Effects of a Long-Term Use of Carbocysteine on Frequency and Duration of Exacerbations in Patients with Bronchiectasis.

Background: The failure of mucus clearance in bronchiectasis can be improved by chest physiotherapy or/and mucoactive agents.

Aim: To assess the effects of long-term use of carbocysteine on frequency and duration of exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis.

Methods: We performed an observational, non-randomized, open study (a real-life study) including 64 patients with bronchiectasis divided into two groups, examined group (EG) and control group (CG).

Moxifloxacin in the Outpatient Treatment of Moderate Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Bacterial infections are involved in more than a half of the exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin in the outpatient treatment of moderate exacerbations of bacterial origin in the COPD patients.

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study including 64 COPD patients with moderate exacerbation of bacterial origin empirically treated with moxifloxacin.

Effects of Pleuran (Β-Glucan from ) Supplementation on Incidence and Duration of COPD Exacerbations.

Background: 1,3/1,6-β-glucans are recognised as immunomodulators in human and veterinary medicine for over 50 years.

Aim: To assess the effects of pleuran (1,3/1,6-β-glucan from ) on incidence and duration of bacterial exacerbations in patients with COPD.

Methods: We performed an observational, non-randomized, open-label study including 32 COPD patients (Group D) in whom besides the recommended chronic treatment for the stable disease were administered supplement combination containing pleuran 100 mg, vitamin C 60 mg and zinc 5 mg once daily over a three month-period (Group 1).

Exacerbations in COPD Patients with Bronchiectasis.

There is evidence that coexisting bronchiectasis (BE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) aggravates the course of the disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of bacterial exacerbations in COPD patients with BE. The frequency and duration of bacterial exacerbations treated in a 12-month period, as well as the duration of the exacerbation-free interval, were evaluated in 54 patients with COPD (Group D) who were diagnosed and assessed according to official recommendations.

Effect of two laparoscopic techniques for treatment of ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve.

Introduction: Operative laparoscopy is the most common used technique for treatment of patients with ovarian endometriomas, because of many positive effects in comparison with laparotomy. There are many laparoscopic techniques, but most used are cystectomy and puncture with endocoagulation (ablation) of the cyst's capsule. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two laparoscopic techniques for treatment of ovarian endometriomas on ovarian reserve.

Course of COPD Assessment Test (CAT) Scores During Bacterial Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treated in Outpatient Setting.

Introduction: COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is an 8-items questionnaire for assessment of health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To evaluate the course of CAT scores during bacterial exacerbations of COPD treated in outpatient setting.

Methods: We performed an observational, prospective study including 81 outpatients (57 males and 24 females, aged 43 to 74 years) with bacterial exacerbation of COPD.

Relationship between ADHD and depression among university students in macedonia.

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder usually diagnosed in children, with appearance of the first symptoms before the age of seven years. The disorder is characterized by inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity that can seriously affect many aspects of behavior and performance at school. ADHD can be associated with comorbidities, such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety or depression.

Ovarian reserve after laparoscopic treatment of unilateral ovarian endometrioma.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of laparoscopic treatment of unilateral ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve using ultrasonographic markers, ovarian volume and antral follicle count (AFC), and two biochemical markers, serum levels of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Estradiol (E2).

Material And Methods: This prospective study included 40 patients in their reproductive age, between 18 and 40 years old. They were treated laparoscopically for unilateral ovarian endometrioma.

Exercise-related respiratory symptoms and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in industrial bakers.

In order to assess prevalence and characteristics of exercise-related respiratory symptoms (ERRS) and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in industrial bakery, the authors performed a cross-sectional study including 57 bakers and an equal number of office workers studied as a control. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a questionnaire, skin prick tests to common inhalant and occupational allergens, spirometry, and exercise and histamine challenge. The authors found a similar prevalence of ERRS and EIB in both bakers and controls.

Smoking among Macedonian workers five years after the anti-smoking campaign.

To assess the efficacy of nationwide anti-smoking campaign, we compared the findings of a study on worker smoking performed in 2005 with our latest cross-sectional study completed in 2010. It included 753 randomly selected workers, of whom 126 office, 108 construction, 93 agricultural, 97 petroleum refinery, 114 textile, 117 food processing workers, and 98 cleaners. Information was collected with a self-administered questionnaire.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and exercise-induced respiratory symptoms in nurses.

In order to assess prevalence and characteristics of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms (EIRSs) and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in health care workers, we performed a cross-sectional study including 48 female nurses from primary care settings and an equal number of female office workers studied as a control group. The evaluation of examined groups included completion of a questionnaire, skin prick tests to common inhalant allergens, spirometry, and exercise and histamine challenge. We found a similar prevalence of EIRSs and EIB in both groups.

Respiratory and nasal symptoms, immunological changes and lung function among petroleum refinery workers.

Objective: To assess adverse respiratory effects and immunological changes among petroleum refinery workers.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including 80 subjects employed in the coking unit of a petroleum refinery (54 males and 26 females, aged 28-56 years, duration of exposure 7-28 years) and an equal number of office workers, matched by sex, age and smoking habits. Asthma and allergic rhinitis diagnosed by a physician, as well as respiratory and nasal symptoms in the last 12 months, were recorded by questionnaire.

Effects of passive smoking at work on respiratory symptoms, lung function, and bronchial responsiveness in never-smoking office cleaning women.

This cross-sectional study compares respiratory symptoms, lung function, and bronchial responsiveness between 27 office cleaning women exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at work and 57 unexposed controls. The age range of both groups was 24 to 56 years, and none of the women had ever smoked. Information on respiratory symptoms, cleaning work history, and passive smoking in the workplace were obtained with a questionnaire.

Work-related asthma in automobile spray painters: two case reports.

This report describes two patients who had developed asthma after working as automobile painters with isocyanate-based aerosol paint for two years or over. In both patients asthma was confirmed using the standard diagnostic procedure. One of the subjects was atopic.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace in Macedonia: where are we now?

To assess the prevalence and the level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the workplace after the enactment of the law restricting indoor smoking in Macedonia, we performed a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study including 372 never-smoking workers recruited from six workplaces. We found a high prevalence of workers exposed to ETS in the workplace (27.4 %) with no significant difference between particular occupation groups.

Occupational asthma in subjects occupationally exposed to herbal and fruit tea dust.

We performed a cross-sectional study to detect occupational asthma (OA) in 63 subjects occupationally exposed to herbal and fruit tea dust and in 63 corresponding controls. The evaluation included a questionnaire, skin prick tests to workplace and common inhalant allergens, spirometry, and histamine challenge test. The evaluation of the work-relatedness of asthma in the exposed workers was based on serial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements and bronchoprovocation tests.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in textile and agricultural workers and in bakers.

To assess the prevalence and the characteristics of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in subjects occupationally exposed to organic dusts we performed a cross-sectional study including 152 exposed subjects (67 textile workers, 42 agricultural workers, and 43 bakers) and 72 unexposed controls. Evaluation of exposed and unexposed subjects included a questionnaire, skin prick tests to common inhalant allergens, spirometry, and exercise challenge tests (ECT). The EIB prevalence found in textile workers was 8.