Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
IMPORTANCE OF ZINC CONCENTRATION IN SEMINAL FLUID OF MEN DIAGNOSED WITH INFERTILITY.
The prevalence and importance of male infertility make it a serious worldwide medical and social problem. The aim of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences in zinc concentrations in seminal fluid in men diagnosed with infertility compared to control group, and if there were, to determine how it affected the number and percentage of sperm cells with normal motility and morphology. A case-control study was conducted in the Osijek-Baranja County from January 2014 to June of 2015. ⋯ Zinc as a biological marker and an antioxidant affects sperm count, motility and morphology. Zinc supplemental therapy could improve seminal parameters in patients diagnosed with low sperm count. Dietary habits of the subjects differ regionally, and future research could make a solid foundation for complementary approach to treatment of male infertility.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2020
ORTHODONTIST CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND CLINICAL SITUATION SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE THE RETENTION PROTOCOL - A SURVEY FROM CROATIA.
The aim was to assess the views and practice of Croatian orthodontists concerning retention protocols. A total of 150 questionnaire copies were distributed, of which 92 were validly completed. The survey included sociodemographic characteristics, practices of informing patients about retention options, commonly used appliances, and reasons for choosing a particular type of retention and treatment duration. ⋯ Modus of acquiring knowledge, biological reasons (malocclusion type, oral health, treatment outcome, and growth) and the patient's wishes were not a predictor of retention duration or recall frequency. With an increase in orthodontic experience, the duration of retention decreased and orthodontists were more likely to change the duration of retention (p=0.001), as well as the type of retention appliance (p<0.001). In conclusion, retention protocols among Croatian orthodontists were influenced mostly by their clinical experience and clinical situation.
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Recommendations for changing one's lifestyle in the aspect of factors that increase the risk of another stroke are often included in the plan of caring for patients after stroke. The style of life is connected to the quality of life and can be formed not only by socialization but also by conscious work on its health-promoting aspect. Lifestyle is a unique configuration of everyday behavior depending mostly on the quality of life available. ⋯ For assessment of the quality of life, the following indicators were created: lifestyle before stroke and lifestyle after stroke. Less healthy lifestyle before stroke resulted in lower quality of life in the psychological and environmental sphere of life in these people after stroke, especially those having suffered stroke six months to two years before. Better quality of life in people after stroke was found to be connected to a pro-health lifestyle.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
INADEQUACY OF VITAMIN K ANTAGONIST USE IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - OVERVIEW OF EVERYDAY CLINICAL PRACTICE AT THE MERKUR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN ZAGREB, CROATIA.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It increases the risk of death and thromboembolic events. Vitamin K antagonists reduce these risks. ⋯ Only 34 (31.2%) patients aged over 75 had been receiving vitamin K antagonist therapy and 6 (17.6%) had the International Normalized Ratio values within the proposed therapeutic interval. We found a significantly higher rate of anticoagulant therapy introduction in patients under 75 years (p=0.03), but there were no significant differences in the adequacy of anticoagulant therapy (p=0.89) between these two populations. Our results showed clear inadequacies of vitamin K antagonist treatment with a growing need for a wider use of novel oral anticoagulants.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2019
A DETAILED CBCT STUDY OF 'CORONOID FORAMINA' AND ACCESSORY FORAMINA OF THE MANDIBLE: A UNIQUE ANATOMIC VARIATION.
The aim of the study was to evaluate accessory foramina (AF) located on the medial aspect and to present a unique finding of 'coronoid foramina' (CF) along with AF on the mandible. The cone beam computed tomography images of the mandible in 979 patients were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of CF and AF. AF was found in 39 (3.98%) patients. ⋯ CF was confirmed in 20 (2.04%) patients. Mandibular AF is important for surgical procedures in the posterior region of the mandible and for mandibular nerve anesthesia. This study including CF will be useful for further studies due to the lack of literature on the issue.