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Cytogenetic effects of combination of tridecactide and met-enkephalin on lymphocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis
Get PDFIntroduction: The met-enkephalin (1-5 Adrenorphin) and tridecactide (alpha-corticotropin 1-13) combination is used in the multiple sclerosis (MS) immuno-modulatory treatment. A testing of cytogenetic effects of met-enkephalin resulted in reductions of lymphocytic aberrations in the in the lymphocytes of the peripheral blood (PBL) of patients with immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this research is to evaluate the in vitro effects of the combination of the met-enkephalin and tridecactide on the number and the type of chromosome aberrations in PBL of the MS patients.
Methods: We used blood samples from seven female patients with the diagnosis multiple sclerosis based on a McDonald Diagnostic Criteria. The tested combination, met-enkephalin and alpha-ACTH 1-13 was added at three different concentrations and constant volume.
Results: Results showed that the combination of tested substances did not reduce the number of structural aberrations, although the treatment did not result in severe aberrations such as ring, fragmented, and dicentric chromosomes. Furthermore, it elicited an increase in the number of numerical aberrations and aneuploidy after the treatment with the test combo.
Conclusion: As the changes in ploidy significantly change the DNA as well as the biochemical cell phenotype, we concluded that more research in this field should be conducted, including both toxicological as well as the pharmacodynamic considerations
Rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in stationary spa treatment
Get PDFIntroduction: Rheumatic diseases are nonsurgical diseases of the locomotor system and connective tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease of connective tissue of unknown cause, with progressive chronic or subacute course. The aim of the research is to determine whether stationary spa treatment leads to improvement of the functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: We included 35 patients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, referred for treatment at the spa " Ilidža " Gradačac from February to April 2014. Patients not adhering to treatment protocols were excluded. We used Visual analogue pain scale (VAS), HAQ questionnaire and assessment of the clinical condition before and after the treatment based on the scores 1-5.Results: There were 32 female and 3 male patients. The average age was 62.28±8.31 years. Based on the HAQ, 12 patients had no difficulties, 9 of them perform activities with little difficulties, 10 with many difficulties, and 4 patients cannot perform certain activities. Before treatment VAS was 6.63±2.36, and after treatment the 2.51±2.27. Ratings of clinical condition before treatment was 2.38±0.74, and after the treatment 3.64±0.98. The most frequently used therapies were kinesitherapy, magnetotherapy and interferential electricity. Conclusions: Stationary treatment at the spa „Ilidža“ Gradačac leads to an improvement of the functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Hotel-type nursing and ethical dilemmas due to business interests
Get PDFIntroduction: In the age of neoliberalism, there are differences in the implementation of nursing activities due to business interests being integrated into nurse-patient relationships. An example of this is hotel-type nursing, which involves fulfilling patients’ needs by charging for nursing services (or by charging an additional fee for extra services). Whether this constitutes a contemporary nursing development or a danger is an important question. This paper explores an approach to resolving ethical dilemmas, which often emerge when the interests of businesses, nurses, and patients are integrated, as contemporary nursing is implemented according to community care principles.Methods: In a case study of nurses’ activities conducted in June 2013 and 2014 in three different institutions, the methods of observation and interviews were used. The collected data were analyzed using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology, and then verified and updated with a power diagram qualitative interpretation and the Decide, Establish, Consider, Identify, Develop, and Implement (DECIDE) decision-making model.Results: Based on my study of hotel-type nursing, an approach to resolving ethical dilemmas which arise with the integration of business interests into nurse-patient relationships is explained.Discussion: Hotel-type nursing involves an adaptation by nurses to a change in their relationship with the patient. This adaptation must ensure that the nurse’s professionalism is recognized as being significantly more beneficial to the patient than a reduction of the nurse’s role to one of simply fulfilling a patient’s wishes.Conclusion: Hotel-type nursing can be advantageous in the development of contemporary nursing if nurses adhere to high ethical standards and practice self-control
Retinol-binding protein 4 in obese and obese-diabetic postmenopausal women in Montenegro
Get PDFIntroduction: Menopause is associated with an increase in visceral fat and obesity and is the leading risk factor for insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent evidence suggests that retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is not an independent determinant of IR and its role in human glucose metabolism is not well clarified. We examined RBP4 and its association with IR, cardiometabolic and kidney parameters in obese postmenopausal women with and without T2DM.Methods: Basic anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure (BP) were determined in 50 obese diabetic and 50 obese non-diabetic sedentary postmenopausal women, and compared with 50 healthy normal weight controls.Results: Higher levels of RBP4 were observed in obese individuals, as compared with normal weight group (p=0.033). However, we did not find significant difference between obese non-diabetic and obese-diabetic individuals (p=0.583). Serum RBP4 did not correlate with anthropometric measurements or any indicator of glucose metabolism in diabetic group, whereas RBP4 correlated with creatinine (r=0.416, p=0.003), eGFR (r= -0.304, p=0.032) and triglycerides (r=0.484, p<0.001). In obese non-diabetic group, correlations were observed with fasting glucose (r=0.346, p=0.014), insulin (r=0.292, p=0.038), HOMA-IR (r=0.329 p=0.020), HbA1c (r=0.326, p=0.021), creatinine (r=0.399, p=0.004), eGFR (r= -0.389, p=0.005), HDL-c (r= -0.316, p=0.025), triglycerides (r=0.461, p<0.001), and systolic BP (r=0.286, p=0.044). In multiple regression analysis, triglycerides (Beta=0.302, p<0.001) and eGFR (Beta= -0.188, p=0.015) were independent predictors of RBP4.Conclusions: Serum RBP4 is not increased in obese type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women, but is associated with triglycerides and eGFR independently of diabetes
Risk factors for depression in residents of gerontology center in Sarajevo
Get PDFIntroduction: Depression is the most common mental problem in elderly and is often under-recognized or is inadequately treated, thus significantly affecting the quality of life of elderly people. The reasons for the occurrence of depression in the elderly are multiple. The most common are neurobiological and psychosocial risk factors as well as physical illness. The aim of this study is to determine the presence of the most common risk factors related to the degree of depression, determined by the geriatric depression scale.Methods: This is cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study undertaken on the sample of 150 psychologically and physically capable residents of the "The Gerontology Center" in Sarajevo older than 65 years. The following instruments were used for research: the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the modified questionnaire on risk factors important in the depression development.Results: Women are more depressed than men (p<0.01). Depression severity increases with age (p=0.008). The marital status of respondents was significant factor affecting the GDS scores (p=0.009). GDS score and education are weakly correlated (p=0.07) and more educated are less depressed. Also, independently mobile elderly are less depressed (p<0.0005). GDS scores and presence of depression in younger age are dependent (p=0.004). Depression and subjective sleep disturbances are dependent (p=0.002).Conclusion: The most common risk factors for depression in elderly are gender, age, marital status, history of depression in younger age and mobility
Analysis of Delphinidin and Luteolin Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocyte Culture
Get PDFIntroduction: Bioflavonoids delphinidin (2-(3,4,5-Trihydroxyphenyl)chromenylium-3,5,7-triol) and luteolin (2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-chromenone) have been recognized as promising antioxidants and anticancer substances. Due to their extensive use, the goal of the research was to determine whether they have any genotoxic potential in vitro.Methods: Analysis of genotoxic potential was performed applying chromosome aberrations test in human lymphocyte culture, as this kind of research was not conducted abundantly for these two bioflavonoids. Delphinidin and luteolin were dissolved in DMSO and added to cultures in final concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μM.Results: In human lymphocytes cultures Delphinidin induced PCDs in all treatments, potentially affecting the cell cycle and topoisomerase II activity. In concentration of 50 μM luteolin showed strong genotoxic effects and caused significant reduction of cell proliferation.Conclusion: Luteolin exhibited certain genotoxic and cytostatic potential. Delphinidin was not considered genotoxic, however its impact on mitosis, especially topoisomerase II activity, was revealed
Expression of extracellular matrix proteins: tenascin-C, fibronectin and galectin-3 in prostatic adenocarcinoma
No full textIntroduction: The interchanged stromal-epithelial relations and altered expression profiles of various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins creates a suitable microenvironment for cancer development and growth. We support the opinion that remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the cancer progression. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of ECM proteins tenascin-C, fibronectin and galectin-3 in prostatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: Glands and surrounding stroma were analyzed in randomly selected specimens from 52 patients with prostate cancer and 28 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP). To evaluate the intensity of tenascin-C, fibronectin and galectin-3 expression the percentage of positively immunostained stromal cells was examined.Results: Compared to BPH, stroma of prostatic adenocarcinoma showed statistically significant increase in tenascin-C expression (p<0.001), predominantly around neoplastic glands, while fibronectin (p=0.001) and galectin-3 (p<0.001) expression in the same area was decreased.Conclusions: Our study confirms changes in the expression of ECM proteins of prostate cancer which may have important role in the cancer development
Analysis of Delphinidin and Luteolin Genotoxicity in Human Lymphocyte Culture
Get PDFIntroduction: Bioflavonoids delphinidin (2-(3,4,5-Trihydroxyphenyl)chromenylium-3,5,7-triol) and luteolin (2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-chromenone) have been recognized as promising antioxidants and anticancer substances. Due to their extensive use, the goal of the research was to determine whether they have any genotoxic potential in vitro.Methods: Analysis of genotoxic potential was performed applying chromosome aberrations test in human lymphocyte culture, as this kind of research was not conducted abundantly for these two bioflavonoids. Delphinidin and luteolin were dissolved in DMSO and added to cultures in final concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μM.Results: In human lymphocytes cultures Delphinidin induced PCDs in all treatments, potentially affecting the cell cycle and topoisomerase II activity. In concentration of 50 μM luteolin showed strong genotoxic effects and caused significant reduction of cell proliferation.Conclusion: Luteolin exhibited certain genotoxic and cytostatic potential. Delphinidin was not considered genotoxic, however its impact on mitosis, especially topoisomerase II activity, was revealed
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
No full textComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), once known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, Sudeck\u27s dystrophy and causalgia, is a pain syndrome with indistinctive pathophysiology and unpredictable clinical course. CRPS can develop after a limb fracture, injury or damage to the peripheral or central nervous system. The diagnosis of CRPS is based on the signs and symptoms obtained from the medical history and physical examination. The disease is often resistant to treatment, and its course is not always favorable. A brief overview of this clinical entity is presented, and most relevant and up-to-date information is discussed
The effectiveness of drama therapy on preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children suffering from cancer
Get PDFIntroduction: The integral part of the treatment of pediatric oncological patients is a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These procedures are often associated with the fear and anxiety of the suffering child. We investigated whether a psychological preparation through drama therapy and the therapeutic puppet may reduce the anxiety related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the preschool or early school children suffering from cancer.Methods: Twenty consecutive pediatric patients of preschool and early school age, with the diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia, were included in the study. The patients were alternatingly assigned to experimental or control group, and subjected or not subjected to drama therapy, respectively. We measured the changes in heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate as indicators of anxiety and fear, before and after the diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.Results: Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in pediatric oncological patients before and after the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure were significantly lower in the experimental group of patients.Conclusion: Our results show that psychological preparation using drama therapy and therapeutic puppet reduced the fear and anxiety related to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in pediatric oncological patients.Key words: drama therapy; therapeutic puppet; children; oncology; psychology