Positive attitudes towards persons living with HIV in North Kosovo: The university students' perspective

HIV-related stigma could delay the identification and treatment of persons living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in regions affected by ethnic conflicts. The aims of this study were to assess attitudes towards PLHIV and examine factors associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV among university students in the Serbian province of Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica during the academic year 2013–2014. A total of 1,017 first- and fourth-year students completed an anonymous questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, PLHIV, high-risk groups for acquiring HIV and health behaviour. The main outcome measure was the Attitude Score (ATS), calculated as a sum of points awarded for all attitude-related items. The majority of students (84%) expressed positive attitudes towards PLHIV, while others were indecisive. Most students held negative opinions about persons who use drugs (64%), homosexual persons of both genders (50%) and sex workers (42%). Being female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.09) and older (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24), not doing paid work while studying (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.63–6.84), studying health-related disciplines (β = −0.113, 95% CI = −0.085 to −2.747), having stronger positive attitudes towards homosexual persons of both genders (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.94) and not using illicit drugs (β = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.03–4.20) were associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Social inclusion of PLHIV and individuals at high risk for acquiring HIV could help reduce the HIV-related stigma.     

Effects of Parsley (Petroselinum crispum.) and Celery (Apium graveolens.) Extracts on Induction and Sleeping Time in Mice

Abstract

The effects of different extracts of parsley and celery leaves (Et₂O, CHCl₃, EtOAC, n.-BuOH, and H₂O) on ketamine-induced sleeping time have been investigated. The experiments were conducted on BALB/C white laboratory mice divided in five groups. On the first day, each group received ketamine 40 mg/ml s.c. After 5 t_1/2 (next day), mice were treated with 10% extracts (Et₂O, CHCl₃, EtOAC, n.-BuOH, H₂O) of parsley and celery leaves, 1 ml/kg i.p. in two doses, each after 2-h interval. One hour after the last dose, animals received ketamine 40 mg/kg s.c. Just after administration of ketamine, induction time and time of sleeping were measured. Most of the examined extracts of both plants exhibited insignificant changes in induction time. Only the EtOAc extract of celery exhibited significant increase, whereas Et₂O and n.-BuOH extract of parsley induced significant decrease of induction time in treated animals. Furthermore, all examined extracts of both plants exhibited increase of sleeping time in animals treated with ketamine. The Et₂O extract of both celery and parsley exhibited the highest effect. Generally, examined celery extracts caused prolongation of sleeping time in animals compared with those obtained for parsley.     

Platelet thrombus formation in patients with end-stage renal disease before and after hemodialysis as measured by the total thrombus-formation analysis system

Background

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving hemodialysis (HD) often experience bleeding. However, mechanisms behind this bleeding tendency are incompletely understood but may involve platelet dysfunction. We, therefore, studied platelet-dependent thrombus formation in flowing whole blood inside a microchip coated with collagen, and its association with circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF).

Methods

Blood samples were obtained in 22 patients before and after HD. The area under the 10 min flow pressure curve in a microchip (AUC10) reflecting total platelet thrombogenicity was measured, using the Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System (T-TAS01). AUC10?<?260 indicates platelet dysfunction. VWF activity and antigen in plasma were also assayed.

Results

VWF levels were moderately elevated and increased further after HD (P?<?0.01 or lower). In contrast, AUC10 before and after HD was?<?260 in 17/22 patients and?<?130 in 15/22 patients, with no statistically significant difference in pre- vs post-HD measurements, indicating reduced platelet thrombogenicity, but with some variability as 5/22 patients showed normal platelet responsiveness. AUC10 and VWF activity or antigen levels in plasma were not correlated, either before or after HD.

Conclusions

Most ESRD patients display moderate-to-severe platelet dysfunction as assessed by shear-induced platelet-dependent thrombus formation with T-TAS01. HD does not influence platelet function despite HD-induced elevations in VWF. T-TAS01 should be further evaluated as a tool in the assessment of bleeding risk in patients on HD.

Graphical abstract

     

Oxidative stress and myeloperoxidase activity during bacterial meningitis: Effects of febrile episodes and the BBB permeability

ObjectiveTo investigate participation of extracellular myeloperoxidase (MPO) in oxidative stress during different courses of the bacterial meningitis (BM).Materials and methodsWe sequentially assessed WBC count, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipid peroxidation (LPO), MPO and antioxidative activity (AOA) in proven pediatric BM.ResultsBM patients exhibited increased systemic and local LPO and MPO, and reduced AOA, which was exaggerated in the febrile episodes. Serum MPO and LPO products were related to the BBB permeability at the baseline. CSF hydroperoxide level was influenced by the BBB permeability, CSF albumin concentration, and serum hydroperoxide (r = 0.502; p < 0.001, and r = 0.611; p < 0.001, and r = 0.358; p < 0.001, respectively). CSF hydroperoxide and MPO correlated in complicated cases during the study.ConclusionsThese results suggest that CSF LPO and MPO were closely related in BM, had different courses if febrile episodes had occurred, but were partly influenced by the BBB permeability.     

A modification of the kinetic determination of pancuronium bromide based on its inhibitory effect on cholinesterase

A modification of the existing spectrophotometric kinetic method for the determination of pancuronium bromide (PCBr), based on pooled human serum cholinesterase (ChE, EC 3.1.1.8 acylcholine acylhydrolase) inhibition, was developed. Butyrylthiocholine iodide (concentration 1.667 mmol/L) was used as substrate and determination was performed at pH 7.6. Essential basic kinetic parameters were also determined: Michaelis-Menten's constant KM=0.33 mmol/L, maximal reaction rate Vmax=42.29 micromol/L min, inhibition constant KI=0.34 micromol/L, and IC50=0.235 micromol/L. Linear dependence between the reaction rate and the inhibitor concentration exists in PCBr concentration range 8.29-265.28 nmol/L, which corresponds to the real sample concentrations from 0.166 to 5.306 micromol/L. The method detection limit was established to be 1.86 nmol/L and the quantification limit was 6.18 nmol/L. Precision of the method was tested for three pancuronium concentrations (16.58, 99.48, and 198.96 nmol/L). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was in the range 0.78-5.13%. Accuracy was examined by the standard addition method. The influence of substances usually present in serum and urine on the reaction rate was determined. The method developed was applied for PCBr determination in spiked serum and urine samples and in the urine taken during surgery. The method was proven to have good sensitivity, accuracy, and precision and can be considered suitable for clinical practice.     

Reutilization of the Prolift mark system for the simultaneous correction of prolapse and incontinence in patients with pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence

Objective

The reutilization of the Prolift™ system with the simultaneous creation of a midurethral sling from the same set was described.

Study design

The technique was applied in 23 patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and clinically evident or occult stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Results

Correction of POP was achieved in 21 out of 23 (91.3%) patients, and complete continence after the surgery in 20 out of 23 (86.9%). There was a significant improvement in voiding symptoms without deterioration of voiding function. Morbidity of the surgery was not different from that with Prolift™ alone.

Conclusion

Modification of the method with creation of a suburethral sling from the same set is more economically viable without compromising either pelvic organ support or continence.