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PubMed2004

[Pregnancy in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. Experiences from Vilnius 1967-2003].

Pregnancy in patients with Eisenmengers syndrome is associated with high maternal and fetal mortality rates and effective contraception or termination of pregnancy is strongly recommended. When these patients decide to begin or continue a pregnancy against advice a coordinated multi-specialist care at a center for congenital heart disease is mandatory. So far, experience with this demanding group of patients is limited. This report reviews the outcome of 30 pregnancies in 10 patients from a group of 35 women with Eisenmengers syndrome who have been treated at the University Hospital in Vilnius, Lithuania, between 1967 and 2003. The most frequent underlying lesion was a ventricular septal defect in 5 patients, their mean age was 26.2 +/- 5,4 years and they were in functional class II or III (9/1) at the beginning of the pregnancy. In this group 13 pregnancies were terminated (43 %), 4 spontaneous abortions (13 %) occurred at less than 21 weeks of pregnancy and one stillbirth at 23 weeks of gestation. Twelve children were born alive, 10 were premature and 2 term deliveries. One maternal death occurred on the third day following an emergency delivery in week 36 and another patient decompensated immediately following delivery, but could be stabilized with intensive care therapy. During long-term follow-up all of these 9 patients were alive at 10/2003 despite a significant deterioration in functional class. These data are comparable to previously published observations in pregnant women with Eisenmengers syndrome.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2004

[History of German-Baltic relations in medicine].

Today, the three Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have well-known medical faculties with international standing. Their individual histories are briefly outlined. However, relations of the German academic world were closest with the university of Dorpat (today: Tartu). It was re-opened in 1802 by tsar Alexander I in order to keep young Baltic people from studying abroad. The medical faculty was its biggest faculty. The university was Russian, but the official language was German. So many a German professor came to Dorpat and many professors from Dorpat were offered a chair at a German university. The scientific imports connected Dorpat with other centres of West-European science, they brought knowledge and ideas and an exchange of information. The standard was high, and among the teaching staff was a handsome number of medical celebrities, e.g. the anatomist August Rauber and the surgeon Ernst von Bergmann. In Dorpat, Rudolf Buchheim brought a new science, experimental pharmacology, into being, which his pupil and successor, Oswald Schmiedeberg, fully established and propagated all over the world.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed2003

Effect of a heavy metal model mixture on biological parameters of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The effects of a model mixture (HMMM) of seven heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Mn) on the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at all stages of development (embryos, larvae, adults) were investigated based on the annual average concentrations of these metals in cooling waste waters discharging from Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Lithuania) into the Drŭksiai lake. According to mortality parameters, the most sensitive to HMMM were larvae, although no significant differences between the sensitivity of embryos and adult fish to HMMM were found. Maximal toxic effect of HMMM was observed during the hatching period. Long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of HMMM affected embryo development, growth of larvae, their cardio-respiratory and behavioural responses, induced significant changes in morphological, morpho-physiological, physiological and haematological parameters of adult fish. Respiratory responses and growth parameters of fish were found to be the most sensitive to low concentrations of HMMM. Adult fish were capable of detecting and avoiding low, sublethal concentrations of HMMM. Heavy metals in a mixture at low concentrations were more toxic than single ones. According to the background of the damages induced by HMMM, after-effects in a fish organism, as well as in a whole population, can be predicted.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Apical periodontitis and related factors in an adult Lithuanian population.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this investigation were to study determinants of apical periodontitis among Lithuanians who were 35 to 44 years old and to study possible associations between apical periodontitis, relevant general diseases, and perceived general health. STUDY DESIGN: Information was collected from a randomly selected sample, consisting of 147 individuals from Vilnius, Lithuania. Aspects of oral and general health, health-related habits and attitudes, and social parameters were used as independent variables, with various aspects of apical periodontitis as the dependent variable. Associations were tested by regression analysis. RESULTS: Apical periodontitis was highly prevalent in this Lithuanian population. Oral health-related variables showed the strongest association with apical periodontitis. Decayed and filled teeth scores were found to be strongly associated with periapical disease, and sound teeth were strongly associated with periapical health. In addition, behavioral variables were found to be important disease determinants. CONCLUSIONS: Apical periodontitis appeared to be an oral health problem closely related to dental caries. No association could be detected between general diseases and apical periodontitis, but an association between perceived general health and apical periodontitis was demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

High caries levels: problems still to be tackled.

According to the World Health Organization more than 60% of European countries have achieved the goal of no more than 3 DMFT at the age of 12 years. The others, including the newly independent Baltic states, still have high caries levels. Data from recent studies show that mean caries prevalence among 12-year-olds in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia was 5.8, 4.9, and 4.6, respectively. Absence of caries was recorded in 5% of Latvian and Estonian and 12% of Lithuanian 12-year-olds. Fifteen-year-old Latvians and Lithuanians averaged 8.1 and 7.0 DMFT, which, owing to the absence of radiographic examination, may be a substantial underestimation of real caries levels. The possible adverse effects of the privatization of dental care and the benefits of increased access to fluoride dentifrice in these countries have not yet been evaluated. The extremely poor oral hygiene seen in epidemiologic surveys indicates that fluoride dentifrices may not be widely used. The caries levels in the Baltic states resemble those commonly encountered a couple of decades ago in the Nordic countries. Data from two follow-up studies in Iceland show 66% and 52% decline in caries prevalence for 12- and 15-year-old children, respectively, over a period of 7 years. However, the caries experience of the 15-year-olds in the latter study was similar to that of 12-year-olds 10 years earlier, both in mean caries score (DMFS 11.3 and 12.1) and frequency distribution. Nor has the proportion of occlusal and approximal DF values changed in spite of frequent use of fissure sealants. While caries has become mainly a pit and fissure phenomenon in 12-year-olds, 44.3% of Swedish 19-year-olds reportedly have approximal lesions, and, when enamel lesions are recorded, approximal caries dominates the DFS scores. Analyses of trends in Nordic countries show that, despite a substantial decline in caries prevalence, vigilance is required to prevent a delayed caries development in the future adult population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Adipose tissue fatty acids in men from two populations with different cardiovascular risk: the LiVicordia study.

The LiVicordia study was set up to investigate possible causes for coronary heart disease mortality in middle-aged Lithuanian men being four times higher than in Swedish men. In a previous part of this study we found lower total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the Lithuanian men in spite of them having a higher fat intake than in the Swedish men. Their LDL was also more susceptible to oxidation in vitro than was that of the Swedish men. Fat quality can influence LDL oxidation. In order to obtain data on long-term fat quality intake we measured the fatty acid composition of abdominal wall adipose tissue by gas chromatography in men aged 50 years from Vilnius, Lithuania (n=50) and Linköping, Sweden (n=50). Men from Vilnius had a significantly higher percentage of adipose tissue long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (20:4n6, 20:5n3, 22:5n5, 22:6n3) and lower percentage of saturated fatty acids, especially myristic acid (14:0), 3.4+/-0.7 versus 4.6+/-0.8, p<0.0001. The percentage content of adipose tissue linoleic acid (18:2n6) was 11.5+/-2.1 versus 11.0+/-1.4 (n.s.) and of linolenic acid (18:3n3) 0.7+/-0.3 versus 0.6+/-0.2 (n.s.) in men from Vilnius and Linköping, respectively. It is concluded that the adipose tissue content of essential fatty acids is similar in men from Vilnius and men from Linköping and therefore the intake is also likely to be similar. The higher contents of long chain highly unsaturated fatty acids in men from Vilnius may be of importance in the oxidation process of LDL.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Resistance in respiratory tract pathogens and antimicrobial use in Icelandic and Lithuanian children.

To assess resistance rates among respiratory tract pathogens and antimicrobial usage of children in Iceland and Lithuania, and to correlate usage patterns with resistance rates, nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from healthy children attending day-care centres in Reykjavik (n = 6) and Vilnius (n = 13), and cultured for pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Information about recent antimicrobial use was obtained by a questionnaire. 50% and 51% carried pneumococci, 59% and 67% carried H. influenzae and 60% and 46% carried M. catarrhalis, in Reykjavik (n = 297) and Vilnius (n = 508), respectively. The prevalence of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci was 11% in Reykjavik (mainly serotype 6B) and 5% in Vilnius (mainly 23F). At the time of sampling 3% of the children in Reykjavik and 8% in Vilnius were receiving antimicrobials. Children carrying penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci had used antimicrobials more frequently in the preceding month and this was significant for the Icelandic children (p < 0.0002). Antimicrobial use was more common in Vilnius than in Reykjavik, yet antimicrobial resistance was more common in Reykjavik. Resistance rates cannot be predicted only on the basis of recent antimicrobial use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Tick-borne encephalitis virus infections in Lithuanian domestic animals and ticks.

In order to obtain information about the distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Lithuania, sera of domestic animals were screened for TBEV antibodies by haemagglutination inhibition test. Samples were collected in 2001 from 423 cows, 561 goats and 118 sheep during a prophylactic examination or vaccination by a local veterinary specialist. In addition, a total of 3234 Ixodes ricinus ticks in 436 pools were collected and tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TBEV RNA (detailed analysis with genetic characterization is published separately [Han et al, J Med Virol 2005 (in press)]). Domestic animal sera from 8/18 districts were positive with an overall seropositivity of 1.7% with considerable regional differences. Sheep from the Radviliskis region had the highest seropositivity rate (16%). In comparison, the proportion of tick pools positive for TBEV-RNA was 1.38%, ranging from 1.03% in Panavezys, 3.33% in Siauliai to 16% in Radviliskis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of mumps virus strains with varying neurovirulence.

Mumps virus strains isolated during an epidemic in Lithuania in 1998 - 2000 were studied. Viruses of the neurovirulent C1 and non-neurovirulent C2 small hydrophobic (SH) genotype variant were sequenced for the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) protein genes. Amino acid differences between C1 and C2 strains were found for both proteins. Two amino acid differences were of potential importance for the non-neurovirulent phenotype of the C2 virus. Four of 5 C2 strains exhibited the amino acid arginine instead of lysine at position 335 of the HN protein, and the amino acid phenylalanine was found instead of serine at amino acid position 195 of the F protein. Amino acid differences at these positions have previously been reported to associate with a change in neurovirulence and fusion activity. In addition, the HN gene of the neurovirulent Kilham strain of genotype A was sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence showed different amino acids compared to both genotypes A and C on some positions. Notably, amino acid differences located in previously identified neutralizing epitopes were found at positions 266, 354 and 356 of the HN protein compared to other genotype A strains. The amino acid differences between Kilham virus strain and other genotype A strains and the similarity of the Kilham HN protein (7 positions) to neurovirulent genotype C strains on some amino acid positions may indicate a possible role for this protein in mumps virus neurovirulence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Changes of ethnic composition in the Baltic States.

"The aim of this article is to analyze changes in the ethnic structure in the Baltics. The publication of the results of the 1989 Census data allows one to analyze the dynamics of ethnic structure in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since the 1920s." The author notes that "as a result of significant changes in all demographic processes in the 90s, the proportion of the titular nationalities in all three Baltic States has increased for the first time, while the proportion of Slavs, particularly of Russians, decreased."

Culture↗
PubMed2002

Death anxiety and religiosity among Lithuanian health and social service professionals.

This study examined the applicability of the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale (MFODS; J.W.Hoetler, 1979a) in Lithuania, a culture where death anxiety has not been studied previously. It also ascertained the relationship between death anxiety and a multidimensional measure of religiosity. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that MFODS structure fit the Lithuanian data reasonably well, particularly if factors were allowed to be correlated. Lithuanian participants who expressed higher levels of intrinsic religiosity also expressed less fear of the unknown, but no other independent, linear relationships existed among the various dimensions of religiosity and death anxiety.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2005

Evidence for louse-transmitted diseases in soldiers of Napoleon's Grand Army in Vilnius.

BACKGROUND: Many soldiers in Napoleon's Grand Army died of infectious diseases during its retreat from Russia. Because soldiers were commonly infested with body lice, it has been speculated that louse-borne infectious diseases, such as epidemic typhus (caused by Rickettsia prowazekii), were common. METHODS: We investigated this possibility during recent excavations of a mass grave of Napoleon's soldiers in Vilnius, Lithuania. Segments of 5 body lice, identified morphologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing, were found in earth from the grave that also contained fragments of soldiers' uniforms. RESULTS: DNA of Bartonella quintana (the agent of trench fever) was identified by PCR and sequencing in 3 of the lice. Similarly, PCR and sequencing of dental pulp from the remains of 35 soldiers revealed DNA of B. quintana in 7 soldiers and DNA of R. prowazekii in 3 other soldiers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that louse-borne infectious diseases affected nearly one-third of Napoleon's soldiers buried in Vilnius and indicate that these diseases might have been a major factor in the French retreat from Russia.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The Framingham Type A behaviour pattern and coronary heart disease in three countries: a cross-cultural comparison.

The Framingham Type A behaviour pattern (TABP), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality, was examined in a cross-cultural study involving three countries known to differ in cardiovascular disease mortality, namely Germany, Lithuania and Northern Ireland. The factorial structure of the Framingham TABP scale was strikingly similar in the three countries, with three factors (work pressure, hard driving, and impatience) identified; evidence for the cross-cultural validity of the scale. Scores on all three factors showed considerable variation between the three populations for both men (multivariate P < 0.0001) and women (multivariate P < 0.0001). Of particular note, on the two factors, hard driving and impatience, thought to be core pathogenic elements in the TABP complex, Lithuanian and Northern Irish males and females scored substantially higher than their German counterparts. These cross-cultural variations in levels of risk are discussed in the context of the different ischaemic heart disease mortality rates in the three countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence and risk factors for asymmetric posture in preschool children aged 6-7 years.

BACKGROUND: Adult scoliosis can be a severe disease. Not much is known about its determinants and the predictive value of early trunk asymmetries. In Vilnius, Lithuania, a cohort study has been started among 6-7 year old children in 1994. The purpose of the present report was to estimate the prevalence of trunk asymmetry in 6-7 year old children, and the association between previous rachitis, frequent illness during childhood and reduced physical activity and trunk asymmetry. METHODS: The degree of asymmetry was established in 791 children in kindergartens by measuring with a ruler the distance from the seventh cervical vertebra to the lower angles of the left and the right scapulas. Rachitis and the number of illnesses were extracted from each child's medical card, whereas data on physical activity were based on questionnaires filled in by parents and kindergarten teachers. RESULTS: In all, 46.9% of children were found to have trunk asymmetry. The odds ratio of asymmetric posture was 2.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-4.72) for children with rachitis degree II compared to non-rachitic children, 3.97 (95% CI: 2.48-6.36) for those who were ill 16-28 times (over the years) compared to those who reported fewer than nine illnesses and 2.44 (95% CI: 1.21-4.91) for children with low physical activity level (13-22 points) as compared to children with a high level (> 33 points). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the need for prophylactic measures to decrease the incidence of infantile rachitis, acute morbidity and to increase physical activity. The significance of the high frequency of asymmetric posture can only be assessed by a follow-up of this cohort.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Modelling of the shielding capabilities of the existing solid radioactive waste storages at Ignalina NPP.

There is only one nuclear power plant in Lithuania--Ignalina NPP (INPP). The INPP operates two similar units with design electrical power of 1500 MW. The units were commissioned in 1983 and 1987 respectively. From the beginning of the INPP operation all generated solid radioactive waste was collected and stored at the Soviet type solid radwaste facility located at INPP site. The INPP solid radwaste storage facility consists of four buildings, namely building No. 155, No. 155/1, No. 157 and No. 157/1. The buildings of the INPP solid radwaste storage facility are reinforced concrete structures above ground. State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) has specified that particular safety analysis must be performed for existing radioactive waste storage facilities of the INPP. As part of the safety analysis, shielding capabilities of the walls and roofs of these buildings were analysed. This paper presents radiation shielding analysis of the buildings No. 157 and No. 157/1 that are still in operation. The buildings No. 155 and No. 155/1 are already filled up with the waste and no additional waste loading is expected.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2004

Geobacillus lituanicus sp. nov.

Obligately thermophilic, aerobic, proteolytic, endospore-forming strain N-3(T) was isolated from a high-temperature oilfield in Lithuania. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed this strain in genetic group 5 of the endospore formers. Geobacillus thermoleovorans appeared to be the closest phylogenetic neighbour (99.4 % sequence similarity). The G+C content of strain N-3(T) was 52.5 mol% and matched the range established for the genus Geobacillus. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness and morphological and physiological analyses enabled strain N-3(T) to be described as a member of the genus Geobacillus, but could not assign this strain to any other known species of this genus. Results of this polyphasic study allowed characterization of strain N-3(T) as a novel species in the genus Geobacillus - Geobacillus lituanicus sp. nov. This species can be distinguished from G. thermoleovorans and Geobacillus stearothermophilus on the basis of 16S rRNA gene PCR-RFLP assays with the restriction endonucleases AluI, HaeIII and TaqI. The type strain of the novel species is N-3(T) (=DSM 15325(T)=VKM B-2294(T)).

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed2006

'Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae', a novel phytoplasma taxon discovered in yellows diseased strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa.

Symptoms of general stunting and yellowing of leaves were observed in diseased cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) in Lithuania. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences amplified by PCR indicated that the symptoms were associated with infection by a phytoplasma, designated strawberry yellows (StrawY) phytoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that StrawY phytoplasma, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense', 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris', stolbur phytoplasma and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma japonicum' shared a common ancestor, but were mutually distinct. Nucleotide sequence alignments of a 1.3 kb 16S rRNA gene sequence fragment revealed that StrawY phytoplasma shared 97.4 % or less similarity with previously described 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species. These results, in addition to natural host and geographical occurrence, support the recognition of StrawY phytoplasma as a representative of a novel taxon, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae'.

Fragaria↗
PubMed2001

The recovery of damaged pine forests in an area formerly polluted by nitrogen.

An area in Lithuania containing coniferous stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce that were dead or damaged due to nitrogen pollution by a nitrogen fertilizer plant (JV Achema) was found to have expanded between 1974 and 1989 to a distance of 20 to 25 km northeast of the plant in the direction of prevailing winds. Over the last 10 years, when nitrogen pollution by the plant had decreased, a clear process of recovery of the damaged ecosystems could be observed. The following features of this process as it occurred in damaged Scots pine stands are discussed: (1) refoliation (or decreased defoliation) of damaged trees, where a clear positive trend could be observed; (2) changes in the species composition and in the covering by ground vegetation, where small changes and indication of less-nitrophilous species coverage could be detected; and (3) chemical and acidity changes in Luvisols and Arenosols, where a significant decrease could be seen especially concerning nitrate concentrations.

Air Pollutants↗