bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Níveis de fósforo, cobre, cobalto e zinco em bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) na Ilha de Marajó, Estado do Pará
Authors: Pinheiro C.P. , Bomjardim H.A. , Andrade S.J.T. , Faial K.C.F. , Oliveira C.M.C. , Barbosa J.D.
Published: April 2011

Foram estudados 104 bubalinos, adultos, sem distinção de raça e sexo, criados extensivamente, sem suplementação, em pastagens nativas de baixa qualidade nutricional, dos municípios de Breves, Cachoeira do Arari, Salvaterra e Soure, Ilha de Marajó, Pará. Realizou-se coleta de amostras de fígado, osso e sangue de 26 animais do município de Salvaterra, 38 animais do município de Soure, 20 animais do município de Breves e 20 animais do município de Cachoeira do Arari. Foram realizadas determinações dos teores de fósforo, no soro sanguíneo e no osso, do percentual de cinzas e da densidade específica no tecido ósseo, e de cobalto, cobre e zinco no tecido hepático. Observou-se que a média das concentrações de fósforo no soro sanguíneo (6,26mg/dl) e no osso (10,77%), a percentagem de cinzas (60,87%) e a densidade específica (1,59g/ml) do osso foram inferiores aos níveis críticos estabelecidos para bovinos, caracterizando deficiência de fósforo. As concentrações médias de cobre (5,57ppm), e zinco (27,05ppm) foram consideradas baixas quando comparadas com valores de referência, caracterizando deficiência para estes elementos. No caso do cobalto, quando se considerou os valores detectáveis e não detectáveis pela metodologia observou-se que 51,92% dos animais apresentaram níveis inferiores aos de referência, demonstrando a ocorrência da deficiência de cobalto nesses animais. Ressalta-se que as deficiências de cobre e zinco demonstraram uma maior gravidade já que todos os animais estudados apresentaram níveis deficientes nesses elementos.
Urolitíase: estudo comparativo em bovinos Guzerá oriundos de propriedades com e sem o problema
Authors: Sacco S.R. , Lopes R.S.
Published: April 2011

Diversos fatores podem contribuir para a formação de cálculos urinários, dentre estes, o desequilíbrio nutricional e a dureza da água consumida pelos ruminantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as características de propriedades que predispõem à urolitíase, através da avaliação da água, da dieta e determinações séricas e urinárias de cálcio, fósforo, magnésio, cloretos, sódio, potássio, cálculo da excreção fracionada (EF) dos eletrólitos, e da creatinina, proteína total, albumina e globulinas séricas. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue e urina de bovinos, Guzerá, criados semi intensivamente, distribuídos por dois grupos. O primeiro denominado grupo urolitíase (Gu), composto de animais com histórico, sinais clínicos e confirmação ultrassonográfica que apresentavam urolitíase; o segundo: grupo controle (Gc), sem histórico, nem sintomas da doença. Os bovinos do grupo urolitíase consumiam água com dureza total na concentração de 166,0mg CaCO3/L. A dieta dos animais do Gu apresentava maior concentração de fósforo e relação Ca:P inadequada. Os teores de fósforo sérico e urinário dos animais do Gu foram maiores do que os do Gc, assim como a concentração sérica de magnésio (p<0,05). Não houve aumento nas concentrações de creatinina no grupo urolitíase, mas ocorreu hipoproteinemia por hipoglobulinemia (p<0,05). As EFs de cálcio, fósforo e sódio não diferiram entre os grupos (p>0,05), mas houve diminuição significativa nas EFs de magnésio, cloretos e de potássio do grupo urolitíase (p<0,05). A união destes fatores contribuiu para a ocorrência da urolitíase, sendo dureza total da água e a alta concentração de fósforo na dieta os principais fatores na gênese dos cálculos em bovinos.
Intoxicação espontânea e experimental por folhas e frutos de Erythroxylum deciduum (cocão) em ovinos no Estado de Santa Catarina
Authors: Borelli V. , Lentz D. , Veronezi L.O. , Silva T.C.E. , Kaufer L. , Traverso S.D. , Gava A.
Published: April 2011

Descreve-se uma enfermidade em ovinos de ocorrência sazonal, caracterizada por manifestações nervosas e morte rápida, nos municípios de Rancho Queimado e Ponte Alta do Sul, no estado de Santa Catarina. A doença foi reproduzida experimentalmente em ovinos com a administração de folhas de Erythroxylum deciduum coletados durante o verão, com doses letais a partir de 10g/kg de peso vivo. Em um único experimento com os frutos a dose de 15g/kg foi letal. O início da manifestação dos sinais clínicos, ocorreu entre 0 e 2 horas após a administração das folhas ou dos frutos e a evolução da doença foi de 10 minutos a 18 horas. Doses de até 20g/kg de folhas coletadas no período de inverno, produziram alterações clínicas discretas em dois ovinos. Os sinais clínicos foram depressão, sonolência e, quando os animais eram movimentados, incoordenação motora, desequilíbrio, quedas, dificuldade para se levantar e estação com os membros abertos. Também foi observado: salivação intensa, regurgitação, bruxismo, aumento das frequências cardíaca e respiratória. Os sinais clínicos se agravavam quando os animais eram movimentados e geralmente resultavam em morte. Os animais que morreram pelas intoxicações espontânea e experimental, não tinham alterações macroscópicas e microscópicas significativas. O corte das árvores de E. deciduum faz com que o tronco rebrote, favorecendo a ingestão da planta pelos ovinos. Este fato e a disponibilidade de frutos maduros que caem ao chão podem ser responsabilizados pela doença de ovinos com sinais nervosos e ausência de lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas, que ocorrem nos meses de verão, no Estado de Santa Catarina.
Linfadenite caseosa em ovinos deslanados abatidos em um frigorífico da Paraíba
Authors: Souza M.F. , Carvalho A.Q. , Garino Jr F. , Riet-Correa F.
Published: April 2011

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência e distribuição de lesões da linfadenite caseosa em ovinos deslanados abatidos no município de Mulungu, Paraíba. Dos 1466 ovinos abatidos, 236 (15,9%) apresentaram lesões macroscópicas semelhantes à linfadenite caseosa. A prevalência foi maior em fêmeas, 17.9% (135/754) que em machos, 13,8% (101/732). As principais lesões estavam localizadas nos linfonodos pré-escapulares em 36,3% (97/268) dos ovinos, nos parotídeos em 22,4% (60/268) e no pré-crural em 20,9% (56/268). Somente 70 (26,1%) de um total de 268 lesões foram detectadas no exame ante mortem. Foram encontradas lesões em todos os lotes provenientes de diversos municípios da Paraíba, Pernambuco e Bahia. Das 51 amostras em que foi feito o cultivo bacteriológico, em 74,5% (43/51) foi isolado Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Em 7,8% (4/51) foi isolado Staphylococcus aureus, em 2% (1/51) Escherichia coli e 5,9% (3/51) amostras foram negativas. No exame histológico, em 11 linfonodos havia lesões da linfadenite caseosa caracterizadas por área de necrose central formada por lamelas concêntricas, com presença de grandes colônias bacterianas e focos de mineralização, rodeada por uma faixa de infiltrado inflamatório com macrófagos epitelióides e poucos neutrófilos. Na camada adjacente observaram-se linfócitos e plasmócitos e toda a lesão era delimitada por tecido conjuntivo fibroso. Nas outras 32 amostras foram observadas a maioria, mas não todas as lesões características da doença. Em 21 amostras foram encontradas células gigantes. As lesões histológicas dos linfonodos que foi isolado S. aureus foram semelhantes as da linfadenite caseosa. Conclui-se que as lesões histológicas de linfadenite caseosa são características, mas não patognomônicas, pois podem ser confundidas com lesões causadas por outros organismos piógenos e com tuberculose; portanto o isolamento bacteriológico é imprescindível para o diagnóstico definitivo da linfadenite caseosa.
From government-driven to commercially-driven mergers: changing drivers for upscaling in the Dutch water supply sector
Authors: Schwartz Klaas
Published: April 2011

Over the past century the Dutch water supply sector has undergone a process of upscaling in which the number of utilities dropped from 230 in the late 1930s to 14 in 2007. Although the policy of upscaling service provision has been continued over this period, the driving forces behind the upscaling process have changed from government-steered upscaling to mergers which are initiated and executed by the water utilities. The shift in drivFing forces reflects two interlinked changes in the Dutch water supply sector. First, it highlights a shift in objectives that public water utilities are expected to achieve. The government-driven mergers in the first part of the 20th century focused on expanding service coverage to the unserved population. The mergers of the past decade highlight the increasing emphasis on efficiency and “market position”. Secondly, the change in driving forces behind the mergers in the Dutch water supply sector, as illustrated by the case of Friesland, reflect the shift to a “new model of public management” in the water services sector in which public water utilities are expected to operate as autonomous agencies and on the basis of commercial principles (meaning that economic considerations for mergers predominate).
Tackling uncertainties in infrastructure sectors through strategic planning: the contribution of discursive approaches in the urban water sector
Authors: Dominguez Damian , Truffer Bernhard , Gujer Willi
Published: April 2011

Several strategic planning approaches have been proposed for dealing with future uncertainties in the urban water infrastructure sector. We identify three well established perspectives that address uncertainties in strategic decisions: an adaptive perspective, focusing on an incremental adaptation of existing structures as a reaction to unforeseen developments, a modeling perspective, focusing on an improved characterization of future context conditions and a managerial perspective, focusing on increasing the flexibility of the infrastructure organization. Despite their virtues, these approaches have definite weaknesses in their approach to uncertainty: they often consider a restricted scope of alternatives, they face substantial difficulties in predicting context conditions over time periods of decades and often consider objectives and tradeoffs only implicitly. We elaborate and illustrate with a case study a fourth perspective that may compensate for these specific weaknesses and complement the established strategic planning approaches. This perspective is based on a discursive, qualitative assessment of key elements in the strategic planning process among a selected set of local stakeholders and decision makers. We maintain that this approach leads to a more explicit and reflexive treatment of future uncertainty, conflicting objectives and a broadening of the considered alternatives and therefore to a more robust decision-making process.
Municipal water services in Guatemala: exploring official perceptions
Authors: Vásquez William F.
Published: April 2011

In Guatemala, water services are frequently interrupted, water pressure is inadequate and tap water is often unsafe to drink. Water providers face the challenge of maintaining water systems and improving water services to provide reliable and safe drinking water. Understanding the perspectives of government officers may help in finding solutions to overcome this challenge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore officers' opinions and views on municipal water services. Interviews were complemented with content analysis of technical and official documents. Factors identified as determinants of the low quality of water services include low political will, lack of institutional development, low investment in water infrastructure, low household compliance with water systems, and low community participation in the water sector. Findings and policy implications are discussed.
Microencapsulation of Ferrous Fumarate for the Production of Salt Double Fortified with Iron and Iodine
Authors: Romita Dan , Cheng Yu-Ling , Diosady Levente L.
Published: April 2011

The fortification of salt with iron may greatly reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency globally, but fortification is complicated by iron-iodine interactions. To minimize this interaction, a spray dry microencapsulation system was developed. This study evaluates the creation and use of this system, producing engineered iron premixes for integration into coarse iodized salt. Bioavailable ferrous fumarate powders were encapsulated via spray-drying to produce particles which are too small to be detected visually (<20?m). Feed systems containing both suspended and dissolved ferrous fumarate were compared to find optimal feed conditions. The premixes were blended into iodized salt at 1000ppm-iron and stored at 40°C, ~60 percent RH. The salt was sampled periodically for 6 months to evaluate the effect on iodine stability. All encapsulated samples were more stable than the unencapsulated samples. The capsules ability to adhere to the salt as well as its colour and apparent bioavailability were evaluated. Stable double-fortified salt based on inexpensive, coarse, unrefined salt may be obtained economically by this approach.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Community Patent
Authors: Danguy Jérôme , van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie Bruno
Published: April 2011

For more than 40 years, governments and professional associations have acted, voted or lobbied against the implementation of the Community Patent (COMPAT, officially called the EU Patent). The econometric results and simulations presented in this paper suggest that, thanks to its attractiveness in terms of market size and a sound renewal fee structure, the COMPAT would drastically reduce the relative patenting costs for applicants while generating more income for the European Patent Office and most National Patent Offices. The loss of economic rents (€400 million would be lost by patent attorneys, translators and lawyers) and the drop of controlling power by national patent offices elucidate further the observed resistance to the Community Patent.
The BCA of HSR: Should the Government Invest in High Speed Rail Infrastructure?
Authors: De Rus Ginés
Published: April 2011

This paper deals with public investment in High-Speed Rail (HSR) infrastructure and tries to understand the economic rationale for allocating public money to the construction of new HSR lines. The examination of data on costs and demand shows that the case for investing in HSR requires several conditions to be met: an ex ante high volume of traffic in the corridor where the new lines are built, significant time savings, high average willingness of potential users to pay, the release of capacity in the conventional rail network and airports. On the contrary, net environmental benefits seem to be insignificant in influencing the social desirability of HSR investment. This paper discusses, within a cost-benefit analysis framework, under which conditions the expected benefits could justify the investment in HSR projects.
Private Valuation of a Public Good in Three Auction Mechanisms
Authors: Dragicevic Arnaud Z. , Ettinger David
Published: April 2011

We evaluate the impact of three auction mechanisms—the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) mechanism, the second-price auction (SPA), and the random nth-price auction (NPA)—in the measurement of private willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-accept for a pure public good. Our results show that the endowment effect is lower with the BDM mechanism. In this market mechanism, the effect disappears after a few repetitions. Yet, on a logarithmic scale, the random nth-price auction yields the highest speed of convergence towards equality of welfare indices. We also observe that subjects value public goods in reference to their private subjective benefit derived from their public funding.
Appropriate Discounting for Benefit-Cost Analysis
Authors: Burgess David F. , Zerbe Richard O.
Published: April 2011

In order to be sensible about what discount rate to use one must be clear about its purpose. We suggest that its purpose is to help select those projects that will contribute more net benefits than some other discount rate. This approach, which is after all the foundation for benefit-cost analysis, helps to reconcile different suggested procedures for determining the discount rate. We suggest that the social opportunity cost of capital (SOC) is superior to other suggested approaches in its generality and its ease of use. We use the SOC to determine a range of real rates that vary between 6% and 8%. We suggest that approaches based on determination of preferences, which result in hyperbolic discounting, are less appropriate and less useful.
Labor Expenditures and Benefit-Cost Accounting in Times of Unemployment
Authors: Haveman Robert H. , Farrow Scott
Published: April 2011

We summarize procedures for assessing the benefits and costs of using labor inputs in public projects. Examples are provided to illustrate how information on labor inputs can be analyzed and presented such that, should the analyst choose, labor services generate elements of both benefit and cost in times of high unemployment; however, this is not generally correct in times of full employment. Our analysis is consistent with the overall goal of identifying those projects which are estimated to improve efficiency—those with social benefits in excess of social costs.
Professor dr Borivoje Gradojevic: The first University professor of orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Lesic Aleksandar , Mikic Zelimir , Bumbasirevic Marko
Published: April 2011

Prof. dr Borivoje Gradojevic was one of the greatest figures of our medicine,
and one of the pioners and founders of orthopedic surgery in our country. He
was the first professor of orthopedic surgery in Serbia ie. the professor of
Belgrade Faculty of Medicine. Beside well education and professional skills
dr Gradojevic published the numerous scientific papers and he published the
first textbook of orthopedics in this country. Unfortunately, his
professional career was brutally interrupted in 1945, when he was forced to
retire and moved from Medical faculty, together with other professors in
these times. This resulted in enormous regression- fall in academic
community, and our health care system and country also.
The modified Lichtenstein technique for complex inguinal hernia repair: How I do it
Authors: Zuvela Marinko
Published: April 2011

The Lichtensein technique is modified for solving complex groin hernias such
as huge hernias with massive transversal fascia destruction associated with
the increased intraabdominal pressure or recurrent hernias with the destroyed
Poupart?s ligament. Whilst these hernias are usually managed by preperitoneal
techniques (open or laparoscopic) under general or regional anesthesia, as an
"inpatient" procedure, they can be solved applying a modified Lichtenstein
technique, most frequently under local anesthesia, as an "out-patient"
procedure. The modifications of Lichtenstein technique include the following:
a) lateral movement and fixation of the lower corner of the mesh, caudally to
the tubercle, by 20-30 degrees in relation to its lower border, fully
protecting the medial triangle (direct inguinal recurrence prevention); b)
fixation of the lower border of the mesh by a running "U" suture to both
Poupart?s and Coopers?s ligaments, from the tubercle to the femoral vein,
fully protecting the femoral triangle (femoral recurrence prevention); c) the
lower mesh border fixation by a running suture, 2-3 cm laterally to the
internal inguinal ring, together with the "locking" of the internal inguinal
ring by two interrupted sutures, one fixing the superior mesh tail to the
inferior one - cranial to the spermatic cord, 1-1,5 cm medially to the
Poupart?s ligament, and the other fixing the lower border of the superior
mesh tail and the lower border of the inferior mesh tail to the inferior part
of the Poupart?s ligament, 1 cm cranially and laterally to the preceding
suture, fully protecting the lateral triangle (indirect inguinal recurrence
prevention). One thousand eighteen patients with 1236 (unilateral 800,
bilateral 218) inguinal hernias were electively operated on by the modified
Lichtenstein technique between January 2003 - January 2011. All operations
were performed by a single surgeon. One hundred and thirty (10.5%) hernias
were recurrent following one or more tension or tensionfree repairs, and 203
(16.4%) hernias had a > 5 cm hernial defect. In seven hundred and twentyfour
(71.1%) patients, the operation was performed under local, in 271(26.6%)
under general, and in 23(2.3%) under regional anesthesia, while 635(62.4%)
patients were operated on an "out-patient" basis, and 383(37.6%) on an
"in-patient" basis. The ASA score was: 388 ASA I, 450 ASA II, 153 ASA III,
and 27 ASA IV. The mean stay at a day surgery unit was 2.5 (2-8) hours, and
the mean hospital stay was 1.6 (1-10) days. During the mean follow-up of 37
(1-96) months, the rate of complications was: 23(1.86%) haematoma, 5(0.4%)
seroma, 5 (0.4%) wound infections, 6(0.48%) ischaemic orcihitis, 2(0.16%)
testicle atrophy, 1 (0.08%) disejaculation, 3(0.24%) hydrocoella, 21(1.7%)
pain, and 2(0.16%) recurrence. There were 6 reoperations due to the
complications. The modified Lichtenstein technique performed usually under
local anesthesia as "a day-case" procedure is a good solution for challenging
groin hernias.
Dynamic MR imaging of kidneys perfused with EOB-Gd-DTPA
Authors: Hyodoh Kazusa , Hyodoh Hideki , Kasahara Michiko , Washio Yoshikazu , Asai Mayumi , Hareyama Masato
Published: April 2011

Gandolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is
a hepatobiliary contrast agent for MRI. It was reported that Gd-EOB-DTPA is
useful to detect liver tumors and differentially diagnose benign and
malignant pathologies in the liver. Since Gd-EOB-DTPA partially accumulates
in the hepatocytes and bile via various transporters after intravenous
injection, signal intensity in the liver increases on T1-weighted images. The
signal intensity of the liver after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection depends on the
Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake by hepatocytes and bile excretion. It is known tha the Gd-
EOB-DTPA accumulating in the kidney is excreted to the urine through
glomerular filltration. Because Gd- DTPA is concentrated in the renal tubules
after being filtered at the Bowman?s capsule, and since it is neither
secreted nor reabsorbed the concentrating and diluting function of the renal
tubules can be studied by imaging techniwues. since renal function can be
evaluated with Gd-EOB-DTPA can also be used to evaluate renal function. Eith
the development of MRI equipment and rapid imaging techniques, temporal
resolution had improved greatly. However, no previous study has been carried
out on renal function using Gd- EOB-DTPA dynamic MR study that was correlated
with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and stage of chronic kidney
disease (CKD) in the Japan Association of chronic kidney disease initiative.
Possible role of the scintigraphic estimation of the relative liver perfusion in the diagnosis and therapy of liver carcinomas
Authors: Stojkovic Milica , Sobic-Saranovic Dragana , Pavlovic Smiljana , Petrovic Milorad , Stojkovic Mirjana , Lukic Snezana , Radoman Irena , Knezevic Slavko , Obradovic Vladimir
Published: April 2011

Background: The aim of the study is evaluation of the possible role of the
scintigraphic estimation of the relative liver perfusion in diagnosis and the
choice of treatment of liver carcinomas. Material and methods: Hepatic
perfusion index was obtained by dynamic scintigraphy in 126 patients.
Results: In the control group values did not differ from the value in the
patients with benign tumors (p>0.05). However, in hepatocellular carcinoma
and liver metastases of different tumors, HPI values were significantly
decreased in comparison to controls and benign tumors (p<0.01), but they
didn?t differ between themselves (p>0.05). The values were especially low in
the patients with malignant diseases in the liver accosciated with vascular
disturbances in the portal system. Conclusion: HRA could be easily done
during the different conventional nuclear medicine methods. It can be an
useful method for the assessment of different degrees of hemodynamic
alterations in portal system, for differential diagnosis of benign and
malignant liver tumors, as well as for assessment of the liver tissue and
tumor perfusion, which might be helpful in the decision making for the
undertaking of intraarterial (radionuclide, chemotherapy etc.) therapy.
Lenght of hospitalizacion of patients with ankle fracture
Authors: Ristic Dejan , Jovanovic Nebojsa , Cvetkovic Voja , Vracevic Branislav
Published: April 2011

Introduction: Fractures of ankle are one of the most frequent interacticular
fractures that require operative treatment. During the work, the influence of
some particular factors ( the length of the preoperative period, the
complications of the operative period and the aplication of antibiotics) to
the length of the postopertive intrahospital stay, are scrutinised. Method:
The patients with ankle fracture treated by operation were comprised by the
retrospective study in the Traumatologic department in the CHC Zemun in
period of 2003 to 2006, and they were devided in three groups depending on
the length of postoperative stay. Results: The period of time before the
operation(?= 0.405, p<0.01), the appearance of complications (?= 0.465,
p<0.01), as well as the length of the period of antibiotic application
(?=0.580, p<0.01), significantly influence to the length of the postoperative
intrahospital stay. The everage length of intrahospital stay for the patients
with registered complications was 19 days, while for the patients without
registered complications was 10 days. There is statistically significant
difference in the length of intrahospital recovery, depending on various
complications (logrank=35.74; df=5; p<0.01). Conclusion: It is necessary to
treat these fractures as soon as possible, for this way of medical treatment
results with less number of complications, shorter stay of patients in
hospital and thereby reduced treatment costs.
Carpal tunnel in complex regional pain syndrome: A case report
Authors: Dubljanin-Raspopovic Emilija , Matanovic Dragana , Lesic Aleksandar , Sudjic Vojo , Zivkovic Kristina , Bumbasirevic Marko
Published: April 2011

Introduction: When treating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) a positive
outcome can be expected when the condition is identified and therapy is begun
in the first six months. Nevertheless, symtpoms may not improve by standard
treatment as expected. One of the possible reasons for this is the
coexistence of associated compressive neuropathies in the affected hand. Case
outline: A 50-year old female patient with history of CRPS on the left hand
which developed as a complication of lateral epicondilytis treated with
immobilization is presented. She continued to suffer from intensive pain in
her hand despite pharmacological pain relief and initiation of a complex
rehabilitation program. Electrophysiologic testing revealed the coexistence
of conjoined severe carpal tunnel syndrome. After she underwent surgical
decompression pain relief occured and overall functional results improved.
Conclusion: Failure of therapy response in CRPS should alert the clinican to
check for associated compressive neuropathy. Detection of this complication
can prevent further damage of the nerve, hasten recovery of CRPS, and prevent
eventual permanent disability of the hand.
The analysis of some factors that influence on serum PSA level in localized prostate cancer patients: Mathematical model
Authors: Pejcic Tomislav , Hadzi-Djokic Jovan , Topuzovic Cedomir , Basic Dragan , Marjanovic Aleksandar , Djurasic Ljubomir
Published: April 2011

Introduction: Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration in
localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients depends of numerous factors related
to tumor, prostate and the patient. Tumor factors include tumor volume,
localization, growth rate and aggressiveness. Prostate factors include
prostate volume, the activity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and PSA synthesis.
Host factors include androgenic status and total blood volume. Objective: to
discuss all the possible factors that influence on serum PSA levels in
localized PCa patients. To present the mathematical model that predicts serum
PSA concentration in localized PCa patients. Methods: Mathematical model is
based on the hypothesis that tumor-related PSA molecules are released from
the epithelial prostatic cells around the tumor, so called "Destruction Zone"
around the tumor (DZ). The amount of PSA is dependent of DZ volume. Moreover,
DZ volume depends on tumor volume, tumor localization in the prostate and
tumor growth rate. Results: The study offers the wide spectrum of PSA values,
dependent on tumor, prostate and patient characteristics. These values are
comparable with the empirical results in the literature, especially if
tumor-volume doubling time of three years is entered into the calculations.
Conclusion: Although with some limitations, this mathematical model can
explain the great variety of PSA serum concentrations in PCa patients.
Helicobacter pylori infection in various groups of patients studied, estimated by 14C: Urea breath test
Authors: Stojkovic Milica , Durutovic Darija , Petrovic Milorad , Stojkovic Mirjana , Petrovic Nebojsa , Antic Andrija , Obradovic Vladimir
Published: April 2011

The aim of this study was the detection of helicobacter pylori (HP) infection
and estimation of the clinical validity and the accuracy of the 14C-urea
breath test in the groups of patients studied. A total of 248 patients with
gastric diseases were examined. There were 38 patients with gastric ulcer,
41 with duodenal ulcer, 43 with gastroduodenitis erosiva, 26 with hiatus
hernia, 36 with gastric carcinoma and 64 patients with gastritis. There were
103 true positive (TP), 139 true negative (TN), 4 false negative (FN) and 2
false positive (FP) patients. There was no significant difference in the
incidence of the HP infection between the groups of patients studied
(p>0.05). Sensitivity of the method was 96.3%, specificity 98.6%, positive
predictive value 98.1%, negative predictive value 97.2% and accuracy 97.6%.
Our results point out that the method is very accurate for the detection of
HP infection.
Usage of a Trans-Obturator-Tape (T.O.T.) "outside-in" approach in surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Jovanovic Mirko , Vuksanovic Aleksandar , Dzamic Zoran , Acimovic Miodrag , Radovanovic Milan , Djurasic Ljubomir
Published: April 2011

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyzed the efficacy and safety of a
new minimally invasive surgical procedure using the Trans-Obturator-Tape with
"outside-in" approach for treatment female stress urinary incontinence.
Patients and Methods: 31 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
associated with urethral hypermobility, underwent the T.O.T. procedure (March
2010 to January 2011). 5 patients were previously operated for incontinence.
Mean age was 59 years (37- 80). 10 patients were having mixed incontinence. A
non-elastic, polypropylene tape was placed under the mid-urethra. The
surgical placement technique utilises a trans-obturator percutaneous
approach. All patients underwent post-operative clinical examination,
coughstress test (full bladder), uroflowmetry, and post-voiding residual
assessment. Results: Mean follow-up was 5 months (1-9). At 6 months follow-up
96,7% of the patients were completely cured. The overall peri-operative
complication rate was 6,4% with no vascular, nerve or bowel injury. One
patients (3,4%) had post-operative urinary retention. Conclusion: The present
study confirms the results obtained by the instigator of the technique, E.
Delorme, and allows us to consider T.O.T. as an effective and safe technique
for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.
Legal aspects of medical errors
Authors: Vucetic Cedomir , Vukasinovic Zoran , Tulic Goran , Dulic Borivoje , Dimitrijevic K. , Kalezic Nevena
Published: April 2011

Healing people and medical care are together highly organized technological
system with significant expert, ethical and legal regulative. Taking medical
care is very sensitive area and it interfears deep into one?s integrity, so
the law is necessary in this area as a regulator. The aim of work is to show
medical errors from legal aspects and clinical practice. Errors, negligent
conduct during the medical treatment and bad results of medical treatment are
categories that can easily be switched or can sublime themselves into the
same thing. That is why correct differentiation of medical errors and viewing
every way of medical errors appearance is necessary.
Thermal analysis and prediction of phase equilibria in ternary Pb-Zn-Ag system
Authors: Zivkovic D. , Minic D. , Manasijevic D. , Sestak J. , Zivkovic Z.
Published: April 2011

Ternary Pb-Zn-Ag system is typical for some physicochemical processes going
on in refining phase in the extractive metallurgy of lead. Therefore,
investigation of mentioned system is important from both theoretical and
practical research of the phenomena occurring during the lead desilverizing
process. The results of experimental investigation using differential thermal
analysis (DTA) and thermodynamic calculation of phase equilibria in Pb-Zn-Ag
system according to CALPHAD method, in the sections with Zn:Ag mass ratio
equal to 90:10, 70:30 and 50:50, are presented in this paper.
Phases transformation of nickel lateritic ore during dehydration
Authors: Huang Q. , Lv X.
Published: April 2011

The high magnesium nickel laterite ore need first be dehydrated if it is
treated by the pirometallurgical means. The nickel laterite ore was
dehydrated in a laboratory scale sintering pot in this study. The dehydration
mechanism was studied by using the thermo-gravimetric (TG) tests,
differential thermal analysis (DTA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments.
The measurements indicated that chlorite (Fe,Mg,Al)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 and
serpentine Mg21Si12O28(OH)34H2O are the primary phases, while FeO(OH) and
(Fe,Mg,)3Si4O10(OH)2 are the minor phases in the ore. The water in the ore
can be divided as free water, crystal water, and hydroxyl group. During the
heating process, the temperature range for the removal of the free water is
25~140?C, for the crystal water it is 200~480 ?C, and for the hydroxyl group
it is 500~800?C. The experiments with various coal dosages show that the
temperatures of off-gas and burden increase with an increase in coal dosage.
The sinter samples were analyzed using XRD. The results demonstrated that
olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 and spinel MgFe2O4 are the main bonding phases.
Pit nucleation on as-cast aluminiuim alloy AW-5083 in 0.01M NaCl
Authors: Dolic N. , Malina J. , Begic-Hadzipasic A.
Published: April 2011

The use of aluminium alloys in a wide range of technical applications is
related mostly to the two facts: they facilitate weight saving of final
products (if compared to the steel) and they are prone to spontaneous
passivity due to the coherent surface oxide layer which impedes further
reaction of aluminium with the environment. Among the commercial Al alloys,
EN AW-5083 alloy is a representative non-heat treatable Al-Mg based alloy
which possesses many interesting characteristics as a structural material,
such as low price, moderately high strength, high formability in conjunction
with superplasticity and good corrosion resistance in marine atmospheres.
Aiming to enhance the knowledge of possible interactions of studied alloy EN
AW-5083 in as-cast condition with chloride media, electrochemical
measurements were used to follow the pitting behaviour in 0.01 M NaCl. The
results of tests have shown that susceptibility of alloy to pitting corrosion
is strongly influenced by the microstructural constituents of the alloy in
as-cast condition.
Thermal behavior of calcite as an expansive agent
Authors: Shahraki B.K. , Mehrabi B. , Gholizadeh K. , Mohammadinasab M.
Published: April 2011

In this paper, thermal behavior of calcite as raw material of CaO-based
expansive agent was investigated. The products were characterized by using
differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray powder diffraction
(XRD). DTA curves show that calcite has endothermic peak and impurity affects
the onset of reactions. The more the impurity increases, the more energy
changes increase. At 800-900?C, calcite was decomposed into solid calcium
oxide (CaO) and gaseous CO2. Lime (CaO) used as the base of expandable
material is the ultimate product of heated calcite. The calcium oxide phase,
in reaction to water forms portlandite, at an onset temperature of about
900?C was also characterized by the appearance of the FT-IR mode at 867,3424
and 3644 cm-1. XRD results show that quartz impurity in calcite samples at
900?C forms larnite phase (Ca2SiO4). The expansions are mainly generated from
the hydrations of CaO in the CaO-type expansive agent.
The sensitivity of electromyoneurography in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Cvijanovic Milan , Ilin Miroslav , Slankamenac Petar , Banic-Horvat Sofija , Jovin Zita
Published: April 2011

Diabetic polyneuropathy is a complex set of clinical syndromes, which deplete
various regions of the nervous system. The process leading to diabetic
neuropathy is multi-factorial. Its symptoms are paresthesia, dysesthesia and
pain. The signs of damage to the peripheral neurons are hypoesthesia,
hypoalgesia, hyperesthesia and hyperalgesia, decreased tendon reflexes, and,
possibly, weakness and muscle atrophy. There is no universal classification.
Electromyoneurography is indispensable in the diagnosis of diabetic
polyneuropathy. However, there is no agreement on the most sensitive
parameter for an early diagnosis. One hundred patients with diabetes mellitus
were examined in order to investigate the sensitivity of different
electromyographic parameters. Electromyographic techniques proved to be
entirely sensitive for the early diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Some
of the parameters are more suitable for an early detection of peripheral
nerve damage, and others, which are not so sensitive but easy to use and
stable, are suitable to follow up the course of diabetic polyneuropathy.
Fear of having the antiepileptic drug withdrawn
Authors: Knezevic-Pogancev Marija
Published: April 2011

Introduction. The decision to withdraw antiepileptic drugs is based mostly on
a balanced view of the overall risk of seizure relapse and factors most
likely to affect that risk. The aim of this study was to find out the patient
and family?s attitudes towards the fear of having antiepileptic drug
withdrawn, after three years of seizure control. Material and methods. This
research was carried out at the Institute for Child and Youth Health care of
Vojvodina in Novi Sad. During the study, which lasted from 2003 to 2008, a
face-to-face interview about fear of having the antiepileptic therapy
withdrawn was done within the adolescent patient examination. The study
population included 150 adolescent patients and 265 of their parents.
Results. In general, the adolescent patients were ready to accept a
significantly higher risk of having recurrences after the antiepileptic drug
withdrawal (p<0.05) than their parents. None of their parents was ready to
accept the risk 50% higher than the one in the general population.
Conclusion. It is important to take into consideration the fear of both
adolescent patients and their parents of having recurrences of epileptic
seizures before opting for the antiepileptic drug withdrawal.
Working disability evaluation of mentally ill persons in times of socioeconomic crisis
Authors: Skakic Olivera , Trajanovic Ljiljana
Published: April 2011

Introduction. Mental disorders reduce social functioning of ill persons in
general and often cause permanent work disability. Psychiatric services try
to solve individual professional or financial status in economic crisis
conditions. The possible causes of disability in psychiatric patients,
besides illness, are psychosocial factors. The aim of this research was to
determine the number of mentally ill persons as well as morbidity structure
changes in work disability evaluation in the last five years. Material and
methods. The research included 617 psychiatric patients referred for work
disability evaluation in this five-year period (2004-2008). The data
contained gender, age, psychiatric diagnosis and the suggested level of
disability. Results and conclusion. In the morbidity structure, a significant
increase was found in the group of patients with psychoactive substance
abuse, in whom the likelihood of permanent work disability was frequent. A
significant decrease was observed in the group of patients with mental
retardation. The number of patients with schizophrenia was similar in the
study period. The patients with mood disorders, neurotic, stress-related and
somatoform disorders were present in a relatively high number. The evaluation
and suggestion for permanent work disability increased statistically
significantly, while the number of patients in need for material security
decreased in the period of socioeconomic crisis. Disability trend in the
population of mentally ill patients is still not favourable, and therefore,
their work disability monitoring is an adequate parameter which identifies
work inefficacy and unemployment as an important factor of a poor life
quality in psychiatric patients.
Correlation between EuroSCORE and intensive care unit length of stay after coronary surgery
Authors: Mihajlovic Bogoljub , Nicin Svetozar , Susak Stamenko , Golubovic Miodrag , Velicki Lazar , Stojakovic Natasa
Published: April 2011

During the last several years many authors have found that the European
System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation is useful in the prediction of
not only postoperative mortality but also of the length of stay in the
intensive care unit, complication rate and overall treatment expenses. This
study included 329 patients who had undergone isolated surgical myocardial
revascularization at our Department during the period from January 1st to
June 6th, 2008. For the operative risk evaluation, the additive European
System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluaion was used. In group I (low risk
0-2%) there were 144 patients (43.7%), whereas group II (medium risk 3-5%)
and group III (high risk ? 6%) included 141 (42.8%) and 44 (13.4%) patients,
respectively. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was 25.56, 32.43
and 49.59 hours for groups I, II and III, respectively. The difference in the
mean length of stay in the intensive care unit between the groups was highly
statistically significant (p<0.001) with a positive correlation (R=0.193;
p<0.001). There is a positive correlation in patients who had undergone
surgical myocardial revascularization in terms of operative risk expressed by
the additive European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation and length
of stay in the intensive care unit, total intubation period and development
of early postoperative complications.
Conformal radiotherapy of prostate carcinoma: Procedure description
Authors: Erak Marko , Bugarcic Biljana , Erak Dragica , Arandjelovic Dragan , Nadj Ilinka , Tesanovic Dusanka
Published: April 2011

Introduction. Today, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is a standard
way in the radical treatment of localized prostate cancer, and it is an
alternative to the radical prostatectomy. This method of radiotherapy
treatment is widely accepted in the treatment of prostate cancer patients,
and provides irradiation of targeted volume (prostate, seminal vesicles)
with dose escalation sparing the surrounding healthy tissues (rectum,
bladder) at the same time. That is not possible with the conventional
twodimension technique. Procedure description. Three-dimensional conformal
radiotherapy is a volumetric, visual simulation according to the computed
tomography slices; it defines the tumour and organ at risk individually in
each patient. Results of several studies have shown that there is a
significant decrease in the development of acute toxicity when prostate
cancer patients are treated with conformal radiotherapy. High dose
irradiation gives excellent results in treatment of localized prostate
carcinoma and improves treatment results in the patients with locally
advanced carcinoma of prostate. Discussion. Prostate carcinoma irradiation
techniques have been changed dramatically during recent years. Data obtained
by computed tomography are important since the size and shapes of the
prostate as well as its anatomic relations towards the rectum and bladder are
considerably different in individual patients. The three-dimension plan of
irradiation can be designed for each patient individually by performing
computed tomography technique when planning radiotherapy. Conclusion. The
advanced planning systems for conformal radiotherapy can reconstruct the
anatomic structures of pelvis in three-dimension technique on the basis of
computed tomography scans, which provides better conformality between the
irradiation beam and geometrical shape of the tumour with minimal irradiation
of the surrounding healthy tissue.
Diagnostics of dry eye
Authors: Stankovic-Babic Gordana , Gligorijevic Jasmina , Zlatanovic Gordana
Published: April 2011

Introduction. Dry eye is a multi-factorial disease of tears and ocular
surface resulting in symptoms of discomforts, vision disabilities, unstable
tear film and possible damage to the ocular surface. The final diagnosis of
dry eye results from collecting various data obtained in the course of
several diagnostic procedures. Dry eye - diagnostic methods. Diagnosis of dry
eye involves performing a series of clinical methods and laboratory tests.
This paper presents some of the procedures used in the diagnosis of dry eye.
Biomicroscopy of the eye with objective tests to check the tear film
(Schirmer I, rose bengal, time break up precorneal tear film), verification
of corneal sensitivity and impression cytology of the conjunctiva, are the
optimum dry eye diagnostic routine procedures. Conclusion. The combination of
clinical and histopathological methods of examination of the anterior ocular
surface is the basis for a quality and precise diagnosis of dry eye.
A prospective evaluation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of chronic cholelithiasis: A five-year experience
Authors: Stanisic Veselin , Bakic Milorad , Magdelinic Milorad , Kolasinac Hamdija , Vlaovic Darko , Stijovic Blazo
Published: April 2011

Introduction. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a method of choice in the
treatment of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis because of less postoperative
pain, shorter hospitalization and lower cost of treatment. The study was
aimed at analysing the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients
surgically treated for chronic calculous cholecystitis (symptomatic
cholelithiasis). Material and methods. The research was done in the period
from December 2003 to December 2008. In the prospective study of 386
patients, we analyzed operative and postoperative complications, the reasons
for conversion to open cholecystectomy, duration of hospitalization and
mortality. Results. The average duration of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was
31.9?14.5 min: dissection of adhesions 3.2?0.7 min., elements of Calot?s
triangle 9.8?3.2 min., gallbladder releasing from its bed 12.8?2.8 min., the
abdominal cavity lavage and removal of gall?bladder from the abdomen 6.8?0.9
min. Some operative difficulties emerged in 22 (5.7%) patients - 4 (1%)
during releasing of gallbladder adhesions from the surrounding structures, 9
(2.3%) during dissection of elements of the Calot?s triangle, 6 (1.5%) during
gallbladder releasing from its bed, 3 (0.7%) during gallbladder removal from
the abdomen. Some post-operative complications, single or associated,
occurred in 36 (9.3%) patients: perforation of gallbladder 21 (5.4%),
bleeding from gallbladder bed 18(4.6%)/, injury of extra hepatic bile ducts 1
(0.2%), 9 (2.3%) spillage of stones; 3 (0.7%) conversions were made. The
average duration of preoperative and postoperative hospitalization was
1.1?0.3 and 1.4?0.5 days, respectively. The pathohistological examination
revealed 2 (0.5%) adenocarcinoma of gallbladder. There were no lethal
outcomes. Conclusion. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure and
rational choice in the treatment of biliary dyskinesia and symptomatic
biliary calculosis with an acceptable rate of conversion.