Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and alterations in glucose metabolism with increased risk for type 2 diabetes. The aim of the current study was to compare morning plasma cortisol levels and glucose metabolism parameters between moderate (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): 15-30 events/h) and severe OSA patients (AHI >30 events/h), with respective controls. A total of 56 male OSA patients, 24 moderate (AHI = 21.1 ± 5.3) and 32 severe (AHI = 49.7 ± 18.1), underwent a full-night polysomnography, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and measurement of morning plasma cortisol levels. These groups were compared to 20 matched subjects in a control group. Morning plasma cortisol levels were statistically lower in severe OSA group than in moderate OSA and control groups (303.7 ± 93.5 vs. 423.9 ± 145.1 vs. 417.5 ± 99.8 pmol/L, P < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between morning plasma cortisol levels and AHI (r = -0.444, P = 0.002), as well as oxygen desaturation index (r = -0.381, P = 0.011). Fasting plasma glucose (5.0 ± 0.5 vs. 5.4 ± 0.7 vs. 4.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P = 0.009) was higher in the severe OSA group compared to moderate OSA and controls. Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was higher in the severe OSA group compared to moderate OSA and controls (4.6 ± 3.7 vs. 2.7 ± 2.0 and 2.2 ± 1.8, respectively, P = 0.006). In conclusion, our study showed that morning plasma cortisol levels measured at 8 a.m. were significantly lower in severe OSA patients than those in moderate OSA group and controls. Morning plasma cortisol levels showed a negative correlation with AHI and oxygen desaturation index. Additionally, this study confirmed the evidence of glucose metabolism impairment in moderate and severe OSA patients, with more pronounced effect in the severe OSA patients group.

Providing in-patient nursing care inevitably involves shift work and shift patterns have been identified as an important factor in determining well-being and satisfaction among nurses. Shifts of 12 h or longer have become increasingly common for nurses in hospitals in some European countries. Longer shifts offer a potential to benefit from a compressed working week, with fewer work days and more days off-work, lower commuting costs, and increased flexibility. Most people find shift work less desirable compared to standard working hours. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at the Mostar University Hospital in 2019. A total of 157 subjects participated in the study, 22 (14%) of which were male (medical technicians) and 135 (86%) female (nurses). The mean age of study subjects was 33.3 years (min=20, max=54, SD=8.033). Results of this study suggested that nurses working irregular rotating shifts, with more family members to look after and more than 18 years of professional experience were affected by sleep disturbances between shifts. The study showed that shift work nurses had significantly higher levels of cortisol and prolactin compared with first-shift nurses/medical technicians. The results of this study are expected to stimulate further studies of sleep disturbances among shift nurses.

ProblemThe aim of this study was to quantify and compare the distribution of regulatory CD25+FOXP3+ and activated CD4+CD25+ T cells in decidua basalis and parietalis of severe and mild pre‐eclampsia (PE) to normal healthy pregnancies.Method of studyDecidual tissue (decidua basalis and parietalis) of 13 women with mild PE, 15 women with severe PE, and 19 women with healthy term pregnancies were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence.ResultsThe total number of CD25+FOXP3+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe and mild PE versus normal pregnancy group. The total number of CD4+CD25+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe PE versus normal pregnancy group. The number of CD25+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+ cells in decidua parietalis was decreased in both PE groups.ConclusionOur data suggest that immunological changes of PE reflect on decidua basalis and parietalis and emphasize the importance of characterizing T cells in both decidual departments.

We investigated DAB1-protein deficiency in the inner-ear development of yotari in comparison to humans and wild-type (wt) mice by immunofluorescence for the expression of connexins (Cxs) and the pannexin Panx1. The spatial and temporal dynamics of Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Panx1 were determined in the sixth and eighth weeks of human development and at the corresponding mouse embryonic E13.5 and E15.5, in order to examine gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and hemichannel formation. The quantification of the area percentage covered by positive signal was performed for the epithelium and mesenchyme of the cochlear and semicircular ducts and is expressed as the mean ± SD. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Almost all of the examined Cxs were significantly decreased in the cochlear and semicircular ducts of yotari compared to wt and humans, except for Cx32, which was significantly higher in yotari. Cx40 dominated in human inner-ear development, while yotari and wt had decreased expression. The Panx1 expression in yotari was significantly lower than that in the wt and human inner ear, except at E13.5 in the mesenchyme of the wt and epithelium and mesenchyme of humans. Our results emphasize the relevance of GJIC during the development of vestibular and cochlear functions, where they can serve as potential therapeutic targets in inner-ear impairments.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; To investigate anthropometric characteristics and traffic accident circumstances of subjects with isolated whiplash injury. &lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; This cross sectional study involved 75 subjects from traffic accidents with isolated whiplash injury classified by Quebec Task Force (QTF). Anthropometric data were collected as well as claims about circumstances of traffic accidents. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; Distribution of 1 st (28; 37.3%), 2 nd (25; 33.3%) and 3 rd (22; 29.3%) grade of whiplash injury was almost equal. Females had smaller anthropometric measurements than males; neck circumference was the most significant difference between males and females in the context of whiplash injury. The most frequent collision mechanism was impact to front (26; 34.7%) or to rear end (26; 34.7%) of a small passenger&#039;s car. Assertions of participants were that their car damage was significant (37; 49.2%) or total (24; 32%). A total of 38 (50.7%) participants claimed that they were not wearing safety belt and 52 (69.3%) did not find themselves responsible for accident. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; Driving habits of our participants facilitate incidence of whiplash injuries, especially in vulnerable groups such as women and elderly.&lt;/p&gt;