Iron deficiency, causing maternal sideropenic anemia, is one of the most frequent nutritive disorder that develops during the pregnancy. We collected 30 placentas from anemic mothers and 30 placentas from mothers belonging to the control group. Terminal villi (magnification 10x) and terminal villi capillaries (magnification 40x) were stereologically analyzed and numerically determined.In the placentas from anemic mothers we noted the values a) terminal villi: volume density 0,43 mm0, surface density 24.13 mm-1, total volume 185.57 cm3 and total surface 10.27 m2; b) capillaries of terminal villi: volume density 0.53 mm0 and total volume 224.18 cm3. In the placentas from mothers belonging to the control group we observed the following values a) terminal villi: volume density 0.44 mm0, surface density 22.27 mm-1, total volume 200.17 cm3 and total surface 10.15 m2; b) capillaries of terminal villi: volume density 0.42 mm0 and total volume 197.00 cm3. Compared with the control group anemic mothers' placentas have a significant higher values of surface density of terminal villi (p<0.05), volume density (p <0.01) and absolute volume (p<0.0001) of terminal villi capillaries, and significant lower values of absolute volume of terminal villi (p<0.05).In anemic mothers' placentas, the total volume of terminal villi changes disproportionately to the total surface of terminal villi with statistically significant increase of terminal villi capillaries compared with control group. 

Aim of the study Aim of the study was to compare radiobiological effects of multiple vs. single low-dose pre-irradiation on the HT29 cell line. This regime is designed to be as similar as possible to fractionated tumour radiotherapy treatment, and to provide data on radiobiological effects on human tumour cells. Material and methods The cell line used in the study was HT29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma, American Type Culture Collection HTB-38™). Also, for comparison, the MRC5 cell line (human foetal lung fibroblasts, American Type Culture Collection CCL 171) was used. Four-day treatment in a 4 × 2 Gy regime was performed. Cell viability was evaluated by tetrazolium colorimetric MTT assay. Results Multiple low-dose pre-irradiation induced a stronger radioadaptive response compared to single low-dose application in the HT29 cell line. Multiple pre-irradiation with 0.03 Gy and 0.05 Gy caused radioadaptive effects, while in both single and multiple low-dose pre-irradiation regimes 0.07 Gy led to radiosensitivity. Radiobiological effects induced in the HT29 cell line by low-dose pre-irradiation were evidently weak during the treatment time, because a single low-dose applied only on the first day gave no radioadaptive effects. In the MRC5 cell line different effects were registered, since radioadaptive response has not been observed after multiple or single pre-irradiation. Conclusions The obtained data are interesting, especially for the possible application of low-dose pre-irradiation in radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT The performance of the new Bio-Rad Geenius HIV-1/2 confirmatory assay was compared with that of the Chiron RIBA HIV-1/HIV-2 strip immunoblot assay using 166 samples from HIV-1-, HIV-2-, or HIV-1/2-positive and HIV-negative individuals and two quality control panels. Our results indicate that the Geenius assay is a suitable alternative for confirmatory HIV testing.

Introduction: Sideropenic anemia is a common pregnancy disorder. Depending on severity, maternal anemia can significantly influence morphometric characteristic of placental tissue, pregnancy course and outcome. Objectives: to estimate if maternal anemia a) results with significant placental changes; b) influence on newborn weight, length and vitality. Patients, material and methods: Research included 100 women and their newborns, 50 anemic, and 50 women in the control group. Sixty placentas were collected, placental mass and volume was determined, and blood vessels of terminal villi were stereologically analyzed. Newborns mass and body length, and Apgar scores within 1 and 5 minutes after delivery were recorded. The results: Placentas of anemic pregnant women showed significant increase of terminal villi blood vessels (224,18 vs. 197,00 cm3; p<0,0001), but total placental mass and volume did not differ significantly. Anemic mothers’ newborns were significantly shorter (51,76 vs. 55,54 cm; p<0,0001), smaller body mass (3048,00 vs. 3615,60 g; p<0,0001) and delivered one week early (38,2 vs. 39,2 GW; p<0,0001), but not significantly poorer vitality (p>0,05) comparing with the control group. Conclusion: Sideropenic anemia increase placental maturity, that could be a possible cause of earlier spontaneous delivery among anemic women. The anemic mothers’ newborns are shorter and lower body mass, but not poorer vitality index.

ABSTRACT Aim: The objective of the study was to examine whether cardiotocography can (CTG) predict asphyxia of the embryo, manifested as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and to what extent one can rely on CTG record. Material and methods: Retrospective research was carried out at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics UKC Tuzla and medical documentation from the history of mothers and newborns was used. The study group consisted of 68 pregnancies and newborns who developed HIE. The control group consisted of 40 pregnancies, which resulted in birth of healthy newborns – without signs of asphyxia. CTG records were analyzed, Apgar score, the ways of finishing delivery. Results: Pathological CTG records (bradycardia 100, tachycardia 180, silent type of curve, late decelerations) were found in 45 (66,17%) cases of the study group in comparison to 11 (27,5%) in the control group. In the study group Apgar score in 5th minute lower than 7 had 17,46% newborns and the highest incidence of the normally finished deliveries. We conclude that cardiotocography is one of the reliable methods of fetal monitoring in pregnancy and delivery, and that pathological CTG record very likely indicates the possible presence of perinatal asphyxia. Conclusion: Achieving a low degree of correlation between pathological intrapartum cardiotocography findings and long-term outcome of children can be achieved by rapid and adequate obstetric intervention and the relatively short duration of fetal acidosis, and optimal procedures during intensive care of newborns.