Scolopendrism on Montenegrian coast – report of two patients

Cilj: Malo je podataka u literaturi o skolopendrizmu na obalama Jadranskog mora. U ovom radu prikazana su dva bolesnika (14 i 31 godina) sa skolopendrizmom izazvanim vrstom Scolopendra cingulata. Prikaz slučaja: Kod prvog bolesnika ugriz je bio u palac desnog stopala, a nastao je prilikom oblačenja tenisica. Drugi bolesnik imao je ugriz u treći prst lijeve šake, nastao prilikom navlačenja zaštitnih rukavica na radnom mjestu. Od lokalnih simptoma zapaženi su: žareći bol, zračenje bola uzduž ekstremiteta, otok i crvenilo kože te grčenje mišića natkoljenice. Od općih simptoma zapažena je samo mučnina. Primijenjena je simptomatska terapija (analgetici i trankvilizatori). Nakon 3 i 6 dana bolesnici nisu imali niti jedan simptom. Zaključak: Scolopendra cingulata predstavlja opasnost, kako za zdravlje lokalnog stanovništva, tako i za turiste na obalama Jadranskog mora. Liječenje ovog skolopendrizma isključivo je simptomatsko. Ovaj rad donosi prvi detaljan opis simptoma skolopendrizma u Crnogorskom primorju.Aim: The literature on scolopendrism in the Adriatic coast is scarce. In this paper we present two patients (age fourteen and thirty one) with scolopendrism caused by Scolopendra cingulata. Case report: The first patient was bitten on the big toe of the right foot which occured on the ground floor of the family house while patient was putting on running shoes. The second patient was bitten on the third finger of the left hand while at work putting on working gloves. The local symptoms were burning pain along the extremities, redness, swolen skin and spasm of thigh muscles. Nausea was the only systemic symptom noticed. Symptomatic therapy was applied (analgetics and tranquilisators). After 3 to 6 days all symptoms disappeared. Conclusions: Scolopendra cingulata represents a real danger for the health of the local population and tourists on the Adriatic coast. The therapy of this type of scolopendrism is only symptomatic. This paper provides the first detailed symptoms description of scolopendrism on the Montenegrian coast

Effect of ecological conditions on expression of biopomological characteristics of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in natural populations of Montenegro

This paper presents the five-year long research results (2007-2011) of phenological observations (beginning, full flowering and the end of flowering), morphometric analysis (fruit weight, length, width and thickness of fruit, as well as length and width of the hilum), the ripening time and the average yield of selected genotypes of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). The results show that in terms of time of flowering chestnut trees examined in the group are very early flowering. The ripening of studied chestnut trees shows that the earliest harvest tree was Ostros II, VII and Kostajnica V (09.11.), and Kostajnica III (14.11.) were the latest. The average fruit weight of the selected sweet chestnut trees was (6.9 g). The highest average fruit weight (10.6 g), had the examined Ostros I tree, and the lowest (4.8 g), Kostajnica VI. The yield of the tested chestnut trees was on average (76.3 kg / tree). The selected trees Kostajnica II (66.0 kg / tree), Kostajnica I (69.0 kg / tree) had the smallest yield and Ostros VI (94.0 kg / tree) and Ostros V (87.0 kg / tree) had the highest. Obviously it can be concluded that population genetic variability is very high and gene expression is highly affected in tested samples on both locations. For further research it should be given attention to investigate genotypes in controlled conditions, the best in vitro in tissue culture. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-20013 i br. TR-31064

Smallpox as an actual biothreat: lessons learned from its outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972

Variola (smallpox) virus is classified as class A of potential biological weapons, due to its microbiological, genetic, antigenic and epidemiological characteristics. The potential danger is more real because vaccination against smallpox has stopped since disease eradication in 1979. That is why we want to share our unique, rich experience and acquired knowledge in the fight against this highly contagious and deadly disease during the smallpox outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972. It was the largest postwar outbreak in Europe when there were officially registered 175 ill patients, 35 of them with lethal outcome. This outbreak was specific by the time of its occurrence, the affected territory, dimensions and some epidemiological characteristics, but also by the well-organized, synchronized and efficient reaction of the competent state services in the fight against it

Gunshot liver injuries grade I-III and related liver enzyme values

Background/Aim. The liver is one of the most commonly injured solid organ in patients with abdominal gunshot wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate correlation between aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as well as correlation between liver enzymes and Injury Severity Score (ISS) among patients sustained a gunshot liver injury. Methods. The study included 30 patients with a gunshot liver injury. Patients were divided into three groups, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grade. We included only patients with first (I), second (II) and third degree (III) injury. AST and ALT levels were also initially measured, and then consecutively each day, up to the fifth post-traumatic day, in order to determine which of them is better and more stable predictor of severity of gunshot liver injury. Results. ALT had significant positive correlation with a low-degree gunshot liver injury, on the day zero, post-traumatic day one and day two. Nevertheless, AST/ALT relation throughout post-traumatic five day period regarding an injury grade correlates best in II grade injury. At the end, strong positive correlation between ALT and ISS was observed (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Presented data clearly shows that ALT is better gunshot liver injury predictor than AST, with strong predictive value regarding injury severity, in first days after liver trauma. Therefore, it could be easily available, cheap and reliable prognostic tool for complexity of liver trauma. ALT prediction value is more significant for I and II injury, grade. Correlation between AST and ALT exists only for specific injury grade (II), but not in general

Morphometric analysis of the fascicular organisation of the optic nerve

Background/Aim. The optic nerve is anatomically observed in four segments: intrabulbar, orbital, canalicular, and cranial. According to the literature, the surface of the transversal cut of the nerve is different through it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fascicular organisation of the optic nerve, throughout its three segments from the eye. Methods. Five pairs of optic nerves, obtained from the autopsies were examined. Using Heidenhain's (azan) staining, the cuts were prepared for microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed using the stereological methods for morphometric cytology - the Weible’s testing system M42. The following measures were established: the surface of the transverse cut of the nerve, the entire surface of fasciculi, the entire surface of connective tissue and blood vessels, the number of fasciculi, the surface of a single fasciculus. Results. The surface of the transverse cut of the nerve was found to grow from the orbital to the cranial segment, as well as the entire surface of fasciculi. While their number is significantly lower in the cranial segment, the number of fasciculi varied slightly between the orbital and the canalicular segment. The surface of a single fasciculus grows from the bulb to the chiasma. There is probable a cause to believe that this may be due to fusion of the “small” fasciculi in the orbitocranial direction. Conclusion. There are significant differences among the examined parameters of the different parts of the optic nerve

Preoperative misdiagnosed gastrointestinal stromal tumor surgical “transferred” into gastric duplication cyst

Introduction. Gastrointestinal duplications are rare congenital anomalies, especially in the adult population which can occur along the entire gastrointestinal tract. The rarest among them are gastric duplications, making up 2–8% of all gastrointestinal duplications. Unusual embryonic malformations can be found even in the adult population and should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of thoraco-abdominal tumors. Unclear findings during preoperative diagnostic procedures are the reason for presenting the case. Case report. We present a 33 years old female, with tumorous lesion in the stomach wall, which had the endoscopic ultrasound features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. During surgery, it was determined that the lesion was actually a cystic formation with gelatin content and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst. Conclusion. Preoperative diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst has always been a challenge for clinicians, since its morphological appearance may vary. That is the reason why these anomalies are often misdiagnosed as solid tumorous lesions by imaging methods and even by the most superior ones, and set up the surgery as a part of diagnostic algorithm

Clinical and autopsy findings of the homeless

Introduction/Objective. The population of homeless people has been growing rapidly over the past decades, and is a part of regular repertoire in daily autopsy practice. The paper aims to establish a contingent of autopsy findings specific for homeless persons using a cohort approach. Methods. The study group consisted of the bodies of 37 homeless men autopsied in the past 15 years. The control group consisted of 37 men and was created by a driven randomized selection following the same distribution of the causes of death. A standardized full autopsy was performed in every case, followed by microscopic examination and toxicology if indicated. Many external and internal features were compared. Results. Homeless people lived significantly shorter, and were more often unidentified at the time of autopsy (p < 0.05). As for external features, we found that homeless people were significantly shorter, with longer hair, beard, and nails, and worse dental status compared to the control group (p < 0.01); 70.3% of the homeless people were underweight; significantly more often suffered from infectious lung diseases, alcoholic liver disease and showed signs of old brain contusions (p < 0.01); they had higher blood alcohol concentrations at the time of death compared to the controls (p < 0.05), but a significantly lower atherosclerotic grade (p < 0.01), and were found to die significantly more often during the winter months (p < 0.01). Besides this, the homeless are more usually affected by specific and non-specific lung inflammations and alcohol liver diseases. Conclusion. Autopsy findings of homeless people define an almost particular presentation compared with controls

Arthroscopic findings after shoulder dislocation

Background/Aim. Recurrent instability of the shoulder joint is frequently difficult to differentiate from diseased or injured rotator cuff or tendon of the forearm flexor (m. biceps brachii). Shoulder joint arthroscopy has been only recently introduced into instable shoulder joint lesion examination. The aim of this study was to present and analyze an arthroscopic finding on instable shoulder joint in order to determine causes and mechanisms of instability, as well as principles of surgical treatment. Methods. Arthroscopy of the shoulder joint was performed in 158 patients with at least one documented shoulder joint dislocation. These patients were divided into two groups. The group I included the patients with one to three dislocations, while the group II those with more than three dislocations. Preoperative diagnosis was based on anamnestic data and clinical examination using specific tests, and on the diagnosis of shoulder joint using radiography or computed tomography. Results. Out of the total number of the patients 138 (87.34%) had injury of the anterior patellar brim, 119 (75.32%) had failure of the anterior capsule, 126 (79.75%) had compressive cartilage injury of the posterior part of the head of the upper arm bone (Hill-Sachs lesion), 102 (64.56%) had insufficiency of glenohumeral tendon, 11 (6.96) had complete cut of the rotator cuff, 23 (14.56%) had injury of the posterior patellar brim, 12 (7.59%) had injury of the upper anterior-posterior patellar brim (SLAP). Conclusion. According to the obtained results it could be concluded that there is no a unique injury that leads to shoulder joint instability. It is necessary to point out to the significance of anamnesis and clinical examination in making diagnosis. Arthroscopic diagnostics is indicated in clinically unreliable findings as an additional method for determining operative treatment

Smallpox as actual biothreat: lessons learned from its outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972

Bioterrorism today represents a current threat and risk that could have enormous health, environmental, economic, social, political and psychological consequences. Variola (smallpox) virus is classified as class A of potential biological weapons, due to its microbiological, genetic, antigenic and epidemiological characteristics. The potential danger is more real because vaccination against smallpox has stopped since disease eradication in 1979. That is why we want to share our unique, rich experience and acquired knowledge in the fight against this highly contagious and deadly disease during the smallpox outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972. It was the largest postwar epidemic in Europe during which were officially registered 175 ill patients, 35 of them with lethal outcome. This outbreak was specific by the time of its occurrence, the affected territory, dimensions and some epidemiological characteristics, but also by well-organized, synchronized and efficient reaction of the competent state services in the fight against it

CHOLECYSTITIS AS A CAUSE OF ABDOMINAL PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE VIRAL HEPATITIS A AND B

Acute cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder wall, usually caused by gallstones in the cystic duct, which causes attacks of severe pain. At least 95% of the population with acute inflammation of the gallbladder have gallstones. Acute viral hepatitis is the liver inflammation accompanied by nausea, faintness, vomiting, pain below the right rib arch, jaundice. The presence of acute cholecystitis intensifies the existing symptoms. The aim of the paper was to show the incidence of the gallbladder inflammation in patients with acute hepatitis A or B. This retrospective-prospective study involved 110 patients treated for viral hepatitis A or B and had severe abdominal pain during hospitalization. The selected sample involved more male examinees - 63 (62%) compared to female ones - 47 (38%). The most frequent age of examinees was 30-50 years, 82 (83%), and cholecystitis during hepatitis was also most common in the age group 30-50 years, 28 (73%) patients. Cholecystitis was more common in patients with acute hepatitis B - 21 (55%) examinees than in patients with acute hepatitis A - 17 (45%) examinees. Ultrasound examination, performed in 24 (63%) examinees showed gallstones in inflamed gallbladder, while 14 (37%) examinees had the inflammation of the gallbladder without gallstones. The most common cause of severe abdominal pain in patients with acute liver infection caused by HAV and HBV infection was the gallbladder, 38 (34.5%) patients. Cholecystitis was more common in patients with acute hepatitis B, 21 (55%) examinees, than in those with an acute hepatitis A, 17 (45%) examinees