NEUROFEEDBACK IN TREATING MIGRAINE HEADACHE – A PILOT STUDY

Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je objektivizirati terapijski učinak neurofeedbacka na liječenje migrenske glavobolje u bolesnika s migrenskom glavoboljom. Metode: Kao instrument istraživanja koristio se anonimni anketni upitnik, strukturiran i modificiran za potrebe ovog istraživanja. Na kraju su uporabljena dva standardizirana testa: test za procjenu onesposobljenosti bolesnika s migrenom (MIDAS - Migraine Disability Assessment Test), te upinik o ispitivanju utjecaja glavobolje (HIT6: Headache Impact Test) koji se koristi za mjerenje utjecaja glavobolje na sposobnost obavljanja zadataka na radnom mjestu/ u školi i u socijalnim situacijama. Rezultati: Prosječan broj glavobolja tijekom jednog mjeseca kod većine ispitanika je 11 (5 do 6 puta), uz najčešće trajanje od 4 do 24 sata, kako navodi 16 ispitanika. Prosječni je intenzitet glavobolje za 10 ispitanika srednje jaka bol, a za 15 ispitanika jaka bol. Dob nije statistički značajan faktor onesposobljenosti migrenama izuzev izostanka iz škole/posla. Povezanost je utvrđena samo za parametar izostanaka s posla/škole zbog glavobolja u zadnja 3 mjeseca (dani) gdje pozitivne vrijednosti koeficijenta korelacije (ro) upućuju na zaključak da je veći broj izostanaka s posla/ škole u zadnja 3 mjeseca kod pacijenata s višim stupnjevima obrazovanja. Nakon provedene terapije utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika samo u parametrima smanjenja produktivnosti na poslu/u školi zbog glavobolja u zadnja 3 mjeseca (dani) (p=0,001). Zaključak: Testiranjem utjecaja terapije neurofeedbackom na onesposobljenost migrenama utvrđen je statistički značajan pad HIT6 rezultata, kao i pad vrijednosti svih parametara utjecaja migrena na život - MIDAS rezultati.Objective: The aim of the study was to objectify therapeutic effect of neurofeedback and to treat migraine headaches in patients with migraine. Methods: We used anonymous questionnaire, structured and modified for the purpose of this study. In the end, we used two standardized tests, i.e. the test for assessment of disability in patients with migraine (MIDAS, Migraine Disability Assessment Test) and the questionnaire testing the impact of headache (HIT6, Headache Impact Test), used to measure the impact of headaches on the ability to perform tasks at work/school and in social situations. Results: Concerning the average number of headaches per month, the majority of patients (n=11) had headache 5-6 times, usually lasting for 4 to 24 hours, as reported by 16 subjects. The average headache intensity was reported as severe pain by 10 patients and strong pain by 15 patients. Age was not a statistically significant factor for disabling migraines except for school/work absenteeism. The connection was only established for work/school absenteeism due to headaches in the last three months (days), where positive values of the correlation coefficient (ro) suggested that greater work/school absenteeism in the last three months was recorded in patients with a higher level of education. After the treatment, a statistically significant difference was only found in the reduction of work/school productivity because of headaches in the last three months (days) (p=0.001). Testing the impact of neurofeedback therapy on disability due to migraine revealed a statistically significant decrease in HIT6 results, as well as in the value of all segments of the migraine impact on life, i.e. MIDAS results

NEUROFEEDBACK IN TREATING MIGRAINE HEADACHE – A PILOT STUDY

Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je objektivizirati terapijski učinak neurofeedbacka na liječenje migrenske glavobolje u bolesnika s migrenskom glavoboljom. Metode: Kao instrument istraživanja koristio se anonimni anketni upitnik, strukturiran i modificiran za potrebe ovog istraživanja. Na kraju su uporabljena dva standardizirana testa: test za procjenu onesposobljenosti bolesnika s migrenom (MIDAS - Migraine Disability Assessment Test), te upinik o ispitivanju utjecaja glavobolje (HIT6: Headache Impact Test) koji se koristi za mjerenje utjecaja glavobolje na sposobnost obavljanja zadataka na radnom mjestu/ u školi i u socijalnim situacijama. Rezultati: Prosječan broj glavobolja tijekom jednog mjeseca kod većine ispitanika je 11 (5 do 6 puta), uz najčešće trajanje od 4 do 24 sata, kako navodi 16 ispitanika. Prosječni je intenzitet glavobolje za 10 ispitanika srednje jaka bol, a za 15 ispitanika jaka bol. Dob nije statistički značajan faktor onesposobljenosti migrenama izuzev izostanka iz škole/posla. Povezanost je utvrđena samo za parametar izostanaka s posla/škole zbog glavobolja u zadnja 3 mjeseca (dani) gdje pozitivne vrijednosti koeficijenta korelacije (ro) upućuju na zaključak da je veći broj izostanaka s posla/ škole u zadnja 3 mjeseca kod pacijenata s višim stupnjevima obrazovanja. Nakon provedene terapije utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika samo u parametrima smanjenja produktivnosti na poslu/u školi zbog glavobolja u zadnja 3 mjeseca (dani) (p=0,001). Zaključak: Testiranjem utjecaja terapije neurofeedbackom na onesposobljenost migrenama utvrđen je statistički značajan pad HIT6 rezultata, kao i pad vrijednosti svih parametara utjecaja migrena na život - MIDAS rezultati.Objective: The aim of the study was to objectify therapeutic effect of neurofeedback and to treat migraine headaches in patients with migraine. Methods: We used anonymous questionnaire, structured and modified for the purpose of this study. In the end, we used two standardized tests, i.e. the test for assessment of disability in patients with migraine (MIDAS, Migraine Disability Assessment Test) and the questionnaire testing the impact of headache (HIT6, Headache Impact Test), used to measure the impact of headaches on the ability to perform tasks at work/school and in social situations. Results: Concerning the average number of headaches per month, the majority of patients (n=11) had headache 5-6 times, usually lasting for 4 to 24 hours, as reported by 16 subjects. The average headache intensity was reported as severe pain by 10 patients and strong pain by 15 patients. Age was not a statistically significant factor for disabling migraines except for school/work absenteeism. The connection was only established for work/school absenteeism due to headaches in the last three months (days), where positive values of the correlation coefficient (ro) suggested that greater work/school absenteeism in the last three months was recorded in patients with a higher level of education. After the treatment, a statistically significant difference was only found in the reduction of work/school productivity because of headaches in the last three months (days) (p=0.001). Testing the impact of neurofeedback therapy on disability due to migraine revealed a statistically significant decrease in HIT6 results, as well as in the value of all segments of the migraine impact on life, i.e. MIDAS results

Point prevalence of significant nutritional risk among cancer patients in Croatia – research study of the Section of young oncologists, Croatian society for medical oncology of Croatian medical association

Cilj istraživanja: Utvrditi trenutačnu prevalenciju znatnoga nutritivnog rizika među onkološkim bolesnicima u Republici Hrvatskoj. Ispitanici i metode: Ova presječna studija ugniježđena je u prospektivnu kohortnu studiju Sekcije mladih onkologa HDIO-a HLZ-a, koja je provedena u Hrvatskoj tijekom 2017. godine na susljednom uzorku onkoloških bolesnika biranome prema redoslijedu dolaska na liječenje. Nutritivni probir proveli smo uporabom upitnika za procjenu nutritivnog rizika NRS-2002. Prema njemu, bolesnik se smatra nutritivno ugroženim ako je rezultat ≥ 3. Rezultati: U istraživanje je uključeno 275 bolesnika, medijana (interkvartilnog raspona) dobi od 61 godine (51 – 68), među kojima je bila 161 žena (58,5%). Bolesnici su liječeni u jedanaest onkoloških centara u Hrvatskoj. U 60 bolesnika (21,8%; 95%-tni CI 17,1 – 27,2%) utvrđen je znatan nutritivni rizik (NRS-2002 ≥ 3) koji indicira potrebu za nutritivnom intervencijom. Bilo kakvu nepovoljnu promjenu tijekom 30 dana prije uključivanja, dakle, gubitak tjelesne mase ili smanjen unos hrane, primijetilo je 127 (46,2%) sudionika. Zaključak: Naše istraživanje potvrdilo je da znatan broj onkoloških bolesnika u Hrvatskoj ima neki stupanj nutritivnog rizika te da je u više od četvrtine potrebna nutritivna intervencija. Nutritivni probir prvi je korak u dugoročnoj kontroli komplikacija vezanih uz promijenjen unos hrane i nutritivni rizik, kao i pri poboljšanju kvalitete života onkoloških bolesnika te prognoze ishoda bolesti pa bi ga, s obzirom na prikazane rezultate, trebalo rutinski provoditi.Objective of the Study: To determine the point prevalence of significant nutritional risk among cancer patients in Croatia. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was nested in the prospective cohort study of the Section of Young Oncologists of the Croatian Society for Medical Oncology, Croatian Medical Association, conducted in Croatia during 2017 on the consecutive sample of cancer patients selected by the order of their arrival to the exam.Nutritional screening was performed using the NRS-2002, According to NRS-2002, the patient is considered to be at significant nutritional risk if the result is ≥3. Results: We included 275 patients treated at eleven cancer centers in Croatia. In 60 patients (21.8%, 95% CI 17.1% -27.2%) we identified the significant nutritional risk (NRS-2002 ≥3) what indicates the need for the nutritional intervention. Any change during 30 days prior to screening, such as loss of body weight or reduced intake of food, was expressed by 127 (46.2%) participants. Conclusion: Our study has confirmed that a significant number of cancer patients in Croatia are in some degree at nutritional risk, and that more than one quarter need nutritional intervention. Nutritional screen poing is the first step in the long-term control of complications associated with altered food intake and nutritional risk, as well as in improving the overall quality of life of cancer patients and the prognosis of disease outcomes, so regarding the presented results, it should be routinely implemented

Toward a Weather-Based Forecasting System for Fire Blight and Downy Mildew

The aim of this research is to present a weather-based forecasting system for apple fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and downy mildew of grapevine (Plasmopara viticola) under Serbian agroecological conditions and test its efficacy. The weather-based forecasting system contains Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model outputs and a disease occurrence model. The weather forecast used is a product of the high-resolution forecast (HRES) atmospheric model by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). For disease modelling, we selected a biometeorological system for messages on the occurrence of diseases in fruits and vines (BAHUS) because it contains both diseases with well-known and tested algorithms. Several comparisons were made: (1) forecasted variables for the fifth day are compared against measurements from the agrometeorological network at seven locations for three months (March, April, and May) in the period 2012⁻2018 to determine forecast efficacy; (2) BAHUS runs driven with observed and forecast meteorology were compared to test the impact of forecasted meteorological data; and (3) BAHUS runs were compared with field disease observations to estimate system efficacy in plant disease forecasts. The BAHUS runs with forecasted and observed meteorology were in good agreement. The results obtained encourage further development, with the goal of fully utilizing this weather-based forecasting system

Identifying Crop and Orchard Growing Stages Using Conventional Temperature and Humidity Reports

Vegetation is a climate modifier: It is a primary modifier, such as the Amazon rain forest, or secondary modifier, such as the agricultural fields of Pannonian lowlands in Central Europe. At periods of winter crop spring renewal and the start of the orchard growing season, enhanced evapotranspiration shifts energy balance partitions from sensible toward latent heat flux. This surface flux alteration converges into the boundary layer, and it can be detected in the daily variations of air temperature and humidity as well as daily temperature range records. The time series of micrometeorological measurements and phenological observations in dominant plant canopies conducted by Forecasting and Reporting Service for Plant Protection of the Republic of Serbia (PIS) are explored to select indices that best record the signatures of plant growth stages in temperature and humidity daily variations. From the timing of extreme values and inflection points of relative humidity (R1 and R2) and normalized daily temperature range (DTR/Td), we identified the following stages: (a) start of flowering (orchard)/spring start of the growing season (crop), (b) full bloom (orchard)/development (crop), (c) maximum LAI reached/yield formation (orchard and crop), and (d) start of dormancy (orchard)/leaf drying (crop). The average day of year (DOY) for dominant plants corresponds to the timing obtained from climatological time series recorded on a representative climate station

Early Development of the Endemic <i>Delminichthys krbavensis</i> (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) from a Karstic Field in Croatia

This is the first report of the early development for the endemic Krbava minnow Delminichthys krbavensis from a karstic field in Croatia, and the first report of any species of the genus Delminichthys. The description is based on basic morphometric measures and meristic counts during a 48-day observation of embryos and larvae acquired from successful spawning and rearing in an aquarium. The mean total length of larvae at the time of hatching was 3.12 mm. Mouth opening and independent feeding and intestinal function were observed after day 11 post-hatching (PH) at which time the yolk sac was completely absorbed in all individuals. Flexion of the urostyle began after day 18 PH and was completed by day 23 PH. Pectoral fins developed on day 7 PH, pelvic fins begin to develop by day 44 PH and the formation of caudal, dorsal and anal fin was complete by day 48 PH, when individuals presented the full set of soft rays. Understanding its early development is particularly valuable in assessing the environmental impacts on this endangered species and is essential for its effective monitoring and conservation

Early Development of the Endemic Delminichthys krbavensis (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) from a Karstic Field in Croatia

This is the first report of the early development for the endemic Krbava minnow Delminichthys krbavensis from a karstic field in Croatia, and the first report of any species of the genus Delminichthys. The description is based on basic morphometric measures and meristic counts during a 48-day observation of embryos and larvae acquired from successful spawning and rearing in an aquarium. The mean total length of larvae at the time of hatching was 3.12 mm. Mouth opening and independent feeding and intestinal function were observed after day 11 post-hatching (PH) at which time the yolk sac was completely absorbed in all individuals. Flexion of the urostyle began after day 18 PH and was completed by day 23 PH. Pectoral fins developed on day 7 PH, pelvic fins begin to develop by day 44 PH and the formation of caudal, dorsal and anal fin was complete by day 48 PH, when individuals presented the full set of soft rays. Understanding its early development is particularly valuable in assessing the environmental impacts on this endangered species and is essential for its effective monitoring and conservation