Usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is steadily increasing
over the last decades, gaining medical, economic and sociological importance. The aim of the present
study was to assess ...the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cancer patients. A cross-sectional,
descriptive survey design was used to collect data through an anonymous questionnaire. A
total of 267 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in
this study was 60.3%. It was found that 61 heterogeneous CAM therapies were used, the most popular
among patients being naturopathy/folk medicine. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent
predictors of CAM use were high income, divorced status, female sex and younger age. In
conclusion, considering the fact that a large proportion of patients used at least one CAM approach,
we need to continue our efforts to improve the patient-oncologist communication in order to deliver
most reliable information to patients and to better understand the possible standard medicine-CAM
interactions. According to results of the latest studies, CAM therapies that help manage pain, nausea,
fatigue, anxiety, and other symptoms should be integrated into the patient overall care.
Maligna bolest uvelike utječe na stupanj kvalitete bolesnikova života. Svijest o važnosti kvalitete života u populaciji onkoloških bolesnika sve je veća, te tijek onkološkog liječenja i metoda ...zdravstvene njege ima povećani stupanj važnosti. U onkologiji stupanj kvaliteta sadrži sljedeće čimbenike: subjektivni doživljaj pozitivnih i negativnih simptoma bolesti; tjelesne, emocionalne, socijalne i kognitivne funkcije; učestalost simptoma i nuspojava liječenja. Mučnina i povraćanje uzrokovani uporabom antitumorskih lijekova i metodama zdravstvene njege, najčešće su i za bolesnike najznačajnije neželjene posljedice onkološkog lijecčenja. Mučnina i povraćanje, pored nedvojbenog smanjenja stupnja kvalitete života bolesnika može dovesti i do pojave neželjenih komplikacija kao što su dehidracija, elektrolitski disbalans, aspiracijska pneumonija, ruptura ezofagusa, anoreksija, malnutricija i disfunkcija svih organskih sustava. Sve navedeno uvelike utječe i na suradljivost bolesnika na indicirane metode liječenja onkološke terapije dovodeći do smanjenja učinkovitosti primjenjenih terapeutskih postupaka. Prema rezultatima provedenih studija proizlazi da od 60 do 80% bolesnika liječenih kemoterapijom navodi postojanje mučnine i povraćanja u različitom obimu, dok u bolesnika liječenih visokim dozama cisplatina taj postotak iznosi i do 90%.
Proširenost upotrebe komplementarne i alternativne medicine (KAM) u posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća u stalnom je porastu, dobivajući sve veće medicinsko, ekonomsko i sociološko značenje. Cilj ovoga ...istraživanja bio je procijeniti proširenost upotrebe KAM u onkoloških bolesnika u Hrvatskoj. Studija je dizajnirana kao presječno, deskriptivno, pregledno istraživanje te je provedena u obliku anonimnog upitnika. Istraživanje je provedeno na onkološkoj i hematološkoj klinici kliničkog bolničkog centra s velikim obrtajem onkoloških bolesnika. Ukupno 267 bolesnika koji su dali svoj informirani pristanak bilo je uključeno u studiju. Nakon statističke analize utvrđena je učestalost upotrebe KAM kod onkoloških bolesnika 60,3%. Pokazalo se da je korišten ukupno 61 različit oblik KAM, a najpopularnija alternativna terapija među bolesnicima bila je naturopatija/narodna medicina. U multivarijatnoj logističkoj regresijskoj analizi nezavisni prediktori povezani uz korištenje KAM bili su visoka primanja, razveden/a stanje, ženski spol i mlađa dob. S obzirom na činjenicu da značajan udio bolesnika koristi barem jedan oblik KAM nužno je nastaviti djelovanje u smjeru poboljšanja komunikacije između bolesnika i onkologa te razmisliti o integraciji onih KAM terapija koje imaju pozitivan učinak u uklanjanju boli, mučnine, umora, anksioznosti i drugih simptoma u cjelokupnu onkološku skrb.
Valvasor's library is a unique example of a Seventeenth century personal library, including over 7300 prints and 1530 books. Today, it is kept in the Metropolitan Library of the Zagreb Archdiocese ...which is part of the Croatian State Archives. In this study, we analysed a selection of papers from Valvasor's collection (
VC
) of unknown origin and composition. We used a dual approach, combining the results of the analyses of two sets of samples to find the most useful tools for the characterization of historical handmade papers. 144 randomly selected papers were included in the study. As the
VC
is a cultural heritage, only non-destructive analyses were used, such as visual inspection, surface imaging, measurements of thickness and the determination of optical properties (brightness, yellowness, opacity and gloss). According to the optical properties, papers from the
VC
could be characterized as yellowish and opaque, without gloss. Due to the fact that the
VC
papers could not be destroyed, we took another set of samples consisting of 10 historical papers (
HP
) from archival materials, dating from the 16th to nineteenth century, and subjected them to non-destructive, as well as micro-destructive analyses. This was done to supplement the findings of non-destructive analyses of the original collection. Initially, spot tests were performed to determine water absorbency and to identify the presence of lignin and starch in the paper samples. SEM–EDS and XRF were applied for the identification of inorganic elements. FTIR analyses were used to identify the chemical structures of the paper components. Microscopic analyses were performed in two ways: the paper surface was imaged with a digital microscope, and the morphological characteristics of the fibres were studied using an optical microscope. The dominant fibres present were flax and hemp, with a smaller proportion of cotton. Additionally, thick and thin light brown fibres resembling straw were detected. The presence of calcium-containing components, gelatine and alum could be confirmed with SEM–EDS, XFR and FTIR analysis. Comparing the results of analyses performed on two sets of samples a connection was explored by which it was possible to define the characterization of
VC
papers. The main goal of the study was to document and characterize a specific collection for the future use of researchers of handmade paper or paper conservators. Furthermore, the study may serve as a model approach for other researchers who seek to document the characteristics of paper in their collections.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and discuss colour properties, stability and lightfastness after accelerated exposure in xenon-arc light apparatus, of 3D ink jet prints produced by ...using 3D colour printing process.Design methodology approach - 3D colour prints were produced using ZCorporation 3D printing method. The samples were divided into groups according to the finishing process applied (untreated, finished with different infiltrants). Colorimetric properties were measured using spectrophotometer. Samples were placed into xenon-arc based weathering apparatus (Xenotest), using the preset glass filtered sunlight, standard indoor conditions. Colour stability was evaluated as change in colour after repeating the spectrophotometer measurements and comparing spectral and specific colorimetric values of initial and exposed samples.Findings - Based on methodology used, the analysis has shown the changes in colour appearance of differently finished 3D prints, which were mostly attributed to chroma and lightness variations. The colour stability of samples studied noticeably varied and is dependent on colour, percentage of ink coverage and finishing method. Issues of colour and stability of 3D ink jet prints could become important as 3D printing emerges into new application areas, in which the object properties will need to be maintained for a certain amount of time.Research limitations implications - The research is comparative and is limited to the specific materials and procedures used.Originality value - The paper describes aspects of colour 3D printing for which the published research and literature data are still, for the most part, lacking. Colour measurements methodology and evaluation of stability described could be of value for further research and for users of the technology.
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