A predictive correlation between hard cosmic ray flux (HCRF) near the Earth's surface and sudden increases in the number of cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was studied in Vilnius city. Gamma spectrometers were used to measure HCRF. Changes in the total number of impulses registered by these devices were taken as the physical parameter for prediction of an increase in the number of CVD cases. For quantitative assessment of CVD dynamics two empirical criteria for HCRF were proposed: (1) a consistent fall in the HCRF by 200 or more impulses for 4 or more hours per day; (2) the difference (no less than 15 impulses per hour) between the average number of impulses registered in 2 (subsequent and previous) days. The periods analyzed were those when the number of CVD cases exceeded the average monthly level by 10% and 15%. HCRF fluctuations were used as an indirect indicator of variations in the geomagnetic field, and a leap in CVD cases was predicted 1-3 days following a change in the HCRF according to the two criteria mentioned above. The predictive reliability of an increase in CVD cases within 2-3 days exceeded 80%, and within 1-2 days 70%. No essential difference in predictive reliability was observed when the number of CVD cases exceeded the average monthly level by 10% or 15%. Geomagnetic field variations contribute only insignificantly to leaps in the number of CVD cases, which are evoked by the sum effects of other factors. The results of the present study should be regarded as preliminary.

BackgroundDiabetic patients are more than twice as costly to manage as non-diabetic patients, due mainly to the high costs associated with management of diabetic complications. As in most nations of the world, the number of patients with DM is increasing every year in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to determine relation between quality of the life and disease and social factors of patients with type 2 diabetes in Lithuania.Material/MethodsIndependently prepared questions about the subjects of the survey were: gender; age; weight; education; social and marital status; duration of the disease (in years); treatment method; complications; morbidity with arterial hypertension; change in dietary habits after diagnosis of diabetes (started to eat accordingly to recommendations of the therapist); how often nourishment is taken accordingly to recommendations of the therapist; if beginning to exercise after diagnosis of the diabetes; and if exercising, exercises at least 2–3 times per week. Body mass index was calculated as the relation between body mass in kg and height m square (BMI=kg/m2). The hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale was used for the evaluation of depression and anxiety. Quality of life of patients was evaluated with the SF-36 questionnaire. We surveyed 1022 patients with type 2 diabetes (372 men and 650 women). Association between quality of the life and explanatory parameters (disease and social factors) were analyzed using the logistic regression analysis model.ResultsWe found that women had lower scores than men in all fields of quality of life (p<0.001). Peroral treatment had a positive impact on the quality of life (QL) fields of the role limitations due to emotional problems (ORa 0.16. 95% CI 0.07–0.34; p<0.001). Treatment with insulin had a positive effect on restriction of activity because of emotional problems (ORa − 0.23. 95% CI 0.11–0.49; p<0.001) and mental health (ORa − 0.38. 95% CI 0.19–0.78; p=0.008), but had a negative impact on bodily pain (ORa − 3.95. 95% CI 1.41–11.09; p=0.009) and physical health (ORa − 4.14. 95% CI 2.03–8.47; p<0.001).ConclusionsAge and BMI are less important factors that can influence quality of life. Peroral treatment positively acted on the role limitations due to emotional problems, bodily pain, and mental health, but had a strong negative effect on emotional state.

The purpose of this study was to examine possible differences in cardio respiratory functional capacity between perimeter and post elite basketball players. The subjects included 42 highly trained basketball players subdivided into groups of perimeter and post players. Point guards, shooting guards and small forwards were involved in the group of perimeter players, while power forwards and centers represented the group of post players. All players performed a standardized exercise test to evaluate maximal oxygen uptake using a cycle ergometer and automated breath-by-breath system VMAX229C. Collected data of power, heart rate, pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange were compared between the groups of perimeter and post players. Significant differences in anthropometric features between the investigated subgroups were observed. Post players were heavier and taller. Therefore, the perimeter players had significantly higher values of VO2max and relative power. VO2max was related to relative power. Relations between those variables can be described by linear regression. Given regressions can be used as a source of typical values for male basketball players. The results indicate that the empirical repartition of basketball players into perimeter and post players has not only a morphological but a physiological basis as well.

The prognostic relationship between a decrease of hard cosmic ray flux (HCRF) and subsequent leaps in cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence within 1-3 days is well known. The influence of meteorological situations on human health is also known. However, no correlation was found between a simultaneous decrease of HCRF and atmospheric pressure and the leaps of CVD on some days. For the analysis of a prognostic connection between these parameters, empirical criteria have been put forward. To achieve effective results from analysis, the criteria of a continuous decrease of HCRF to 200 impulses or more within 4 h and of atmospheric pressure by 2 mmHg or more were used. CVD leaps were considered real when their number increased by 10% or more in comparison with the average monthly value. The highest prognostic correlation between HCRF decrease and CVD leaps within 1-2 days was from 64 to 76%. The correlation within 2-3 days was lower. The correlation between atmospheric pressure decrease and leaps of CVD in 1-2 days and on the same day was 25-44%. It means that, while studying the meteorological effects on human organisms, other parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity, etc. should also be taken into account. An essential role in reducing the prognostic accuracy of CVD leaps by a decrease of HCRF relates to the human factor.