Dermatoglyphics as a possible morphological biomarker in myopia: analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to provide the first analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry in myopia, in order to evaluate dermatoglyphic role as a morphological biomarker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study sample consisted of 102 participants recruited from freshman students' population of the University of Pristina-Kosovska Mitro- vica. Prints were taken by standard ink and paper method. Differences in mean ridge counts between examined groups were analysed by ANOVA analysis of variance. Fluctuating asymmetry assessment was performed by using correlation method (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Analysis has identified myopic males as the group with the most pro- minent differences of examined dermatoglyphic parameters. Myopic males, compared to controls, have significantly higher ridge counts for left and right ring and little finger, as well as total ridge count. Also, this group has recorded significant difference in fluctuating asymmetry correlation score for middle finger, and borderline significance for thumb and ring finger. CONCLUSIONS: Overall findings of this study have indicated that dermatoglyphics might serve as a morphological biomarker, especially in myopic males, selecting them as the group with dermatoglyphic differences that might be suggestive of higher developmental instability. Although promising, the present results should be considered as preliminary until future investigations replicate them in a larger sample.

The effects of quercetin on liver regeneration after liver resection in rats.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of quercetine (QE) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated (SH), PH and PH+QE; each group contain 8 animals. The rats in QE-treated groups were given QE (15 mg/kg body weight) once a day i.p., for 7 days starting 3 days prior to hepatectomy operation. At 7 days after resection, liver samples were collected. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were estimated in liver homogenates. Moreover, histopathological examination, mitotic index (MI), proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling, proliferation index (PI), transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling assay, apoptotic index (AI) were evaluated at 7 days after hepatectomy. As a result, QE significantly increased MI, PI, and significantly decreased AI in PH rats. Additionally, QE remarkably inhibited the elevation of MDA, restored impaired antioxidant SOD activity and GSH level, and also attenuated hepatic vacuolar degeneration and sinusoidal congestion. These results suggested that QE treatment had a beneficial effect on liver regenerative capacity of the remnant liver tissue after hepatectomy, probably due to its antioxidative, antiapoptotic and proliferative property.

Ectopic pregnancy and laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the success of surgical procedures performed by laparoscopy and laparotomy in the treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, there were 57 women who were operated due to tubal ectopic pregnancy. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 36 women (study group). Conventional abdominal surgical treatment was performed in 21 women (control group). RESULTS: Among 36 women from study group, a laparoscopic linear salpingotomy was performed in 69.44% cases, salpingectomy in 13.88% cases, and milking of tube in 16.66% cases. In the control group, linear salpingotomy was performed in 57.14% cases, salpingectomy in 28.57% cases, and milking of tube in 14.28% cases. Patent ipsilateral fallopian tube at three months after surgery was 66.66% in the study group and 52.38% in the control group. The intrauterine pregnancy rate was 19.44% in the study group and 19.05% in the control group. CONCLUSION: The percentage of tubal patency and intrauterine pregnancies after laparoscopical surgical treatment was not higher than after conventional surgical treatment by laparotomy.

Healthcare workers satisfaction and patient satisfaction - where is the linkage?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess at what level healthcare worker satisfaction affects patient satisfaction, as well as which elements of healthcare worker satisfaction affect health service quality and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Data was collected via questionnaire-based surveys, from 18,642 healthcare workers and 9,283 patients across 50 secondary healthcare institutions in Serbia. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, correlations and the I2-distance method. RESULTS: Despite the general belief that healthcare worker satisfaction has a significant impact on patient satisfaction, the research results show that the correlation factor between these two is relatively low. Despite this, the obtained value of correlation cannot be neglected, therefore it can only corroborate the fact that healthcare worker satisfaction does impact patient satisfaction. The results of the study show that the satisfaction of healthcare workers with the time they have to accomplish their assigned tasks has the greatest effect upon patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: By understanding the importance of certain elements of healthcare worker satisfaction and its effects on patient satisfaction, it is possible to make decisions about factors that need to be improved in order to raise patient satisfaction to the highest possible level. These research results are significant for the management of health care institutions and responsible state institutions which create policy and strategy for improving the quality of health care services.

[Comparison of the convergence:accommodation ratio in amblyopes treated with various pleoptic methods]. / Usporedba C:A kvocijenta u ambliopa izlijecenih razlicitim pleoptickim metodama.

C:A ratios were tested in 50 amblyopes healed by methods of penalization and in 50 amblyopes healed by classic pleoptic methods. C:A ratios were same for both groups of subjects, so both methods of treatment can be applied in this sense.

The accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) and near convergence/distance (NC/D) ratios in esotropia.

INTRODUCTION: In esotropias, measurement of AC/A and NC/D ratios are important for exact classification and adequate therapy. We devised a table for the calculation of AC/A and NC/D ratios to facilitate their estimation. METHOD: For the assessment of AC/A ratio, we used the gradient method range 6 Dsph and for the NC/D ratio we used the heterophoria method. For the calculation of both ratios, we used our own table. A series of 102 children were examined. RESULTS: The mean value of AC/A ratio for esotropias was 4.86 +/- 2.05. The mean value of AC/A ratio for the control group was 3.9 +/- 1.92. The difference was 0.96 and was statistically significant at the level of 5% (Student's t test). The AC/A ratio is high in esotropia ranging from 1 to 10. At 58% of esotropias, the AC/A ratio is higher than the mean value of AC/A ratio of the control group. The mean value of the NC/D ratio for esotropia was 5.9 +/- 1.51. The mean value of the NC/D ratio for the control group was 5.1 +/- 1.5. The difference of 0.8 was statistically significant at a level of 5%. Thus, in esotropia the NC/D ratio is high. The NC/D ratio in esotropia ranges from 1 to 10. The NC/D ratio is low in 16% of esotropias. CONCLUSION: Our own table for calculating the AC/A and NC/D ratios was useful because it facilitates their determination. The mean values of AC/A and NC/D ratios in esotropia are high and range from 1 to 10. In 58% of cases the AC/A ratio is high and in 84% of cases the NC/D ratio is high and can be responsible for the oculomotor imbalance.

[Optic nerve damage caused by administration of ethambutol]. / Ostecenje vidnog zivca pri uporabi etambutola.

We considered the influence of ethambutol therapy for lung TBC on the visual function of patients. Cases of toxic optic neuropathy caused by ethambutol therapy in patients hospitalized in the Ophthalmic Clinic in Rijeka within 5 years were presented. Results of the treatment of toxic optic neuropathy caused by ethambutol are influenced by risk factors such as: diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, alcoholism and in our opinion, atherosclerosis and very old age.

[Evaluation of the C:A ration in patients with amblyopia treated with penalization methods]. / Evaluacija C:A kvocijenta u ambliopa izlijecenih penalizacijskim metodama.

C:A ratios of 50 amblyopes cured by the methods of penalization were examined. Values of C:A ratios were: NC/D = 6.2 +/- 2.01; AC/A = 5.1 +/- 1.81; PC/D = 0.92 +/- +/- 2.03. NC/D and AC/A ratios of amblyopes were higher than the same ratios of the control group of normal children, while PC/D ratios were same for the both groups of subjects.