Vršnjačko nasilje kod djece u Splitu, Hrvatska: povezanost s općim, psihosocijalnim, ponašajnim i školskim čimbenicima

The first aim was to determine the prevalence of bullying behavior in the city of Split, Croatia. The second aim was to associate the specific bully status with demographic, family, psychosocial, behavioral, and school variables. This cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires included 567 children and 166 teachers. Study results revealed 16.3% of all children to have been involved in bullying behavior. Regression analysis revealed the bullies as compared to the non-involved group to be significantly associated with aggressive behavior, children\u27s approving attitude towards aggressiveness, and male gender. Our overall prevalence rate and associations of variables were in accordance with the other international studies. Interventions for male pupils who have manifest bully behavior and have aggressive attitudes, as well as for their families, need to be a priority.Prvi cilj rada bio je utvrditi udio vršnjačkoga nasilja u gradu Splitu u Hrvatskoj. Drugi cilj bio je povezati vršnjačko nasilje s općim i psihosocijalnim varijablama, ponašanjem te sa školskim okruženjem. Ovo presječno istraživanje s upitnicima za samoispunjavanje provedeno je na 567 djece, koja su anonimno procjenjivala svoj status (klasificirani kao nasilnici te kontrolna skupina), te 166 nastavnika, koji su procjenjivali druge varijable. Djeca u uzorku bila su odabrana iz 21 škole. Rezultati su pokazali da je 16,3% djece bilo uključeno u agresivno ponašanje. Regresijska analiza pokazala je da je skupina nasilne djece u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu značajno više povezana s agresivnim ponašanjem, odobravanjem agresivnosti, i s muškim spolom. Prevalencija i povezanost različitih varijabli podudaraju se s rezultatima drugih međunarodnih studija. Prioritet će imati intervencije za dječake koji pokazuju nasilničko ponašanje i imaju nasilne stavove, kao i za njihove obitelji

Molecular detection of Babesia spp. in ticks in northern Serbia

In order to evaluate the prevalence rate of Babesia spp. in ticks collected from vegetation at seven localities in northern Serbia, tick samples were subjected to molecular analysis. A total of 132 unfed adult ticks of five different species (Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Haemaphysalis punctata), were examined by PCR for the presence of Babesia spp. Out of the analyzed ticks, 10.61% (14/132) were positive for babesial DNA. The presence of babesiae was found at the localities Pančevački Rit, Titov Gaj, Makiš, PKB and Kljajićevo. Prevalence in D. reticulatus ticks was 21.57% (11/51) and in H. concinna ticks, 8.57% (3/35). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed a clustering of the obtained sequences with those of B. canis from the GenBank database. These results add to the knowledge of the distribution of babesial pathogens and their vectors in Serbia

Molecular characterization of coi gene of ixodes ricinus (linnaeus, 1758) from Serbia

The Ixodes ricinus tick is common in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is a vector of pathogenic agents causing diseases in humans and animals. Little is known about the genetic structure of I. ricinus in this region. We have investigated intraspecific variability of the COI gene among I. ricinus ticks collected from different regions of Serbia, and the correlation between the various types of habitat and genetic variability of ticks. The obtained COI gene sequences are the first barcoding sequences of I. ricinus ticks collected at localities in Serbia. Intraspecific variability of these COI gene sequences was very low, and there was no correlation between the various types of habitat and genetic variability of ticks. Samples from isolated localities (canyon/gorge) showed no genetic differentiations from the majority of samples from open areas

Determination of an efficient and reliable method for PCR detection of borrelial DNA from engorged ticks

Since ticks have been recognized as one of the most important vectors of pathogens causing serious diseases in humans, a number of studies have focused on identifying the pathogen composition as well as transmission and infection mechanisms. Although a plethora of detection methods is available today, PCR-based approach is regarded as the most sensitive and rapid. However, common challenges in molecular analyses conducted on ticks are weak amplification results because of present inhibitors, either from a mammalian bloodmeal or a male DNA in female reproductive organs. Present study aimed to evaluate which body part of an engorged tick is the most preferable as a starting material in DNA extraction for molecular detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. We analyzed 58 Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from patients in The Center for Emergency Medical Assistance of the Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our findings suggest using the anterior half of semi-engorged and fully-engorged ticks for DNA extraction with the purpose of Borrelia detection

Effects of equine assisted interventions in persons with intellectual disability

Интервенције потпомогнуте коњима (Equine Assisted Interventions) укључују програме којима је циљ побољшати људско здравље и животно благостање. Данас, интервенције потпомогнуте коњима користе интерaкцију између особе и коња и одвијају се кроз активности (Equine-assisted activities – EAA) и терапију (Equine-assisted therapy – EAT). Све је више истраживања која се баве интервенцијама потпомогнутим коњима и која потврђују њихова благотворна дејства. Тренутни налази сугеришу да имају значајан позитиван утицај на психофизички, моторички, говорно-језички и социјални развој особа са интелектуалном ометеношћу. Многи истраживачи су посветили велику пажњу ефектима терапијског јахања на унапређење социјалних вештина код особа са тешкоћама у менталном развоју, нарочито особама са поремећајем из спектра аутизма, а резулати одабраних студија су показали значајан утицај на њихово социјално функционисање, поред свих осталих позитивних ефеката. Позитивни ефекти нису изостали ни код хипотерапије, психотерапије уз помоћ коња и волтажирања, док је код спортског јахања и терапијске вожње запрегама литература лимитирана. Сматрамо да би се будућа истраживања требала више усмерити у том правцу.Equine assisted interventions include programs that have a goal to achive human health and well-being. Today, equine assisted interventions use interaction between the individual and the horse and take place through activities (Equine-assisted activities – EAA) and therapy (Equine- assisted therapy – EAT). There is more and more research that deals with interventions that are more courageous and that confirm their beneficial effect. Current findings suggest that they have a significant positive impact on psychophysical, motor, language, and social function on people with intellectual disabilities. Numerous researchers have dedicated the great effectiveness of therapeutic riding to improving social skills in people with intellectual disabilities, especially people with autism spectrum disorder, and the results show a significant effect on their social functioning, in addition to all the other positive effects. Positive effects were not absent either in hippotherapy, psychotherapy with the help of horses and voltaging, while in sport riding and therapeutic driving, the prepared literature was lit. We believe that future research should be directed more in that direction

Effects of equine assisted interventions in persons with intellectual disability

Интервенције потпомогнуте коњима (Equine Assisted Interventions) укључују програме којима је циљ побољшати људско здравље и животно благостање. Данас, интервенције потпомогнуте коњима користе интерaкцију између особе и коња и одвијају се кроз активности (Equine-assisted activities – EAA) и терапију (Equine-assisted therapy – EAT). Све је више истраживања која се баве интервенцијама потпомогнутим коњима и која потврђују њихова благотворна дејства. Тренутни налази сугеришу да имају значајан позитиван утицај на психофизички, моторички, говорно-језички и социјални развој особа са интелектуалном ометеношћу. Многи истраживачи су посветили велику пажњу ефектима терапијског јахања на унапређење социјалних вештина код особа са тешкоћама у менталном развоју, нарочито особама са поремећајем из спектра аутизма, а резулати одабраних студија су показали значајан утицај на њихово социјално функционисање, поред свих осталих позитивних ефеката. Позитивни ефекти нису изостали ни код хипотерапије, психотерапије уз помоћ коња и волтажирања, док је код спортског јахања и терапијске вожње запрегама литература лимитирана. Сматрамо да би се будућа истраживања требала више усмерити у том правцу.Equine assisted interventions include programs that have a goal to achive human health and well-being. Today, equine assisted interventions use interaction between the individual and the horse and take place through activities (Equine-assisted activities – EAA) and therapy (Equine- assisted therapy – EAT). There is more and more research that deals with interventions that are more courageous and that confirm their beneficial effect. Current findings suggest that they have a significant positive impact on psychophysical, motor, language, and social function on people with intellectual disabilities. Numerous researchers have dedicated the great effectiveness of therapeutic riding to improving social skills in people with intellectual disabilities, especially people with autism spectrum disorder, and the results show a significant effect on their social functioning, in addition to all the other positive effects. Positive effects were not absent either in hippotherapy, psychotherapy with the help of horses and voltaging, while in sport riding and therapeutic driving, the prepared literature was lit. We believe that future research should be directed more in that direction

Comparison of growth and morphology of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in BSK-H and BSK-II media stored for prolonged periods

Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly II (BSK-II) and BSK-H media were used for cultivation and isolation of fastidiousBorreliaspecies - the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis. Culture media have a limited shelf life and require adequate storage. Our goal was to assess how the growth ofBorreliawould be affected by prolonged storage of media and inadequate storage conditions (BSK-H stored at +4 degrees C for 2.5 years and BSK-II stored at -20 degrees C for 11 years). Growth of differentBorrelia afzelii,Borrelia garinii,Borrelia lusitaniaeandBorrelia valaisianastrains was assessed during 2 weeks of incubation at 33 degrees C. Monitored parameters included cell count per mL, morphology and motility. The results of this study have shown weaker growth of borrelia strains in BSK-H at +4 degrees C (median final cell number of 1.5 x 10(6)/mL) than in BSK-II at -20 degrees C (median final cell number of 7.75 x 10(6)/mL) and in fresh BSK-H media (median final cell number of 8.95 x 10(6)/mL). Duration of storage of media had no impact onBorreliamorphology and motility. Our results indicate that temperature of -20 degrees C is optimal for long-term storage of medium, BSK-II stored for 11 years provided effective support to growth ofBorreliaand may be employed for cultivation