Slovakia online
NON-HOMOGENEITY OF LIFE EXPECTANCY IN SLOVAKIA
GINTER, E., TATARA, M., SIPEKIOVA, T.
The life expectancy at birth of males in the Slovak Republic (SR) is one of the shortest in Europe. Exact explanation of this phenomenon is still unknown. The statistical significance of the relation between life expectancy and various factors (infant mortality rate, ethnical structure, educational level, religious belief, economic activity of inhabitants and environmental factors) was analysed by multifactorial methods in all 38 districts of Slovakia. A surprising paradox phenomenon was observed in the areas with the highest pollutant emissions, where the life expectancy was the longest. Infant mortality rate, ethnical structure and particularly the educational level of the districts were significantly correlated with life expectancy. The life expectancy was negatively influenced mostly by the proportion of elementary - educated males. We suppose the style of life presents the background of these relations, but there is a lack of statistically reliable data from the individual districts of SR for more profound analysis. It must be stressed that neither the statistically high significant correlation is evidence of the causal connection between observed parameters. (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 16.)
Key words: life expectancy at birth; districts of the Slovak Republic; multifactorial analysis; ethnical structure; educational level; infant mortality rate.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 301-306
ANTIPHAGOCYTIC ACTIVITY OF SERA TREATED WITH ORGANIC SOLVENTS (CHLOROFORM, ETHYL ETHER)
STEFANOVIC, J., BUCOVA, M., MURGASOVA, I., HEGYI, L.
The opsonization of C. albicans by means of sera treated with chloroform and ethyl ether resulted in significantly decreased values of PMN leucocyte phagocytic activity. In contrast to ethyl ether treated sera (decrease of phagocytic activity about 45 %), chloroform processed sera possessed increased antiphagocytic activity (decrease of phagocytic activity about 63 %). Significant changes were observed in the candidacidal capacity to C. albicans (decrease about 50 %) and in the capacity of NBT (INT) reduction measured spectrophotometrically (decrease about 66 % in chloroform treated sera and about 42 % in ethyl ether treated sera). (Fig. 1, Ref. 22.)
Key words: chloroform; ethyl ether; phagocytic activity; candidacidal activity; NBT (INT) reduction.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 307-310
HYPOGLYCEMIA - FREQUENCY, CAUSES AND HORMONAL COUNTERREGULATORY MECHANISMS IN NORMALS AND PATIENTS WITH IDDM
MOKAN, M.
The occurrence of hypoglycemia is common in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. They experience an average of one to two episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia per week; 10-20 % suffer at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia in a given year. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia in diabetic patients treated with intensive insulin therapy is threefold higher than in patients on conventional insulin therapy and 55 % of all episodes occurred in sleep. Prevention of hypoglycemia or the restoring of euglycemia involve the dissipation of metabolic insulin effects and activation of counterregulatory hormone responses (glucagon, catecholamines, growth hormone, cortisol). Among counterregulatory mechanisms there exists hierarchy. The glycemic threshold for release of glucoregulatory hormones in normal people is about 3,8 mmol/l. The glucose counterregulatory system is often impaired in patients with diabetes mellitus with the onset early after diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Impaired glucagon response is almost universally present after 5 years of diabetes. The defect is selective and the mechanism is not fully explained. Most often it is considered a defect in signal perception of alfa-cells, a rearrangement of islets of Langerhans with predominance of delta-cells or mechanism of central adaptation. After 5-10 years of diabetes glucose counterregulation becomes further impaired with a defect in epinephrine secretion. A possible mechanism is the abnormality at the CNS level. Autonomic neuropathy is a contributory factor. Defective hormonal counterregulation correlates well with duration of diabetes and strict glycemic control. If the glucagon response is intact the hormonal counterregulation is sufficient even in the presence of the impairment of other glucoregulatory factors. Patients with defective glucagon and epinephrine secretion are without significant defense against development of iatrogenic hypoglycemia. Growth hormone, cortizol as well as other factors do not play an important role in hormonal counterregulation. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 34.)
Key words: hypoglycemia; frequency; causes; counterregulation; diabetes mellitus.
Bratisl Lek Listy, 1995: 96: 311-316
CURRENT OPINIONS ON PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN SUCKLINGS AND TODDLERS
KOTULOVA, D., KAPELLEROVA, A., PALICOVA, F., KOTZIGOVA, A.
Pneumococci colonize the upper respiratory tract predominantly in sucklings and toddlers. By means of their factors of virulence (capsule, ahesines, peptidoglycan, and polysacharides of the capsule, cytoplasmic membrane enzymes) they can either avoid or impair the immunity mechanisms causing thus severe infections especially in children younger than three years of age and in patients with immunity defects. Regarding the possibility of occurence of pneumococci with altered susceptibility to penicillin and some other drugs (erythromycin, cotrimaxazol, ceftriaxon, chloramphenicol, tetracycline) it is necessary to treat severe pneumococcal infections on the basis of in vitro detected susceptibility. (Tab. 4, Ref. 26.)
Key words: Streptococcus pneumoniae; infections the of upper respiratory tract; resistance against antimicrobial drugs.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 317-321
UTILIZATION OF DNA ANALYSIS IN ASSESSMENT OF PREDISPOSITION TO HYPERTENSION
HUDECOVA, S., KRIZANOVA, O., SZOMOLAYOVA, I., POLAK, E.
Angiotensinogen gene belongs to the genes designated as hypertension
candidate genes. These genes might participate in development
of hypertension.
The aim of this work was to establish frequency of the mutant
allele M235T on angiotensinogen gene in Slovak population and
compare this frequency with that obtained from the group of hypertensive
patients.
We tested DNA from 120 healthy individuals and 20 hypertensive
patients. By polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction
analysis we determined frequency of mutant allele M235T in healthy
population as well as in the group of hypertensive patients.
We have found that frequency of the mutant allele in Slovak population
was 0.33, while among hypertensive patients 0.45. Percentage of
heterozygosity for M235T allele was 44.5 %. Frequency of this
mutant allele was significantly higher among women compared to
men (0.38 vs. 0.27).
Increased frequency of M235T allele among hypertensive patients
compared to healthy population confirm that M235T mutation is
bound to increased blood pressure. This quick and noninvasive
method should help in the future to determine the possible risk
of hypertension development. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 9.)
Key words: DNA analysis; angiotenzinogen; hypertension; PCR.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 322-325
DYNAMICS OF SOME HAEMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS IN EARLY POSTNATAL AGE
JURKO Jr., A, JURKO, A., HLAUCOVA, E., ZIBOLEN, M., SPARCOVA, A.
Background: The fetal circulation is subdued to alteration
after birth. Fetal vascular communications enclose (ductus arteriosus
Botalli and foramen ovale) and vascular resistance of the lungs
and pressure in the pulmonary artery decrease. Low-resistance
placenta is excluded from the systemic circuit, leading thus to
abrupt pressure elevation and to its further increase.
Objectives:
The aim of the study is to judge the dynamics of alterations
during the postnatal period by means of Doppler's echocardiography:
- the left ventricular ventricle, - parameters characterizing
circulation in the pulmonary bed.
Methods: 23 healthy randomly
selected newborn infants born at full term were examined on the
1st and 2nd day of their life.
Results: Parameters of the
left ventricular function did not change between the 1st and 2nd
days of life. Parameters from the outflow tract of the right ventricle
on the 5th day of life of infants: the ratio of PEP (preejection
period) to AT (acceleration time) significantly decreased, the
ratio of PEP to ET(ejection time) did not change. Parameters of
the pulmonary artery on the 5th day of life of infants: significant
decrease of the ratio PEP/AT, as well as of PEP/ET, the peak and
mean velocity of blood flow significantly increased.
Conclusions:
The left ventricular function is not subdued to alterations
during early postnatal period. The parametres characterizing the
pulmonary circulation proove a decrease of pressure in the pulmonary
bed on the 5th day of life.
Meaning for practice and theory:
The results are utilizable in interpretation of echocardiographic
examination in postnatal age. (Fig. 8, Ref. 19.)
Key words: pulsion Doppler's echocardiography; left ventricular function; pulmonary hypertension; newborn infant.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 326-330
SERUM SELENIUM LEVELS IN SLOVAK CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FROM SELECTED REGIONS OF SLOVAKIA
BRTKOVA, A., BEDEROVA, A., MAGALOVA, T., BABINSKA, K.
Background:
There is a limited number of data concerning blood serum selenium
levels in children and adolescents in the Slovak Republic.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to access blood serum selenium levels
in 102 healthy children (11-14 y) and 122 adolescents (15-18 y)
from two regions: The district of Cadca and Modra-Pezinok area.
Methods:
Serum selenium was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption
spectrophotometric method using Pd as a matrix modifier.
Results:
The mean (±SD) serum selenium concentration was 0.644±0.154
µmol/l in children and 0.730±0.175 µmol/l in adolescents.
A large proportion of the individuals (28.43 % in the children
group, vs 14.05 % in adolescent group) exhibited serum selenium
levels below 0.57 µmol/l (45 µg/l). A significant correlation
between serum selenium concentration and age (p<0.001)
was found. The correlation between serum selenium concentration
and sex was not significant.
Conclusions: In comparison
with serum selenium levels in children and adolescents from other
countries, the concentration of serum selenium in Slovak children
and adolescents is relatively low. This differences could probably
be attributed to the selenium content in the soil and to the lower
average daily selenium intake via food. (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref.
32.)
Key words: serum selenium concentration; sex; age; atomic absorption spectrophotometry; Slovak children and adolescents.
Bratisl Lek Listy 1995; 96: 331-337