Učinkovitost škole zdravog mršavljenja u liječenju pretilosti

Obesity is a condition characterized by storage of excessive amounts of fat in the body. According to the World Health Organization, obesity has reached epidemic proportions and has become a leading public health issue. The increase in body weight causes numerous clinical complications and affects the quality of life, ability to work, and longevity of the patient. The treatment costs, direct and indirect, have become a substantial burden of healthcare systems. The etiology of obesity is complex and includes genetic factors, lifestyle, psychological factors, and, of course, high-fat diet. Fats are significant sources of calories, which are stored in the body in the form of fatty tissue. Typical human diet contains over 40% of fat, although the recommended maximum is 30%. Insufficient physical activity fosters the accumulation of adipose tissue. A sensible approach to the treatment should include moderate diets rich in carbohydrates, regular exercise, and pharmacological aid, if necessary. Weight loss programs offer a new multidisciplinary approach with a long-term goal to change the patient’s lifestyle and to treat the illness and its complications. The aim of this pilot study was to assess to what extent intensive healthy diet education, psychotherapist’s counseling, and exercise contribute to successful pharmacological treatment of obesity. Besides the psychotherapeutic and nutritional counseling, the Healthy Weight Loss Program relied on the treatment with orlistat, a representative of the new therapeutic group of lipase inhibitors, which selectively binds to the lipase enzyme in the gastrointestinal tract, thus preventing the fat digestion into simpler forms and reducing their absorption in the body by up to 30%. The analysis of the six-month program, which included 111 subjects, showed the comprehensive approach to therapy of obesity to have a statistically significant effect on weight control. The average weight loss was 12.5% of the baseline weight. Besides the weight reduction, the glucose metabolism improved, and blood pressure levels dropped by 5%. The subjects expressed satisfaction with the program and the results achieved. The analysis of the achievements confirmed the weight loss program based on education, psychotherapeutic counseling, and therapy with orlistat to be an efficient and reliable mode of obesity management.Pretilost je stanje prekomjernog nakupljanja masnog tkiva u organizmu. Prema mišljenju Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije, pretilost je poprimila epidemijske razmjere i postala vodeći problem javnog zdravstva. Zbog povećane tjelesne težine nastaju brojne kliničke komplikacije koje smanjuju kvalitetu života, radnu sposobnost i životni vijek oboljelih. Izravni i neizravni troškovi liječenja pretilosti predstavljaju velik teret za proračune zdravstvenih sustava. Etiologija pretilosti je složena i uključuje genetske čimbenike, životne navike, psihološke čimbenike, ali nedvojbeno je da jednu od ključnih uloga ima masna prehrana. Masti čine značajan izvor kalorija koje se uskladištavaju u organizmu u obliku masnog tkiva, a tipičan sastav ljudske hrane sadrži više od 40% masti, iako se preporuča da udio masti iznosi najviše 30%. Istodobno premala tjelesna aktivnost pomaže gomilanju masnog tkiva. Razborito liječenje pretilosti temelji se stoga na umjerenoj dijeti bogatoj ugljikohidratima, redovitoj tjelesnoj aktivnosti, uz farmakološku potporu kada je to potrebno. Škole zdravog mršavljenja predstavljaju potpuno nov multidisciplinarni pristup koji ima za cilj promjenom životnih navika dugoročno riješiti problem pretilosti i njenih komplikacija. Cilj ovoga probnog istraživanja bio je utvrditi u kojoj mjeri intenzivna izobrazba o prehrani, psihoterapijska potpora i redovita tjelesna aktivnost pojačavaju učinak farmakoterapije. Kao sastavni dio škole se, uz psihoterapijske i nutricionističke savjete, primjenjivao orlistat, predstavnik nove terapijske skupine inhibitora lipaze, koji djeluje u gastrointestinalnom sustavu selektivno se vezujući za enzim lipazu, čime sprječava razgradnju masti do jednostavnih oblika i na taj način smanjuje apsorpciju masti unesenih hranom za 30%. Analiza šestomjesečnih rezultata škole, u koju je bilo uključeno 111 ispitanika, pokazuje da ovakav cjelovit pristup u terapiji pretilosti statistički značajno poboljšava kontrolu tjelesne težine. Prosječni gubitak tjelesne težine iznosio je 12,5% početne tjelesne težine. Uza smanjenje tjelesne težine statistički je značajno učinkovito regulirana lipidemija, poboljšan je metabolizam glukoze, te su snižene vrijednosti krvnog tlaka za 5%. Ispitanici su iskazali veliko zadovoljstvo programom škole, kao i postignutim rezultatima. Navedena analiza i dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju da škola zdravog mršavljenja utemeljena na izobrazbi, psihoterapijskoj potpori, u kombinaciji s orlistatom predstavlja učinkovitu i sigurnu terapiju pretilosti

Cardiac myxoma the great imitators: comprehensive histopathological and molecular approach

Cardiac myxomas are rare benign and slowly proliferating neoplasms of uncertain histogenesis with heterogeneous histomorphology and variable and sometimes clinically quite malignant pathological manifestations. Majority of cardiac myxoma occur sporadically while a relatively small proportion of diagnosed cases develop as a part of Carney complex syndrome with established familial pattern of inheritance. Although histologically indistinguishable these two forms of cardiac myxoma exhibit distinct cytogenetic make-up and apparent pathological differences important for their clinical presentation and prognosis. Additional problem is presented with secondary lesions with more aggressive histology and significantly faster cell proliferation suggesting their successive malignant alteration. Surgical resection of cardiac myxoma is currently the only treatment of choice. However, to avoid potentially hazardous operating procedures and possible postoperative complications and to prevent recurrence of the neoplastic lesions it is necessary to develop alternative approaches and identify a possible drug targets for their successful pharmacological treatment. Due to the rarity of the disease, a small number of cases in one institution and lack of comprehensive experimental data particularly concerning the cases of metastatic dissemination and secondary lesions with malignant nature, a comprehensive multi-institutional approach is required for better understanding of their molecular pathology and illumination of key molecular, genetic as well as epigenetic markers and regulatory pathways responsible for their development. In this article we provide comprehensive pathohistological, molecular and cytogenetic overview of sporadic cardiac myxoma cases restating the major hypothesis concerning their histogenesis and emphasizing potential approaches for their further reexamination

Limfoproliferativne bolesti orofacijalne regije

Limfomi predstavljaju maligna oboljenja limfnog sistema. Uzrok i mehanizam njihovog nastanka se i dalje ne može sa sigurnošću potvrditi, ali se smatra da je u korelaciji sa bolestima koje oslabljuju imuni sistem, kao i pojedinim bakterijskim, virusnim i parazitarnim infekcijama. Epidemiološka istraživanja su takođe pokazala da postoji i određen stepen genetske predispozicije koji može doprineti njihovom nastanku. Generalno se mogu podeliti u dve velike grupe, i to na Hodgkin i Non-Hodgkin limfome (koji čine oko 70 % svih limfoma i imaju veliki broj podtipova). Ono što predstavlja problem jesu nespecifični simptomi, nalik gripu, koji mogu prikriti bolest i odložiti pravovremenu dijagnozu. Pored opštih simptoma, mogu se javiti i promene na nivou usne duplje, od kojih su najčešće bezbolne ulceracije koje ne zarastaju. Zbog toga je jako važno ispitati svaku promenu u ustima koja perzistira duže od 15 dana, jer možda upravo ona može dati odgovor koji je nekada od životnog značaja

The impact of lead ammunition used in hunting on the ecosystem of wetlands

Močvarna staništa jedna su od glavnih žarišta biološke raznolikosti na Zemlji. Osim što su dom brojnim biljnim i životinjskim vrstama, njihova važnost leži i u raznolikim uslugama ekosustava koje pružaju, poput obrane od poplava, pročišćavanja podzemne vode, regulacije ugljika, ali i mogućnostima za razvoj turizma i rekreacije. Međutim, močvarna staništa diljem Europe svakodnevno se ugrožavaju zbog korištenja olovne sačme u lovu. Olovo je teški metal koji štetno djeluje na zdravlje živih organizama, a zbog svoje se nerazgradivosti nakuplja u prirodi, apsorbira u tlo i prodire u podzemne vode. Nadalje, vrlo često životinje zabunom progutaju kuglice olovne sačme zaostale u prirodi nakon lova. Meso divljači ulovljene olovnom sačmom također nije sigurno za konzumaciju jer se sačma u tijelu životinje rasprši na male komadiće koje nije moguće u potpunosti odstraniti te je zbog toga konzument mesa u opasnosti od trovanja olovom. Kako bi se riješio ovaj problem, 2023. godine je Uredbom REACH zabranjeno nošenje i korištenje olovne sačme u močvarnim područjima u svim zemljama Europske Unije, a predložene su i široko dostupne, a manje štetne alternative, poput čelične ili bakrene sačme. Ovom Uredbom nastoje se sačuvati neprocjenjivo važna močvarna staništa i brojni organizmi koji u njima žive.Wetlands are one of the main hotspots of biodiversity on planet Earth. Besides being the home for many plant and animal species, their value also lies in the diverse ecosystem services they provide, such as protection from floods, purification of groundwater, carbon regulation, as well as tourism and recreation opportunities. However, wetlands across Europe are being threatened by using lead ammunition in hunting. Lead is a heavy metal that has a harmful effect on the health of living beings and, as it is non-degradable, it accumulates in nature, infiltrates the soil and contaminates the ground water. Animals are also likely to accidentally consume it, mistaking it for food. Furthermore, game hunted with lead ammunition is deemed unsafe for consumption because this ammunition disperses into small pieces, which cannot be removed from the flesh. Thus, the consumer of such meat is in danger of lead poisoning. To solve this problem, REACH regulation has been issued to ban carrying and using lead ammunition in all wetlands in the European Union, suggesting widely available and less harmful alternatives instead, such as copper and steel ammunition. This regulation aims to protect vitally important wetlands

Analysis of a mathematical model of glucose metabolism regulation

U ovom radu provedena je računalna analiza modela metabolizma glukoze primjenom programskog paketa CellDesigner. Provedene su simulacije modela s različitim početnim koncentracijama glukoze i inzulina, koje su ovisile o konzumiranom obroku. U tu svrhu osmišljena su 3 jelovnika: jelovnik za dijabetičare, jelovnik s malim udjelom ugljikohidrata i jelovnik za opću populaciju. Rezultati pokazuju najveće skokove, kao i padove, kod obroka koji su bogati glukozom, dok su obroci iz jelovnika za dijabetičare imali postupan pad do bazalne vrijednosti glukoze. Također je provedena analiza lokalne parametarske osjetljivosti kako bi se identificirali najosjetljiviji metaboliti modela. Rezultati ističu važnost inzulina u regulaciji glukoze i održavanju vrijednosti glukoze u krvi unutar referentnih vrijednosti. Korišteni model uspješno simulira metabolizam glukoze za odabrani raspon početnih vrijednosti.Computer analysis of the glucose metabolism model was performed using the CellDesigner software package. Simulations of the models were conducted, each of them having different glucose and insulin values, depending on a consumed meal. For that purpose, three different menus were made: a menu for diabetics, a menu containing low amounts of carbohydrates and a menu for general population. Results show the biggest jumps, as well as drops, for meals that are high in glucose, while meals made for diabetics show a gradual decline in basal glucose values. Analysis of local parameter sensibility was also conducted to identify the most sensitive metabolite. The results of simulations indicate the importance of hormone insulin in glucose regulation and maintaining blood glucose values in a healthy range. Model that was used successfully simulates glucose metabolism for selected range of initial values

MINIMUM INVASIVE APPROACH TO AORT AORTAL CURRICULUM REOPERATIONS

Pozadina: Trenutna studija uspoređuje: (a) kratkotrajni i dugoročni morbiditet i mortalitet bolesnika podvrgnutih minimalno invazivnom postupku zamjene aortnog zalistka (mini-AVR) putem gornje hemisternotomije; (b) bolničke parametre i dugoročno preživljavanje nakon reoperativne zamjene aortnog zalistka (re-AVR) pacijenata koji su prethodno bili podvrgnuti mini-AVR ili postupku pune sternotomije (sAVR) te (c) ishode minimalno invazivnog reoperativnog AVR (Mre- AVR) zahvata u usporedbi s standardnim re-AVR pristupom putem pune sternotomije (Fre-AVR) kod visokorizičnih bolesnika sa ≥ 80 godina života. Metode: U studiju je uključeno: (a) 1639 bolesnika koji su podvrgnuti mini-AVR postupku, (b) 101 reoperativni AVR pacijent prethodno podvrgnut mini-AVR ili sAVR postupku, te (c) 105 bolesnika sa ≥80 godina života koji su podvrgnuti Mre- AVR ili Fre-AVR postupku. Sve tri skupine pacijenata regrutirane su u razdoblju od 1996. do 2013. godine, nakon odobrenja institucionalnog odbora Brigham i Women's Hospital, Boston, SAD. Podaci o pacijentima (postoperativna učestalost komplikacija i perioperativna smrtnost) prikupljeni su u trenutku prezentacije i ekstrahirani iz elektronskih medicinskih zapisa kliničke ustanove dok su podaci o dugoročnom preživljenju prikupljeni pretraživanjem Social Security Death Index baze podataka državnog odjela za javno zdravstvo (State Department of Public Health) ili direktnim praćenjem pacijenata. Rezultati: (a) Srednja dob pacijenata iznosila je 67 godina (SD, 14 godina, raspon, 22-95 godina). Od ukupne skupine pacijenata njih211 (13%) podvrgnuto je reoperativnom AVR. Postoperativno 2,3% (37/1639) pacijenata imalo je reoperaciju uslijed krvarenja, 2,7% (44/1639) pretopilo je moždani udar, 20,4% (334/1639) novonastalu atrijsku fibrilaciju, a 1,5% (24/1639) zahtijevalo je ugradnju trajnog elektrostimulatora srca. Samo 34% (571/1639) pacijenata zahtijevalo je pRBC transfuziju. Medijan pražnjenja bio je 6 dana (5-8), a 72,2% bolesnika (1184/1639) otpušteno je na kućnu njegu. Operativna smrtnost iznosila je 2,9% (48/1639), a dugoročno preživljenje nakon 1, 5, 10 i 15 godina iznosilo je 96%, 93%, 92% i 92%. Operativna smrtnost za reoperativne bolesnike iznosila je 5,7% (12/211). (b) Od 101 bolesnika iz ove skupine, 34 je podvrgnuto prethodnom mini-AVR postupku dok je njih 67 inicijalno operirano sAVR pristupom. Vremenski period od prethodnog AVR postupka bio je sličan u obje skupine (medijan ukupno 7,6 godina) pacijenata. S obzirom na prethodno ugrađene aortalne zalistke 57 pacijenata je imalo ugrađene biološke proteze a 44 pacijenta su dobila mehaničke aortalne zalistke; strukturna degeneracija zalistaka predstavljala je najčešću indikaciju za reoperaciju (43/101). Mini-AVR i sAVR bolesnici nisu se bitno razlikovali s obzirom na demografske podatke i preoperativne čimbenike rizika. Izrazit trend ka kraćem vremenskom tijeku operacije (skin-to-skin time) zapažen je kod mini-AVR (330 min vs. 353 min, P = 0,056) pristupa. Postoperativno, mini-AVR pacijenti imali su kraće vrijeme ventilacije (5,7 sati vs. 8,4 sati, P = 0,005), boravka u jedinici intenzivnog liječenja (37 sati vs 63 sata, P <0,0000) te ukupnog boravka u bolnici (6,5 dana prema 8 dana, P= 0,030). Zabilježena je samo jedna operativna smrtnost tijekom sAVR-u te niti jedna u mini-AVR grupi. Srednje vrijeme preživljenja [nakon 1 i 5 godina za mini- AVR 100% (95% CI 100-100) u oba slučaja], a za sAVR pacijente 93,9% (95% CI 88,2 - 99,7) odnosno 85,0 % (95% CI 75.1 - 94.9) (P = 0.041). (c) Od 105 pacijenata u ovoj skupini ispitanika, 51 pacijent podvrgnut je Mre-AVR postupku putem gornje hemisternotomije dok su preostala 54 pacijenta podvrgnuta standardnom Fre-AVR reoperativnom postupku. Postoperativno, 6 bolesnika (5,7%) podvrgnuto je reoperaciji uslijed krvarenja, 4 (3,8%) pacijenta doživjela su trajni moždani udar, 4 (3,8%) pacijenta su pretrpjeli novonastalo zatajenje bubrega, a 22 (21,0%) pacijenata novonastalu fibrilaciju atrija. Ukupna operativna smrtnost iznosila je 6,7%, a 1-godišnje i 5- godišnje preživljavanje 87% odnosno 53%. Operativna smrtnost u Fre-AVR skupini pacijenata iznosila je 9.2% a u Mre-AVR skupini 3.9% (P= 0.438).Kaplan-Meier analiza ukazala je na dulje vrijeme preživljenja Mre-AVR pacijenata i nakon (79% ±11.7% vs 92%±7.8%) i nakon 5 godina (38% ± 17.6% vs 65%±15.7%, P=0.028)dok su Cox-ovom regresijskom analizom kao prediktori smrtnosti utvrđeni heparinom-inducirana trombocitopenija, reoperacija uslijed krvarenja, starija dob pacijenata, puna sternotomija t infektivne komplikacije. Zaključak: Mini-AVR postupak putem gornje hemisternotomije predstavlja siguran i pouzdan postupak zamjene aortnih zalistaka srca, osobito kod pacijenata koji su podvrgnuti reoperativnom AVR zahvatu te kod pacijenata starijih od 80 godina života. Pored toga prednosti inicijalnog mini-AVR pristupa u vidu kraćeg bolničkog 71 boravka i poboljšanja dugoročnog preživljenja pacijenata pružaju se i na naknadni reoperativni AVR zahvat. Nadalje, minimalno invazivni pristup reoperativnoj zamjeni aortnih zalistaka srca povezan je s većim dugoročnim preživljenjem osoba starijih od 80 godina života.Background: The current study compares: (a) short- and long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with aortic valve disease who had minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR) through upper hemisternotomy; (b) in-hospital outcomes and long-term survival following reoperative aortic valve replacement (re- AVR) between patients who had previous mini-AVR or full sternotomy AVR (sAVR) and (c) the outcomes of minimaly invasive reoperative AVR (Mre-AVR) versus standard full sternotomy (Fre-AVR) approach in high-risk patients ≥ 80 years Methods: We identified: (a) 1639 patients who underwent mini-AVR, (b) 101 reoperative AVR patients who had previous mini-AVR or sAVR, and (c) 105 patients, aged ≥80 years, who underwent Mre-AVR or Fre-AVR (full sternotomy re- AVR). All thre grooups of patients were recruted in the period from 1996 to 2013 after institutional review board approval at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA. Patient data (postoperative compli-cation rates, and perioperative mortality) were collected at the time of presentaion and extracted from hospital electronic medical records according to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Database definitions, version 2.52 whereas the long-term survival data were collected via query of the Social Security Death Index, via the state Department of Public Health, and by routine follow-up. Results: (a) The mean age was 67 years (SD, 14 years; range, 22-95 years). Of the total cohort, 211 (13%) underwent reoperative AVR. Postoperatively, 2.3% (37/1639) had reoperations to correct bleeding, 2.7% (44/1639) had strokes, 20.4% (334/1639) had new-onset atrial fibrillation, and 1.5% (24/1639) required permanent pacemakers. Only 34% (571/1639) of the patients received packed red blood cells. The median discharge was on day 6 (5-8), and 72.2% of the patients (1184/1639) were discharged home. Operative mortality was 2.9% (48/1639), and long-term survival at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years was 96%, 93%, 92%, and 92%, respectively. Operative mortality was 5.7% (12/211) for the reoperative patients. (b) Of the 101 patients, 34 underwent previous mini-AVR and 67 underwent previous sAVR. Time from the previous AVR was similar in both groups (median 7.6 years overall). Of previous valve implants, 57 were bioprostheses, and 44 were mechanical; structural valve degeneration was the most common indication for surgery (43/101). Mini- AVR and sAVR patients did not differ significantly with regard to patient demographics and preoperative risk factors. Strong trend towards shorter skin-toskin operative times was observed for mini-AVR (330 min vs. 353 min, P= 0.056). Postoperatively, mini-AVR patients had shorter ventilation times (5.7hrs vs. 8.4hrs, P= 0.005), ICU stays (37hrs vs. 63hrs, P ≤0.001) and LOS (6.5d vs. 8d, P= 0.030). There was one operative mortality in sAVR and none in the mini-AVR group. Midterm survival (at 1 and 5 years for mini-AVR was 100% (95% CI 100-100) and 100% (95% CI 100- 100) and for sAVR was 93.9% (95% CI 88.2 - 99.7) and 85.0% (95% CI 75.1 - 94.9) respectively (P= 0.041). (c) Of the 105 patients, 51 underwent Mre-AVR through upper hemisternotomy and 54 standard Fre-AVR approach. The mean patient age was 82.8±3.8 years. No significant differences were found in the patient risk factors. Postoperatively, 6 patients (5.7%) underwent reoperation for bleeding, 4 (3.8%) experienced permanent stroke, 4 (3.8%) developed new renal failure, and 22 (21.0%) had new-onset atrial fibrillation. Overall, the operative mortality was 6.7%, and the 1- and 5-year survival was 87% and 53%, respectively. When Mre-AVR and Fre-AVR were compared, the operative mortality was 9.2% in the Fre-AVR group and 3.9% in the Mre-AVR group (P= 0.438). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a survival benefit at both 1 year (79% ±11.7% vs 92%±7.8%) and 5 years (38% ± 17.6% vs 65%±15.7%, P=0.028) favoring Mre- AVR. Cox regression analysis identified heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, reoperation for bleeding, older age, full sternotomy, and an infectious complication as predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The mini-AVR through upper hemisternotomy represents safe and reliable AVR procedure, especially for patients undergoing reoperations and those older than 80 years. Futhermore, with shorter hospital stays and improved long-term survival mini-AVR confers benefits during subsequent re-AVR. Also, Mre-AVR approach in octogenarians was associated with better survival compared with Fre- AVR and might benefit this population

The Impact of the Coconut Oil on the Human Health

Kokosovo ulje je namirnica koja se u današnje vrijeme često dodaje mnogim jelima budući da se promovira kao zdrava. Kokosovo ulje sadrži visok udio zasićenih masnih kiselina. Negativan utjecaj zasićenih masnih kiselina na zdravlje je poznat, no postoje tvrdnje kako je kokosovo ulje iznimka zbog laurinske kiseline koja čini većinu njegova sastava. U ovome radu ću se osvrnuti na postojeću literaturu o utjecaju kokosovog ulja na zdravlje, posebno na njegov utjecaj na kolesterol, kao i antibakterijski učinak.Coconut oil is being promoted as healthy and is used in lots of dishes, but coconut oil contains lots of saturated fatty acids. Negative effect of saturated fatty acids is well know, but some think that coconut oil is an exeption because of the lauric acid that makes most of the coconut oil. In this theses, I will investigate already existing literature about the impact of the coconut oil on the human health, specially it's impact on the cholesterol and antibacterial activity

The impact of lead ammunition used in hunting on the ecosystem of wetlands

Močvarna staništa jedna su od glavnih žarišta biološke raznolikosti na Zemlji. Osim što su dom brojnim biljnim i životinjskim vrstama, njihova važnost leži i u raznolikim uslugama ekosustava koje pružaju, poput obrane od poplava, pročišćavanja podzemne vode, regulacije ugljika, ali i mogućnostima za razvoj turizma i rekreacije. Međutim, močvarna staništa diljem Europe svakodnevno se ugrožavaju zbog korištenja olovne sačme u lovu. Olovo je teški metal koji štetno djeluje na zdravlje živih organizama, a zbog svoje se nerazgradivosti nakuplja u prirodi, apsorbira u tlo i prodire u podzemne vode. Nadalje, vrlo često životinje zabunom progutaju kuglice olovne sačme zaostale u prirodi nakon lova. Meso divljači ulovljene olovnom sačmom također nije sigurno za konzumaciju jer se sačma u tijelu životinje rasprši na male komadiće koje nije moguće u potpunosti odstraniti te je zbog toga konzument mesa u opasnosti od trovanja olovom. Kako bi se riješio ovaj problem, 2023. godine je Uredbom REACH zabranjeno nošenje i korištenje olovne sačme u močvarnim područjima u svim zemljama Europske Unije, a predložene su i široko dostupne, a manje štetne alternative, poput čelične ili bakrene sačme. Ovom Uredbom nastoje se sačuvati neprocjenjivo važna močvarna staništa i brojni organizmi koji u njima žive.Wetlands are one of the main hotspots of biodiversity on planet Earth. Besides being the home for many plant and animal species, their value also lies in the diverse ecosystem services they provide, such as protection from floods, purification of groundwater, carbon regulation, as well as tourism and recreation opportunities. However, wetlands across Europe are being threatened by using lead ammunition in hunting. Lead is a heavy metal that has a harmful effect on the health of living beings and, as it is non-degradable, it accumulates in nature, infiltrates the soil and contaminates the ground water. Animals are also likely to accidentally consume it, mistaking it for food. Furthermore, game hunted with lead ammunition is deemed unsafe for consumption because this ammunition disperses into small pieces, which cannot be removed from the flesh. Thus, the consumer of such meat is in danger of lead poisoning. To solve this problem, REACH regulation has been issued to ban carrying and using lead ammunition in all wetlands in the European Union, suggesting widely available and less harmful alternatives instead, such as copper and steel ammunition. This regulation aims to protect vitally important wetlands

The Impact of the Coconut Oil on the Human Health

Kokosovo ulje je namirnica koja se u današnje vrijeme često dodaje mnogim jelima budući da se promovira kao zdrava. Kokosovo ulje sadrži visok udio zasićenih masnih kiselina. Negativan utjecaj zasićenih masnih kiselina na zdravlje je poznat, no postoje tvrdnje kako je kokosovo ulje iznimka zbog laurinske kiseline koja čini većinu njegova sastava. U ovome radu ću se osvrnuti na postojeću literaturu o utjecaju kokosovog ulja na zdravlje, posebno na njegov utjecaj na kolesterol, kao i antibakterijski učinak.Coconut oil is being promoted as healthy and is used in lots of dishes, but coconut oil contains lots of saturated fatty acids. Negative effect of saturated fatty acids is well know, but some think that coconut oil is an exeption because of the lauric acid that makes most of the coconut oil. In this theses, I will investigate already existing literature about the impact of the coconut oil on the human health, specially it's impact on the cholesterol and antibacterial activity

Analysis of a mathematical model of glucose metabolism regulation

U ovom radu provedena je računalna analiza modela metabolizma glukoze primjenom programskog paketa CellDesigner. Provedene su simulacije modela s različitim početnim koncentracijama glukoze i inzulina, koje su ovisile o konzumiranom obroku. U tu svrhu osmišljena su 3 jelovnika: jelovnik za dijabetičare, jelovnik s malim udjelom ugljikohidrata i jelovnik za opću populaciju. Rezultati pokazuju najveće skokove, kao i padove, kod obroka koji su bogati glukozom, dok su obroci iz jelovnika za dijabetičare imali postupan pad do bazalne vrijednosti glukoze. Također je provedena analiza lokalne parametarske osjetljivosti kako bi se identificirali najosjetljiviji metaboliti modela. Rezultati ističu važnost inzulina u regulaciji glukoze i održavanju vrijednosti glukoze u krvi unutar referentnih vrijednosti. Korišteni model uspješno simulira metabolizam glukoze za odabrani raspon početnih vrijednosti.Computer analysis of the glucose metabolism model was performed using the CellDesigner software package. Simulations of the models were conducted, each of them having different glucose and insulin values, depending on a consumed meal. For that purpose, three different menus were made: a menu for diabetics, a menu containing low amounts of carbohydrates and a menu for general population. Results show the biggest jumps, as well as drops, for meals that are high in glucose, while meals made for diabetics show a gradual decline in basal glucose values. Analysis of local parameter sensibility was also conducted to identify the most sensitive metabolite. The results of simulations indicate the importance of hormone insulin in glucose regulation and maintaining blood glucose values in a healthy range. Model that was used successfully simulates glucose metabolism for selected range of initial values