The Prevalence and the Risk Factors of the Cervical Colonization by the Genital Mycoplasmas among Pregnant Women from Eastern Croatia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the genital mycoplasmas cervical colonization among the pregnant women from the Eastern Croatia and to evaluate its correlation with the demographic and the behavioural risk factors. Study was conducted from March 2010 to April 2011 at the Microbiology Department of the Institute of Public Health for the Osijek-Baranja County. The study included 456 pregnant women in the first and the second trimester of pregnancy. Demographic data and data on their possible risk behaviour during the lifetime were collected with the usage of an anonymous questionnaire consisting of the 16 questions. The Mycoplasma Duo kit test was used to diagnose the mycoplasma infections. Due to the fact that the results were generally similar for the women with U. urealyticum or M. hominis and in order to dichotomize the analyses, 164 (36%) participants with U. urealyticum, M. hominis or both were considered positive, whereas 292 (64%) participants without U. urealyticum or M. hominis were considered negative. A higher genital mycoplasmas prevalence was statistically significantly associated with the younger group of the pregnant women (16–29 y), 5 or more sexual partners during lifetime and the age on the first intercourse £16. The study has showed that both the demographic and the behavioural risk factors were associated with the higher genital mycoplasmas colonization in the observed population

The Man of Steel and The Dragon: Australia’s relationship with China during the Howard Era

1996 was the worst year in the Australian-Chinese bilateral relationship since the Whitlam recognition. Yet in October 2003, Chinese President Hu Jintao became the first non-American head of state to address a joint sitting of Parliament, a deeply symbolic honour. This thesis examines how the Howard Government managed to go from the lows on 1996 to the highs of 2003, using it as a case study for Neoclassical Realism (NCR). NCR shares the same characteristics with other theories of Realism, however it argues that those theories on their own cannot fully explain events. NCR combines the statesman centric role of Classical Realism with the systemic pressures of Neorealism, and contends that both internal domestic and external international factors contribute to a state’s pursuit of its interpretation of its national interests. There are many internal variables that Neoclassical Realists argue impact on a state’s decision making, including resource extraction and domestic interests groups. This thesis focuses on political leadership and contends that John Howard played a central role in improving the relationship. To analyse Howard’s decisions we must examine the political context within which he operated in. Australia’s domestic institutions (including Parliament, political parties, bureaucracies, business and societal elites, the electorate) and its political culture (including Australia’s historical fear of ‘being swamped by Asians’, of bandwagoning with greater powers, and Howard’s own rise to power) shaped and restrained Howard’s responses to changes to the international structure. Knowing how the Howard Government managed to repair relations after such a disastrous start will help provide a useful blueprint for future governments with regards to how to manage similar situations. By analysing Australia’s relationship with China during the Howard era, we can learn from the mistakes and replicate the successes. This thesis concludes with an assessment of Australia’s relationship with China at the end of the Howard Era, noting that it became Australia’s biggest trading partner

Short history of just mentorship and support

Since its foundation in 1992, the Croatian Medical Journal (CMJ) has followed the strict standards of quality in the scientific publishing. However, the Journal has been aware that its specific position demands more than just following the already established rules. From the very beginning, the Journal declared an “author-helpful policy,” stating that “journal editors should have a major role in training authors in science communication, especially in smaller and developing scientific communities. Journal authors usually send scientifically acceptable but poorly prepared articles and it is a pity to lose valid data because of their poor presentation.” (1,2). In brief, the editors and editorial staff of the CMJ have been well aware that the skills of scientific reporting and publishing in our academic community are not developed and that valuable research results and valid data are being lost because of poor presentation. To be perfectly honest, ten years ago this statement looked like a nice promise, one of the many we in academic medicine learnt not to take too seriously