Mortality characteristics in sumadija district from 2010 – 2017

Mortality rate represents a number of deaths on a particular territory per time unit. There are general and specific mortalities. The aims at analysing the characteristics of mortality in Sumadija District for the time period ranging from 2010 – 2017. The study includes all death cases in the District of Sumadija in period 2010-2017, 34681 cases. The data are described and analysed with χ² test and linear trend. The trend analysis does not indicate any significant vari-ations during the given time span. The gender analysis re-veals that there is a significantly higher number of deceased persons among male population (52.2%, 47.8%, р<0.05). The average age of the deceased females (76.2±13.4) was higher than the average age of males (73.8±14.1) (р<0.05). The cause-specific analysis shows that natural causes of death dominate absolutely (96.5%) over violent deaths (2.7%) and undetermined causes (0.8%). The distribution of death causes according to ICD 10 shows that the most frequent causes of death are heart and blood vessel diseases, respiratory and neoplasm diseases. The life expectancy of the inhabitants of Sumadija District is increasing over time. There was a slight decrease in the mortality rates during the observed time period. The highest number of the deceased people is 65 or more years old. Men have higher mortality rates throughout their lives. Natural death and non-communicable diseases are dominant. The most common causes of death are heart and blood vessels diseases, in women, and respiratory and neo-plasm diseases, in men

Health-related quality of life in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure is a very common condition in the elderly, characterized not only by high mortality rates, but also by a strong impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Previous studies of HRQOL in elderly heart failure subjects have included mostly outpatients, and little is known about determinants of HRQOL in hospitalized elderly population, especially in Serbia. In this study, we tried to identify factors that influence HRQOL in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure in Serbia. Methods: The study population consisted of 136 patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized for chronic heart failure. HRQOL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire. Predictors of HRQOL were identified by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Univariate analysis showed that patients with lower income, a longer history of chronic heart failure, and longer length of hospital stay, as well as those receiving aldosterone antagonists and digoxin, taking multiple medications, in a higher NYHA class, and showing signs of depression and cognitive impairment had significantly worse HRQOL. Presence of depressive symptoms (P<0.001), higher NYHA class (P=0.021), lower income (P=0.029), and longer duration of heart failure (P=0.049) were independent predictors of poor HRQOL. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms, higher NYHA class, lower income, and longer duration of chronic heart failure are independent predictors of poor HRQOL in elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure in Serbia. Further, there is an association between multiple medication usage and poor HRQOL, as well as a negative impact of cognitive impairment on HRQOL. Hence, measures should be implemented to identify such patients, especially those with depressive symptoms, and appropriate interventions undertaken in order to improve their HRQOL.publishedVersio

A multiparametric approach to cerium oxide nanoparticle toxicity assessment in non‐biting midges

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO2) are included in the OECD priority list of engineered nanomaterials for the assessment of their environmental impact. The present study was carried out in order to assess the nano-CeO2 toxicity to freshwater midge Chironomus riparius larvae at concentrations of 2.5, 25, 250 and 2500 mg of nano-CeO2 per kg of sediment. Experiments were designed to assess the prolonged exposure of midges to nano-CeO2 while adhering to OECD guideline number 218. The following parameters were investigated: nano-CeO2 uptake by the larvae, oxidative stress parameters, the in vivo genotoxic effect and life trait parameters. ICP-MS analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the concentration of nano-CeO2 in the sediment and its uptake by the larvae. No significant mortality was observed in C. riparius and oxidative stress was not detected. The only significantly induced sublethal effect was genotoxicity, which began to manifest at a LOEC concentration of 25 mg kg-1 of sediment and progressively increased at higher concentrations. Therefore, this study indicates that exposure to nano-CeO2 contaminated freshwater sediments does not pose a risk to chironomids at environmentally realistic concentrations. However, significant accumulation of nano-CeO2 by chironomid larvae may pose a risk through trophic transfer to organisms further up in the food chain

Orthodox Catechism Affects Gender Differences in Adolescents’ Needs for Affiliation and Achievement and Alters their Sense of Purpose in Life

Studije sprovedene među katolicima i protestantima su pokazali veći stepen religioznog iskustva kod žena u odnosu na muškarce, sugerišući da se ove razlike mogu odraziti i razlikama u psihološkim karakteristikama ličnosti i u njihovoj socijalizaciji i ponašanju. Međutim, uticaj pravoslavne religije na razvoj psiholoških i socijalnih karakteristika adolescenata je i dalje nepoznat

THE INFLUENCE OF EARLY LEFT VENTRICLE REMODELING OVER QTC CHANGES IN HIGHLY TRAINED PREADOLESCENT FOOTBALLERS

Aim. To assess the correlation between left ventricle remodeling induced by physical training with QTc duration in preadolescent professional football players.Material and methods. Ninety-four highly trained male footballers (mean aged 12,85±0,84) competing in the Serbian Football League (at least 7 training hours/ week) and 47 age-matched healthy male controls were enrolled in the study. Main outcome measures: They were screened by ECG and echocardiography at a tertiary referral cardio center. The control group had sedentary life style (less than 2 training hours/week). QTc values and left ventricle dimensions were compared in these two groups.Results. In all participants, normal values of QTc interval were registered. Mean QTc in athletes was significantly higher compared to non-athletes (419,89±13,07 msec vs 399,78±13,27 msec) (p&lt;0,001). QTc interval had strong positive correlation to left atrium dilatation, LV dilatation, LV mass and LV mass index. There was no correlation between QTc interval and LV wall thickness, but there were correlations between QTc interval duration and specific LV mass indexes (LVM/BSA 1,5 and LVM/h 2.7).Conclusion. QTc interval prolongation is present in early stage of athlete’s heart remodeling, hence QTc prolongation could be the early ECG marker of physiological LV remodeling in young preadolescent footballers, without any other standard ECG and echocardiographic signs of early LV hypertrophy. This could be explained by a different pattern of left ventricle remodeling in preadolescent period, where LV wall thickness increase cannot usually be seen and the predominant characteristic is left ventricle dilatation

A multiparametric approach to cerium oxide nanoparticle toxicity assessment in non‐biting midges

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO2) are included in the OECD priority list of engineered nanomaterials for the assessment of their environmental impact. The present study was carried out in order to assess the nano-CeO2 toxicity to freshwater midge Chironomus riparius larvae at concentrations of 2.5, 25, 250 and 2500 mg of nano-CeO2 per kg of sediment. Experiments were designed to assess the prolonged exposure of midges to nano-CeO2 while adhering to OECD guideline number 218. The following parameters were investigated: nano-CeO2 uptake by the larvae, oxidative stress parameters, the in vivo genotoxic effect and life trait parameters. ICP-MS analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the concentration of nano-CeO2 in the sediment and its uptake by the larvae. No significant mortality was observed in C. riparius and oxidative stress was not detected. The only significantly induced sublethal effect was genotoxicity, which began to manifest at a LOEC concentration of 25 mg kg-1 of sediment and progressively increased at higher concentrations. Therefore, this study indicates that exposure to nano-CeO2 contaminated freshwater sediments does not pose a risk to chironomids at environmentally realistic concentrations. However, significant accumulation of nano-CeO2 by chironomid larvae may pose a risk through trophic transfer to organisms further up in the food chain.This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Savic‐Zdravkovic, Dimitrija, Durad Milosevic, Ezgi Uluer, Hatice Duran, Sanja Matic, Snezna Stanic, Janja Vidmar, Janez Scancar, Domagoj Dikic, and Boris Jovanovic. "A multiparametric approach to cerium oxide nanoparticle toxicity assessment in non‐biting midges." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2019), which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1002/etc.4605. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.</p

A Multiparametric Approach to Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Toxicity Assessment in Non-Biting Midges

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are included in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) priority list of engineered nanomaterials for assessment of their environmental impact. The present study was carried out to assess the CeO2 NP toxicity to the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius larvae at concentrations of 2.5, 25, 250, and 2500 mg of CeO2 NP/kg of sediment. Experiments were designed to assess the prolonged exposure of midges to CeO2 NPs while adhering to OECD test guideline 218. The following parameters were investigated: CeO2 NP uptake by larvae, oxidative stress parameters, in vivo genotoxic effects, and life trait parameters. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the concentration of CeO2 NPs in the sediment and its uptake by the larvae. No significant mortality was observed in C. riparius, and oxidative stress was not detected. The only significantly induced sublethal effect was genotoxicity, which began to manifest at a lowest-observed-effect concentration of 25 mg kg(-1) of sediment and progressively increased at higher concentrations. Our results indicate that exposure to CeO2 NP-contaminated freshwater sediments does not pose a risk to chironomids at environmentally realistic concentrations. However, the significant accumulation of CeO2 NPs by chironomid larvae may pose a risk through trophic transfer to organisms further up the food chain. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:131-140. (c) 2019 SETA

Dilemmas in the Choice of Adequate Therapeutic Treatment in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism—From Modern Recommendations to Clinical Application

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a very common cardiovascular disease, with a high mortality rate. Despite the clear guidelines, this disease still represents a great challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. The heterogeneous clinical picture, often without pathognomonic signs and symptoms, represents a huge differential diagnostic problem even for experienced doctors. The decisions surrounding this therapeutic regimen also represent a major dilemma in the group of patients who are hemodynamically stable at initial presentation and have signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction proven by echocardiography and positive biomarker values (pulmonary embolism of intermediate–high risk). Studies have shown conflicting results about the benefit of using fibrinolytic therapy in this group of patients until hemodynamic decompensation, due to the risk of major bleeding. The latest recommendations give preference to new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA), except for certain categories of patients (patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, mechanical valves, pregnancy). When using oral anticoagulant therapy, special attention should be paid to drug–drug interactions, which can lead to many complications, even to the death of the patient. Special population groups such as pregnant women, obese patients, patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and the incidence of cancer represent a great therapeutic challenge in the application of anticoagulant therapy. In these patients, not only must the effectiveness of the drugs be taken into account, but great attention must be paid to their safety and possible side effects, which is why a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized in order to provide the best therapeutic option