Prevalence and significance of vaginal group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant women from Osijek, Croatia

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vaginal group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women from Osijek area, the possible effect of GBS colonization on pregnancy outcome and neonatal complications and the role of intrapartum prophylaxis in this context. This retrospective case-control study took place at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Osijek University Hospital Center from December 2003 to June 2006. A total of 118 pregnant women was enrolled in study and divided into two groups: 59 women in 35th-37th week of gestation, free from risk factors for infection (control group); and 59 women in 25th-41st week of gestation with risk factors for infection. Low vaginal swab for GBS isolation and identification on selective and enriched medium was obtained from each woman. GBS colonization was recorded in 29 (24.6%) women: 12 (20.3%) control and 17 (28.8%) women at risk of infection, yielding a statistically non-significant difference (Chi2 = 1.480489; p < 0.48). Early neonatal infection was observed in six (20.7%) neonates born to 29 mothers with GBS colonization, pointing to a correlation between vaginal GBS colonization and early neonatal infection (r(s) = 0.99). Early perinatal infection was found in 22 (18.6%) neonates, including 17 (28.8%) pregnancies with risk factors, pointing to a significant correlation between vaginal GBS colonization, risk factors and early perinatal infection (Chi2 = 88.68; p < 0.001); however, gestational age and pregnancy outcome were not influenced by GBS colonization. In eight (36.4%) newborns, early neonatal infection developed in spite of intrapartum administration of antibiotics; three of these children were born to GBS positive mothers, and perinatal GBS infection was demonstrated in one (0.84%) child. Study results revealed a relatively high rate of GBS colonization in the population of pregnant women in Croatia, occasionally leading to early neonatal infection. Large studies are needed to develop national strategy for the prevention of GBS infection in Croatia.     

Risk behaviors for getting HIV infection among the Croatian men who have sex with men in 2007

This survey was conducted with the aim of obtaining the information on the sexual risk behavior of Croatian men who have sex with men (MSM) two years after the first research. There was total of 820 respondents recruited at seven frequent meeting places of Croatian MSM in Zagreb and Rijeka, as well as one gay-oriented web-site. The overall response rate was 17.6% which is 1.4 percentage point less than it was two years ago. The rate of condom use during last anal intercourse was 53.2% and 69% of those who used a lubricant had chosen a correct water-based product which is increase of 15% comparing to the last research. Only 27% of those who had also had sex with women (MSM/MSW) during last 12 months regularly used protection. The results of this research suggest that there are trends in declining of some risk behaviors among Croatian MSM but there is a lot of space for focused and effective prevention activities on increasing the risk perception and reducing risk behaviors.     

Effects of aspirin on renal sodium excretion, blood pressure, and plasma and extracellular fluid volume in salt-loaded rats

The effect of aspirin administration and presumed blockade of prostaglandin synthesis on renal sodium excretion, plasma and extracellular fluid volumes, and blood pressure were examined in rats on a high sodium intake. After acute salt loading aspirin treated rats showed an impaired sodium excretion, while no changes in glomerular filtration rate were observed. In chronically loaded rats (7 weeks) administration of aspirin induced significant increases in both plasma and extracellular fluid volume, but no significant changes in blood pressure were found. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that prostaglandins mediate renal sodium excretion and therefore participate in extracellular fluid volume regulation.     

Local recurrence of primary non-ampullary adenocarcinoma of duodenum after surgical treatment--a case report and a literature review

Worldwide there is no general attitude on optimal surgical procedure in treatment of primary non-ampullary adenocarcinoma of duodenum, especially for early stage of duodenal cancer. Some authors prefer local excision and segmental resection while others rather perform duodenopancreatic resection, even in the case of early stage of duodenal cancer with aim to avoid tumor recurrence. In this paper we present a rare clinical course of a 60-year-old male patient with an endoscopically and pathohistologically proven early stage duodenal cancer that was treated by wide local excision. Three years after operation, control endoscopy showed "flat" polyp in the duodenum and radical duodenopancreatic resection was performed. Pathohistological examination of resected specimen showed cancer that had spread throughout the duodenal wall with metastases in the regional lymph nodes. According to our findings and literature review we gave some direction concerning the optimal diagnostic and surgical procedure for this rare tumor.     

Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids

Uterine artery embolization can be regarded as a less invasive procedure for the treatment of fibroids compared with myomectomy, hysterectomy, and laparoscopic myolysis. The aim of this study was the evaluation of safety and efficacy of uterine artery embolization and of womens' opinion about this treatment. After gynecological examination sixty-nine premenopausal women underwent uterine artery embolization. All procedures but four were technically successful; three women underwent unilateral embolization because of vascular malformation and one of them had an allergic reaction to contrast medium. Of the 69 patients: 58 went home the day after embolization, and 11 within first week. The follow-up examinations after 3, 6 and 12 month showed a significant reduction of uterine and fibroid volume with significant improvement of bleeding. Therefore, according to this report, uterine artery embolization is a successful, minimal invasive treatment of myoma that preserves the uterus and requires shorter hospitalization and recovery times than surgery.     

Long-term left ventricular echocardiographic follow-up of SHR and WKY rats: effects of hypertension and age

Long-term follow-up of left ventricular (LV) function using echocardiography has not been reported and, in this study, was carried out in normotensive (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In 10 WKY rats and SHR, LV diastolic and systolic diameter (LVEDD and LVSD), shortening fraction (SF), and weight (LVW) were determined at 8, 15, 20, 35, and 80 wk of age. The ratio of early to late mitral flow and mitral annulus velocity (VE/VA and Em/Am), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), deceleration time of the E wave (DTE), Tei index, and mitral flow propagation velocity (Vp) were measured. No difference in LVEDD was found between SHR and WKY rats; however, LVEDD was increased at 80 wk in both strains. SF decreased slightly in old WKY rats. LVW progressively increased from 20 to 80 wk in both strains and was greater in SHR. VE/VA and Em/Am decreased at 80 wk in WKY rats. LV relaxation (IVRT, Tei index, and Vp) was progressively impaired in SHR compared with WKY rats. LV compliance (DTE) was altered in old SHR. Echocardiography permitted a long follow-up of LV function in SHR and WKY rats. Ventricular relaxation was impaired early in the life of SHR and progressed with aging. Furthermore, LV compliance was altered, but systolic function remained unchanged, in old SHR. In contrast, relaxation and SF were only slightly altered in old WKY rats, suggesting that pressure-related changes in LV function were the dominant features in the SHR.     

Socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits of pregnant women smokers

The aim of this study was to describe anthropometric, clinical, socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits of pregnant smokers in comparison to pregnant nonsmokers. During years 1999-2003, 1,435 pregnant smokers and 4,772 pregnant nonsmokers were interviewed after delivery with a questionnaire. They were recorded clinical, anthropometric and socio-demographic data, smoking status, labor outcome, maternal and fetal hemoglobin concentrations for each patient. The two groups were comparable in anthropometric and clinical characteristics, duration of pregnancy and mode of delivery, except for birth weights, which were significantly lower in newborns of smokers. Maternal hemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower in smokers, but fetal hemoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in babies of smokers. The proportion of pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy was higher among urban women, among women with lower educational level and among unemployed subjects in comparison with nonsmokers. The pregnant women who smoked during pregnancy were more often caffeine and alcohol consumers. To further reduce smoking during pregnancy it is important to continue to promote smoking cessation among teenagers.     

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.     

Wood dust exposure in wood industry and forestry

The aim of the study was to determine occupational exposure in Croatian wood processing industry and forest workers to harmful effects of wood dust on the risk of nose, nasal cavity and lung carcinoma. Mass concentrations of respirable particles and total wood dust were measured at two wood processing plants, three woodwork shops, and one lumbering site, where 225 total wood dust samples and 221 respirable particle samples were collected. Wood dust mass concentration was determined by the gravimetric method. Mass concentrations exceeding total wood dust maximal allowed concentration (MAC, 3 mg/m3) were measured for beechwood and oakwood dust in 38% (79/206) of study samples from wood processing facilities (plants and woodwork shops). Mass concentrations of respirable particles exceeding MAC (1 mg/m3) were recorded in 24% (48/202) of samples from wood processing facilities (mean 2.38 +/- 2.08 mg/m3 in plants and 3.6 +/- 2.22 mg/m3 in woodwork shops). Thus, 13% (27/206) of work sites in wood processing facilities failed to meet health criteria according to European guidelines. Launching of measures to reduce wood dust emission to the work area is recommended.