Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2021
THE VALUE OF BLINK REFLEX IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
The aim was to determine differences of blink reflex in clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) in patients presented with symptoms and signs of brainstem impairment. The study included 20 patients diagnosed with CDMS, 20 with CIS, and 20 healthy controls. We recorded latencies of early (R1) and late component ipsilaterally (R2) and contralaterally (R2'), and occurrence of irritative component (R3). ⋯ There was no difference in the appearance of R3 component. In conclusion, blink reflex was found to be a very sensitive and useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of brainstem structures, especially because abnormalities are seen not only in CDMS but also in CIS. Slowing of the late component as a sign of dysfunction in the efferent part of the reflex arc is not very specific but is a highly sensitive finding.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2021
THE ROLE OF SALIVARY AND SERUM CA125 AND ROUTINE BLOOD TESTS IN PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN MALIGNANCIES.
The use of routine blood tests has recently been shown to be promising in determining disease-free and overall survival in patients with various malignancies, and also in gynecologic malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether salivary and serum CA125 levels correlate and whether salivary and serum CA125, C-reactive protein and routine blood tests might serve as a prognostic factor in malignant ovarian tumors, and whether they might differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. ⋯ Significant correlation of serum CA125 and C-reactive protein was found in the group with malignant tumors. In conclusion, significant increase in the levels of serum CA125 and amylase correlated with decreased survival, whereas increased salivary CA125, hemoglobin and potassium levels significantly correlated with increased survival.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2021
PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TOPOISOMERASE 2-ALPHA AND B-MYB IN EARLY BREAST CANCER TREATED WITH ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in females. Despite its well-established prognostic factors, our prognostic ability at an individual patient level remains limited. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression of B-Myb and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha (Topo2a) was analyzed in primary tumors to identify patients with a higher risk of disease recurrence after adjuvant chemotherapy for early invasive breast cancer. ⋯ Higher tumor grade indicated higher Topo2a values (p=0.0102 and p=0.0069). The subgroup with the expression of both proteins above the median value had an almost statistically significantly (p=0.0613) inferior prognosis compared to the rest of the cohort. Study results showed the B-Myb and Topo2a expression to have a prognostic value in breast cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy, which should be additionally explored in future studies in a larger patient cohort.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2021
COMPARISON OF REAL WORLD LIPID PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATIONS.
Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite recommendations and available therapeutic options, patients with diabetes do not always reach the recommended lipid levels. In this study, our aim was to compare the real world lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients with guideline recommendations for dyslipidemia. ⋯ Eighty (19%) patients had LDL-c level lower than 100 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L). Overall 82% (n=384) of the cohort had not achieved treatment goal. In conclusion, a more pronounced approach for statin treatment is needed in diabetes patients for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.