Enhancing Endothelial Function with Nutrient-Enriched Table Hen Eggs: A Randomized Study in Patients Recovering from Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of consumption of table eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), lutein, vitamin E and selenium on microvascular function, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients and Methods: In a prospective, randomized, interventional, double-blind clinical trial, ACS patients were assigned to either the Nutri4 (N=15, mean age: 57.2 ± 9.2 years), or the Control group (N=13; mean age 56.8 ± 9.6 years). The Nutri4 group consumed three enriched hen eggs daily for three weeks, providing approximately 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.330 mg of lutein, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs. Biochemical parameters, including serum lipids, liver enzymes, nutrient concentrations, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)), were assessed before and after the dietary interventions. Additionally, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, fluid status, anthropometric measurements, and skin microvascular blood flow responses to various stimuli (postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH), acetylcholine- (Ach ID), and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP ID)) were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) throughout the study. Results: The intake of Nutri4 eggs led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, while the levels of total cholesterol remained within the established reference values. Consuming Nutri4 eggs resulted in a 12.7% increase in serum vitamin E levels, an 8.6% increase in selenium levels, and demonstrated a favorable impact on microvascular reactivity, as evidenced by markedly improved PORH and ACh ID. Nutri4 eggs exerted a significant influence on the activity of GPx and SOD, with no observed changes in TBARS or FRAP values. Conclusion: The consumption of Nutri4 eggs positively influenced microvascular function in individuals with ACS, without eliciting adverse effects on oxidative stress.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Croatian Homeland War Veterans Who Were Held as Prisoners of War and Are Affected by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: As a extremely traumatic experience, captivity may cause other mental disorders in addition to posttraumatic stress disorder, which is highly prevalent among ex-prisoners of war, and which often occurs in comorbidity with at least one other mental disorder. This objective of this study is to identify the incidence of comorbid mental disorders in Homeland war veterans ex-prisoners of war affected by posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as to identify the factors that influenced psychiatric comorbidity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 264 subjects, all of whom were Croatian Homeland War veterans with combat experience in the defence of the Republic of Croatia, and all of whom fulfilled clinical criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder at the time of the study. The subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental group was composed of ex-prisoners of war, and the control group of veterans who had never been prisoners of war. The methods of sociodemographic questionnaire, posttraumatic stress disorder self-report checklist and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire were used in the study. Psychiatric comorbidity data were retrieved from the subjects' anamnesis and medical records. RESULTS: The results showed that ex-prisoners of war were exposed to a statistically much higher number of traumatic events, and had a significantly higher total number of psychiatric comorbidities (p<0.01) than the control group. The incidence of acute and transient psychotic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders and psychological and behavioural factors associated with disorders or diseases classified elsewhere was significantly higher among ex-prisoners of war. There was no statistically significant difference in overall posttraumatic stress disorder intensity between the two groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirm our hypothesis that the incidence of psychiatric comorbidity is higher in ex-prisoners of war.

Palliative and End-of-Life Care Conversations with Older People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Croatia-A Pilot Study.

Despite the progressive nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), its association of high morbidity and mortality with severe COPD, and the view that discussions between patients and clinicians about palliative care plans should be grounded in patients' preferences, many older patients do not receive timely end-of-life care (EOLC) discussions with healthcare professionals (HPs), potentially risking inadequate care at the advanced stages of the disease. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate EOLC discussions and resuscitation issues as a representative and illustrative part within EOLC in older patients with COPD in the University Hospital Center Osijek, Slavonia (Eastern Region), Croatia, as such data have not yet been explored. The study was designed as cross-sectional research. Two groups of participants, namely, patients at least 65 years old with COPD and healthcare professionals, were interviewed anonymously. In total, 83 participants (22 HPs and 61 patients with COPD) were included in the study. According to the results, 77% of patients reported that they had not had EOLC discussions with HPs, 64% expressed the opinion that they would like such conversations, and the best timing for such discussion would be during frequent hospital admissions. Furthermore, 77% of HPs thought that EOLC communication is important, but only 14% actually discussed such issues with their patients because most of them felt uncomfortable starting such a topic. The majority of older patients with COPD did not discuss advanced care planning with their HPs, even though the majority of them would like to have such a discussion. EOLC between HPs and older patients with COPD should be encouraged in line with patients' wishes, with the aim to improve their quality of care by anticipating patients' likely future needs in a timely manner and thereby providing proactive support in accordance with patients' preferences.