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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Association of age-related maculopathy with ischemic heart disease and its risk factors in middle-aged population of Kaunas city].

AIM: To determine the prevalence of age-related maculopathy in a sample of Lithuanian middle-aged population and to assess the relationship between age-related maculopathy and ischemic heart disease and its risk factors, including smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A random sample of urban population of 1357 adults (ranging from 35-64 years of age; 597 males and 760 females) living in Kaunas, Lithuania was examined during the interval from 2001 to 2002. Each participant underwent a comprehensive examination that included an ophthalmic examination. The presence of age-related maculopathy was determined by grading from fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, and color fundus photographs. The history, physical examination findings, and fasting blood samples provided data on possible risk factors. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for age-related maculopathy. RESULTS: Early age-related maculopathy was detected for 44 males and 40 females. The prevalence of age-related maculopathy increased steadily with age without significant difference between males and females. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased diastolic blood pressure, obesity, hyperglycemia, ischemic ECG-abnormalities and history of myocardial infarction were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in males aged 40-64 years. Current smoking and hyperglycemia were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in females aged 40-64 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, current smoking and positive history of cardiovascular disease are relevant risk factors for age-related maculopathy in middle-aged urban population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Improvement of diversity, trade and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants].

The significance of medicinal and aromatic plant selection has risen in recent years due to increasing requirements on quality, safety, and efficiency of herbal products. Only selected varieties could guaranty the homogeneity of raw material. The chemical diversity of spontaneous populations is one of the main directions of investigations on medicinal and aromatic plants at the Institute of Botany. The target species under research are following: Origanum vulgare, Thymus spp., Hypericum spp., Achillea millefolium, and Helichrysum arenarium. The analysis of trade figures pointed out that the imported raw material mainly supplies the demands of pharmaceutical industry in Lithuania. The cultivated production covers only 4-6% of the demand for raw material. Wild plant material represents about 29% of total volume used in pharmaceutics. The trade in wild plant species and their resources is regulated by the legislations. In situ and ex situ conservation methods are used to avoid potential danger and existing threats to genetic diversity of medicinal plant species.

Achillea↗
PubMed2004

[The crop-producing power and chemical composition of the essential oil of the cones of hop cultivars].

The objective of this study was to determine harvest yield and essential oil composition of six hop cultivars ("Fredos derlingieji", "Alta", "Granit", "Marynka", "Dubskij zeleniak" and "Aromat polessja") cultivated in Lithuania. It was found that the highest crop can be obtained from early and middle harvest varieties, which mature during the first decade of September and the third decade of August. Late harvest cultivars are not suitable for cultivation, however they can be used for the development of new cultivars. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The highest amount of essential oil was determined in Marynka cultivar (2.10 ml/100 g), the lowest one in Dubskij zeleniak 18 (0.46 ml/100 g). Totally, 62 compounds were identified in all cultivars. Myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene and beta-farnesene (E) were major constituents in the essential oils. The differences in the content of other essential oil constituents were determined. Some cultivars were rich in esters and ketones.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2004

Occupational health problems in modern work environment.

UNLABELLED: Analysis of occupational health problems in Lithuania and their relation to factors of modern work environment is presented. The article analyses the health of transport workers, airlines pilots and stewards, video display terminal workers and its relation to work environment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate and evaluate influence of changing occupational environment to workers' health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Complex evaluation including several enterprises with different work profile and conditions. Evaluation of work environment, assessment of psychophysiological and ophthalmological data of workers as well as morbidity studies were performed. RESULTS: Occupational environment of transport workers is related with high levels of noise, vibration, mercury, carbon monoxide, welding aerosols, and dust. Main diseases for transport workers are upper respiratory tract and lung diseases, accidents, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders. Cases of temporal morbidity for pilots and stewards are upper respiratory tract and lung diseases, accidents, intoxications and nervous system diseases. The main effects of video display terminal on operators' health are vision fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. Ophthalmologic symptoms and vision fatigue are related to changes in eyes and central nervous system fatigue, as well as syndrome of "dry eyes". CONCLUSIONS: Changeable work environment is affecting employees' health with specific changes, which depend upon work character, experience and worker's age.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

[The impact of preoperative stoma siting and stoma care education on patient's quality of life].

The aim of study was to assess if preoperative stoma selection and adequate patient's teaching can affect the postoperative patient's quality of life. The study was performed in two university hospitals of Lithuania: Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital and Kaunas Oncology Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups. Patients were asked to answer the questionnaire the day before the stoma creation operation and two months after the operation. Questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-CR38 and 10 supplementary questions were used. The results of the study show that following the stoma operation, when compared with preoperative results, general quality of life did not change significantly in groups I and II. Patients who received adequate education and preoperative stoma siting had better emotional functioning and less gastrointestinal problems. The financial problems of the patients in group I were significantly less than in the control group. Patients who received the adequate teaching without preoperative stoma selection experience better sexual satisfaction compared with control group. Stoma related problems were less in group I and II when comparing with the control group. The quality of the patients' teaching, adequacy and comfort of stoma site and satisfaction with the medical staff were significantly better in the group I and group II when compared to control group. Moreover, these results were significantly higher in the group I than in group II. CONCLUSIONS. The teaching the patients preoperatively and postoperative proceeding helps them to gain better experience in self stoma care hence reducing the psychological, physical, emotional, social and sexual problems.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Peculiarities of physical therapy for patients after traumatic brain injury.

Literature review data about methods and means of physical therapy for patients after traumatic brain injury is presented in this article. Traumatic brain injury is an urgent medical and social problem all over the world. It is the most common cause of disability in Lithuania. Patient rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury is divided into two periods: acute and subacute. In the beginning of rehabilitation physical therapist evaluates patient's functional status, later he uses methods and means of treatment, and evaluates effectiveness of rehabilitation. Early verticalisation is very important for patients with coma. Physical therapy consists of prevention of complications, improvement of muscle force, and range of motions, balance, movement coordination, endurance and cognitive functions. Early rehabilitation is necessary for traumatic brain injury patients and use of physical therapy methods can help to regain lost functions and to come back to the society.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Links between accidents and lifestyle factors among Lithuanian schoolchildren.

The aim of the study was to evaluate associations of some lifestyle factors with injuries among schoolchildren. Analysis was performed using data from the survey conducted in 2002 according to the methods of World Health Organization Cross-National Study on Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC). Using stratified random sampling, the representative sample of 5645 schoolchildren aged 11, 13, and 15 years from 104 schools of Lithuania was drawn and surveyed. Associations between potential risk factors and injuries among schoolchildren were evaluated calculating odds ratio and its 95% confidence intervals. For the evaluation of the impact of explanatory variables on analyzed event, logistic regression analysis was performed. Behavioral, psychological, and social integration factors were associated with the risk to sustain injuries among school-aged children. The impact of these factors varied within subgroups of schoolchildren by grade and sex. The most significant factors were: risk-taking behavior (smoking, alcohol and drug consumption, premature sexual activity), frequent participation in sport activities, involvement in physical fight, longer time spent away from home with friends, experienced bullying, poor self-assessed health and academic achievement, unhappiness, feeling unsafe at school, and high suicidal risk. Analysis failed to identify an expected association between lower socio-economic status and risk for injury. Integrated approach to injury etiology is essential in planning injury prevention and safety promotion activities among schoolchildren, paying particular attention to lifestyle factors, which can have the potential influence on risk to sustain injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Development of methods for monitoring of electrocardiograms, impedance cardiograms and seismocardiograms.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Lithuania, and early detection of those diseases is one of opportunities to reduce this problem. Usage of information technologies including clinical decision support systems, telemedicine networks and computer analysis of cardiac signals, can serve this purpose. Therefore, the presented paper deals with development of a system for the analysis of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG), impedance cardiograms (ICG) and seismocardiograms (SCG) in the aim to use it in a wider cardiologic teleconsultative system. Such a complex set of signals makes it possible to monitor the electric (ECG), hemodynamic (ICG) and mechanical (SCG) properties of cardiac activity. The hardware for synchronous recording of 12-lead ECG, ICG and SCG as well as the software containing programs for signal input, recognition, measurement, analysis and data transmission has been developed.

Cardiography, Impedance↗
PubMed2005

[Alcohol consumption and mortality among kaunas population aged 35-64 years from 1983 to 2002].

AIM: To evaluate time trends in alcohol consumption habits and alcohol-related mortality among Kaunas (Lithuania) population aged 35--64 years from 1983 to 2002. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The WHO MONICA study was carried out in Kaunas from 1983 to 2002. Alcohol consumption habits were determined using the data of four surveys among random samples of population aged 35-64 years (overall 3292 men and 3548 women, the response rate 65.1%). The source of mortality data is official mortality statistics of all permanent residents of Kaunas aged 35-64 years in 1983-2002. Age-standardized rates were calculated by the direct method and using World population as a standard. The trends were analyzed using the method of linear regression on logarithms of the age-standardized annual rates. RESULTS: Over the 20 years, the prevalence of regular alcohol consumption significantly increased among both men and women. At the same time, there was an increase in the study population of a mean level of consumed alcohol and the proportion of drinkers consuming alcohol frequently. During 1983 to 2002 mortality rates from external causes and suicides were increasing significantly among men (by 2.1%/yr., p = 0.039 and by 3.4%/yr., p = 0.0002, respectively) and have not changed among women. CONCLUSION: Negative trends in alcohol consumption habits and alcohol-related mortality among urban Lithuanian population aged 35-64 years during the past 20 years were determined.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sex and gender differences in secular trend of body size and frame indices of Lithuanians.

In Lithuania, as in many other European countries, positive secular trend of body size became especially expressed at the middle of XX. century. The analysis showed the evident secular trend in height of adult Lithuanians since the end of XIX. century till 2001 from 163.5 till 181.3 cm in males and from 153.3 cm till 167.5 cm in females. Concerning growth and development of children, during the 1925-2001 period especially obvious acceleration of height was determined at the middle of adolescence due to much earlier sexual maturation at the end of XX. century. Secular trend of body height was more expressed in males of all ages, nevertheless this process stabilized in both sexes during the last decades. While comparing secular changes in BMI of adolescent Lithuanian girls and boys between the 1925-2001 period, the evident sexual differences in secular changes were determined from the middle of pubescence: the course of changes in BMI during the XX. century was nearly the same in both sexes, but at the end of XX. century older adolescent girls became obviously thinner compared with the changes of BMI in boys of the same age. A very similar trend in BMI of adult Lithuanian women since 1980 till 2002 was also detected. This phenomenon could be more related with the changes in life stile, modern-day canons for unrealistically thin female's body and strong social pressure on women today.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[The beginning of kidney transplantation in Kaunas (results of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital 2000-2004)].

During the last year 57 cadaver kidney transplantations were performed in Lithuania, 23 of them in Kaunas. The first transplantation of cadaver kidney at Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital was performed in May 2000. The purpose of the study was to analyze the results of kidney transplantations performed at Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital between May 2000 and December 2004 and to evaluate the most frequent early and late complications after transplantation and survival of the kidney transplant. During this period a total of 51 cadaver kidney transplantations were done. The mean age of patients was 38.37+/-12.45 years. 90.2% of cadaver kidneys were taken from the optimal kidney donors. The most common early complications after kidney transplantation were infections of the urinary tract (33.3%) and on the late period of kidney transplantation complications of the immunosuppressive treatment (40%) (cytomegalovirus infection, agranulocytosis). Acute rejections were in 13.7 proc. of patients. Kidney transplant survival rate at 1 and 3 years after cadaver kidney transplantation was 85%. Mortality of transplant patients was 2%.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

[Professor Juozas Blazys--psychiatrist, academic and public figure].

Juozas Blazys (1890-1939)--the first chief of the Department of Nerve and Psychiatric Illnesses and Vice Rector of Lithuanian Vytautas Magnus University in the interwar period. In 2004 we commemorated the 65th anniversary of his death. He was a highly prominent personality of enormous erudition and productive scientist. He wrote a coursebook "Introduction to psychiatry", monograph-study "Tolerance, as a basis of culture", published around 100 articles in "Medicina" and various journals of that period. His ideas about psychiatry are relevant nowadays too. Professor was interested in the causes of psychosis origin, analyzed alcoholic, somatogenic psychosis, was interested and working in the fields of forensic psychiatry, military expertise, heredity and is contradictory evaluated in the field of eugenics till now. Juozas Blazys was born in Siauliai. In 1914 he graduated Petersburg Academy of Military Medicine, worked at the various hospitals of Russian military. In 1918 he returned to Lithuania and started to work at the psychiatric hospital in Taurage at first as a chief of department, and later as director, at the same time working as a physician of Taurage district. In 1920-1921 Juozas Blazys lectured the course of psychiatry at Higher Courses of Study in Kaunas. In 1924, after the establishment of the University of Kaunas, he was elected as a chief of the department of Nerve and Psychiatric Illnesses. In 1935 he was granted the degree of professor, in 1938--appointed as Vice Rector of Vytautas Magnus University. He had been developing educative activities: wrote articles on psycho hygiene, negative impact of alcohol, smoking and prostitution on heredity, cared about the improvement of Lithuanian genotype.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed2005

Dental treatment needs in Lithuanian adolescents.

The aims were to estimate dental treatment needs of 15-16-year-olds in Lithuania and to relate a number of background factors such as gender, urbanization and residency to possible differences in dental treatment needs. A total of 885 adolescents in 22 randomly pre-selected areas were clinically examined. The following criteria of dental treatment needs were used: tooth with primary caries, secondary caries, tooth which needs a non-operative treatment, tooth with trauma, which needs a restorative treatment, and tooth which needs either an endodontic treatment, a crown or an extraction. Only 7.7 % of all participants had all their teeth sound. The treatment due to primary caries was the most required dental treatment modality among Lithuanian adolescents. Significantly fewer teeth required treatment due to other aforementioned reasons. Significant differences in most dental treatment needs between boys and girls were found, whereas in relation to urbanization and area of residency the differences were less pronounced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[The economic estimates of well-timed diagnostics and early treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus].

UNLABELLED: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a severe, high-priced, and to date not curable, however, controllable disease. When diabetes mellitus is not treated or is poorly controlled, complications of small and large blood vessels arise, and the mortality increases. The costs of treatment of diabetes-related complications are very high. Estimates performed in other countries show that expenses on treatment of diabetes-related complications are considerably higher than the expenses paid for diabetes control itself. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is often diagnosed too late, when complications requiring expensive treatment are already present. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of well-timed diagnostics and early treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus on total health care costs. METHODS: Direct and indirect costs of treatment of the disease and its complications were estimated using Markov model with a discount of 5% per annum. RESULTS: It was calculated that with well-timed diagnostics and early initiation of treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus the total costs to budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund per one patient would be reduced by 1,736 Lt over 5 years and over 10 years our state would save 5,911 Lt. Not only direct but indirect costs would be reduced as well. The costs of 2,418 Lt would be saved per one patient over 5 years, and 7,061 Lt - over 10 years. With improvement of diagnostics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and with well-timed diagnostics in at least 50% of cases of diabetes mellitus in Lithuania, the health budget could save 34.7 million Lt over 5 years, and even 118.2 million Lt over 10 years. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus made in time and administration of reimbursed drugs would prolong the life of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus by 2.67 months over 10 years. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in time provides a possibility to reduce expenses of diabetes treatment and care and to prolong a patient's life.

Cost Savings↗
PubMed2005

[Prostatic biopsy technique. Historical review].

This article contains histological review of prostate biopsies techniques from the digitally guided prostate biopsies to modern extended-core prostate biopsy protocols. The technique of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided biopsy of the prostate has evolved considerably since the original description by K. K. Hodge and colleagues. A better understanding of the zonal anatomy of the prostate coupled with 3-D mapping of tumors in early stage prostate cancer has led to more laterally-directed biopsies and an increase in the number of cores obtained in a single setting. Most investigators recommend sampling between 10 and 12 areas, with particular focus on the lateral segments of the gland. Data gained from systematic extended-core biopsy protocols offer the hope of providing both diagnostic and prognostic information and may help urologists and patients make better informed decisions when facing with the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The first TRUS-guided sextant biopsy in Lithuania was performed at the Department of Urology, Institute Oncology of Vilnius University in 2000. Today the techniques used for TRUS-guided biopsies have evolved and now a protocol as a standard for an initial biopsy recommends obtaining 10 to 12 cores extended to lateral pattern.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2005

[From auxology to ethnogenesis of Lithuanians].

On the occasion of 65th birthday of Professor Gintautas Cesnys present paper gives a review of scientific and other activity of this outstanding personality - the expert member of Lithuanian Academy of Science, former Dean of the Medical Faculty (1988-1999) and Head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Anthropology (1988-2001) of Vilnius University, prizeman of Lithuanian National Prize of Science (1989) and Estonian State prize (2005). Gintautas Cesnys graduated from Medical Faculty in 1963. His scientific and pedagogical activity developed from problems of auxology (first dissertation "Auxological characteristics of Lithuanians during infancy, longitudinal study, 1970") to ethnic anthropology (second dissertation "Anthropology of ancient inhabitants in Lithuania", 1986). Recently Professor devotes his scientific potentiality for generalizing and summing up of the main historical moments and most outstanding personalities of Lithuanian anthropology.

Anthropology↗
PubMed2005

An assessment of telemedicine possibilities in massive casualties situations.

The use of existing possibilities of Telemedicine Center of Kaunas University of Medicine allows the live distant consultations from high-level medical specialised centers to rural areas. On July 2004 the Telemedicine Center took part in the RESCUER/MEDCEUR project exercise. A special objective was the use of telemedicine facilities for distant consultations and sorting of victims directly at the event place. Telemedicine Center used appropriate telecommunication devices for joint activities of civil and multinational military services in critical situations such as mass casualty events. There were used ISDN lines and IP radio-connection. On the final and most intensive day of the anti-terrorism drills, the multinational force of medics at the Kairiu Training Range in Lithuania reacted to a large mass casualty event--treating hundreds of victims from a simulated train crash. Using on-line telemedicine facilities from Kaunas Medical University Hospital there were corrected the tactics of giving the first help and sorting of casualties. The most complicated initiated cases of eye trauma, neurosurgical trauma, maxilloface trauma and traumatic amputation of limbs evaluated and selected for emergent evacuation to the third level hospitals. All those cases transported to Kaunas and Vilnius Universities Hospitals by helicopters (200 and 300 km from the event place). The common use of existing military and civil telemedicine infrastructure showed the possibilities of interaction in management, giving the first help and sorting of casualties between military and civil medical services during the rescue operations.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed2006

[Topic on clinical anthropology in scientific activity of docent Antanas Adomaitis].

The present paper is dedicated to docent Antanas Adomaitis, anatomist and anthropologist, former member of editorial board of journal "Medicina", on the occasion of his 65th birthday and 40 years of scientific activity. First publications of Antanas Adomatis appeared in the 1960s, and now the list of his scientific publications exceeds 140 in number. The research field of docent Antanas Adomaitis is wide and covers problems from growth and development to physical status of adult people and its changes associated with a particular period. However, his most important scientific works are in the field of clinical anthropology. Antanas Adomaitis investigated growth and maturation under pathological circumstances, body composition of adult people, prevalence of obesity, growth diversity and secular trend: in 1975 he defended his thesis entitled "Physical development and sexual maturation of children with congenital heart defects" for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, later focused on growth and development of children with congenital facial anomalies, also blind and weak-sighted children. Recently docent together with the other scientists of our Department investigates growth variety of children from different towns and rural areas of Lithuania. Antanas Adomaitis collected probably most anthropological data on Lithuanians (children and adults)--this is ponderable contribution to Lithuanian auxology and clinical anthropology, valuable material for the future researches of growth and maturation, also physical status of adult people and secular trend.

Adolescent↗