Non-Uniform Bioaccumulation of Lead and Arsenic in Two Remote Regions of the Human Heart's Left Ventricle: A Post-Mortem Study.

The extent of heavy-metal-induced cardiotoxicity is proportional to the levels of metal bioaccumulation, and it was previously assumed that heavy metals accumulate uniformly in the myocardium. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate concentrations of metals and metalloids in two distant regions of the left ventricle (LV), the base of the LV, and apex of the LV using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We also examined the potential correlation between metal levels and the thickness of the interventricular septum in twenty LV specimens (ten from the base of LV and ten from the apex of LV) from 10 individuals (mean age 75 ± 6 years).

Data Analysis of Impaired Renal and Cardiac Function Using a Combination of Standard Classifiers.

We examine the significance of the predictive potential of EPI cystatin C (EPI CysC) in combination with NTproBNP, sodium, and potassium in the evaluation of renal function in patients with cardiorenal syndrome using standard mathematical classification models from the domain of artificial intelligence. The criterion for the inclusion of subjects with combined impairment of heart and kidney function in the study was the presence of newly discovered or previously diagnosed clinically manifest cardiovascular disease and acute or chronic kidney disease in different stages of evolution. In this paper, five standard classifiers from the field of machine learning were used for the analysis of the obtained data: ensemble of neural networks (MLP), ensemble of -nearest neighbors (-NN) and naive Bayes classifier, decision tree, and a classifier based on logistic regression.

Is It Possible to Analyze Kidney Functions, Electrolytes and Volemia Using Artificial Intelligence?

Markers used in everyday clinical practice cannot distinguish between the permanent impairment of renal function. Sodium and potassium values and their interdependence are key parameters in addition to volemia for the assessment of cardiorenal balance. The aim of this study was to investigate volemia and electrolyte status from a clinical cardiorenal viewpoint under consideration of renal function utilizing artificial intelligence.

Effects of Fructose and Stress on Rat Renal Copper Metabolism and Antioxidant Enzymes Function.

The effects of a fructose-rich diet and chronic stress on copper metabolism in the kidneys are still understudied. We investigated whether fructose and/or chronic unpredictable stress modulate copper metabolism in a way that affects redox homeostasis, thus contributing to progression of metabolic disturbances in the kidney. We determined protein level of copper transporters, chaperones, and cuproenzymes including cytochrome c oxidase, as well as antioxidant enzymes function in the kidneys of male Wistar rats subjected to 20% liquid fructose supplementation and/or chronic stress.

Improving Blood Pressure Control Using Digital Communication Methods in Serbia.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare home and office BP in the adjustment of antihypertensive treatment. Methods: This study was an open, prospective, noninterventional, multicenter clinical trial that occurred between July 2019 and February 2020, in 34 cities in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, which monitored 1581 participants for 6 months. Depending on the used blood pressure monitoring method used, all patients were divided into control (office BP monitoring) and experimental (home BP telemonitoring) groups.

Platelet thrombus formation in patients with end-stage renal disease before and after hemodialysis as measured by the total thrombus-formation analysis system.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving hemodialysis (HD) often experience bleeding. However, mechanisms behind this bleeding tendency are incompletely understood but may involve platelet dysfunction. We, therefore, studied platelet-dependent thrombus formation in flowing whole blood inside a microchip coated with collagen, and its association with circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF).

Accuracy of the COMBEI BP118A Device for Self-Blood Pressure Measurements in General Population - Validation According to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization Universal Standard.

Background: Electronic devices for blood pressure (BP) measurements must undergo independent clinical validation as recommended by various authorities and scientific societies.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of the Combei BP118A device in the general population according to the Universal Standard Validation Protocol.

Methods: The new-developed Combei BP118A device measures BP at the brachial level using the oscillometric method.

Optimal outcome factors in maternity and newborn care for inpatient (hospital maternity ward-HMW) and outpatient deliveries (outhospital maternity clinics -OMC).

Background And Objectives: The aim of the study was to use the United States Optimality Index (OI-US) to assess the feasibility of its application in making decisions for more optimal methods of delivery and for more optimal postpartum and neonatal outcomes. Numerous worldwide associations support the option of women giving birth at maternity outpatient clinics and also at home. What ought to be met is the assessments of requirements and what could be characterized as the birth potential constitute the basis for making the right decision regarding childbirth.

Risk factors for urosepsis in chronic kidney disease patients with urinary tract infections.

Occurrence of urosepsis is not uncommon following urinary tract infections (UTI). However, there is a lack of evidence explaining the risk factors predisposing to urosepsis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and possible risk factors for urosepsis among patients hospitalized with UTI in a cohort of CKD patients.

Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa extract reduces blood pressure, glycemia and lipid profile in patients with metabolic syndrome: a prospective controlled trial.

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of 4-week supplementation of Alixir 400 PROTECT® (Standardized Aronia L. Melanocarpa Extract Extract-SAE) on clinical and biochemical parameters in patients with confirmed metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was designed as a prospective open-label clinical case-series study with 28 days of follow-up with cases selected and followed during the period from February 1, 2018 to November 2019.

Reproducibility of the European Society of Hypertension - International Protocol for validation of blood pressure measuring devices in obese patients.

Background: Electronic devices for blood pressure (BP) measurements need to go through independent clinical validation as recommended by different authorities, both in general and special populations. Reproducibility of such validation protocols is unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the inter-centre reproducibility of the European Society of Hypertension-International protocol (ESH-IP) in patients with large arm circumference at least 32 cm or obesity.

The impact of environmental and behavioural cofactors on the development of cervical disorders in HR-HPV-infected women in Serbia.

Persistent infection with one or more highly oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) or high-risk-HPV (HR-HPV) is necessary but not a sufficient aetiological agent for the development of cervical neoplasia. A number of viral, host, environmental and behavioural factors are suggested to be associated with the progression of cervical disorder. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of environmental and behavioural cofactors on the development of cervical disorders in HR-HPV-infected women in Serbia.

Significance of asymptomatic hyperuricemia in patients after coronary events.

The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), within three months after coronary events. Also, we aimed to determine whether the presence of hyperuricemia holds correlation with severe CAD, overall heart functioning and risk factors for CAD. The study included 505 consecutive CAD patients, 385 males and 120 females, aged 60.

Crosstalk of Various Biomarkers That Might Provide Prompt Identification of Acute or Chronic Cardiorenal Syndromes.

Introduction: Pathophysiological interaction between the heart and kidneys represents the basis for clinical entities called cardiorenal syndromes. The purpose of the study was to assess the relations between acute and chronic cardiorenal syndromes and biomarkers [advanced oxidation protein products, brain natriuretic peptide, malondialdehyde, xanthine oxidoreductase (XOD), xanthine oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase, interleukin 8, cystatin C, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, high-sensitive troponin T, C-reactive protein and glomerular filtration rate, measured by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula], to hypothesize biomarkers that might provide a prompt identification of acute or chronic cardiorenal syndromes, and to distinguish acute versus chronic types of these syndromes.

Methods: A total of 114 participants were enrolled in this study, i.

Copper and zinc concentrations in atherosclerotic plaque and serum in relation to lipid metabolism in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background/aim: Some oligoelements are now investigated as possibly having a role in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of copper and zinc in the serum and carotid plaque and parameters of lipid metabolism in patients with different morphology of carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: Carotid endarterectomy due to the significant atherosclerotic stenosis was performed in 91 patients (mean age 64 ± 7).

Iron concentrations in atherosclerotic plaque and serum in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the iron concentrations in serum and carotid plaque in patients with different morphology of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and compared with other metal ions. Carotid endarterectomy due to the significant atherosclerotic stenosis was performed in 91 patients. Control group consisted of 27 patients, without carotid atherosclerosis.

Microinflammation factors in the common diseases of the heart and kidneys.

Aim: To determine levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in different cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) modalities and to compare findings to some already investigated direct and indirect parameters of inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Materials And Methods: Testing involved 114 examinees, divided into control and clinical groups suffering from different modalities and were formed according to the basis of a valid classification for CRS.

Results: C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in all CRSs in comparison to the control group (P < 0.

Catastrophic necrotizing fasciitis after blunt abdominal trauma with delayed recognition of the coecal rupture--case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare bacterial infection with dramatic course, characterized by widespread necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia which can often lead to death. We present a case of a 27-year-old male with NF. One day after experiencing blunt abdominal trauma caused by falling over bike handlebars, the patient was admitted to a regional hospital and treated for diffuse abdominal pain and large hematoma of the anterior abdominal wall.

Ossifying chondrolipoma of the tongue.

Introduction: Chondrolipomas and osteolipomas are uncommon variants of lipomatous tumors.

Case Report: We presented a 60-year-old woman with ossifying chondrolipoma of the tongue. Clinical examination revealed a firm nodular mass, located in the midline of the posterior region on the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Pregnancy following conservative surgical treatment of the malignant mixed germ-cell tumor of the ovary--case report.

We present a case of pregnancy after complete conservative surgical treatment in a young woman with malignant mixed germ-cell tumor of the ovary. She was submitted to surgical treatment involving only unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with infracolic omentectomy and dissection of the pelvic and paraaortal lymph nodes. Three years after the operation and chemotherapy the patient spontaneously conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby.

[Comparison of two different types of hormone therapy effects on haemostatic parameters in early postmenopausal women].

Introduction: Most postmenopausal women have some of menopausal symptoms due to oestrogen deprivation. Many therapeutic options are available for managing menopausal problems. However, hormone therapy is associated with a heightened risk for thromboembolic events.

Tumor size and karyometric variables in brain astrocytoma.

Purpose: To show any possible correlation of some karyometric variables with tumor size in patients with brain astrocytoma, in order to confirm karyometry as an objective histological method.

Patients And Methods: The study included 63 patients of different ages and both genders with brain astrocytoma histologically confirmed on the surgically removed material. In all patients maximal tumor excision was done, and all were postoperatively treated according to different therapeutic protocols.