Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Multicenter Study
Perinatal characteristics and prevalence of low birth weight infants in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: prospective multicentric study.
Aim To investigate the prevalence and obstetrical characteristics of low birth weight infants (LBWIs) in ten Cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). Methods The prospective study included newborns of both genders, gestational age (GA) of 22 to 42 weeks and birth weight(BW) of less than 2,500 grams in the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. Results In the observed period, 22897 neonates were born, out of whom 669 (2.9%) had a BW less than 2500 grams (average BW was 1295 grams; SD ± 234.2; a coefficient of variation of 0.58). ⋯ The lowest prevalence was in Posavina Canton, 1.1%. The largest late fetal mortality was in Central Bosnia Canton, 7.7 ‰. Conclusion This study has determined a relatively low prevalence of LBWIs and other examined obstetrical characteristics that are in correlation with European and Global World data.
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Effects of adding taxane to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer.
Aim To compare the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on taxane and/or anthracycline to the extent of an objective response in female patients with unresectable breast cancer with evaluation of the toxic profile of applied chemotherapy. Methods One hundred patients with histologically verified breast cancer, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were divided into two groups: a study group A (50 patients), who had received 4 to 6 cycles of taxane-based chemotherapy, and control group B (50 patients), who had received 4 to 6 cycles of anthracyclines-based chemotherapy. Pathohistological response was evaluated after tumour excision and axillary resection at the end of chemotherapy and it was defined as pathologic complete (pCR), partial (pPR), or no response (pNR). ⋯ Significant reduction of tumour mass was achieved in the group of patients treated with taxanes: 20.00 (7.75-30.25) vs. 13.50 (6.00-25.00) mm (p=0.024). Toxicity of chemotherapy in group A and group B was within the limits of grade 2. Conclusion The addition of taxane to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer resulted in a significant reduction in tumour mass compared to the group of patients treated with anthracyclines, but without increasing the overall side effects.
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Aim To investigate existence of scientific support for linking differences in the experience of pain to ethnicity. Methods The study was designed as a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies. The inclusion criteria were scientific studies published in scientific journals and written in English. ⋯ Conclusion Healthcare professionals have a duty to pay attention to and understand the patients' experience of their disease and suffering and, as far as possible, mitigate this using appropriate measures. For this purpose, ethnic, cultural and religious differences between different patients need to be understood. It is necessary to continue to study ethnic differences in reporting and predicting pain and its consequences, including the assessment of variables associated with pain, as well as examining the use of prayer as a form of dealing with pain, with an evaluation of various effects of such different influences.
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Aim To investigate the effect of kinesiotherapy on muscle strengthening in patients with Parkinon's disease. Methods This clinical retrospective - prospective study was based on collected data from medical histories and included 40 patients, who, beside medicaments, had undergone kinesiotherapy. This study analysed age, gender, duration of the rehabilitation and estimation of the gross muscle strength at admittance and discharge using Manual Muscle Test (MMT). ⋯ The analysis of the gender on the higher score of MMT showed that gender does not affect the score of MMT. Correlational analysis of the age and duration of hospitalization on the score of MMT showed that patients with longer hospitalization had better improvement. Conclusion Results of the study showed that kinesiotherapy has positive effect on muscle strength in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Aim To determine antimicrobial activity of honey against clinical bacterial strains and their respective reference strains. Methods Twelve samples of Croatian honey from various botanical origin were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against four clinical antibiotic resistant pathogens and their respective reference strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. ⋯ Fir honeydew honey and Mint honey showed the best antibacterial potential, while the Locust tree honey, Rapeseed honey and Spring pasture honey expressed the weakest antimicrobial activity. Conclusion Croatian honey, prominently honeydew honey, has the potential to become an important additive to therapeutic techniques available to a medical practitioner against resistant pathogens, but the exact mechanisms of its activity should be investigated further.