We have studied the electronic states in 1-5 layers thick Ag films on V(100), by means of ab initio density functional calculations. Due to the mismatch of the electronic structure of Ag and V, quantum well states of both sp and d character localized on Ag films are formed. We find that the hybridization of the Ag quantum well states with the V orbitals is nevertheless important, and must be taken into account in order to fully understand the observed properties, in particular the energies and the dispersion of the photoemission peaks in ARPES experiments. We also discuss the character of the states on the first Ag layer with energies around the Fermi level which contribute dominantly to the tunneling current in STM experiments. We find that these states are largely localized on the Ag overlayers, which explains the appearance of standing waves around impurities which are observed in STM.

A series of bimetallic Al2O3-supported Rh-Ge catalysts was prepared by surface redox reactions under controlled hydrogen atmosphere. The surface properties of these catalysts were probed via in-situ FTIR spectroscopic studies of adsorbed CO and were compared to those of monometallic Rh catalysts that had undergone similar treatments. The results indicate that Ge addition results in the formation and stabilization of smaller rhodium ensembles at the expense of larger Rh0 surfaces. A charge-transfer mechanism from Ge to Rh is also inferred by the IR results for the high Ge loading samples. Air exposure of the catalysts leads to an irreversible segregation of the two metals and formation of large Rh crystallites.

Brunkow exercises starting with dynamic contraction of hands and feet with fixed point on the wrist or/and heal. Dynamic contraction from the beginning, transferring through kinetic chain, leads to isometric contraction of the group of muscles, which has to be included in the exercise. Starting positions determine the group of muscles to be trained. The purpose of this study is to investigate influence of Brunkow exercises on spinal motion improvement and pain relief and to evaluate use of Brunkow exercises, as a routine method for lower back pain in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centres. Thirty-four patients with symptoms of low back pain were included in study. Patients received a mean of 14.9 treatments with standard deviation of 8.96. All patients were assessed before and after the treatment for spinal mobility and flexibility as well as pain intensity. All parameters for spinal movements showed statistically significant improvement in patients with low back pain who practiced Brunkow exercise program at the end of treatment in relations to pre-treatment values, with significant difference of p<0.01 for all motions. Pain was reduced on VAS for X=1.,7 with S.D. 1.97. Difference Test was t=6.020 with significant difference p<0.01. Flexibility of spine increased, so average difference in values before and after treatment for Shober test was 0.5 cm with SD 0.65. Difference test was t=3.794 with significant difference p<0.01. Brunkow exercises for low back pain are beneficial treatment for increasing flexibility and mobility of spine and improving the pain.

Falls are the leading accidental cause of death among elderly people in their homes. Falls and their consequences are the primary reason in 40% of admissions to hospitals for people older than 65 years. The study population consisted of 77 randomly selected patients of both genders older then 65 years. Each patient was tested in his/her home and was completely informed about the methodology and the goals of investigation. Based on the exclusion criteria, three patients were excluded from the study, which means the investigation was conducted on 27 males (35.06%) and 50 females (64.94%) with the average age being 71.23 +/- 5.63 years. For each patient, a specially prepared questionnaire about risk factors was filled in. The sum of affirmative answers represented a relative index of fall risk. All patients were evaluated through Folstein's Mini-Mental State Examination Test that is suitable for on-sight use in patient's home. The score value over 20 excludes dementias, delirium, schizophrenia and affective disorders. Considering the values of the risk factor, scores obtained by the questionnaire and MMSE test scores, statistically significant differences were found between males and females (p < 0.005, respectively p < 0.01), "fallers" and "non-fallers" (p < 0.001, respectively p < 0.01), while considering the relation to the way of living (alone or with family), there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05).

Interferons belong to the group of the regulatory glycoproteins, of low molecular mass. They are the products of infected cell-genome, but not virus, as a consequence of the cause answer by different inductors. Human IFN are divided on the sequence of amino-acids into three groups: Alpha, Beta and Gamma interferons. Recently are discovered new types of IFNs: Omega and Tau, but bigger than alpha molecules. Also, has been performed the division into two types: I and II. Besides the antiviral and antiproliferative effects, they have also the effect in the treatment of malignant diseases, and act protectively against the radiation.

Classical works dealing with the possibility of mother-child incompatibility with regard to basic ABO blood groups give contradictory conclusions. Bioreproductive and population-genetic indicators have been studied in a sample of live births and in two pregnancy samples with different "a priori" and "a posteriori" risk assessment. The analysis points out that ABO blood groups can influence fertility of different parental pairs, and consequently--assessment of the individual pregnancy risk.

Bcl-2, the protein product of the Bcl-2 gene, is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that play a crucial role in a complex mechanism of apoptosis. It was recently proposed that bcl-2 could inhibit cancer progression. In this study, we evaluated the expression patterns of Bcl-2, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) in 71 primary invasive breast carcinomas and their association with other clinicopathological parameters. Samples from 71 patients with invasive breast cancer with follow-up ranging from 4-103 months (median 57 months) were included in the study. Forty-six patients (66%) obtained a complete response, while 5 (9%) were considered non-responders during the follow up period of 103 months. Eighteen (25%) patients died, 15 (21%) from primary disease and 3 (4%) from other disease. In unvaried analysis, tumor size (<2 cm), lymph node (<4 lymph nodes), hormonal status and Bcl-2 expression are correlated with longer overall (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Patients with 4 or more positive axillary lymph nodes had significantly shorter OS (p=0.01) and RFS (p=0.009). Higher expression of Bcl-2 was associated with longer OS (p=0.02) and RFS (p=0.03), and this result were independent of axillary lymph nodes and tumor size in Cox multivariate analysis.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in blood pressure regulation not only in the state of rest, but also during physical exercise. The aim of this study was to estimate the serum ACE activity in response to acute dynamic exercise. The study involved a group of young, healthy, male volunteers (average 22 years of age). Exercise testing was carried out on ergometer bicycle according to the protocol of individually adjusted continuous, constant workload (3 W/kg). The activity of ACE in serum was measured in venous blood, in the period of rest, in 4th, 8th and 12th minute of exercise and 1st, 3rd and 6th minute of recovery by spectrophotometric method. Marked inter-individual differences in basal serum ACE activity were determined (range 8, 31-63, 72 U/L). Serum ACE activity did not significantly vary during exercise and in the period of recovery. Systolic blood pressure changed during exercise compared to values during rest period in accordance with the applied type of dynamical exercise. Diastolic blood pressure did not vary considerably during exercise. Statistically significant correlation between mean arterial blood pressure and ACE activity in the serum was not found. The lack of increase of ACE activity in the serum, in spite of changes in blood pressure values, most likely shows the presence of alternative ACE independent pathway involved in the production of vasoactive substances that have important role in the regulation of cardiovascular system response to acute dynamic exercise.

In order to achieve the multi-claim products required for the dental care category, it is necessary for the formulator to use a variety of different ingredients. This places a number of demands on the development process. Innovations in the areas of pharmaceutical technology have contributed to the formulation of the products having superior efficacy as well as other attributes that may contribute to clinical response and patient acceptability. Improved clinical efficacy and tolerability, along with conditioning signals, should encourage patient compliance with oral hygiene further complementing professional efforts directed at disease prevention. The most effective way of preventing the development of dental disease is in controlling the production of dental plaque. It is formed by microbial action. The removal of plaque from the teeth and related areas is essential for the maintenance of a healthy mouth. In this paper we have presented the main components of toothpastes and mouthwashes. For the active ingredients, their supposed effect as therapeutic agents is also explained.

Fluoxetine is used in treatment of depression caused by a variety of different factors and from year to year new indications are being added, especially in conditions followed with strong bouts of pain. Additional fluoxetine based therapy that is known to help in improvement of mental state and mood stabilization can significantly increase analgesic effects. Analgesic effects of fluoxetine as well as of fluoxetine in combination with morphine were analyzed on albino mice of both genders. The sense of pain was induced by thermal stimulus by the method of hot plate. Analgesic effect was measured 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after a single i.p. administration of fluoxetine in following dosages: 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. The control group was treated with 0.1 ml/10 g physiological solution. Test group injected with morphine s.c. (7 mg/kg) was used to observe the effect of fluoxetine in combination with morphine. Fluoxetine applied in 5 mg/kg dosage causes increased pain reaction 60 and 90 minutes (p=0.049 and p=0.002) (t-test) following application when compared with corresponding values of control group. When fluoxetine is applied in 10 mg/kg dosage duration of pain reaction is significantly increased after 30 (p=0.01), 60 (p=0.001) and 90 minutes (p=0.026), when compared to the control group. When fluoxetine is applied in 20 mg/kg dosage duration of pain reaction is increased 60 and 120 minutes (p<0.001) after application when compared to the control group. After application of fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) in combination with morphine, reaction time to pain is significantly extended (p<0.001) 60, 90 and 120 minutes after application when compared to the control group injected exclusively with morphine. Fluoxetine causes analgesic effect in all three applied dosages as well as it significantly increases analgesic effect when applied in 5 mg/kg dosage in combination with morphine.

Long term stress exposure results in somatisation symptoms appearance. Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and muscle-bone symptoms arise because of intensified activity of autonomic nervous system caused by chronic stress. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between long term war stress exposure and appearance of somatisation. 40 students of health-care faculties in Sarajevo, of both sexes, were included in investigation and divided in two groups-somatisation and control. Somatisation group subjects (N=20) lived in B&H under war conditions, from 1992-1995. Control subjects (N=20) spent the same period outside B&H. For evaluation of somatisation symptoms we used SCL-90-R test. The obtained data were statistically evaluated using Student's t-test and chi2 test. Confidence level was set at p < 0.05. Our results showed statistically significant difference in somatisation level between somatisation and control subjects group. Different intensity of appearance of certain symptoms in male and female was established. The score of somatisation dimension between somatisation and control group showed statistically significant level (p < 0.0001). Study results confirmed correlation of chronic stress exposure (living in war environment) and somatisation symptom appearance. Individual organic systems had various level of symptom expression. The influence of sex on intensity of individual symptoms of somatisation is possible.