Bratisl Med J
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Review
Prediction of coronary vessel involvement on the basis of atherosclerosis risk factor analysis.
The prediction of coronary vessel involvement by means of noninvasive tests is one of the fundamental objectives of preventive cardiology. This review describes the current possibilities of coronary vessel involvement prediction by means of ultrasonographic examination of carotid arteries, analysis of polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes responsible for production of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide and assessment of levels of certain proinflammatory cytokines. In the presented work these noninvasive markers are correlated with the extent of coronary vessel involvement as assessed by coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology (Fig. 5, Ref. 40).
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Comparative Study
Consumption of three strong opioids (morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl) in seven European countries during seven years (2003-2009).
The aim was to analyse the consumption of selected strong opioid analgesics during a seven-year period of 2003-2009 in order to compare Slovak consumption with that in six other European countries and to determine our position. ⋯ Our analysis confirmed a clear shift from oral to transdermal therapy as well as usage of newer drugs. Drug consumption data are a relatively new source of information for health research. Our analysis showed increasing trends in fentanyl (patch opioid) consumption in all compared countries as well as an increasing consumption of oxycodone and decreasing consumption of morphine (Fig. 3, Ref. 17).
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The main aim of the early treatment of polytrauma is recovery of patient's physiological functions. The early achievement of therapeutic goals, mainly adequate tissue perfusion and repayment of oxygen debt, are postulated. The aim of the study was to confirm whether blood lactate level as a quantifier of oxygen deficit, as well as normalization of blood lactate level within the first 24 hours, have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of seriously injured patients. ⋯ The patients, who repaid oxygen debt within first 24 hours, have lower morbidity and mortality (Tab. 6, Ref. 19).
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Male infertility is one of the most stressful factors of couples, being present in about 40% cases. It is usually caused by a low number of sperm (oligozoospermia) or poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). The sperm motility is used as an indicator of semen quality and male infertility. To the impairment of male reproduction health can contribute genetic, nutritional and environmental factors, smoking and drugs. It is well documented that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreases sperm motility, impairs sperm function, damages the morphology of spermatozoa (1, 2). To the decreased sperm motility contribute also disturbances of sperm mitochondrial function and energy production, low levels of coenzyme Q10 and carnitine, as well as sperm mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) defects. The origin of sperm dysfunction, however, is not well understood. ⋯ We suppose that incorporation of oxidative stress assessment, CoQ10-TOTAL and α-tocopherol concentrations in seminal fluid and plasma into routine andrology can play an important role for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of male infertility (Tab. 1, Ref. 16).
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Comparative Study
Impact of intracranial pressure measurement on survival in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
The aim of the study was to assess (i) a group of patients with established intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor in severe brain injuries scoring 3 points of Glasgow Coma Scale, (ii) mortality and survival of the patients within periods of 7, 30, 180 and 270 days; and (iii) predictive value of intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure for short and long-term survival of patients with traumatic brain injury. ⋯ The survival of trauma brain injury patients depends on the speed and quality of pre-hospital care and adequate follow-up treatment at specialized intensive care units. High levels of intracranial pressure and low cerebral perfusion pressure values in the early period after brain injury are closely related to mortality of patients within 30 days. Intracranial pressure monitoring may help to avoid problems and allow intervention before they become life-threatening (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 23). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.