bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memory and Cognitive Impairment in Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Susanti Lydia 
Published: September 2022

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease in the neuromuscular junction. This is a relatively uncommon disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness, worst with exertion and improves with rest. This disease is treatable but can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The etiology of MG is commonly acquired autoimmune but, in some case, result from genetic abnormalities in the neuromuscular junction.1 The incidence of MG is about 4.1-30 points million per year, and the prevalence rate ranges from 150-200 cases per million.2 It is believed that MG incidence has increased worldwide over the past seven decades. The majority of MG was estimated at 1 in 200,000 from 1915 to 1934, grew to 1 per 20,000 after the introduction of anticholinesterase drugs in 1934, and rose to 1 per 17,000 population after the discovery of AChR antibodies in 1969.3 Sex and age appear to influence the occurrence of myasthenia gravis. Below 40 years of age, the female: male ratio is about 3: 1; however, between 40 and 50 years, as well as during puberty, it is roughly equal. Over 50 years, it occurs more commonly in males.3
Cognitive impairment in patients with myasthenia gravis is still a matter of debate. There is some evidence that central nervous system involvement in myasthenia gravis contributes to cognitive impairment—nearly 60% of individuals with MG report memory difficulties.4 Mao et al. reported in their metanalysis study that patients with suspected MG performed worse than healthy controls regarding verbal learning and memory.5 Research by Klaus et al., 2022 on myasthenia gravis showed structural and functional changes in the patient's brain. Structural changes were seen in the form of a significant decrease in the volume of gray matter in the cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, and fusiform gyrus. Functional changes are characterized by decreased performance in cognitive function, working memory, and somatosensory-related spatial orientation.6
Nagovor dekana Medicinske fakultete Univerze v Mariboru
Authors: Krajnc Ivan 
Published: September 2022

Mnogi, ki prebirate te vrstice, veste, da je Medicinska fakulteta Univerze v Mariboru (MF UM) mlada fakulteta, ki po letih ni niti prvošolček, pa vendar je v vaših rokah že prva številka znanstvene revije, katere izid nam je uspel že v letu, v katerem je bila revija zasnova. Tako kot fakulteta, ki je bila ustanovljena z Odlokom o preoblikovanju Univerze v Mariboru, sprejetim v Državnem zboru Republike Slovenije 2. oktobra leta 2003, in na katero se je prva generacija študentov vpisala v letu 2004/05, tako je tudi revija dosegla svoj prvi cilj. Načrtovanih ciljev pa je še veliko in verjamem, da bodo doseženi.
Septembra 2004 smo na Ljubljanski ulici 5 svečano odprli zgradbo, v kateri se nahajata Inštitut za anatomijo, histologijo in embriologijo ter Inštitut za fiziologijo. Dobro leto po tem je minister za visoko šolstvo, znanost in tehnologijo namenu predal obnovljene prostore Laboratorijskega centra MF UM na Magdalenskem trgu. V letu 2007 smo registrirali novi raziskovalni skupini in številne raziskovalce. Vse to je bilo v prid razvoju znanstvenoraziskovalnega dela na mladi fakulteti. V želji povezati čim več posameznikov, ki opravljajo raziskovalno in razvojno dejavnost na Univerzi v Mariboru, smo organizirali kar tri sestanke raziskovalcev, in sicer dva v letu 2007 in enega letos, na katerih smo beležili skupno več kot 150 udeležencev. Srečanja bomo organizirali tudi v prihodnje, saj bomo podprli pobudo strokovnega direktorja UKC, da srečanja postanejo tradicionalna. Prepričani smo, da je predstavitev raziskovalnega dela povezala posamezne strokovnjake, kar se nedvomno kaže tudi v tem, da bodo naši raziskovalci v novem programskem obdobju aktivni v več raziskovalnih programih oziroma skupinah, kot so bili v preteklosti.
Ob vsem tem smo spoznali, da imamo v tem prostoru velik potencial za nastanek in razvoj znanstvene in strokovne revije, in se odločili še močneje povezovati medicinsko in biotehnično znanost. Da bo vsebina novo registrirane strokovne revije lahko zajela čim širši krog raziskovalne, strokovne in pedagoške javnosti, so v njej objavljeni prispevki v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku.
Časopis ima seveda željo in cilj, da bo z nadaljnjim permanentnim kvalitetnim delom dosegel tudi strokovno afirmacijo v mednarodnem strokovnem prostoru.
Še posebej nas veseli, da smo uspeli v uredniški odbor pritegniti ugledne medicinske strokovnjake, ki nam bodo pomagali slediti strokovnemu cilju, to je mednarodni strokovni javnosti posredovati čim bolj kakovostne strokovne informacije.
Imaging, virtual reconstruction and computational material tissue) testing
Authors: Vesenjak Matej , Matela Jože , Young Philippe , Said Rajab , Ren Zoran 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Recent advances in professional software and computer hardware allow for reliable computational analyses of new engineering materials as well as biological tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to describe the procedures allowing detailed reconstruction and virtual testing of such materials.
Methods: This paper describes the procedures and techniques for computational reconstruction of specimens, based on three-dimensional (3D) imaging data sets. First, different techniques of acquiring 3D imaging data sets (i.e., computed tomography – CT, magnetic resonance imaging – MRI and ultrasound – US) are introduced. Next the virtual reconstruction procedures for generated material (tissue) scans, based on image recognition, are addressed. For this purpose the up-to-date commercial software package ScanIP was used, allowing for an automatic virtual reconstruction.
Results: The reconstructed models can be virtually redesigned and adopted for special requirements or can be discretized (using +ScanFE and +ScanCAD) for further computational analysis, for example to predict their behaviour under quasi-static or dynamic loading conditions.
Conclusions: The paper concludes with three practical examples: (i) reconstruction and structural analysis of the proximal femur (alone and with a modelled implant), (ii) reconstruction of the lumbar spine and (iii) reconstruction and structural analysis of an irregular aluminium cellular material. The proposed procedures proved to be sophisticated and effective techniques suitable for a wide spectrum of medical and engineering applications.
Prevalence of ethical dilemmas in Slovenian family practice
Authors: Klemenc-Ketiš Zalika , Kersnik Janko 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To determine the perceived prevalence of ethical dilemmas in family practice. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire sent to a random sample of 259 Slovenian family physicians. The main outcome measure was the percentage of doctors reporting the frequency of ethical dilemmas on a 5-point scale.Results: Ethical dilemmas were common (mean score ± standard deviation, 36.2±12.5, out of a maximum of 100). The most common dilemmas involved decision-making regarding use of limited resources (23.9%), patient attempts to abuse the health care service (20.4%) and interfacing with the rest of the health care system (20.4%). Dealing with patients suspected of being physically abused, sexually abused, or involved in other violent acts was the least common ethical dilemma (<0.1%), followed by issues involving breaking bad news (<0.1%) and special situations regarding adolescents (0.7%). Older physicians and those with more experience reported ethical dilemmas less commonly (32.3±11.9 vs. 40.1±11.9, P < 0.001; 32.4±11.8 vs. 39.5±12.2, P = 0.001, respectively). Specialists in family medicine and family medicine residents reported ethical dilemmas more commonly than general practitioners without specialist training (37.0±12.6 vs. 30.7±10.8, P = 0.05 and 39.5±12.5 vs. 30.7±10.8, P = 0.04, respectively).Conclusions: Ethical issues are common in Slovenian family practice and are most often reported by residents in specialist training. This supports the need to continue and even improve specialist training in recognizing and comprehending ethical dilemmas.
Comparison	of	the	UBC	ELISA	test	and	the	BTA Trak test	for	the	detection	of	bladder	tumor	recurrence
Authors: Hajdinjak Tine , Modrič Evgenija 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To compare the sensitivity of the established BTA Trak™ test with the newer UBC ELISA™ test for the detection of bladder tumor recurrence.
Methods: Urine samples from 63 patients were collected prior to cystoscopy. In cases of positive cystoscopy findings, patients were scheduled for TUR and the histologic findings were correlated with the urine test results.
Results: There was a statistically significant increase in median UBC value with increasing tumor grade. Median UBC values (µg/L) for tumor stages were: 22.1, 47.5, 95.7 and >150 for pTa, pT1, pT2/3 and CIS, respectively. The overall sensitivity of the UBC and BTA was 62% and 90% (p=0.0049). Comparing different tumor stages, the sensitivity for the UBC vs. BTA was 52% vs.86% (p=0.022) in pTa, 56% vs. 100% (p=0.039) in pT1, 83% for both tests in pT2/3 and 100% for both in CIS. In low grade tumors, the sensitivity of the UBC vs. BTA was 47% vs. 84% (p=0.022); in high grade tumors it was 75% vs. 95% (NS - p=0.085). The combination of both tests did not increase sensitivity over BTA alone. Overall specificity for the UBC was 71% and for the BTA 50% (NS). Overall test accuracy for the UBC 65% was and for the BTA 75% (NS).
Conclusion: The UBC ELISA™ test in its present form did not have better sensitivity than the BTA Trak™ test because of its lower validity in low grade/stage tumors.
Thyrotoxic struma ovarii after	thyroid	ablation: a case	report	of	laparoscopic	management
Authors: Takač Iztok , Arko Darja , Kavalar Rajko , Crnjac Anton 
Published: September 2022

Struma ovarii is a rare type of germ cell tumor and a rare cause of ectopic thyroidal hormonal production. We report a case of laparoscopic management of a thyrotoxic struma ovarii. In a 49-year-old patient, previously treated by ablative surgery and radioactive iodine for Graves' disease, a new onset of hyperthyroidism occurred unexpectedly. A whole-body scan with 131I detected increased pelvic uptake, suggesting struma ovarii. The patient was subsequently treated with laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of a benign struma ovarii. Three years after treatment the patient is disease free and is receiving thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine.
In this case the thyrotoxic struma ovarii was diagnosed preoperatively and laparoscopic surgery proved to be a useful and reliable method for ovarian ablation.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura in adulthood
Authors: Skačej Helena , Holc Iztok , Pahor Artur 
Published: September 2022

Background: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic inflammation of small-vessel walls that predominantly affects children. In adults, on the other hand, it appears rarely, and can be more severe. The disease is characterised by a tetrad of clinical signs which manifest the skin, joint, gastrointestinal, and kidney involvement. HSP is diagnosed using internationally-accepted criteria. At present, there is no effective specific therapy for children and adults. However, in cases of severe organ involvement, aggressive treatment may stabilise the disease.
Case report: We present a case of a 59-year-old immunologically uncompromised patient with an extremely severe form of HSP. Epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic procedures, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease are discussed.
Conclusions: The patient was treated with corticosteroids, human polyspecific immunoglobulins, and immunosuppressive agents. A satisfactory clinical remission has been achieved.
Time trends in cerebral palsy incidence in correlation with development of perinatal and neonatal care in Maribor (1988–2003)
Authors: Seme-Ciglenečki Polona , Burja Silva , Hajdinjak Dušanka , Mičetić Turk Dušanka 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To investigate time trends in cerebral palsy (CP) incidence in correlation with development of perinatal and neonatal intensive care in Maribor, Slovenia.
Methods: A population–based study covering the 52.450 live births (1988– 2003) at the Department of Perinatology, University Clinical Center, Maribor and residents in one of the five communities of the Maribor region on January 1, 2006. Multiple sources were used. Neuropediatrician and other professional medical records were evaluated for all children at the rehabilitation units. The prevalence of CP was analyzed in yearly cohorts according to birth weight, gestational age, type of CP, and degree of disability.
Results: Calculated crude mean prevalence of CP for this population group was 3.7/1000 infant survivors, 2.7/1000 for preterm CP, and 1/1000 for term CP, and 44% were Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II. Spastic diplegia was the most prevalent subtype of CP. The increase in CP rates in 1999, 2000 and 2001 could be explained by improved survival of preterm infants at 28–32 weeks gestation. The neonatal mortality rate has declined in Maribor significantly from 6.6/1000 live births in 1997 to 3.1/1000 in 2001 and 1.8/1000 in 2009.
Conclusion: Progressive changes in perinatal and neonatal intensive care in Maribor since 1994 have led to a fall in the early neonatal mortality rate, and this increase in survival of preterm infants has increased CP morbidity rate.
Is the Spinal Cord Stimulation an effective treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome? – Our experience with 21 cases
Authors: Strojnik Tadej , Velnar Tomaž , Krčevski Škvarč Nevenka 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Management of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a costly challenge for practitioners of multidisciplinary pain management and for clinicians offering medical, surgical or behavioural therapy. We analyzed the outcome of FBSS treatment with the spinal cord stimulation (SCS).
Methods: A retrospective analysis involved 21 patients (10 men and 11 women, median age 50 years) suffering from FBSS. They were treated with the SCS over a 5–year period at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Centre Maribor. Their pain intensity, clinical alteration in pain relief, functional disability, employment status, analgesics consumption and complications were evaluated.
Result: The median follow–up after the SCS was 24 months. According to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measurement, pain intensity before the SCS was scored between 7 and 10, median value 8. After the SCS, the VAS scores ranged between 3 and 6, median value 4 (p<0.0001). A reduction in postoperative drug consumption was evident. All employed patients returned to work. Results of functional disability measured according to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) ranged from 18% to 78% with the mean value of 39% (moderate disability).
Conclusion: The SCS is a treatment of choice for patients with FBSS–associated chronic leg pain, where the pain persists in spite of the optimized conventional pain treatment. It improves the quality of life, reduces drug consumption and enables patients to return to work.
Aortoduodenal fistula - fatal complication in a patient with aortic prosthesis
Authors: Skok Pavel 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Aortoenteric fistula is an extremely rare source of upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage (UGIH).
Case report: We present the case of a 58-year-old man who was admitted to our ward with UGIH. During diagnosis, urgent upper and lower GI endoscopy, abdominal US, CT angiography and ileojejunography were performed. Unfortunately, the bleeding source was not found and the patient was discharged. He returned 2 weeks later with profound anemia. Urgent upper GI endoscopy did not elucidate the bleeding source. The patient died suddenly a few days after receiving symptomatic treatment. At autopsy, a secondary aortoduodenal fistula due to prosthetic aortic reconstruction was found, which had led to fatal haemorrhage.
Conclusion: Some sources of UGIH are very rare. In the diagnostic work up of these patients we should be aware of the limitations of different imaging procedures.
Pelvic expansion hidden by concomitant lumbar compression as a cause of sciatica - report of three cases
Authors: Bunc Gorazd , Ravnik Janez , Voršič Matjaž 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Three patients with sciatica caused by contemporary involvement of intra- and extraspinal compression of the sciatic nerve are presented.
Case report: The diagnostic workup initially revealed intraspinal compression as the cause of sciatica. All patients underwent surgery that did not lead to clinical improvement. Additional diagnosis in two patients and autopsy in one revealed that residual pain was caused by nerve sheath tumors in two cases and pelvic abscess compression of the lumbosacral plexus in the third case.
Conclusion: Extraspinal compression of the sciatic nerve should be considered where standard surgical decompression of the intraspinal cause of sciatica fails to improve the clinical picture.
Anaphylactic shock after Ranitidine – a Case report
Authors: Željko Tadej , Sinkovič Andreja 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Anaphylactic shock is a severe, unexpected, life-threatening generalized hypersensitivity reaction that is usually triggered by antigens such as food, venom or drugs. Among drugs, ranitidine is considered safe and is even used in allergic reactions to decrease skin rash. However, in rare cases, ranitidine can provoke anaphylaxis or even anaphylactic shock.
Case report: We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with abdominal pain, treated with i.v. bolus of ranitidine after previous occasional oral ranitidine ingestion. Within minutes, she developed symptoms and signs of anaphylactic shock. Immediate treatment was initiated with i.v. adrenaline, fluid infusion, and i.v. hydrocortisone and clemastine. After admission to the intensive care unit, treatment was continued, includingi.v. vasopressors. Intubation and mechanical ventilation were needed because of acute respiratory failure. After 2 days, the situation resolved completely. After she was extubated, the patient could breathe spontaneously without the need for additional oxygen. She was discharged without any sequelae within a few days.
Conclusion: We conclude that even ranitidine, which has been used safely for many years, can trigger anaphylaxis and/or anaphylactic shock. In cases of anaphylactic shock, treatment with vasopressors, intubation and mechanical ventilation is needed to preserve life.
Marking of the proximal facial nerve stump for delayed repair after vestibular schwannoma removal
Authors: Rebol Janez , Milojković Vojin 
Published: September 2022

Objective: To investigate whether marking the facial nerve stump during surgery permits facial nerve reconstruction to be performed successfully at later surgical intervention.
Case report: The patient was operated for a large residual vestibular schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach and the facial nerve was injured during tumor removal. A metal clip was placed on a facial nerve stump to permit localization and identification at a later time. One month after the first operation nerve repair employing a sural nerve graft from the cerebellopontine angle to the mastoid portion of the facial nerve was performed through the translabyrinthine approach.
Conclusion: Follow-up of facial function was carried up for more than two years. The patient achieved very good functional results, confirming that end-to-end facial nerve repair with an interposition graft with positive outcome can be successfully performed as a delayed procedure.
Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheotomy: A fast and safe technique for airway management
Authors: Metterlein Thomas , Negele Sabrina , Wunder Christian , Roewer Norbert , Schuster Frank 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To describe a modified technique for percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) offering possible significant advantages over currently used procedures.
Methods: An observational animal study using ultrasound for PDT was performed. After pre-incisional ultrasonic examination, and with continuing ultrasound guidance, the trachea was punctured with an 18-gauge introducer needle and a tracheal tube was inserted using the Seldinger technique and a Ciaglia single dilator. Setting: University Hospital animal laboratory center. Subjects: 11 pietrain pigs (weight 26–36 kg).
Results: Successful tracheotomy was accomplished in all 11 pigs. The mean duration of the procedure was 20 seconds from skin penetration to guide wire placement. In one pig, the dorsal wall of the trachea was punctured.
Conclusion: This novel procedure is a simple and effective technique for PDT tube placement.
Bronchoscopy and cricothyrotomy: results from cadavers embalmed with Thiel’s method compared to other embalming methods and living subjects
Authors: Feigl Georg , Benkhadra Mehdi , Lenfant François , Trouilloud Pierre , Anderhuber Friedrich , Bonniaud Philippe , Fasel Jean HD , Nemetz Wolfgang 
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Cricothyrotomy and bronchoscopy were performed on cadavers embalmed according to Thiel’s method, and the results compared with findings from other types of cadavers and living subjects, to assess the suitability of such specimens for medical teaching and research.
Methods: Blind cricothyrotomy was performed in 40 cadavers using two different devices (Cook and Portex sets) on each of 20 cadavers and the procedures were recorded by a monitoring fibreoptic bronchoscope placed in the larynx. Bronchoscopy was performed on another 22 cadavers. All procedures were videotaped and evaluated by board certified anatomists and anaesthetists. Tissue behaviour, ligament resistance, palpability of anatomical structures, mucosal colour and cadaver flexibility, especially during jaw thrust and tongue lift, were evaluated and qualitatively compared to conditions found in the living and to reports of studies using specimens embalmed with the classic formalin method. Where the procedures caused mucosal lesions, the damaged was assessed during subsequent dissection.
Results: The cadavers were life-like in all criteria evaluated. Portex and Cook cricothyrotomy was feasible in all cases. Bronchoscopy was feasible in all cadavers without difficulty. Jaw thrust and tongue lift was never limited and lobar bronchi were always reached. Further advancement was limited in half of the cases by either the preservation liquid or the diameter of the segmental bronchi; in the remaining half, advancement into the smaller airways was limited only by their diameter.
Conclusion: Cadavers fixed according to Thiel’s method are highly useable, life-like specimens for teaching and researching cricothyrotomy and bronchoscopy. The data obtained are transferable to the living, so research findings should be valid and teaching effective.