Epidemiološke karakteristike i čimbenici povezani sa smrtnošću teško opečenih bolesnika - iskustvo hrvatskog opeklinskog centra

The authors conducted a single-center retrospective study during the last 6.5 years. The study aimed to describe demographic data of burn patients in the Croatian Burn Center and investigate factors affecting mortality for the first time after the Center was established. The study included 109 severely burned patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) burned ≥20%, admitted to the burn intensive care unit. The relationship between the fatal outcome and age, sex, comorbidity, mechanism of injury, TBSA burned, and inhalation injury was investigated. The mean patient age was 54.50±20.21 years and the mean TBSA burned was 42.48±18.64%, with the mortality rate of 50%. The results demonstrated that patients with 2 or more comorbidities compared with those with no comorbidities had a higher chance of lethal outcome (p<0.0001). With an increase of TBSA by 1%, the odds of lethal outcome are expected to increase by 7% (p<0.0001). Other variables included in the analysis did not show statistical significance. TBSA percentage is a well-known predictor of mortality and numerous studies indicate an association between comorbidities and mortality but there are conflicting results about other demographic factors and injury characteristics.Provedena je prva retrospektivna studija u tercijarnom centru u Hrvatskoj u posljednjih 6,5 godina s ciljem opisivanja demografskih podataka te čimbenika koji utječu na smrtnost teško opečenih bolesnika. U istraživanje je uključeno 109 teško opečenih bolesnika s ukupnom opečenom površinom ≥20%, hospitaliziranih u Jedinici intenzivnog liječenja. Analizirana je povezanost smrtnog ishoda i dobi, spola, supostojećih bolesti, mehanizma ozljede, postotka opečene površine i prisutnosti inhalacijske ozljede. Srednja dob bolesnika uključenih u istraživanje bila je 54,50±20,21 godina, srednja vrijednost postotka opečene površine bila je 42,48±18,64%, a smrtnost je iznosila 50%. Rezultati pokazuju veće izglede za smrtni ishod kod bolesnika s 2 ili više supostojećih bolesti u odnosu na one bez takvih bolesti (p<0,0001). Porastom postotka opečene površine kože za 1% izgledi za smrtni ishod rastu za 7% (p<0,0001). Analizom nije nađena statistički značajna razlika za ostale varijable. Postotak opečene površine je dobro poznati prediktor smrtnosti i brojne studije ukazuju na povezanost supostojećih bolesti i smrtnosti, dok su za ostale demografske čimbenike i značajke ozljede rezultati studija oprečni

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SOIL POLLUTION BY CADMIUM ON POPLAR SEEDLINGS (Populus nigra var. Italica)

Fitoremedijacija je uspješna tehnologija koja iskorištava biljke za pročišćavanje tla, ekološki je prihvatljiva, potencijalno jeftina, vizualno nenametljiva i nudi mogućnost bioobnove tla onečišćenog teškim metalima. Potencijal upotrebe drveća kao prikladne biljne vrste za fitoremedijaciju tla zagađenim teškim metalima privlači veliku pozornost zadnjih desetljeća upravo zbog svojstava kao što su brzi rast, velika biomasa, dubok korijenski sustav te jeftin uzgoj. U ovom radu ispitani su fitoekstrakcijski potencijal i morfološke značajke jablana (Populus nigra var. Italica) kao odgovor biljke na stres uzrokovan akumulacijom različitih koncentracija kadmija. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da ispitivani jablan (Populus nigra var. Italica) može biti razmatran kao vrsta s fitoekstrakcijskim potencijalom za čišćenje tala onečišćenih kadmijem.Phytoremediation is considered the new technology that uses plant for soil purification. It is economically acceptable, inexpensive and aesthetically acceptable and gives the opportunity to remediate heavy metals from contaminated soils. The potential use of trees in the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals has been recognized in the past decades because of trees properties: fast growth, huge biomass, deep root system and cheap cultivation. In this study the phytoextraction potential and morphological properties of poplar (Populus nigra var. Italica) in response to plant stress caused by the accumulation different concentration of cadmium was investigated. Results indicate that the tested poplar (Populus nigra var. Italica) can be considered as a species with fitoextraction potential for the soil polluted with cadmium

Dentists’ Knowledge of HIV Infection

Anketiranjem 135 stomatologa pokušali smo objektivno ustanoviti znanje stomatologa o HIV infekciji. Anketni upitnik sastojao se od 21 pitanja koja su se odnosila na opće znanje o HIV infekciji, riziku liječenja oboljelih, voljnosti liječenja HIV bolesnika, te o kontroli i zaštiti od infekcije u stomatološkoj ordinaciji. Začuđuje činjenica da samo 40% anketiranih stomatologa zna osnovne informacije o HIV-u, te da 50% anketiranih stomatologa pri liječenju upotrebljava zaštitne maske, rukavice i naočale. Stomatolozi precjenjuju rizik od HIV infekcije 49%. Više od 55% ispitanih stomatologa voljno je liječiti oboljele od HIV-a. Rezultati ankete pokazuju nedostatnu obavještenost stomatologa o HIV infekciji, te o zaštiti i kontroli od infekcija koje se prenose krvlju. To pokazuje da su potrebna dodatna dodiplomska i poslijediplomska usavršavanja.A survey, which consisted of 21 questions, was conducted during 1999/2000 on 135 dentists in Croatia. Our aim was to objectify dentists’ knowledge of HIV infection. A questionnaire was divided into four groups, as following: general knowledge of HIV, protection and infection control, risks while treating HIV infected patients, and willingness to treat HIV infected patients. Only 40% of surveyed dentists know basic facts of HIV, oral manifestations and modes of transmission, and 50% of all surveyed dentists use protective masks, gloves and eyewear. More than 49% overestimate risks while treating HIV infected patients. More than 55% of all surveyed dentists are willing to treat HIV infected patients. Results of this survey show informational gaps in dentists’ knowledge of HIV infection and highlights the need for additional lectures on HIV infection

Green solvents preparation by metathesis reactions

Ionske tekućine su soli sa slabo vezanim ionima pa su na temperaturi ispod 100 °C, ili čak i na sobnoj temperaturi, u obliku tekućine. Zbog svojih privlačnih fizikalnih i kemijskih svojstava, ionske se tekućine upotrebljavaju u širokom spektru. Metilimidazolijevi i piridinijevi ioni su dokazano dobri kao početni spojevi za razvoj ionskih tekućina. U ovom je radu krajnji cilj bio sintetizirati nove kvaterne spojeve 1-metilimidazola. Ovi spojevi su pripravljeni reakcijom 1-metilimidazola s vodikovim peroksidom pri čemu je dobiven 1-metilimidazol-N-oksid [1] iz kojega se dalje odvijala sinteza novih spojeva: 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva bromida [2], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva bromida [3], 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva heksafluorfosfata [4], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva heksafluor- fosfata [5], 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva trifluormetansulfonimida [6], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva trifluormetansulfonimida [7]. Struktura spojeva [2]-[7] određena je pomoću podataka dobivenih IR-spektroskopijom te 1H- i 13C- nuklearno-magnetskom rezonancijom.Ionic liquids are salts in which the ions are poorly coordinated, resulting in the fact that these solvents are liquids below 100 °C, or even at room temperature. Due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, they are used in a wide variety of applications. The methylimidazolium and pyridinium ions have proven to be good starting materials for the development of ionic liquids. In this final work, the ultimate goal was the synthesis of new 1-methylimidazole quaternary salts. These compounds were prepared by reaction of 1-methyl- imidazole with hydrogen peroxide into 1-methylimidazole-N-oxide [1] which was further transformed into compounds 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium bromide [2], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium bromide [3], 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium hexafluorofosfate [4], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorofosfate [5], 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium trifluromethanesulfonimide [6], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium trifluromethanesulfonimide [7]. Structures of compounds [2]-[7] were determined according to the data obtained by IR-spectroscopy as well as 1H- and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance

Asymmetric reduction of 3,4-dimethylacetophenone by NaBH4 and biocatalysts

U ovom je radu provedena asimetrična redukcija 3,4-dimetil acetofenona u 1-(3,4dimetilfenil)etanol u vodi kao zelenom otapalu uz mikrovalnu aktivaciju, pomoću kvasca Saccharomyces cerevisiae i dijelova različitih biljaka (graha, slanutka i leće) kao zelenim biokatalizatorima. Navedeni biokatalizatori su pomoću svojih enzima izveli asimetričnu redukciju supstrata, čime se pokazala njihova povoljna uporaba u biotransformacijama prema principima zelene kemije. Radi usporedbe enantioselektivnosti, izvedena je redukcija 3,4dimetilacetofenona u 1-(3,4-dimetilfenil)etanol pomoću natrijeva tetrahidroborata klasičnom organskom sintezom u etanolu u prisutnosti β-ciklodekstrina. Struktura sintetiziranog spoja 1-(3,4-dimetilfenil)etanola određena je IR-spektroskopijom, 1H- i 13C-nuklearnom magnetskom rezonancijom, a apsolutne konfiguracije kiralnog alkohola 1-(3,4dimetilfenil)etanola određene su kiralnom HPLC.In this paper novel asymmetric reduction of 3,4-dimethylacetophenone into 1-(3,4dimetphenyl)ethanol was carried out in water as green solvent using microwave activation, by using baker's yeast S. cerevisiae and parts of plants (beans, chick pea and lentil) as green biocatalysts. The enzymes of these biocatalysts preformed the asymmetric reduction of a substrate, showing why they are good for using in biotransformations according to the principles of green chemistry. For comparison of enantioselectivity, the reduction of 3,4dimethylacetophenone into 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethanol with sodium tetrahydroborate in ethanol in the presence of β-cyclodextrin was preformed, too. Structure of compound 1-(3,4dimethylyphenyl)ethanol was determined by IR spectroscopy, 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, and absolute configurations of chiral alcohol 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethanol by chiral HPLC

Green solvents preparation by metathesis reactions

Ionske tekućine su soli sa slabo vezanim ionima pa su na temperaturi ispod 100 °C, ili čak i na sobnoj temperaturi, u obliku tekućine. Zbog svojih privlačnih fizikalnih i kemijskih svojstava, ionske se tekućine upotrebljavaju u širokom spektru. Metilimidazolijevi i piridinijevi ioni su dokazano dobri kao početni spojevi za razvoj ionskih tekućina. U ovom je radu krajnji cilj bio sintetizirati nove kvaterne spojeve 1-metilimidazola. Ovi spojevi su pripravljeni reakcijom 1-metilimidazola s vodikovim peroksidom pri čemu je dobiven 1-metilimidazol-N-oksid [1] iz kojega se dalje odvijala sinteza novih spojeva: 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva bromida [2], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva bromida [3], 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva heksafluorfosfata [4], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva heksafluor- fosfata [5], 3-metil-1-pentoksiimidazolijeva trifluormetansulfonimida [6], 1-heptoksi-3-metilimidazolijeva trifluormetansulfonimida [7]. Struktura spojeva [2]-[7] određena je pomoću podataka dobivenih IR-spektroskopijom te 1H- i 13C- nuklearno-magnetskom rezonancijom.Ionic liquids are salts in which the ions are poorly coordinated, resulting in the fact that these solvents are liquids below 100 °C, or even at room temperature. Due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, they are used in a wide variety of applications. The methylimidazolium and pyridinium ions have proven to be good starting materials for the development of ionic liquids. In this final work, the ultimate goal was the synthesis of new 1-methylimidazole quaternary salts. These compounds were prepared by reaction of 1-methyl- imidazole with hydrogen peroxide into 1-methylimidazole-N-oxide [1] which was further transformed into compounds 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium bromide [2], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium bromide [3], 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium hexafluorofosfate [4], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorofosfate [5], 3-methyl-1-pentoxyimidazolium trifluromethanesulfonimide [6], 1-heptoxy-3-methylimidazolium trifluromethanesulfonimide [7]. Structures of compounds [2]-[7] were determined according to the data obtained by IR-spectroscopy as well as 1H- and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance

Asymmetric reduction of 3,4-dimethylacetophenone by NaBH4 and biocatalysts

U ovom je radu provedena asimetrična redukcija 3,4-dimetil acetofenona u 1-(3,4dimetilfenil)etanol u vodi kao zelenom otapalu uz mikrovalnu aktivaciju, pomoću kvasca Saccharomyces cerevisiae i dijelova različitih biljaka (graha, slanutka i leće) kao zelenim biokatalizatorima. Navedeni biokatalizatori su pomoću svojih enzima izveli asimetričnu redukciju supstrata, čime se pokazala njihova povoljna uporaba u biotransformacijama prema principima zelene kemije. Radi usporedbe enantioselektivnosti, izvedena je redukcija 3,4dimetilacetofenona u 1-(3,4-dimetilfenil)etanol pomoću natrijeva tetrahidroborata klasičnom organskom sintezom u etanolu u prisutnosti β-ciklodekstrina. Struktura sintetiziranog spoja 1-(3,4-dimetilfenil)etanola određena je IR-spektroskopijom, 1H- i 13C-nuklearnom magnetskom rezonancijom, a apsolutne konfiguracije kiralnog alkohola 1-(3,4dimetilfenil)etanola određene su kiralnom HPLC.In this paper novel asymmetric reduction of 3,4-dimethylacetophenone into 1-(3,4dimetphenyl)ethanol was carried out in water as green solvent using microwave activation, by using baker's yeast S. cerevisiae and parts of plants (beans, chick pea and lentil) as green biocatalysts. The enzymes of these biocatalysts preformed the asymmetric reduction of a substrate, showing why they are good for using in biotransformations according to the principles of green chemistry. For comparison of enantioselectivity, the reduction of 3,4dimethylacetophenone into 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethanol with sodium tetrahydroborate in ethanol in the presence of β-cyclodextrin was preformed, too. Structure of compound 1-(3,4dimethylyphenyl)ethanol was determined by IR spectroscopy, 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, and absolute configurations of chiral alcohol 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethanol by chiral HPLC

Thigh abscess as an extension of psoas abscess: the first manifestation of perforated appendiceal adenocarcinoma: case report

A 65-year-old woman presented with a painful, swollen, red right thigh and the mild pain in the right abdomen without nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea that lasted for 1 week. Laboratory findings revealed elevated inflammatory markers. Computed tomography of the right thigh, abdomen and pelvis showed an abscess formation in the adductor muscles draining from the abscess that completely occupied the right retroperitoneum up to the diaphragm, dissecting downward through the inguinal canal. Appendix was enlarged with an appendicolith. Emergent exploratory laparotomy revealed a perforated appendix with psoas abscess. Pathohistological diagnosis revealed adenocarcinoma of the appendix. Thigh abscess is an uncommon condition with insidious clinical presentation. Therefore, early recognition and setting of the correct diagnosis enables adequate treatment avoiding additional complications and in some cases potential life-threatening conditions. When upper leg abscess is suspected or proven abdominal examination is mandatory

Joint modelling of flood hydrograph peak, volume and duration using copulas—case study of Sava and Drava river in Croatia, Europe

Morphodynamic changes in the riverbed may be accelerated by the climate change-induced effects, mostly through the increase of the frequency of extreme climatic events such as floods. This can lead to scouring of the riverbed around the bridge substructure and consequently reduces its overall stability. In order to better understand hydromorphological processes at the local scale, the influence of floods on bridge scour requires a detailed analysis of several interacting flood hydrograph characteristics. This paper presents a multivariate analysis of the annual maximum (AM) flood discharge data at four gauging stations on the Drava and Sava Rivers in Croatia (Europe). As part of the hydrograph analysis, multiple baseflow separation methods were tested. Flood volumes and durations were derived after extracting the baseflow from measured discharge data. Suitable marginal distribution functions were fitted to the peak discharge (Q), flood volume (V) and duration (D) data. Bivariate copula analyses were conducted for the next pairs: peak discharge and volume (Q–V), hydrograph volume and duration (V–D) and peak discharge and hydrograph duration (Q–D). The results of the bivariate copula analyses were used to derive joint return periods for different flood variable combinations, which may serve as a preliminary analysis for the pilot bridges of the R3PEAT project where the aim is to investigate the influences on the riverbed erosion around bridges with installed scour countermeasures. Hence, a design hydrograph was derived that could be used as input data in the hydraulic model for the investigation of the bridge scour dynamics within the project and a preliminary methodology is proposed to be applied. The results indicate that bivariate frequency analysis can be very sensitive to the selected baseflow separation methodology. Therefore, future studies should test multiple baseflow separation methods and visually inspect the performance

Epidemiological Characteristics and Factors Associated with Mortality in Severely Burned Patients – Croatian National Burn Center Report

The authors conducted a single-center retrospective study during the last 6.5 years. The study aimed to describe demographic data of burn patients in the Croatian Burn Center and investigate factors affecting mortality for the first time after the Center was established. The study included 109 severely burned patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) burned ≥20%, admitted to the burn intensive care unit. The relationship between the fatal outcome and age, sex, comorbidity, mechanism of injury, TBSA burned, and inhalation injury was investigated. The mean patient age was 54.50±20.21 years and the mean TBSA burned was 42.48±18.64%, with the mortality rate of 50%. The results demonstrated that patients with 2 or more comorbidities compared with those with no comorbidities had a higher chance of lethal outcome (p<0.0001). With an increase of TBSA by 1%, the odds of lethal outcome are expected to increase by 7% (p<0.0001). Other variables included in the analysis did not show statistical significance. TBSA percentage is a well-known predictor of mortality and numerous studies indicate an association between comorbidities and mortality but there are conflicting results about other demographic factors and injury characteristics