Inhibitory effect of a propolis on di-n-propyl disulfide or n-hexyl salycilate-induced skin irritation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in mice.

Purpose: Thermal imaging has been utilised, both preclinically and clinically, as a tool for assessing inflammation. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by hyperkeratosis, dermal inflammatory infiltrate and increased angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of thermography in psoriatic lesion regression after topical treatment with bee propolis, recognised as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Arylsulfatase a gene polymorphisms in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: genotype-phenotype correlation and estimation of disease progression.

Arylsulfatase A (ASA) is a lysosomal enzyme involved in catabolism of cerebroside-sulfate, major lipid constituent of oligodendrocyte membranes. Various polymorphisms in ASA gene have been described, leading to different levels of enzyme deficiency. Progressive demyelination occurs in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), while the condition of ASA-pseudodeficiency (ASA-PD) is suggested to contribute to complex pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Inadequate face mask ventilation--clinical applications.

Face mask ventilation is a life saving technique. This article will review aetiology and patophysiological consequences of inadequate mask ventilation. The main focus will be on circulatory changes during induction of anesthesia, before and in a short period after intubation that could be attributed to inadequate mask ventilation in humans.

[Endoscopically assisted lipectomy].

The aim of the study was to compare lipectomy and endoscopically assisted lipectomy. In a group of 32 patients with cytologically verified lipoma, 16 patients underwent classic lipectomy and endoscopically assisted lipectomy each. At 12-month follow up, there was no difference in the number of lipoma recurrences between the two techniques.

Klinefelter syndrome and acute basophilic leukaemia--case report.

Patients with 47, XXY karyotype (Klinefelter syndrome) appear to have increased risk of developing cancer, especially male breast cancer, germ cell tumours and non Hodgkin lymphomas, but rarely acute myeloid leukaemia. We report a patient with acute basophilic leukaemia with 47, XXY karyotype in both the tumour and constitutional cells. Acute basophilic leukaemia is very rare disease comprising less than 1% of all acute myeloid leukaemias.

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy--a new advantage of gallbladder surgery.

In this study is demonstrated our experience in single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILS), compared to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were 48 single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomies (SILS) performed during one-year period (A group) and results have been compared with a group of 50 patients who underwent standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (B group). Outcome measures included operative time, need for conversion, complications, additional analgesia for pain control after procedure, hospital stay and cosmetic outcome.

Ischemic preconditioning decreases laparoscopy induced oxidative stress in the liver.

Experimental studies indicate that oxidative stress during and after laparoscopic surgery may cause liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of ischemic preconditioning against liver damage during pneumoperitoneum on oxidative stress. Twenty one New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups of seven animals.

[Surgical and radiotherapy in treatment of postauricular keloids--case report].

Treatment of keloid remains a great challenge for clinicians, in spite of numerous therapeutic regimens reported in the literature to date. Earlobe or postauricular regions are predominant locations for postoperative keloids due to the treatment of lop ears. There are several treatments that include intralesional steroid injections, surgical excision, cryotherapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy.

[A contribution to surgical treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer hemorrhage in critically unstable patients].

Unlabelled: One of the complications of gastroduodenal ulcer disease is gastrointestinal hemorrhage; it is a cause of a substantial mortality. Standard therapy of gastroduodenal hemorrhage consists of endoscope sclerosation, over sewing or resection. The aim of this study is to analyze our results and methods in treatment of life threatening patients with gastroduodenal hemorrhage.

[Non-pharmacological methods of stroke prevention].

Stroke is a major health problem and the leading cause of functional disability, so that effective primary prevention remains the best, easiest and most cost-effective approach to reduce serious consequences of stroke. It is well known that prevention includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. However, it seems that non-pharmacological methods of stroke prevention are generally neglected and placed in an inferior position in relation to pharmacological prevention.

Post-intubation long-segment tracheal stenosis of the posterior wall: a case report and review of the literature.

Tracheal stenosis, a well-known complication of endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation, is most likely to occur in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Although a rare complication, and despite technological improvements and better patient care in intensive care units, tracheal stenosis still constitutes a serious clinical problem which can also develop after a short period of mechanical ventilation. In this article, we present a very rare case report of a patient who developed a long-segment tracheal stenosis localized at the posterior wall after a relatively short period of endotracheal intubation with a high-volume, low-pressure cuffed endotracheal tube, and a review of the literature.

Diversity of bone cell activity as a histomorphometric feature of idiopathic osteoporosis in men.

Although osteoporosis in men is an increasing health problem, studies on osteoporosis in males are still scarce. The aim of our study was to determine the characteristics of bone tissue and bone turnover in men with idiopathic osteoporosis. Transiliac crest bone samples were histomorphometrically analyzed after double tetracycline labeling in 32 men aged 37-65 years who were diagnosed with idiopathic osteoporosis by densitometry of the lumbar spine and hip.

[Thrombophilia, preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications].

The aim of this paper is to present the latest developments in therapy and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and other pregnancy complications in women with inherited or acquired thrombophilia and in women with mechanical heart valves. The data presented in the paper have been extracted from the Current Contents database. It is well known that the hypercoagulable state in pregnant women, caused either by the physiological changes of pregnancy or by inherited thrombophilia, increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), pulmonary embolism (PE), preeclampsia, recurrent early and late fetal loss, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), placental abruption, and other less probable complications of pregnancy and its outcome.

Nitrofurantoin-induced acute liver damage in pregnancy.

This article presents a rare case of acute toxic hepatitis in thirty-one-year old primigravida. In the 36th week of gestation, the patient was introduced nitrofurantoin 100 mg a day due to symptoms of dysuria and enterococcus isolated from urine culture. After induced delivery at term because of hypertension, repeated laboratory findings showed increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and negative hepatitis C and B markers.

[Invasive versus noninvasive approach in the treatment of nonstable angina pectoris and NSTEMI: pro and con].

Acute coronary syndrome, although unique in its pathophysiologic mechanism, in its different clinical presentations is characterized by different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Conservative approach is complementary rather than competitive to modern invasive percutaneous procedures on coronary arteries. The guidelines are clear but have been subject to dynamic changes in the last several years and we can expect further changes and be open to them.

[Necrotizing soft tissue infection of upper extremity complicated with toxic shock syndrome--clinical presentation and treatment options].

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are uncommon infections associated with considerable morbidity and mortality (20%-40%). They are characterized by rapidly progressive necrosis of soft tissue that primarily involves subcutaneous fat and fascia with variable involvement of the overlying skin and muscle. Extensive soft tissue necrosis is often accompanied by systemic toxicity.

Fetal malformations associated with the use of methylphenobarbital and carbamazepine during pregnancy. Two case reports and review of the literature.

The use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of major and minor fetal malformations. This paper describes 2 infants with malformations born to epileptic mothers who used AEDs throughout pregnancy. In the first case, the AED used for seizure control was methylphenobarbital, while in the second case the patient had been prescribed carbamazepine.

Delivery course of macerated stillborn fetuses in the third trimester.

Aim: We present and discuss delivery (maternal and fetal) outcome of macerated stillbirths in the third trimester.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the course of labor was analyzed in 10 stillborn fetuses with a varying grade of maceration during the third trimester. Medical documentation on the course of pregnancy, maternity ward history and histopathology was used to analyze maternal demography data, course of labor, fetal birth weight and birth length, fetal findings (grade of maceration, concomitant finding of cord accidents) and maternal peripartum outcome.

[Natriuretic peptides in clinical practice].

The natriuretic peptide (NP) system is primarily an endocrine system that maintains fluid and pressure homeostasis in healthy humans. The cardiac NP, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) are secreted by the heart in proportion to cardiac transmural pressures. The relationship between plasma levels of these peptides and "cardiac load" has led to their use as biomarkers of cardiac health with diagnostic and prognostic applications in a variety of disorders affecting the cardiovascular system.

[Seizures in the peracute stage of stroke: incidence and effect on inpatient mortality].

Introduction: According to literature data, the effect of seizures on inpatient mortality has not yet been not definitly determined and data on seizure incidence significantly vary with different methods used in various studies,

Aim: Our aim was to determine the effect of seizures in the peracute stage of stroke on inpatient mortality and to detect the possible association of seizure incidence and stroke subtype, age and sex.

Subjects And Methods: Medical documentation of patients hospitalized at the ward for cerebrovascular diseases, Department of Neurology, Sveti Duh General Hospital from 1998 to 2005 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 3,542 patients with hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke.

Nonhemorrhagic primary obstetric shock.

Objective: Clinical evaluation of nonhemorrhagic primary obstetric shock (NHPOS).

Methods: In a retrospective clinical study, data on 8 cases of NHPOS were analyzed. Data on patient age, parity, week of gestation, comorbidity, possible etiologic trigger, course of disease with clinical picture and laboratory findings of coagulopathy, and patient outcome including autopsy findings in two lethal outcomes were analyzed.

Nasoendotracheal tube obstruction by a nasal polyp in emergency oral surgery: a case report.

Nasal polyps can make nasoendotracheal intubation difficult. We present a case of complete obstruction of a nasoendotracheal tube by a nasal polyp during a blind nasoendotracheal intubation in emergency oral surgery.

Doppler cerebro-umbilical ratio and fetal biophysical profile in the assessment of peripartal cardiotocography in growth-retarded fetuses.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the value of the fetal biophysical profile (FBP) and the Doppler cerebro-umbilical ratio (C/U) in the assessment of peripartal cardiotocography (CTG) in growth-retarded fetuses.

Methods: The prospective study included 58 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy from 28 to 42 weeks of gestation with clinically and ultrasonically verified late intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). After assessment of the FBP, flow velocity waveforms from the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries were recorded and the C/U ratio was calculated.