Population In Lithuania Research Articles

Thirty-Five Years of Thyroid Cancer Experience in a Paediatric Population: Incidence Trends in Lithuania between 1980 and 2014

Background: Thyroid cancer (TC) is a rare condition in children. It may be associated with radiation, iodine deficiency or familial inheritance. Aims: The objectives of this study were to analyse the prevalence and incidence trends over 3 decades and clinical features of TC in the paediatric population in Lithuania. Methods: We reviewed all TC cases diagnosed in children aged less than 18 years during the period 1980-2014 using medical records from 3 main hospitals in Lithuania where such TC cases are managed. Results: During the 35-year period (1980-2014) there were 57 cases (45 females) of TC in children in Lithuania. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 14.51 ± 0.52 years. The crude incidence rate of TC ranged from 0 to 0.93 cases per 100,000 children per year and the mean annual increase was 5.26% (p < 0.001). Papillary carcinoma was the most common histological type (73.7%). No association was found between the incidence of TC and the reported areas of radioactive contamination after the Chernobyl accident. In total, 8.8% of patients had secondary TC after initial radiotherapy of a primary oncologic disease. Conclusion: The incidence of TC in the Lithuanian paediatric population between 1980 and 2014 ranged from 0 to 0.93 cases per 100,000 children per year and there was a 5.26% annual increase (p < 0.001), most probably related to the increased use of ultrasound testing.

Causes of variation in sexual and asexual reproduction in diploid and triploid populations of Allium scorodoprasum

Allium scorodoprasum is a bulbous geophyte that reproduces by seeds, aerial bulbils, and subterranean daughter bulbs. This research represents the analysis of intraspecific variations in sexual and asexual reproduction in relation to ploidy levels and the environmental conditions from 11 diploid and 24 triploid populations in Lithuania. The results showed that the seed production was extremely rare and occurred only in diploid populations. The numbers of flowers and aerial bulbils per plant as well as mean mass of one bulbil were the characteristics in which differences between ploidy levels were the biggest. The diploids on average produced more (61.9), but smaller (mean mass = 29.6 mg) bulbils and more flowers (16.7), while triploids produced less (41.7), but larger (mean mass = 45.9 mg) bulbils and fewer (5.2) flowers. The study revealed that the main determinant of intracytotypic variation in quantity of both sexual and asexual structures was light availability.

Compositional Variability and Toxic Activity of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Essential Oils

The compositional variability of the essential oils of aerial parts of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.), collected from fifteen wild populations in Lithuania is detailed. The most predominant components were davanones (13.8-45.5%, six oils), germacrene D (9.1-30.5%, four oils), 1,8-cineole (16.4%, one oil), camphor (18.9%, one oil), trans-thujone (8.9 and 10.9%, two oils) and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (10.4%, one oil). To the best of our knowledge, the davanone chemotype for A. vulgaris oils is described for the first time. The toxicity of the mugwort essential oils was determined using brine shrimp (Anemia sp.) assay. LC0 values (10.3-23.1 μg/mL) obtained for the oils after 24 h of exposure revealed that the oils containing appreciable amounts of germacrene D, 1,8-cineole, camphor and davanone were notably toxic.

Education, survival, and avoidable deaths in Lithuanian cancer patients, 2001–2009

Background Our aim in this study is to provide a systematic assessment of the site-specific cancer survival rates of patients with different educational levels, using population-based census-linked registry data covering the entire population of Lithuania. Material and methods The study is based on the linkage between all records of the 2001 population census and all records from Lithuanian Cancer Registry (cancer incidence) and Statistics Lithuania (deaths) for the period between 6 April 2001 and 31 December 2009. Results For the vast majority of cancer sites we found an inverse gradient in survival, with the worst survival indicators in the lowest educational group. We estimated that 18.6% of the deaths in Lithuanian cancer patients could have potentially been postponed, if all the patients had the same cancer mortality as the patients with the highest educational level. Conclusion Our findings offer a warning that although the survival rates of cancer patients are improving, this progress hides disparities between different groups of patients.

The Mass Emigration Context of Lithuania: Patterns and Policy Options

AbstractLithuania represents one of the rare cases in which a state with relatively high standards for maintaining population statistics is experiencing mass emigration. In light of the policy initiatives undertaken by the Lithuanian government to address the issue of emigration, this study aims to improve our understanding of how, in this mass emigration context, emigration events are connected to specific socio‐economic characteristics of individuals and variation in local socio‐economic conditions. We analyse census and vital registration data covering the whole working‐age population of Lithuania during the period 2011‐2012. Our findings indicate that when assessing the likelihood of emigration events, individual‐level characteristics such as employment status, educational attainment, and prior migration experience are highly relevant. However, the importance of these characteristics differs by gender. We also detect considerable spatial variation in emigration rates across Lithuanian municipalities. Our outcomes provide new insights for the development of cohesive migration policies in Lithuania.

Two-fold increase in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Lithuania: a consequence of changing agriculture?

A countrywide White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) nest census was carried out in Lithuania in 2009 and 2010 by over 20 observers using standardised equipment and methods. The census revealed that the White Stork population has doubled since the previous census in 1994, possibly due to favourable changes in farming practices, with birds increasingly settling on the overhead electricity line poles and gradually abandoning nests in trees. In total, 21,192 White Stork nests were recorded, of which 18,782 (81.4%) were occupied by breeding birds, compared to 9400 occupied nests recorded in 1994. The mean density of occupied nests in the country was 29 nests/100 km2. Electricity line poles were the most common nest sites (49% of all nests), followed by trees (21%) and specially erected poles with nesting platforms (11%). Mean breeding success of White Storks was rather high, with 2.7 young raised per successful pair, suggesting a favourable conservation status for this species in Lithuania.

The Priorities of Young Rural Population Enterprise Activity

In rural areas, there is a the enormous potential in human resources, natural environment and its biodiversity, raw materials and other economic resources, of great importance in the life of the community in the European Union and its development. EU Committee of the Regions recognizes the importance of the conservation measures of the rural areas social, cultural, natural, environmental and economic viability. The young rural population entrepreneurship increase is one of the priorities of the EU agricultural and rural development policy for the period 2014-2020. In order to successfully implement the EU's regional and rural development strategic provisions it is necessary to find ways to involve young rural people in the commercial activities. The purpose of the investigation is to provide insights and suggestions for the shape of entrepreneurship priorities promotion among young rural population in Lithuania. The young Lithuanian rural population enterprise activity priorities and their importance of finding solutions to problems in promoting of entrepreneurship defined by an empirical study are presented in the publication. Publication was prepared according to 19 to 25 year old Lithuanian rural population entrepreneurship research which was conducted in 2011-2013.

Thyroid hormone concentration and ultrasonographic findings in middle-aged lithuanian males and females from general population

ultrasonographic features in 48-50-year-old people from general population in Lithuania. Methods: During a one year period 395 randomly selected 48-50-year-aged men (169) and women (226) were enrolled into the study. Conventional thyroid ultrasound was performed and blood samples for hormone analysis were collected. TSH was analyzed using immunoradiometric method, FT4 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) – radioimmunoassay (reagent kits of „IZOTOP“, Hungary).

Nepakaltinamumo klinikinės nozologinės ir kriminalinės struktūros analizė Lietuvoje (1985-2009 m.)

Radical changes in Lithuanian politics, criminal law and forensic psychiatry practice provide rich documental material for observation of the evolution of the views of forensic psychiatrists and criminalization of mental disorders. The chronological frame for this study was chosen according to the principles of the political and legal systems of the period under study. The legal institution of criminal insanity is just one of the tools of criminal public law which in turn is the sphere of implementation of the general interior politics and possesses its main features. The analysis of the forensic psychiatric examinations material accumulated in 25 years established positive and negative correlations of insanity and other indicators, their dynamical changes and trends. They clearly and persuasively demonstrate a significantly lower level of criminal offenses among mental patients than in general population in Lithuania.

Socialinių paslaugų naudingumas reumatoidiniu artritu sergantiems asmenims

Rheumatic joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis are recognized as the second most common diseases in causing disability. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 12 thousand of the population in Lithuania. Rheumatoid arthritis with increasing age of the population and the increasing number of patients with the diagnosis of the disease becomes an important and relevant social issue not only from the medical, financial but also from the social side. Because of rheumatoid arthritis joint damage, patients with advanced disability face many issues: financial, emotional, and psychological and of course social. Therefore it is appropriate to carry out research and to find out whether social services are useful to persons with rheumatoid arthritis and which of the social services provide the greatest benefits. Aim of the work – to analyze benefits of social services to persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Practical meaning of the research. The research data showed that social services are useful to persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Analysis of the research, conclusions and recommendations may be practically useful to social workers in providing social services to persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Research method – quantitative research. Non -probabilistic purposive sampling was executed among 31 persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion of the research. The research data showed that social services are more used almost by every person with rheumatoid arthritis. From the general social services were mentioned technical and compensatory equipment, housing and environmental applications, special transportation services. From the special social home care services were mentioned food purchasing and food preparation, documentation management, doctor’s appointments at home, drug purchasing from pharmacies services. The benefit of all social services most of the respondents rated as average, because of their opinion that social services system is still not well developed to provide the maximum benefit. doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2013.100

The quality of wolf population in Lithuania according to hunting in 2005-2013

The quality of wolf population in Lithuania according to hunting in 2005-2013

Subjective Definition of the Family in Lithuania: Evidence Based on Qualitative Interviews

The aim of the paper is to present research results on subjective understanding of family among population of Lithuania. The research objectives are to explore the criteria used in defining family, identify persons named as family members and non-family members based on these criteria. The research hypotheses include the following: (1) the list of family members not necessarily include kin only, persons beyond the nuclear and extended families could be named as family members also, and visa versa, persons from nuclear and extended families could be named as non-family members; (2) registered marriage and blood are not the only criteria in subjective definition of the family in Lithuania any more. The test of the hypotheses was based on 60 in-depth qualitative interviews carried out in June – August, 2012 under the research project “Trajectories of Family Models and Social Networks: Intergenerational Perspective”. The research results showed that blood criteria is still important in the definition of the nuclear family of procreation and the nuclear family of orientation, what concerns children and parents. Marriage criteria is important when defining the nuclear family of procreation and what concerns spouses. What concerns other persons, related to kin and non-kin relationship, other criteria play a more important role: mutual help and support, emotional closeness and attachment, close emotional bonds in a certain period of life (childhood, school years, etc.), common activities and interests, life under the same roof, living in a nearby place, belonging to a certain formal or informal community and/or other investment into relationships, etc.

Anxiety and social activities in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract Despite that the prevalence of depression has been thoroughly analyzed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and affects approximately 15%–20% of the MS population, attention paid to social activities concomitant with anxiety is still too sporadic. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of anxiety and social activities aggraded/aggravated with anxiety in the MS population in Lithuania and to analyze how it correlates with socio-demographic factors, clinical outcomes of MS and depression. Three hundred twelve MS patients took part in this study; anxiety prevalence was pointed in 20.2%. Only 23.4% of the study population was socially active. Our study shows a significant level of anxiety and low level of social activity in people with MS. Anxiety in MS patients was strongly related with younger age, shorter MS duration, prevalence of depression and lower level of social activity. A higher level of social activity was significantly related with older urban MS patients who indicated family status as living together and longer MS duration.

Investigation into genetic variability of Hazel GrouseBonasa bonasia(=Tetrastes bonasia) population in Lithuania using non-invasive sampling

We analysed 51 sequences of the Hazel Grouse’s (Bonasa bonasia) mitochondrial control region (CR) to obtain data on the variability of the fragment of the selected size and to assess its suitability for the evaluation of the genetic structure of the species population in Lithuania. The samples (feathers and faeces) used for DNA extraction were collected non-invasively from different localities of Lithuania in 2008–2010. In order to amplify the short but variable region of the left domain in the CR of mitochondrial DNA, a new primer pair (BON-F and BON-R) specific to the Hazel Grouse was designed. The selected 116 bp long fragment of the mitochondrial CR exhibited very high polymorphism. Among 51 novel sequences from Lithuania, 23 variable sites and 21 haplotypes with frequency values ranging from 1.96 to 17.65% were defined. The haplotype diversity (H) and nucleotide diversity (π) among haplotypes were 0.928 (± 0.018) and 0.03955 (± 0.00277), respectively. In order to compare genetic variability among Haz...

Acceptance of brown bears in Lithuania, a non-bear country

Abstract We assessed human attitudes toward brown bears (Ursus arctos) and their acceptance from 3,789 questionnaires collected in northwest Lithuania in 2009. We present results on the (1) value placed upon brown bears by respondents, (2) acceptable distances for these animals from the residence of respondents, (3) assessments of possible damage and economic losses, (4) management options preferred in different situations, and (5) respondent opinions regarding brown bear numbers in the country. There are no permanent brown bear populations in the country. We found that Lithuanians attributed high value to the species, but that 82.4% of respondents reported they would fear for the safety of their families knowing bears inhabit forests. On average, 60 to 70% of respondents will not accept bears closer than 10 km. In this respect, the re-establishment of bear populations in Lithuania would be not appreciated by most inhabitants. We found that 22.5% of respondents would like to have action taken against bear...

Morphological, reproductive and karyological variability in Allium oleraceum in Lithuania

Morphological, reproductive and karyological variability were investigated in fifteen populations of Allium oleraceum transferred from natural populations in Lithuania to the field collection of medicinal and aromatic plants of the Institute of Botany of the Nature Research Centre in Vilnius. Nine populations were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 32), four pentaploid (2n = 5x = 40) and two consisted of both cytotypes. The greatest differences among the populations and between the ploidy levels were observed in stem height and mass of aerial bulbils per plant. The seed production was very low and did not differ significantly between the ploidy levels, while neither tetraploids nor pentaploids did produce any seed if insects were prevented from visiting their flowers. The means of the morphological characters were higher in pentaploids than in tetraploids. However, none of them provided the possibility of determining ploidy level without chromosome counting.

Ministerialne Sesje Rady Państw Morza Bałtyckiego. Część II: 1999–2006

The second part of the discussions concerning the Ministerial Sessions of the Baltic Sea States deals with the meetings of ministers which were held between 1999 and 2005. The course of the sessions and the decisions made in Palanga (1999), Bergen (2000), Hamburg (2001), Svetlogorsk (2002), Pori (2003), and Szczecin (2005) were discussed. Attention was paid to political, economic, and cultural issues, as well as to the subject of safety brought up during the debate. The role that the Russian Federation tried to play during these sessions was stressed. The Russian side made attempts to exploit the sessions for the protection of the rights of Russian-speaking population in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and to use the sessions as the convenient international stage for accusing those states of violating human rights. The measures taken by Russia were not successful. As it seems, that failure was mainly caused by the fact that the Russians themselves ran short of determination in their attempts at reaching the aforementioned goals.

BRCA1 testing in Lithuania

Background The germline mutations in BRCA1/2 genes are the most significant and well characterized genetic risk factors for breast and/or ovarian cancer. Detection of mutations in these genes is an effective method of cancer prevention and early detection. Different ethnic and geographical regions may have different BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation spectrum and prevalence due to founder effect. The population of Lithuania has over several centuries undergone limited mixing with surrounding populations and is mostly of indigenous Baltic origin, which is different from Slavs. The aim of our study was to asses full BRCA1/2 mutational profile in Lithuanian population.

Computer use and musculoskeletal complaints in the Lithuanian adolescent population

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate self-rated musculoskeletal complaints and their association with computer use time in the adolescent population in Lithuania. The cross-sectional study done in 2008–2009 in Lithuania. 1806 students aged 13–18 years from randomly selected schools were questioned (response rate 95.8%). Logistic regression analysis results show that musculoskeletal complaints in adolescence are associated with duration of computer use as related to age and gender. Compared with adolescents using computer &lt;2 hours daily, a statistically significant probability of experiencing back pain was determined for younger boys and girls groups (13–15 years) who reported working on a computer &gt;4 hours (OR=2.36 and OR=2.50, respectively) in older age groups (16–18 years); in girls only the ORs of back pain significantly increased with increased time of computer use. the probability of experiencing the neck-shoulder pain was determined only in girls aged 16–18 years who reported working on a computer 2–4 hours (OR=1.62, p=0.020). Musculoskeletal complaints in adolescence are related to duration of computer use. Increasing the time spent at the computer increased complaints of musculoskeletal pain among Lithuanian adolescents. The main guidelines for prevention point to restriction of time of computer use.

Raccoon dog rabies surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring in Lithuania 2006 to 2010.

BackgroundOral rabies vaccination (ORV) in rabies infected regions should target the primary rabies vector species, which in Lithuania includes raccoon dogs as well as red foxes. Specific investigations on ORV in raccoon dogs are needed e.g. evaluation of vaccine effectiveness under field conditions. The objective of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of the ORV programme 2006-2010 in Lithuania by examining the number of rabies cases and estimating the prevalences of a tetracycline biomarker (TTC) and rabies virus antibodies in raccoon dogs.MethodsFrom 2006 to 2010, 12.5 million rabies vaccine-baits were distributed by aircraft. Baiting occurred twice per year (spring and autumn), targeting raccoon dogs and red foxes in a 63,000 km2 area of Lithuania. The mandibles of raccoon dogs found dead or killed in the vaccination area were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy for the presence of the TTC. Rabies virus sera neutralizing anti-glycoprotein antibody titres were determined using an indirect ELISA method and seroconversion (> 0.5 EU/ml) rates were estimated.ResultsDuring the study period, 51.5% of raccoon dog mandibles were positive for TTC. 1688 of 3260 tested adults and 69 of 175 tested cubs were TTC positive. Forty-seven percent of raccoon dog serum samples were positive for rabies virus antibodies. 302 of 621 investigated adults and 33 of 95 investigated cubs were seropositive. In the same time 302 of 684 and 43 of 124 tested samples were TTC and ELISA positive in spring; whereas 1455 of 2751 and 292 of 592 tested samples were TTC and ELISA positive in autumn. There was a positive correlation between the number of TTC and antibody positive animals for both adult and cub groups.ConclusionsORV was effective in reducing the prevalence of rabies in the raccoon dog population in Lithuania. The prevalence of rabies cases in raccoon dogs in Lithuania decreased from 60.7% in 2006-2007 to 6.5% in 2009-2010.