Normal Course Research Articles

ReNeuWell mental well-being app: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionThe field of mental well-being interventions includes numerous studies of smartphone app-based programs, but there is a research-to-retail gap where many studies pertain to apps that are not publicly available,...

Effectiveness of arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of long head of biceps tendon in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear

To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients with rotator cuff tears and LHBT injuries admitted between June 2022 and November 2023. All patients underwent arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of LHBT in situ. There were 12 males and 19 females, with an average age of 61.6 years (range, 53-76 years). There were 10 cases of acute injury and 21 cases of chronic injury. According to DeOrio and Cofield classification criteria, the degree of rotator cuff tear rated as medium-sized tears in 3 cases, large tears in 12 cases, and massive tears in 16 cases. Associated injuries included 5 cases of shoulder joint adhesions, 12 cases of subscapularis muscle tears, and 31 case of shoulder impingement syndromes. The shoulder range of motion (ROM) (forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, lateral internal rotation) and pain/function scores [visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, Constant-Murley score] were recorded before operation and at last follow-up. MRI at last follow-up were taken to evaluate the rotator cuff healing and structural integrity. All 31 surgeries were successfully completed with operation time ranging from 90 to 210 minutes (mean, 144 minutes). The 3-5 anchors (mean, 3.8 anchors) were used during operation. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-29 months (mean, 18.5 months). At 3 months after operation, 2 cases developed joint adhesions, 3 had internal rotation limitations, and 2 experienced residual pain at the intertubercular groove, all resolved with conservative management. No Popeye deformity occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, shoulder ROM (forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, lateral internal rotation) and pain/function scores (VAS, UCLA, and Constant-Murley scores) showed significant improvements compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, MRI evaluation showed that the rotator cuff healing rate reached 90.3% according to the Sugaya classification criteria. LHBT exhibited normal morphology, course, and continuity without dislocation. Surrounding synovial sheath showed no thickening or effusion. Arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of LHBT in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear can significantly reduce shoulder joint pain, improve ROM, and achieve a high rotator cuff healing rate.

Diagnosed Night Bruxism – Prevalence And Therapy

Introduction: Bruxism is an oral parafunctional habit in which a process of clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth occurs, which manifests itself on an unconscious level in patients during sleep. After analyzing day and night bruxism, it was found that night bruxism has a high prevalence. It increases and is associated with several factors such as stress, medications, anxiety, changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as sleep disorders. Therefore, the therapist should be familiar with the etiological causes, in order to provide the most optimal plan for prevention and therapy of the patient through modern diagnostic protocols and therapeutic modalities. Purpose: Analyzing the literature data the goal was set to present the diagnosed night bruxism with its prevalence and therapy with the manufacture of occlusal splints. Material and methods: The Internet databases that helped create this review paper were Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Researchgate, Academia, application of written textbooks from the country as well as from abroad. The literature search was assisted by keywords in the field of night bruxism. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of diagnosed night bruxism is very high, and the therapy is aimed at eliminating the problems deriving from night bruxism. It is of great importance that after the therapy with occlusal splints, prevention of the entire stomatognathic system is also performed. Therefore, the therapist is directed towards early prevention, which includes the production of paraclinical devices for monitoring the type of bruxism and its’ patterns. To prevent the consequences of night bruxism, which include abrasion, tooth fractures, fracture of prosthetic restorations, damage to dental implants, headache, periodontal lesions and temporomandibular dysfunctions, appropriate therapeutic modalities should be used. Individually designed occlusal splints worn regularly at night help in the prevention and treatment of night bruxism, which protects against further damage to the stomatognathic system. Kapusevska, in her studies, emphasizes the need for early diagnosis for the timely removal of etiological factors that affect the occurrence, course and manifestations of night bruxism. In this way, therapists are encouraged to manufacture appropriate splints that will act preventively on the tissues of the stomatognathic system. Conclusion: Night bruxism, more accurate after the Covid -19 pandemic, completely changes the normal physiological course of the stomatognathic system. Everything should be done to educate dental and medical personnel for timely detection, prevention and treatment of the stomatognathic system of patients from the consequences of diagnosed night bruxism.

Use of ophthalmic artery Doppler in preeclampsia prognosis and early diagnostics

Aim: to study ophthalmic artery blood flow parameters for predicting preeclampsia (РЕ) development, as well as compare prognostic value of their changes with calculated PE risk during prenatal screening.Materials and Methods. A prospective cohort comparative study was conducted by enrolling 80 pregnant women divided into two groups: per 40 subjects at high or low РЕ risk based on first-trimester prenatal screening assigned to main group and control group, respectively. Ophthalmic artery blood flow parameters (assessing the average magnitude from right and left examined vessels) was conducted from 11 to 13+6 weeks of pregnancy using Doppler ultrasound. Peak systolic velocity 1 (PSV1), peak systolic velocity 2 (PSV2), pulsatility index, and resistance index were assessed. Analysis of pregnancy course and outcomes was carried out.Results. In main group (high РЕ risk), 27 (67.5 %) patients had a normal course of pregnancy and term delivery (38–40 weeks). The remaining patients experienced hypertensive disorders and РЕ. Of the 40 women in main group, 25 (62.5 %) had vaginal deliveries, while 15 (37.5 %) underwent cesarean sections, 13 (86.7 %) subjects of those had indications related to РЕ and fetal growth restriction (FGR). In control group (low РЕ risk), 38 (95.0 %) women also had term delivery, with 31 (77.5 %) subjects having vaginal delivery and 9 (22.5 %) undergoing cesarean sections for indications unrelated to РЕ and FGR. Of the 80 patients from both study groups, РЕ developed in 10 (12.5 %) subjects: 2 cases (5.0 %) in low-risk PE group and 8 (20.0 %) in high-risk PE group. Early-onset РЕ (before 34 weeks of gestational age) was diagnosed in 2 patients (20.0 %) out of 10, whereas late-onset РE (after 34 weeks of gestational age) was diagnosed in 8 (80.0 %) subjects suggesting late PE predominance (ratio 1:4). PSV1 magnitude tended to insignificantly increase in control group. Pulsatility and resistance indices also did not reveal significant differences. In patients at high vs. low PE risk, the PSV2/PSV1 ratio was 8.0 % higher, but these differences were insignificant (p &gt; 0.05), and among those pregnant women who developed PE, the PSV2/PSV1 ratio was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.001) compared to group without PE.Conclusion. The study results evidence about the importance of evaluating ophthalmic artery blood flow parameters in pregnant women during the first prenatal screening as an additional tool for predicting PE.

Improved gated recurrent unit-based osteosarcoma prediction on histology images: a meta-heuristic-oriented optimization concept

The major prevalent primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma. Preoperative chemotherapy is accompanied by resection as part of the normal course of treatment. The diagnosis and treatment of patients are based on the chemotherapy reaction. Contrarily, chemotherapy without operation results in persistent cancer and an osteosarcoma regrowth. Thus, osteosarcoma patients should receive comprehensive therapy, which includes tumor-free surgery and global chemotherapy, to improve their survival. Hence, early diagnosis and individualized care of osteosarcoma are essential since they may lead to more effective therapies and higher survival rates. Here, the main goal of the recommended research is to use a unique deep learning approach to predict the osteosarcoma on histology images. Initially, the data is collected from the navigation confluence mobile osteosarcoma data of UT Southwestern/UT Dallas dataset. Next, the pre-processing of the collected images is accomplished by the Weiner filter technique. Further, the segmentation for the pre-processed images is done by the 2D Otsu’s method. From the segmented images, the features are extracted by the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) approach. These extracted features undergo the final prediction phase that is accomplished by the novel improved recurrent gated recurrent unit (IGRU), in which the parameter tuning of GRU is accomplished by the osprey optimization algorithm (OOA) with the consideration of error minimization as the major objective function. On contrast with various conventional methods, the simulation findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed model in terms of numerous analysis.

Impression Cytology of Bulbar Conjunctiva in Refractive Patients

Actuality. Maintaining a healthy eye surface is very important both for performing high-quality visual work and for maintaining a socially active lifestyle. A stable and functional tear film is necessary to protect and maintain the normal balance of the eye surface.Purpose: to determine the density of goblet cells of the bulbar conjunctiva in refractive profile patients at the pre- and postoperative stages, taking into account the condition of the ocular surface.Patients and methods. Within the framework of this work, 62 (62 eyes) refractive profile patients were examined, their average age was 26.5 ± 2.1 years. In addition to the standard refractive diagnosis, which determines the possibility of safe keratorefractive surgery, all patients underwent an assessment of the status ocular surface: Schirmer-1 test, Norn test, staining of the ocular surface with 0.1% fluorescein and 0.1% lissamine green, determination of tear film break up time and loss of meibomian gland secretion during upper meibography and the lower eyelid on the diagnostic module of the Mediworks slit lamp (China). The follow-up periods were before surgery, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.Results. The results of this study showed an uneven distribution of goblet cell density in all study groups, followed by recovery the 6th month.Conclusion. Thus, the results of assessing condition of the ocular surface using standard ophthalmological research methods and using a modern diagnostic module for screening dry eye syndrome corresponded to the normal course of the recovery period after keratorefractive surgery against the background of prescribed targeted therapy in the fight against induced dry eye syndrome, while a study of the number of goblet cells showed the presence of changes, in groups with the initial presence of dry eye syndrome, this confirms high informative value and diagnostic significance of impression cytology.

Innovations in the Research of the Relationship of Mental and Reproductive Health: Changes in Personality Profiles in Young Women with Pregnancy Pathology and the Reflection of Obstetric Gynecological Diseases on Their Psychological Status

This practical work is aimed at identifying various changes and disorders in personality profiles in a specific cohort of the population: young women from 18 to 30 years old with pregnancy pathology. In addition to this experimental part of the article, which also includes a study of situational and personal anxiety, the relationship of these indicators with existing obstetric and gynecological pathologies and their severity, global parameters were also revealed in the context of this topic. A woman’s well-being psychoemotional state is of high enough importance for the normal course of pregnancy, and in the future, childbirth. Current research in this area dictates the existence of a two-way relationship between mental and reproductive health. Problems in the reproductive sphere are certainly a powerful trigger and etiological factor in the occurrence of stress, anxiety, and personality profile disorders. In turn, various kinds of psychological disorders often cause violations of the reproductive potential of women, especially those of young age and with an unstable nervous system. And pregnancy, as mentioned above, being a period of increased risk of developing pathologies in the psycho-emotional sphere, often becomes a trigger factor in the manifestation of hidden changes. A correlation analysis conducted after evaluating the personality profiles of patients revealed their violation in 84%, and the main scales that appeared in high and low scores were the scales of depression and hysteria. Pregnant women in this group were certainly more irritable and nervous. Anxiety, assessed both as a property and as a condition, had a high level - 48% and 18%, respectively. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the research of this issue by reviewing leading articles and conducting their own practical research. We are confident that all clinicians should monitor this population group with extreme caution, as evidenced once again by the results of the work and the conclusions revealed against its background.

Cytological and karyological analysis of interspecific cotton hybrids

This article explores the morphology and karyological characteristics of cotton tetraploids, including Gossypium tomentosum, G. mustelinum, G. hirsutum var. morili, G. hirsutum L. variety AN-Bayaut-2, Bukhara-6 variety, G. barbadense ssp. ruderale and G. barbadense ssp. vitifolium var. brasilense, along with their polyploid plant generations and F1 hybrids. The study describes the morphological traits and karyological features of the resulting allopolyploids. The results generatedoctoploid hybrid combinations, whichwere morphologically analyzed. It was observed that most of the octoploid plants were short, some weremedium-sized and others wereflowerless, displaying morphological irregularities and fragility. The leaves of theseplants werethick but obtained from octoploids (C - generation exposed to colchicine). When the chromosomes of plants from C1 to C4generations were counted, they returned to the tetraploid level (2n = 4x = 52), stabilizing the karyotype structure among the plant generations. At the same time, a process of restoration of the normal course of microsporogenesis was observed. F1hybrids obtained fromthese species and subspecies were observed to differ significantly in several characteristics. The first-generation hybrids exhibited distinct morphological variation. Each hybrid combination differed in traits such as speed of ripening, leaf size and shape, density, size, joint spacing in the first crop, the size of pods and overall development. The hybrid plants demonstrated robust growth, a good fruit set and notable karyological features.

Individual Differences in Global Cognition Modulate the Effect of Motor-Relatedness on Object Naming in Healthy Older Adults.

Lexical retrieval difficulty is a common daily complaint among older adults. Recent evidence suggests that older adults name motor-related nouns (e.g., knife) more accurately than non-motor nouns (e.g., steak). However, it remains unclear whether this motor-relatedness effect can reduce older adults' object naming latency (a potentially more sensitive measure of word retrieval than accuracy) and how it may be modulated by individual differences (e.g., age and global cognition). Therefore, we recruited a large number of older adults to complete a Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a timed picture-naming task, and we explored the two remaining issues with data from 76 community-dwelling older adults (65-81 years old), excluding participants with possible AD. Linear mixed-effects analysis revealed a main effect of motor-relatedness on naming latency in older adults and a significant interaction with the MoCA score after controlling for a number of stimulus-related factors (i.e., age of acquisition, familiarity, name agreement, and visual complexity) and participant-related factors (i.e., gender and education) as covariates, but age showed neither a main effect nor a significant interaction with motor-relatedness. Further simple slope analysis showed that older adults were faster at naming objects with high motor-relatedness and that older adults with low MoCA scores benefited more from the motor-relatedness effect. These findings suggest that motor-relatedness may compensate for the normal course of cognitive ageing in older adults. Implications for the motor-relatedness effect were discussed.

Functional brain connectivity in early adolescence after hypothermia-treated neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) injures the infant brain during the basic formation of the developing functional connectome. This study aimed to investigate long-term changes in the functional connectivity (FC) networks of the adolescent brain following neonatal HIE treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). This prospective, population-based cohort study included all infants (n = 66) with TH-treated neonatal HIE in Stockholm during 2007-2009 and a control group (n = 43) of children with normal neonatal course. Assessment with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm at age 9-12 years. fMRI data met quality criteria for 35 children in the HIE-cohort (mean [SD] age at MRI: 11.2 [0.74] years, 46% male) and 30 children in the control group (mean [SD] age at MRI: 10.1 [0.78] years, 53% male). Adverse outcome was present in 40% of children in the HIE-cohort. Non-parametric statistical analysis failed to detect any significant (p < 0.001) alterations of FC networks in the HIE-cohort, nor between children in the HIE-cohort with or without neurological symptoms. Findings of persistent alterations in specific functional networks did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons in this cohort of adolescent children exposed to TH-treated neonatal HIE. Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) could not be associated with alterations in functional connectivity in this cohort of adolescent children. Findings of aberrant connectivity identified in two functional networks were no longer significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Larger, multi-center studies are needed to understand whether network abnormalities persist long term and are related to outcomes in neonatal HIE.

Ultrasound and clinical and morphological evaluation of intrauterine infection in pregnant women: A retrospective study

Background. Intrauterine infection (IUI) remains an urgent obstetric problem. Aim. Identification of modern, reliable markers of intrauterine infection. Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 510 ultrasound (US) examinations and clinical, microbiological, and morphological data of 54 pregnant women (main group) with symptoms of placental insufficiency (PI) and IUI confirmed after childbirth. The control group included 48 patients with a normal course of pregnancy and childbirth. Results. Valuable and accessible markers of IUI and PI were identified in the main group using sonography: structural changes in the placenta [n=25 (46.3%)] and umbilical cord [n=15 (27.8%)], abnormal changes in the internal organs of the fetus (nonimmune hydrops [n=9 (16.7%)], calcifications [n=8 (14.8%)], etc.), oligohydramnios [n=26 (48.1%)], fetal growth retardation [n=11 (20.4%)], impaired fetoplacental blood flow [n=41 (75.9%)]. These changes occurred in patients with a history of pelvic inflammatory diseases [n=30 (55.6%)], mother's somatic diseases (history of urinary tract infections [n=19 (35.2%)], pregnancy complications: threatened miscarriage [n=19 (35.2%)], threatened premature birth [n=26 (48.1%)], infectious diseases in newborns. The study of afterbirth in the main group showed signs of purulent chorioamnionitis in 30 (55.6%) cases. Conclusion. Maternal infectious diseases through the transplacental and ascending pathways increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and fetal and neonatal disease and lead to adverse perinatal outcomes. Ultrasound predictor marker of the initial complications of PI and IUI is early oligohydramnios detected using the method of maximal vertical pocket by 3D/4D echography [in the main group, n=24 (44.4%)], which precedes the development of early fetal growth retardation [n=4 (7.4%)] and decompensation of fetoplacental blood flow [n=7 (13%)]. The timely use of ultrasound markers of IUIs helps to choose the effective approach for prenatal care and delivery.

Exploring sexual and romantic functioning as early risk factors of schizophrenia: a narrative review.

Patients with schizophrenia frequently encounter challenges related to sexuality and intimacy; however, the underlying causes of these difficulties remain unknown and unexplored. This narrative review aims to explore how the biological/hormonal and psychological/behavioral developmental trajectories in schizophrenia patients deviate from the normal course and to examine their connection to difficulties in sexual and romantic functioning. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, with key terms related to schizophrenia and sexual development without restriction on publication year. Articles discussing behavioral, sexual, or psychological/behavioral development before the onset of schizophrenia were included. Articles were divided into biological/hormonal and psychological/behavioral precursor categories. Additional searches were conducted to explore the broader sociocognitive context of schizophrenia, such as deficits in empathy, emotional processing, and theory of mind. The review highlights deviations in both biological/hormonal and psychological/behavioral development in schizophrenia that contribute to difficulties in romantic and sexual relationships. This narrative review addresses the extent to which biological, psychological, and social factors in schizophrenia may be closely intertwined. Abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes have been documented in individuals with schizophrenia, potentially impairing sociosexual competencies and leading to behavioral challenges in forming sexual relationships. Deficits in theory of mind, emotional processing, and empathy may further hinder the ability to form and sustain intimate relationships, amplifying the social difficulties associated with schizophrenia. Additionally, early life traumas, especially sexual abuse, can contribute to sexual difficulties and worsen the disorder. Understanding the deviations from the normal developmental course in schizophrenia patients may offer valuable insights for potential intervention strategies and remediation approaches and contribute to improvements in sexual/romantic functioning and overall sexual health in schizophrenia patients. This review provides an overview of the developmental precursors of schizophrenia-related sexual/romantic difficulties. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying these difficulties, particularly in determining the emotional and motivational salience of sexual stimuli and the capacity to engage in and maintain communication of sexual interest. The reader should bear in mind that narrative reviews lack systematic methods for selecting and evaluating studies, which can lead to author bias in choosing or interpreting sources. The narrative review identified deviations in the biological/hormonal and psychological/behavioral developmental trajectories of schizophrenia patients, linking these abnormalities to difficulties in sexual and romantic functioning, and highlighting the need for sexological remediation strategies to improve sociosexual competencies and overall sexual health.

From Pre-Foaling to Late Pregnancy: Cortisol, DHEA(S), Progesterone, 17-β-Estradiol, and Allopregnanolone Hair Concentration Profiles in Standardbred Mares.

Pregnancy and parturition represent two important physiologic phases in female mammals, in which metabolic, behavioral, and endocrinologic changes should occur in perfect timing and interaction, leading to a normal course of gestation and the occurrence of parturition at term, allowing the birth of mature and viable offspring. The present study aimed to describe the hormonal changes recorded in the hair occurring in mares from pre-foaling to late pregnancy. The hair cortisol (C) concentrations did not show any significant variations throughout the study, while dehydroepiandrosterone (sulfate) (DHEA(S)) hair concentrations showed an increase from ST-1 to ST4 (p < 0.01) followed by a significant decrease at ST6 (p < 0.01). From ST7 to ST8, hair DHEA(S) concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.01). In ST7 the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio*100 was higher than in the other sampling times (p < 0.01) except for ST0, in which the ratio was similar to ST7. Hair progesterone (P4), 17-β-estradiol (E2), and allopregnanolone (AlloP) concentrations showed similar patterns through time with the exception of some differences between them at the end of the sampling period. The results showed that hormones fluctuations in the hair mimicked those observed previously in plasma making hair interesting for retrospective studies both on mares and foals during gestation without invasiveness and adding a complementary tool in studying the feto-maternal relationship.

Turkish adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Grief Impairment Scale

ABSRACT Grief usually proceeds in a normal course, but sometimes it may become dysfunctional. So psychometrically robust assessments are needed to identify abnormal grief. This study aimed to adapt the Grief Impairment Scale to Turkish and explore its psychometric properties with a sample of 364 bereaved adults. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the unidimensional factor structure of the 5-item GIS. The Turkish version of the GIS demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α= .88, ω= .88). The convergent validity analysis revealed a positive correlation between the GIS and traumatic grief (r = .74, p < .001), depression (r = .65, p < .001), anxiety (r = .57, p < .001), and stress (r = .63, p < .001) with strong effect sizes. The study results showed that the GIS is an effective tool for measuring grief-related functional impairment in the Turkish cultural context following the loss of a loved one.

Infl uence of amaranth presscake in composition of compound feed on egg productivity, morphological and biochemical parameters of blood of laying hens of the parental herd

The use of alternative plant sources such as lupine grain, sorghum, chickpeas, mustard seed products, rapeseed, amaranth can significantly reduce dependence on traditional feeds such as corn, soybeans and sunfl ower presscake. The input of alternative components into the poultry diet can not only reduce production costs, but also increase resistance to feed price variability. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of amaranth presscake in compound feed on egg productivity, morphological and biochemical blood parameters of laying hens of the parent herd. The studies were carried out at the Svetly enterprise located in the Svetloyarsky District of the Volgograd Region. During the scientific and economic experiment on laying hens of the parent herd 4 groups were formed according to the analogue principle per 100 heads in each. The hens were placed in battery cages manufactured by Big Dutchman throughout the experiment from 23 to 68 weeks. The conditions of housing the hens were identical and corresponded to zoo and hygienic standards. The control group received compound feed containing 15 % sunflower presscake. In the compound feed for the 1st experimental group of hens 50 % of the sunfl ower presscake was replaced with amaranth presscake, in the 2nd experimental group by 75 %, and for the 3rd experimental group sunfl ower presscake was completely (100 %) replaced with amaranth presscake. Feeding amaranth presscake as part of the diet had a positive effect on the egg productivity of the hens of the experimental groups compared to the control group by 0.81–1.95 %. The average weight of an egg of laying hens in the experimental groups was higher compared to the average weight of an egg of the hens-analogues of the control group by 1.36–2.07 %. The morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of the experimental hens varied within the physiological norm, which indicates the normal course of oxidation-reduction processes. However, the input of amaranth presscake in the diet of adult hens of the experimental groups contributed to the growth of some blood parameters such as erythrocytes by 1.54–7.18 %, hemoglobin by 0.18–1.77 %, total protein by 1.61–3.75 %, calcium by 2.82–5.46 % and phosphorus by 3.95–9.21 % in relation to the control group. Thus, the input of amaranth presscake in the diet of adult hens of the parent herd had a positive effect on metabolic processes in the body and had a beneficial effect on egg production.

Clinical consequence of the 4-week X-ray control after ESIN osteosynthesis of forearm fractures in children

PurposeThe absence of evidence based general guidelines for radiographic follow-ups of pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with ESIN results in an arbitrary array of X-ray examinations. In most pediatric traumatology departments, an X-ray check is carried out 4 weeks after ESIN osteosynthesis of forearm shaft fractures to detect incipient consolidation of the fracture. However, the elevated sensitivity to ionizing radiation requires special precautions in the pediatric populations. To prevent the indiscriminate use of this diagnostic tool it is necessary to assess the consequence of routinely taken X-rays at the 4-week follow-up.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 219 pediatric patients who underwent ESIN treatment for a diaphyseal forearm fracture between 2010 and 2018 at the same pediatric trauma center. The primary outcome was defined as the prevalence of aberrant radiographic findings (ARF) during the 4-week follow-up with an otherwise normal clinical course and examination. Pathologies in the physical exam and irregularities in the medical history were summarized as non-radiological abnormalities (nRD). Binary logistic regression was calculated to identify risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of an ARF.ResultsOf the 219 pediatric patients included, 123 patients had no nRDs at the 4-week follow-up. Only one patient was found to have an ARF (absolute risk = 0.008). Regression showed that the odds of receiving an ARF increased significantly as other nRDs were detected (p = 0.012, OR 14.554). A positive correlation was found especially for irregularities in the medical history (n = 59, p = 0.003, OR = 8.134).ConclusionThis study provides evidence that standardized radiographic follow-up 4 weeks after surgical treatment has no clinical consequences if the course of the fracture is otherwise uneventful. It should be strictly reserved for pediatric patients with a complicated course.

Social and professional integration processes of refugees participating in community-based groups: restoring a deteriorated social fabric

ABSTRACT Refugee camps represent a deleterious social environment that hinders the normal course of adults refugees's developmental trajectory and blocks the possibility of giving themselves a future. Based on the Vygotsky’s conception of social “disabilities,” we analyzed participation in a community-based group that aims to help refugees along in their social and professional integration. The results show that the group members’ collective actions, directed toward the object of their desired future, mainly constitute a victory and overcoming process over the deteriorated social fabric in refugee camps. Specific resources are created by the overcoming process, which the participants can mobilize toward theirintegration.

Effect of rifampicin on Toll-like receptor system gene expression in brain structures of rats with prenatal alcohol exposure

Alcohol intake during pregnancy may affect the normal course of fetal development, causing the symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). There is evidence that a number of prenatal pathologic conditions exhibit altered expression of several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In our study, we focused on studying expression of numerous pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes in the forebrain and temporal regions of rat brain during the postnatal development, thus modeling prenatal alcohol exposure effects (PAE). We also evaluated expression of genes associated with regulation of genes controlling expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the objectives of our study included pharmacological correction of the observed changes by rifampicin (Rif), a potential pharmacological agent which had a neuroprotective effect shown by other studies,. The experimental model of PAE was produced by oral intake of 15% ethanol solution to pregnant female rats throughout pregnancy. The drug injections were performed to the pups from the 1 to the 7 postnatal days. Brain structures were sampled for gene expression analysis on the 8 postnatal day. The results of the study showed distinct changes in Tlr3 and Tlr4 gene expression in anterior and temporal lobes of brain on the 8 day of postnatal development. Expression of Myd88 and Ticam genes showed multidirectional changes among the studied brain structures of PAE rats. The increased mRNA level of proinflammatory genes was noted. Usage of Rif in experiments showed the ability of Rif (50 mg/kg) to correct the observed long-term pathological changes in the expression of the genes under study. It is of interest to study the dose-dependent effect in the future, as well as to investigate the revealed changes at the level of protein analysis. In future studies, it seems important to evaluate TLR signaling system in other brain structures with PAE, as well as at different terms of postnatal development in ontogenesis.

Odnos monociti/HDL-holesterol kao rani prognostički marker razvoja komplikacija u trudnoći

Pregnancy complications increase the long-term cardiovascular risk for both the mother and the child. Inflammation is a common mechanism underlying the development of pregnancy complications and atherosclerosis. This study aims to investigate whether the monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio can serve as a predictive marker for the risk of pregnancy complications. A total of 84 pregnant women participated in this study, 41 of whom had a normal pregnancy course, while 43 experienced complications. Lipid status parameters were measured using enzymatic methods and total blood count was measured using a hematology analyzer. In the first trimester of pregnancies with complications we observed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (P &lt; 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P &lt; 0.01) and triglycerides (P &lt; 0.001) compared to pregnancies without complications, whereas no differences were observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Pregnant women with complications had a significantly higher proportion of monocytes throughout the entire pregnancy, and lower concentrations of HDL-C in the second trimester (P &lt; 0.05). The risk of developing complications in pregnancy was 11 times higher if the monocyte/HDL-C ratio was elevated in the first trimester (OR: 11.42; 95% CI: 4.05-32.19; P &lt; 0.001). Our results indicate that monocyte/HDL-C ratio could be used as a simple and cost-effective early prognostic biomarker of pregnancy complications.

THE BURDEN OF SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS IN YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA: INSIGHTS FROM A MIXED-METHODS STUDY

Abstract Becoming a spousal caregiver for a person with young-onset dementia (YOD) is an unexpected event that deviates from the normal life course trajectory, creating unique and profound challenges. Understanding their burden, the primary sources of this burden, and their coping resources is essential for developing tailored support services. We employed a mixed-methods approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of the burden experienced by eleven spousal caregivers of persons with YOD living in the community. We used the Zarit Burden Interview to quantify caregiving burden and conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore the caregiving experience in depth. We utilized a joint display method to integrate and present the converging findings from quantitative and qualitative data, offering a holistic perspective on the caregiving burden. All spousal caregivers in this study experienced varying degrees of burden, driven primarily by the dynamic care needs and dependency of their loved ones. The integrated data showed that they face significant challenges in maintaining their personal identity and social life, with many sacrificing career aspirations and enduring social isolation. Societal expectations compounded the burden, leading to self-imposed guilt and dissatisfaction. While caregiving reconfigures family dynamics, it often strengthens bonds with children. The lack of support resources and overwhelming responsibilities places immense psychological stress on them. Despite these challenges, caregivers remain committed to their roles. There is an urgent need to develop family-centered community support services and respite care to provide younger spousal caregivers with the time and space to manage their personal lives and alleviate their burden.