scholarly journals LANDSLIDES ON THE ROADS OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA AS A RESULT OF ELEMENTAL OR ANTHROPOGENIC PROCESSES

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neđo Đurić ◽  
Đurić Dijana

The Republic of Srpska, which is an integral part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was affected by intenseprecipitation during May 2014 and May 2015. The northern part of the Republic of Srpska is locatedbetween the plain area of the Sava River and the mountain massif of the inner Dinarides, while theeastern and western parts are confined to the rivers Drina and Una. Increased precipitation, which in2014 was three times higher than the average, activated large number of landslides, and most of themthreatened the facilities of various purposes. One year later, in the same month, this area was again hitby intense precipitation, less than in the previous year, but more significant by the size of activatedlandslides.The most significant landslides were formed along the roads, and the degree of damage is different,depending on the method of construction and maintenance during exploitation.The slopes on whichroads are built are in general conditionally stable, and for years have kept their stability in naturalconditions. By engineering interventions during the construction of the roads, the natural state ofbalance was disturbed, which was manifested with delay, since the slopes were not well repaired. Theopen terrain profiles on the slopes created favorable conditions for water to flow into the quasihomogeneous and heterogeneous clay sediments, where their stability was disturbed.The roads that were built of good quality as well as slope reparations during construction did not havesignificant damage during intense precipitation, although some of them were built several decadesearlier. During the inventory of landslides on the roads, the effects of elemental and anthropogenicprocesses were analyzed, where 23 of the characteristic landslides were selected. The periods ofconstruction before and after 1990 were separated, that is, the periods of earlier quality construction offacilities from today's modern one.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zharko Stojmanovski ◽  
Milka Zdravkovska ◽  
Vaso Taleski ◽  
Svetlana Jovevska ◽  
Velo Markovski

Background: Besides the strategy based on test-and-slaughter policy for seropositive sheep and goats after an evaluation of the situation, vaccination measure of those animals against brucellosis with Rev 1 vaccine in 2008 have been implemented.Aims: To examine the influence of the new measure for control and eradication of brucellosis in sheep and goats on the incidence of human brucellosis before and after vaccination with B. melitensis Rev.1.Material and methods: This is a retrospective study in which comparison of the incidence of human brucellosis in the three regions has been made depending on the vaccination procedure in sheep and goats one year before the implementation of the vaccination (2007) and 4 years later. Data for the infected sheep and goats were obtained from the Food and Veterinary Agency and data for human brucellosis were obtained from the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia.Results: The greatest decrease in the incidence of human brucellosis (from 124.3 to 19.7/100,000 inhabitants) was registered in the region 3 where mass vaccination of sheep and goats was conducted. The highest incidence rate of brucellosis in sheep and goats was registered in 2007 (2010/100,000 sheep and goats) and the lowest in 2011 (156/100,000 sheep and goats). Periodic prevalence of brucellosis in sheep and goats prior to vaccination was 6882/100,000 sheep and goats and after vaccination 3698/100,000 sheep and goats (p<0.05). There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of infected individuals with brucellosis and the number of infected sheep and goats (r=0.26).Conclusion: Decline of the incidence of human brucellosis is one of the major indicators for successfully implemented new control programs and strategies for prevention and eradication of brucellosis in sheep and goats. Vaccination was good measure to control brucellosis in the 3 regions.


Author(s):  
Henry H. Eichelberger ◽  
John G. Baust ◽  
Robert G. Van Buskirk

For research in cell differentiation and in vitro toxicology it is essential to provide a natural state of cell structure as a benchmark for interpreting results. Hypothermosol (Cryomedical Sciences, Rockville, MD) has proven useful in insuring the viability of synthetic human epidermis during cold-storage and in maintaining the epidermis’ ability to continue to differentiate following warming.Human epidermal equivalent, EpiDerm (MatTek Corporation, Ashland, MA) consisting of fully differentiated stratified human epidermal cells were grown on a microporous membrane. EpiDerm samples were fixed before and after cold-storage (4°C) for 5 days in Hypothermosol or skin culture media (MatTek Corporation) and allowed to recover for 7 days at 37°C. EpiDerm samples were fixed 1 hour in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.2). A secondary fixation with 0.2% ruthenium tetroxide (Polysciences, Inc., Warrington, PA) in sodium cacodylate was carried out for 3 hours at 4°C. Other samples were similarly fixed, but with 1% Osmium tetroxide in place of ruthenium tetroxide. Samples were dehydrated through a graded acetone series, infiltrated with Spurrs resin (Polysciences Inc.) and polymerized at 70°C.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ching Chang ◽  
Chien-Hao Huang ◽  
Hsiao-Jung Tseng ◽  
Fang-Chen Yang ◽  
Rong-Nan Chien

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric complication of decompensated cirrhosis, is associated with high mortality and high risk of recurrence. Rifaximin add-on to lactulose for 3 to 6 months is recommended for the prevention of recurrent episodes of HE after the second episode. However, whether the combination for more than 6 months is superior to lactulose alone in the maintenance of HE remission is less evident. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the one-year efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose for the maintenance of HE remission in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a real-world single-center retrospective cohort study to compare the long-term efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose (group R + L) versus lactulose alone (group L, control group). Furthermore, the treatment efficacy before and after rifaximin add-on to lactulose was also analyzed. The primary endpoint of our study was time to first HE recurrence (Conn score ≥ 2). All patients were followed up every three months until death, and censored at one year if still alive. Results and Conclusions: 12 patients were enrolled in group R + L. Another 31 patients were stratified into group L. Sex, comorbidity, ammonia level, and ascites grade were matched while age, HE grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were adjusted in the multivariable logistic regression model. Compared with group L, significant improvement in the maintenance of HE remission and decreased episodes and days of HE-related hospitalizations were demonstrated in group R + L. The serum ammonia levels were significantly lower at the 3rd and 6th month in group 1. Concerning changes before and after rifaximin add-on in group R + L, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), episodes of hospitalization, and variceal bleeding also improved at 6 and 12 months. Days of hospitalization, serum ammonia levels also improved at 6th month. Except for concern over price, no patients discontinued rifaximin due to adverse events or complications. The above results provide evidence for the one-year use of rifaximin add-on to lactulose in reducing HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalization for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Marijana Sinđić ◽  
Draženka Mačak ◽  
Nikola Todorović ◽  
Bianka Purda ◽  
Maja Batez

Integrated neuromuscular training (INT) showed benefits for improving fundamental movement skills (FMS). However, the INT health-related fitness (HRF) effects are lacking. The current study aimed to determine the effects of INT implemented during physical education (PE) in a primary school in the Republic of Serbia on HRF in female children. The sample consisted of 72 healthy girls who were divided into the intervention (EG: n = 37; mean ± SD: age = 8.17 ± 0.31) and control (CG: n = 35; age = 8.11 ± 0.31) groups. The EG and CG performed the INT program and traditional PE activities two times per week within the first ~15 min of PE class, respectively. The Fitnessgram battery tests assessed the HRF (body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular fitness, and flexibility) before and after the program. After eight weeks, the EG significantly reduced all fat measures, while the CG decreased only triceps skinfold but to a smaller extent (F = 5.92, p < 0.02, ŋ2 = 0.09). Both groups significantly improved the performance of almost all muscular fitness tests (curl-ups, trunk lift, push-ups); however, the EG increased the push-ups more than the CG (F = 9.01, p < 0.01, ŋ2 = 0.14). The EG additionally improved the modified pull-ups (F = 14.09, p < 0.01, ŋ2 = 0.19) and flexed arm hang (F = 28.82, p < 0.01, ŋ2 = 0.33) tests. The flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance of both groups did not significantly change after eight weeks. This approach of exercise showed positive acceptance and relatively good results after only eight weeks.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Silva Lana ◽  
Érika Monteiro Michalsky ◽  
Consuelo Latorre Fortes-Dias ◽  
João Carlos França-Silva ◽  
Fabiana de Oliveira Lara-Silva ◽  
...  

In the New World, the leishmaniases are primarily transmitted to humans through the bites ofLeishmania-infectedLutzomyia(Diptera: Psychodidae) phlebotomine sand flies. Any or both of two basic clinical forms of these diseases are endemic to several cities in Brazil—the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and the American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). The present study was conducted in the urban area of a small-sized Brazilian municipality (Jaboticatubas), in which three cases of AVL and nine of ACL have been reported in the last five years. Jaboticatubas is an important tourism hub, as it includes a major part of the Serra do Cipó National Park. Currently, no local data is available on the entomological fauna or circulatingLeishmania. During the one-year period of this study, we captured 3,104 phlebotomine sand flies belonging to sixteenLutzomyiaspecies. In addition to identifying incriminated or suspected vectors of ACL with DNA of the etiological agent of AVL and vice versa, we also detectedLeishmaniaDNA in unexpectedLutzomyiaspecies. The expressive presence of vectors and naturalLeishmaniainfection indicates favorable conditions for the spreading of leishmaniases in the vicinity of the Serra do Cipó National Park.


2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S102-S103
Author(s):  
Y S Kamel

Abstract Introduction/Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GH administration on basic coagulation parameters: PT, aPTT and fibrinogen concentrations in adult GHD patients before and during one year of GH replacement. Methods Twenty-one adult patients with severe GHD (mean age +/- SE: 38.6 +/- 2.8 years) were included in this hospital based, prospective, interventional study. All patients were treated with rhGH for 12 months (GH dose: 0.4 mg/day for male and 0.6 mg/day for female patients). IGF-1 concentrations were determined using RIA-INEP kits. Basic coagulation tests, i.e. aPTT and fibrinogen concentrations, were measured before and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment with rhGH. Control values were obtained from fourteen “healthy” subjects matched by age, sex and body mass index (BMI). Results At baseline, we observed no significant differences in PT, aPTT and fibrinogen values between GHD and healthy subjects. IGF-1 concentrations increased significantly within 3 months of GH therapy (8.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 24.2 +/- 2.9 nmol/l, p &lt;0.05) and remained stable thereafter. A significant increase in PT values, which was more pronounced in female subjects, was noted after 6 and 12 months of treatment with GH. aPTT values increased significantly after 12 months of treatment only in male patients (28.8 +/- 4.6 vs. 39.7 +/- 2.1 s.; p &lt;0.05). No significant changes in fibrinogen concentrations were found during the study. Conclusion Twelve months of GH replacement therapy led to a significant increase in PT and aPTT values in adult GHD patients, while fibrinogen concentrations did not change. Changes in PT were more pronounced in female GHD patients, while an increase in aPTT values was observed only in male patients with GHD. The clinical significance of these changes needs further evaluation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J W H Koh ◽  
C H Ng ◽  
M H Lee ◽  
Y H Chin ◽  
Z H Ong ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Biologics are recommended by both the ACG and ECCO community for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Yet, current literature has yet to estimate the rate of colectomies after biologic therapy, and thus a pooled meta-analysis was conducted the rate of colectomies in 1month, 6 months, 1 year, 2years and five years after biologics. Method Medline and Embase were searched for articles examining biologics use in moderate to severe UC or acute severe UC (ASUC) from inception to 21st May 2020. Analysis of proportions were undertaken after a freeman-tukey double arcsine transformation. Results The pooled overall colectomy rates of ASUC and moderate to severe UC were 9% (CI: 4% - 14%) at one month, 18% (CI: 13% - 25%) at six months, 21% (CI:16% - 27%) at one year, 29% (CI:24% - 34%) at two years and 38% (CI:30% - 45%) at five years. Additionally, colectomy rates were consistently lower comparing between articles before and after 2010. At one-year, overall colectomy rate following infliximab use was at 25%, golimumab at 15%, vedolizumab at 14%, and adalimumab at 3%. Conclusions Colectomy rates in the era of biologics ranged from 8% to 38% and lower post-2010 showing significant improvement in management and supporting the utility of biologics in Ulcerative colitis management.


Author(s):  
D. A. Cunningham ◽  
P. A. Rechnitzer ◽  
A. P. Donner

ABSTRACTAn intervention trial with regular physical activity was carried out to test the hypothesis that walking speed is related to the level of cardiovascular fitness (maximal oxygen uptake). Earlier research has demonstrated that when VO2 max is held constant in a multiple regression analysis the association between walking speed and age (29–65 y) is eliminated. To describe the association between self-selected speeds of walking, and level of cardiovascular fitness, 63 men age 60 to 65 were studied before and after a 1 year program of exercise training. VO2 max was determined on a motor driven treadmill. A test of self-selected walking pace was administered over a 240 m indoor course. The men were asked to walk at 3 paces considered by the subjects to be rather slow, normal, and fast, respectively. They were randomly assigned with stratification for white and blue collar occupation to a program of exercise training (n = 33) or control (n = 27). The training program consisted of walking or jogging for 30 min three times per week for one year. After the training program the exercise group increased their VO2 max (9.5%) and their normal walking speed (1.29 to 1.43 m.s−1) significantly compared to the controls. A program of exercise endurance training will result in an increase in the speed of self-selected pace.


Vascular ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 170853812098369
Author(s):  
Stefano Fazzini ◽  
Giovanni Torsello ◽  
Martin Austermann ◽  
Efthymios Beropoulis ◽  
Roberta Munaò ◽  
...  

Objectives The results of branched endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms are mainly dependent on durability of the graft used. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative aortic main body and bridging stent-graft remodeling, and their impact on bridging stent-graft instability at one year. Methods Computed tomoangiographies of 43 patients (43 aortic main body mated with 171 bridging stent-grafts) were analyzed before and after branched endovascular repair as well as after a follow-up of 12 months. Primary endpoint was aortic main body remodeling (migration >5 mm, shortening >5 mm, scoliosis >5° or lordosis >5°). Shortening was defined as a reduced length in the long axis, scoliosis as left-right curvature, and lordosis as antero-posterior curvature. Aortic main body remodeling, aneurysm sac changes, and bridging stent-graft tortuosity were evaluated to study their correlations and the impact on the bridging stent-graft instability. Results At 12 months, aortic main body remodeling was observed in 72% of the cases, migration in 39.5% (mean 5.21 mm), shortening in 41.9% (mean 5.79 mm), scoliosis in 58.1%, (mean 10.10°), lordosis in 44.2% (mean 5.78°). Migration, shortening, and scoliosis were more frequent in patients with larger aneurysms ( p = .005), while scoliosis was significantly more frequent in type II thoracoabdominal aneurysm ( p = .019). Aortic main body remodeling was significantly associated to bridging stent-graft remodeling (r: 0.3–0.48). The bridging stent-graft instability rate was 9.3%. Despite a trend toward significance ( p = .07), none of the evaluated aortic main body and bridging stent-graft changes were associated with bridging stent-graft instability at 12 months. Conclusions Aortic main body remodeling is frequent especially in large and extended thoracoabdominal aneurysm aneurysms. Aortic main body and bridging stent-graft remodeling was significantly correlated. While these geometric changes had no significant impact on bridging stent-graft instability at one year, a close long-term follow-up after branched endovascular repair could predict bridging stent-graft failures.


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