Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
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.
-
Aim To determine the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and the severity of melasma. Methods This cross-sectional analytic study included consecutive patients from the Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic at Prof. dr. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara (Prof. dr. ⋯ A moderate negative correlation between BDNF levels and the duration of melasma was found (p=0.007; r= -0.485). There was no significant relationship between BDNF levels and the severity of melasma (p=0.387). Conclusion No significant relationship between BDNF levels and the severity of melasma indicates that the causes of melasma are multifactorial, such as sun exposure, genetic, hormonal, and other factors (drugs, neural and psychological, and lipid metabolism).
-
Aim To determine the effectiveness of avocado peel extract (Persea americana Mill) as an antifungal against T. rubrum, which causes dermatophytosis. Methods In vitro laboratory experimental study using a post-testonly control group design analysed active compounds of avocado peel and continued with the antifungal activity test. ⋯ Antifungal activity test showed a significant difference with the highest mean inhibition zone diameter of T. rubrum, which was demonstrated at a concentration of 75%. Conclusion Avocado peel extract is useful to inhibit growth of Trichophyton rubrum in dose dependent.
-
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.
-
Aim To determine which of the two methods, Kegel exercises or combination of Kegel exercises with the use of the KegelSmart biofeedback device, has better therapeutic effects on the symptoms of SUI in females. Methods Fifty female patients with SUI were randomly divided into two groups: 25 treated with Kegel exercises, and 25 with the combination of Kegel exercises with the use of the KegelSmart biofeedback device. Patients in both groups performed Kegel exercises 30 minutes daily for 30 days. ⋯ Results The basic characteristics of the patients from both groups were not statistically significantly different: age 55.16 vs 54.52 years; number of births 1.80 vs 1.96; body mass index 29.12 vs 28.40. There was a statistically significant reduction in the values of all analysed objective and subjective parameters in the group treated with combination of Kegel exercises with the use of the KegelSmart biofeedback device compared to Kegel exercises group. Conclusion Combination of Kegel exercises with the use of the KegelSmart biofeedback device has better therapeutic effects than Kegel exercises on the objective and subjective symptoms of SUI.