Measurement of Tooth Extraction Forces in Upper Incisors

A new method, applied for the first time in this research, was used for measurement of tooth extraction forces. The research has been done in a group of 50 examinees to whom the tooth extraction has been done with lower premolar forceps – forceps »13« and in the control group of 54 examinees in whom the tooth extraction has been done with upper incisive forceps – forceps »1«. The measurement instrument registered the extraction forces values in both types of forceps. There was no difference in any parameters in these two groups except in used pressure. While using the forceps »13«, a significantly lower tooth extraction force was measured than the force measured while using the forceps »1« (p<0.001). This means that in clinical work we can already apply noticeably less force using the lower premolar forceps for the extraction of the upper incisors (in the moments of rotation up to 70%). These results are meaningful, because they lead to better and improved instrument solutions and working techniques

Response of the species of Karst Dace (Telestes karsticus Marčić and Mrakovčić, 2011) to the predator of the brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758)

U ovome su radu prvi puta zabilježeni podaci o ponašanju kapelske svijetlice u odnosu na izloženost predatoru potočnoj pastrvi. Istraživanje se temelji na dvije vrste ponašanja, tijekom perioda bez prisutnosti predatora te u periodu za vrijeme prisutnosti predatora. Tijekom perioda bez prisustva predatora kod svih promatranih jedinki zabilježena je smanjena kohezija plova. Povećana kohezija plova zabilježena tijekom prisustva predatora. Zabilježena je povećana udaljenost plova od pregrade u akvariju nakon uvođenja predatora kod svih promatranih jedinki. Udaljenosti plova od dna akvarija prije podražaja iznosila je do 25 cm, dok je tijekom podražaja do 3 cm. Tijekom perioda bez prisustva predatora jedinke su bile različito vizualne usmjerene dok prilikom mjerenja podražaja sve promatrane jedinke vizualno su bile usmjerene prema predatoru. Zabilježeno je isto ponašanje kod svih promatranih jedinki različitih skupina.In this study, data on the behavioural response of juvenile individuals of the karstic dace (Telestes karsticus) the exposure of the predator to the trout (Salmo trutta) were recorded. The research is based on two types of behaviour, during the period without the presence of predators, and in the period during the presence of predators. During the period without the presence of predators, reduced cohesion of the units was observed in all observed individuals, while increased cohesion of the units during the exposure to predators. An increased distance of the units from the barrier in the aquarium was observed after the introduction of predators. The distance from the bottom of the aquarium before the stimulus was up to 25 cm, during the stimulus up to 3 cm. In the period before exposure to the predator, the individuals were differently visual focused, whereas when measuring the stimuli, all observed individuals were visually directed toward the predator. The same behaviour was observed in all observed groups

Organska zagađivala u komunalnim otpadnim vodama Republike Hrvatske

Municipal wastewaters are among the most important sources of waste materials released into the environment. In Croatia, this problem is especially pronounced since only 4.4 % of the total wastewaters are subject to complete mechanical and biological treatment. Beside a limited number of regulated organic contaminants, wastewaters contain an extremely high number of different potentially harmful organic compounds. Comprehensive analyses of Croatian wastewaters using mass spectrometric techniques (GC/ MS, LC/MS) indicated the presence of a large number of different organic compounds with a predominance of two main groups of contaminants: petroleum hydrocarbons and detergent-derived surfactants. Recent investigations of specific organic contaminants in wastewater focused on the determination of so-called emerging contaminants, whose ecotoxicological relevance is based on new types of biological effects and for which water quality criteria have not yet been defined. The main goal of this paper is to make an overview of the present knowledge on the occurrence of different types of organic contaminants in Croatian municipal wastewaters, paying special attention to the emerging contaminants.Komunalne otpadne vode jedan su od najvažnijih oblika unošenja otpadnih tvari u okoliš. U Republici Hrvatskoj taj je problem posebno izražen jer se od ukupne količine otpadnih voda obrađuje samo 12 %, od čega samo 37 % prolazi cjeloviti postupak mehaničkog i biološkog pročišćavanja. Redovito praćenje organskog opterećenja, koje se putem otpadnih voda unosi u prirodne vode, obuhvaća samo manji broj skupnih pokazatelja, kao što su kemijska potrošnja kisika (KPK), biološka potrošnja kisika (BPK), ukupni organski ugljik (TOC) te ukupna i mineralna ulja, hlapljivi fenoli i ukupni tenzidi. Zakonom su propisane i maksimalno dopuštene vrijednosti manjeg broj spojeva iz skupine prioritetnih zagađivala (npr. halogenirani ugljikovodici, ukupni aromatski ugljikovodici), dok su broj i raznovrsnost različitih organskih spojeva u otpadnoj vodi izuzetno veliki. Sveobuhvatne pretrage hrvatskih komunalnih voda masenospektroskopskim tehnikama upozorile su na prisutnost velikog broja specifičnih organskih zagađivala, od kojih su najzastupljeniji naftni ugljikovodici te različiti organski sastojci podrijetlom iz detergenata i sredstava za čišćenje. U novije se vrijeme sve više ističe važnost istraživanja novih tipova zagađivala, čije unošenje u okoliš nije zakonom regulirano, a njihovo štetno djelovanje na okoliš počiva na biološkim mehanizmima koji su tek odnedavno objavljeni u znanstvenoj literaturi. Vrlo istaknuti predstavnici takvog tipa zagađivala su antropogeni spojevi s endokrinim djelovanjem i farmaceutski spojevi. U ovom je radu načinjen pregled postojećeg znanja o pojavljivanju različitih organskih zagađivala u otpadnim vodama hrvatskih gradova, s posebnim naglaskom na rezultate dobivene visokospecifičnim tehnikama

Preoperative management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Pediatricians are frequently involved in the care of cyanotic newborns in the labor and delivery room, as well as in the well baby nursery. Causes of hypoxia and cyanosis in the term newborn can be found within all physiological systems. Congenital heart structural diseases account for the largest diagnostic category. There have been significant advances during the past years in the diagnosis and treatment of neonates with critical congenital heart disease, especially in the field of pre- and post-operative intensive care. The term hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) describes a spectrum of cardiac structural abnormalities characterized by marked hypoplasia of the left ventricle and ascending aorta. Prenatal diagnosis, initial resuscitation and optimal preoperative management are key elements that allow the best opportunity for low mortality and normal neurodevelopment in affected newborns. Preoperatively, the goal is to achieve adequate systemic oxygen delivery. Patency of the ductus arteriosus (DA) is critical for survival until surgery. Blood flow to the pulmonary and systemic circulations should be nearly balanced (goal Qp/Qs ratio of 1). The immediate therapy for all infants with HLHS is an intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in order to manipulate the DA and maintain ductal patency. Oxygen saturations of 75% to 85% by pulse oximetry suggest an adequate balance between systemic and pulmonary blood flow. Judicious use of inotropic support is initiated if evidence of low cardiac output is detected. Diuretics may be necessary to help alleviate the increased volume load on the right ventricle. The goal of respiratory management is to increase pulmonary vascular resistance and decrease systemic vascular resistance. Infants with HLHS who are born with a severely restricted or no inter-atrial communication, a rare occurrence, have profound hypoxemia. The severe restriction of blood flow across the atrial septum results in a life-threatening situation and these patients, which present with severe cyanosis and hemodynamic instability, require urgent postnatal cardiac catheterization to relieve the septal obstruction and improve oxygenation. Special attention should be paid to the prevention of brain injury and poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Care for infants with HLHS is complex, and often multiple specialists are involved. Despite an increase in the number of newborns with complex congenital heart disease and a growing percentage of patients with single-ventricle physiology, it is possible to care for this particular group of patients and achieve acceptable mortality risks, even in centres with no pediatric cardiac surgery facilities, if good preoperative management protocols are followed

Distribution of Carbohydrates during a Diatom Bloom in the Northern Adriatic

Distribution of carbohydrates was studied in the northern Adriatic during an autumn phytoplankton bloom triggered by strong freshwater discharges from the Po River at the end of the stratification period in October 1993. Total carbohydrates (TCHO) and monosaccharides (MCHO) were determined spectrophotometrically using the MBTH-method, while phytoplankton biomass was followed by determining chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments using the HPLC technique. As indicated by the concomitant increase of chlorophyll &alpha; and fucoxanthin, an intensive diatom bloom developed in the upper 5 m of the water column while the chlorophyll biomass was rather low in the layers below 10 m. Total carbohydrate levels varied from 70 &mu;g C/l to 1300 &mu;g C/l with significantly enhanced values in the top 5 m of the water column suggesting a strong link to the diatom biomass. However, it was shown that not only the diatom crop but also the physiological status of the biomass, as reflected by the chlorophyll break-down products, had a strong impact on the TCHO levels. Carbohydrates were found mainly in the form of polysaccharides (up to 92% of TCHO)

Distribution of Carbohydrates during a Diatom Bloom in the Northern Adriatic

Distribution of carbohydrates was studied in the northern Adriatic during an autumn phytoplankton bloom triggered by strong freshwater discharges from the Po River at the end of the stratification period in October 1993. Total carbohydrates (TCHO) and monosaccharides (MCHO) were determined spectrophotometrically using the MBTH-method, while phytoplankton biomass was followed by determining chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments using the HPLC technique. As indicated by the concomitant increase of chlorophyll &alpha; and fucoxanthin, an intensive diatom bloom developed in the upper 5 m of the water column while the chlorophyll biomass was rather low in the layers below 10 m. Total carbohydrate levels varied from 70 &mu;g C/l to 1300 &mu;g C/l with significantly enhanced values in the top 5 m of the water column suggesting a strong link to the diatom biomass. However, it was shown that not only the diatom crop but also the physiological status of the biomass, as reflected by the chlorophyll break-down products, had a strong impact on the TCHO levels. Carbohydrates were found mainly in the form of polysaccharides (up to 92% of TCHO)

Nasalisation - overdo or necessity. A retrospective study

Surgical treatment of nasal polyposis has been successfully treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or nasalisation – a more radical approach involving removal of the bony lamellae and mucosa of the ethmoid labyrinth, sphenoidotomy, frontotomy, middle turbinectomy and an antrostomy. This study observed the results of 794 surgeries performed by a single surgeon in the period from January 2012 to December 2022 and compared the success of those two methods. The study observed 594 FESS patients and 130 nasalisation patients. In the nasalisation group, 40 patients had unilateral nasalisation, while the remaining 90 had bilateral nasalisation. The patients in both groups were controlled preoperatively as well as 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The patients where nasalisation was performed on average had a worse starting point (more intense congestion symptoms). The surgeon discussed their subjective opinion on nasal breathing improvement before and after the treatment as well as endoscopic findings and compared it at each timepoint. The results show that the patients undergoing nasalisation procedure had better results when compared to FESS group. This study indicates that when a more radical tissue removal is performed (nasalisation), the nasal function is improved compared to the more conservative treatment method (FESS)

Nasalisation - overdo or necessity. A retrospective study

Surgical treatment of nasal polyposis has been successfully treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or nasalisation – a more radical approach involving removal of the bony lamellae and mucosa of the ethmoid labyrinth, sphenoidotomy, frontotomy, middle turbinectomy and an antrostomy. This study observed the results of 794 surgeries performed by a single surgeon in the period from January 2012 to December 2022 and compared the success of those two methods. The study observed 594 FESS patients and 130 nasalisation patients. In the nasalisation group, 40 patients had unilateral nasalisation, while the remaining 90 had bilateral nasalisation. The patients in both groups were controlled preoperatively as well as 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The patients where nasalisation was performed on average had a worse starting point (more intense congestion symptoms). The surgeon discussed their subjective opinion on nasal breathing improvement before and after the treatment as well as endoscopic findings and compared it at each timepoint. The results show that the patients undergoing nasalisation procedure had better results when compared to FESS group. This study indicates that when a more radical tissue removal is performed (nasalisation), the nasal function is improved compared to the more conservative treatment method (FESS)