265 research outputs found
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Modern political campaigns are in constant flux and are influenced by numerous factors. Voters are constantly on the move, making segmentation significantly challenging. Simultaneously, literacy and education levels among the electorate are increasing every day, leading to a more critical attitude towards the persuasion process. In addition, changes in technology and the development of information and communication systems directly and drastically impact the shaping and management of modern campaigns. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning have been influencing the creation of modern political campaigns for a decade. The significance of artificial intelligence enhances the power of big data, algorithms, and, consequently, social networks. The authors explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the planning and execution of political campaigns and the resulting consequences for political candidates, parties, and society
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DURATION OF DIALYSIS AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL MOSTAR
Introduction: Association of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection with the length of dialysis in dialysis patients is contradictory.
This study was conducted in order to determine the association between the duration of dialysis and the HP infection status in the
dialysis patients. Furthemore, biochemical parameters were monitored in two subject groups that were included in this study.
Subjects and methods: The study included 51 patients on chronic hemodialysis program who had gastrointestinal symptoms. The
subjects were divided in two groups per the length of dialysis treatment. In this study we analyzed age, gender, the time period since
the onset of the chronic hemodialysis program, body mass index, biochemical parameters, and whether the patients have arterial
hypertension and/or diabetes. The presence of HP antigen was determined in the stool samples with use of he UlcoGnost AG test plate.
Results: The incidence of HP infection in hemodialysis patients, with some of the gastrointestinal symptoms, was 25.5%. Patients
on hemodialysis for less than 24 months had lower incidence of HP infection than those on hemodialysis program for more than 24
months. HP positive and HP negative subjects were also compared by gender, age, biochemical parameters and body mass index.
There was no statistical significant difference between the groups in any of those characteristics. When comparing the HP status of
the subjects with the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes, no statistically significant difference was found between the
groups.
Conclusion: This study showed negative correlation between HP infection and the length of hemodialysis program. Analysis of
age, gender, body mass index, biochemical parameters, presence of arterial hypertension and/or diabetes showed no statistically
significant difference was found between the hemodialysis patients who were HP positive and those who were HP negative.
Additional studies are needed to elucidate the correlation mechanism between the HP infection and the duration of dialysis, in order
to examine how long the dialysis time period is the most susceptible to HP infection, and then to improve the prognosis of patients
with renal disease
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DURATION OF DIALYSIS AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL MOSTAR
Introduction: Association of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection with the length of dialysis in dialysis patients is contradictory.
This study was conducted in order to determine the association between the duration of dialysis and the HP infection status in the
dialysis patients. Furthemore, biochemical parameters were monitored in two subject groups that were included in this study.
Subjects and methods: The study included 51 patients on chronic hemodialysis program who had gastrointestinal symptoms. The
subjects were divided in two groups per the length of dialysis treatment. In this study we analyzed age, gender, the time period since
the onset of the chronic hemodialysis program, body mass index, biochemical parameters, and whether the patients have arterial
hypertension and/or diabetes. The presence of HP antigen was determined in the stool samples with use of he UlcoGnost AG test plate.
Results: The incidence of HP infection in hemodialysis patients, with some of the gastrointestinal symptoms, was 25.5%. Patients
on hemodialysis for less than 24 months had lower incidence of HP infection than those on hemodialysis program for more than 24
months. HP positive and HP negative subjects were also compared by gender, age, biochemical parameters and body mass index.
There was no statistical significant difference between the groups in any of those characteristics. When comparing the HP status of
the subjects with the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes, no statistically significant difference was found between the
groups.
Conclusion: This study showed negative correlation between HP infection and the length of hemodialysis program. Analysis of
age, gender, body mass index, biochemical parameters, presence of arterial hypertension and/or diabetes showed no statistically
significant difference was found between the hemodialysis patients who were HP positive and those who were HP negative.
Additional studies are needed to elucidate the correlation mechanism between the HP infection and the duration of dialysis, in order
to examine how long the dialysis time period is the most susceptible to HP infection, and then to improve the prognosis of patients
with renal disease
Psychosocial and clinical characteristics of depressive patients with the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome
There is a growing quantity of data showing that mental illnesses affect the somatic health. Depression is a complex disease, connected with the disturbances of sleep-cycle, appetite, body weight and level of physical activity, all of which may represent the risk factors for the development of metabolic disturbances. In the depressive patients, there is a number of various physiological mechanisms and psychosocial factors which may influence the development of metabolic syndrome (MS), such as sex, age, smoking, stress levels, nutrition and level of physical activity. It is considered that chronic stress causes depression and the resulting bad life habits may lead to MS and finally KVB. Aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial and clinical features of depressive patients with the diagnosis of MS. The cross-reference study has been done at the sample of 80 patients diagnosed with MS. Among the diagnostic instruments applied, we have used the structured socio-demographic questionnaire, MINI questionnaire, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome had been established following the NCEP ATP criteria. Among the depressive patients, there were 38.8% who fulfilled the criteria for establishing the diagnosis of MS. There was a greater incidence of suicide among the depressive patients with the diagnosis of MS. The diagnose was more frequently established in depressive women, while an increased intake of carbohydrates represented a significant feature of both depression and MS. Further research is needed to explain the observed gender differences and to determine if the interventions aimed to treating the depression can also contribute to accepting the healthy life habits and as a consequence, indirectly reduce the incidence of MS
Appearance of femoropopliteal segment aneurysms in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm
Background/Aim. To promote better treatment outcome, as well as economic benefit it is very important to find out patients with simultaneous occurrence of both aortic and arterial aneurysms. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the frequency and factors affecting femoropopliteal (F-P) segment aneurysms appearance in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Methods. This study included 70 patients who had underwent elective or urgent surgery of AAA from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. After ultrasonographic examination of F-P segment, all the patients were divided into two groups - those with adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm (n = 20) and the group of 50 patients with no adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm. In both groups demographic characteristics (gender, age), risk factors (diabetes mellitus, elevated serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, arterial hypertension, smoking, obesity) and cardiovascular comorbidity (cerebrovascular desease, ischemic heart desease) were investigated. Results. Twenty (28.57%) patients who had been operated on because of AAA, had adjunctive aneurysmal desease of F-P segment. Diabetes was no statistically significantly more present among the patients who, beside AAA, had adjunctive aneurismal desease of F-P segment (χ2 = 0.04; DF = 1; p > 0.05). Also, in both groups there was no statistically significant difference in gender structure (χ2 = 2. 05; DF = 2; p > 0.05), age (χ2 = 5. 46; DF = 1; p > 0.05), total cholesterol level (χ2 = 0.89; DF = 1; p > 0.05) and triglyceride (χ2 = 0.89; DF = 1; p > 0.05) levels, the presence of arterial hypertension (χ2 = 1.38; DF = 2; p > 0.05), smoking (χ2 = 1.74; DF = 1; p > 0.05), obesity (χ2 = 1.76; DF = 1; p > 0.05) and presence of cerebrovascular desease (χ2 = 2.34; DF = 1; p > 0.05). Conversly, ischemic heart desease was statistically significantly more present among the patients who, beside AAA, had adjunctive aneurismal desease of F-P segment (χ2 = 5.45; DF = 1; p < 0.05). Conclusion. Twenty patients, beside AAA, had adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm. The results of this study suggest the necessity of preforming ultrasonographic examination of F-P segment in all patients with proven AAA
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDES IN THE DERMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT
Introduction: Topical corticosteroids are group of drugs which have anti-immuno-suppressive, anti-proliferative
and vasoconstrictive effects and are among the most commonly prescribed medication, important and efficacious for management of
various dermatological disorders. Strict implementation of the existing regulations is the need of the hour to prevent their widespread
abuse. Aim of the study was to investigate the usage of topical corticosteroids therapy with the recipe of a doctor and without it.
Subjects and methods: The subjects were patients who visited Pharmacies in Mostar from April to July 2020 and were buying
topical corticosteroids with or without a recipe or medical report from the doctor. 80 subjects completed a questionnaire themselves
included: the way of buying a topical corticosteroids, the information about using topical corticosteroids earlier, the information
about subject\u27s visits to the doctor; the length of time using topical corticosteroids, the type of topical corticosteroids used, the part of
body the topical corticosteroids was applied on.
Results: A total of 80 subjects were treated in the observed period, 58.8% were female. 72.5% subjects had already used local
corticosteroids, 62.50% purchased the drug at the recommendation of the pharmacist, 66.30% had no recent diagnosis or no
diagnosed disease at all, 21.25% used the drug for more than a month, the most often purchased one was moderate potent local
corticosteroid Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05 %. Most commonly subjects applied local corticosteroids on arms (50%).
Conclusion: Strict regulations regarding only prescription-based dispensing of local corticosteroids must be put into practice.
This will hopefully bring down both the extremes of ever increasing cases of steroid-induced dermatoses in everyday dermatology
practise on one hand and the irrational fears of using TCs in well justified indications on the other
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDES IN THE DERMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT
Introduction: Topical corticosteroids are group of drugs which have anti-immuno-suppressive, anti-proliferative
and vasoconstrictive effects and are among the most commonly prescribed medication, important and efficacious for management of
various dermatological disorders. Strict implementation of the existing regulations is the need of the hour to prevent their widespread
abuse. Aim of the study was to investigate the usage of topical corticosteroids therapy with the recipe of a doctor and without it.
Subjects and methods: The subjects were patients who visited Pharmacies in Mostar from April to July 2020 and were buying
topical corticosteroids with or without a recipe or medical report from the doctor. 80 subjects completed a questionnaire themselves
included: the way of buying a topical corticosteroids, the information about using topical corticosteroids earlier, the information
about subject\u27s visits to the doctor; the length of time using topical corticosteroids, the type of topical corticosteroids used, the part of
body the topical corticosteroids was applied on.
Results: A total of 80 subjects were treated in the observed period, 58.8% were female. 72.5% subjects had already used local
corticosteroids, 62.50% purchased the drug at the recommendation of the pharmacist, 66.30% had no recent diagnosis or no
diagnosed disease at all, 21.25% used the drug for more than a month, the most often purchased one was moderate potent local
corticosteroid Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05 %. Most commonly subjects applied local corticosteroids on arms (50%).
Conclusion: Strict regulations regarding only prescription-based dispensing of local corticosteroids must be put into practice.
This will hopefully bring down both the extremes of ever increasing cases of steroid-induced dermatoses in everyday dermatology
practise on one hand and the irrational fears of using TCs in well justified indications on the other
METABOLIC SYNDROME AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATHOLOGICAL PREGNANCY
Base: There are numerous studies that indicate the co-morbidity of a metabolic syndrome and mental disorders. Metabolic syndrome and mental disorders in pregnant women are rarely investigated, especially in pathological pregnancy.
Goal: To determine a relationship between predisposed factors in pregnancy and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome as well as to determine the occurrence of psychological symptoms and disorders in pregnant women.
Subjects and methods: The tested sample consisted of 162 pregnant women (80 with normal and 82 with pathological pregnancy). For the examination, 3 questionnaires were used: clinical, laboratory, ultrasound and radiological scanning. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to WHO criteria, and psychological symptoms by using the SCL 90-R questionnaire.
Results: Metabolic syndrome was confirmed in 19 (23.2%) women with pathological pregnancy. These women had a greater prevalence of psychological symptoms (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Women with pathological pregnancy who are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome showed significantly more psychological symptoms
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