siMS score- method for quantification of metabolic syndrome, confirms co-founding factors of metabolic syndrome.

Background: Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ, a highly active metabolic tissue, and an important source of cytokines. Inflammatory factors play an important role in visceral obesity associated with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MS), hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis. Objectives: To examine corelation of siMS score, as a quantification method for metabolic syndrome (MS), with insulin resistance, glucoregulation parameters, as with other co-founding factors of MS, inflammation and thrombosis factors, microalbuminuria, uric acid, fatty liver index (FLI) and homocysteine. Methods: The study included 451 obese individuals with pre-metabolic syndrome (pre-MS) and MS (age 16-75, body mass index (BMI) > 25kg/m2) classified into two groups: I-age 10-30 (167 patients); II-age 31-75 (284 patients). International Diabetes Federation (IDF) classification was applied for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Patients with less than three criteria indicated below were considered pre-metabolic syndrome. siMS risk score was used. Results: siMS score increased with age: I-3.03 ± 0.87, II-3.27 ± 0.90. siMS score correlated with associated factors of MS: hyperinsulinemia and IR, ALT, gama-GT, FLI, uric acid in both groups and CRP (p < 0.01) in group I. Correlations in II group: siMS score with PAI-1 (p = 0.01), microalbuminuria (p = 0.006), homocysteine ​​(p = 0.076). Conclusion: Correlation of siMS score with HOMA-IR confirmed that hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance are in the basis of MS. Correlation of siMS score with parameters of NAFLD, CRP, PAI-1, uric acid, microalbuminuria and homocysteine indicates that they are significant co-founding factors of MS. Correlation of siMS score with PAI-1, microalbuminuria, homocysteine, indicates higher risk for progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis with age.

Ultrasound melted polymer sleeve for improved screw anchorage in trabecular bone--A novel screw augmentation technique.

BACKGROUND: Screw anchorage in osteoporotic bone is still limited and makes treatment of osteoporotic fractures challenging for surgeons. Conventional screws fail in poor bone quality due to loosening at the screw-bone interface. A new technology should help to improve this interface. In a novel constant amelioration process technique, a polymer sleeve is melted by ultrasound in the predrilled screw hole prior to screw insertion. The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the effect of the constant amelioration process platform technology on primary screw anchorage. METHODS: Fresh frozen femoral heads (n=6) and vertebrae (n=6) were used to measure the maximum screw insertion torque of reference and constant amelioration process augmented screws. Specimens were cut in cranio-caudal direction, and the screws (reference and constant amelioration process) were implanted in predrilled holes in the trabecular structure on both sides of the cross section. This allowed the pairwise comparison of insertion torque for constant amelioration process and reference screws (femoral heads n=18, vertebrae n=12). Prior to screw insertion, a micro-CT scan was made to ensure comparable bone quality at the screw placement location. FINDINGS: The mean insertion torque for the constant amelioration process augmented screws in both, the femoral heads (44.2 Ncm, SD 14.7) and the vertebral bodies (13.5 Ncm, SD 6.3) was significantly higher than for the reference screws of the femoral heads (31.7 Ncm, SD 9.6, p<0.001) and the vertebral bodies (7.1 Ncm, SD 4.5, p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: The interconnection of the melted polymer sleeve with the surrounding trabecular bone in the constant amelioration process technique resulted in a higher screw insertion torque and can improve screw anchorage in osteoporotic trabecular bone.

First Report on the Efficiency of Oral Vaccination of Foxes against Rabies in Serbia.

Rabies is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases that has significant impact on public health, but still remains neglected in Serbia. Rabies virus can infect humans and other mammals and causes inflammation of the brain associated with encephalomyelitis and neurological symptoms. In 2010, Veterinary Directorate (national Competent Authority for animal health in Serbia) has started multi-annual project of oral rabies vaccination of foxes and other wild carnivores (e.g. jackals), as support of long-term programme of eradication of rabies in Serbia, co-funded by EU (financed by Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance). Monitoring of the effectiveness of oral vaccination campaigns has been carried out in continuation from 2011 and was based on: (i) post-mortem laboratory examination of brain tissue of target animals (foxes, jackals and other carnivores) by fluorescent antibody test (FAT), (ii) detection of antibodies against rabies virus in serum samples by ELISA and (iii) detection of tetracycline biomarker in the mandibles for the evaluation of vaccine bait uptake. From September 2011 to May 2014, the total number of 4943 brain tissue samples, 4241 sera and 4971 mandibles were analysed. Confirmed rabies-positive brains decreased from 10 in 2011/2012 to 6 in 2012/2013 and eventually to 1 positive case in 2013/2014. The seroconversion rate increased from 10.48% (133/1269) in 2011/2012 to 20.11% (362/1800) in 2012/2013 and 42.23% (495/1172) in 2013/2014. Along with the seroconversion, the number of detected tetracycline-positive mandibles demonstrated an increasing tendency in the same period, being 49.67% (682/1373) in 2011/2012, 62.60% (1294/2067) in 2012/2013 and 90.33% (1383/1531) in the monitoring programme carried out in 2013/2014. Presented results confirmed that ORV of foxes and other wildlife in Serbia against rabies was successful and characterized by steady increase of vaccine baits uptake and immunization of animals.

Investigation of properties of electrochemically synthesized iron oxide nano-powders.

Nano-sized powders of iron oxides have been synthesized electrochemically at temperatures in the range of 295-361 K, and current densities in the range of 200-1000 mA dm(-2). The structure and morphology of the powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Their infrared absorption spectra, specific heat C(p)(T) and magnetic susceptibility chi(T) temperature dependences are also determined. The obtained powders consist of two phases, each possessing distinguished characteristics: the one formed of large plates and the other of whiskers. By appropriate adjustment of the synthesis conditions, it is possible to change features and relative abundances of the two phases, and that way to control morphology and other powder properties. Relaxation and transformation of the phases under external influences was also investigated, and the optimal procedure for preparation and stabilization of iron oxide nano-sized powders with desired characteristics was established.

Fragmentation of axillary fibrofatty tissue during dissection facilitates preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve and the lateral thoracic vein.

The preservation of neurovascular elements passing through the axillary fibrofatty tissue (the intercostobrachial nerve and the lateral thoracic vein) could be techniqually demanding if an en bloc axillary dissection is performed in the conventional way. In this paper we describe a surgical technique for more successful preservation of these elements, by which fragmentation of the axillary fibrofatty tissue is planned and performed "in advance". The techniques of axillary sampling biopsies, where lymphatic vessels are always divided, have shown that cutting of the lymph routes does not increase the risk of local regional recurrence. After adopting and applying this technique in a series of 22 consecutive dissections, the nerve was spared in 22 patients (100%) (compared to an earlier series where the nerve was spared in 53 of 65 patients (81.5%)), while the vein was spared in 21 patients (95%) (earlier 22 of 65 patients (34%)).

First principle calculations of alkali hydride electronic structures.

Electronic structure, volume optimization, bulk moduli, elastic constants, and frequencies of the transversal optical vibrations in LiH, NaH, KH, RbH, and CsH are calculated using the full potential augmented plane wave method, extended with local orbitals, and the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The obtained results show some common features in the electronic structure of these compounds, but also clear differences, which cannot be explained using simple empirical trends. The differences are particularly prominent in the electronic distributions and interactions in various crystallographic planes. In the light of these findings we have elaborated some selected experimental results and discussed several theoretical approaches frequently used for the description of various alkali hydride properties.

[Surgical methods for the treatment of breast phyllodes tumors--a report of 319 cases].

UNLABELLED: Breast phyllodes tumors (FT) belong the fibroapitelial group of breast tumors arising in terminal ductulo-lobular unit (TDLU). Their incidence do not exceed 1% of all breast tumors. Biologicaly they can be divided into benign, borderline and malignant group. Incomplete tumor excision can be the reason for local reccurence. Malignant form of FT metastazise hematogenous most often in the lung. There is no uniform surgical opinion about the treatment FT. METHODS: We analyzed histopathology features of 319 FT of the breast surgicaly removed on Departement of surgery Institut of oncology and radiology of Serbia between 1.1.1985.-31.12.1994. Retrospective study of surgical treatment 84 patients with FT of the breast (69 benign, 4 borderline and 11 malignant) and 5 year follow up after surgery we analysed. RESULTS: local reccurence after surgery was found in 17 (20,2 %) patients(14 benign , 2 borderline and 1 malignant FT), pulmonary metastases in 6 (7,1%) patients with malignant FT. DFI was 21,3 months for local reccurences and 25,1 months for pulmonary metastases. DFS for al forms of FT was 71 % (p =0,7104) in 5-year follow up. CONCLUSION: According to biological behavior we propose wide excision for benign and borderline forms and simple mastectomy for malignant FT, and voluminous benign and borderline forms. Axillary disection is not necessary because lymphatic spread of malignant FT is unfrequent.

Cluster approach to the Ti2Ni structure type.

It has been established that the 16(c) first coordination clusters in the Ti2Ni structure type (space group Fd3m) follow icosahedral-face orientational ordering along regular tetrahedron edge directions. The actual crystal structure appears due to the prevalence of the face-centred cubic translational ordering over the cluster assembling. This way, the competition of the ;regular' crystal phase and its icosahedral analogue is reconstructed at the atomic level. The model accounts for the markedly different electronic characteristics at the different crystallographic positions obtained by hyperfine interaction measurements, and other curious experimental facts help to create an exact physical definition of the first coordination in the solid state and to distinguish between various structure types on fundamental principles.

Characteristics of dystonic movements in primary and symptomatic dystonias.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical characteristics of the involuntary movements in primary and symptomatic dystonias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 132 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of primary dystonia and 51 consecutive patients with secondary dystonia caused by well defined structural lesion(s) of the central nervous system, with particular emphasis on the characteristics of involuntary movements. RESULTS: Eight variables with the highest risk contribution to either symptomatic or primary dystonias were identified: dystonic movement in secondary dystonia was much more frequently presented at rest, whereas the presence of dystonic tremor, chronic inflammatory process, or peripheral trauma located in the region that is later affected by dystonia, as well as the use of sensory tricks and development of spontaneous remissions, classified the affected patients more often in the category of those with primary dystonia. CONCLUSION: The study identified several clinical features that may be helpful in differentiating primary from secondary dystonia.

[Mediastinitis caused by tonsillitis ]. / Medijastinitis kao posledica tonzilitisa.

We report case of 50-year-old female with mediastinitis due to tonsillitis. Mediastinitis was diagnosed after five days according to clinical signs, radiological examination and computerized tomography scan. The patient underwent mediastinal drainage through a cervical incision and bilateral thoracic drainage because of bilateral pleural empyema. Initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was replaced with imipenem, amicacin and vancomycin after the bacteriological investigation revealed susceptibility to isolated acinetobacter spp, staphylococcus spp coagulase-negative, enterococcus and staphylococcus. After 46 days of hospitalization patient went home.