Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To assess morphological characteristics of carotid blood vessels in uremic patients before to the initiation of the dialysis treatment, and corelate data with various dialysis therapy modules. Methods The study included 30 patients with end-stage renal disease (ERDS) prior to commencing dialysis, 30 patients treated with haemodialysis and 30 patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The control group consisted of 15 subjects with normal kidney function (eGFR>60ml/min). ⋯ The only variable from the patient's lipometabolic profile significantly associated with the change in IMT in uremic patients was HDL. A significant difference was found in the average value for systolic blood pressure (p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.018) in patients before starting the dialysis treatment compared to patients treated with other dialysis methods. Conclusion Patients on haemodialysis treatment had a significantly greater CIMT, which is in relation with a higher cardiovascular risk.
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Aim To investigate the frequency of consumption of sweet and salty snacks among children aged 2-18 years in relation to their mothers' education level. Methods A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in five dental practices at the School of Medicine of the University of Mostar from May to October 2022. The data were collected from medical records. ⋯ The frequency of the consumption of biscuits, chocolate and cakes (several times a day) was statistically significantly higher among the children of mothers with high school education (p=0.04), especially among school children. Eating habits of children, regardless of the level of education of their mothers, differed significantly only in the consumption of lollipops, caramels, and candies (p=0.03), which were consumed once a day by 79 (63.7%) schoolchildren and 45 (36.3%) of pre-schoolers. Conclusion A higher level of education among mothers does not necessarily equate to proper nutritional knowledge.
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Aim Egypt has the highest incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the world. Fibrosis development is common in HCV cases, and it is important in disease prediction. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of fibro scan in assessment of changes in hepatic stiffness in patients with chronic HCV infection following direct acting antiviral treatment (DAAT). ⋯ At a cutoff of 1.18, Fib4 calculation can discriminate F0-2 from F3-4, with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 78.6%, 64.1%, 63.04%, and 78.57%, respectively. Conclusion Hepatic fibrosis measurements such as fibro scan and non-invasive fibrosis scores (FIB-4) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) showed a significant improvement after direct-acting antiviral therapy. Improvements in hepatic function tests, serum creatinine level, and platelet count are also seen.
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Aim To examine a correlation of demographic characteristics of patients, preoperative modality of conservative therapy and timing on the postoperative outcome of patients six months after the operation. Methods A retrospective, non-randomized, clinical study involved 48 patients of different age and gender with a verified diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome (CES). The inclusion criteria were patients with CES caused by discus hernia. ⋯ Postponement of surgery was negatively correlated with outcome variables (p<0.001). Conclusion The results of the study bring new conclusions that were not previously observed. Possible new characteristics associated with the outcome of cauda equina syndrome were determined.
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Aim Studies have shown that SARS-Cov-2 has the ability to activate proinflammatory cytokine leading to acute inflammation. During the SARS-Cov-2 infection, an increase of the secretion of production TNF-α in seen in COVID-19 patients along with a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and growth factor TGF-β caused cytokine storm and damaged tissues. Alpinia galanga extract contains several secondary metabolites with strong antiinflammation and antioxidant effect. ⋯ The PBMC acute inflammation cells model stimulated by TNF-α 100pg/mL, after 72 h induction the PBMC cells significantly expressed a high level of TNF-α up to 341±10.87 pg/mL. Furthermore, the treatment of Alpinia galanga significantly increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and growth factor TGF-β in dose dependent manner. Conclusion These findings suggested that Alpinia galanga extract has strong antiinflammation activity.