Self-trapped bidirectional waveguides in a saturable photorefractive medium

We introduce a time-dependent model for the generation of joint solitary waveguides by counter-propagating light beams in a photorefractive crystal. Depending on initial conditions, beams form stable steady-state structures or display periodic and irregular temporal dynamics. The steady-state solutions are non-uniform in the direction of propagation and represent a general class of self-trapped waveguides, including counterpropagating spatial vector solitons as a particular case.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Circulating Platelet Aggregates and Progression of Visual Field Loss in Glaucoma

The aim of the study was to assess a relationship between circulating platelet aggregates (CPA) and progression of visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. CPA was determined in 27 patients with open-angle glaucoma with nonprogressive visual field loss and 15 patients with open-angle glaucoma and progression of visual field loss. Intraocular pressure (IOP) under topical therapy was <18 mmHg in all patients. CPA in glaucoma patients with progression of visual field loss was not significantly higher than those without visual field progression (p=0.59). In conclusion, our study shows that increased platelet aggregability is not solely responsible for progression of visual field loss in glaucoma patients, and indicates the role of IOP in the pathogenesis of visual field loss

The Effect of Delivery on Regression of Abnormal Cervical Cytologic Findings

The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal antepartum cervical cytologic findings result in differing postpartum regression rates. Between 1993 and 2000, 107 pregnant women with antepartum abnormal cervical cytologic findings were identified. Papanicolaou smear data were separated into three groups by use of the CIN classification system. Postpartum regression rates of antepartum Papanicolaou smears were analyzed six months after delivery. Normalization of Papanicolaou smears in the postpartum period were observed in 50 of 107 women (46.7%). Regression of cervical cytologic findings was noted in 61 of 107 women (57%). Respectively, persistence of Papanicolaou smear was noted in 43 of 107 patients (40%). Only 3 of 107 (3%) antepartum findings progressed after delivery. Desquamation of the cervical epithelium or enhancement of a localized reparative immunologic response after vaginal delivery could play an important role in the spontaneous regression of cervical dysplasia in the postpartum period

Influence of War Circumstances on Tumor Morphological Characteristics in Patients with Breast Cancer

The influence of war circumstances on tumor morphological characteristics in patients with breast cancer has not been studied up to now. The aim of this study is to investigate if war circumstances have influenced breast cancer incidence. The study covered both the patients in which during a period of observation a breast cancer was diagnosed as well as those who died of the same disease in the same period. Three sources of data were used: 1) The archives of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Center of the University Hospital »Split« (UHS): hospital data of 768 patients were reviewed. The war sample consisted of 380 patients aged 59.4±12.1 (31 to 86) (including 5 males), whereas the pre-war sample was made up of 388 patients aged 58.4±12.7 (19 to 88) (including 3 males); 2) Register of death of the Pathology Department of UHS with 162 analyzed persons whose death was caused by breast cancer in the six-year period between 1988 and 1993. The list of 162 dead patients included 79 people who died from breast cancer diagnosed in that period (1988–1993) and another 83 people that had been diagnosed before that period; 3) The biopsy register of the Pathology Department of UHS with 851 breast biopsies performed between 1988 and 1993. Breast cancer is predominantly a female illness (99.1%). The war circumstances influenced the of T, N and M rate. The rate of N2, N3, M1 were conspicuously higher in the war period. There were significantly more malignant histological diagnoses found in new patients and also significantly more patients died due to breast cancer. Stress and other war circumstances undoubtedly have a negative impact on the numerous markers of breast cancer which we have proved in this study

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Postmenopausal Estrogen Users

The purpose of the paper was to describe general health, socio-economic and demographic characteristics of postmenopausal estrogen users in comparison to nonusers. During years 1994–2000, 717 postmenopausal estrogen users and 235 postmenopausal nonusers were gynecological examined, interweaved with a questionnaire including information on their health, socio-economic and demographic status and compared. Women who had prescription on a hormone replacement minimally 6 months before interview were deemed to be current users, but the controls had not use hormone replacement ever. Hormone replacement users were statistically significant more often smokers, they had better physical activity and better general health than nonusers. Women with surgical menopause were more often hormone replacement users than nonusers. Women with better socio-economic status, higher education and urban population were more likely to use hormone replacement. Single, divorced and widowed women were more likely, but married women were less likely to use hormone replacement. However, more healthy profiles among hormone replacement users may inflate the apparent benefit of treatment. The gynaecologists play a major role in hormone replacement therapy decision- making because of a substantial public health impact