SCROTAL THERMOGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATION OF SURGICAL OUTCOME AFTER VARICOCELE REPAIR: A CASE REPORT.

Scrotal thermography is a diagnostic method for varicocele. In short, there are five diagnostic thermographic criteria for varicocele, i.e., pattern of scrotal thermographic image indicative of varicocele, temperature at pampiniform plexus ≥34 C°, temperature difference between left and right pampiniform plexus ≥0.5 C°, enhancement of image during Valsalva maneuver, and temperature at pampiniform plexus ≥ temperature at ipsilateral thigh. Three or more positive signs are indicative of varicocele. The aim of this report is to present the use of digital thermography as a diagnostic method to evaluate the outcome of varicocele repair. We present a case of a student diagnosed with varicocele grade III, and assessed preoperatively and followed up postoperatively by scrotal thermography. According to thermographic indicators, our patient was positive for varicocele diagnosis before surgical treatment. Three months after varicocele repair, the patient did not show positive thermographic indicators of varicocele while physical examination and color Doppler ultrasound were equivocal. This case report suggests that infrared digital thermography of scrotum could be very valuable for monitoring patients in the period after surgery for varicocele, however, it should be confirmed in a larger number of patients.

Effect of Metformin and Simvastatin in Inhibiting Proadipogenic Transcription Factors.

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue driven by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes through adipogenesis. Adipogenesis plays a key role in the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders, which makes it potential target for the therapeutic approach to obesity. An increasing number of studies confirm the pleiotropic action of the combined treatment with metformin and statins, suggesting their anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-adipogenic effect. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of different doses of metformin (MET) and simvastatin (SIM) on the expression of key transcription factors of adipogenesis. Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiation in adipogenic medium with sustained MET and SIM treatment to assess the effect on adipogenesis. Nine days after initiating adipogenesis, the cells were prepared for further experiments, including Oil Red O staining, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. Treating the cells with the combination of MET and SIM slightly reduced the intensity of Oil Red O staining compared with the control group, and down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1C. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of MET and SIM on adipocyte differentiation, as indicated by decreased lipid accumulation, appears to be mediated through the down-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding pro-tein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1C).

Vitamin D Deficiency in Acute Coronary Syndrome - Clinically Relevant or Incidental Finding?

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine serum concentration of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to assess the prognostic role of serum vitamin D level in ACS patients during 3-year follow up. METHODS: The study included 60 ACS patients hospitalized at cardiology department for ACS between March 2012 and October 2012, and 60 age- and sex-matched control patients without ACS. Standard laboratory testing and vitamin D determination were performed in all study patients. In addition, ACS patients underwent coronarography and were followed-up for 36 months of ACS for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Patients with ACS had a statistically significantly lower mean 25(OH)D level as compared with control group (35.19 nmol/L vs. 58.08 nmol/L, p<0.001). The lowest mean level of 25(OH)D was recorded in diabetic patients with ACS (30.45 nmol/L). ACS patients were divided into three subgroups according to coronarography findings: single vessel, double vessel and triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) with respective serum levels of 25(OH)D of 36.44 nmol/L, 33.65 nmol/L and 31.70 nmol/L. During 36-month follow up, the event-free survival rate was 60% in the ACS group. The ACS patients having sustained MACE during follow up had low serum level of 25(OH)D in the acute phase; however, the difference from ACS patients without MACE during follow up did not reach statistical significance (32.64 nmol/L vs. 37.01 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACS have low vitamin D level, which is lowest in diabetic patients with ACS. However, during 3-year follow up, vitamin D failed to prove useful as a prognostic biomarker in ACS patients.

Association Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Glaucoma in Women.

The aim of the study was to determine whether serum vitamin D level is lower in female patients with glaucoma as compared with control group. The mechanism by which vitamin D reduces intraocular pressure is not fully clarified. Almost all tissues possess vitamin D receptor (VDR). The mice lacking VDR (VDR knockout mice) have greatly contributed to the understanding of the general vitamin D physiologic function. VDR has been found in some ganglion layer cells, external and internal nuclear layers of retina, and in retinal pigment epithelium, while VDR epitopes have also been found in the ciliary body epithelium, pointing to the role of this protein in eye physiology. The 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates expression of the genes involved in the regulation of intraocular pressure in non-human primates. Extracellular matrix can be remodeled by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Actin disruption can lead to cell morphology alteration, trabecular meshwork relaxation and intraocular pressure reduction. This observational cross-sectional study included 90 female glaucoma subjects aged 45-55 and 50 glaucoma free female subjects as control group. Results of a pilot study conducted in 20 glaucoma subjects and 20 control subjects are presented below. All study subjects underwent history taking, complete ophthalmologic examination and serum vitamin D determination. The mean serum vitamin D level was 32.31 nmol/L in glaucoma patients and 64.17 nmol/L in control subjects. Serum vitamin D level was statistically significantly lower in glaucoma patients as compared with control group (p<0.05).

Association of intestinal inflammation and permeability markers with clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis can stimulate degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and development of Parkinson's disease (PD) via the gut-brain axis in certain patients. METHODS: In a case-control study, fecal markers of intestinal inflammation and permeability were measured using the ELISA method in PD patients and healthy controls. Motor and nonmotor symptoms were assessed using the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Unified PD Rating Scale, Hoehn & Yahr scale, MDS Non-Motor Symptom Scale, Scales for Outcomes in PD - Autonomic Dysfunction, PD Sleep Scale - 2, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. A correlation was established between the intestinal inflammation and permeability markers and PD symptoms. RESULTS: Higher levels of beta-defensin 2, zonulin and lactoferrin were recorded in PD patients compared to controls. Calprotectin and secretory immunoglobulin A showed no significant differences. Regression analysis indicated the roles of beta-defensin 2 and lactoferrin in predicting PD likelihood. Calprotectin yielded positive correlations with disease duration, depression, motor fluctuations, and gastrointestinal symptoms; beta defensin 2 with thermoregulation; and secretory immunoglobulin A with depression. Secretory immunoglobulin A showed negative correlation with age and age at disease onset, while zonulin showed negative correlation with the MDS Unified PD Rating Scale total score. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal markers differed in PD patients compared to controls and correlated with age, disease duration, and some nonmotor symptoms. Future studies should identify the subgroups of PD patients that are likely to develop intestinal inflammation.

The Importance of Prediabetes Screening in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Prediabetes is a disordered state of glucose metabolism defined by an elevated blood glucose level that is below the level required for the diagnosis of diabetes. Prediabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The onset and progression of macrovascular disease occur during the prediabetes phase. Early diagnosis and screening of prediabetes are essential steps to prevent diabetes and its associated complications. Objective: To assess the prevalence of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in patients with cardiovascular disease according to the ADA criteria. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2968 a high cardiovascular risk patients aged 40 to 75 years admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine. Sociodemographic variables and other relevant medical history information were collected by the researchers during the clinical interview. A fasting blood sample was obtained to determine HbA1c levels and other relevant laboratory findings. Results: Of the total number of participants, 1496 participants were not diagnosed with diabetes, 485 (32.4%) of them had HbA1c values indicating prediabetes and 158 (10.6%) of them had HbA1c values indicating new diagnosed diabetes. Up to one-third of those with undiagnosed prediabetes had already been diagnosed with cardiovascular complications. Conclusion: Routine screening of glycemic metabolism could be valuable in identifying high-risk individuals before a cardiovascular event occurs.

Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease with an inflammatory background. Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and a tendency for connective tissue remodeling. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of symptomatic OA (sOA) in MPN patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive MPN (39 essential-thrombocythemia, 34 polycythemia-vera, 27 myelofibrosis) patients treated in two community hematologic centers were cross-sectionally evaluated. Patients were required to have both symptoms attributable to hip and/or knee OA and radiographic confirmation to be considered as having sOA. RESULTS: The prevalence of hip and/or knee sOA was significantly higher among MPN patients than the previously reported prevalence in the general population of similar age (61% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). Hip sOA was present in 50%, knee sOA in 51% and sOA of both localizations in 41% of patients. A high proportion of MPN patients had radiographic signs of hip OA (94%) and knee OA (98%) in the presence of attributable symptoms. Among the other factors, sOA was univariately associated with the presence of JAK2 mutation, myelofibrosis phenotype, older age, higher body weight, and higher MPN-SAF score (p < 0.050 for all analyses). In the multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval-CI 1.06-1.33) and higher body weight (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.25) were recognized as independent risk factors for sOA. On the other hand, cytoreductive treatment was a protective factor for sOA (OR = 0.07, 95% CI 0.006-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sOA in MPN patients was higher than that in the general population and seems to correlate with older age, increased myeloproliferation and a higher inflammatory state. Whether cytoreductive treatment may postpone OA development in MPN patients warrants additional confirmation.

Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy: Effect on Reperfusion Following Maintained Intra-Abdominal Hypertension (Grade III and IV) in Rats.

Given in reperfusion, the use of stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 is an effective therapy in rats. It strongly counteracted, as a whole, decompression/reperfusion-induced occlusion/occlusion-like syndrome following the worst circumstances of acute abdominal compartment and intra-abdominal hypertension, grade III and grade IV, as well as compression/ischemia-occlusion/occlusion-like syndrome. Before decompression (calvariectomy, laparotomy), rats had long-lasting severe intra-abdominal hypertension, grade III (25 mmHg/60 min) (i) and grade IV (30 mmHg/30 min; 40 mmHg/30 min) (ii/iii), and severe occlusion/occlusion-like syndrome. Further worsening was caused by reperfusion for 60 min (i) or 30 min (ii/iii). Severe vascular and multiorgan failure (brain, heart, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal lesions), widespread thrombosis (peripherally and centrally) severe arrhythmias, intracranial (superior sagittal sinus) hypertension, portal and caval hypertension, and aortal hypotension were aggravated. Contrarily, BPC 157 therapy (10 µg/kg, 10 ng/kg sc) given at 3 min reperfusion times eliminated/attenuated venous hypertension (intracranial (superior sagittal sinus), portal, and caval) and aortal hypotension and counteracted the increases in organ lesions and malondialdehyde values (blood ˃ heart, lungs, liver, kidney ˃ brain, gastrointestinal tract). Vascular recovery promptly occurred (i.e., congested inferior caval and superior mesenteric veins reversed to the normal vessel presentation, the collapsed azygos vein reversed to a fully functioning state, the inferior caval vein-superior caval vein shunt was recovered, and direct blood delivery returned). BPC 157 therapy almost annihilated thrombosis and hemorrhage (i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage) as proof of the counteracted general stasis and Virchow triad circumstances and reorganized blood flow. In conclusion, decompression/reperfusion-induced occlusion/occlusion-like syndrome counteracted by BPC 157 therapy in rats is likely for translation in patients. It is noteworthy that by rapidly counteracting the reperfusion course, it also reverses previous ischemia-course lesions, thus inducing complete recovery.

Supernumerary breast in an adolescent boy.

We present an adolescent boy with unilateral supernumerary breast. It was a V type by Leung Clasification. Despite the average occurence between 0.22% and 6% in a normal population we have not had other cases in the last 20 years. The patient was an asthenic boy of sixteen in the IV stage of puberty. Sometimes he felt swelling and tenderness in this breast tissue two years ago. These symptoms became worse two months ago. At the admission he was symptom free. In the right hypochondrium inferomedially he had a nipple and areola with a small part of the glandular tissue. The axilla was empty. After an excision we got a 15 x 10 x 8 mm specimen. Pathohistological report described incompletely formed mammary lobule with smooth muscles and lactiferous ducts of nipple in dermis. This was consistent with the diagnosis of ectopic breast tissue. He wanted it removed for esthetic reasons. His hormonal state was normal. All blood checks were normal. Kidney ultrasound was normal. His grandmother had pyelon duplex and frequent uroinfections. As it is known, there is an association between supernumerary breast tissue and renal malformations. Since he did not have it, we think that a routine screening of the uropoetic system should be performed in any patient with supernumerary breast.

Haemoglobin A1c-based screening for prediabetes and diabetes mellitus: a multi-center study in Croatian adult population.

INTRODUCTION: Based on the hypothesis that there is a substantial rate of adults with prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM), our aim was to perform haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)-based screening in a cohort of Croatian adults and estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and undiagnosed DM according to American Diabetes Association criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-center, cross-sectional study performed in six Croatian hospitals included 5527 patients aged 40 to 70 years admitted to the Emergency Department or undergoing a primary care check-up. Haemoglobin A1c was measured from leftover whole blood samples using the enzymatic method on either Alinity c or Architect c-series analyser (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, USA). Haemoglobin A1c between 39-47 mmol/mol was classified as prediabetes, while ≥ 48 mmol/mol as undiagnosed DM. RESULTS: After exclusion of 435 patients with known DM, the final cohort included 5092 patients (median age 57; 56% males). A total of 882 (17.3%) patients had HbA1c values between 39 and 47 mmol/mol. There were 214 (4.2%) patients with HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol. Prediabetes prevalence ranged from 14.2% to 20.5%, while undiagnosed DM from 3.3% to 7.3%, with statistically significant differences among settings (P < 0.001). Age-stratified analysis showed that prediabetes and undiagnosed DM prevalence increase with age (P < 0.001), being 25.4% and 5.8%, respectively, in patients aged 60 to 70 years. CONCLUSION: Underlying impairment of glucose metabolism was identified in about one in five adults, with significant number of patients with already overt DM. These results should serve as a starting point for further steps directed towards promotion of preventive measures for DM in Croatia.

Adipogenesis as a Potential Anti-Obesity Target: A Review of Pharmacological Treatment and Natural Products.

Obesity is recognized as a severe threat to overall human health and is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Abnormal expansion of white adipose tissue involves increasing the existing adipocytes' cell size or increasing the number through the differentiation of new adipocytes. Adipogenesis is a process of proliferation and differentiation of adipocyte precursor cells in mature adipocytes. As a key process in determining the number of adipocytes, it is a possible therapeutic approach for obesity. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in adipogenesis that could serve as suitable therapeutic targets. Reducing bodyweight is regarded as a major health benefit. Limited efficacy and possible side effects and drug interactions of available anti-obesity treatment highlight a constant need for finding novel efficient and safe anti-obesity ingredients. Numerous studies have recently investigated the inhibitory effects of natural products on adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. Possible anti-obesity effects of natural products include the induction of apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest or delayed progression, and interference with transcription factor cascade or intracellular signaling pathways during the early phase of adipogenesis.

Diagnostic complexity of rifampicin-induced coagulopathy in a patient with spontaneous muscle bleeding: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Rifampicin is currently used to treat various bacterial infections, with the most significant application in the treatment of tuberculosis. Dose-independent side effects of the drug can lead to the development of various coagulation disorders, among which disseminated intravascular coagulation is the most dangerous. The mechanism of coagulopathy itself is multifactorial, but it is thought to be mediated by an immune response (formation of antigen-antibody complexes) and consequent damage to platelets and the vascular endothelium. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 66-year-old woman, with numerous comorbidities including chronic renal failure, condition after implantation of a permanent pacemaker, and a positive blood culture for Staphylococcus aureus, presented with spontaneous bleeding in the muscle wall, and in the clinical picture of hemorrhagic shock. DIAGNOSIS: Knowing the multifactorial mechanism of rifampicin-induced coagulopathy, possible factors were considered, such as infections, comorbidities, drug use and drug-drug interactions, pathological laboratory parameters, and coagulograms. Clinical presentation of abdominal pain and intra-abdominal mass, with laboratory verification of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and computed tomography-proven hematoma suspected of acute bleeding, redirects clinical suspicion of drug-induced coagulopathy. INTERVENTIONS: By discontinuing rifapicin and administering vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma, normalization of laboratory coagulation parameters was achieved. Bleeding from the muscle wall required correction of acute anemia with red cell concentrates, surgical intervention, and additional antibiotic therapy for secondary infection of the operative wound. OUTCOMES: At the end of 6 weeks of antibiotic (antistaphylococcal) therapy (due to the basic suspicion of possible infectious endocarditis), the normalization of inflammatory parameters occurred with a sterile control blood culture and a normal coagulogram. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the possible side effects of the administered drugs, especially taking into account the overall clinical picture of a patient, including comorbidities and possible drug interactions.

The Impact of Education, COVID-19 and Risk Factors on the Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of education, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and risk factors on the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in three phases: before education, after education, and in the period of pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The subjects were diabetics on oral therapy. To determine the quality of life index, a standardized Ferrans and Powers survey questionnaire was used. RESULTS: A total of 205 participants took part in the study, of which 111 (54.1%) were men and 94 (46%) women. Participants were enrolled in the study between January 2019 and September 2020. Glycated hemoglobin values were significantly higher before education compared to post-education and at the time of COVID-19 (Friedman test, p = 0.002), and body mass index was significantly lower after education compared to values before education (Friedman test, p = 0.008). The quality of life was significantly lower in all domains in the COVID-19 period (Friedman test, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A significant predictor of worse assessment of overall quality of life was male gender and rural place of residence. Disease duration of up to 5 years was a significant predictor of worse assessment in the psychological/spiritual domain, while being married was a predictor of better assessment of the quality of life in the family domain. The education of diabetics brought an increase in the health and quality of life while the coronavirus disease pandemic had negative consequences on the same parameters. We consider it necessary to systematically educate diabetics about the comorbidity of COVID-19.

Health-related quality of life among patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with weekly and monthly bisphosphonates.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to assess the effect of monthly ibandronate on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis previously treated with weekly bisphosphonates. METHODS: HR-QoL was assessed by Euroqol (EQ-5D) and Osteoporosis Targeted Quality of Life (OPTQoL) questionnaires. RESULTS: The EQ-5D questionnaire showed significant improvement associated with ibandronate treatment, occurring in mobility (p < 0.01), usual activity (p < 0.01), pain/discomfort (p < 0.05), and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). In addition, ibandronate treatment considerably improved patients' perceived health on a visual analog scale (p < 0.001). For the OPTQoL questionnaire, patients reported less physical difficulty (p < 0.001), fewer adaptations in their lives (p < 0.001), and less fear (p < 0.001) with ibandronate than with weekly bisphosphonates. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that patients who were transferred from weekly bisphosphonates to a monthly ibandronate experienced improved HR-QoL.

Diet Education as a Success Factor of Glycemia Regulation in Diabetes Patients: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary education on glycemic control in patients with any type of diabetes at four-week and two-year follow-ups. METHODS: A two-year prospective study was conducted in three phases: before, four weeks after, and two years after an educational program. The participants were patients diagnosed with diabetes who were receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemics and who attended the Diabetes Clinic of the General County Hospital Nasice, Croatia to receive their treatment. The questionnaire and educational program were created for the purpose of this study. Measurements were made (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, body mass index, blood pressure, knowledge test) at baseline, four weeks and two years after education. RESULTS: A total of 109 participants took part in the study, of which 56 (51.4%) were on insulin therapy and 53 (48.6%) were on oral therapy, after two years, 78 (72%) subjects were followed up with. There was no control group. At the two-year follow-up, participants with insulin therapy had significantly higher glycated hemoglobin (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.035). Significant differences were observed in fasted blood glucose (Friedman's test, p = 0.001), diastolic pressure (Friedman's test, P = 0.018), and glycated hemoglobin (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001) between Phase 1 and Phase 3. CONCLUSIONS: Education has a positive effect on adherence to recommended diet and glycemia regulation in diabetes patients after four-week follow-ups. However, after two years, participants showed a decrease in adherence to recommended diet and increased glycemia.

Increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies of bone mineral density (BMD) in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have shown conflicting results. We conducted this study to determine whether postmenopausal women with diabetes have higher BMD than non-diabetic women of similar age, and to investigate the relationship between BMD and relevant clinical characteristics in these groups of women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed lumbar spine, femoral neck, and radius BMD data and other relevant clinical data for 130 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 166 non-diabetic women collected during a voluntary screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women without a history of low bone mass or osteoporotic fractures. RESULTS: Women with type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly higher mean lumbar spine BMD ( 0.903+/-0.165 vs. 0.824+/-0.199, respectively, P<.001) and mean femoral neck BMD (0.870+/-0.132 vs. 0.832+/-0.134, respectively, P<.05) than non-diabetic women. In both groups of women, age correlated negatively with BMD levels at all three anatomical sites. Higher body mass index was associated only with higher lumbar spine BMD in both groups. Alkaline phosphatase levels showed a negative correlation with BMD at all sites in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher BMD levels than non-diabetic women with similar clinical characteristics, and require a more scrutinized approach in managing low bone mass.

[Osteoporosis prevalence in Croatian males--the results of calcaneus ultrasound]. / Ucestalost osteoporoze u muskaraca u hrvatskoj--rezultati ultrazvucne denzitometrije petne kosti.

The aim of the study was to establish the normative QUS data in a healthy sample of Croatian males and estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis. A total of 1002 male participants, aged 20-99, were recruited in seven study centers (Zagreb, Ivanic-grad, Koprivnica, Sibenik, Pula, Slavonski Brod, Vukovar). In each subject broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS) and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) of the calcaneus were measured using the Sahara ultrasound device. Significant declining with age was found for all three parameters (p < 0.001). The peak SOS (1562.8 +/- 28.5 m/s) and QUI (103.6 +/- 16.5) values were observed in the third decade, whereas the peak BUA value (86.2 +/- 19.2 db/MHz) was observed in the fourth decade of life. Using the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for DXA the rates of osteoporosis in the males aged 50 and older were 5.8%, 3.4 and 4.2% for QUI, BUA, and SOS respectively. However, when we used the cut-off value of the T < or = -l.8, prevalence of osteoporosis in Croatian males older than 50 years was 16.2%, 11.7% and 17.2%.

The role of oral glucose intolerance test in reducing pregnancy complications.

The influence of glucose monitoring during pregnancy on newborn body weight, and complications during pregnancy and labor was assessed. We performed a retrospective analysis of macrosomal children, fetal growth, caesarean sections, malformations, still-births and the number of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) carried out in a five-year period. The proportion of women participating in OGTT tests increased from 20% to 40% (p<0.05) between 2000 and 2004. Gestation diabetes mellitus (GDM) proportions among pregnant women seen at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Slavonski Brod General Hospital, Croatia increased from 1% to 6.7% (p < 0. 05) during the observed period. Proportion of births identified as macrosomal decreased from 13.3% to 12.2% (p<0.05). Additionally, infant mortality and still-births along with other fetal and maternal complications declined during the same period. These results suggest that regular measurements of glucose tolerance during pregnancy may prevent preterm birth, decrease the proportion of macrosomal newborns, lower mortality and decrease fetal and maternal complication incidence during pregnancy and delivery.

Effects of raloxifene on changes in bone density.

Raloxifene hydrochloride therapy effectiveness in bone mineral density (BMD) changes compared to calcium and vitamin D3 therapy over a 2-year period. Case-control study: a group of 254 women was prescribed raloxifene (raloxifene hydrochloride) together with calcium and vitamin D3 while other group of 254 women used calcium and vitamin D3 therapy. BMD was measured at the hip, spine and forearm at the beginning and at the end of the 2-year period. Treatment with raloxifene resulted in a 3.7% increase in BMD at the spine in 98% of examinees. A 1.2% BMD increase was shown in 75% of examinees at the hip. A 1.2% decrease in BMD at forearm shown in 93% of examinees using raloxifene. The calcium and vitamin D3 therapy led to an increase in BMD in 58% examinees at the spine, in 56% at the hip and in 38% at the forearm, which was significantly lower than in women using raloxifene. Among women using calcium and vitamin D alone an average BMD decrease of 1.2% was registered on 42% of examinees at the spine, 2.6% decrease on 46% of examinees at the hip and 4.2% decrease on 35% of examinees at the forearm. Treatment with raloxifene resulted in a significant increase in BMD at the spine with odds ratio (OR 5.85, p <0.05) compared with calcium and vitamin D3 alone. There was no statistically proven increase in BMD at either the hip (OR 0.015) or forearm (OR 0.122).

[Midwives in Brod na Savi (Croatia) in 19th century]. / O primaljama u Brodu na Savi u XIX. stoljecu.

The development of population policy and health legislation as a result of government, the need for more young, healthy, working and military active population, resulted in the education of all health workers including midwives, legal regulation of their work, increasing their number and training of midwifery profession. With the development of this profession conditions of women giving birth, pregnancy and birth control were gradually improved, and thus influenced the birth rate and mortality of the population and the natural growth. On the example of the town of Brod na Savi one can see that it was time-consuming and controlled development of the midwifery profession in the region, which have affected the poor socio-economic conditions, poor climatic conditions, and the presence of the border and the consequent large-scale migration of the population. It is important to note that the foundations for population policies and the observed midwifery profession enabled the development of the same in the coming period.