Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation during pregnancy for the prevention of stunting: analysis of maternal serum zinc, cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length.
Aim To investigate the influence of zinc supplementation on pregnant women for the prevention of stunting through an analysis of maternal serum zinc, cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length. Methods This study was conducted with pre-test/post-test control groups and double-blind randomization. Patients were pregnant mothers in second or third trimester and with their newborns who met the inclusion criteria. ⋯ The comparison of mean cord blood osteocalcin levels and median neonatal birth lengths in the supplementation group was higher than in the placebo group: 131.8±35.3 vs 90.6±35.4 ng/ml (p=0.001) and 49.3 (46.5-51.3) vs 48.3 (46-50.8) cm (p=0.004), respectively. Maternal serum zinc levels after zinc supplementation had a positive significant correlation with cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length: r=0.434 (p=0.001) and r=0.597 (p=0.001), respectively. Conclusion There was a significant correlation of maternal serum zinc with cord blood osteocalcin and neonatal birth length after zinc supplementation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of early and delayed lumbar disc herniation surgery and the treatment outcome.
Aim To evaluate the influence of preoperative symptoms duration on surgical outcome of one-level lumbar disc herniation surgery. Methods In a prospective randomized study, 67 adult patients with one-level lumbar disc herniation were analysed. The patients whose duration of symptoms was <6 months were included in the case group, while those with the duration of symptoms ˃6 months formed the control group. ⋯ Results A statistically significant difference was recorded between the groups, showing a better decrease of radicular pain intensity and sciatica bothersome, as well as patients disability in the case group (p<0.001). According to the Odom's criteria the outcome was better in the case group, since the difference between the groups was statistically significant too (p<0.05). Conclusion Early lumbar disc herniation surgery performed within the first 6 months from the start of symptoms is beneficial due to decreases of radicular pain intensity, sciatica bothersomeness, and patient's disability.
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The Holy Communion is the oldest Christian practice, through which a gathered group of people partake bread and wine with a shared spoon. The pandemic of COVID-19 produced unexpected social instability and chaos. In Greece, a recent bishop's death from COVID-19 re-awaked the issue of infection transmission by using a common chalice and spoon. This review evaluates the available medical literature on this topic from the beginning of the pandemic until today.
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Aim Along with changes to the human physique recorded over the past decades in certain countries, there are also changes concerning the male-female birth ratio. The aim of this study was to establish the movement of male-female birth ratios and factors affecting the ratio. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in Zagreb, Croatia, in the period from 1985 to 2019 on a sample of 3804 newborns. ⋯ Namely, the descendants of younger fathers were statistically significantly more frequently girls, while the descendants of older fathers were more frequently boys. Married mothers had higher percentage of male births (51.5%), and a lower percentage (47.1%) by unmarried mothers. Conclusion The changes in birth ratios are particularly pronounced in different age and socioeconomic groups of parents nowadays when the growth of living standards is accompanied by significant changes of the human physique.
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Aim To analyse the resolution of chest X-ray findings in relation to laboratory parameters in patients infected with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a two- month followup. Analysis of chest X-ray findings in the first few months after the disease is the main goal of our work. Methods Out of the total of 343 patients chest X-ray findings were followed in 269 patients. ⋯ The difference of NLR in the severe compared to the moderate group was observed (p=0.0021) and in the severe group compared to the mild group (p=0.00013). Conclusion Chest X-ray findings persisted mostly in the severe group followed by the moderate and mild ones. Long-term followup is necessary for the appropriate treatment and prevention of fibrosis, and reduction of symptoms.