RESILIENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Modern research attempts to investigate the relationship between psychoemotional parameters and the length of survival of breast cancer patients. Understanding the factors which affect a higher level of resilience can have important clinical implications and can represent a guiding principle for designing psychological interventions that would accelerate recovery and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. To explore the relationship between resilience and quality of life of women with breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted at the Clinic of Oncology of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar, which included 60 subjects. Objective realization was achieved through using the socio-demographic questionnaire purposely made for this research, the quality of life questionnaire WHQOL-BREF and the psychological resilience questionnaire CD-RISC-25. Results: Subjects treated with radiotherapy achieved statistically significantly higher scores on subscales of the quality of life: mental health, social relations, and the environment. No statistically significant correlations were found between the level of resilience and results in the domains of quality of life. Conclusion: There is not a statistically significant association between resilience levels and quality of life in patients with breast cancer

DETERMINANTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE WEST HERZEGOVINA CANTON

A study of COVID-19 infected patients was conducted regarding to organic and psychological characteristics. The findings of the study indicate that in the period of the pandemic in 2020, a total of 78 infection cases were confirmed in West Herzegovina Canton. Of the total number of infected, 55.1% are women and 44.9% are men. Of the infected population, 16.7% were hospitalized. By monitoring the COVID-19 disease in West Herzegovina Canton, we conclude how all manifestations of the disease were represented, from asymptomatic, through mild respiratory to the most severe clinical picture with fatal outcomes. The mortality rate in West Herzegovina Canton is 5.1%. The study showed that a total of 28.2% of COVID-19 positive patients before infecting with virus, were most likely to suffer from hypertension, diabetes and malignancies. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that a total of 71.9% of those infected are without underlying diseases. Also, the results indicate that people with COVID-19 in addition to the characteristic symptoms of the disease (fever, fatigue, cough, etc.) had certain mental ailments such as decreased general mood, increased anxiety, panic attacks, acute stress disorder and others

Brain and serum beta-endorphin concentrations in trazodone treated rats

Uvod: Beta (β) endorfini otkriveni su u hipotalamusu i hipofizi, a u manjoj količini i u drugim organima. Cilj ove studije bio je utvrditi mogući utjecaj psi-hotropnih lijekova na β-endorfine u serumu i mozgu kod štakora kao eksperimentalnog modela. Materijal i metode: Studija je provedena na albino Wistar štakorima (200-250 g tjelesne težine) uz primjenu antidepresiva trazodona. Tehnika RIA primijenjena je za kvantificiranje β-endorfina u serumu i mozgu. Rezultati: Koncentracije serumskih β-endorfina izmjerenih 1. dana primjene trazodona bile su značajno više (72,3 ± 1,86 pg/mL; x ± SEM) od početnih koncentracija (45,83 ± 3,77 pg/mL; P = 0,001). Međutim, trazodon je doveo do značajno nižih koncentracija β-endorfina 9. dana liječenja (33,4 ± 1,91 pg/ mL) u usporedbi s koncentracijama izmjerenim 1. dana davanja lijeka (P = 0,001). Koncentracije zabilježene 28. dana (38,62 ± 1,42 pg/mL) bile su više u usporedbi s onima izmjerenim 9. dana (P = 0,439). Koncentracija β-endorfina u mozgu pokazala je značajno sniženje 1. dana davanja trazodona (431,03 ± 11,57 pg/g) u usporedbi s kontrolnim životinjama (873,5 ± 18,32 pg/g; P = 0,001). Usporedba nižih koncentracija zabilježenih 9. dana liječenja (433,65 ± 14,67 pg/g) i onih u kontrolnoj skupini životinja također je dala statistički značajne vrijednosti (P = 0,001). U skupini životinja na trazodonu 28. dana su koncentracije β-endorfina u mozgu bile značajno više 28. dana (929 ± 18,13 pg/g) od koncentracija izmjerenih 1. i 9. dana (P = 0,001 oboje) liječenja, i te su koncentracije bile više od onih zabilježenih u kontrolnoj skupini, međutim, bez statističke značajnosti (P = 0,137). Zaključak: Kronično liječenje trazodonom uzrokuje porast sinteze β-endorfina u mozgu, dok akutno davanje ovoga lijeka dovodi samo do brzog oslobađanja β-endorfina u krvotok.Introduction: Beta (β) endorphins have been detected in the hypothalamus and pituitary, and in a small amount in other organs. The aim of our study was to establish the possible influence of psychotropic drugs on serum and brain β-endorphins in rats as experimental model. Material and methods: The study was performed on albino Wistar rats (200-250 g body weight), using the antidepressant trazodone. RIA technique was employed for quantification of serum and brain β-endorphins. Results: Serum β-endorphins measured on day 1 of trazodone application were significantly higher (72.31 ± 1.86 pg/mL; x± SEM) compared to baseline values (45.83 ± 3.77 pg/mL; P = 0.001). However, trazodone produced significantly lower β-endorphin concentrations on day 9 of treatment (33.4 ±1.91 pg/mL) compared to the values measured on day 1 of trazodone administration (P = 0.001). Endorphin concentrations recorded on day 28 (38.62 ± 1.42 pg/mL) were higher compared to those measured on day 9 (P = 0.439). Data on brain β-endorphin concentration showed a significant decrease on day 1 of trazodone administration (431.03 ± 11.57 pg/g) compared to data obtained from control rat brains (873.5 ± 18.32 pg/g; P = 0.001). Statistical significance was also recorded by comparison of the lower data obtained on day 9 of treatment (433.65 ± 14.67 pg/g) and those observed in the control group (P = 0.001). In trazodone treated rats, brain β-endorphins were significantly higher on day 28 (929 ± 18.13 pg/g) compared with the levels measured on day 1 and day 9 of treatment (P = 0.001 both), showing slightly higher values than in control rats, yet without statistical significance (P = 0.137). Conclusion: Chronic trazodone treatment causes an increase in the brain β-endorphin synthesis, while acute drug administration results only in a rapid release of β-endorphins into the circulation

Positive correlation between uric acid and C-reactive protein serum level in healthy individuals and patients with acute coronary syndrome

Aim To assess serum levels and correlation between uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and apparently healthy individuals. Methods The cross-sectional study included 116 examinees of age 44 to 83 years, distributed in two groups: 80 ACS patients including 40 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 40 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 36 apparently healthy (control group) individuals. Patients with ACS were hospitalized at the Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Centre Sarajevo in the period October- December 2012. Laboratory analyses were conducted by standard methods. The accepted statistical significance level was p<0.05. Results Serum levels of CRP and UA were higher in patients with ACS as compared to control group (p0.05). Conclusion The correlation between CRP and UA in the patients with ACS indicates the association of oxidative stress and inflammation intensity in damaged cardiomyocytes. Correlation between UA and CRP in apparently healthy individuals indicates a possible role of UA as a marker of low-grade inflammation and its potential in risk assessment in cardiovascular diseases

Evaluation of haematology analyzer CELL-DYN 3700 SL

Research on the parameters of full blood count and differential white blood count is included in the program of all medical laboratories of primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels. Today, all haematological tests are exclusively performed on the haematology analyzers. Automation of haematology laboratories is a result of the huge requires for haematological test performing, timely issuing of the haematological findings, and possibility of the usage of modern techniques. This work is an evaluation of laser haematology analyzer Cell-Dyn 3700 SL. It investigates the reliability of test results throughout the following parameters: precision, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of determination methods. It also explores the influence of sample transferring and correlation with haematology analyzer MAXM Retti. Haematology parameters that have been investigated are: white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils (NEU), lymphocytes (LXM), monocytes (MONO), eosinophils (EOS), basophils (BASO), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletocrit (PCT), and platelet distribution width (PDW). The results confirms that precision of analyzer fulfils the reproducibility of testing parameters: WBC, RBC, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and PLT. Correlation coefficient values (r) gained throughout the statistical analysis, that is linear regression results obtained throughout the comparison of two analyzers are adequate except for MCHC (r = 0.64), what is in accordance with literature data. Accuracy is tested by haematology analyzer method and microscopic differentiating method. Correlation coefficient results for granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes point the accuracy of methods. Sensitivity and specificity parameters fulfil the analytical criteria. It is confirmed that haematology analyzer Cell-Dyn 3700 SL is reliable for the determination of full blood count in everyday work. Analyzer and its program for differential white blood count can be used for the research and separation of normal and pathological blood counts with addition of microscopic methods confirming distribution or morphologic changes of leukocytes

B-type natriuretic peptide and adiponectin releases in rat model of myocardial damage induced by isoproterenol administration

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and adiponectin play important role in the cardiovascular homeostasis regulation. We investigated BNP and adiponectin serum levels followed by isoproterenol (ISO) administration to rats and explored the relationship between them. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) blood level was used as biochemical evidence of myocardial damage development. Adult male Wistar rats (average body weight 273.33 ± 21.63 g) were distributed into groups: control group received saline (n=6) and ISO groups (n=12) treated with ISO (subcutaneous single dose 100 mg/kg of rat body weight). ISO group was divided into two groups according to the time of BNP, adiponectin and cTnI determination: ISO I (n=6; 2 hours after ISO administration); ISO II (n=6; 4 hours after ISO administration). Blood for determination of parameters was taken from rat abdominal aorta. BNP, adiponectin and cTnI were determined by ELISA method. Data were statistically analysed by using SPSS version 13 computer program. P value less 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Blood BNP and adiponectin were lower at 2 hours after ISO administration in comparison with control group (p=0.004 for BNP and p=0.174 for adiponectin). Four hours after ISO administration, we have noted significant elevation of both parameters compared to ISO I group (p=0.004 for BNP; p=0.02 for adiponectin). Test of correlation have showed significant relation between their blood levels during experimental period (rho=0.577; p=0.01). BNP and adiponectin are not simple indicators of myocardial damage development. They have possible associated and additive effects in cardiovascular homeostasis regulation

ß-endorphins as Possible Markers for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

This study was performed in order to investigate possible role of brain beta-endorphins as markers of antidepressive drugs therapy monitoring. Experiment was done using amitriptyline and trazodone as antidepressants. For quantification of brain beta-endorphins we used RIA technique. Our results showed significant decrease of brain beta-endorphins concentration in drug-pretreated animals, vs. those in of control group treated with 0,95% NaCl. The lower values were obtained in trazodone pre-treated animals. This study shows that use of psychoactive drugs have influence on brain beta-endorphins concentration. beta-endorphins could be of great importance, used as markers for evaluation of patient treatment

Cellular network of damage caused by exposure to high ambient temperature in Wistar rats: The role of Hsp70

Objectives: As a universal cytoprotective protein, Hsp70 is used to monitor the effects of environmental temperature changes, increasing the survival rate of cells exposed to stress, as well as the role of protein in cardiovascular disease, body decay and cell aging. Our research aims to to examine whether changes in serum protein 70 (Hsp70) values due to exposure to water temperature (41 °C and 44 °C) may indicate a mechanism of cardiomyocyte damage due to hyperthermia. Methods: A total of 40 adult albino Wistar rats, of known gender and body weight from 250 g to 300 g were used as material in this research. Rats were housed in polypropylene cages with optimum environmental conditions. Depending on the temperature of the water (WT) to which they were exposed, rats were randomized into the following groups.WT 37 °C (n = 8); WT 41 °C, antemortem (n = 8), WT 41 °C, postmortem (n = 8); WT 44 °C, antemortem (n = 8), WT 44 °C, postmortem (n = 8). Blood samples for determination of Hsp70 were taken before and after the expiration of the given duration of the experiment of 20 min or death. The Hsp70 level was determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Results: Hsp70 basal values in serum were significantly different, p = 0.004 pg/ml, and in the groups depending on the duration of exposure to Hsp70, p = 0.002. Serum Hsp70 values after being exposed to water temperature were significantly different according to the group, p = 0.009. Significant lower Hsp70 levels were found in the control group according to G41 p = 0.006 and G44, p = 0.002. Insignificant differences in Hsp70 level were found among theseG41 and G44, p > 0.005. The concentration of Hsp70 in rat serum and ≥ 31.36 ng/ml indicates exposure to temperatures higher than 37 °C (sensitivity 85.71%, specificity 83.33%, PPV 96%, and NPV 55%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Altered concentration of serum Hsp70 may show exposition to the elevated water temperature

Comparison of Trazodone, Diazepame and Dibenzepine Influences on Rat Brain Beta-Endorphins Content

The aim of our study was to establish the extent of influence of different psychotropic drugs to brain β-endorphins in experimental animals. The study was performed on albino Wistar rats (weight 250 g), treated with different psychoactive drugs. RIA technique was employed for quantification of brain β-endorphins. Brain β-endorphins were higher in experiment group treated with trazodone (929 pg/g ± 44,43; X±SD), and dibenzepine (906,63 pg/g ± 74,06), yet with lower brain content in rats treated with diazepame (841,55 pg/g ± 68,47), compared to brain β-endorphins content of control group treated with saline solution (0,95% NaCl) (873,5 pg/g ± 44,89). Significant differences were obtained comparing brain β-endorphins of trazodone vs. diaze-pame treated animals, with diazepame group having lower values (p<0,02). This study showed differences in changes of rat brain β-endorphins contents when different psy-choactive drugs are used. Therefore, we consider that β-endorphins could be used for evaluation of effects of psychoactive drugs, as a useful parameter in therapy with these psycho pharmaceuticals