Basic ISO standards related to the quality and safety/security in health care institutions

Health systems are under significant pressure in many countries. Every day, with the introduction of new methods/techniques, expensive equipment of high technological value, the latest very expensive drugs... the price of health care is growing much faster than the growth of the national product and the most developed countries, despite the fact that in many countries the percentage of health expenditures in the national product is growing. Funding constraints in health systems are evident even in wealthy countries. The cost of health care is significantly influenced by: the increase in the number of the population, changes in the age structure of the population, constant demands for increasing the level of quality of health services, as well as an increase in the demand for new services. The application of international management standards in healthcare institutions and in state institutions in charge of healthcare can significantly alleviate evident problems in healthcare

Association of SOD2 (Rs4880) and GPX1 (rs1050450) gene polymorphisms with risk of Balkan endemic nephropathy and its related tumors

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. T. Background: Experimental data show that superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is involved in ochratoxin (OTA)-induced nephrotoxicity, whereas clinical data indicate the role of SOD2 rs4880 or glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) rs1050450 polymorphisms in end-stage renal disease and urothelial carcinoma risk, known to be the major complications of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Therefore, we hypothesized that SOD2 and GPX1 gene polymorphisms would influence the risk of BEN and its associated tumors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 207 BEN patients and 86 controls from endemic areas. Results: Individuals with both copies of variant SOD2 allele, known for lower mitochondrial antioxidant protection, are at a significantly higher BEN risk (OR = 2.6, p = 0.021). No association was observed between GPX1 gene polymorphism and BEN risk. Combining SOD2 and GPX1 genotypes did not alter the risk of BEN development. Regarding the risk of urothelial tumors in BEN patients, none of the polymorphisms studied was significantly associated with the risk of these tumors. Conclusions: Polymorphism in SOD2 rs4880 gene affects the risk of BEN development. Hence, SOD2 genotyping could, together with a panel of other enzymes, be used as a biomarker of susceptibility in BEN areas