Prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in dentists

Introduction. Working in dental practice requires clear working field and easy access to all parts of oral cavity. For this reason, dentists often take non-physiological positions during treatment increasing the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists with different work experience in Novi Sad. Material and Methods. The study included 89 dentists. Data related to musculoskeletal disorders was collected using a questionnaire. Potential risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders were detected and analyzed. Results. Out of 89 dentists, 32 (36%) were male and 57 (64%) were female. Musculoskeletal disorders were detected in 62 dentists (69.7%). 50% of dentists reported pain during first three years of work in the office, while others noted these problems later. 49 dentists (77.8%) reported increasing pain during the day. Of the total respondents, 76.2% had pain in neck, 71.4% reported discomfort in the upper part of their back, 68.3% in the region of shoulder, and 65.1% complained for pain in lower back. Lower prevalence of pain was found in the region of wrists and hands, hips, knees, ankles and elbows. Statistical analysis did not show significant difference between observed risk factors. Conclusion. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in examined dentists in Novi Sad was 69.7%. It was higher in male compared to female respondents. Most dentists had musculoskeletal disturbances in the region of neck, shoulders and upper back

Cyclic voltammetry study of electrochemically synthesized Ag/PVP nanocomposite

Hydrogel nanocomposites of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and crosslinked poly(N-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone) (PVP) were synthesized in situ by a novel electrochemical method. PVP hydrogels, crosslinked by gamma-irradiation, were swollen in the solution containing 0.1 M KNO3 and 3.9 mM AgNO3. PVP polymer matrix nanocavities were used as nanoreactors for AgNPs synthesis. The reduction of silver cations was performed using two-Pt-electrode electrochemical cell. The polarity of the electrodes was changed on the half of the implementation time, enabling the Ag+ ions reduction in the bulk. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed in a three-electrode electrochemical cell, using the saturated calomel electrode (SCE) as a reference. Ag/PVP nanocomposites were scanned by CV immediately after the synthesis and after drying followed by reswelling in 0.1 M KNO3. Ag/PVP was compared with CVs of the following systems: Pt electrode in 0.1 M KNO3; Pt/PVP system in 0.1 M KNO3; Ag/Pt system in 0.1 M KNO3 + 3.9 mM AgNO3 solution.Belgrade, Serbia, June 6-10, 2010Related to the published paper in the Proceedings of the Second Regional Symposium on Electrochemistry South-East Europe, [http://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3523

Analiza koncentracija klozapina i norklozapina kod odraslih pacijenata sa shizofrenijom

The atypical antipsychotic clozapine (CLZ) is primarily used for the treatment- resistant schizophrenia. Due to low therapeutic index and high pharmacokinetic variability, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is highly recommended (1). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze TDM data of CLZ and its active metabolite norclozapine (NCLZ) in adult patient with schizophrenia. The study included CLZ TDM data obtained from 69 patients (22- 67 years) treated at the Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center of Serbia, while NCLZ data were available from 43 patients. Serum concentrations were determined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software® (version 18). The daily doses of CLZ ranged between 37.5 and 600 mg. The mean value of CLZ and NCLZ levels were 0.285 ± 0.174 mg/L and 0.189 ± 0.132 mg/L, respectively. 73.06% and 26.83% of measured CLZ and NCLZ concentrations were outside reference range (mostly below), respectively. Significant positive correlation (p<0.05) was observed between daily dose and CLZ levels, as well as between dose and NCLZ levels. Significant correlations of dose and CLZ levels were confirmed in males and females, smokers and nonsmokers, separately. Parent drug and metabolite levels varied 13 and 16-fold in patients receiving 300 mg/day, respectively. The results indicate considerable variability in CLZ and NCLZ concentrations in adult patients with schizophrenia, and positive association with dose. Further multivariate analysis is required to assess, in addition to dose, potential influences of other patient and co-therapy factors.Atipični antipsihotik klozapin (clozapine, CLZ) se primarno koristi kod shizofrenije rezistentne na terapiju. Zbog niskog terapijskog indeksa i velike farmakokinetičke varijabilnosti, terapijsko prać enje lekova (therapeutic drug monitoring, TDM) se preporučuje (1). Cilj ovog retrospektivnog istraživanja je bio ispitivanje TDM podataka o CLZ i njegovom aktivnom metabolitu norklozapinu (norclozapine, NCLZ) kod odraslih pacijenata sa shizofrenijom. Studija je obuhvatila TDM podatke o CLZ dobijene od 69 pacijenata (22-67 godina) lečenih na Klinici za psihijatriju Kliničkog centra Srbije, dok su podaci za NCLZ bili dostupni od 43 pacijenta. Koncentracije u serumu su merene na Institutu za sudsku medicinu, Beograd, Srbija tečnom hromatografijom sa tandem masenom spektrometrijom (LC‐MS/MS). Statistička analiza je izvršena pomoć u softvera SPSS® (verzija 18). Dnevne doze CLZ kretale su se između 37,5 i 600 mg. Srednja vrednost je bila 0,285 ± 0,174 mg/L za CLZ i 0,189 ± 0,132 mg/L za NCLZ. 73,06% i 26,83% izmerenih koncentracija CLZ i NCLZ bile su izvan referentnog opsega (uglavnom ispod), respektivno. Detektovana je pozitivna korelacija (p<0,05) između dnevne doze i nivoa CLZ, kao i doze i nivoa NCLZ. Značajna korelacija doze i nivoa CLZ je potvrđena i pri odvojenom ispitivanju kod muškaraca, žena, pušača i nepušača. Nivoi leka i metabolita varirali su 13 i 16 puta kod pacijenata koji su uzimali 300 mg/dan, respektivno. Rezultati ukazuju na značajnu varijabilnost u koncentracijama CLZ i NCLZ kod odraslih pacijenata sa shizofrenijom i pozitivnu povezanost sa dozom. Potrebna je dalja multivarijantna analiza da bi se procenili, pored doze, potencijalni uticaji karakteristika pacijenata i kombinovane terapije.VIII Kongres farmaceuta Srbije sa međunarodnim učešćem, 12-15.10.2022. Beogra

Procena i rana intervencija jezičkih poremećaja

Unapređenje kvalitete života djece i mladih/ Improving the qualityy of life of children and yout

Applicability of visual-analogue scale in patients with orofacial pain

Introduction. Orofacial pain occurs in various disorders of the orofacial region. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine applicability of the visual-analogue scale (VAS) in patients with orofacial pain (model of acute and chronic pain). Methods. The study involved 60 patients, aged 18-70 years. The first group consisted of patients with dentin hypersensitivity, and the second group of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. All patients were asked to fill-in a pain questionnaire and to rate pain intensity on the modified visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10). Air indexing method was performed in the patients with dentin hypersensitivity in order to provoke pain, while the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis underwent CT imaging of paranasal sinuses. Wilcoxon’s test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results. In patients with dentin hypersensitivity provocation increased subjective feeling of pain, but without statistical significance (t=164.5; p>0.05). In patients with chronic rhinosinusitis a significant statistical correlation (r=0.53; p<0.05) was found between subjective pain assessment of VAS and CT findings. Conclusion. Applying VAS in the evaluation of acute and chronic pain can indicate progression or regression of pathological state under clinical conditions. This study showed that VAS, as a method for follow-up of pathological state, is more applicable and efficient when applied in chronic pain evaluation

Procena i rana intervencija jezičkih poremećaja

Unapređenje kvalitete života djece i mladih/ Improving the qualityy of life of children and yout

In vitro investigation of erosive effect of carbonated beverages on enamel and dentin

Background/Aim. Excessive consumption of acidic dietary substances, such as carbonated beverages, increased the chances of dental erosion. The aim of this study was to determine influence of carbonated beverages on enamel and dentin, during different intervals. Methods. Sixty samples were obtained from fifteen impacted third molars. Tooth crown was divided into four parts. One part was a control sample, immersed in destilled water and other three parts were the experimental samples, stored in the following tested beverages: carbonated water, Coca-Cola and Schweppes Bitter Lemon. For each beverage, pH was measured before immersion of the samples. The first group of twenty samples were analysed and photographed, using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), after 60 minutes, the second group after 24 hours and the third group after 7 days of exposure to drinks. The enamel was analysed on the outer surface of the cusps and longitudinal section. Dentin was analysed on longitudinal section. An individually adopted scale was used for determination of the degree of erosive changes of these dental tissues. The data were analysed using the analysis of varance (ANOVA). Results. The pH levels of the tested beverages was bellow the critical pH for enamel demineralisation. The SEM images showed different intensity of erosive changes caused by the tested beverages. The analysis by ANOVA revealed a significant difference between all groups of the treated samples, after 60 minutes of exposure to beverages. The highest values of erosive changes showed the samples that were immersed in Schweppes Bitter Lemon. The analysis of the samples after 24 hours and 7 days showed that the samples immersed in Coca-Cola and Schweppes Bitter Lemon can be classified as one group that was statistically significantly different compared with the control samples and samples immersed in carbonated water. Conclusion. Prolonged exposure of dental tissue to carbonated beverages cause erosive changes and a loss of surface profile

Cyclic voltammetry study of electrochemically synthesized Ag/PVP nanocomposite

Hydrogel nanocomposites of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and crosslinked poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) were synthesized in situ by a novel electrochemical method. PVPhydrogels, crosslinked by gamma-irradiation, were swollen in the solution containing0.1 M KNO3 and 3.9 mM AgNO3. PVP polymer matrix nanocavities were used asnanoreactors for AgNPs synthesis. The reduction of silver cations was performed usingtwo-Pt-electrode electrochemical cell. The polarity of the electrodes was changed on thehalf of the implementation time, enabling the Ag+ ions reduction in the bulk. Cyclicvoltammetry (CV) was performed in a three-electrode electrochemical cell, using thesaturated calomel electrode (SCE) as a reference. Ag/PVP nanocomposites werescanned by CV immediately after the synthesis and after drying followed by reswelling in0.1 M KNO3. Ag/PVP was compared with CVs of the following systems: Pt electrode in0.1 M KNO3; Pt/PVP system in 0.1 M KNO3; Ag/Pt system in 0.1 M KNO3 + 3.9 mMAgNO3 solution