Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim Steady progress in intensive treatment worldwide has increased the survival of immature neonates, but with multiple invasive procedures, which have increased the risk of infection, thus the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology of multidrug resistance pathogens as causative agents of neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods A retrospective cohort study conducted at the Intensive care unit of the Paediatric Clinic of Tuzla over a three-year period (2016-2018) analysed epidemiology of neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug resistance pathogens. ⋯ Gram negative bacteria were frequently isolated, in particular Acinetobacter, which showed the greatest resistance to antibiotics. Conclusion Neonatal MDR sepsis is a threat to life, it complicates the treatment, increases costs and mortality. Outcomes can be improved by preventive strategies, earlier and more accurate diagnosis and rational use of antibiotics.
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Aim To determine the degree of accuracy in determining the sex of the skull based on classical morphometric analysis of the mastoid process. Morphometric analysis excluded a subjective approach expressed in osteoscopic analysis. Methods The study was conducted on a sample of 100 macerated skulls of known gender and age from the second half of the 20th century, including the Bosnian population. ⋯ Multivariate binary logistic regression showed statistically significant differences in AP diameter of the mastoid process (p<0.05). Conclusion The created model "P" ("P"=exp [X]/1+exp [X]) for sex determination based on mastoid process showed sensitivity of 82% correct prediction for female skulls and 65% accurate prediction for male skulls. This discourse with respect of population standards grants most effective anthropological proof and as such may be suggested for forensic expertise based on human skull.
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Aim To investigate the relationship between IL-6 concentration and the risk of carotid artery calcification in chronic kidney disease patients with dialysis (CKD-5D). Methods This analytic observational cross-sectional study includes 95 clinically stable patients who underwent regular haemodialysis for at least three months at Rasyida Renal Hospital Medan, Indonesia. Serum IL-6 level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ⋯ Ultrasound examination showed that 28 samples (29.5%) had carotid artery calcification. Statistical test significantly showed that patients with IL-6 ≥81.1 pg/mL were more likely to have carotid artery calcification with an increased risk of 12.92 times (95% CI: 5.54-30.12) compared to the group of patients who had IL-6 level <81.1 pg/mL (p <0.001). Conclusion This study proves that a high level of IL-6 can increase the risk of carotid artery calcification in CKD-5D patients.
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Aim To assess the effect of snakehead fish extract administration in angiogenesis focusing on the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO) and VEGF receptor 2(R2) expression is ischemic stroke models. Methods An experimental study was conducted on 5 groups of ischemic stroke rats models: Group K- without carotid artery ligation, Group K+ with artery ligation, Group P1 with artery ligation and administration of 200 mg/day extract, Group P2 with artery ligation and 400 mg/day extract, and Group P3 with artery ligation and 800 mg/day extract. ⋯ The NO level also increased along with an increasing dose of snakehead fish extract, in which the highest NO level was found in P3 group(59.43±0.88 μmol/gr; p<0.001). The VEGFR2 expression also increased significantly after snakehead extract administration along with increasing doses (p<0.001) in which administration of 800mg extract yielded the highest VEGFR2 expression compared with lower doses (17.7 vs. 15.6; p<0.001) Conclusion Snakehead fish extract administration increased angiogenesis process marked by an increased level of VEGF, NO and VEGFR2 expression in ischemic stroke rat models.
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Aim Acute upper respiratory tract infections are the most common indication for antibiotic prescribing in primary care. The frequency of antibiotics prescribed to patients with upper respiratory tract infections has been studied. Methods A cross-sectional survey has been conducted from October to December 2017 with participation of 17 General Practices in Croatia. ⋯ Logistic regression analysis about the contribution of nonclinical variables to antibiotic prescribing showed that most often antibiotics had been prescribed on Mondays. The most prescribed group of antibiotics was the penicillin group (74.8%), followed by macrolides (17.6%) and cephalosporins (4.0%). Conclusion General practitioners prescribe antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections more than recommended by evidence based medicine and professional criteria.