Search results for "General interest"
showing 10 items of 107 documents
Pathogenic Escherichia coli Among Asymptomatic Children and Associated Factors
2020
Abstract Although Escherichia coli is a part of the commensal flora of the gastrointestinal tract, pathogenic types of E. coli can cause diarrhea, especially in children. Pathogenic types are found also in healthy individuals, but prevalence of pathogenic E. coli among asymptomatic children varies and has not been studied in Latvia. The aim of the study was to determine prevalence of pathogenic E. coli among asymptomatic children and identify factors associated with presence of bacterium. Children (aged 0.5–8 years) without acute gastrointestinal symptoms were included in a cross-sectional study. Parents were asked to answer a questionnaire (demographic data, parental education, type of del…
Human Leukocyte Antigens Class II Alleles Affecting the Response to 5–7 Year Antiretroviral Therapy in A Latvian Cohort
2019
Abstract Antiretroviral therapy (ART) aims at suppressing viral replication and strengthening immune system in patients with HIV-1. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are among factors responsible for effectiveness of ART. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HLA Class II alleles on the response to long-time ART, assessed by a change in CD4+ T-cell count in relation to viral load. The sample included 69 patients (17 females and 52 males) aged 20 to 50 with HIV-1 infection, who were undergoing ART in the Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases. The median period of observation was 5.7 years. CD4+ T-cell count and viral load were analysed at the baseline and end of the period of obs…
Retrospective Serological Evidence of High Exposure of Globally Relevant Zoonotic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii in The Latvian Population
2019
Abstract Toxoplasmosis is an important infection caused by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is a zoonotic parasite causing widespread human and animal diseases, mostly involving the central nervous system. Humans can acquire toxoplasmosis by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts, ingestion of oocysts shed by infected felids via contaminated food or water, and by vertical transmission to the fetus through the placenta from the mother during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using a large set of clinical diagnostic laboratory data obtained over a 14-y…
Population Genetics of Latvians in the Context of Admixture between North-Eastern European Ethnic Groups
2018
Abstract This article presents a review on population genetics of Latvians, which alongside Lithuanians are the two extant Baltic speaking populations. The article provides a description of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and contains a comparative analysis of the results of studies performed on classical autosomal genetic markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome (NRY), with data on neighbouring populations. The study also covers data of recently performed ancient DNA (aDNA) studies carried out on samples from the territory of today’s Latvia. The results of population genetic studies have shown a mixture of eastern and western…
Initiation of Vancomycin Therapy and the First Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
2021
Abstract There have been a limited number of studies in Latvia that were focused on vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), especially during the initiation phase of the therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate details of vancomycin therapy in its initiation phase and to analyse the results of the first therapeutic drug monitoring within a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. A retrospective observational study was performed in a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. Adult patients hospitalised in an intensive care unit and undergoing vancomycin therapy with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Data about patients included demographic and clini…
Role of Ocular Angiogenic Factors in the Development of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
2020
Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive degenerative eye disease. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is the advanced form of AMD characterised by abnormal growth of newly formed blood vessels in chorioidea which typically involves fluid accumulation in the retina or retinal haemorrhage, retinal epithelial detachments, hard exudate or subretinal scars. The process of angiogenesis is controlled by ocular angiogenic factors, which have enabled the development of different treatment options aimed at these factors. This review aims to compile the available information about the most commonly identified ocular angiogenic factors, uncovering their role in …
The Impact of Body Mass Index on Disease Progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis
2018
Abstract Obesity can be a factor that affects the course of chronic systemic inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study was to characterise patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) according to an evaluation of their body mass index (BMI) and by exploring the link between the overweightness and obesity with routinely measured disease-specific variables, including disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index BASDAI; Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, using CRP, ASDAScrp), spinal mobility (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, BASMI), functional capacity (BASFI), extraspinal manifestations like fatigue, uveitis, and peripheral arthritis pre…
Cultivation of 3D Dermal Tissue by Application of Autologous Matrix
2020
Abstract The most common reasons for major skin loss are thermal trauma — burns and scalds that can result in rapid, extensive, deep wounds as well as chronic non-healing wounds. Treatment using common techniques is poor and depending on the trauma level can result in death. There is a substantial need for skin integrity restoration. The main goal of this study was to develop an autologous 3D skin model that could eventually be translated into clinical applications. The study examined a variety of factors — extracellular matrix components, cell count, culture medium modification and role of structurally and functionally high-quality 3D skin dermis layer tissue culture production. The result…
Investigation on the Possibility of Designing an Educational Dynamic Light Scattering Device for Sizing Particles Suspended in Air
2019
Abstract If a light beam meets a fluid that contains scattering centers randomly distributed in suspension, light is scattered by each of them. If the light source is coherent, the scattered waves will be also coherent, therefore they will interfere. The fluctuations of the far-field interference signal, once recorded and digitized, become a time series that can be later on analyzed to produce the average size of the suspended particles or the size distribution. The technique wears the name of Dynamic Light Scattering. We present the results of our investigation on the possibility of using an educational model, made of low-cost, conventional electronics, for recording the time signal of lig…
Consumption of the Whole-Grain Rye Bread and Progression of Prostate Cancer
2013
Abstract Whole-grain rye intake has been suggested to have anti-cancer effect, including changes in serum hormones and reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) in animals and humans. In this study, we investigated the effect of high intake of whole-grain rye bread on prostate cancer progression as assessed by PSA concentration in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fifteen men with prostate cancer who did not receive prior therapy were randomised and given a daily supplement of 250 g refined wheat bread for two weeks and, afterwards, 250 g whole-grain rye bread for six weeks. Blood samples were taken from fasting men at baseline and after two and six weeks to measure the PSA and sex hormones…