ISI Web of Science

We aimed to evaluate the effect of arousal level in healthy subjects on P50 potential, as the variation in the level of arousal may be a source of variance in the recordings as well as it may provide additional information about the pathology under study. Eleven healthy volunteers participated in the study. A standard auditory P50 potential paradigm was applied. Two stimulation conditions were selected: eyes-open, i.e., high arousal level condition and eyes-closed, i.e., low arousal level condition. P50 component amplitudes in response to both the first (S1) and second stimulus (S2) of the pair, their ratio and difference were evaluated. P50 amplitude in response to S1 was significantly higher during the low arousal closed eyes condition as compared to high arousal open eyes condition. There was no P50 amplitude difference in response to S2 and no arousal effect on gating measures. This prompts for more careful evaluation of patients’ arousal level when performing P50 studies and interpreting the results.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the trends and costs of statin use in Lithuania over a 3-year period and perform a cost-minimization and reference price analysis to rationalize the use of financial resources of the National Health Care System. Methods: The defined daily dose (DDD) methodology was applied for assessment of statin use, which was expressed in DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day. Cost minimization and reference price calculations were used in the economic analysis. Results: Over the 3-year period (2005-2007), the consumption and expenditures of statins in Lithuania doubled. The consumption went up from 3.87 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day (in 2005) to 8.35 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day (in 2007). Total expenses of statins increased during the same period from LTL6.186 million in 2005 to LTL12.418 million in 2007. Approximately 68 percent of the estimated costs for statins in 2007 were for atorvastatin. Provided that the calculated reference prices were fixed, the estimated savings would amount to a minimum of LTL1.371 million per year and could reach yearly savings in the order of LTL3.163 million. The total expenses would drop by at least 11 percent, and the decrease in costs could be as high as 25 percent ((sic)1 = LTL3.4528). Conclusions: Statins consumption is still very low in Lithuania in comparison with other European Union countries. Implementation of cholesterol education programs and changing reimbursement profile for statins therapy will increase consumption and expenditures. The introduction of reference-based pricing as an indirect cost control policy would help rationalizing the use of statins and their expenditures.

Objective. To define 24-h characteristics of arterial blood pressure in healthy adolescent girls and boys; to determine gender-related differences of blood pressure, its circadian pattern. Material and methods. The 24-h blood pressure was monitored hourly in healthy girls (n=22, without no account for the menstrual cycle phase) and boys (n=22). Additionally, blood pressure of adolescent girls (n=15) was examined during different phases of their menstrual cycle (follicular, ovulation, and luteal). Blood pressure was monitored with an auto-cuff automatic outpatient blood pressure monitor. Results. Investigation showed gender-related differences in 24-h blood pressure. Study results revealed the circadian blood pressure rhythm characterized by a period of low values during nighttime and an early morning increase in both adolescent groups. Nocturnal systolic blood pressure was higher (P<0.05) in boys than in girls in all phases of their menstrual cycle. Diurnal systolic blood pressure in boys was higher than in girls in their follicular phase (P<0.05). The day and night blood pressure differed between boys and girls (P<0.05). A dipping blood pressure pattern as a decrease in mean nighttime blood pressure as compared with mean daytime blood pressure was defined: 10.02±6.7% in girls (n=22) and 13±6.3% in boys (n=22), without genderrelated differences (P>0.05). There were no differences in blood pressure dipping among girls’ groups in different menstrual cycle phases (P>0.05). Adolescent boys showed a significant positive correlation between their mean diurnal blood pressure and height (P<0.05). Conclusion. The study proved gender-related arterial blood pressure differences in healthy adolescents. The results demonstrate the gender-specific circadian blood pressure rhythm pattern in both gender groups.

A procedure for calculating the amplitudes of the normal components of the displacement vector in case of three-dimensional vibrations of any point on the surface of mechanical vibrating system is proposed on the basis of experimental holographic interfrometry data and the theory of vibrations of mechanical systems. The analysis of fringe in holographic interferogram is based on several holographic interferogram of the vibrating links of wave mechanical system which are obtained using Time-Average holographic interferometry method.

Aim. To compare body image and weight control behavior among adolescents in Lithuania, Croatia, and the United States (US), the countries with striking contrasts in the prevalence of overweight among adolescents. Method. The study was carried out according to the methodology of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children collaborative survey. Nationally-representative samples of students, aged 13 and 15, were surveyed in Lithuania (3778 respondents), Croatia (2946 respondents), and the US (3546 respondents) in the 2001/2002 school year. Results. In all three countries, girls perceived themselves as being "too fat" more frequently than boys (37.0% vs 19.7%, P<0.001, z test). The prevalence of this perception increased with age among girls (32.7% vs 41.1%, P<0.001, z test) and decreased among boys (21.4% vs 17.9%, P = 0.005, z test). Lithuanian adolescents were least likely to perceive themselves as "too fat;" this perception was significantly more frequent in Croatia and the US (24.2%,27.5%, and 34.3%, respectively; P<0.001, chi(2) test). With the exception of 15-year-old Lithuanian boys, in all respondents the proportion of adolescents with body mass index (BMI) >= 85th percentile who perceived themselves as "too fat" was significantly higher (up to 3.13 times among 15-year-old US girls) than the proportion of adolescents with BMI <= 15th percentile who perceived themselves as "too thin." The highest proportion of overweight boys and girls on a diet or doing something else to lose weight was found in the US. Boys in Lithuania were most likely to be satisfied with their weight regardless of their weight status. Conclusion. Perceived body image and weight control behavior differ among adolescents in Lithuania, Croatia, and the US. Cross-cultural, age, and sex influences moderate body image and weight control behavior in underweight and overweight adolescents.

Abstract The recognition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is principally mediated by either membrane-bound or soluble form of the glycoprotein CD14 and CD14-associated signal transducer, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Recent findings indicate that the serine protease inhibitor, α1-antitrypsin (AAT), may not only afford protection against proteolytic injury, but may also neutralize microbial activities and affect regulation of innate immunity. We postulated that AAT affects monocyte responses to LPS by regulating CD14 expression and soluble CD14 release. Here we show that a short-term (up to 2 h) monocyte exposure to AAT alone or in combination with LPS leads to a remarkable induction of CD14 levels. In parallel, a short-term (2 h) cell exposure to AAT/LPS significantly enhances LPS-induced NFκB (p50 and p65) activation in conjunction with increased TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8 release. In contrast, longer term incubation (18 h) of monocytes with combined AAT/LPS results in a significant reduction in expression of both CD14 and TLR4, inhibition of LPS-induced TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8 mRNA and protein expression. These findings provide evidence that AAT is an important regulator of CD14 expression and release in monocytes and suggest that AAT may be involved in LPS neutralization and prevention of over-activation of monocytes in vivo.