Pregnancy outcome during the bombing of Yugoslavia from Mart 24 to June 9, 1999

Background/Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcome during the bombing of Yugoslavia in the period from March 24 to June 9, 1999. Methods. A retrospective study included a total of 81spontaneous abortion following XII gestation week, and 1448 deliveries, hospitalized in the regional hospital. The analyzed were: the incidence of spontaneous abortion, Cesarean section, post-term delivery, vaginal delivery following the previous Cesarean section within the period from March 24 to June 9, 1999, and compared to the same periods in 1998 and 2000 by the use of χ² and Kolgomorov-Smirnov tests. Results. Under the conditions of a three-month stress imposed by the bombing, significantly increased were the incidence of spontaneous abortion and vaginal delivery following the previous Cesarean section, while the incidence of Cesarean section and post-term delivery were decreased, but the incidence of perinatal outcome was paradoxically improved. The analysis of findings on admittance revealed that iterative Cesarean section was performed electively, close to the expected term of delivery, and vaginal delivery following the previous Cesarean section mainly two weeks before that term with the admittance finding confirming a high active stage pregnancy. Conclusions. Within the bombing, statistically significantly was increased the percentage of abortions after XII gestation week, and the biological duration of pregnancy was reduced. The reduced duration of pregnancy complete with the accelerated fetal mutation (also caused by the stress) resulted in better perinatal outcome, and statistically significantly lower percentage of Cesarean section

Colorectal anastomosis dehiscence following radical surgical operation for rectal carcinoma

Background/Aim. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the biggest health problems of modern humanity, especially in highly developed countries. In Serbia about 3,200 patients suffer from CRC, out of whom about 1,100 patients suffer from rectal cancer (RC), while about 2,100 patients suffer from other colon segments cancer. The aim of the study was to show the incidence genesis of one of the possible early postoperative complications regarding dehiscence of the colorectal anastomosis (CRA) with a group of patients suffering from RC and operated by using sphincter-saving procedures, in the period from 1993 to 2007, and then to compare the incidence genesis of these complications with those in the published series of the reporting colorectal institutions. Methods. The research included 242 patients radically operated on for RC in a 15-year period using some of sphincter-saving procedures following by a careful analysis of the symptoms of subclinical dehyscencias not solved with the reintervention as well as of the clinically evidented dehyscencias mostly solved by reoperation. Results. With 22 (9.1%) patients in the first 10 postoperative days there were early postoperative symptoms of CRA dehiscence. In 6 (2.47%) of the patients there were subclinical signs of raised body temperature, less quantity of feces content, and after the conservative treatment they ended in spontaneous process of rehabilitation. In 16 (6.61%) patients there was clinically evidented anastomosis dehiscence followed by abundant drainage of feces content, signs of local peritonitis, pelvic sepsis, so we had to undertake surgical intervention. Conclusion. Comparing the results of a few tenths of published studies with our results we proved that performing and operative technique of colorectal anastomosis in the patients suffered and radically surgically treated for RC, is quite adequate with the operative technique in reporting world institutions that are engaged in surgical treatment of RC

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of pancreatic pseudocyst

Introduction. Pancreatic pseudocyst presented as pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery is a potential serious complication in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Case report. A 42-year-old male patient with a long-standing evolution of chronic pancreatitis and 8-year long evolution of pancreas pseudocyst was referred to the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade due to worsening of the general condition. At admission, the patient was cachectic, febrile, and had the increased values of amylases in urine and sedimentation (SE). After clinical and diagnostic examination: laboratory assessment, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS), ultrasonography (US), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), multislice computed scanner (MSCT) angiography, pseudoaneurysm was found caused by the conversion of pseudocyst on the basis of chronic pancreatitis. The patient was operated on after founding pancreatic pseudocyst, which caused erosion of the splenic artery and their mutual communication. Postoperative course was duly preceded without complications with one year follow-up. Conclusion. Angiography is the most reliable and the safest method for diagnosing hemorrhagic pseudocysts when they clinically present as pseudoaneurysms. A potentially dangerous complication in the presented case was treated surgically with excellent postoperative results

Characterization of mechanically activated ZrO2-C powder mixtures

Mechanical activation represents a very useful technique for powder processing prior to sintering process. First of all, it makes powders homogenized, leads to attrition of powder particles, and makes powder mixtures more reactive. Secondly, it can lead to mechano-chemical reaction, and finally, lowering of sintering time and temperature. Mixtures of ZrO2 and C were mechanically activated by high-energy ball milling. Powders were milled for times from 0 to 120 minutes in air atmosphere. Mechanically activated powder mixtures were characterized by various techniques, such as particle size analysis (PSA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and diffraction scanning calorimetry along with thermo gravimetry (DSC-TGA). As milling time increased, surface area of powders increased, indicating significant particle size reduction. Mechanical activation for 15 minutes provides the best balance between particle size reduction and reactivity for the powders

Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of anal fissure

Background. This paper presents our first experience in the treatment of primary anal fissure by injection of botulinum A toxin into the internal sphincter. Methods. The study group of the retrospective study included 12 outpatients (8 females and 4 males), mean age 42 (range 18-60). During the period 2000-2003, after unsuccessful conservative treatment, patients were treated with the injections of botulinum A toxin, 100 units on both sides of the anal fissure laterally into the internal anal sphincter (50 units on either side). The patients were clinically evaluated 3, 7, and 30 days, and 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Results. Three fissures had healed after a month, and seven after 3 months. Two remained unhealed, but asymptomatic. There was no incontinence of flatus or faeces after 3 months of the treatment. After temporary healing, two fissures relapsed after 6 months, and these patients had the adequate tonus of the anal sphincter muscles. Except for the temporary incontinence, there were neither other side-efects, nor serious complications. Conclusion. Injection of botulinum A toxin achieved good results in the treatment of anal fissure. The appropriate use makes this method safe as an alternative to surgical treatment of anal fissure

Prolonged survival of a female patient with total pelvic exenteration

Background. To present a female patient who lived 5 years after total pelvic exenteration (TPE). Case report. The female patient underwent TPE due to retrovesicovaginal fistula as a consequence of locoregional irradiation after the operation for the malignoma of the vaginal part of the uterus. In the formation of Bricker conduit, the ureter antireflux was achieved by the application of the “tobacco sack muff” made of the intestines around the ureter. By the use of this technique, the occurrence of pyelonephritis, as the leading cause of death in such patients, was prevented. Conclusion. TPE is a hope for significantly prolonged survival of patients with advanced pelvic malignomas, or with a postirradiatiation fistula

Portosystemic shunt in the treatment of portal hypertension

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Ménétrier's disease associated with ulcerative collitis

In this paper a 21 year old patient was presented with Ménétrier's disease, associated with ulcerative colitis. The first symptoms of ulcerative colitis occured at the age of eleven, since when the patient has been conservatively treated several times because of the exacerbations of the desease. During control examinations presence of polipoid changes in stomach was discovered by upper endoscopy. Gastrectomy was suggested because the patient had excessive anemic syndrome which required weekly substitutional therapy with deplasmatic eritrocytes, as well as hypoproteinemia, while multiple polipoid changes suspect for malignancy were gastroscopically identifided. Patient accepted surgical treatment, and was transfered to the Clinic of Surgery. Total gastrectomy was performed, and patohystological finding confirmed Ménétrier's desease. After two weeks, the patient was released from the hospital in good general condition, with regular clinical and laboratory findings

Giant primary retroperitoneal seminoma: A case report

Introduction. Primary extragonadal seminomas are rare tumors. There have been only a few cases of the primary retroperitoneal seminomas reported in the literature up to date. Case report. We reported a 56-year-old man with giant primary retroperitoneal seminoma presented with the enlargement of the left side of the abdomen and deep venous thrombosis of the left leg. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a large tumor occupying the left part of the retroperitoneal space with 23 x 13 cm in diameter. Firm tumor mass having 25 x 15 cm in diameter was surgically removed from the left retroperitoneum. The tumor adhered the tunica adventitia of the aorta and it was carefully resected from the aortic wall. The diagnosis of seminoma was made during histopathological examination. The patient underwent chemotherapy. Two years after finished chemotherapy the patient accepted left orchiectomy with the aim of eliminating the possibility of the occult malignancy of the testicle. Histopathological analysis of the testicular tissue was normal and the diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal seminoma was confirmed. Conclusion. Despite its small incidence in general population, the diagnosis of retroperitoneal seminoma should be considered in male patients with nonspecific symptoms and with retroperitoneal tumor mass

Effect of mechanical activation on carbothermal synthesis and densification of ZrC

Zirconium carbide ceramics were prepared by carbothermal reduction of ZrO2 and C that were mixed by high-energy ball milling. Powders were milled for times from 0 to 120 min in air. As milling time increased, the surface area of the powders increased, indicating significant particle size reduction. Milled powders were reacted at 1600 °C and then densified by spark plasma sintering at 2000 °C, which was sufficient to convert the starting powders to zirconium carbide. Unmilled powders did not reach full density. Milled powders reached full density, but ZrO2 impurities were found for specimens prepared from powders milled for 60 and 120 min. Microstructure analysis showed that grain size was less than 2 µm for ceramics produced from powder milled for 15 min. Based on densification onset temperature and impurity levels, a milling time of 15 min gives the best balance of particle size reduction to promote densification while minimizing impurity levels.This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Obradović, Nina, Feng, Lun, Filipović, Suzana, Mirković, Miljana, Kosanović, Darko, Rogan, Jelena, Fahrenholtz, William G., "Effect of mechanical activation on carbothermal synthesis and densification of ZrC", Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2023), [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.08.007