Showing papers in "Collegium Antropologicum in 2003"

Morphological differences of elite Croatian soccer players according to the team position.

Abstract: Team position is of extreme importance in interpretation of morphological data because there are specific demands for a specific play position. The aim of the study was the analysis of morphological characteristics and body composition of elite Croatian soccer players with respect to their team position. The measurements were performed on 57 soccer players, members of the First Croatian National League. The anthropometrical measurement encompassed 13 variables. Descriptive statistics, t-test and MANOVA were used in data processing. The goalkeepers were the tallest and the heaviest (182.9 +/- 4.3 cm; 80.1 +/- 5.1 kg), and had significantly higher amounts of body fat (20.2% goalkeepers vs. 13-15% others; p < 0.05), whereas the forwards and the midfield players were on the average about 3 cm shorter. The goalkeepers had longer legs and arms (p < 0.05), and the largest biacromial diameter (43.2 +/- 1.9 cm). The forwards were the shortest on the average (179.2 +/- 6.3 cm). The lowest values of fat tissue were found in defenders (13.9%) and midfield players (14.4%). In conclusion, the differences in morphological characteristics according to the team position were noticed only in goalkeepers, especially regarding their height, weight and the percentage of fat tissue.

The role of the low energy diet in psoriasis vulgaris treatment.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine whether and how the low energy diet acts on reduce of plasma lipids and clinical features of moderate non pustular psoriasis vulgaris. The investigation carried out in Clinical hospital Osijek, at Department of Dermatology as well as at Nutrition Department, included 82 in-patients, aged 46 to 65 (mean age 53.7 +/- 7.9), which had at least a 10-year history of the skin disorders. 42 participants (22 men and 20 women) in addition to usual topical therapy (neutral bland ointments twice daily), received a low energy diet during four weeks. Controls (40 participants: 22 men and 18 women) received only topical therapy with regular hospital food. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in blood, body weight and clinical features were measured at the beginning of investigation and after four weeks. After four weeks participants on low energy diet showed statistical significantly decreasing of serum lipids in relation to control group as well as significantly decreasing of clinical skin disorders. On contrary there were no significant changes on body weight between both groups of participants. Results of our study suggest that low energy diet could be important adjuvant factor in the prevention and treatment of moderate non pustular psoriasis.

Obesity and low back pain.

Abstract: Obesity and low back pain (LBP) are common health problems among patients attending Primary Health Care (PHC) in general practice at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity is associated with low back pain. A cross-sectional face-to-face interview questionnaire survey was conducted. The questionnaire was a modified version of the Roland-Morris Scale for evaluating back disability. The interviews were conducted in Arabic by qualified nurses. A multi-stage stratified sample 1,103 UAE national aged 25-65 years, who attended PHC clinics for any reason, were invited to participate but only 802 subjects were eligible to be included for the statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Of the 802 subjects, 428 (53.4%) were males and 374 (46.6%) were females. The mean age of the males was 40.5 +/- 11.5 years and females was 38.2 +/- 10.5 years (p = 0.004). The mean BMI of the males was 26.4 +/- 7.4 and females was 27.8 +/- 5.6 (p = 0.002). The overall prevalence of LBP in the present study was 64.9% (95% confidence interval, 61.0-68.8) and respectively, 56.1% in males and 73.8% in females. The results revealed that there was association between BMI and some socio-demographic variables with the respect of with low back pain. Back pain had more influence on the life style habits on females than in males. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that only age (p < 0.0001), educational level (p = 0.001), gender (p = 0.002), place of living (p = 0.019), BMI (p < 0.0001), and housing condition (p = 0.02) had significant effect on the presence of LBP in patients. The present study showed that obesity is moderately associated with low back pain.

Migration of phthalates from plastic products to model solutions.

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to determine the level and rate of migration of phthalates, compounds used as plastic softeners, from various plastic products into model solutions and to assess the possible adverse effects of the phthalate amounts released on human health, thus to contribute to harmonization of the opinions on the maximal allowed human exposure to these compounds through environmental factors. Nine specimens of plastic toys, 16 specimens of plastic food containers and 10 specimens of other plastic consumer goods were analyzed. The specimens of plastic products were submitted to 10-day action of model solutions. Three model solutions were used: distilled water, 10% ethyl alcohol, and 3% acetic acid. Identification and quantification of the phthalates released were performed by the method of gas chromatography on days 1, 5 and 10 of exposure, at a detection limit of 0.005 microgram/kg. On day 10, the highest level of released phthalates (54.5 mg/kg) was measured in distilled water, followed by 44.4 mg/kg in 3% acetic acid and 32.3 mg/kg in 10% ethyl alcohol. According to plastic product categories, the highest pooled level of phthalates released to all three solutions was recorded for plastic toys (66.2 mg/kg), followed by food containers (37.6 mg/kg) and other consumer goods (27.4 mg/kg). According to plastic product categories, toys showed the most rapid phthalate release, with 65.4% (43.3 of 66.2 mg/kg) of the pooled level of phthalates released to all three solutions recorded on day 1. As indicated by the study results, the levels of phthalates released would not present a hazard for human health, not even over a prolonged period of time. However, data on the highest and fastest pooled phthalate release from plastic toys, and this especially to distilled water simulating salivary action, point to the need of continuous evaluation and amendments of the legislation on phthalates in consumer goods.

Anthropological and clinical characteristics in adolescent women with dysmenorrhea.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in female adolescents and the influence of anthropological characteristics and lifestyle factors on menstrual pain. Two hundred and ninety seven girls from several elementary and secondary schools were interviewed about the presence of the menstrual pain, their age, height and weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, smoking and sexual activity. There were 164 (55%) subjects with and one hundred and thirty three (45%) without dysmenorrhea. The adolescents with dysmenorrhea answered the questions about missing activities and taking pills for pain. No difference was observed between the girls with and the girls without dysmenorrhea in their chronological age, height, weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, cigarette smoking and sexual activity. In the group of dysmenorrheic adolescents there was infrequent missing activities and bedrest, but missing school was observed in 22 percent and taking pills for pain was observed in 96 percent of the subjects. Young girls who experienced menstrual pain are good candidates for a prophylactic therapy, such as hormonal contraception. A replication of this study is needed for public health services in the future to improve the quality of life of the dysmenorrheic young women.

Gender-Specific Growth Patterns for Stature, Sitting Height and Limbs Length in Croatian Children and Youth (3 to 18 Years of Age)

Abstract: In a cross-sectional study of growth, 5,155 children (2,591 females, 2,564 males) from the town of Zagreb (Croatia) were measured. Four traits of linear dimensionality (stature, sitting height, arm and leg lengths) were studied in the age span of 3 to 18 years. A significant average annual increase of all four anthropometric parameters were observed up to 14 and 15 years of age in girls and 16 years of age in boys, showing that girls had a shorter growing period. In the prepubertal period until 9 years of age, gender differences were negligible. At the age of 10, boys were overgrown by girls in all parameters due to the earlier onset of puberty in girls. The growth gains for girls, when compared with those for boys, show a different pattern across variables. The female growth advantage remained in a two years period for the limbs length, but in a three year period for stature and the longest, for 4 years, for sitting height. The male predominance in size had an onset at the age of 13 for the limbs and in the age of 14 for stature and sitting height. The patterns of sexual dimorphism in stature and sitting height during growing years are similar to those observed in other populations of Europe. Growth of Croatian children and youth is very similar to that of the tallest European populations.

Hair testing for drugs of abuse.

Abstract: Hair testing for drugs of abuse is a developing technology, which offers the possibility of longer detection times than is commonly obtained with urine analysis. It is the main method for evaluation of an individual's drugs of abuse history. In many countries hair analysis is routinely used to detect drug abuse in forensic cases, occupational and traffic medicine and clinical toxicology. Hair analysis in pregnant women, neonates and infants is a useful tool for the detection of drug exposure in utero. In Croatia hair testing for drugs of abuse is performed at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health. Three-year experience in drugs of abuse analysis in hair is described. In 331 hair samples (270 from adolescents and 61 from adults) opiates and metabolites, cocaine, methadone, and amphetamines were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Most prevalent drugs of abuse in adolescents were amphetamines, and in adults heroin. From the examples cited and samples analyzed it is evident that hair testing is emerging as a reliable biological marker for cumulative account of individual exposure to drugs of abuse.

Attitudes of medical staff towards the psychiatric label "schizophrenic patient" tested by an anti-stigma questionnaire.

Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate the opinions and attitudes of medical staff towards schizophrenic patients. The research included three groups of examinees, 200 physicians of various specialties, 200 nurses and technicians working in Zagreb city hospitals, and 200 3rd and 4th year students of the School of Medicine in Zagreb. Previously validated anti-stigma questionnaire was used, consisting of 25 questions divided into three thematic groups, structured and adapted to the specific requirements of this study. The results were mutually compared and statistically analyzed by applying the chi 2-test. Significant difference (p < 0.01) between the answers of physicians and those of medical students was found in questions 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, and between physicians and nurses/technicians in answers to questions 4, 15, 22, 23. Significant difference (p < 0.01) between the answers given by nurses/technicians and medical students was found in questions 10, 13, 22, 23. The results point to the existence of prejudices and stigmatizing attitudes in all three investigated groups. The most frequent reasons for stigmatizing attitude of students are based on fear and insufficient knowledge about mental patients and schizophrenia as a disease, while there are a high percentage of positive answers to the questions on rehabilitation and resocialization. The nurses/technicians also show a high degree of mistrust towards schizophrenic patients and mostly answer with "I don't know", thus presenting insufficiently formed attitudes about the mentioned problems. The physicians in their answers confirm fear, mistrust and stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenic patients found in general population in Croatia. The consequences of such attitudes are the low quality of life of schizophrenic patients, and slow, often incomplete, resocialization.

Craniofacial anthropometric analysis in Down's syndrome patients.

Abstract: Past investigations of Down's syndrome (DS) have indicated that there are marked abnormalities in the craniofacial morphology. The aim of this study was to establish the craniofacial anthropometric variables which discriminate DS group from healthy population and also to observe the changes occurring with growth. Using noninvasive method of craniofacial anthropometry, craniofacial pattern profile (CFPP) analysis (from twenty-five anthropometric measurements per person) was performed in 104 DS individuals and 365 healthy controls, aged seven to fifty-seven and divided into four age ranges. Z-scores were calculated for each variable and the variations in the craniofacial region have been identified by multivariate discriminative analysis. The results showed that three variables (head length (g-op), head circumference (OFC) and outer canthal distance (ex-ex) were responsible for 85.68% variability (p < 0.001). The analysis of z-scores showed that the majority of variables were in subnormal (under -2 SD) and normal range (from -2SD to +2SD), but none of them was in the supernormal range (over the +2SD). Some craniofacial characteristics are age-related. On the basis of craniofacial anthropometric traits it was possible to separate even 91.35% of DS patients from the healthy population. It could be concluded that these findings demonstrate the usefulness of application of CFPP in defining abnormal craniofacial dimensions in DS individuals.

Alu insertions in the Iberian Peninsula and north west Africa--genetic boundaries or melting pot?

Abstract: The Western Mediterranean Basin joins a set of ethnically different populations as Iberians and Basques in the North shore and Berbers and Arab-speakers in the South one. In spite of this differentiation, they have maintained historical contacts since ancient times. The existence of a possible common genetic background (specially for Berbers and Iberians) together with the genetic impact of the Islamic occupation of the Iberian Peninsula during 7 centuries are some of the intriguing anthropological questions that have been studied in this area using several classical and DNA markers. The aim of this work is to present the results on a survey of polymorphic Alu elements in 10 human populations of the Western Mediterranean. Recent Alu subfamilies include a significant number of polymorphic Alu insertions in humans. The polymorphic Alu elements are neutral genetic markers of identical descent with known ancestral states. This fact turns Alu insertions into useful markers for the study of human population genetics. A total number of 14 Alu insertions were analyzed in 5 Iberian populations, 3 Berber groups from North-Western Africa, an Arab-speaker population from Morocco and a sub-Saharan ethnic group from Ivory Coast. The results of this study allow the genetic characterization of Berber populations, which show a certain degree of differentiation from Arab-speaking groups of the same geographic area. Furthermore, a closer genetic distance between South Spain and Moroccan Berbers as compared with other Spanish samples supports a major genetic influx consistent with some (but not all) previous genetic studies on populations from the two shores of the Gibraltar Straits.

Measurement of mandibular movements in patients with temporomandibular disorders and in asymptomatic subjects.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the range of mandibular movements and to analyze the difference in range of mouth opening, right and left lateral movements, and protrusive movement between patients with clinical diagnoses of temporomandibular disorders and asymptomatic subjects (control group) in a young male population. A total of 240 subjects, aged 19-28, were included in the study. The TMD sample comprised 180 patients (60 patients with muscle disorders ; 60 patients with disc displacement with reduction ; and 60 patients with muscle disorders and disc displacement with reduction) and was compared with 60 healthy control subjects. All participants were evaluated by the attending dentists at baseline by means of a physical examination of the masticatory system and a history questionnaire which included the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I measures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the post hoc Bonferroni criteria showed significant difference in ranges of mandibular movements between and within the groups of asymptomatic subjects and TMD patients for active mouth opening (p = 0.001), right lateral movement (p = 0.002), left lateral movement (p = 0.006), and protrusive movement (p = 0.05). It has been found that there are statistically significant differences in the range of mandibular movements that separate asymptomatic subjects and patients with muscle disorders and disc displacements with reduction in this young male population. However, we cannot conclude that measurements of active mandibular movements can discriminate one group (TMD patients) from the other (asymptomatic subjects), because the mean ranges of these active movements between the groups were measured in clinically "normal" values.

Pediatric Urolithiasis in Croatia

Abstract: A retrospective review was performed of the records of 148 Croatian children with urolithiasis treated between 1989 and 2003. The study evaluated age, gender, family history, clinical symptoms, location of stone, laboratory findings, stone composition, mode of treatment and compared our results with data from higher and lower socio-economic countries. The mean age of our patients was 9.38 years (10 months to 18 years). Thirty-seven children (25%) were less than 5 years (group 1), 44 (29.7%) were between 5 and 10 years (group 2) and 67 (45.3%) were older than 10 years of age (group 3). There were 60 girls and 88 boys with overall male to female ratio of 1.47. Abdominal pain (83%) and haematuria (59.5%) were the main symptoms in the groups 2 and 3. Urinary tract infection was predominant symptom in the group 1 (62.1%). Calculi were located in the kidney in 90 children (60.8%), in the ureter in 39 (26.4%), in the bladder in 8 (5.4%). Urinary tract anomalies with or without infection were associate with a greater frequency of urolithiasis in the youngest age group and hypercalciuria was predominant cause in children over 5. Stone analysis was performed in 80 children. Predominant constituent of stones was calcium oxalate (48.7%), followed by struvite (25%), calcium phosphate (13.7%), cystine (10%) and uric acid (1.2%). Calcium oxalate stones were most common in all age groups. Struvite stones were most prevalent in the children younger than 5 years of age. Most patients (33.1%) underwent surgery for removal of their calculi. In 31.8% of children stones were passed spontaneously and the highest spontaneous passage rate was in the group 3 (37.3%). Stone composition, location and etiology in Croatian children are similar to those in developed Western countries.

Influence of occlusal stabilization splint on the asymmetric activity of masticatory muscles in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.

Abstract: The aim of present study was to evaluate the symmetry of masticatory muscles' activity at various clenching levels in the intercuspal position in patients with functional disorders and in healthy subjects. The purpose was also to determine the effect of full-arch maxillary stabilization splint on the asymmetry of masticatory muscle activity in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction. In this study 6 TMD patients and 12 healthy subjects were investigated. Surface EMG recordings were obtained from left and right anterior temporal, left and right masseter and from the sub-mandibular group in the region of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle on the left and right side during clenching with the maximum 100% voluntary contraction (MVC) as well as during clenching at 50% and 25% of the maximum activity in the position of maximal intercuspation of teeth. In order to quantify asymmetrical masticatory muscle activity, the asymmetry index (AI) was calculated for each subject and for each muscle from the average anterior temporal, masseter and digastric potentials recorded during each test (100% MVC, 50% MVC and 25% MVC). In the group of patients EMG recordings were repeated during and after the splint therapy. The asymmetries of masticatory muscle activity was present in both groups, but in the group of TMD patients the asymmetry indices for anterior temporal muscle at 100% MVC (p = 0.049) and 50% MVC (p = 0.031) were significantly higher. Results have shown that the use of splint suppressed the asymmetry of all muscles, as during the splint therapy the asymmetry indices were lowered. After the therapy, the level of temporal muscle symmetry during submaximal clenching in the intercuspal position increased significantly (p = 0.046). This investigation points out that electromyography may be a valuable method of documenting that asymmetric activity of masticatory muscles improves after occlusal splint therapy in patients with TMD.

Sexual life after cervical carcinoma.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the differences in sexual life of women with cervical cancer after surgery and radiation therapy. A total of 210 patients treated for cervical cancer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia between March 2001 and March 2003 were asked to fill in the questionnaire. Sexual life had worsened in 42.86% of the surgical patients, as had in 25.00% of irradiated patients (p 0.05)). More than 80% of patients didn't notice any changes in their partner's behavior. Almost every third woman felt certain change in her body image, , , similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Need for consultations regarding sex life after diagnosis were recognized by 71.43% of patients. In conclusion we can say that considerable amount of attention should be given to psychological and sexual aspects of recovery of patients, because those aspects can significantly influence patients rehabilitation and prognosis.

Analysis of indicators of load during the game in activity of the second line attacker in water polo.

Abstract: Water polo, as an activity, belongs in the category of polystructural complex move sports. The activities of a player’s in role of second line attacker is observed on the sample of competitive games in the First national league. The study is aimed to define a set of new measurement variables for the objective recording of amount, intensity and duration of player's activities, and its evaluation by means of factor validity criteria. On the sample of 87 players, 29 variables were applied. Competent, trained officials made measurements. Basic statistics of all measured variables is presented as referent values of various player activities. In the factor analysis, three factors are found to be significant, explaining 84.6% of source variability, which is a subset of multivariate normally, distributed variables. Factors are interpreted as: »quantity of actions«, »intensity of activity in the vertical body posture«, and »intensity and extensity of activity in horizontal body posture«. Of the last two, body posture is found to be specific in water polo, due to specifics of the game that is played in water. It is concluded that the proposed variables and measurement procedures are very well suited and objectively instrument for the purpose of measurement of the energetic aspect of kinesiological activity analysis.

Incidence of temporomandibular disorders at tooth loss in the supporting zones.

Abstract: Although the literature reports that occlusal disorders can be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), their direct scientific correlation is still mainly unproved. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of symptoms and signs of TMD and tissue-specific diagnoses in a population of subjects with tooth loss in the supporting zones. The study was conducted on 196 partially edentulous subjects (Eichner's class II and III) at the average age of 51.2. Manual functional analysis was used as a diagnostic procedure. Chi-square test for independent samples was used for establishing the significance of the differences between the variables. In the total sample, 16.3% of the subjects had symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), while in 46.9% of the subjects a tissue-specific diagnosis of TMD was found. The most frequent tissue-specific diagnoses were osteoarthrosis and total or partial anterolateral disc displacement. A statistically significant difference between Eichner's class II and III was found for the tissue-specific diagnoses of myofascitis of the lateral pterygoid muscle, partial anterolateral disc displacement and capsulitis. The results of this study suggest that the incidence and intensity of TMD are higher in subjects with greater tooth loss in the supporting zones, regardless of their sex.

Comparison of Digital Rectal Examination and Prostate Specific Antigen in Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Abstract: This study compares the value of digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) determination in the detection of prostate cancer. 1,000 men aged > or = 50 from the Osijek surroundings were examined. The subjects with prostatitis were excluded from the study. The subjects with elevated concentration of total prostate specific antigen and/or digital rectal examination suspect of carcinoma underwent prostate biopsy. The rate of prostate cancer detection showed to be 3.3% for PSA > 4 ng/ml, 2% for abnormal finding of DRE, and 3.7% for combination of the two methods. Out of 35 patients with prostate cancer detected, 19 had suspect DRE finding and 32 had PSA exceeding 4 ng/ml. Thus, PSA pointed to the diagnosis of prostate cancer in 91.4%, and abnormal finding of DRE in 54.2% of cases, the difference being statistically significant. The positive predictive value was 48.7% for abnormal finding of DRE, 47% for PSA > 4 ng/ml, and 80.0% for the combination of both. Although PSA determination detected a considerable proportion of tumors missed on DRE, the former alone was found to be insufficient as a screening method because of its inadequate sensitivity. When combined with digital rectal examination, the probability of prostate cancer detection increased considerably.

Corrosion behaviour of the Co-Cr-Mo dental alloy in solutions of different composition and different pH values

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how Co-Cr-Mo dental alloy behaves in the solutions of different pH value and different composition over a relatively long period of time. Co-Cr-Mo dental alloy was exposed in vitro to either simulated saliva (phosphate buffer pH 6.0), a highly acidic medium resembling the extreme conditions in the oral cavity (phosphate buffer pH 3.5), and in lactic acid at pH which occurs under the dental plaque (lactic acid pH 3.5). The alloy samples were immersed in these three solution for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. Solutions were analysed with the ICP-AES. The analysis showed that during one month cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) ions had been released from tested samples in all three solutions. The results of this study indicate that the leaching of the Co, Cr, Fe, Zn and Ni ions in the solution was dependent both upon the nature of the solution in which the alloy was immersed and the duration of the immersion (p < 0.001).

Toxic Metals in Freshwater Fish from the Zagreb Area as Indicators of Environmental Pollution

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to determine the levels of heavy metals and metalloids in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area. A total of 216 freshwater fish samples from 5 sites were examined: Sava river upstream from Zagreb, Sava river at Zagreb, Sava river downstream from Zagreb, Jarun Lake, and 5 "ecologic" fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings. The metals lead, cadmium, mercury and the metalloid arsenic were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean pooled levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic in all fish samples were 112.3 +/- 95 micrograms/kg, 8.5 +/- 11 micrograms/kg and 23.5 +/- 36 micrograms/kg, and did not exceed the allowed levels of 1,000 mg/kg, 100 micrograms/kg and 200 micrograms/kg, respectively. In 4 fish samples, the levels of mercury exceeded the allowed limit of 500 micrograms/kg (509, 596, 605 and 788 micrograms/kg), however, the pooled mean level of mercury was 127.8 +/- 90 micrograms/kg. There was no major difference in the levels of heavy metals between the two fish families observed, although the levels of lead, cadmium and mercury were higher in the family Ictaluridae (144 vs. 107 micrograms/kg, 10.4 vs. 8.2 micrograms/kg, and 153 vs. 124 micrograms/kg, respectively), whereas the level of arsenic was higher in the family Cyprinidae (23.8 vs. 21.8 micrograms/kg). Although the Sava river at Zagreb is the main recipient of sewage and wastewater in the Republic of Croatia, the levels of heavy metals were within the allowed limits in all groups of freshwater fish samples, with the exception of 4 samples that contained moderately elevated levels of mercury. Study results suggest that only mercury could be considered a good indicator of environmental pollution, because higher levels of mercury were measured in the fish from the Sava river than in the fish from the Jarun Lake and fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings, considering both pooleded and fish family specified data.

Periodontal conditions in individuals with Down's syndrome.

Abstract: Periodontal disease in Down's syndrome (DS) population seems to be a more common and serious problem than caries. The aim of this study was to assess the state of periodontal structures in patients with DS. The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs was used for periodontal status assessment in 71 DS subjects aged 9-34 years. A control group consisted of 71 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Both groups were divided into three age groups: 9-15 (n = 24); 16-25 (n = 32); and 26-34 (n = 15) years. The results showed a similar percentage of subjects with bleeding and calculus. The intact periodontium was significantly higher in control than in DS (16.9% vs. none; p < 0.01). Deep pockets were more frequent in DS group than in the control group (14.1% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.01). The mean number of sextants with healthy tissue was lower, and of those with bleeding, calculus and shallow pockets significantly higher in DS patients than in controls (p < 0.01), so all DS subjects required some periodontal treatment (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that the severity of periodontal disease and the treatment needs seem to be significantly greater in DS than in healthy subjects.

Acculturation process and its effects on dietary habits, nutritional behavior and body-image in adolescents.

Abstract: Previous studies have indicated that the acculturation process may contribute to psychosocial and health problems among immigrants through the mediation of acculturation stress. This study focuses on adolescents with immigrant background permanently settled in the Croatian region of Dalmatia and the influences of the acculturation process on their dietary habits, nutritional behavior and perceived body-image. The survey was conducted on the total sample of 510 adolescents (aged 14-19) including 52 first generation and 248 second generation immigrants. The analysis included dietary habits and questions of restrictive diet as indicators of unhealthy influence on physical health. Psychological factors (stress and self-esteem) have been found to be associated with dietary habits, diet behavior and dissatisfaction with body-image among adolescents with significant differences by immigrant status. Immigrant status is viewed as a risk factor for psychological distress and unhealthy dieting behavior. Research stresses the need to study the interaction between acculturation and health not only from an individual perspective, but also from the broader socio-ecological context of population subgroups.

Social behavior in aged rhesus macaques.

Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between chronological age and social behavior in 42 adult male and female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in three specific areas: social interactions, social roles, and social networks. While both old males and old females share behavioral differences associated with senescence, this study reports that old females and old males are distinct in their social behaviors, both from each other and from other adults. Many of these differences appear progressive across age classes, e.g., declining across age classes in females and increasing across age classes in males. Old females are less social and have smaller social networks than other females, while the opposite was found to be true of old males. An explanation for the sex-based differences in aged social behavior and social networks reported in this study may originate in rhesus matrifocal social structure.

Hemodynamic Differences in Sevoflurane Versus Propofol Anesthesia

Abstract: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on myocardial contractility during laparotomic cholecystectomy using transesophageal echo-Doppler. In the study, 40 patients were randomized into two groups, depending on whether they received sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. Heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume, left ventricular ejection time and acceleration were measured 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia, 1 minute and 25 minutes after incision. The results were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA. Significantly lower values were found for all parameters after the initial measurement (p < 0.05). In the sevoflurane group, stroke volume decreased from 66 +/- 6.2 ml/beat to 65 +/- 6.4 ml/beat and to 63 +/- 5.6 ml/beat 1 minute and 25 minutes after incision respectively. In the propofol group changes were from 64 ml/beat to 58 +/- 10.5 ml/beat to 58 +/- 8.6 ml/beat. Stroke volume was significantly higher in the sevoflurane than in the propofol group (p < 0.05). Sevoflurane anesthesia allows a better hemodynamic stability during laparotomic cholecystectomy.

The efficacy of cisapride vs. placebo and diet in patients with chronic constipation.

Abstract: The effects of cisapride (10 mg three times daily) on the stool evacuation characteristics, laxative consumption (symptom diary) and motility pattern (rectoanal manometry) were assessed in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation who fulfilled Rome II criteria. After a 14-day basal period on a diet rich in fiber (phase I), patients were treated with placebo (n=20) or cisapride (n=19) (phase II). Anorectal manometry was performed at the end of each phase . The study was controlled, randomized and double blind. Side effects related to the use of cisapride were noted and found to be mild. Cisapride and placebo increased stool frequency from 4 (1-11) to 7 (14-12) (p<0.001) and from 4 (2-10) to 6 (2-11) (p<0.05) per week, respectively. Straining was decreased from 69% to 39.7% in the cisapride (p<0.0001) group, and from 79% to 35% (p<0.0001) in the placebo group. Both cisapride and placebo decreased the feeling of incomplete evacuation from 91.7% to 37.5% (p<0.0001) and from 82.7% to 39.2% (p<0.0001), respectively. Cisapride reduced the need of laxatives and showed a tendency to normalize stoolconsistency but did not influence any other symptom or bowel motility parameter.

Complex segregation analysis of body height, weight and BMI in pedigree data from Middle Dalmatia, Croatia.

Abstract: The first aim is focused in refugees comparing them with a comparison group in clinical characteristics. In addition, the authors compared scores on the self-image (S-I) scale of refugees and comparison subjects, after they had stratified them into four groups by gender and age. Subjects were 133 refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina and comparison subjects were from Zagreb, Croatia (n = 189). The subjects were assessed by psychotherapeutic interview, Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), questionnaires of depressive symptoms, war stressors, posttraumatic reactions (PTS-reactions) and general data. Refugees had significantly higher scores on the questionnaires of war stressors and PTS-reactions (p < 0.001). Refugees didn't differ in the majority of 12 scales of OSIQ from comparison subjects, in all four groups. Younger male refugees had the most scales with significantly higher raw scores in S-I, four in total. S-I can give us useful insight into different dimensions of personality of refugees.

Lispro insulin and metformin versus other combination in the diabetes mellitus type 2 management after secondary oral antidiabetic drug failure.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to find out differences between treatments of diabetes type 2 after secondary oral antidiabetic drug failure. Three different methods of treatment were compared: lispro insulin in combination with metformin, glimepiride and metformin combination or two daily doses of biphasic insulin 30/70 together with bed-time NPH insulin. The study included 87 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 randomly distributed into 3 different treatment groups. Fasting and postprandial glucose were analyzed by enzymatic colorimetric method and HbA1c was measured by ion exchange chromatography. HbA1c significantly decreased in all three study groups. The decrease was mostly expressed among patients treated with lispro and metformin. When focused on postprandial glucose control, antihyperglycemic metformin and insulin lispro therapy has greater impact on the overall metabolic control (decrease in level of HbA1c) in comparison with the above mentioned more traditional approaches.

Reconstructing life history of hominids and humans.

Abstract: Aspects of life history, such as processes and timing of development, age at maturation, and life span are consistently associated with one another across the animal kingdom. Species that develop rapidly tend to mature and reproduce early, have many offspring, and exhibit shorter life spans (r-selection) than those that develop slowly, have extended periods of premature growth, mature later in life, reproduce later and less frequently, have few offspring and/or single births, and exhibit extended life spans (K-selection). In general, primates are among the most K-selected of species. A suite of highly derived life history traits characterizes humans. Among these are physically immature neonates, slowed somatic development both in utero and post-natally, late attainment of reproductive maturity and first birth, and extended post-mature survival. Exactly when, why, and through what types of evolutionary interactions this suite arose is currently the subject of much conjecture and debate. Humankind’s biocultural adaptations have helped to structure human life history evolution in unique ways not seen in other animal species. Among all species, life history traits may respond rapidly to alterations in selective pressures through hormonal processes. Selective pressures on life history likely varied widely among hominids and humans over their evolutionary history. This suggests that current patterns of human growth, development, maturation, reproduction, and post-mature survival may be of recent genesis, rather then long-standing adaptations. Thus, life history patterns observed among contemporary human and chimpanzee populations may provide little insight to those that existed earlier in hominid/ human evolution.

Circadian rhythm of blood leptin level in obese and non-obese people.

Abstract: Leptin, an adipose tissue hormone, has circadian variations in its secretion. Aims of this study were to show how circadian rhythm depends on fat tissue distribution in obese and non-obese subjects. The research was carried out on 70 subjects (37 men and 33 women) with an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.22 kg/m 2 . Concentration of leptin in blood was measured at 8.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Basal leptin level correlated strongly with all isolated regions of subcutaneous fat tissue in women and obese subjects. Circadian changes of blood leptin level in non-obese people are more significant than these changes in obese people. Differences in circadian pattern of leptin secretion between obese and non-obese subjects were probably caused by enlarged volume of subcutaneous fat tissue in obese people. Lean subjects have subcutaneous fat in physiological range which allows influence of some hormones (insulin or cortizol) or food intake on leptin secretion.

ESWL treatment of urinary stones in children--the overview of 14 years of experience.

Abstract: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment has been used at Department of Urology, University Hospital "Osijek", Croatia, since July 1988. Until December 2001 seven thousand and eight hundred patients underwent ESWL for urinary stones, 68 of them were children (0.87%). Sixty-eight children aged 4 to 15 years (average 10.14 years) underwent ESWL. They were treated for the total of 91 stones: 35 (38.46%) caliceal, 23 (25.27%) in pyelon, 7 (7.69%) in pyeloureteric segment and 14 (15.38%) ureteral. Staghorn calculi were found in 6 (6.59%) patients and multiple stones (four or more stones in the same kidney) in 6 (6.59%). There was total of 95 ESWL sessions performed in 68 patients (1.39 session per patient). Fifty-six patients (82.35%) without residual stones found at the control plain film and sonography of urinary tract were considered "stone free". Addition of 5 patients with clinically insignificant residual fragments (less than 4 mm) increases overall success rate to 89.70%. ESWL is a simple, safe and effective procedure in the management of urolithiasis in childhood. Clinical experience of our institution confirms ESWL as the first line treatment for kidney stones in the pediatric age patients.

Influence of body mass index and the time of edentulousness on the residual alveolar ridge resorption in complete denture wearers.

Abstract: Alveolar bone loss (RRR) is a continuous process following tooth extraction, more pronounced during the first few months after the tooth extraction than later. The RRR in the mandible is twice that of the maxilla during a 1-year period and the mandibular: maxillary resorption ratio increases further to 4:1. So far, the etiology of RRR has not been elucidated. It has been speculated that both systemic and local factors contribute. The aim of this study was to analyse the rate of RRR in five different regions of both jaws on lateral cephalograms of 100 complete denture wearers during a one-year period and to compare the rate of RRR between patients being edentulous over a different period of time and between patients with different body mass index. The height of residual ridges was measured on 5 different sites at the delivery of the dentures and a year later using a calibrated grid. The results revealed significant RRR in a one year period. Body mass index had no significant influence on the rate of RRR on any of the five examined sites of the maxilla or the mandible (p > 0.05), while the period of edentulousness had a significantly higher rate of resorption in first 3 sites of measurement (anteriorly) in patients being edentulous less than 1 year than in patients being edentulous for 1-10 years or for over 10 years (ANOVA, p < 0.05).