Chiasma syndrome in acromegalic patients--correlation of neuroradiologic and neuroophthalmologic findings

The study evaluated neuroophthalmologic and computerized tomography (CT) findings in 100 patients with somatotrophic adenoma and clinical picture of acromegaly, who underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Prior to the surgery, visual field was normal in 77 patients. The diameter of adenoma in these patients ranged from 8 to 30 mm on CT, and the average value was 13.5 mm. Various kinds of visual field disturbances were present in 23 patients. The diameter of their adenomas ranged between 18 to 35 mm, with the average of 24.7 mm. Compared to visual field defects, CT findings of suprasellar adenoma extension were better correlated with chiasma syndrome (p < 0.001). All patients with suprasellar mass greater than 10 mm had chiasma syndrome. Degenerative adenoma changes (hemorrhagic necrosis), which precipitate abrupt increase in size of the tumor, were more frequently seen in patients with chiasma syndrome. The incidence of chiasma syndrome directly correlates with the degree of suprasellar extension of the tumor.     

Pulmonary function in persons who are professionally exposed to formaldehyde fumes

The present study examines long-term effects of occupational exposure to formaldehyde fumes on lung function. Forced spirometry and diffusing lung capacity were measured in 16 health-service professionals (8 medical doctors and 8 laboratory technicians) working at the pathoanatomic laboratory for at least 4 years with daily exposure 8 +/- 1 hours. Control group employed 16 males, which were matched by age and stature to members of the exposed group. Only non-smokers were included in the study. Spirometric parameters in study participants exposed to formaldehyde fumes compared to control group were not significantly different indicating absence of restrictive and/or obstructive deterioration of lung function in exposed group. The only parameter differing in two groups was blood volume of pulmonary capillaries (Vc') which was significantly larger in a group exposed to formaldehyde fumes. The possibility that the hyperemic lung reaction is the consequence of the exposure to formaldehyde fumes should be further explored.     

High-resolution phylogenetic analysis of southeastern Europe traces major episodes of paternal gene flow among Slavic populations

The extent and nature of southeastern Europe (SEE) paternal genetic contribution to the European genetic landscape were explored based on a high-resolution Y chromosome analysis involving 681 males from seven populations in the region. Paternal lineages present in SEE were compared with previously published data from 81 western Eurasian populations and 5,017 Y chromosome samples. The finding that five major haplogroups (E3b1, I1b* (xM26), J2, R1a, and R1b) comprise more than 70% of SEE total genetic variation is consistent with the typical European Y chromosome gene pool. However, distribution of major Y chromosomal lineages and estimated expansion signals clarify the specific role of this region in structuring of European, and particularly Slavic, paternal genetic heritage. Contemporary Slavic paternal gene pool, mostly characterized by the predominance of R1a and I1b* (xM26) and scarcity of E3b1 lineages, is a result of two major prehistoric gene flows with opposite directions: the post-Last Glacial Maximum R1a expansion from east to west, the Younger Dryas-Holocene I1b* (xM26) diffusion out of SEE in addition to subsequent R1a and I1b* (xM26) putative gene flows between eastern Europe and SEE, and a rather weak extent of E3b1 diffusion toward regions nowadays occupied by Slavic-speaking populations.     

The amputees and quality of life

The application of highly sophisticated computer technology and high technology materials allows production of quality prosthetic replacements both in the functional and esthetic sense. The basic prerequisite for successful use of prostheses is an adequately shaped stump, which can be achieved using new operative technique used for extremity amputation. In this way, the possibilities of prosthetic device usage are enlarged to fulfill not only basic daily needs but also highly active work-related, sports-related or recreational needs of the modern man. However, the adequate and successfully performed operative procedure and the implementation of a quality prosthetic device do not guarantee that all patient requirements for improved quality of life are fulfilled. The aim of this study was to examine therapeutic effects of the applied method of surgical and prosthetic treatment, with a special focus on the improvement of patient's quality of life. The research was conducted in a sample of healthy and active patients with trauma-related lower extremity amputation. Following a positive objective evaluation by the physician, who stated that surgical and prosthetic treatment was satisfactory, the subjective evaluation was performed by the patient using a specially designed questionnaire. The factors possibly influencing the overall satisfaction of the patient with therapy were analyzed. The satisfaction with prosthesis function was evaluated as very good by 63.5% of the patients, excellent by 9.6% and good by 26.9% of the patients.     

A 3-year experience of a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum in Croatia

The aim of this study was to assess the early results of a three-year experience with the minimally invasive correction of pectum excavatum, which requires no cartilage incision or excision, and no sternal osteotomy. Since 2001 we have performed 35 minimally invasive pectus excavatum procedures at our hospital. A convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum through small bilateral incisions, and removed after 2 years when permanent remolding had occured, the bar is removed. Complications were pneumothorax in 5 patients (only 1 required a thoracostomy tube, the other 4 resolved spontaneously), pneumonia in 3 patients, and bar displacement in 1 patient. The mean follow-up was 3 months to 3 years. Initial excellent results were maintained in 28 patients (normal postoperative chest), good results in 5patients (mild residual pectus) and poor in 2 patients (severe recurrence requiring further treatment). Poor results occurred because the steel bar was too soft in 1 patient, and the sternum too soft in 1 patient with Marfan's syndrome. Our early results with the minimally invesive technique without cartilage incision and resection or sternal osteotomy showed that the procedure is effective with excellent preliminary results.     

Comparison of fetal plasma cortisol level between eutrophic and hypotrophic newborns

We tested two groups of singletons born at term: fifty-six eutrophic newborns and 56 hypotrophic subjects. They were selected randomly from all newborns delivered by vaginal route between 8 and 14 hours. Excluded were preeclampsia, diabetes, labours longer than 12 hours and newborns with malformations. Written informed consent was obtained from all women and data were collected before and after labour. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained immediately following the delivery and plasma cortisol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. The groups did not differ significantly regarding maternal age, parity, gestational age and Apgar score, but birth weight was significant differed (p < 0.001). In addition, eutrophic newborns had significantly elevated cortisol levels (457.7 nmol/L, 321.8-696.6 nmol/L) compared with hypotrophic newborns (320.5 nmol/L, 215.1-578.7 nmol/L, p < 0.001). The role of fetal cortisol in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancy and labour is uncertain, but fetal plasma cortisol levels may be lower in IUGR newborns.     

Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Medline, PubMed and the Cochrane databases were searched on epidemiology and diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori for the period of April 2011-March 2012. Several studies have shown that the prevalence of H.?pylori infection is decreasing in adults and children in many countries. Various diagnostic tests are available, and most of them have high sensitivity and specificity. The Maastricht IV/Florence consensus report states that the urea breath test using (13) C urea remains the best test to diagnose H.?pylori infection. Among the stool antigen tests, the ELISA monoclonal antibody test is recommended. All these tests were used, either as a single diagnostic test or in combination, to investigate H.?pylori infection among different populations throughout the world. Of particular interest, current improvements in high-resolution endoscopic technologies enable increased diagnostic accuracy for the detection of H.?pylori infection, but none of these techniques, at present, are specific enough for obtaining a real-time diagnosis of H.?pylori infection.     

Fatty-Acid Profile of Total and Polar Lipids in Cultured Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Raised in Freshwater and Seawater (Croatia) Determined by Transmethylation Method

Fatty acids from total lipids and polar lipids in cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) raised in seawater (SW) and freshwater (FW) were identified and quantified from the muscle samples in January, April, and July. The highest total lipid and polar lipid amounts were found in April. July contents of total lipids were low, but percent of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was high in SW and FW environment (particularly n-3 PUFAs). Variety of 17 fatty acids was identified by GC-FID after transmethylation. The predominant fatty acids in rainbow trout from SW and FW were: docosahexaenoic acid among n-3 PUFAs, palmitic acid among saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and oleic acid among monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Appreciably higher n-3/n-6 ratio was found in total lipids in April (6.40, FW fish) and in polar lipids in July (18.76; SW fish). High n-3/n-6 ratio in total lipids and polar lipids of rainbow trout from SW and FW, besides beneficial n-3/n-6 ratio in the commercial fish food, could be characteristic for the local environmental conditions (Croatia).     

Assessment of hematologic indices and their correlation to hemoglobin A1c among Bosnian children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their healthy peers

BackgroundAltered levels of many hematological parameters have been directly associated with diabetes in adults, while studies on children with type 1 diabetes mellitus are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine hematological indices in diabetic Bosnian children in comparison to healthy controls as well as to correlate their levels to blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c.Methods100 healthy and 100 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (age 1-18) were included in this study. Complete blood count, hemoglobin A1c, and glucose were tested. Results were analysed by IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.ResultsSignificant differences (p<0.05) between healthy and diabetic children were found in relation to HbA1c, glucose, mean platelet volume, the number of white blood cells and erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and MCH values. No gender differences or significant age differences were seen for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV, while platelets, MPV, and MCH differed by age only in healthy children. When diabetic children were classified according to HbA1c levels, significant differences were seen for erythrocyte count and hematocrit value (p=0.013 and 0.019, respectively). The number of erythrocytes and white blood cells correlated significantly with HbA1c (p=0.037 and 0.027, respectively).ConclusionsLower levels of erythrocytes, hematocrit, and hemoglobin in diabetic compared to healthy children indicate possible development of anemia, while higher MCV, MCH, and MPV values indicate an alteration in erythrocyte morphology. Hematological indices could be a useful inexpensive tool in the diagnosis and follow up of type 1 diabetes in children.