patients for this study were observed throughout a time period of 18 months. Only the patients who, at the moment of starting the research did not exhibit either a local or a systemic infection, as well as no signs of any other complication that might have endangered the vascular access and consequently the life of the patient, were selected. From the 120 (100.0%) patients, 86.8% of them had a serum albumin level below 40.0 g/L. By analysing the research results of the clinical material, it has been established that in patients with serum albumin level below 40.0 g/L, the infection incidence was significantly higher than in those patients with the albumin level above 40.0 g/L (chi2 = 7.215 P = 0.0077). The complication incidence is significantly higher (chi2 = 9.92 P = 0.0022) among the patients with serum albumin level below 40.0 g/L, than in those patients with higher serum level. Among the patients with a serum albumin level lower than 40.0 g/L, the sepses incidence was significantly higher (chi2 = 4.77 P = 0.03), than among those patients with a serum albumin level above this value. However, the difference in incidence of local infection of the vascular access between the group of patients with a serum albumin level below 40.0 g/L and those patients with albumin level above this value is not significant (chi2 = 0.65 P = 0.69). The total infection incidence in the 120 observed patients was 3.8 episodes per 100 patient months, and within the parameters mentioned by other authors.
The aim of this study was to determine the presence of third molar germs in patients with Class II/2 and Class III malocclusions. The study comprised 146 examinees from Zagreb and Istria. Examinees ...with Class II/2 malocclusions amounted to 77 and those with Class III 69. With regard to development of dentition the examinees were divided into two groups: Group I subjects with early mixed dentition (23 subjects with Class II/2 and 21 subjects with Class III), and Group II subjects with late mixed dentition (54 subjects with Class II/2 and 48 subjects with Class III). Assessments were made from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. The Pearson chi2-test and Fisher's exact test was used to determine statistical significance in differences. Assessments showed that third molar germs were present significantly more often in the upper jaw in Class II/2 (58% vs. 44%) and in the lower jaw in Class III (83% vs. 69%). In subjects with Class II/2 all third molar germs were present statistically more often in late mixed dentition, which was also determined for maxillary third molar germs in Class III. The presence of mandibular third molar germs in Class III examinees was almost equal in both periods of mixed dentitions. The study confirmed correlation between the presence of third molar germs and sagital maxillomandibular relationship and encourages investigation of the differences in calcifications of all permanent teeth in such malocclusions.
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