2,336 results match your criteria: ""Sestre milosrdnice" University Hospital[Affiliation]"

Background: Stroke due to basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a severe neurovascular condition with only recently proven effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy as treatment. Early re-occlusion of the basilar artery (RE-BAO) is an even more challenging form of stroke to treat, associated with poor outcomes and still no optimal treatment guidelines. There are only a few reported cases covering this topic thus far.

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Background Context: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a leading cause of low back pain (LBP) and leg pain and may require surgical treatment in case of persistent pain and/or neurological deficits. Conventional discectomy involves removing the herniated fragment and additional material from the disc space, potentially accelerating disc degeneration and contributing to chronic LBP. Conversely, by resecting the herniated fragment only, sequestrectomy may reduce postoperative LBP while increasing the risk of LDH recurrence.

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Intratumoural oncolytic virotherapy may have promise as a means to debulk and downstage inoperable tumours in preparation for successful surgery. Here, we describe the unique case of a 50-year-old self-experimenting female virologist with locally recurrent muscle-invasive breast cancer who was able to proceed to simple, non-invasive tumour resection after receiving multiple intratumoural injections of research-grade virus preparations, which first included an Edmonston-Zagreb measles vaccine strain (MeV) and then a vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana strain (VSV), both prepared in her own laboratory. The intratumoural virus therapy was well tolerated.

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Article Synopsis
  • Periocular dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition around the eyes, with unclear causes, possibly linked to the skin microbiome, prompting this study to compare microbiota between affected individuals and healthy controls.
  • The study involved 35 patients with periocular dermatitis and 39 healthy people who provided skin swabs; DNA was extracted and analyzed using advanced sequencing technology.
  • Results showed significant differences in bacterial diversity between the groups, with certain bacteria more abundant in patients, suggesting that changes in the skin microbiota may play a role in the development of periocular dermatitis and warrant further research.
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Aim: Our goal was to examine the effect of high-intensity physical activity on changes in the lipid profile, complete blood count (CBC), iron metabolism, and kidney and liver function tests of professional water polo players.

Methods: This study included twenty professional male water polo players. Blood sampling was carried out at the beginning of the season and during periods of high-intensity training.

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Chronic non-specific low back pain disability and depressive symptoms in working men and women: a cross-sectional study.

Rheumatol Int

December 2024

University Department of Rheumatology, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Vinogradska cesta 29, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia.

Article Synopsis
  • * A study analyzed 203 Croatian workers aged 35-65, using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) for disability and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) for depressive symptoms.
  • * Results showed that higher disability levels were correlated with severe depression, older age, longer work experience, and greater pain intensity, suggesting the need for screening for depression to tailor treatment plans.
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  • Beta defensins (β-defensins) are antimicrobial peptides mainly produced by epithelial cells to protect the skin and other organs from harmful microorganisms.* -
  • Human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) is linked to allergic reactions and is found at higher levels in patients with skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, contributing to conditions like chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).* -
  • Despite its potential as a marker for inflammation and a possible therapeutic target, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind elevated HBD2 levels in allergic skin diseases.*
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Sex dependence of postoperative pulmonary complications - A post hoc unmatched and matched analysis of LAS VEGAS.

J Clin Anesth

December 2024

Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Intensive Care, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) between males and females following surgery under general anesthesia, using data from the LAS VEGAS study involving 146 hospitals across 29 countries.
  • A total of 9,697 patients were analyzed in two cohorts: an unmatched cohort (55.1% female, 44.9% male) and a matched cohort (50% female and male), finding no significant differences in PPC rates between the genders in both cohorts.
  • The study concluded that, in this international patient population, the incidence of PPCs did not differ significantly between males and females, as well as noting comparable hospital stays and mortality rates.*
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  • The introduction of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the 1980s transformed how osteoporosis is diagnosed and managed globally.
  • DXA results can be impacted by various technical factors, including instrument quality, patient positioning, and the interpretation of T-scores and Z-scores.
  • This report aims to highlight important technical and clinical elements of DXA use and discusses how to better integrate these practices into clinical settings, along with considering non-bone mineral density measurements.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the possible association between cheilitis and allergic reactions, and to use allergy skin tests to identify the allergens that induce allergic reactions in cheilitis patients (type I and type IV). We included 50 patients with recurrent cheilitis (reversible cheilitis) who were dermatologically examined and agreed to undergo allergy skin tests, i.e.

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THE ROLE OF INTERFERON-GAMMA RELEASE ASSAYS IN DIAGNOSIS OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN CHILDREN.

Acta Clin Croat

November 2023

Department of Pulmonology, Allergology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Zagreb Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.

Despite numerous published papers, diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children is still an undefined area. The importance of this topic lies in the fact that one third of the world's population is infected with . The majority of infected individuals are LTBI cases which make a reservoir for future active tuberculosis (TB) patients.

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Article Synopsis
  • Isolated abducens nerve palsy is a rare but noted complication following lumbar punctures, often reported more in anesthesiology than neurology literature.* -
  • This condition typically arises one to three weeks post-procedure, necessitating a connection to lumbar puncture while ruling out other causes.* -
  • A case study of a 32-year-old man highlights this issue, as he developed right eye abducens palsy two days after his lumbar puncture for headache diagnosis, but treatment was refused.*
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  • Alternating hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is rare in kids and often linked to unbalanced thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies.
  • A 12-year-old boy experienced fluctuations in thyroid function for nearly six years, showing both conditions but testing negative for stimulating antibodies.
  • The case illustrates the complexity of managing thyroid issues in children, emphasizing that treatment should be tailored based on individual symptoms and thyroid test results, regardless of the exact cause.
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  • The study investigated how educational level, employment status, and sexual activity relate to each other in women after giving birth, focusing on 286 participants who provided detailed information through a questionnaire.
  • Key findings included significant differences in when first intercourse occurred related to the mother's education, her partner's employment, and the mother's age; however, the overall correlations among these factors and sexual activity were found to be quite weak.
  • Despite the observed differences in timing and frequency of intercourse in the first year post-childbirth, the study concluded that educational level and employment status do not strongly correlate with sexual activity after delivery.
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  • Posterior fossa tumors in adults are rare, accounting for 6% to 20% of all brain tumors, and their treatment is complex, necessitating this review of their clinical and surgical features.
  • A ten-year study analyzed 66 adult patients diagnosed and surgically treated for posterior fossa tumors, revealing a mean age of 63, with metastatic tumors being the most common type.
  • Symptoms typically included vegetative and cerebellar issues, and timely surgical intervention is essential for improving outcomes, with total tumor resection being the preferred option.
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Non-technical skills for neurosurgeons: An international survey.

Brain Spine

August 2024

Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta", Milano, Italy.

Article Synopsis
  • Neurosurgery requires not only technical skills but also non-technical skills (NTSs) to achieve mastery, highlighting the importance of both in surgical practice.
  • An international survey of 372 neurosurgeons indicates that qualities like attention to detail, humility, and self-awareness are vital for surgical precision and effective teamwork.
  • The study advocates for integrated training that includes simulations and mentorship to enhance NTSs, while also stressing the need for research aimed at improving educational methods, especially in regions with unequal access to neurosurgical care.
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This study was designed to examine the association between myocardial concentrations of the trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn and the expression of mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) elements and the age of patients who received heart transplantation or a left-ventricular assist device (ageHTx/LVAD). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn in the myocardium of control subjects and patients undergoing heart transplantation or left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We used ELISA to quantify the expression of UPRmt proteins and 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which served as a marker of oxidative-stress-induced lipid peroxidation.

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Background:  Multicenter precision oncology real-world evidence requires a substantial long-term investment by hospitals to prepare their data and align on common Clinical Research processes and medical definitions. Our team has developed a self-assessment framework to support hospitals and hospital networks to measure their digital maturity and better plan and coordinate those investments. From that framework, we developed PRISM for Cancer Outcomes: PR: agmatic I: nstitutional S: urvey and benchM: arking.

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Purpose: To investigate the functional and structural daily variations in eyes with a mild form of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

Methods: This prospective study included 30 eyes with the mild form of FECD. Subjects underwent functional and structural testing at 8 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigated the relationship between Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) status in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), focusing on overall survival (OS).
  • - Results showed that patients with a higher TMB (≥10 mut/Mb) generally experienced longer median OS compared to those with lower TMB, although these differences weren't always statistically significant.
  • - Notably, patients treated with maintenance avelumab had a significantly better OS when TMB was high (61 months vs. 17 months for low TMB), indicating potential benefits of ICI based on TMB and MSI status, warranting further investigation.
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Unlabelled: Cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in Croatia, are linked to the high prevalence of hypertension. Both are associated with high salt intake, which was determined almost two decades ago when Croatian Action on Salt and Health (CRASH) was launched. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate salt, potassium, and iodine intake using a single 24 h urine sample in a random sample of the adult Croatian population and to analyse trends in salt consumption after the CRASH was intensively started.

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  • In melanomas, BRAF gene mutations are common early events, and this study aimed to compare their frequency in dysplastic nevi (ND) and melanomas in situ (MIS) while examining correlations with clinical factors.
  • A total of 175 patients were analyzed, revealing a significant correlation between BRAF mutations and the diagnosis of MIS, while patients with lentigo maligna (LM) had fewer mutations compared to those with ND and MIS.
  • The study concluded that while BRAF mutations are essential in ND, they alone are insufficient to trigger melanoma development, enhancing understanding of melanoma's etiology and the role of ND as potential precursors.
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Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in the world. Rapid diagnosis and intervention are crucial for reducing its consequences on individuals and societies. Therefore, identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection, prognostics, and therapy can facilitate the early prediction and prevention of stroke.

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  • Lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are becoming more common globally, but they differ in how they're run, who qualifies, and how resources are used.
  • Very few LCS programs are fully established on a national level, though more are expected to be developed soon.
  • Combining low-dose chest CT scans with smoking cessation support has shown to improve patient outcomes, and promising technologies like risk prediction models and AI are being explored, but they still need more research and validation before being widely implemented.
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  • Despite advancements in cancer treatment, Central and Eastern European countries, like Slovakia and Croatia, face high mortality rates and significant disparities in cancer care access, prompting a study on patients' experiences and perspectives.
  • The study involved 26 cancer patients (15 from Croatia, 11 from Slovakia) who participated in online discussions about barriers they faced during their cancer journey; the data were analyzed through Thematic analysis.
  • Key findings revealed common themes like lack of information and societal taboos around cancer, as well as specific needs for each group, highlighting the necessity for urgent interventions to reduce disparities and enhance cancer care in the region.
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