Some haematological parameters in inhabitants from the area of Balkan endemic nephropathy

Svrha je ovog rada u ispitivanju da li su u nasumce odabranom dijelu populacije endemskih sela vrijednosti nekih krvnih parametara bitno različite od vrijednosti u stanovnika neendemskog područja. Tijekom ovog istraživanja u neselkcioniranom dijelu populacije poznatih endemskih sela Kaniža i Slavonski Kobaš (ukupno 199 ispitanika) određivani su: broj eritrocita, laukocita i trombocita, hematokrit, koncentracija hemoglobina, MCV, MCHiMCHC. Dobivene vrijednosti uspoređene su s istovjetnim parametrima u 40 ispitanika iz neendemskog sela Klakar. Usporedba je pokazala da su broj eritrocita, hematokrit i koncentracija hemoglobina u endemskim selima značajno niži (P0,05). Srednja vrijednost broja leukocita bila je u okviru normale i nije utvrđena statistički zna­čajna razlika među ispitanicima iz endemskog i neendemskog područja (P>0,05). Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na mogućnost postojanja hematološkog poremećaja u općoj populaciji endemskog područja, ali su nedovoljni za utvrđivanje uzroka, stupnja i tipa tog poremećaja. Oni upućuju, međutim, na potrebu daljnjih ispitivanja uzročno-posljedične povezanosti bubrežnih oštećenja i poremećen ja krvotvornih organa u bolesnika s balkanskom endemskom nefropatijom (BEN).The aim of this study was to find out whether in a nonselected part of the population from an endemic area some basic haematological parameters differ from those in a population of a nonendemic village. During the screening compaign which took place in the early spring of 1984 blood samples were collected from a randomly selected part of the population from two endemic villages (199 samples) and one nonendemic village (40 samples). Besides erythrocyte, leucocyte and platelet counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, MCV, MCH and MCHC were determined. The results obtained were statistically evaluated. It was shown that erythrocyte count, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration were much lower in the segment of population from the endemic villages than from the nonendemic village (P0.05). Leucocyte counts were within the normal range both among the inhabitants of endemic and nonendemic villages. The results obtained suggest a certain change in several haematological parameters among the inhabitants of endemic villages. However, the data are insufficient for a firm conclusion regarding their cause, degree and the type and call for further research in this field

Emergiencies in oncology

Napredak u dijagnostici i liječenju zloćudnih bolesti doveo je do duljeg preživljenja pacijenata i omogućio promatranje onkoloških pacijenata kao kroničnih pacijenata. Zloćudni tumori ipak mogu uzrokovati životno ugrožavajuća stanja koja zahtijevaju hitno postavljanje dijagnoze, kao i hitno liječenje. Onkološke hitnoće mogu biti opće i sistemne ili poticati od određenih organa ili sustava. Najčešće onkološke hitnoće potječu od centralnog živčanog sustava, kardiovaskularnog sustava ili općih metaboličkih poremećaja izazvanih samim tumorom. U članku su prikazana najčešća hitna stanja u pacijenata s malignitetom.Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant diseases has led to longer survival of patients and allow observation of cancer patients as chronic patients, malignant tumors still can cause life-threatening conditions that require immediate diagnosis and immediate treatment. Oncologic emergencies can be systemic or general and encouraged by certain organs or systems. The most common oncological emergencies originate from the central nervous system, cardiovascular system or from general metabolic disorders caused by tumor itself. The article presents the most common emergencies in patients with malignancy

Pathophysiology of cancer pain

Bol je neugodno osjetno i emocionalno iskustvo, udruženo s aktualnim ili potencijalnim oštećenjem tkiva ili opisano u uvjetima takvog oštećenja. Karcinomski bol dijeli se u: nociceptivni, neuropatski i inflamatorni. Nociceptivni bol nastaje podraživanjem nociceptora koji predstavljaju periferne receptore za bol. Neuropatski bol nastaje zbog oštećenja perifernog ili središnjeg živčanog sustava, bez istodobnog podražaja nociceptora. Bol je subjektivan osjećaj, stoga dvije osobe mogu različito doživjeti podražaj jednakog intenziteta. Različita percepcija bola objašnjava se različitom aktivacijom analgezijskog sustava koji nadzire provođenje bolnih impulsa u središnji živčani sustav. Cilj ovoga rada je prikazati patofiziološki mehanizam bola kod onkoloških pacijenata.Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damages. Cancer pain is divided into: nociceptive, neuropathic and inflammatory. Nociceptive pain occurs by irritation of nociceptors that are peripheral pain receptors. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the peripheral or central nervous system, without simultaneous stimulation of nociceptors. Pain is a subjective feeling, and consequently two person can experience different stimuli of equal intensity. Different perception of pain is explained by the different activation of analgesic system which monitors conduction of pain impulses in the central nervous system. The objective of this paper is to present the pathophysiological mechanism of pain in cancer patients

Hypoxia in solid tumors: biological responses to hypoxia and implications on therapy and prognosis

Tumor development, promotion and ability to spread depend greatly on tumor microenvironment. Rapid growth accompanied by inadequate angiogenesis is the reason why most solid tumors contain hypoxic regions. Activation of hypoxia signaling pathways stimulates neoangiogenesis, alters tumor metabolism, promotes a more aggressive tumor behavior and significantly affects its responsiveness to therapy. Growing amount of evidence suggest that hypoxia induces transcription of tumor promoting genes leading to increased tumor cell proliferation and metastatic potential. Improved understanding of molecular pathways will enable establishment of useful prognostic and predictive factors, along with more effective treatment options

Psychological status and recurrent aphthous ulceration [Psihološki status i rekurentne aftozne ulceracije]

Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) are a disease of an unknown etiology and mediated through T-cell lymphocytes. Evidence suggests that RAU is connected with chronic bowel disease, haematinic deficiencies, AIDS, food hypersensitivity and severe stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in anxiety and depression could be seen in patients with RAU during acute phase and remision period and in comparison to the healthy controls. There were 30 patients with RAU (age range 36.27 +/- 15.308) and 30 controls aged 29.83 +/- 9.082. Every participant with RAU fullfilled STAI and Beck Depression Inventory II test during acute phase and during remission period as well as controls. Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics and t-test. There are no differences in the level of depression and stress between the two phases of the RAU (acute versus remission period) as well as in comparison to the controls. Patients with acute RAU are more anxious than patients with RAU during remission period. We might conclude that psychological disturbances do not preceed the development of RAU and that the patients with acute RAU are more anxious when compared to the condition when they do not have RAU due to the discomfort they experience

Metolachlor and Metobromuron - Induced Methaemoglobinemia

An 81-year-old man was admitted in the emergency department approximately four hours after accidental ingestion of an unknown quantity of herbicide »Galex 500 EC«. This product contains 25% of metolachlor and 25% of metobromuron dissolved in xylene. In spite of the fact that the combination of aniline and urea-substituted derivatives is widely used in agriculture as herbicide, there are very few data available about their harmful effects on humans. These agents appear to be mildly toxic, and rarely has a major systemic effect been reported after the poisoning. On admittance, our patient showed remarkable cyanosis and his methaemoglobin level was 38.4% of the total haemoglobin, rising next day to 46.2%. Only mild transient signs of hypoxic effects on central nervous system were observed and the laboratory findings indicated mild haemolysis. Methylene blue was applied intravenously in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg (10 ml, 1% solution) on the second day of admission. Administration of methylene blue was very effective and the patient was discharged from the hospital fully recovered.U radu je prikazano otrovanje metolaklorom i metobromuronom, nastalo nakon slučajne ingestije nepoznate količine kombiniranog herbicida »Galex 500 EC«. Unatoč širokoj primjeni herbicida iz skupine anilida i derivata ureje, nema mnogo podataka o njihovu učinku na ljude. Otrovanja su rijetka zbog njihove relativno niske akutne toksičnosti. U našeg bolesnika kliničkom je slikom dominirala cijanoza, uz methemoglobinemiju koja je premašila 46% vrijednosti ukupnog hemoglobina, što je indiciralo intravensku primjenu 10 ml 1%-tne otopine metilenskog modrila (1,5 mg/kg). Učinak takve terapije bio je vrlo povoljan, cijanoza i znakovi hipoksije središnjega živčanog sustava ubrzo su nestali. Znakova lezije parenhimnih organa nije bilo, a laboratorijski se mogla uočiti blaža hemoliza. Bolesnik je nakon 12 dana otpušten bez trajnih posljedica otrovanja

Hypoxia in solid tumors: biological responses to hypoxia and implications on therapy and prognosis

Tumor development, promotion and ability to spread depend greatly on tumor microenvironment. Rapid growth accompanied by inadequate angiogenesis is the reason why most solid tumors contain hypoxic regions. Activation of hypoxia signaling pathways stimulates neoangiogenesis, alters tumor metabolism, promotes a more aggressive tumor behavior and significantly affects its responsiveness to therapy. Growing amount of evidence suggest that hypoxia induces transcription of tumor promoting genes leading to increased tumor cell proliferation and metastatic potential. Improved understanding of molecular pathways will enable establishment of useful prognostic and predictive factors, along with more effective treatment options

Metolachlor and Metobromuron - Induced Methaemoglobinemia

An 81-year-old man was admitted in the emergency department approximately four hours after accidental ingestion of an unknown quantity of herbicide »Galex 500 EC«. This product contains 25% of metolachlor and 25% of metobromuron dissolved in xylene. In spite of the fact that the combination of aniline and urea-substituted derivatives is widely used in agriculture as herbicide, there are very few data available about their harmful effects on humans. These agents appear to be mildly toxic, and rarely has a major systemic effect been reported after the poisoning. On admittance, our patient showed remarkable cyanosis and his methaemoglobin level was 38.4% of the total haemoglobin, rising next day to 46.2%. Only mild transient signs of hypoxic effects on central nervous system were observed and the laboratory findings indicated mild haemolysis. Methylene blue was applied intravenously in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg (10 ml, 1% solution) on the second day of admission. Administration of methylene blue was very effective and the patient was discharged from the hospital fully recovered.U radu je prikazano otrovanje metolaklorom i metobromuronom, nastalo nakon slučajne ingestije nepoznate količine kombiniranog herbicida »Galex 500 EC«. Unatoč širokoj primjeni herbicida iz skupine anilida i derivata ureje, nema mnogo podataka o njihovu učinku na ljude. Otrovanja su rijetka zbog njihove relativno niske akutne toksičnosti. U našeg bolesnika kliničkom je slikom dominirala cijanoza, uz methemoglobinemiju koja je premašila 46% vrijednosti ukupnog hemoglobina, što je indiciralo intravensku primjenu 10 ml 1%-tne otopine metilenskog modrila (1,5 mg/kg). Učinak takve terapije bio je vrlo povoljan, cijanoza i znakovi hipoksije središnjega živčanog sustava ubrzo su nestali. Znakova lezije parenhimnih organa nije bilo, a laboratorijski se mogla uočiti blaža hemoliza. Bolesnik je nakon 12 dana otpušten bez trajnih posljedica otrovanja

Nutrition in cancer patient

Tumorska kaheksija je sindrom koji se javlja u onkoloških pacijenata, a uzrokovan je nizom čimbenika. Klinički se manifestira gubitkom tjelesne težine i mišićne mase. Kaheksija je i najčešća sekundarna dijagnoza kod pacijenata s rakom te se često javlja i kao prvi znak same bolesti. Gubitak tjelesne mase ukazuje na lošu prognozu u oboljelih – između 40 i 80 % pacijenata pokazuje znakove gubitka tjelesne mase povezane s rakom, a do 30 % svih oboljelih od raka umire od pothranjenosti.Cancer cachexia syndrome is a syndrome which appears in oncologic patients and it is caused by a number of factors. Clinically is manifested with weight and muscle mass loss. Cachexia is the most common secondary diagnosis in cancer patients and is often the first sign of the malignant disease. Weight loss is an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with cancer – between 40 and 80 percent of patients show signs of weight loss associated with cancer, and up to 30 percent of cancer patients die of malnutrition

Učestalost humanog papilomavirusa 16 i Epstein-Barrova virusa kod bolesnika s oralnim karcinomom pločastih stanica

It has been suggested that certain viruses such as human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might have a role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, results of the published studies are controversial and are dependent on the geographic distribution and methods of sampling and sample analysis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV 16 and EBV in OSCC patients. In 24 patients with OSCC (mean age 59.6±8.8) and 30 controls (mean age 49.1±8.3), 5 mL of blood was collected to determine the prevalence of EBV by serologic methods. In addition, swabs were obtained to analyze the presence of HPV 16 and EBV by use of polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Mann Whitney test, χ2-test and Spearman correlation test. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences between OSCC patients and control subjects according to the presence of EBV or HPV 16. Therefore, it can be concludedČini se kako određeni virusi poput humanih papilomavirusa (HPV) i Epstein-Barrova virusa (EBV) mogu imati ulogu u nastanku karcinoma pločastih stanica u usnoj šupljini (OPCK). Ipak, rezultati objavljenih istraživanja na tu temu su kontroverzni i ovise o geografskoj distribuciji i metodama uzimanja uzoraka odnosno raščlambi uzoraka. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je bio odrediti učestalost HPV 16 i EBV u osoba s OPCK. U 24 osobe s OPCK (srednje dobi 59,6±8,8) i u 30 kontrolnih ispitanika (srednje dobi 49,1±8,3) je uzeto 5 mL krvi kako bi se odredio EBV serološkim metodama. Uz to su uzeti i brisevi kako bi se odredila prisutnost HPV 16 i EBV uz pomoć reakcije lančane polimeraze. Statistička analiza je napravljena pomoću Mann-Whitneyeva testa, χ2-testa i Spearmanova korelacijskog testa. Rezultati ovoga istraživanja pokazuju kako nije bilo znakovitih razlika između osoba s OPCK i kontrolnih ispitanika s obzirom na prisutnost HPV 16 ili EBV. Može se zaključiti kako ovi virusi u našoj populaciji oboljelih od OPCK vjerojatno nemaju veliku ulogu