Fabrication of Polycaprolactone-Based Polyurethanes with Enhanced Thermal Stability.

The benefit of being acquainted with thermal properties, especially the thermal stability of polyurethanes (PU), and simplified methods for their improvement is manifold. Considering this, the effect of embedding different amounts of unmodified and surface-modified TiO nanoparticles (NPs) within PU, based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and Boltorn aliphatic hyperbranched polyester, on PU properties was investigated. Results obtained via scanning electron microscopy, swelling measurements, mechanical tests and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that TiO NPs can be primarily applied to improve the thermal performance of PU.

Activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) on HDL and HDL subclasses in renal disease.

Introduction: Cardiovascular complications, as the main cause of mortality in renal patients, are followed with altered lipoproteins composition. Considering that paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an anti-oxidative enzyme located mainly on HDL particles, the current study has aim to investigate whether failure of kidney function leads to changes in the distribution of PON1 activity between different HDL subclasses.

Materials And Methods: In 77 renal patients (21 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 56 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis) and 20 healthy subjects PON1 activity on HDL and HDL subclasses was determined by zymogram method that combines gradient gel electrophoresis separation of HDL subclasses and measurement of PON1 activity in the same gel.

Terson's Syndrome - A Report of Two Cases.

Introduction: Vitreous or retinal hemorrhage occurring in association with subarachnoid hemorrhage is known as Terson's syndrome. In Terson's syndrome, intracranial hemorrhages are followed by intraocular hemorrhage, classically in the subhyaloid space, but may also include subretinal, retinal, preretinal, and vitreal collections. Vitreous hemorrhage recovery is usually spontaneous in six to 12 months, otherwise vitrectomy is considered.

Apparent diffusion coefficient in the evaluation of cerebral gliomas malignancy.

Background/aim: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key modality not only for lesion diagnosis, but also to evaluate the extension, type and grade of the tumor. Advanced MRI techniques provide physiologic information that complements the anatomic information available from conventional MRI. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of intracranial glial tumors and histopathologic findings and whether ADCs can reliably distinguish low-grade from high-grade gliomas.

Aseptic intrafascial and extrafascial abscesses 10 years after a 2-level DIAM insertion procedure.

With the aim to prevent the so-called adjacent-segment disease in spinal fusion surgery and to serve as the primary surgical procedure for the management of low-back pain syndrome or neurogenic claudication in spinal stenosis, the so-called dynamic spine stabilization is applied using specifically designed implants: interspinous spacers, such as DIAM (Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion), Coflex, and X-stop. It is commonly accepted that interspinous spacers are made from material that is well tolerated by the body, that their placement is simple, that complications are rare, and that they can greatly benefit the patients. So far, there have not been published studies reporting infective or other complications 10 or more years after the placement of DIAM spacers.

Cervical epidural hematoma: case report.

Introduction: Cervical epidural hematoma is a rare phenomenon in children. MRI scan of the cervical spine is the method of choice in establishing diagnosis and a quick evacuation of hematoma and de- compression.

Case Outline: We present a case of 11-year-old boy whose lower extremities were paralysed after a trivial injury of the cervical spine which he sustained while playing.

Morphological and functional outcome of scleral buckling surgery compared to primary vitrectomy in patients with retinal detachment.

Background/aim: Among the proposed operative techniques for retinal detachment (RD) the most commonly applied are classical method with scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). The aim of this paper was to determine which surgical intervention of these two leads to better morphological results in terms of the applied retina and better functional outcomes in terms of visual acuity (VA) of the operated eye in patients with RD.

Methods: A retrospective study on the comparative section of the effects of scleral buckling surgery and PPV in uncomplicated rhegmatogenous RD was performed.

Poly(urethane-dimethylsiloxane) copolymers displaying a range of soft segment contents, noncytotoxic chemistry, and nonadherent properties toward endothelial cells.

Polyurethane copolymers based on α,ω-dihydroxypropyl poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with a range of soft segment contents were prepared by two-stage polymerization, and their microstructures, thermal, thermomechanical, and surface properties, as well as in vitro hemo- and cytocompatibility were evaluated. All utilized characterization methods confirmed the existence of moderately microphase separated structures with the appearance of some microphase mixing between segments as the PDMS (i.e.

De novo mutation in the NOTCH3 gene causing CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of the most common hereditary forms of stroke, and migraine with aura, mood disorders and dementia. CADASIL is caused by mutations of the NOTCH3 gene. This mutation is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Influence of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on systemic blood pressure changes in patients with exudative form of age-related macular degeneration.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to examine blood pressure (BP) changes in hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients after intravitreal bevacizumab injections and to assess whether intravitreal bevacizumab carries an associated vascular risk in patients with exudative ocular disease. We also aimed to estimate the influence of gender.

Methods: The study included 57 patients with age-related macular degeneration who received an intravitreal injection of 1.

[Big intraocular foreign body: case report].

Introduction: Penetrated injuries are most difficult injuries of the eye. Intraocular foreign body (IOFB) may lodge in any of the structures it encounters, from anterior chamber to the retina and choroid. Notable effects caused by foreign body injury include traumatic cataract, vitreous liquefaction, retinal and subretinal hemorrhages, retinal detachment and development of endophtalmitis.

Glutathione S-transferase omega-2 polymorphism Asn142Asp modifies the risk of age-related cataract in smokers and subjects exposed to ultraviolet irradiation.

Background: Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 and 2 have a unique range of enzymatic activities, including the regeneration of ascorbate by their dehydroascorbate reductase activities. Because these enzymes could have a protective role from oxidative damage in the lens, the question of whether the two coding glutathione S-transferase omega polymorphisms confer the risk of age-related cataract was addressed.

Methods: rs4925 (Ala140Asp) of glutathione S-transferase omega-1 and rs156697 (Asn142Asp) of glutathione S-transferase omega-2 polymorphisms in 100 patients with age-related cataract and 130 controls were assessed.

[Pars plana vitrectomy with extraction of intraocular foreign body in patients with siderosis of the eye: report of two cases].

Introduction: Penetrating injury is characterized by the existence of entry wound only, and it can be with or without an intraocular foreign body (IOFB). IOFB can lead to a mechanical injury of the eye and to cause infection or to manifest other toxic effects on intraocular structures. Iron and copper can dissolve and cause siderosis, i.

[Intraocular foreign body removal: case report].

Introduction: An intraocular foreign body may traumatize the eye mechanically, introduce infection or exert other toxic effects on the intraocular structures. Removal of a metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) use an internal (vitrectomy followed by forceps or internal magnet use) or external approach (large electromagnet).

Outline Of Cases: A 51-year-old man sustained injury of the left eye by a metal foreign body.

Persistent submacular fluid diagnosed with optical coherence tomography after successful scleral buckle surgery for macula-off retinal detachment.

Crataegus species have been widely used in herbal medicine, especially for the hearth diseases. In the present study, the effect of Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extract on partially hepatectomized rats was investigated with biochemical and TUNEL apoptosis assays.

[Risk of infection after placement of an extraventricular drainage catheter].

Introduction: The occurrence of infection after the placement of an extraventricular drainage (EVD) catheter can be a very serious problem in neurosurgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to confirm that the use of special catheters with impregnated antibiotics decreased the percentage of infection.

Methods: The prospective study conducted at the Clinic of Neurosurgery in Nis in the period 2006-2009 is presented.

Complications after angiogram-negative subarachnoid haemorrhage: comparative study of pretruncal and nonpretruncal hemorrhage patients.

Introduction: Subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH) of unknown aetiology usually have a mild clinical presentation, favourable outcome and low complication rate.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the complications in two forms of angiogram-negative spontaneous SAH: pretruncal (PNSAH) and nonpretruncal (NPNSAH).

Methods: The study group involved 18 patients with PNSAH and 16 patients with NPNSAH.

Prognostic significance of intracranial pressure monitoring and intracranial hypertension in severe brain trauma patients.

Since without prospective randomized studies it is not possible to have a clear attitude towards the importance of intracranial pressure monitoring, this study was aimed at examining the prognostic effect of the intracranial pressure monitoring and intracranial pressure oriented therapy in severe brain trauma patients, and at defining optimal intracranial pressure values for starting the treatment. Two groups of patients were treated in the study, one consisted of 32 patients undergoing intracranial pressure monitoring and the second group of 29 patients without intracranial pressure monitoring in the control group. The study was prospective with groups randomized.

[Operation of traumatic cataract with metal foreign body in the lens].

Introduction: We present a patient with perforative eye injury, a metal foreign body in the lens and traumatic cataract. The paper emphasises the importance of phacoemulsification in case of patients with a traumatic cataract and the presence of a metal foreign body.

Case Outline: A 41-year-old patient had a perforative wound of the cornea caused by a metal foreign body that also perforated the anterior lens capsule and remained in the paracentral anterior part of the lens.

Bilateral retinal detachment in a case of preeclampsia.

Serous retinal detachment is an unusual cause of visual loss in preeclampsia. We report the case of 24-years-old primipara with severe preeclampsia who developed bilateral serous retinal detachment a few hours after delivery. A few weeks after delivery there was spontaneous resorption of the subretinal fluid and complete resolution bilateral serous retinal detachment, with residual pigmentary changes of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Evaluation of body mass index and lipid fractions levels in patients with retinal artery occlusion.

Background/aim: There are studies stressing out that atherosclerosis is most common associated systemic condition in patients with retinal artery occlusion. The aim of this study was to analyze values of body mass index and lipid fractions in healthy individuals and patients with retinal artery occlusion.

Methods: This study included 90 participants during a 6-year period.

Mechanical injuries of the eye: incidence, structure and possibilities for prevention.

Background/aim: Despite technological advances used in everyday clinical practice, injuries of the eye caused by various agents still produce blindness and poor vision in a significant number of people. The aim of this study was to analyze factors leading to occurrence of mechanical injuries of the eye.

Methods: Mechanic injuries of the eye in patients treated at the Institute for Eye Diseases of the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade, in an eight-year period were analyzed.

Orbital dermoid and epidermoid cysts: case study.

Introduction: Dermoid and epidermoid cysts of the orbit belong to choristomas, tumours that originate from the aberrant primordial tissue. Clinically, they manifest as cystic movable formations mostly localized in the upper temporal quadrant of the orbit. They are described as both superficial and deep formations with most frequently slow intermittent growth.

Analysis of pathohistological characteristics of pterygium.

Pterygium internum (external eye layer) shows great recurrence tendency after surgical removal. Its etiology is still unclear and represents a significant problem. The main goal of our study was to explore the interrelationships of pathohistological characteristics of pterygium, namely presence of inflammation, vascularisation degree and fibrinoid changes and on the basis of their analysis to test the possibility of predicting its evolution and recurrence.