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PubMed2004

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone].

Primary lymphoma of bone is a rare condition that has been described as a malignant neoplasm formed of lymphoid and myelopoetic tissues. Morphologic substrate is formed of lymphoid cells of different evolutional stages. Primary lymphoma of bone occurs predominantly in males; a male to female ratio is 1.8:1. It may occur at any age. The sites commonly affected are the long bones. In Lithuania 400 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed every year. About 75% of them are non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Many histological types and subtypes of lymphoma exist. This variation leads to difficulties when reviewing the literature and comparing prognoses, treatment and oncologic outcomes. Treatment options for primary bone lymphoma historically have included local therapy with radiation or surgery with or without systemic therapy. The aim of surgery is prophylactic fixation of impending fractures or treatment of pathological fractures. We present a clinical case report of 40-year-old male who developed primary lymphoma of bone with pathological fracture of femur. The systemic chemotherapy was applied during the time of treatment. The choice of surgical treatment was intramedullary nailing without using of methylmethacrylate, because regeneration of bone was visible on roentgenograms. After twelve-month follow-up the patient is full weight bearing without external support.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Treatment of the leg ulcers by skin grafting.

The ulcers, located below the knees and remaining for 6 weeks and more, are called trophic leg ulcers. The leg ulcers of different etiology disable 0.8-1% of total Earth population. It was found that blood vessel problems in legs account for more than 80% of ulcers; even 65% from these are caused by venous diseases. In Lithuania about 8000 patients suffer from venous trophic ulcers. Regardless of modern methods the treatment of leg ulcers remains an extremely expensive process. The treatment cost of trophic ulcers is the highest of all surgical wounds and also requires a lot of personal investments. In order to assess the efficiency of autodermoplastics in the treatment of large venous ulcers in legs a prospective study was carried out of 111 patients who were treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital from January 2001 to January 2004. The data was analyzed exceptionally of the operated 54 patients with venous origin ulcers open for more 6 months or exceeding 50 cm2. The above-mentioned patients were prepared for surgery by dressing the wounds with hydrocolloid Granuflex bandages and were operated by transplanting a 0.2-0.3 mm thick skin graft. The results were estimated by the surgeon during the dressings after the operation. The graft was taken in 35 (64.81%) cases; in 19 (35.19%) cases the graft was partially not taken and there were no cases when it was not taken at all. We came to the conclusions that skin graft transplantation is efficient in treatment of trophic venous leg ulcers larger than 50 cm2 and cures the trophic leg ulcers of vein origin completely in 2-3 weeks for 64.81% patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Chemoprevention possibilities of lung cancer].

Objective of the paper was to review the latest scientific reference data on chemoprevention possibilities of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Lithuania. The current lung cancer therapy includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. These interventions have not produced declines in mortality rates. This overview argues strongly for new approach for controlling this disease. Chemoprevention is the use of specific natural or synthetic substances with the objective of reversing, suppressing or preventing carcinogenic progression to invasive cancer. Whether primary, secondary or tertiary prevention has the potential to improve the dismal statistics associated with this cancer? Several randomized clinical or translational chemoprevention trials have been conducted. All have so far produced either neutral (using retinal, retinyl palmitate, N-acetyl cysteine or isotretinoin) or harmful (using beta-carotene) primary endpoint results showing that lung cancer was not prevented in smokers. Secondary results supporting treatment with isotretinoin in "never" and former smokers and data from prevention trials involving selenium and vitamin E, however, are encouraging and offer a promising direction for future clinical study.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Is non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure waveform analysis possible? Preliminary results of a comparative study of non-invasive vs. invasive intracranial slow-wave waveform analysis monitoring in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: An increasing body of evidence supports the concept that intracranial pressure (ICP) slow B waves represent the auto-regulatory response of spontaneous fluctuations of cerebral perfusion pressure. A relationship between cerebral auto-regulation and clinical outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury has also been established. The objective of our prospective clinical study was to compare the B slow ICP waves obtained invasively by standard ICP monitoring to those obtained noninvasively using a new ultrasound technology. MATERIAL/METHODS: In the participating institutions, over a period of six months, thirteen consecutive patients (8 males and 5 females) with severe closed head injuries (GCS < 8) were included in our IRB-approved study. Intracranial pressure and B slow waves, as well as arterial blood pressure and waveforms, were evaluated by standard invasive techniques. Additionally, a new non-invasive ultrasound device, Vittamed (Telematics Scientific Laboratory, Kaunas, Lithuania), was employed for monitoring intracranial blood volume slow waves. Using these modalities, it was possible to compare the changes that occurred with invasive monitoring (Correlation factor RI) and the changes that occurred using non-invasive technology (Correlation factor RN). RESULTS: Bland Altman plot analysis showed positive correlation between the invasively and non-invasively obtained slow intracranial B waves (2sigma = 8.9%, p < 0.0001) and cerebral auto-regulation indexes (RI and RN) (SD = 5%, p < 0.0001). Positive RI and RN values were correlated with poor clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic technology (Vittamed) may have significant application in non-invasive continuous cerebrovascular auto-regulation monitoring in patients with severe head injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Influence of sensitization to pollen and food allergens on pollinosis clinical symptoms].

UNLABELLED: Geographic position and local plants of the country influence the profile of sensitization of the population to airborne allergens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitization pattern to pollen and food allergens in adult patients with pollinosis in Lithuania. 101 patients (age 16-63 years) suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis and 23.8% of them also diagnosed with concomitant seasonal asthma were investigated. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) was diagnosed in 29.7% of cases. The sensitization to 21 species of tree-, grass- and weed-pollen and plant food allergens was determined by positive skin prick and prick-prick test. In serum levels of total IgE and timothy and orchard grass specific IgE were determined by immunoenzyme assay. 52.5% of patients suffered from spring-summer pollinosis. 91.2% of patients were sensitized to grass-pollen allergens, 79.3% -to tree pollen-allergens. 74.7% of patients were allergic to weeds. Pollinosis starting in the spring and lasting more than sixteen weeks was associated with increased probability of OAS (OR=7.1, p<0.001 and OR=3.1, p=0.01). Sensitization to hazelnut (OR=8.6, p=0.009), birch (OR=9.6, p=0.07), lamb's quarters (OR=5.2, p=0.04) allergens and twofold and more increase in serum IgE (OR=4.8, p=0.03) were considered the significant risk factors for pollinosis with OAS. More than two times elevated serum IgE increased the probability of seasonal asthma (OR=3.4, p=0.03). Sensitization to ragweed was associated with decreased risk for asthma (OR=0.26, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that more than a half of patients (52.5%) had pollinosis symptoms during spring and summer seasons because of multiple sensitivity to pollen allergens. Sensitization to hazelnut, birch, lamb's quarters allergens, more than two times elevated serum IgE are significant risk factors for pollinosis with OAS. More than two times elevated serum IgE increased the probability of seasonal asthma, but sensitization to ragweed was associated with decreased risk for pollinosis with asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Consensus on asthma diagnosis and treatment in children and adults].

Asthma is a chronic airway disease that is a growing problem of public health. The current consensus is based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and other guidelines for asthma, and adapted for Lithuania. This Consensus provides physicians with recommendations for asthma management in children and adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Europe during the 2003-2004 season.

The 2003-2004 influenza season in Europe was dominated by the spread of the new drift variant A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like virus which was not perfectly matched with the A(H3N2) component of the influenza vaccine. Sporadic cases of this virus were detected in Europe at the end of the 2002-2003 season and influenza activity associated with this virus began relatively early during the 2003-2004 season. Generally, influenza activity first occurred in the west of Europe (Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Iberian Peninsula) in October/November and gradually moved east across Europe, affecting Latvia, Lithuania and Poland during the months of January and February 2004. In general, the intensity of clinical activity was higher than during the 2002-2003 season (in 13 out of 20 networks) and, in countries reporting age specific data, the highest consultation incidences were observed among children aged 0-14. However, despite the emergence of the A(H3N2) drift variant, clinical incidences were not especially high compared with historical data. The composition of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine has been modified compared with the 2003-2004 season and includes an A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like virus strain and a new B virus strain (a B/Shanghai/361/2002-like virus).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Treatment of rectal tumors with transanal endoscopic microsurgery].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess one and a half years experience gained in Lithuania while treating rectal tumors with transanal endoscopic microsurgery in the Centre of Abdominal Surgery of Vilnius University Hospital "Santariskiu klinikos". MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who had rectal adenomas and low-risk T1 carcinomas of good or moderate differentiation, with no lymphatic and vascular invasion were selected for surgery. Tumor stage was determined by transanal endosonoscopy and rectoscopy with multiple macrobiopsies before surgery. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were operated on. The average tumor size was 3.4+/-1.4 cm (ranged from 1 to 7 cm). Overall 25 (52.1%) carcinomas and 23 (47.9%) adenomas were removed. Pre-operative diagnoses did not correspond to the final clinical diagnoses in 14 (29.8%) cases. Forty-three (89.6%) radical operations (R0) and 5 (10.6%) doubtful complete operations (RX) were performed. One (2.1%) intra-operative complication and one (2.1%) post-operative complication were observed. After the removal of Ca T2 three patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Twenty-six patients were followed up for 3-17 months after operation: 17 after removal of cancer and 9 after removal of adenoma. One (2.1%) recurrence of a tubulovillous adenoma was diagnosed. No other complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Initial results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery obtained while treating rectal adenomas and low-risk T1 cancers are promising. The low rate of complications and recurrences in this group offers many hopes. The experience of the treatment of T2 cancers with transanal endoscopic microsurgery and adjuvant radiotherapy is limited but the results are encouraging. It is obvious that the results of randomized and controlled trials need to be awaited before definite conclusions can be drawn.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2005

[The evaluation of clinical signs and hormonal changes in women who complained of excessive body hair growth].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical signs and hormonal changes in women who complained of increased hair growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 122 female residents of Lithuania aged 18-35 years who were referred to the Clinic of Endocrinology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in 2002-2003 for excessive body hair growth. Increased body hair was graded using the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) method. Hirsutism was defined when the F-G score was > or =8. RESULTS: Hirsutism was present in 74 (60.66 %) females and in 48 (39.34 %) no hirsutism was noted. The females with hirsutism complained more frequently of infertility (p<0.05), increased greasiness of skin (p<0.05) and noted the progressing increase of hair growth (p<0.05). No differences in frequency of menstrual disorders and acne were found. The females with hirsutism had significantly higher body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, larger waist and hip circumference (p<0.001) and higher waist/hip ratio (p<0.01). The significantly higher levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (p<0.05), higher values of free androgen index (p<0.001) and significantly lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (p<0.01) were found in females with hirsutism. Women were prone to overestimate the increased hair growth, when compared with the physician's assessment (p<0.05). No significant difference was found (p>0.05) comparing the mean values of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free androgen index and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate between two groups divided according to the subjective evaluation of excessive hair growth by females. CONCLUSIONS: Women are prone to overestimate the increased hair growth. The significantly higher levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, higher values of free androgen index and lower levels of sex hormone binding globulin (p<0.01) were found in females with hirsutism. The females with hirsutism complained more frequently of infertility, increased greasiness of skin, had higher body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, larger waist and hip circumference and higher waist/hip ratio.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2005

[Evaluation of occupational risk factors and laboratory workers' health in biochemical and clinical laboratories of hospitals of Kaunas city].

UNLABELLED: Impact of occupational risk factors on the health of hospital laboratories workers is not entirely assessed in Lithuania. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the main health disorders of laboratory workers and to define the relationship between the health complaints and working conditions in biochemical and clinical laboratories. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 2002. The questionnaire with questions on the most frequent health disorders and main occupational hazards, lifestyle factors, etc., was distributed among workers of biochemical and clinical laboratories in 6 hospitals of Kaunas city. Odds ratios with significance level p< or =0.05 were calculated. RESULTS: 112 laboratory workers completed the questionnaire. Laboratory assistants were exposed to higher number of workplace hazards rather than other workers. All health complaints were also more prevalent among laboratory assistants. Weakness, sleepiness at work, headache and sleep disturbances were the most prominent complaints among them to compare with other occupations. Skin irritation due to chemicals (chlorine compounds and hydrogen peroxide mainly) was more frequent among laboratory assistants as well. The most frequent localization of irritation was in hands. Complaints due to eyestrain were found in almost one third of responders. Neck pain, back pain, waist pain and joint pain due to long lasting fixed position was rather frequent among laboratory workers. Inconvenient work posture increased risk for waist pain (OR=1.65; p>0.05), neck pain (OR=2.32; p>0.05) and sleep disorders (OR=4.32; p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between health disorders and work experience. Mental stress is common in job of laboratory workers. CONCLUSIONS: More than one third of workers work in inconvenient posture, most of them spent in this position more than a half of work time. Inconvenient work position significantly increases risk for hand numbness sleep disorders and joint pain. Skin irritation and rash, especially in hands, caused by chlorine compounds, soap and water is quite common among laboratory workers, mainly assistants. Mental stress is common in job of laboratory workers. No statistically significant relationship between health complains and work duration was found.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Comparison of health-related quality of life between patients with rheumatic diseases and a control group].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the health-related quality of life between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and a control group. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Eighty-eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 40 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 40 women who did not suffer from any inflammatory joint disease (control group) participated in this comparative study. The questionnaires they completed included information about their sociodemographic status and comorbidities. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus were assessed for pain (visual analogical scale), extra-articular manifestations, and disease activity; also they completed questionnaires for the evaluation of physical function (Health Assessment Questionnaire--HAQ) and burden of arthritis (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale). All groups under investigation completed the health-related quality questionnaire SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36) validated in Lithuania. RESULTS: The study of health-related quality of life of women with rheumatic disease showed that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had stronger pain (p=0.017). It was also found that the activity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was more limited because of emotional problems (p=0.038). No significant differences were found in other areas of life quality. It was recognized that in comparison to other groups, the quality of life of the control group was better (p=0.000) from the point of view of physical activity, limitations of activity because of physical problems, pain, overall health status and social relations. The psychological status of the latter was undoubtedly worse. CONCLUSIONS: In this study it was found that all patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus had evaluated most of the aspects of health-quality very similarly. Significant differences have been determined when assessing pain and limitation of activity because of emotional problems. The health-related quality of life of the control group is definitely better than that of the rest in most aspects, except for the psychological one.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

The Baltic Health Network - Taking Secure, Internet-based Healthcare Networks to the Next Level.

Internet-based health care networks are a step forward compared to first generation health care networks, which has been limited to pushing text-based messages between different systems. An Internet-based network can also "pull" data - and not only text but any digital data - for instance images and video sequences. The Internet-based networks can more effectively fulfil the vision of access to relevant data regardless of time and location. Although far from identical, the health delivery systems of Denmark, Norway and Sweden are similar. They also share a shortage of specialized health personnel - not least radiologists and in some regions obstetricians. Furthermore, over the past ten years they have implemented an IT-strategy to increase efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services. Part of this strategy has been to build three national networks on top of the existing regional, secure and Internet-based healthcare networks. These national networks connect not only all hospitals in the three countries, but also a majority of the other stakeholders in the healthcare sector (GPs, private specialists, laboratories, homecare services etc.). The organizations behind the three networks are now working on creating a trans-national network, the Baltic Health Network (BHN), which will be one of the outcomes of the Baltic eHealth project and will not only connect the three national networks but also add two hospital networks from Lithuania and Estonia. The BHN is expected to be operational by June 2005. One of major advantages of the BHN is that the many rural hospitals of the Baltic Sea Area with a few mouse clicks can reach a specialist for second opinion in any of the approximately 200 hospitals connected to the network. For instance the midwives in the rural areas of Västerbottan County, Sweden, are awaiting the establishment of BHN to get access to second opinions from specialists at National Center for Foetal Medicine at the University Hospital of Trondheim, Norway. The BHN will remove a very important technical barrier for collaboration between health professionals and the Baltic eHealth project hopes that this and other project initiatives will facilitate the large-scale usage of second opinion from available health care experts regardless of institutional, regional and even national borders. This will lift the quality of service to patients in the Baltic Sea Region - especially in the rural areas where highly specialized health professionals tend to be geographically far away.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed2005

[Genetic variants of Borrelia afzelii, a pathogen of the ixodes tick borrelioses].

Borrelia afzelii is one of two most important pathogens of the ixodes tick borrelioses (ITB) in Russia and neighboring countries. This pathogen circulates in various ecosystems and has a wide range of reservoir hosts and transmitters. The results of studies of genetic heterogeneity of the spirochaetae B. afzelii are considered. A total of 139 primary isolates were studied. The isolates were isolated from three species of Ixodes ticks at different stages of development and obtained from the laboratory of infection transmitters, Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russran Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow. The transmitters and reservoir hosts of borrelias were caught in natural foci of Russia (from Kaliningrad region irk the west to south Sakhalin in the east), Czechia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, and Moldavia. Analysis of genotype sequence similarity obtained by sequencing of the rrf(SS)-rrl(23S) spacer demonstrated that the B. afzelii genospecies incorporated no less than 10 genetic variants of spirochaetae, most variants being geographically widespread.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of burned hand function (early versus delayed treatment).

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was analyze the results of hand function in adult patients with deep partial thickness hand burns. All patients were treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in Lithuania during the period 2001-2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 79 cases were reviewed prospectively. We divided the studied patients into two groups by the envelope method (A group of early and B of delayed necrectomy and plasty). Two treatment methods--early and delayed surgery--have been analyzed. We present results of analysis of hand function in the periods of 3 and 12 months after the burn injuries of the hands. RESULTS: During the study we ascertain that the deficiency of hand function in group A 3 and 12 months after the injury was lower than that in group B. The deficiencies of hand and arm functions decreased over time. After a period of 12 months the deficiency of hand and arm functions in group A reached 12%, while in group B the deficiencies of hand and arm function reached 23% and 26.5%, respectively. The study revealed that the deficiency of hand function because of wrist and hand burn depended on the age of patient, the area of hand burn, time period from the injury to the arriving to a hospital and time to the operation. The strength of digit pinch and hand grasp was larger in group A. Twelve months after the burn the strength measured in A and B groups was larger than that measured 3 months after the burn. The strength of hand grasp in group A in male patients regenerated up to 76%, in female--61% of norm. In group B the strength of hand grasp in male patients regenerated up to 60.8% and in female--39.36%. CONCLUSIONS: During the perspective analysis it was determined that after periods of 3 and 12 months after the injury the strength pinch and grip was statistically significantly larger in group A. The deficiency of hand function, which indicates the general hand function, was statistically significantly lower in group A.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[The influence of common perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) on non-specific cell-mediated immunity--phagocytosis activity].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of plant preparations, obtained from Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton introduced in Lithuania, on non-specific cell-mediated immunity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-specific cellular immunity was estimated by phagocytosis activity. The study of phagocytosis activity in peripheral rabbits blood (ability of leukocytes to phagocyte polystyrene latex parts of 0.8 microm diameter) was performed before (control) and after the experiments (injecting or administering per os perilla leaves extracts for one week and four weeks, respectively). The extracts were prepared from the leaves of perilla using repercolation method. For the studies in vitro the extract containing 1 mg/ml of perilla was used. In the studies in vitro two preparations of Perilla frutescens were used: 1) 32% sterile aqueous solution derivable from extract of perilla leaves and 2) 38% ethanol extract of perilla leaves. RESULTS. The phagocytosis activity studies in vitro showed that after 30 minutes of incubation with Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton extract phagocytosis activity was stimulated from 39+/-1.2 to 61+/-2.2% (p<0.001). Phagocytosis index increased from 1.26 to 1.79. The experiments in vivo showed that injected perilla leaves preparation to rabbits (1.2 mg/kg) increased phagocytic activity compared to the control (32.17+/-2.13%). The largest increase of phagocytosis activity was detected after seven days - 40.67+/-4.68%. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils in peripheral blood of rabbits increased after oral administration of perilla leaves extracts already after one week, but the largest increase of phagocytic activity was detected after four weeks (62.00+/-2.76%). CONCLUSIONS: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton contains natural substances that increase the activity of phagocytes in vivo and in vitro and stimulate phagocytosis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Experience of treatment of moyamoya disease at the Clinic of Neurosurgery of Kaunas University of Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease was first described in Japan and represents characteristic appearance on cerebral angiography an abnormal network ("puff of smoke") of collaterals around stenotic arteries. This disease is characterized by progressive intracranial vascular obliterations of the circle of Willis, resulting in successive ischemic or hemorrhagic events. Moyamoya disease primarily occurs among orient people (Japanese, Koreans, Caucasians) and is very rare in Lithuania. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate long-term effectiveness of cerebral revascularization in order to prevent cerebral ischemic and hemorrhagic events in patients with moyamoya disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1995, 14 patients with moyamoya disease have been treated at the Clinic of Neurosurgery of Kaunas University of Medicine. All patients underwent neurological examination, computed tomography or/and magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial Doppler sonography, single photon emission computed tomography and four vessels cerebral angiography investigations. The diagnosis of moyamoya disease was confirmed by cerebral angiography. Cerebral ischemia was observed in 7 cases and cerebral hemorrhage was detected in the other 7 moyamoya disease patients. Neurological disability was evaluated using the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, and performance in the active daily life using the Barthel Index. The degree of handicap was assessed with the Rankin Scale. Different surgical procedures (superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis, encephalosynangiosis, bifrontal free omental flap) were applied for cerebral revascularization of moyamoya disease patients. RESULTS: The diagnosis of moyamoya disease was confirmed by cerebral angiography in all our patients. Ten patients were selected for surgical brain revascularization. The main criterion for selection of patients for surgery was hypoperfusion of the brain on single photon emission computed tomography. During follow-up period (mean follow-up period was 36 months) there were no rebleeding or ischemic events in both surgical groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral angiography is the main diagnostic procedure which confirms the diagnosis of moyamoya disease. Cerebral hypoperfusion on single photon emission computed tomography is the main criterion for selection of patients for cerebral revascularization. Extra-intracranial anastomosis is an effective procedure for preventing both ischemic and hemorrhagic events in moyamoya patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Salt-preserved foods and risk of gastric cancer.

UNLABELLED: Gastric cancer is one of the main health issues in Lithuania. The risk factors of the disease are related to nutrition and environment. There were no epidemiological studies on this subject in the country. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between risk of gastric cancer and consumption of salt and salt-preserved food. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A hospital based case-control study included 379 cases with newly histologically confirmed diagnosis of gastric cancer and 1,137 controls that were cancer and gastric diseases free. Cases and controls matched by gender and age (+/-5 years). Ratio of cases and controls was 1:3. A questionnaire was used to collect information on possible risk factors of gastric cancer. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for gastric cancer were calculated by a conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Cases had significantly lower education level and mostly resided in villages. After adjustments for other dietary habits and smoking, alcohol consumption, family history on cancer, education level, and residence, higher risk of gastric cancer was found for those using salt additionally to prepared meal or those who liked salty food. After controlling for other food items that were associated with gastric cancer and smoking, alcohol consumption, family history on cancer, education level, and residence, body mass index at 20 years of age, and physical activity, intake of salted meat (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.12-3.04, 1-3 times/month vs. almost never; OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.43-3.42, > or =1-2 times/week vs. almost never), smoked meat (OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.23-2.60, > or =3-4 times/week vs. < or =1-2 times/week), smoked fish (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.13-2.53, > or =1-2 times/week vs. < or =1-3 times/month) was significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Consumption of salted mushrooms was found to increase the risk of gastric cancer, however, this increase was not statistically significant. In conclusion, higher risk of gastric cancer is found for people that like salty food, salt-preserved meat as well as fish.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contribution of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to Nephrology.

The Central and Eastern European (CEE) region now consisting of 19 countries with a total population of more than 400 million. From ancient times to recent years the history of this area has been tempestuous with often changing borders, loss of independence and its eventual recovery even after many years. Despite such a complicated history in this region some excellent physicians and scientists were able to establish the basis of modern nephrology. This paper records the development of clinical nephrology and renal replacement therapy in CEE region. Data from 9 countries (Bulgaria, Byelorussia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia) was collected. Mentioned are internationally recognized early nephrologists like: Karl Rokitansky (1804-1878) -- Czech origin, famous pathologist; Sergey Zimnicki (1873-1927) -- Byelorussian physician, founder of the urine concentration test; Sandor Korany (1866-1944) -- Hungarian scientist who described hyposthenuria in chronic renal failure; Stefan Rozenak -- Hungarian working on PD problems, or Emerich Ullmann (1866-1897) - Hungarian, one of the pioneers of transplantation. During more recent years other clinicians working in the region (eg. Jan Brod (1912-1985) -- Czech nephrologist) developed clinical nephrology and renal replacement therapy in the region. Nowadays in all countries mentioned, strong nephrological centers connected with University Hospitals are present and many new ones are coming into existence in regional and local hospitals. Renal replacement therapy was generally underdeveloped for many years, but after political and economical liberation real progress was achieved in this matter in most of the countries. Nephrologists from CEE region, especially from Czech Republic and Hungary, have been very ac-tive organizing many international meetings (ISN, EDTA, ESAO, EDTNA etc) and some of them participate in the boards and councils of these organizations. Summarizing this overview one has to conclude that CEE countries have participated actively in the progress of the modern nephrology, especially during the last century. (On behalf of the CEE group).

Europe↗