[Summary – Considering the pathomechanism, the risk factors, as well as the environmental and toxic effects, some associated illnesses, unhealthy life-style habits in the background of hypertension and infertility, significant overlapping can be found. The question arises; does play any role the hypertension in the development of infertility? In this article the author review the connection between the hypertension and infertility. ]

The relationship among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and obesity is very complex and multi-directional. Obesity and increased visceral fat are important perpetuating factors for DM2 in patients with OSAS. On the other hand, OSAS itself leads to obesity by causing both leptin and insulin resistance as a consequence of activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Risk for developing DM2 further increases in patients with OSAS and obesity. Data regarding effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, gold standard treatment for OSAS, on glycemic control were inconsistent due to variability in duration of and adherence to PAP therapy. In our cohort study we investigated effects of PAP treatment on glucose metabolism in normal-weighted non-diabetic OSAS patients, in obese non-diabetic OSAS patients, and in OSAS patients with DM2. We prospectively analyzed 67 patients diagnosed with OSAS and documented to be effectively treated with PAP therapy for three months. Apnea-hypopnea index was highest in the diabetic group, being significantly higher than in the normal-weighted group (p=0.021). Mean HOMA values were significantly higher in obese (p=0.002) and diabetic group (p=0.001) than normal-weighted group; the differences were still significant after PAP therapy. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetic group compared to those in normal-weighted (p=0.012) and obese (p=0.001) groups. After PAP treatment, decrease in HbA1c levels were significant in normal-weighted (p=0.008), obese (p=0.034), and diabetic (p=0.011) groups. There was no correlation with the change in HbA1c levels and age (p=0.212), BMI (p=0.322), AHI (p=0.098) or oxygen levels (p=0.122). Our study showed that treatment of OSAS by PAP therapy offers beneficial effect on glucose metabolism, not only in diabetic patients, but also in obese and normal-weighted OSAS patients. Although data regarding overall effects of PAP therapy on glycemic control present contradictory results in the literature, it should be emphasized that duration and adherence to PAP therapy were main determinants for beneficial outcome of treatment.

Background - 3D technologies (3D virtual and physical model, 3D printing, computer aided engineering, finite element analysis based simulations) play an important role in personalized spine surgery. Objective - In collaboration with AOSpine a global, online survey-based study was performed in order to determine the acceptance rate and the factors which stand against the wider spread of 3D technologies. Methods - A survey containing 21 questions was developed and divided into five pages, every page corresponding to one chapter. Our analysis is based on the responses of 282 spine surgeons from 57 countries. To interpret our results in a global context, we used the Human Development Index of the respondent's countries in comparisons. Results - Significant difference between the AOSpine regions (p ≤ 0.05) was found, with the highest acceptance in Asia-Pacific region. There was no significant difference in acceptance score according to the field of spine surgery, or the surgical experience in years (p=0.77, and p=0.19). In the case of public practice, we found significantly higher acceptance compared to private and mixed (public and private) surgical practice (p ≤ 0.05). The acceptance of the technology varied based on the respondent’s resident country’s Human Development Index and was significantly different between „Medium” vs “Very high” (p = 0.0005) and „High” vs „Very high” (p=0.019) category. Significant positive correlation was found between the acceptance score and the HDI score (Spearman test, ρ = 0.37, p = 0.007). The main limitation factor was identified as the lack of information. Conclusion - There is high interest among spine surgeons towards the incorporation of 3D technologies into the clinical practice. Education, the healthcare system, and the economic environment plays a major role in acceptance. Our results provide the basis of a strategy to promote the application of 3D technologies.

[Self-monitoring of blood sugar levels is an essential element in the treatment of diabetes, it provides an insight to the success of treatment and self-management, the development of metabolic processes, and ensures the early recognition and treatment of significant blood sugar fluctuations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the habits of self-monitoring of sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, and among them the frequency, recognition and treatment of hypo- and hyperglycemia. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study in 2018 in the Health Centre in Subotica/Serbia. The sample included 107 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through interviews with patients using a customized questionnaire, during the regular control examinations. The patients’ level of blood sugar in the capillary blood was measured by glucometer. The statistical package IBM-SPSS 20.0 and descriptive analytic methods were used for data analysis. The mean age of the sample was 63.7 ± 7.7 years. Two-thirds of them performed opportunistic self-monitoring mostly before breakfast. A large number of patients never recognized variations of blood glucose (in 65% hyperglycemia and in 51% hypoglycemia). However, a month before 81% of patients had hyper- and 31% hypoglycemic episodes respectively. 12% of patients did not take any action in such cases. It is recommended to emphasize again and again the importance and way of self-monitoring at each follow-up examination. The shortcomings identified in the study provide guidelines what to focus on when caring for diabetic patients.]