Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To assess concordance of eight frequently used serology-based scoring indices for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with transient elastography (TE) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in order to determine serum indices with the highest concordance and clinical usability in clinical practice. Methods In this prospective study, 63 CHC patients were included and TE results were compared with eight non-invasive indices. The diagnostic performance of these tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves with kappa index calculated for the concordance analysis. ⋯ Fibrotest cut-off at >0.50 was concordant with TE for presence of significant fibrosis in 30 (out of 45; 66.7%), FIB-4 cut-off at <1.45 was concordant for absence of significant fibrosis in 13 (out of 18; 72.2%) and Goeteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI) cut-off at >1 was concordant for presence of cirrhosis in 16 (out of 22; 72.7%) patients, but not for exclusion of cirrhosis. Conclusion Serology-based scoring indices had moderate overall concordance with TE. We propose that FIB-4 score, Fibrotest and GUCI be used in routine practice to exclude and diagnose significant fibrosis and diagnose cirrhosis, respectively.
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To investigate the efficacy of Zhu acupuncture in motoric ability improvement of stroke patients. This research is a preliminary study in an effort to test the efficacy of Zhu's acupuncture technique in motor improvement in stroke patients. ⋯ This quasi-experimental study, with the pretest and posttest approach without control group design was conducted from June to December 2019 at Holistica Medical Centre Complementary Clinic Palembang, Indonesia. Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) was used before and after the intervention. Zhu's acupuncture was given five times a week for four weeks. Results Eight patients (four males and four females), who were in the recovery phase (within a period of recovery less than 1 year) after stroke attack were involved. Seven patients experienced improvements in mild and moderate grades for shoulder joint movement after the intervention. Regarding the elbow joint movement, the majority of patients (seven) experienced mild and moderate improvements. Of the total patients who experienced improvement, the majority had mild grade improvements. Conclusion Zhu's acupuncture technique was effective in improving muscle strength of motion limbs on stroke patients.
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Aim Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours with varying clinical expression and behaviour. Because of indolent behaviour of NENs, reviewing and evaluation of epidemiological characteristics is a challenge. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of NENs at tertiary hospitals considering age, gender, location, and grade. ⋯ Metastases were most frequently found in the liver, 35 (8%) and lymph nodes, 15 (3.42%). Conclusion The results were largely consistent with those in literature, including age, gender, location, and the degree of differentiation. Most metastases originated from high-grade tumours and greater impairment of the liver.
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Aim To determine the effect of the load on the meniscus in relation to a different angle, and to present the impact of force on eventual injury of menisci. Methods Research included 200 males with average height of 178.5 cm, mass 83.5 kg, and average age of 22 years. The simulation of treadmill that was used in the evaluation of ischemic heart disease was made. ⋯ Results With increasing ascent of treadmill the load on the meniscus also increased. Each increase in ascent after 22% (which corresponded to the angle of 12°40' and seventh degree of load according to the Bruce protocol) at given anthropological values was an etiological factor for meniscus injury. Conclusion The seventh degree of load according to the Bruce protocol can lead to the meniscus injury.
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Aim To illustrate the surgical treatment of bilateral post-traumatic scaphoid fracture. Methods We came across a young student, who sustained bilateral, undisplaced scaphoid waist fractures following a fall during a football match. Despite careful clinical and radiographic evaluation by four views at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, we initially performed only the diagnosis of the left scaphoid fracture treating it with a percutaneous Acutrack headless screw. ⋯ Comprehensive imaging should be done in case of suspected scaphoid fractures, especially after a trauma, even in the presence of modest symptoms, as failure to do so may lead to missed fracture. Considering what was exposed, the radiographic check on the right wrist repeated about two weeks after the trauma would have avoided a missed diagnosis, even in the absence of reported clinical symptoms. We therefore recommend to repeat the radiographic examination in all situations like these.