Search

BackgroundHelper is a person with RMD educated to help other patients. Based on the clearly defined authorizations this person helps in advising and information sharing among the ORS members.1 Association of patients with rheumatic diseases of the Republic of Serbia (ORS) operates across the country through the reference centers/ branches, but in pandemic the functioning of helper in an regular way was significantly impacted.ObjectivesIn order to continue with the functioning in Association and with Helper during the Covid-19 pandemic, new communication and info-sharing methods has been applied. In this work will be shown how the strategy of communication was shifted from physical to digital, methods used for information sharing and communication tools of the modern world has been used for this purposes. Also, functioning of the branch in Niš and its Helper will be shown through statistical comparison of data prior and during the Covid19.MethodsIn the definition phase of Association’s response on the new circumstances, it has been concluded that most of the members are using some of IM platform or e-mail. Based on this fact, out of 247 members of branch in Niš, 168 members have been joined through the most popular IM platform in Serbia – Viber. Through the group the patients has been sharing the information, notifications and other news important for the patients. Group administrators supported discussions, but also identified patients who did note use IM platforms and those members were notified by phone or e-mail. This method of communication was symbiotic with other projects of the Association because we used the same communication channels to increase the awareness of members about the activities of the Association.ResultsDuring 2019, Helper’s work took place under normal conditions. At the Niska Banja Institute, Helper used the office where patients with rheumatic diseases used to come. Four lectures by eminent experts in the field of rheumatology and physiatry were organized, as well as socializing in the form of meetings and field trips. We marked the World Arthritis Day and the World Osteoporosis Day.2During 2021, most activities took place online or outdoors, depending on the intensity of the Covid-19 wave. Helper’s work took place from home in January and February 2021, and from March to the end of 2021, Helper worked in the office. The lectures that were organized were exclusively online. We have marked the World Arthritis Day with a small number of participants. The event was realized with media support. 3Analysis and participation of members in 2019 and 2021 are shown below:•In 2021, 208 vs 260 live contacts in 2019;on average 17 vs 22 contacts per month- In 2021, 216 contacts through online meetings; on average 18 per month. IN 2019 no such exercise.- In 2021, 2.000 vs 239 contacts in Viber group in 2019; on average 167 vs 20 members- In 2019, alternative communication methods were not used. In 2021, 1,023 contacts were made with messages, calls and emails, or 85 per month.ConclusionBased on the fact mentioned above, 2019 was richer and more fulfilling with lectures, socializing and direct contacts with members, while in 2021 communication was dominated by digital tools and methods (Viber groups, calls, emails) and consultation with doctors via e-consultations and by phone4.The pandemic disabled direct contact with members of the Association and live lectures, but the Association used digitalization as a complement to new ways of working that connected us more than ever before, enabled instant transmission of information and created a basis for support at times when it was necessary the most. With this process in place, we not only fulfilled the goal of the Association, but we went a step further - we became the first contact for patients with RMD.References[1]Marija Kosanović, dr Mirjana Lapčević – podrška pacijentima – dnevnik biološke terapije[2]Danijela Janković – Izveštaj Podružnice Niš za 2019 godinu[3]Danijela Janković – Izveštaj Podružnice Niš za 2021 godinu.[4]Dr Mirjana Lapčević: Online counselling for arthritis patients - patient’s perspective, Rheumatology congres 2021.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Background Distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous (NFC) flaps are a commonly used method for foot and ankle reconstruction given that they are much simpler and, at the same time, still efficient alternative to perforator flaps and free style free flaps. Objective This study aims to evaluate the reliability and versatility of reverse sural island NFC flaps as a powerful and efficient method that can be used for repair of lower leg skin defects. This method does not require microsurgical facilities or extensive training. Methodology Patients with soft tissue defects of the distal third of the leg and ankle region received reverse sural island NFC flaps. Inclusion criteria included an absence of damage to the sural neurovascular axis or communicating perforators, absence of peripheral vascular disease, and the presence of soft tissue defects deep enough to expose tendon or bone. Patients were assessed for flap (defect) size, pedicle length and location of defects, postoperative flap survival rates, and complications. Donor sites were closed directly or skin grafted. Results Of 24 consecutive patient (20 male; 4 female), all flaps except 1 (4.16%), survived, although partial necrosis was observed in 2 patients (8.33%). The overall major complication rate was 12.50%. Epidermolysis was noted in 1 patient (4.16%). Three cases of transient venous congestion resolved without additional complications. The overall minor complication rate was 16.66%. Minimal complications were associated with healing of donor sites. Conclusions Reverse sural island NFC flaps provide adequate and aesthetically very acceptable coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal lower leg and proximal foot with no functional impairment.

Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of intra-abdominal infection in an international cohort of ICU patients according to a new system that classifies cases according to setting of infection acquisition (community-acquired, early onset hospital-acquired, and late-onset hospital-acquired), anatomical disruption (absent or present with localized or diffuse peritonitis), and severity of disease expression (infection, sepsis, and septic shock). Methods: We performed a multicenter (n = 309), observational, epidemiological study including adult ICU patients diagnosed with intra-abdominal infection. Risk factors for mortality were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: The cohort included 2621 patients. Setting of infection acquisition was community-acquired in 31.6%, early onset hospital-acquired in 25%, and late-onset hospital-acquired in 43.4% of patients. Overall prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was 26.3% and difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacteria 4.3%, with great variation according to geographic region. No difference in prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was observed according to setting of infection acquisition. Overall mortality was 29.1%. Independent risk factors for mortality included late-onset hospital-acquired infection, diffuse peritonitis, sepsis, septic shock, older age, malnutrition, liver failure, congestive heart failure, antimicrobial resistance (either methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria, or carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria) and source control failure evidenced by either the need for surgical revision or persistent inflammation. Conclusion: This multinational, heterogeneous cohort of ICU patients with intra-abdominal infection revealed that setting of infection acquisition, anatomical disruption, and severity of disease expression are disease-specific phenotypic characteristics associated with outcome, irrespective of the type of infection. Antimicrobial resistance is equally common in community-acquired as in hospital-acquired infection. © 2019, The Author(s).

In order to determine drying shrinkage in early age cementitious paste and ITZ, prior to a calculation of shrinkage coefficient and further complex coupling, experimental methods at micro-level and numerical methods at meso-level are separately performed as the initial steps. Digital images of a small-size 1-mm thick cement paste specimen with an embedded obstacle as a concrete model are captured at different magnifications and analyzed in drying experiments with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) and Vic-2D. The drying shrinkage shows the dependence on image magnification, chosen Area of Interest (AOI) and RH variations. Numerical moisture flow/ drying simulations by Lattice Gas Automata (LGA) show the difference in a moisture gradient depending on the heterogeneity of the LGA domain (population with smaller and/ or larger solids). Expected higher moisture gradient around larger solids is confirmed in the LGA simulations, which could be an initial sign of gaps/microcracks in real ITZ.

Following the appearance of influenza A/H5 virus infection in several wild and domestic bird species in the Republic of Azerbaijan in February 2006, two clusters of potential human avian influenza due to A/H5N1 (HAI) cases were detected and reported by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe during the first two weeks of March 2006. On 15 March 2006, WHO led an international team, including infection control, clinical management, epidemiology, laboratory, and communications experts, to support the MoH in investigation and response activities. As a result of active surveillance, 22 individuals, including six deaths, were evaluated for HAI and associated risk infections in six districts. The investigations revealed eight cases with influenza A/H5N1 virus infection confirmed by a WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza and one probable case for which samples were not available. The cases were in two unrelated clusters in Salyan (seven laboratory confirmed cases, including four deaths) and Tarter districts (one confirmed case and one probable case, both fatal). Close contact with and de-feathering of infected wild swans was considered to be the most plausible source of exposure to influenza A/H5N1 virus in the Salyan cluster, although difficulties in eliciting information were encountered during the investigation, because of the illegality of some of the activities that might have led to the exposures (hunting and trading in wild birds and their products). These cases constitute the first outbreak worldwide where wild birds were the most likely source of influenza A/H5N1 virus infection in humans. The rapid mobilisation of resources to contain the spread of influenza A/H5 in the two districts was achieved through collaboration between the MoH, WHO and its international partners. Control activities were supported by the establishment of a field laboratory with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) capacity to detect influenza A/H5 virus. Daily door-to-door surveillance undertaken in the two affected districts made it unlikely that human cases of influenza A/H5N1 virus infection remained undetected.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is unknown if wine, beer and spirit intake lead to a similar association with diabetes. We studied the association between alcoholic beverage preference and type 2 diabetes incidence in persons who reported to consume alcohol. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Ten European cohort studies from the Consortium on Health and Ageing: Network of Cohorts in Europe and the United States were included, comprising participant data of 62 458 adults who reported alcohol consumption at baseline. Diabetes incidence was based on documented and/or self-reported diagnosis during follow-up. Preference was defined when. >= 70% of total alcohol consumed was either beer, wine or spirits. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were computed using Cox proportional hazard regression. Single-cohort HRs were pooled by random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Beer, wine or spirit preference was not related to diabetes risk compared with having no preference. The pooled HRs were HR 1.06 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93, 1.20) for beer, HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.88, 1.11) for wine, and HR 1.19 (95% CI 0.97, 1.46) for spirit preference. Absolute wine intake, adjusted for total alcohol, was associated with a lower diabetes risk: pooled HR per 6 g/day was 0.96 (95% CI 0.93, 0.99). A spirit preference was related to a higher diabetes risk in those with a higher body mass index, in men and women separately, but not after excluding persons with prevalent diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This large individual-level meta-analysis among persons who reported alcohol consumption revealed that the preference for beer, wine, and spirits was similarly associated with diabetes incidence compared with having no preference.

Cows which represent top of the genetic value of the population in regard to their traits are chosen for bull dams. Selection is based on origin, production performance (quantity of milk, milk fat and protein content), milking/dairy traits, reproductive indicators, exterior and linear type scores. This study included 292 cows of Simmental breed selected for bull dams on the territory of Republic of Serbia during one year. Selection of cows for herd of bull dams was done after finalized first and subsequent lactation. In this study, the effect of region and year of calving on milk traits is presented. Applying the method of least squares average value of milk production was obtained - 5.754,49 kg, milk fat content - 3,98% and quantity of milk fat - 230,24 kg. Regions had statistically highly significant effect (P (lt) 0,01) on all investigated milk traits. Year of calving showed no statistically significant effect on milk yield, yield of milk fat and content of milk fat (P>0,05). Za bikovske majke se odabiraju krave koje prema osobinama predstavljaju vrh genetske vrednosti populacije. Izbor se vrši na osnovu porekla, proizvodnih osobina (količina mleka, sadržaj mlečne masti i proteina), muznih osobina, reproduktivnih pokazatelja, eksterijera i linearnih ocena tipa. Ovim istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 292 krave simentalske rase odabrane za bikovske majke na području Republike Srbije u toku godine. Odabiranje krava u zapat bikovskih majki izvršeno je posle završene prve, odnosno na osnovu sledećih laktacija. U radu je ispitan uticaj odgajivačkog područja i godine telenja na osobine mlečnosti. Koristeći metod najmanjih kvadrata dobijene su prosečne vrednosti proizvodnje mleka 5.754,49 kg, sadržaja mlečne masti 3,98% i količine mlečne masti 230,24 kg. Regioni su imali statistički visoko značajan uticaj (P (lt) 0,01) na sve ispitivane osobine mlečnosti. Na osobine prinosa mleka, mlečne masti i sadržaja mlečne masti, godina telenja nije ispoljila statistički značajan uticaj (P>0,05).

Exposure of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H460) to gradually increasing concentrations of doxorubicin resulted in the appearance of a new cell line (NCI-H460/R) that was resistant to doxorubicin (96.2-fold) and cross-resistant to etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine and epirubicin. Slight cross-resistance to two MDR-unrelated drugs 8-Cl-cAMP and sulfinosine was observed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the accumulation of doxorubicin in the resistant cells was 88.4% lower than in the parental cells. Also, verapamil significantly decreased the efflux rate in NCI-H460 and NCI-H460/R cells, whereas curcumin inhibited the efflux in NCI-H460 cells only. Gene expression data confirmed the induction of mdr1 (P-gp), as judged by the observed 15-fold increase in its mRNA concentration in doxorubicin-resistant NCI-H460/R cells. In contrast, mrp1 and lrp expression was unaffected by the doxorubicin resistance. Further work should develop a rationale for a novel treatment of NSCLC with appropriate modulators of resistance aimed at improving the outcome of the acquired drug resistance.

N-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2-phenylacetamide was alkylated with benzyl chloride in the presence of powdered potassium hydroxide at different temperatures and in various solvents in order to establish the reactivity and orientation in the reaction. The reactions were also carried out in the presence of different phase-transfer catalysts in toluene. Product formation was followed by GC. The obtained results were compared to the results of the benzylation of other N-substituted 2-phenylacetamides, especially of N-phenyl-2-phenylacetamide. N-(4-Nitrofenil)-2-fenilacetamid je alkilovan benzil-hloridom u različitim rastvarač ima u prisustvu sprašenog kalijum-hidroksida na različitim temperaturama. Reakcije su izvođene u prisustvu različitih međufaznih katalizatora kao i bez katalizatora u cilju ispitivanja uticaja reakcionih uslova na reaktivnost i orijentaciju reakcije alkilovanja ispitivanog jedinjenja.

Use of monthly weather forecast as input meteorological data for agrometeorological forecasting, crop modelling and plant protection can foster promising applications in agricultural production. Operational use of monthly or seasonal weather forecast can help farmers to optimize field operations (fertilizing, irrigation) and protection measures against plant diseases and pests by taking full advantage of monthly forecast information in predicting plant development, pest and disease risks and yield potentials few weeks in advance. It can help producers to obtain stable or higher yield with the same inputs and to minimise losses caused by weather. In Central and South-Eastern Europe ongoing climate change lead to shifts of crops phenology dynamics (i.e. in Serbia 4-8 weeks earlier in 2016 than in previous years) and brings this subject in the front of agronomy science and practice. Objective of this study is to test efficacy of monthly forecast in predicting phenology dynamics of different winter wheat varieties, using phenological model developed by Forecasting and Warning Service of Serbia in plant protection. For that purpose, historical monthly forecast for four months (March 1, 2005 - June 30, 2005) was assimilated from ECMWF MARS archive for 50 ensemble members and control run. Impact of different agroecological conditions is tested by using observed and forecasted data for two locations - Rimski Sancevi (Serbia) and Groß-Enzersdorf (Austria).

Aims: To use a published polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection and identification of thermotolerant Campylobacter species (Camp. jejuni, Camp. coli and Camp. lari) in tandem with a Most Probable Number (MPN) technique to enumerate these species in water samples. Methods and Results: An initial study of 42 river water samples compared the use of conventional culture and PCR methods for the detection of Campylobacter in MPN enrichment tubes. It was found that all samples positive by culture were also positive by PCR. Thirty-seven percent more MPN tubes were positive by PCR compared with culture. The MPN/PCR technique was subsequently applied to 96 additional samples collected from rivers, drinking, roof and shallow ground water. Campylobacter was especially prevalent in river water (60% positive) and shallow ground water (75% positive) samples. Drinking water (29·2% positive) and roof water (37·5% positive) also contained Campylobacter, but the numbers detected were very low (maximum 0·3 and 0·56 MPN 100 ml–1, respectively). Conclusions: River waters contained Campylobacter at higher levels than any other water type and in a high percentage of the samples. Although Campylobacter was present in treated drinking water, the levels detected were low. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results suggest that water may act as a significant transmission route for human campylobacteriosis.

Testo-atlante, con ricca iconografia, che rappresenta un elemento didattico importante per tutti gli anestesisti. Le tecniche, gli accorgimenti e i farmaci consigliati sono il risultato di anni di studio e di pratica volti alla ricerca di un progressivo perfezionamento. Approccio a tecniche di blocchi regionali in accordo con le più recenti acquisizioni nel campo dell'anestesia regionale. In particolare nell'area del plesso brachiale, lombosacrale e neuroassiale sia single shoot che in continuo.

A series of protocols were tested to examine the adjuvant effects of IL-12 on humoral and type 1 cytokine responses elicited in mice by recombinant gp120 envelope protein from HIV-1. This Ag fails to induce detectable Ab responses when administered s.c. alone, but stimulates low Ab levels when combined with aluminum hydroxide (alum). Moreover, when i.p. injected rIL-12 was included in the immunization, no increase in Ab production was observed. Importantly, optimal gp120 Ab responses were achieved by immunizing mice s.c. with gp120 and rIL-12 simultaneously coadsorbed to alum. These animals displayed a highly polarized, type 1 cytokine profile, with the emergence of anti-gp120 Ig belonging to the IgG2 and IgG3 isotypes. In addition, a major increase occurred in Ab of the IgG1 subclass. The superior adjuvant activity of alum-adsorbed IL-12 compared with that of the free cytokine correlated with the prolonged detection of IFN-gamma in the sera of animals immunized using the former procedure. In related experiments, in vitro neutralization of IL-12 was shown to inhibit IFN-gamma production by spleen cells from mice immunized with gp120 plus alum, but not by splenocytes from mice primed in the presence of IL-12, suggesting that the latter protocol induces a stable type 1 phenotype. These studies demonstrate that presentation of IL-12 on alum enhances its immunomodulatory effects and establish a protocol for the use of the cytokine as an adjuvant for simultaneously promoting both humoral Ab and type 1 cytokine responses.

The IgE/Fc epsilonRI interaction is postulated to play an important role in resistance to helminths both at the level of anti-parasitic effector cell function and in the initiation of Th2 responses through IL-4 produced by Fc epsilonRI+ non-B, non-T (NBNT) cells. To formally evaluate the role of IgE/Fc epsilonRI signaling in the host response to helminths we studied Schistosoma mansoni infection in Fc epsilonRI knockout (KO) mice. Infected wild-type (wt) and KO animals showed comparable adult worm and tissue egg burdens, arguing against a role for Fc epsilonRI interactions in host resistance. Significantly, NBNT cells from infected KO, in contrast to wt animals, did not secrete IL-4 when stimulated with anti-IgE Ab or soluble parasite Ag. Nevertheless, serum IgE levels and Th2 cytokine production profiles were comparable in both strains of mice, demonstrating that the Ag-dependent stimulation of IL-4 secretion by NBNT cells is not essential for helminth-induced Th2 differentiation. However, when stimulated with low Ag doses, splenocytes from infected Fc epsilonRI-deficient mice produced less IL-4 in vitro than similar cultures from infected wt animals, an effect attributable to their defective NBNT cell function. Moreover, infected KO mice showed enhanced egg granuloma formation and hepatic fibrosis, revealing that the IgE/Fc epsilonRI interaction, while not essential for Th2 response development or resistance to primary infection, plays a significant role in down-regulating host pathology.

The results of our studies show that liquid linear polysulfide polymers of an average molecular weight 4260–1030 g mol−1 can be obtained by the reaction of sodium tetrasulfide and 1,1′-[methylenebis(oxy)]-bis-[2-chloroethane] in the presence of 2.0–5.0 mol of hydrazine and at least 4.0 mol of sodium hydroxide/mol of hydrazine in a one-step procedure. The disulfide polymers in the form of sodium mercaptide are soluble in the supernatant liquid from which they are separated by acidification of the solution to a pH value of about 4. The average molecular weight and the content of sulfur in the obtained linear polymers were determined and their IR spectra were recorded. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1363–1367, 1997

Substantial progress has been made in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region toward reaching the goal of measles and rubella elimination. We analyzed the surveillance data of 2012 on measles and rubella for age-group, diagnosis confirmation status (clinical, laboratory-confirmed and epidemiologically linked), vaccination status, and measles-related deaths. For 2012, there were 23,871 measles cases and 29,361 rubella cases reported in the region, mostly among unvaccinated persons. Almost one in three patients with measles and one in five patients with rubella were aged 20 years and older. In a few countries, widespread outbreaks or indigenous transmission of measles persisted in 2012. While most countries in the region have controlled rubella, a small number still reported a high incidence and several outbreaks. Therefore, more efforts are required to achieve the goal of eliminating measles and rubella in the WHO European Region by 2015, particularly in high-incidence countries. The WHO measles and rubella elimination plan stipulates that all countries should achieve and maintain the required high vaccination coverage while conducting high-quality surveillance.

IL-12 has been shown to be important in the generation of a functional Th1 response in animal models of both infectious and autoimmune disease. Furthermore, the role of IL-12 in the maintenance of the immune responses in these diseases is now emerging. Herein, we discuss the idea that memory responses for certain infections may be IL-12 independent, whereas memory responses for specific autoimmune diseases still require IL-12 to maintain a pathogenic response.

To assess the role of IFN-gamma in the in vivo regulation of Th subset differentiation by IL-12, schistosome egg-induced Th2 responses and granuloma formation were studied in IFN-gamma knock-out (gamma KO) mice in which the absence of endogenous IFN-gamma is assured. Rather than suppressing pathology and eosinophilia as observed in wild-type animals, exogenous IL-12 in egg-injected gamma KO mice exacerbated Th2-dependent granuloma formation while failing to reduce peak tissue eosinophilia. Similarly, instead of inhibiting its production, IL-12 caused a dramatic increase in serum IgE levels in gamma KO animals after egg injection. Although the suppressive effects of IL-12 on Th2 responses were blocked in the absence of IFN-gamma, lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production were enhanced, a phenomenon which may underlie the observed exacerbation of egg-induced pathology. These findings formally establish that IL-12 inhibits Th2 development indirectly in vivo through the stimulation of IFN-gamma synthesis. In contrast, its promotion of Th1-associated responses seems to be at least partly a result of the direct action of the cytokine.

This experiment deals with the effect of neonatal sound stress on the susceptibility of rats in adult life to the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Two inbred strains of rats, Lewis and DA, highly susceptible to EAE were used. On postnatal days 15, 18 and 21, animals of both sexes were sound stressed in a sound attenuated chamber (90dB, 60 rings/5 sec during 1 h, on a variable interval schedule) in the presence or absence of the mother. Experimental groups were as follows: (a) pups stressed without the mother (SP); (b) pups stressed in the presence of the mother (SPM); (c) control nonstressed pups separated from the mother (CP), and (d) control nonstressed pups undisturbed in their nest cages (CPM). Rats were weaned on postnatal day 28. At the age of 8 weeks, all groups were immunized with guinea pig spinal cord in complete Freund's adjuvant. Signs of EAE were recorded daily until the day 20 after immunization when animals were bled and sacrificed. Serial sections of cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord were examined histologically for the presence of mononuclear cell infiltrates. Anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies were detected in serum samples using ELISA technique. Stressed Lewis rats (groups SP and SPM) compared to control groups CP and CPM, developed more severe EAE as revealed by a higher aggregate clinical score, more pronounced histological lesions and increased production of anti-MBP antibodies. The presence of the mother during stress session (group SPM) prolonged the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A hybrid moment method/edge-element method (MM/EEM) is presented. The formulation is quite general; however, the method is applied to two-dimensional scattering problems. Such a hybrid formulation unites the advantages of finite and integral-equation methods and is able to handle unbounded problems in which complex inhomogeneities are present. The edge-element method is easily coupled to the moment method, and it doesn't introduce spurious modes. The equivalence principle is used to divide the original problem into two separate problems: an unbounded homogeneous one in which the moment method is used and a bounded inhomogeneous one in which the edge-element method is used. Several examples involving two-dimensional scattering with TE and TM plane wave excitation are presented. The RCS is computed and compared to results obtained by other numerical techniques. >

An outbreak of measles is ongoing in northern Serbia. The first cases were in January 2007 in the area of Novi Sad in the autonomous province of Vojvodina. As of 12 March 2007, 121 suspected cases had been reported to the regional Institute of Public Health.

The scientific community has generally adopted use of the modulation transfer function (MTF) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) as primary measures of performance of radiographic detectors. However, measurement of these parameters is generally restricted to experts in laboratory environments due to the required x-ray physics knowledge, specialized instrumentation and computational analyses. We have developed a prototype instrument that automates both the physical measurement and subsequent image analysis to determine the MTF, noise power spectrum (NPS) and DQE of radiographic and mammographic systems. The instrument is placed in the x-ray path directly in front of the detector. A series of images are acquired, saved in "raw" DICOM format and then used to determine the MTF (using the slanted-edge method) and NPS. The number of incident quanta is calculated from measurements of the incident exposure including corrections for air temperature and pressure and ionization chamber spectral response. The primary sources of error are backscatter from the detector and scatter generated within the instrument. These have been minimized to achieve an incident exposure measurement within 2% of a calibrated electrometer and chamber in free space. The MTF and DQE of a commercial CsI-based flat-panel detector were measured over a range of incident exposures from 20 uR to 20 mR per image. Results agreed with both our own laboratory measurements and previously published measurements performed elsewhere with a similar detector within 2% for the MTF and 5% for the DQE. A complete DQE analysis of a clinical digital flat-panel detector is completed in 30 minutes and requires no system modifications.

In vitro pollen germination was determined in five peach cultivars, Prunus prsica (L.) Batsch cv. Dixired, Redheaven, Gloheaven, Suncrest and Summerset, Different sucrose concentrations (10%, 15%, 20%), sowing times (fresh pollen, 7 days old pollen, and 14 days old pollen), temperatures (10 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 25 degrees C) and incubation times (3h, 6h, 12h, 24h) were tested. It was found that, in addition to the significant influence of genotype, pollen germination depended on sucrose concentration, sowing time and temperature, while incubation time had no influence. The majority of tested peach cultivars had the highest pollen germination in 10% sucrose concentration, with fresh pollen, under 15 degrees C, and 12h after incubation.

Venous thromboembolism is a relevant social and health care problem because of its high incidence among patients who undergo surgery (20–30% after general surgical operations and 50–75% after orthopedic procedures), its pulmonary embolism-related mortality rate, and its long-term sequelae (postthrombotic syndrome and ulceration), which may be disabling. This study aimed to determine the coagulation status and the presence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC). Prospectively, 114 patients were randomized into two groups. group 1 (58 patients undergoing LC) and group 2 (56 patients who are undergoing OC). The coagulation parameters (prothrombin time [PT], partial thromboplastin time [PTT], D-dimer, prothrombin F1 + 2, antithrombin III, and factor VII) were monitored preoperatively and during the operation, then 24 and 72 h after the operation. The patients in both groups underwent color duplex scan examination preoperatively, then 3 and 7 days after surgery to establish the presence of DVT. None of the patients in either group received thrombosis prophylaxis. In the LC group, postoperative DVT developed in four patients (6.9%; in the calf veins of 3 patients and in the popliteal vein of 1 patient). In the OC group, nine patients (16.07%) had postoperative DVT (in the calf veins of 7 patients and in the popliteal and femoral veins of 2 patients). The plasma levels of monitored parameters in the patients of both groups were altered, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. For the patients in both groups who experienced DVT, only the decrease of factor VII had statistical significance (p

Moisture flow in porous media is the driving force behind early age drying shrinkage. Fracture in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), between cement paste and aggregate-inclusion, is related to restraint caused by, among others, aggregates that obstruct free deformation of the paste. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) test results are used as a base for the developed method for measuring shrinkage deformations during drying. Modeling of moisture flow in the heterogeneous samples is numerically performed with Lattice Gas Automata (LGA). Fracture coupling of the LGA and Lattice Fracture Model (LFM) requires coupling with ESEM tests regarding shrinkage coefficient.

A frozen shoulder is considered by some authors to be a common stage of many disorders affecting the shoulder, while others regard it as an independent idiopatic condition. A consistent finding is that subscapularis muscle trigger points play a key role in the development of the frozen shoulder syndrome. Apart from the conventional treatment, a selective subscapularis fossa nerve block combined with subscapularis trigger points infiltration, may be an effective treatment in preventing chronic pain.In this manuscript the posterior injection technique of the subscapularis fossa nerve block is described.Five patients with typical symptoms of frozen shoulder, who did not respond to conventional treatment, but obtained pain relief after a combination of a subscapularis nerve block with the infiltration of trigger points, are presented.The results of this block in various painful situations of the shoulder region suggest the importance of subscapularis muscle in the etiology of the frozen shoulder. Using this technique, we could demonstrate that a subscapular nerve block and subscapularis trigger points infiltration have both a diagnostic and therapeutic value for the treatment of the frozen shoulder.