Collegium antropologicum
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Collegium antropologicum · Jun 2013
Clinical TrialThermography--a feasible method for screening breast cancer?
Potential use of thermography for more effective detection of breast carcinoma was evaluated on 26 patients scheduled for breast carcinoma surgery. Ultrasonographic scan, mammography and thermography were performed at the University Hospital for Tumors. Thermographic imaging was performed using a new generation of digital thermal cameras with high sensitivity and resolution (ThermoTracer TH7102WL, NEC). ⋯ The pathohistological method (PHD) recorded 75.75% malignant changes within the total number of samples. Statistical analysis of the data has shown a probability of a correct mammographic finding in 85% of the cases (sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 84%) and a probability of a correct thermographic finding in 92% of the cases (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 79%). As breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer in women and thermography exhibited superior sensitivity, we believe that thermography should immediately find its place in the screening programs for early detection of breast carcinoma, in order to reduce the sufferings from this devastating disease.
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Collegium antropologicum · Jun 2013
Shift work, quality of life and work ability among Croatian hospital nurses.
This paper is a report of a study of the associations of shift work with work ability and quality of life (QoL) among clinical nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007-2008 on 1124 nurses using the Work Ability Index Questionnaire and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Lower education was a predictor for low level of work ability and low physical health domain of QoL. ⋯ Shift workers had higher level of level of work ability, but clinically insignificant. The study provides no evidence of a significant association between shift work and work ability or quality of life. Education has a positive association with nurses' work ability and quality of life.
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Collegium antropologicum · Jun 2013
Characteristics of stroke in young adults in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the study was to analyze stroke in young adults in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. From January 2001 to December 2005, 3864 patients with first-ever stroke were admitted at the Department of Neurology Tuzla. A retrospective analysis of risk factors, stroke types, severity and one month outcome in all young adults (18-45 years of age) with first-ever stroke was carried out. ⋯ Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale < or = 2) had 71% of young adults compared with only 53% of patients in the older group (p = 0.0003). Stroke in young adults in Tuzla Canton is rare. Risk factors profile, stroke types, severity and outcome at one month in young adults are different from those in older patients.
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Collegium antropologicum · Jun 2013
P2RY12 gene polymorphisms and effect of clopidogrel on platelet aggregation.
Objective of this study was to assess platelet response to clopidogrel and its association with certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the P2RY12 gene. Several studies have shown that patients with poor in vitro response to clopidogrel have worse outcomes after coronary interventions. Pharmacological response to clopidogrel is mediated by the P2Y12 platelet receptor, therefore, SNPs of the P2RY12 gene may account for some of the observed variability in the cardiovascular risk. ⋯ There was no relation between poor response to clopidogrel and any other genetic variant. Our results suggest that 18C > T SNP of the P2RY12 gene may be an independent predictor of pharmacological response to clopidogrel. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm this link and assess its possible clinical consequences.
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Collegium antropologicum · Jun 2013
CommentThermography is not a feasible method for breast cancer screening.
Breast cancer is a common malignancy causing high mortality in women especially in developed countries. Due to the contribution of mammographic screening and improvements in therapy, the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased considerably. An imaging-based early detection of breast cancer improves the treatment outcome. ⋯ The conclusion that thermography might be feasible for screening cannot be derived from studies with small sample size, unclear selection of patients, and in which mammography and thermography were not blindly compared as screening modalities. Thermography can not be used to aspirate, biopsy or localize lesions preoperatively since no method so far was described to accurately transpose the thermographic location of the lesion to the mammogram or ultrasound and to surgical specimen. Thermography cannot be proclaimed as a screening method, without any evidence whatsoever.