Prospective analysis of the influence of sport and educational factors on the prevalence and initiation of smoking in older adolescents from Croatia

The prevalence of smoking among Croatian adolescents is alarmingly high, but no previous study has prospectively examined the sport- and academic-factors associated with smoking and smoking initiation. This study aimed to prospectively examine the associations between scholastic (educational) achievement and sport factors and smoking in 16- to 18-year-old adolescents. This twoyear prospective cohort study included 644 adolescents who were 16 years of age at baseline (46% females). Baseline testing was implemented at the beginning of the 3rd year of high school (September 2014) when participants were 16 years old. Follow-up testing was completed at the end of the fourth year of high school, which occurred 20 months later. The evaluated predictor variables were educational-achievement- and sport-related-factors. The outcome variables were (i) smoking at baseline; (ii) smoking at follow-up; and (iii) smoking initiation over the course of the study. We assessed the associations between predictors and outcomes using logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and conflict with parents. The educational variables were consistently associated with smoking, with lower grade-point-average (Baseline: odd ratio (OR): 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.61\u20132.55; Follow-up: 1.59, 1.31\u20131.94), more frequent absence from school (Baseline: OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.19\u20131.69; Follow-up: 1.30, 1.08\u20131.58), and lower behavioral grades (Baseline: OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.10\u20132.89; Follow-up: 1.57, 1.03\u20132.41) in children who smoke. Adolescents who reported quitting sports were at greater odds of being smokers (Baseline: 2.07, 1.31\u20133.32; Followup: 1.66, 1.09\u20132.56). Sport competitive achievement at baseline was protective against smoking initiation during following two-year period (0.45, 0.21\u20130.91). While the influence of the educational variables on smoking initiation has been found to be established earlier; sport achievement was identified as a significant protective factor against initiating smoking in older adolescents. Results should be used in development of an anti-smoking preventive campaign in older adolescents

Novi aktivni leap-frog filtar trećeg reda

This paper presents the realization of third-order low-pass active-RC filters using a new Leap-Frog (LF) topology. New structure is a simplified LF structure with the elements calculated directly from the transfer function coefficients. Several versions of the circuits are presented and compared. The comparison to other common thirdorder filter sections is done, as well. The new LF filter has the reduced number of components, reduced complexity and straightforward design procedure compared to classical filters. As an illustration of the efficiency of the proposed new LF filter, the sensitivity analysis using Schoeffler sensitivity measure as well as output thermal noise analysis was performed on examples with Butterworth and Chebyshev 0.5dB pass-band ripple transfer functions. Using PSpice with a TL081 opamp model, the filter performance is simulated and the results compared and verified by measurements on a discrete-component breadboard filter. All equations needed for the step-by-step design are given.U radu je predstavljena realizacija nisko-propusnog aktivnog-RC filtra trećeg reda koji upotrebljava novu "leap-frog" (LF) topologiju. Nova struktura je pojednostavljena LF struktura s elementima koji se računaju direktno iz koeficijenata prijenosne funkcije. Nekoliko inačica krugova je prikazano i obavljena je usporedba. Napravljena je usporedba tako.er i s drugim uobičajenim filtarskim sekcijama trećeg reda. Novi LF filtar ima smanjeni broj komponenata, smanjenu kompleksnost i jednostavniji postupak projektiranja u usporedbi s klasičnim filtrima. Za ilustraciju učinkovitosti predstavljenog novog LF filtra, provedena je analiza osjetljivosti pomoću Schoefflerove mjere osjetljivosti i analiza termičkog šuma na izlazu na primjerima s prijenosnim funkcijama po Butterworthu i Chebyshevu s valovitošću u području propuštanja od 0.5 dB. Pomoću PSpice-a s modelom pojačala TL081, filtarska svojstva su simulirana, uspore.ena i potvr.ena mjerenjima na filtrima realiziranim pomoću diskretnih elemenata na štampanoj pločici. U radu su dane sve potrebne jednadžbe u postupku projektiranja korak po korak

Doppler ultrasound study of portal hemodynamics in patients with Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase and characterized by the presence of pathological macrophages laden with glucosylceramide. Hepatosplenomegaly is a common manifestation of Gaucher disease, but symptomatic portal hypertension is rarely seen. The study included 20 untreated adult patients with Gaucher disease (non-neuronopathic type 1) diagnosed with the presence of Gaucher cells in the bone marrow, and 20 healthy subjects as controls. The examination of patients included color Doppler ultrasonography (pulsed Doppler mode), resistive index (RI) and Doppler perfusion index (DPI) using a Toshiba Xario ultrasound machine and a convex array probe PVT-375AX (1.9-6 MHz) with the objective of analyzing portal hemodynamics. Results showed that all patients had enlarged liver and spleen, and their average sizes were significantly larger than those in the healthy controls (liver: 17.04 vs.14.02 cm; spleen: 22.2 vs. 10.74 cm). DPI values were significantly different between patients and controls (0.15 vs. 0.21). Considering DPI <0.15 indicates arterial liver hypoperfusion and hypoxia, it can be concluded that a number of patients had a problem with liver oxygenation, which may be linked to the high angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels obtained in the patients (339.42 U/L), 10 times greater than in control subjects. Since ACE is a potent vasoconstrictor produced by spleen macrophages in Gaucher disease, we can suppose that elevated ACE is associated with effects on the blood vessels of the liver and spleen

The envelope protein of Usutu virus attenuates West Nile virus virulence in immunocompetent mice

West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are the two most widespread mosquito-borne flaviviruses in Europe causing severe neuroinvasive disease in humans. Here, following standardization of the murine model with wild type (wt) viruses, we engineered WNV and USUV genome by reverse genetics. A recombinant virus carrying the 5′ UTR of WNV within the USUV genome backbone (r-USUV5′-UTR WNV) was rescued; when administered to mice this virus did not cause signs or disease as wt USUV suggesting that 5′ UTR of a marked neurotropic parental WNV was not per se a virulence factor. Interestingly, a chimeric virus carrying the envelope (E) protein of USUV in the WNV genome backbone (r-WNVE-USUV) showed an attenuated profile in mice compared to wt WNV but significantly more virulent than wt USUV. Moreover, except when tested against serum samples originating from a live WNV infection, r-WNVE-USUV showed an identical antigenic profile to wt USUV confirming that E is also the major immunodominant protein of USUV

Adenocarcinoma of the third and fourth portion of the duodenum: a case report and review of the literature

A 65-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and microcytic anemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, until the second part of duodenum, was normal. Ultrasound and computed tomography demonstrated a solid mass in the distal duodenum. A repeat endoscopy confirmed an ulcerative, intraluminar mass in the third and fourth part of the duodenum. Segmental resection of the third and fourth portion of the duodenum was performed. Histology revealed an adenocarcinoma. On the 4th postoperative day, the patient developed severe acute pancreatitis leading to multiple organ failure and died on the 30th postoperative day

The impact of generation Y’s customer experience on emotions: online banking sector

Recently, banking sector focused on attracting Generation Y (individuals born between 1980 and 2000) because they have emerged as a huge force with growing spending power which will unavoidably rival with Baby Boomers’ market dominance. They try to attract them through a unique customer experience, especially the ability of differentiation. Using the Mehrabian & Russell’s model of stimulus (S) - organism (O) - response (R), this study developed the Generation Y customer experience framework that intends to explain their consumer emotional responses toward customer experience attributes in a bank through three aspects: pleasure, dominance, and arousal toward online banks. Empirical evidence, based on data from a survey suggests that the overall customer experience attributes in the bank had a positive relation with emotional responses in different ways. “Value for money”, “Getting things right the first time” and “Put the consumer first” emerged as the most important attributes for Generation Y in experiencing a bank.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Genome sequences of three SARS-CoV-2 P.1 strains identified from patients returning from Brazil to Italy

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We report the complete sequences of three SARS-CoV-2 P.1 strains obtained from nasopharyngeal swab specimens from three patients returning from Brazil to Italy

Occurrence of premature battery depletion in a large multicentre registry of subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator patients

AIMS: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) have become established in preventing sudden cardiac death, with some advantages over transvenous defibrillator systems, including a lower incidence of lead failures. Despite technological advancements, S-ICD carriers may suffer from significant complications, such as premature battery depletion (PBD), that led to an advisory for nearly 40 000 patients. This multicentre study evaluated the incidence of PBD in a large set of S-ICD patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from patients implanted with S-ICD models A209 and A219 between October 2012 and July 2023 across nine centres in Europe and the USA were reviewed. Incidence and implications of PBD, defined as clinically observed sudden drop in battery longevity, were analysed and compared to PBD with the definition of battery depletion within 60 months. Prospectively collected clinical data were obtained retrospectively from medical records, device telemetry, and manufacturer reports. This registry is listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05713708). Of the 1112 S-ICD devices analysed, 547 (49.2%) were equipped with a potentially affected capacitor linked to PBD occurrence, currently under Food and Drug Administration advisory. The median follow-up time for all patients was 46 [inter-quartile range (IQR) 24-63] months. Clinically suspected PBD was observed in 159 (29.1%) of cases, with a median time to generator removal or replacement of 65 (IQR 55-72) months, indicative of significant deviations from expected battery lifespan. Manufacturer confirmation of PBD was made in 91.7% of devices returned for analysis. No cases of PBD were observed in devices that were not under advisory. CONCLUSION: This manufacturer-independent analysis highlights a notable incidence of PBD in patients equipped with S-ICD models under advisory, and the rate of PBD in this study corresponds to the rate currently estimated by the manufacturer. To the best of our knowledge, this provides the largest contemporary peer-reviewed study cohort investigating the actual incidence of PBD in S-ICD patients. These findings emphasize the importance of post-market registries in collaboration between clinicians and the manufacturer to optimize safety and efficacy in S-ICD treatment

Incidence, implications, and management of sense-B-noise failure in subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator patients: insights from a large multicentre registry

AIMS: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) offer potentially distinct advantages over transvenous defibrillator systems. Recent randomized trials showed significantly lower lead failure rates than transvenous ICD. Still, S-ICDs remain associated with the risk of inappropriate shocks (IAS). While previous studies have reported varying causes of IAS, this study explores a rare cause of IAS, referred to as 'sense-B-noise.' It was recently described in case series, but its incidence has not been studied in a large cohort of S-ICD patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients implanted with S-ICD models 1010, A209, and A219 between October 2009 and July 2023 across nine centres in Europe and the USA. The analysis concentrated on determining the incidence and understanding the implications of sense-B-noise events. Sense-B-noise represents a rare manifestation of distinct electrogram abnormalities within the primary and alternate sensing vectors. Data were collected from medical records, device telemetry, and manufacturer reports for investigation. This registry is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05713708). Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices of the 1158 patients were analysed. The median follow-up time for all patients was 46 (IQR 23-64) months. In 107 patients (9.2%) ≥1 IAS was observed during follow-up. Sense-B-noise failure was diagnosed in six (0.5 and 5.6% of all IAS) patients, in all patients, the diagnosis was made after an IAS episode. Median lead dwell time in the affected patients was 23 (2-70) months. To resolve the sense-B-noise defect, in three patients reprogramming to the secondary vector was undertaken, and two patients underwent system removal with subsequent S-ICD reimplantation due to low amplitude in the secondary vector. In one patient, the secondary vector was initially programmed, and subsequently, an S-ICD system exchange was performed due to T-wave-oversensing IAS episodes. CONCLUSION: This multicentre analysis' findings shed light on a rare but clinically highly significant adverse event in S-ICD therapy. To our knowledge, we provide the first systematic multicentre analysis investigating the incidence of sense-B-noise. Due to being difficult to diagnose and limited options for resolution, management of sense-B-noise is challenging. Complete system exchange may be the only option for some patients. Educating healthcare providers involved in S-ICD patient care is crucial for ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective management of sense-B-noise issues