Objective To evaluate retino-cortical function in children with Down’s syndrome (DS) and no evident ocular abnormalities beyond mild refractive error, by recording visual evoked potentials (VEP) in response to pattern-reversal stimuli and comparing to those of age-matched healthy controls. Methods and analysis All the children with DS registered at Split-Dalmatia County who met inclusion criteria of no ocular abnormalities and with refraction error between −0.5 and +2.0 D, and their age-matched healthy controls were included in the study (n=36 children, N=72 eyes, for both groups, respectively, with the same age of 9±2 years). Transient VEP was recorded and the waves with a positive peak as a response to a pattern-reversal stimulus, were analysed. The peak P100 latency, defined as the time from the stimulus onset to the main positive peak, and peak to peak amplitudes were measured. Results While P100 wave amplitudes were comparable between two groups (p=0.804), P100 latencies were from 4.3 to 28.5 ms longer in children with DS (p<0.001). Interocular latency difference between a VEP dominant and an inferior eye was pronounced in healthy (1.2 ms (0.2–4.0), but was almost diminished in children with DS (0.3 ms (0.1–0.5), p<0.001). Conclusion Our study has demonstrated that VEP response is divergent in children with DS compared with their age-matched healthy controls, indicating possible structural or functional abnormalities of the visual cortex. As VEP results are helpful in the diagnosis and treatment planning of vision-related disorders, we should reconsider the use of common VEP diagnostic criteria in subpopulation of children with DS.

Although antimicrobial properties of wine have been extensively studied, antimicrobial effects of wine in relation to bacterial resistance to medicinal antibiotics have not been examined. Therefore, our aim was to determine whether bacterial resistance to antibiotics can be related to their resistance to red wine as an unspecific antimicrobial medium. The organisms studied were Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and two clinical isolates which exhibited different resistance to antibiotics, ESBL - producing Escherichia coli UR 3612 and Salmonella enteritidis KK 962. The time-kill curves method was used. The minimal incubation time of the bacterial suspension with wine, necessary for prevention of bacterial growth, was 3 and 20 min for E. coli ATCC and ESBL E. coli respectively. This was associated with susceptibility testing in which E. coli ATCC proved highly sensitive in contrast to ESBL-producing E. coli, which exhibited resistance to a spectrum of antimicrobial drugs of different classes regarding their principal mechanism of action. In the case of S. enteritidis strains, they were similar in their susceptibility against test antibiotics and time-kill curves following exposure to wine. Bacterial resistance to wine is closely associated with bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs. The exact mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of wine are still a matter of debate. However, wine might be less susceptible to bacterial resistance development and may include mechanisms different from those of medicinal antibiotics. The present study represents an initial contribution to this important subject which has been practically unexplored.

Objective: Physical activity is a relevant modifier of cardiovascular risk and is recommended to control BP levels in obese hypertensive patients. This study is aimed at assessing its effect on central vascular function (CVF), a potential preventive target known to impact high-flow end-organs, in overweight and obese normotensive participants. Design and method: We enrolled normotensive overweight and obese (classes 1–3) participants who joined lifestyle modification programme at a local gym. The programme includes two 7-week cycles of 1-hour mixed cardio and strength training, 5 sessions/week. CVF parameters (arterial stiffness and hemodynamics) were measured with the SphygmoCor XCEL device at 4 timepoints: baseline and after 3, 7, and 14 weeks of training; on a day when participants had not exercised for at least 24 hours. We used the Friedman test for repeated measures in data analysis. Results: An interim analysis included 15 participants (median BMI 33, range 27–43). Their median age was 35 years (25–49) and were predominantly women (n = 11). We observed a significant improvement after initiation of physical activity in all assessed parameters of CVF (P < 0.05 for all). The greatest improvement was observed at 3 weeks, which continued to 7 weeks but to a lesser extent. At 14 weeks, parameter values deteriorated, likely due to 8 participants not adhering to the 8–14 week schedule, but values were still significantly better than baseline. The median improvement at 7 weeks included a 0.5 m/s reduction in carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, a 9% reduction in central augmentation index corrected for changes in HR, and a 5 and 6 mmHg reduction in cSBP and cDBP, respectively. The median weight lost from baseline was 1.8, 2.4 and 5.8 kg at 3, 7, and 14-weeks respectively. Conclusions: Physical activity induced non-trivial improvement in CVF in people at increased risk of CVD. While training was accompanied with weight loss, this likely did not affect CVF outcomes as median body mass loss up to 7 weeks was small (2.8%) and direction of the effect on CVF at week 14 was aligned with exercising, not weight loss.

Aim: To investigate the effects of three-month use of oral hormonal contraception (OHC) on hormonal status and ovarian reserve indicator (anti-Müllerian hormone, AMH) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: 19 patients with diagnosed PCOS and clinical and laboratory signs of hyperandrogenism without additional comorbidities and co-medication were included in the study. All participants received therapy with the same oral hormonal contraceptive (fixed combination of 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg cyproterone acetate). The main outcomes were the concentrations of reproductive hormones measured before starting therapy and in the first cycle following therapy. Hormone concentrations were analysed using the immunochemical electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) method. Results: Initial concentrations of total and free testosterone and AMH were elevated, while initial concentrations of other reproductive hormones were within reference values. By applying the therapy, the concentrations of AMH, luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol decreased by more than 20% and those of free testosterone by 85%. The concentration of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) increased by 44%. Conclusions: Three months of oral hormonal contraception with 35 μg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg cyproterone acetate reduced elevated concentrations of AMH and free testosterone in PCOS patients. The decrease in serum AMH concentration indicates a temporary interruption of folliculogenesis as well as the selection of follicles from preantral to antral, and the decrease in androgens has a positive effect on the clinical condition and symptoms of patients with PCOS.