49 research outputs found
How Much Country Economy Influences ECC Profile in Serbian Children—A Macro-Level Factor Analysis
No full textIntroduction: Serbia has universal health coverage (UHC) for pediatric dental care and similar country distribution for dentists and physicians per 1,000 inhabitants. However, a high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) with wide variation across the country was observed in previous studies. This paper aimed to analyze the association between economic and healthcare country macro-level factors with ECC prevalence and treatment. Method: The outcome variables were ECC prevalence and frequency of untreated ECC in 36- to 71-month-olds. Cross-sectional pathfinder survey on a nationally representative sample of children was conducted in order to obtain data. Independent variables included the following: gross domestic product (GDP), social and health care budget beneficiaries' expenditures, local self-government budget, unemployment rate, population density and density of physicians and dentists. Guided by the WHO's Basic Methods for Oral Health Surveys stratified cluster sample, 17 sites were randomly chosen to obtain adequate distribution of data regarding urban, peri-urban and rural areas in each analyzed statistical territorial unit. The variables were analyzed using the independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test. A probability value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The final sample included 864 children aged 36 to 71 months. Observed prevalence of ECC was 41.1%. Although no statistically significant difference was found, children with ECC compared to healthy children were living in parts of the country with averages of ≈122€ lower GDP per capita, ≈4€ lower social and health care expenditures per capita, 9 inhabitants per km2 lower population density, almost 7€ per capita lower local self-government budget and a 0.6% higher unemployment rate. Furthermore, although without a statistically significant difference, untreated ECC was associated with ≈302€ lower GDP per capita, ≈12€ lower social and health care expenditures per capita, 34 inhabitants per km2 lower population density, almost 20€ per capita lower local self-government budget and a 1.7% higher unemployment rate. Conclusions: This study, performed in a nationally representative sample of preschool children, revealed the association of economic macro-level factors with ECC prevalence and its (non-) treatment. Further research on a larger sample is necessary to confirm the results. These findings suggest that most of the public-health efforts regarding prevention and early treatment of ECC should be directed at regions with lower economic performance
A proof of concept on implant-supported bilateral cantilever bridges: The T-Bridge approach
No full textThe concept of bilateral cantilevers on a single central implant (T-design) for three-unit implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (ISFDPs) has not been explored nor tested. This technical hypothesis aimed to explore the feasibility of such an approach as a cost-effective alternative to conventional treatments. Careful considerations regarding implant diameter, length, ideal position, occlusal scheme, and bone remodeling are essential to ensure adequate support, stability, and prevention of complications. In this proof of concept, we present a preliminary case with this novel design to replace missing posterior teeth in a patient with narrow bone conditions. In addition, a series of planned investigations and preliminary results, including preclinical studies, are presented to illustrate our concept and its potential clinical implications. Clinically, after two-year follow-up, healthy and stable peri-implant tissues around the ISFDP exemplarily demonstrated excellent stability, functionality, and comfort, which is supported by acceptable fracture resistance data in vitro, suggesting indeed the practical potential and suitability. Thus, we claim that such a treatment modality has the at least theoretical potential to revolutionize implant dentistry by providing innovative and cost-effective treatment options for patients with partial ISFDPs in very specific cases. Of course, further research and evaluations are necessary to validate the clinical implications of this innovative hypothesis. Implementing the 3-on-1 T-bridge approach in partial ISFDPs could offer a promising alternative to traditional methods. If proven successful, this technique may lead to significant advancements in clinical practice, providing a less invasive cost-effective treatment option
Current status and perspectives of interventional clinical trials for glioblastoma - analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov
No full textThe records of 208.777 (100%) clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov were downloaded on the 19th of February 2016. Phase II and III trials including patients with glioblastoma were selected for further classification and analysis. Based on the disease settings, trials were classified into three groups: newly diagnosed glioblastoma, recurrent disease and trials with no differentiation according to disease setting. Furthermore, we categorized trials according to the experimental interventions, the primary sponsor, the source of financial support and trial design elements. Trends were evaluated using the autoregressive integrated moving average model. Two hundred sixteen (0.1%) trials were selected for further analysis. Academic centers (investigator initiated trials) were recorded as primary sponsors in 56.9% of trials, followed by industry 25.9%. Industry was the leading source of monetary support for the selected trials in 44.4%, followed by 25% of trials with primarily academic financial support. The number of newly initiated trials between 2005 and 2015 shows a positive trend, mainly through an increase in phase II trials, whereas phase III trials show a negative trend. The vast majority of trials evaluate forms of different systemic treatments (91.2%). In total, one hundred different molecular entities or biologicals were identified. Of those, 60% were involving drugs specifically designed for central nervous system malignancies. Trials that specifically address radiotherapy, surgery, imaging and other therapeutic or diagnostic methods appear to be rare. Current research in glioblastoma is mainly driven or sponsored by industry, academic medical oncologists and neuro-oncologists, with the majority of trials evaluating forms of systemic therapies. Few trials reach phase III. Imaging, radiation therapy and surgical procedures are underrepresented in current trials portfolios. Optimization in research portfolio for glioblastoma is needed
Health-related quality of life in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure
No full textPredrag Erceg,1,2 Nebojsa Despotovic,1,2 Dragoslav P Milosevic,1,2 Ivan Soldatovic,3 Sanja Zdravkovic,2 Snezana Tomic,2 Ivana Markovic,2 Gordana Mihajlovic,2 Milan D Brajovic,4,5 Ognjen Bojovic,6 Bojana Potic,2 Mladen Davidovic1 1Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 2Clinical Department of Geriatrics, Zvezdara University Hospital, 3Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, 5Clinical Department of Cardiology, Zvezdara University Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia; 6Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Background: Chronic heart failure is a very common condition in the elderly, characterized not only by high mortality rates, but also by a strong impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Previous studies of HRQOL in elderly heart failure subjects have included mostly outpatients, and little is known about determinants of HRQOL in hospitalized elderly population, especially in Serbia. In this study, we tried to identify factors that influence HRQOL in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure in Serbia. Methods: The study population consisted of 136 patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized for chronic heart failure. HRQOL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire. Predictors of HRQOL were identified by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Univariate analysis showed that patients with lower income, a longer history of chronic heart failure, and longer length of hospital stay, as well as those receiving aldosterone antagonists and digoxin, taking multiple medications, in a higher NYHA class, and showing signs of depression and cognitive impairment had significantly worse HRQOL. Presence of depressive symptoms (P<0.001), higher NYHA class (P=0.021), lower income (P=0.029), and longer duration of heart failure (P=0.049) were independent predictors of poor HRQOL. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms, higher NYHA class, lower income, and longer duration of chronic heart failure are independent predictors of poor HRQOL in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure in Serbia. Further, there is an association between multiple medication usage and poor HRQOL, as well as a negative impact of cognitive impairment on HRQOL. Hence, measures should be implemented to identify such patients, especially those with depressive symptoms, and appropriate interventions undertaken in order to improve their HRQOL. Keywords: elderly, heart disease, self-perception of health, depressio
Predictive value of [-2]propsa (p2psa) and its derivatives for the prostate cancer detection in the 2.0 to 10.0ng/mL PSA range
No full textABSTRACT Introduction To assess predictive value of new tumor markers, precursor of prostate specific antigen (p2PSA) and its derivates-%p2PSA and prostate health index (PHI) in detection of patients with indolent and aggressive prostate cancer (PC) in a subcohort of man whose total PSA ranged from 2 to 10ng/mL. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 129 consecutive male patients aged over 50 years, with no previous history of PC and with normal digital rectal examination findings, but with serum PSA in interval between 2 and 10ng/mL. All patients underwent standard transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy for the first time. For all patients, serum PSA, free PSA (fPSA) and p2PSA were measured and PHI and %p2PSA were calculated. Results PHI and %p2PSA levels were significanlty higher in patients with PC compared to those without this malignancy. The same findings have been observed in group of patients with Gleason score ≥7 compared to those with Gleason score <7. ROC analysis reveled the highest area under the curve with these two markers. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant improvement in PC detection and its agressive form (assumed as Gleason score ≥7). Conclusions New markers, derivates of p2PSA (especially %p2PSA and PHI), represente potentially very important clinical tool for predicting presence of PC, and even more important, to discriminate patients with Gleason score <7 from those with Gleason score ≥7 with total PSA in range from 2 to 10ng/mL
Prognostic value of health-related quality of life in elderly patients hospitalized with heart failure
No full textPredrag Erceg,1,2 Nebojsa Despotovic,1,2 Dragoslav P Milosevic,1,2 Ivan Soldatovic,1 Gordana Mihajlovic,1,2 Vladan Vukcevic,1,3 Predrag Mitrovic,1,3 Natasa Markovic-Nikolic,1,4 Milica Micovic,2 Dragica Mitrovic,5 Mladen Davidovic11Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Clinical Department of Geriatrics, “Zvezdara” University Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia; 3Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; 4Clinical Department of Cardiology, “Zvezdara” University Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia; 5Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, “Zvezdara” University Hospital, Belgrade, SerbiaPurpose: Previous research has shown that poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is associated with adverse long-term prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF); however, there have been inconsistencies among studies and not all of them confirmed the prognostic value of HRQOL. In addition, few studies involved elderly patients and most focused on all-cause mortality and HF-related hospitalization as outcomes. The aim of our study was to determine whether HRQOL is a predictor and an independent predictor of long-term cardiac mortality, all-cause mortality, and HF-related rehospitalization in elderly patients hospitalized with HF.Patients and methods: This prospective observational study included 200 elderly patients hospitalized with HF in Serbia. HRQOL was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ). The median follow-up period was 28 months. The primary outcome was cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality and HF-related rehospitalization were secondary outcomes. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox-proportional hazards regression.Results: Subjects with poor HRQOL (higher than the median MLHFQ score) had a higher probability of cardiac mortality (P=0.029) and HF-related rehospitalization (P=0.001) during long-term follow-up. Poor HRQOL was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (HR: 2.051, 95% CI: 1.260–3.339, P=0.004), all-cause mortality (HR: 1.620, 95% CI: 1.076–2.438, P=0.021), and HF-related rehospitalization (HR: 2.040, 95% CI: 1.290–3.227, P=0.002).Conclusion: HRQOL is an independent predictor of long-term cardiac mortality in elderly patients hospitalized with HF. It also independently predicts all-cause mortality and HF-related rehospitalization. HRQOL could be used as a complementary clinical predictive tool in this patient population.Keywords: aged, heart disease, self-perception of health, prognosi
Diagnostic Value of the Nuclear Matrix Protein 22 Test and Urine Cytology in Upper Tract Urothelial Tumors
No full text<i>Objective:</i> To investigate the diagnostic value of the nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) test in comparison to urine cytology for the detection of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> Patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (n = 34) and patients with renal calculosis (n = 25) were included in this study. Voided urine samples and separated catheter urine specimens were assayed for NMP22 and cytological examination. <i>Results:</i> The sensitivity of the NMP22 test in separated and voided urine was 73.2 and 70.5%, respectively, compared to 64.7 and 58.8% of urine cytology. The specificity of the NMP22 test in separated and voided urine was 88 and 92%, respectively, compared to 96 and 96% of urine cytology. The combination of separated and voided urine is the best method because the sensitivity is 79.41% and specificity 88%. There is a high agreement of the NMP22 test in voided and separated urine (kappa = 0.795, p < 0.01), indicating that the voided urine is adequate for diagnosis. <i>Conclusions:</i> The NMP22 test has higher sensitivity but lower specificity than cytology. The combination of these two tests could be a very useful diagnostic method for detection of upper urothelial tumors.</jats:p
Crystal structures of trans-diiodidobis(2-hydroxyethylamine) platinum(II) and trans-dichloridobis(2,2’-dihydroxydiethylamine) platinum(II)
No full text© ISUCT Publishing. The crystal structures of trans-diiodidobis(2-hydroxyethylamine)platinum(II), trans-[PtI2 (mea)2 ], (1) and transdichloridobis(2,2’-dihydroxydiethylamine)platinum(II), trans-[PtCl2 (dea)2 ], (2) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Crystallization of (1) occurs in the monoclinic space group P21 /c with a = 9.457(1) Å, b = 14.719(2) Å, c = 8.246(1) Å, Z = 4 for dcalc = 3.235 mg/m3 while crystallization of (2) occurs in the tetragonal space group P42 /mbc, a = 9.8624(6) Å, c = 14.2998(9) Å, Z = 4 for dcalc = 2.274 mg/m3. The square-planar coordination geometry of both complexes is formed by two N atoms of the 2-hydroxyethylamine (1) or 2,2’-dihydroxydiethylamine (2) ligands in trans positions and two I- (1) or Cl- (2) anions. Both structures are stabilized by intra-and intermolecular hydrogen bonds
Cervical human papillomavirus infection in Serbia: Risk factors, prevalence and genotype distribution in women with normal cervical cytology
No full textDoes childhood health assessment questionnaire can predict outcome of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?
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