Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children caused by traffic

A sample of 38 patients aged under 14 treated at the Surgery Clinic of the University Hospital Osijek has been used in showing therapeutic guidelines supported by patients' functional status after the completed treatment. The patients suffered from supracondylar fractures caused by traffic accidents and classified into three types according to Gartland. Not a single patient with neurocirculatory disturbances has been registered. The most common treatment was a conservative one while more than half of the patients with fractures from type III underwent surgery. The duration of immobilization approximated three weeks whereas patients' recovery considering their functional status has justified the choice of the treatment. However, a lot can be done in the field of prevention, which would greatly decrease the frequency of such injuries.     

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene and the inhibitor of kappa B-like protein gene polymorphisms are not associated with myocardial infarction in Slovene population with type 2 diabetes

In this study we investigated the association of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene variable number tandem repeat (IL1RN VNTR) polymorphism and of the inhibitor of kappa B-like protein (IKBL) gene polymorphism with myocardial infarction (MI) in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes. The IL1RN VNTR and the IKBL+ 738T > C gene polymorphisms were tested in 374 Caucasians: 151 cases with MI and 223 subjects with no history of coronary artery disease. The IL1RN VNTR polymorphism was not a risk factor for MI in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (genotype 22 vs. the rest: odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-3.5; p = 0.2). We also failed to demonstrate that IKBL+ 738T > C gene polymorphism was associated with MI in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.3-2.6; p = 0.9). We provide evidence that the IL1RN VNTR and the IKBL + 738T > C gene polymorphisms are not risk factors for MI in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes.     

Laboratory and sonographic findings in dialyzed patients with bilateral chronic knee pain versus dialyzed asymptomatic patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate connection of plasma level of beta2-microglobulin, C-reactive protein and uric acid as well as sonographic parameters like thickness of synovial membrane, thickness of femoral condylar cartilage and presence of joint effusion and Baker's cysts with bilateral knee pain in dialyzed patients, comparing them with parameters in asymptomatic dialyzed patients. Plasma levels of beta2-microglobulin and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in symptomatic patients while uric acid level showed no difference among the groups. In symptomatic patients synovial membrane was thicker and in those patients there were more knee effusions and Baker's cysts. Thickness of femoral condylar cartilage showed no difference between groups. That suggests that inflammatory mechanisms developing from beta2-microglobulin accumulation could be important factor in bilateral knee pain in dialyzed patients even in shorter duration dialysis.     

Epidemiology of pelvic floor disorders between urban and rural female inhabitants

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in urban and rural women and to identify possible related factors. They were 1749 participants; one thousand four hundred seventeen (81%) urban women and 332 rural residents (19%). The urban and rural women were congruently regarding to age, parity, using oral contraceptives and postmenopausal status. The urban women were more often obese (p < 0.01), estrogen replacement users (p < 0.001), smokers (p < 0.001), with mild (p < 0.001) and high (p < 0.001) education, and they were often divorced (p < 0.05) than rural women. Rural women were more often alcohol consumers (p < 0.001), with low level of education (p < 0.001) and more often married (p < 0.05) than rural examinees. There were no association between the presence of prolapse and: weight, menopausal status, oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement using, smoking, alcohol consuming and marital status. There were not observed differences in prevalence of prior hysterectomy, urinary incontinence, uroinfectio, sexual and bowel dysfunction between both groups. The prevalence of cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse were similar among urban and rural participants. In conclusion, a more complete picture of factors associated with genital prolapse would include in investigation, such as molecular and genetic ones.     

Genetic diversity of 15 STR loci in a population of Montenegro

Genetic diversity and forensic parameters based on 15AmpFlSTR Identifiler short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were evaluated in a sample of 101 unrelated, autochthonous adults from Montenegro. After applying Bonferroni correction, the agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was confirmed for all loci with the exception of D5S818 (chi2 test) and D21S11 (exact test). The combined power of discrimination (PD) and the combined power of exclusion (PE) for the 15 studied loci were 0.9999999999999999844 and 0.99999382, respectively. According to measures of within-population genetic diversity, D2S1338, D18S51 and FGA may be considered as the most variable and most informative markers for forensic testing and population genetic analyses out of the 15 analysed loci in a population of Montenegro. D5S818 showed to be the least variable and together with TPOX, the least informative. Interpopulation comparisons were carried out and levels of genetic differentiation between population of Montenegro and five South-eastern European populations (Kosovo Albanians, Serbians from Vojvodina province, Macedonians, Bosnians and Croatians) were evaluated. The most differentiated population in relation to Montenegro is a population of Kosovo Albanians as suggested by both AMOVA and coefficients of genetic differentiation (F(ST) and R(ST)).     

Propane-associated autoerotic asphyxiation: accident or suicide?

Autoerotic fatalities refer to a death resulting from the participation in a sex-related activity designed to heighten sexual arousal. The overwhelming majority of these deaths are due to asphyxia, most often by hanging or ligature compression of the neck. Here we report a case of "atypical" autoerotic fatality in which death was not induced by ligature compression. Unusual death of a 24-year-old man, involving propane inhalation and plastic bag suffocation, is described. The special characteristics of propane gas as an asphyxiant agent are discussed, as well as its effect on the human body.     

Atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients according to age and sex. Angiograms obtained by digital subtraction angiography were analyzed in 150 diabetic patients (study group) and 150 non-diabetic patients (control group) with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Diabetic patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the large supra-aortic arteries were significantly more common in the left than in the right side of the neck (p < 0.001), but the difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group did not reach statistical significance. Hemodynamic conditions were found to be more important than diabetes for the occurrence of atherosclerotic lesions in these arteries. Changes in the proximal segment of the left common carotid artery were the most common finding in diabetic patients, hence attention should be paid to this localization on control examinations.     

Cremated human and animal remains of the Roman period--microscopic method of analysis (Sepkovcica, Croatia)

Human and animal cremated osteological remains from twelve graves of Roman Period from archaeological site Sepkovcica near Velika Gorica (Turopolje region, NW Croatia) were analysed. Beside the content of urns and grave pits, fillings of grave vessels like bowls, pots and amphoras from twentytwo grave samples were included in this study. The preservation of osteological and dental remains of human and animal origin was very poor, majority of fragments hardly reach lengths of 10 mm. Weight of each specimen barely exceeds 100 g per person. Apart from traditional macroscopic methods of analysing cremated remains, microscopic method for determination of age at death was also tested. Fragments of femoral bone diaphysis of eighteen persons whose remains had been found on the site were analysed. Person's age at death was presented in the range of five or ten years, and the long bone fragments of a child (infants) were detected. Taxonomic position for each analysed specimen was determined by microscopic analysis of animal cremated bones. Analysis results confirm validity of microscopic method in determination of age at death for human remains and taxonomic qualification of cremated animal remains from archaeological sites.     

Anthropological analysis of neolithic and Early Bronze Age skeletons--a classical and molecular approach (East Slavonia, Croatia)

Theories about the first Indo-European migration are numerous. Significant contribution in attempt to resolve these theories is given by analysing skeletal material from two biggest prehistoric archaeological sites from N-E Croatia. Eight skeletons of Starcevo culture from sites "Nama" and "Hotel" at Vinkovci (6100-5500 BC) and seven skeletons of Vucedol culture from the site Vineyard Streim at Vucedol near Vukovar (3000-2500 BC) were analysed. Methods of classical anthropological analysis tried to distinguish the differences among members of both populations, while the methods of molecular genetics were used in defining possible genetic structure of both ancient populations. Established differences speak on the behalf of the theory of Maria Gimbutas about the first Indo-European migration with a cattle breeding population from the east around 3500 BC.     

Intercostal catheter analgesia is more efficient vs. intercostal nerve blockade for post-thoracotomy pain relief

A pain after thoracotomy may result in a postoperative hypoventilation and lead to atelectases and pneumonia. This study was aimed to compare two analgesic regimens after posterolateral thoracotomy. 80 patients (40-70 years) undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to intercostal catheter analgesia (group A, n = 40) and intercostal nerve block (group B, n = 40). Patients in group A were given 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine injections twice a day by intercostal catheter. Intercostal nerve blockade was performed using 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Intercostal nerve in thoracotomy wound, nerves below and above thoracotomy wound was also injected. PaO2, PaCO2, FVC, FEV1 and visual analog pain scale (VAS) were obtained preoperatively, 24, 48 and 72 hours after operation. Postoperative complications were recorded at the patient discharge. Differences between groups were calculated using Mann-Whitney, KW test and chi square test. The arterial blood gas analyses did not show statistically significant change in any group and time according to the baseline values. FVC and FEV1 decreased significantly in both groups at first postoperative day according to baseline measurements. Patients in B group had significantly higher FEV1 values in the third postoperative day (73.05 +/- 11.25 in A vs. 83.50 +/- 9.17 in B group, p < 0.05). Intercostal catheter analgesia resulted in significantly lower postoperative VAS scores and reduced opioid requirement as compared to intercostal nerve blockade. No differences in the postoperative complications were observed between groups.