Medicina
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome and its components with cataract among the middle-aged Kaunas population in relation to gender and age. ⋯ This survey shows that metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of cataract in women of Kaunas city population aged 45-64 years.
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Comparative Study
The effect of long-term swimming program on glycemia control in 14-19-year aged healthy girls and girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term physical activity in the water on glucose control. ⋯ Long-term physical activity program in the water improved glycemia control for all participants.
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Review Comparative Study
QT dispersion and heart rate variability in sudden death risk stratification in patients with ischemic heart disease.
The aim of the article is to review the literature data about the significance and problems of the QT dispersion and heart rate variability in sudden death risk stratification in patients with coronary heart disease. QT dispersion is defined as the difference between the longest and the shortest QT intervals as measured in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. A direct relationship between the prolongation of QT dispersion and myocardial ischemia has been reported by several authors. ⋯ Heart rate variability representing a relationship between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular mortality, including sudden cardiac death, is one of the most promising markers. The predictive value of heart rate variability is independent of other factors established for postinfarction risk stratification, such as depressed left ventricular ejection fraction, increased ventricular ectopic activity, and presence of late potentials. For prediction of all-cause mortality, the value of heart rate variability is similar to that of left ventricular ejection fraction, but heart rate variability is superior to left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting arrhythmic events (sudden cardiac death and ventricular tachycardia).
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Comparative Study
Electrophysiology of small peripheral nerve fibers in man. A study using the cutaneous silent period.
Methods for assessing small peripheral nerve fiber function objectively are limited. The cutaneous silent period (CuSP), a transient suppression of electromyographic voluntary activity that follows painful stimuli, could serve as an objective functional measure of the A delta fibers. ⋯ The method for studying the CuSP is simple and well tolerated; it is useful to study A delta fibers in peripheral neuropathies and the central circuitry of this cutaneous nociceptive response in conditions affecting the spinal cord. Comparison of CuSP studies suggests the need for a standardization of the method.
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Pneumonia is the most frequently reported nosocomial infection in intensive care unit patients, predominantly in mechanically ventilated individuals. Most of the studies performed in intensive care unit settings reported the estimated 15-65% of ventilator-associated pneumonia, with high mortality rates. Ventilator-associated pneumonia results in prolonged hospitalization and increase in medical care costs. ⋯ Prevention of the ventilator-associated pneumonia by local multidisciplinary strategies may reduce mortality rates and is beneficiary both for the patients and the hospital system. The education of the nursing staff helps to decrease the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care unit setting. However, ventilator-associated pneumonia still remains a serious controversy-generating problem in intensive care unit.