Bratisl Med J
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This study was aimed to estimate the effect of one-year persistence of COVID-19 anti-pandemic measures on the posture and spine in children of younger school age in Slovakia. ⋯ Study confirmed a worsening of the posture and spine in school children after a one year of strict anti-pandemic measures. As postural changes increased by 20 % during the year, it seems necessary to implement appropriate preventives programs for children, which could have the potential to improve their postural state (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 37). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: anti-pandemic restriction, e-learning, COVID-19, postural disorders, spine deformities.
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Retention in alcohol-dependence treatment is an indicator of successful treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze Lesch's typology of alcohol dependence (LAT) and the participation of close people as potential predictors of retention in outpatient treatment. ⋯ We found no significant difference in the treatment retention of alcohol-dependent patients at the 6-month follow-up. However, a more comprehensive survival analysis indicated a trend of different retention dynamics between the Lesch I and merged Lesch II and III subgroups. Baseline severity of dependence measured by AUDIT score had no significant effect on treatment retention (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 35).
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Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the ATP-dependent reaction of pyruvate prolongation with bicarbonate ion to oxaloacetate. The synthesis of oxaloacetate by PC, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, is recently recognized as a significant anaplerotic reaction that supports the biosynthetic capability, growth, aggressiveness, and even viability of several cancer cell types. PC expression was confirmed in several types of cancer cells and tumors. ⋯ Our results revealed that PC is present among the lysate proteins derived from prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia samples. The expression of PC in cells of prostate tumors and benign prostatic hyperplasia supposes that PC could facilitate the formation of oxaloacetate in situ and enhance the autonomy of their biosynthetic metabolism from the availability of extracellular substrates by increasing the cellular anaplerotic capability (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 30). Keywords: pyruvate carboxylase, prostate cancer, cancer metabolism, anaplerosis.
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The rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is relatively uncommon and by clinical manifestations grave illness. The surgery treatment of RVF is extremely demanding and represents the subject of frustration for many surgeons. Miscellaneous etiology of RVF and various heights of fistula in a rectovaginal septum are crucial for the choice of surgical procedure. Despite targeted treatment, more than one-half of rectovaginal fistulas recurs. We evaluated the frequency of recurrences after surgical treatment by modified Martius graft and its influence on continence and quality of life. The necessity of concomitant colostomy when performing modified Martius graft was the secondary aim. ⋯ Treatment of low rectovaginal fistulas (LRVF) by modified Martius graft is followed by a low percentage of recurrences. It should be the first-line therapy in the algorithm of surgical treatment of LRVF, without the necessity of protective colostomy (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 27).
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Since its approval as an adjunct treatment for refractory partial epilepsy, the positive effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on seizure frequency and severity have been supported by many studies. Seizure reduction of more than 50 % can be expected in at least 50 % of patients. However, a complete post-VNS seizure freedom is rarely achieved and 25 % of patients do not benefit from VNS. ⋯ Because the generally accepted hypothesis of the VNS mechanism is the modulation of synaptic activity in multiple cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, the studies of brain response to external stimulation and/or of brain connectivity were used for models predicting the effect of VNS in individual patients. Although the predictive value of these models is high, the required special equipment and sophisticated mathematical tools limit their routine use (Ref. 58). Keywords: epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulation, response predictor, EEG.