Inflation persistence in central and southeastern Europe: Evidence from univariate and structural time series approaches

The purpose of this paper is to measure inflation persistence in the following countries of Central and Southeastern Europe: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Serbia. The study sample covers monthly data from January, 1995 to May, 2010 for Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, from January 1994 to May, 2010 for the Czech Republic, and from January, 2002 to June 2010 for Romania. The shortest sample used, from January, 2003 to September, 2010, was for Serbia and is due to the late start in the transition process. The results of this study enriched the existing ones on this topic by extending the sample period to cover even the recent years of relatively higher inflation rates and by including Romania and Serbia, which were not previously considered. The study led to two main findings: first, inflation of moderate to high magnitude persistence in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Serbia, and inflation of smaller order persistence in Slovakia and the Czech Republic was detected within the Markov switching model approach. In addition, the changes in inflation persistence often correspond to changes in variability and mean of inflation. Second, New Keynesian Phillips Curve represents a valid structural approach to describe the inflation dynamics in this region. In all the six cases studied, weights on backward and forward looking behaviors were significant, while the impact of the driving variable was insignificant only once. It is found that significant influence of the economic driving variable can be captured by real gross wage inflation and real broad money growth. The estimates show that the backward-looking term plays an important role in determining the inflation dynamics. Similar conclusions are drawn by using quarterly data in econometric estimations for the selected countries

Diagnostic and prognostic value of coronary flow reserve determined by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in patients with previously performed multi-slice computed tomography

Cilj: Koronarna angiografija pomoću kompjuterizovane tomografije (MSCT) omogućava uvid u morfološke karakteristike koronarne okluzivne bolesti, ali sa otežanom preciznom kvantifikacijom aterosklerotskih lezija. Transtorakalna Doppler ehokardiografija (TTDE) procenjuje funkcionalni značaj aterosklerotskih lezija. Tokom studije smo pokušali da procenimo aditivni dijagnostički i prognostički značaj koronarne rezerve protoka (CFR) određene putem TTDE kod bolesnika sa prethodno detektovanim aterosklerotskim lezijama putem MSCT na prednje descedentoj arteriji (LAD) i desnoj koronaroj arteriji (RCA), koristeći invazivnu koronarografiju (IK) kao referenti metod. Metode: Prospektivna studija je obuhvatila 84 bolesnika, u stabilnom kardijalnom statusu, sa prethodno verfikovanim koronarnim stenozama na LAD i/ili RCA putem MSCT. TTDE procena CFR-a sa adenozinom je izvršena na LAD (n=75); RCA (n=61), ukupno 136 arterija, IK je sprovedena kod svih bolesnika 24 do 48 sati posle TTDE-CFR-a. Rezultati: Analiza Cochran Q testom je uočila statistički značajnu razliku između tehnika pri detekciji signifikantnih stenoza na LAD i RCA (p<0.01), analiza između pojedinačnih tehnika je pokazala značajnu razliku između MSCT-a i C FR-a (p<0.05), MSCT-a i IK (p<0.01), dok između CFR-a i I K n ije detektovana značajna razlika (p>0.05). MSCT je imala senzitivnost za LAD:88.00%; RCA:86.21, specifičnost LAD:57.63%; RCA:69.10%, pozitivna LAD:46.81%; RCA:59.52% i negativna predikativna vrednost LAD:91.19%; RCA:90.48%, dijagnostička pouzdanost LAD:66.67%; RCA:75.00% pri detekciji signifikatnih stenoza...Purpose: Multi-slice computed coronary angiography (MSCT) provides morphological information about coronary artery disease, but precise quantification of stenosis remains difficult. Transthoracic color Doppler Echocardiography (TDE) gives insight into the functional significance of coronary stenosis. We have tried to assess the additive diagnostic and prognostic value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) determined by TDE over MSCT in prediction of significant stenosis on the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as reference method. Methods: This prospective study included 84 patients, in stable cardiac status, with previously detected atherosclerotic lesions on LAD and/or RCA by MSCT. CFR assessment by TDE with adenosine was obtained in LAD (n=75); RCA (n=61), resulting in 136 vessels for analysis. ICA was preformed to all 24 to 48 hours after CFR. Results: Cochrans Q test found a significant statistical difference between these techniques in detection of a significant stenosis on LAD and RCA (p<0.01), further analyzes revealed a significant difference between MSCT and CFR (p<0.05), MSCT and ICA (p<0.01), while between CFR and ICA we didn’t find a significant difference (p>0.05). MSCT had sensitivity LAD:88.00%; RCA:86.21, specificity LAD:57.63%; RCA:69.10%, positive LAD:46.81%; RCA:59.52% and negative predictive value LAD:91.19%; RCA:90.48%, diagnostic accuracy LAD:66.67%; RCA:75.00% in detection of significant stenosis. When the results of both methods were agreed diagnostic accuracy was improved LAD 97.33%; RCA 90.00%

Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm wall

Background/Aim. The main complication of the atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is her rupture that begins with lesion in intima and rupture. The purpose of this work was to determine immunocytochemical and morphofunctional characteristics of the cells in aortic wall in ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm. Method. During the course of this study, 20 samples of atherosclerotic AAA were analyzed, all of them obtained during authopsy. The samples were fixed in 4% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections of 5 μm thickness were stained histochemically (of Heidenhain azan stain and Periodic acid Schiff - PAS stain) and immunocytochemically using a DAKO LSAB+/HRP technique to identify α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, myosin heavy chains (MHC), desmin, S-100 protein, CD45 and CD68 (DAKO specification). Results. The results of our study showed that ruptured atherosclerotic AAA is characterized by a complete absence of endothelial cells, the disruption of basal membrane and internal elastic lamina, as well as a presence of the remains of hypocellular complicated atherosclerotic lesion in intima. On the plaque margins, as well as in the media, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are present, which express a α-SMA and vimentin (but without MHC or desmin expression), as well as leukocyte infiltration, and a large number of foam cells. Some of the foam cells show a CD68-immunoreactivity, while the others show vimentin- and S-100 protein-immunoreactivity. Media is thinned out with a disorganized elastic lamellas, while adventitia is characterized by inflammatory inflitrate (infection). Conclusion. Rupture of aneurysm occurs from the primary intimal disruption, which spreads into thinned out media and adventitia. Rupture is caused by unstable atherom, hypocellularity, loss of contractile characteristics of smooth muscle cells in intima and media, neovascularization of the media, as well as by the activity of the macrophages in the lesion

Uticaj različitih oblika kalcijum-hidroksida i hlorheksidina kao interseansnih medikamenata na ishod endodontskog lečenja zuba sa hroničnim periapeksnim lezijama

Introduction/Objective The aim of this study was to determine clinical and radiographic periapical healing of teeth with apical periodontitis treated with different formulations of calcium hydroxide (CH) - paste (CH-paste) and gutta-percha points (CH-GP) - as well as those of chlorhexidine (CHX) - gel (CHXgel) and gutta-percha points (CHX-GP) -12 months after therapy. Methods Eighty patients with chronic apical periodontitis were randomly allocated to four treatment groups according to the intracanal medicament used: CH-paste, CH-GP, CHX-gel, and CHX-GP group. Seventy-eight patients were analyzed clinically and radiographically 12 months postoperatively. The periapical index (PAI) was used for the radiographic evaluation of treatment. Results Overall outcome was classified according to radiographic evaluation only, since clinical success was observed in all the patients. In all the groups, significant reduction in PAI scores was observed (p lt 0.001). The proportions of healed teeth (PAI ≤ 2) were 73.7%, 60%, 68.4%, and 65% in CH-paste, CH-GP, CHX-gel and CHX-GP group, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion The results suggest that there are no differences between investigated CH- and CHX-delivery systems regarding treatment outcome of teeth with apical periodontitis.Uvod/Cilj Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio da se ispita klinički i radiografski ishod lečenja zuba sa apeksnim periodontitisom 12 meseci posle završene terapije i primene različitih oblika kalcijum-hidroksida (KH): pasta (KH-pasta) i gutaperka poeni (KH-GP) i hlorheksidina (HH): gel (HH-gel) i gutaperka poeni (HH-GP). Metode Randomizovano je 80 ispitanika sa hroničnim periapeksnim lezijama u četiri grupe na osnovu vrste korišćenog interseansnog medikamenta: KH-pasta, KH-GP, HH-gel i HH-GP. Dvanaest meseci posle završenog lečenja pregledano je 78 ispitanika i urađeni su retroalveolarni snimci. Za procenu radiografskog uspeha lečenja korišćen je periapikalni indeks (PI). Rezultati Ishod lečenja je klasifikovan na osnovu radiološkog nalaza jer je kod svih ispitanika zabeležen klinički uspeh lečenja. U svim ispitivanim grupama je zabeleženo značajno smanjenje vrednosti PI (p lt 0,001). Izlečenje (PI ≤ 2) uočeno je kod 73,3% zuba u grupi KH-pasta, 60% u KH-GP grupi, 68,4% u grupi HH-gel i kod 65% zuba u grupi HH-GP, pri čemu razlike između grupa nisu bile statistički značajne. Zaključak Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da ne postoji razlika u ishodu lečenja zuba sa apeksnim periodontitisom posle primene ispitivanih oblika KH i HH

A young soldier with syncope, shortness of breath and palpitations

Introduction. Coronary artery disease in people under 30 years is relatively uncommon, but once a disease occurs it brings a significant morbidity and psychological effects. Case report. We reported a 28-year-old patient presenting atypical symptoms after sincopa and non-specific changes on electrocardiogram at admission. After noninvasive and invasive cardiology diagnostic procedures were made, we concluded that he had a subtotal tubular stenosis in proximal segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Myocardial revascularization was successfully performed 24-hour after coronarography with the left internal mammary thoracic artery graft on the left anterior descending coronary artery and the patient had a prompt and satisfactory postoperative recovery. Conclusion. This case indicates the importance of a careful evaluation of young adults even if they do not experience typical anginal symptoms or do not have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Modifikacija strukture smektita sumpornom kiselinom i karakteristike modifikovanih smektita

Bentonite samples from Petrovac and Aleksinac were treated with sulfuric acid of different molarities. Differences in structure and texture of the initial and modified bentonite were determined by chemical analysis and Xraypowder diffraction (XRPD), infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and physisorption nitrogen at -196°C. Sulfuric acid caused an exchange of Al3+, Fe3+ and Mg2+ with H+ ions which led to a modification of the smectite crystalline structure. The Mg and Fe substitution in the octahedral sheet promoted the dispersion of those layers and forming of amorphous silicon. The sequence according to which the cations left the octahedral sheets was as follows: Mg2+>Fe3+>Al3+. The sulfuric acid activated bentonites exhibiting a lower cation exchange capacity (CEC) and a change of specific surface area (SBET) from 6 to 387 for bentonite from Petrovac and from 44 to 1784 m2 g-1 for bentonite from Aleksinac, positioning them as an excellent absorber in wine technology and in the protection of soil and environment.Uzorci bentonita iz Petrovca i Aleksinca tretirani su različitim molaritetima sumporne kiseline. Promene u strukturi i teksturi polaznih i modifikovanih bentonita utvrđene su hemijskom i analizom rendgenske difrakcije praha X-zraka (XRPD), infra crvenom spektroskopijom (FTIR), skening elektronskom mikroskopijom (SEM) i fizisorpcijom azota na -196°C. Dejstvo H2SO4 kiseline izazvalo je zamenu Al3+, Fe3+ i Mg2+ sa H+ jonima što je dovelo do modifikacije kristalne strukture smektita. Supstitucija Mg i Fe u oktaedarskom listu smektita promovisala je raspuštanje tih slojeva i formiranje silikatne faze. Redosled kojim su ovi katjoni napuštali oktaedarske listove bio je sledeći: Mg2+>Fe3+>Al3+. Sumpornom kiselinom aktivirani bentoniti pokazali su niži kapacitet katjonske izmene (CEC) i promenu specifične površine (SBET), od 6 na 387 kod bentonita Petrovca i od 44 na 1784 m2 g-1 kod bentonita Aleksinca, što ih svrstava u odlične absorbente u tehnologiji vina, zaštiti zemljišta i životne sredine

Recent views on cytohistological characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms of atherosclerotic lesions types I, II and III

nem

Zapremina kokičavosti i prinos zrna u dialelnom setu linija kokičara

Popping volume and yield are traits caused by several heredity factors. It is difficult to obtain superior genotypes for both traits but it is possible to develop genotypes with good popping volume and satisfactory yield. The hybrid ZPPL2 x ZPPL5 was superior in yield, heterosis and SCA for both yield and popping volume. As inbred ZPPL4 in all combinations has a good value for popping volume could be concluded that this inbred may be used as parent in further crosses. Analysis of variance of the combining ability indicating significant SCA effect for grain yield, and significant both GCA and SCA effects for popping volume. Therefore it can be stated that yield is influenced by non-additive and popping volume by both additive and non- additive gene effects. Analysis of variance of genetic components for popping volume indicates that the additive as well as dominant components significantly affected the inheritance of this trait in popcorn. The objective of this study was to evaluate heteorsis and combing ability for grain yield and popping volume in dialalel set of six maize inbred lines.Zapremina kokičavosti i prinos su svojstva pod uticajem nekoliko naslednih faktora. Teško je dobiti superiorne genotipove za oba svojstva ali je moguće dobiti genotip sa dobrom zapreminom kokičavosti i zadovoljavajućim prinosom. Hibrid ZPPL2 x ZPPL5 je superioran za prinos, heterozis i PKS za prinos i zapreminu kokičavosti. Kako linija ZPPL4 u svim kombinacijama ima dobre vrednosti za zapreminu kokičavosti može se zaključiti da ova linija se može koristiti kao roditelj u budućim ukrštanjima. Analiza varijanse za kombinacionu sposobnost ukazuje na značajan PKS efekat za prinos zrna, značajan PKS i OKS efekat za zapreminu kokičavosti. Prinos je pod uticajem neaditivnih a zapremina kokičavosti i aditivnih i neaditivnih gena. Analiza varijanse genetičkih komponenti za zapreminu kokičavosti ukazuje da aditivne kao i dominatne komponente značajno utiču na nasleđivanje ovog svojstva kod kokičara. Cilj ovih istraživanja bio je ispitivanje heteorzisa i kombinacionih sposobnosti za prinos zrna i zapreminu kokičavosti u dialelnom setu šest linija kukuruza