Acta clinica Croatica
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
THE ROLE OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS DEVELOPMENT AND RECURRENCE.
During a two-year period (2001-2003), 464 patients were treated for tuberculosis at Jordanovac Department for Lung Diseases in Croatia. Besides pulmonary tuberculosis in 97.7% of patients, patients were also treated for tuberculous pleurisy (0.9%), tuberculous laryngitis (0.6%), tuberculous meningitis (0.2%), tuberculous pericarditis (0.2%) and urogenital tuberculosis (0.4%). Out of the total number of patients, 57.3% declared themselves to be active smokers (men were predominant and made up to 80.8%) and 20.9% to be active alcohol consumers. ⋯ Seventy-two of 464 (15.5%) patients had recurrences of tuberculosis. Of these, 30.5% had one of the risk factors (20.8% were smokers and 9.7% consumed alcohol), while 32.5% of patients had both risk factors. In conclusion, cigarette smoking was proved to be the most significant risk factor for development of pulmonary tuberculosis and its recurrence.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
ReviewPROOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTH.
This review article is focused on the impact of antioxidants and prooxidants on health with emphasis on the type of antioxidants that should be taken. Medical researchers suggest that diet may be the solution for the control of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular complications, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and different cancers. ⋯ This is often the case of specific population groups such as postmenopausal women, the elderly, infants, workers exposed to environmental pollutants, and the obese. Before starting any supplementation, it is necessary to measure oxidative stress and to identify and eliminate the possible sources of free radicals and thus increased oxidative stress.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
Review Biography Historical ArticleART IN MEDICINE: A RETROSPECTIVE ON THE ANATOMICAL DRAWINGS OF CHARLES BELL.
Perhaps best known for his discovery of the eponymous syndrome 'Bell's Palsy', Charles Bell (1774-1842) made significant contributions to neuroscience, medical education and philosophy. Our aim was to examine his neuroanatomical drawings in the context of the era in which they were produced and their influence on future scholars. Emphasis is placed on analysing the artistic techniques employed and Bell's unique manner of conveying both structure and function. ⋯ His mastery of artistic technique complements his insightful descriptions of this prodigiously complex organ. The result is a more engaging account of neuroanatomy and an impressive display of his skill as an artist, anatomist and physician. Examining these expressive portrait-like diagrams provides greater insight into the mind of the pioneer of modern neuroscience.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
ReviewCan mean platelet volume IndIcate HelIcobacter posItIvIty and severIty of gastrIc InflammatIon? An orIgInal study and revIew of the lIterature.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common problem and a significant cause of chronic gastric inflammation. H. pylori, ongoing gastric inflammation and its severity are the most critical component of precursors of gastric cancer. Hypothetically, every chronic tissue injury activates platelets, and the mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects this action well. ⋯ When stratifying MPV as <9.15 fL and >9.15 fL, there was no difference between H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative groups either (p>0.05). In this study, we found no relationship between MPV and presence of H. pylori or severity of gastric inflammation. Although there are still conflicting publications on this issue, in our opinion and according to the results of this study, MPV is not a suitable marker for evaluation of gastric inflammation severity, being H. pylori either positive or negative.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
Comparative StudyTREATMENT OF HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES: ANTEGRADE INTERLOCKING INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING WITH ADDITIONAL INTERLOCKING NEUTRALIZATION SCREWS THROUGH FRACTURE SITE.
The aim of this study was to compare union time between two different nail designs for the treatment of humeral shaft fracture, i.e. antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail with and without additional interlocking neutralization screws. The retrospective study included 51 patients treated with antegrade humeral intramedullary nailing between January 2015 and December 2017. The inclusion criteria of the study were proximal and middle third humeral shaft fractures. ⋯ There were no significant differences in union time between the groups (p>0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report of antegrade interlocking humeral nailing with additional interlocking neutralization screws through fracture site. Hypothetical advantages of fracture gap reduction by additional interlocking neutralization screws to promote union were not confirmed by this first clinical trial.