Shaip Krasniqi

The effect of aerobic exercise on quality of life among breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on the quality of life (QOL) and physical functioning in breast cancer survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS We randomly assigned 62 breast cancer survivors to an exercise (N = 30) or control group (N = 32). The exercise group trained at a moderate intensity progressing from 25 to 40 min over a 10-week period. The control group did not train. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and postintervention. The primary outcomes were overall QOL--as assessed by the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast (FACT-B) scale. Secondary outcomes were changes in various subscales of overall QOL, and changes in body composition outcomes: body weight, body mass index, and changes in performance in a 12 min walk test (12MWT). RESULTS Sixty-two of 73 women randomized (84.9%) completed the study. There were no significant differences amongst the two groups at baseline for any variable. In the exercise group significant improvements were demonstrated for the FACT-B (13.4 points, P < 0.003), functional assessment of cancer therapy-general (FACT-G) (9.16 points, P < 0.008), the functional well-being subscale (P < 0.010), and the emotional well-being subscale (P < 0.035) compared to the control group. No significant changes in body weight or BMI were observed. Exercise group showed a significant increase in 12MWT (P < 0.009). CONCLUSION We conclude that 10 week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program significantly improves QOL and physical functioning in breast cancer survivors. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of similar exercise programs over longer periods of time and involving a greater number of breast cancer survivors.

Arctigenin improves vascular tone and decreases inflammation in human saphenous vein

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to test the effects of bioactive phenylpropanoid dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan arctigenin (ATG) in vascular tone. Human bypass graft vessel, from a saphenous vein (SV), were set up in organ bath system and contracted with potassium chloride (KCl, 40 mM). Two concentration–response curves of noradrenaline (NE) (10 nM–100 &mgr;M) separated with an incubation period of 30 min without (Control) or with ATG (3–100 &mgr;M) were established. Inhibitors of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, K+ related channels or calcium influx were used to delineate the molecular mechanisms beyond ATG effects. To investigate anti‐inflammatory actions, SV were treated with 10 &mgr;M or 100 &mgr;M ATG and incubated for 18 h in the absence or presence of both interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1&bgr;) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic the physiological or inflamed tissue conditions. Proatherogenic and inflammatory mediators İnterleukine‐1 beta (IL‐1&bgr;), Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteine‐1 (MCP‐1), Tumor Necrosis Factor‐ &agr; (TNF‐&agr;), İnterleukine‐6 (IL‐6), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and İnterleukine‐8 (IL‐8) in the supernatant were measured. ATG significantly decreased vascular contractile response to NE. Moreover, it reduced contractions induced by KCl and cumulative addition of CaCl2. The mediators were significantly increased in inflammatory conditions compared to normal conditions, an effect which was inhibited by ATG (10 and 100 &mgr;M). ATG reduces contractions in SV and decreases the production of proinflammatory‐proatherogenic mediators, setting the stage for further evaluating the effect of ATG in cardiovascular diseases.

Surveillance of antibiotic and analgesic use in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo.

Background Because Kosovo has no reliable information on antimicrobial and analgesic use in dental practice, the survey reported here evaluated the antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions in the Oral Surgery Department of the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo (UDCCK). Methods The data of 2,442 registered patients for a 1-year period were screened and analyzed concerning antibiotic and analgesic use as per standards of rational prescription. Results Dentistry doctors prescribed antibiotics significantly more often than analgesics. Antibiotics were prescribed in 8.11% of all cases, while only 1.35% of total prescriptions were for analgesics. The total consumption of antibiotic drugs in the UDCCK was 4.53 Defined Daily Doses [DDD]/1,000 inhabitants/day, compared with only 0.216 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day for analgesics. From a total number of 117 patients, 32 patients received combinations of two antibiotics. Conclusion Pharmacotherapy analysis showed that the prescription rates of antibiotics and analgesics in the UDCCK are not rational in terms of the qualitative aspects of treatment. For the qualitative improvement of prescription of these drug groups, we recommend the implementation of treatment guidelines following rational standards.

Adrenergic Agonist and Antagonist Action in Airways of Patients withBronchial Asthma

In this study, the effect of dopamine as agonist dopaminergic receptor and alpha and beta adrenergic receptor was studied both in vivo. The effect of tolazoline as an antagonist of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor was also studied in patients with bronchial asthma and persons with increased bronchial reactibility. Parameters of the lung function are determined by body plethysmography. Raw and ITGV were registered and SRaw was calculated as well. Aerosolization is done with standard aerosolizing machines – Asema. Results gained in vivo shows that stimulation of alpha adrenergic receptor with dopamine (4 μg and 300 μg) causes significant contraction (p > 0.1) of the smooth bronchial musculature. Whereas, blockage of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor with tolazoline (20 mg by inhalator ways) does not change the bronchimotor tonus significantly (p>0.1) when compared to the stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptor with hexoprenaline (2 inh. x 0.2 mg) and blocker of cholinergic receptor - ipratropium (2 inh. x 1 mg). Reaction of the smooth musculature to dopamine suggests that this substance may cause constriction through alpha adrenergic receptors. Reaction may also be intermediated in indirect ways through dopaminergic receptor of the cholinergic transmission, with intracellular inhibition of the creation of cAMP.

Influence of Gender and Age on Average Dimensions of Arteries Forming the Circle of Willis Study by Magnetic Resonance Angiography on Kosovo’s Population

BACKGROUND: Circulus arteriosus cerebri is the main source of blood supply to the brain; it connects the left and right hemispheres with anterior and posterior parts. Located at the interpenducular fossa at the base of the brain the circle of Willis is the most important source of collateral circulation in the presence of the disease in the carotid or vertebral artery. AIM: The purpose of the research is to study the diameter and length of arteries and provide an important source of reference on Kosovo’s population. METHODS: This is an observative descriptive study performed at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. A randomised sample of 133 angiographic examinations in adult patients of both sexes who were instructed to exploration is included. RESULTS: The diameters and lengths measured in our study were comparable with other brain-cadaver studies especially those performed by MRA. All dimensions of the arteries are larger in male than female, except the diameter of PCoA that is larger in female (p < 0.05) and length of the ACoA (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in diameters of arteries between the younger and the older age groups. CONCLUSION: Knowing the dimensions of the arteries of the circle of Willis has a great importance in interventional radiology as well as during anatomy lessons.

The Predictive Role of Procalcitonin On the Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Infections

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the algorithm of procalcitonin (PCT) and its role on the duration of antibiotics prescription for intra-abdominal infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective controlled study that is conducted in groups of 50 hospitalised patients and 50 controlled group patients. RESULTS: The results indicated that the average duration of antibiotic delivery to the PCT group was -10.6 days (SD ± 6.6 days), while in the control group -13.2 days (SD ± 4.2 days). These data showed a significant difference in the duration of antibiotic therapy and the monitoring role of PCTs in the prediction success of antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic delivery was longer in the septic shock 17 (SD ± 11.7) that corresponds to high PCT values of 67.8 (SD ± 50.9). Recurrence of the infection after the cessation of antibiotics occurred in 2 cases (4%) in the standard group, while it occurred in 3 cases (6%) in the control group. CONCLUSION: The treatment of the intra-abdominal infections based on the PCT algorithm shortens the duration of antibiotic treatment and does not pose a risk for the recurrence of the infection.

Correlation of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein with Intra-Abdominal Hypertension in Intra-Abdominal Infections: Their Predictive Role in the Progress of the Disease

AIM: To analyse the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values with increased intra-abdominal pressure and to evaluate their predictive role in the progression of Intra-abdominal infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A non-randomized prospective study conducted in the group of 80 patients. We have measured the PCT, CRP and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). RESULTS: According to IAH grades (G), there was a significant difference of PCT values: G I 3.6 ± 5.1 ng/ml, G II 10.9 ± 22.6 ng/ml, G III 15.2 ± 30.2 ng/ml (p = 0.045) until: CRP values were increased in all IAH groups but without distinction between the groups: GI 183 ± 64.5, GII 196 ± 90.2, GIII 224 ± 96.3 (p = 0.17). According to the severity of the infection, we yielded increased values of PCT, IAP and CRP in septic shock, severe sepsis and SIRS/sepsis resulting in significant differences of PCT and IAP. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our research, we conclude that the correlation of PCT values with IAH grades is quite significant while the CRP results remain high in IAH but without significant difference between the different grades of IAH.

Impact of combined non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus-a preliminary report randomized clinical study

Background/objectives: Scientific evidence regarding the effects of chronic periodontitis on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2M) is fragmentary and not definitive. This intervention study was designed to evaluate the effects of a Non-Surgical Procedure (NSP) in addition to a surgical procedure on systemic inflammation and glycaemic control in patients with T2M and periodontitis and Non-Diabetic (ND) patients with periodontitis. Material and Methods: A total of 100 patients with diabetes were randomly allocated to a treatment group and a control group. At least one tooth was extracted from each patient. After extraction, the control group (n=50) did not receive any other treatment until the 3-month follow-up. Patients in the treatment group (n=50) received Full-Mouth Scaling and Root Planing (FM-SRP).The Mean Probing Depth (MPD), Mean Attachment Level (MAL), Plaque Index (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), fasting blood samples for the measurement of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured or taken at baseline and 3 months after treatment. To investigate the effect of diabetes on the therapeutic procedure’s outcome, ND patients with periodontitis (n=60) were divided into two equal groups and subjected to the same procedures and analysis. Results: HbA1c and hs-CRP decreased significantly in the diabetic groups and decreased more markedly when FM-SRP was added to tooth extraction (P<0.001). For ND patients, all of the examined periodontal parameters were in favor of the combination therapy (P<0.001). Conclusion: Non-surgical periodontal treatment can help improve the outcome of surgical periodontal procedures by reducing systemic inflammatory status and improve glucose metabolism.

The impact of bilateral vagotomy on the physostigmine-induced airway constriction in ferrets

Vagal innervations have a great role in the respiratory function and are the main route of signal transmission from respiratory neural centers into the trachea and others conducting airways. We have investigated the role of central mechanisms related to vagal neural pathways and the cholinergic outflow in tracheobronchial smooth muscle tone and lung mechanics parameters. Parameters of lung mechanics such as lung resistance (RL), dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and pressure in bypassed tracheal segment (Ptseg) were measured before and after vagotomy and asphyxia test. Before vagotomy (BV), the control measurements were obtained and physostigmine was administered systemically, in increasing dose 10, 40 and 100μg/kg body weight (bw) with 15min interval between doses. After vagotomy (AV), administration of physostigmine with the same doses as BV has been done and the asphyxia challenge was conducted as per study protocol. The values of Ptseg and RL after physostigmine administration, BV vs. AV, respectively, at maximal dose of 100μg/kg bw were 32.5±3.3cm H2O, and 10.6±1.5cm H2O (p<0.0001); 0.16±0.04cm H2O/mL/s, and 0.067±0.006cm H2O/mL/s AV (P<0.05). The Cydn values were affected after physostigmine administration only at the lowest dose of 10μg/kg bw, and BV was 0.75±0.05mL/cm H2O vs. 0.53±0.04mL/cm H2O AV (P<0.004). Cholinergic outflow produced increases in tracheal tone, lung resistance and a decrease in dynamic compliance before, but not after vagotomy. Our results show the high impact of central neuronal mechanism in parameters of lung mechanics and respiration. This study indicates that vagal nerves have a crucial role, in the transmission of impulses initiated from central nervous system, in regulating the respiration by contraction or relaxation of airway smooth muscle tone.

Antibiotic Utilization in Pediatric Hospitalized Patients – A Single Center Study

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in paediatrics. In most cases, antibiotics are started on an empirical basis, without proof of a bacterial infection, either before the start of therapy or afterwards. AIM: The main objective of this study was to analyse the consumption of antibiotics in hospitalised paediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study investigated the consumption of antimicrobials in defined daily doses (DDDs according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical/DDD index) in Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Nephrology Departments at Pediatric Clinic of the tertiary hospital. The data on the consumption of antimicrobials were collected for five years by using properly designed form. The consumption was related to days of hospital care. RESULTS: The most utilised antibiotics group in all three departments Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Nephrology Departments were penicillins. Cephalosporins were mostly used in Pulmonology department. Metronidazole and Chloramphenicol were used in minimal quantities in all three departments. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that surveillance programs on antibiotic resistance should be established and accompanied by analyses of drug utilisation data which can aid in the creation of valid cross-national studies on antibiotic usage and resistance, to motivate improvements in prescribing and guideline-directed antibiotic prescribing.