Eurasian consumers' food safety beliefs and trust issues in the age of COVID ‐19: evidence from an online survey in 15 countries

Eurasian consumers' food safety beliefs and trust issues in the age of COVID ‐19: evidence from an online survey in 15 countries Igor Tomasevic Faculty of Agriculture University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) Quakenbrück Germany Department of Dairy Technology and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Sciences and Biotechnology University of Life Sciences in Lublin Lublin Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1611-2264 Garegin Hambardzumyan Armenian National Agrarian University Yerevan Armenia Gayane Marmaryan Armenian National Agrarian University Yerevan Armenia Aleksandra Nikolic Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina Alen Mujcinovic Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina Weizheng Sun School of Food Science and Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5769-4275 Xiao‐Chen Liu School of Food Science and Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou China Danijela Bursać Kovačević Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology University of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia Anica Bebek Markovinović Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology University of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia Nino Terjung German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) Quakenbrück Germany Volker Heinz German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) Quakenbrück Germany Maria Papageorgiou Department of Food Science and Technology International Hellenic University Thessaloniki Greece Adriana Skendi Department of Food Science and Technology International Hellenic University Thessaloniki Greece Gunjan Goel Department of Microbiology Central University of Haryana Mahendragarh India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8761-929X Mamta Raghav Department of Life Sciences RPS Degree College Mahendragarh India Antonella Dalle Zotte Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health University of Padova Padova Italy Dimitar Nakov Faculty of Agriculture "Goce Delcev" University in Stip Shtip Republic of North Macedonia Faculty of Medical Sciences "Goce Delcev" University in Stip Shtip Republic of North Macedonia Valentina Velkoska Faculty of Agriculture "Goce Delcev" University in Stip Shtip Republic of North Macedonia Bartosz G. Sołowiej Department of Dairy Technology and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Sciences and Biotechnology University of Life Sciences in Lublin Lublin Poland Anastasia A. Semenova V. M. Gorbatov Federal Research Center for Food Systems Moscow Russia Oksana A. Kuznetsova V. M. Gorbatov Federal Research Center for Food Systems Moscow Russia Miroslav Krocko Department of Technology and Quality of Animal Products, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences Institute of Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Nitra Slovakia Viera Duckova Department of Technology and Quality of Animal Products, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences Institute of Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Nitra Slovakia Jose M. Lorenzo Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia Ourense Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7725-9294 Noemi Echegaray Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia Ourense Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7393-2955 Emel Oz Department of Food Engineering, Agriculture Faculty Atatürk University Erzurum Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3766-2713 Fatih Oz Department of Food Engineering, Agriculture Faculty Atatürk University Erzurum Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-7519 Ilija Djekic Faculty of Agriculture University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia Abstract BACKGROUND This investigation provides an important insight into Eurasian consumers' food safety beliefs and trust issues influenced by the COVID‐19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in 15 European and Asian countries involving more than 4000 consumers. RESULTS It has confirmed that different socioeconomic characteristics, cultural aspects and education levels shape food safety perceptions within Eurasian countries. The COVID‐19 pandemic influenced their beliefs and trust in food safety, which is relatively low on average. However, it is significantly higher for European consumers (especially European Union ones) compared to their Asian counterparts. Both Asian and European respondents agreed that food fraud and climate changes represent a food safety issue. However, European consumers were less concerned regarding the food safety of genetically modified foods and meat and dairy analogs/hybrids. Asian consumers were, to a greater extent, worried about the risk of getting COVID‐19 from food, restaurants, food retail establishments and home food deliveries. CONCLUSION Eurasian consumers have put their greatest extent of trust, when food safety assurance is concerned, into food scientists and food producers holding a food safety certificate. Broadly, they are uncertain to what extent their federal governments and food inspectors are competent, able and efficient in ensuring food safety. Higher education of Eurasian consumers was followed by increased food safety confidence in all parts of the food chain. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. 07 13 2023 jsfa.12815 10.1002/jsfa.12815 2 10.1002/crossmark_policy onlinelibrary.wiley.com true 2023-02-27 2023-06-21 2023-07-13 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ 10.1002/jsfa.12815 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.12815 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jsfa.12815 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001470 10.4315/JFP-21-096 10.1186/s12889-022-12568-4 10.1007/s10551-015-2690-5 10.1037/ipp0000074 10.1007/BF02249397 10.1016/j.foodqual.2017.09.012 10.1093/heapro/daw024 10.1016/S0195-6663(03)00112-0 10.1080/18692729.2017.1256987 10.1080/15287394.2016.1174008 10.1016/B978-0-12-381504-0.00041-X 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107800 Studies in Systems, Decision and Control Azzam Z 25 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105309 10.2139/ssrn.4053920 LimA XuJandYuYeds Consumer Food Demand Shifts in the COVID‐19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study Based on Retail Sales Data. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; 2023 Consumer Food Demand Shifts in the COVID‐19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study Based on Retail Sales Data. 10.3390/math10091394 Econ Pol Wkly Kaicker N 16 57 2022 Food consumption expenditures and the COVID‐19 pandemic in India 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106313 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107089 10.3390/foods11030432 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107238 10.1016/j.tifs.2003.08.004 Kodeks profesionalne etike Univerziteta u Beogradu Serbia 193 2016 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03185.x 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109216 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106265 10.1016/B978-0-12-813148-0.00001-3 Basic statistics: a modern approach Hamburg M 548 1985 Fundamentals of Biostatistics Rosner B 2011 10.1016/j.jretconser.2011.08.007 10.1108/00070700210418767 Ageing Europe: looking at the lives of older people in the EU:2 020th edition Eurostat 2020 CIA Median Age‐The World Factbook: Central Intelligence Agency(2022). Available from:https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/median-age/country-comparison. 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2015.05.002 Higher education across asia: an overview of issues and strategies ADB 66 2011 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.10.005 Rapid alert system for food and feed‐alert and cooperation network: 2021 annual report RASFF 2021 10.1016/j.foodres.2016.08.028 10.1007/s13593-022-00778-4 BhavanaTandRoshanD Europe meat substitute market by product type source and category: regional opportunity analysis and industry forecast 2021‐2027 allied market research(2021). Nils‐GerritW Plant‐based milk and dairy alternatives in Europe‐statistics & facts: Statista(2022). Available from:https://www.statista.com/topics/10162/milk-and-dairy-alternatives-in-europe/#topicOverview. Nils‐GerritW Retail sales value of milk and milk alternatives worldwide in 2020 by region: Statista(2021). Available from:https://www.statista.com/topics/10162/milk-and-dairy-alternatives-in-europe/#topicOverview. 10.1016/j.appet.2011.06.010 10.1007/978-3-030-12453-3_53 10.1108/CAER-08-2015-0102 10.1111/ijcs.12345 10.1371/journal.pone.0126060 10.1080/14636778.2012.743269 10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.107965 10.1016/j.tifs.2013.01.003 Coronavirus: no Evidence that Food Is a Source or Transmission Route EFSA 2020 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7 10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.07.028 10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.102960 10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.102988 10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.102972 10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102821 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2021.100330 10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100658 10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.12.008 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.08.020 10.1111/ijcs.12184 EFSA Food Safety in the EU: report(2022). 10.3390/foods10102490 10.4102/hsag.v26i0.1407 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109377 10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.11.022 10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.102905 10.1002/agr.21414 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111170 10.1016/j.appet.2004.05.003 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.03.013 10.1016/j.emj.2017.02.00

From Data to Software to Science with the Rubin Observatory LSST

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) dataset will dramatically alter our understanding of the Universe, from the origins of the Solar System to the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Much of this research will depend on the existence of robust, tested, and scalable algorithms, software, and services. Identifying and developing such tools ahead of time has the potential to significantly accelerate the delivery of early science from LSST. Developing these collaboratively, and making them broadly available, can enable more inclusive and equitable collaboration on LSST science. To facilitate such opportunities, a community workshop entitled "From Data to Software to Science with the Rubin Observatory LSST" was organized by the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Collaboration and Computing (LINCC) and partners, and held at the Flatiron Institute in New York, March 28-30th 2022. The workshop included over 50 in-person attendees invited from over 300 applications. It identified seven key software areas of need: (i) scalable cross-matching and distributed joining of catalogs, (ii) robust photometric redshift determination, (iii) software for determination of selection functions, (iv) frameworks for scalable time-series analyses, (v) services for image access and reprocessing at scale, (vi) object image access (cutouts) and analysis at scale, and (vii) scalable job execution systems. This white paper summarizes the discussions of this workshop. It considers the motivating science use cases, identified cross-cutting algorithms, software, and services, their high-level technical specifications, and the principles of inclusive collaborations needed to develop them. We provide it as a useful roadmap of needs, as well as to spur action and collaboration between groups and individuals looking to develop reusable software for early LSST science.Comment: White paper from "From Data to Software to Science with the Rubin Observatory LSST" worksho

From Data to Software to Science with the Rubin Observatory LSST

editorial reviewedThe Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) dataset will dramatically alter our understanding of the Universe, from the origins of the Solar System to the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Much of this research will depend on the existence of robust, tested, and scalable algorithms, software, and services. Identifying and developing such tools ahead of time has the potential to significantly accelerate the delivery of early science from LSST. Developing these collaboratively, and making them broadly available, can enable more inclusive and equitable collaboration on LSST science. To facilitate such opportunities, a community workshop entitled "From Data to Software to Science with the Rubin Observatory LSST" was organized by the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Collaboration and Computing (LINCC) and partners, and held at the Flatiron Institute in New York, March 28-30th 2022. The workshop included over 50 in-person attendees invited from over 300 applications. It identified seven key software areas of need: (i) scalable cross-matching and distributed joining of catalogs, (ii) robust photometric redshift determination, (iii) software for determination of selection functions, (iv) frameworks for scalable time-series analyses, (v) services for image access and reprocessing at scale, (vi) object image access (cutouts) and analysis at scale, and (vii) scalable job execution systems. This white paper summarizes the discussions of this workshop. It considers the motivating science use cases, identified cross-cutting algorithms, software, and services, their high-level technical specifications, and the principles of inclusive collaborations needed to develop them. We provide it as a useful roadmap of needs, as well as to spur action and collaboration between groups and individuals looking to develop reusable software for early LSST science

The influence of duration of macular detachment in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on postoperative visual acuity in patiens operated with scleral buckle surgery

Cilj: Analizirati rezultate operacije ablacije retine (AR) klasičnom metodom kod nekomplikovanih AR sa zahvaćenom makulom. Metod: Prospektivna studija obuhvata bolesnike sa AR sa zahvaćenom makulom, koji su operisani klasičnom metodom, u periodu od godinu dana (2011) u referentnom centru za vitreoretinalnu hirurgiju, Klinika za očne bolesti, Klinički Centar Srbije (KCS), Beograd, Srbija. Resultati: Ukupno 168 bolesnika (prosečne starosti 58.2±13.9 godina) sa AR sa zahvaćenom makulom je bilo uključeno u studiju. Anatomski uspeh je bio postignut kod 90.5% bolesnika, češće kod postojanja jedne rupture retine (p=0.040), providnog sočiva (p=0.041) i bez prisustva preoperativnog PVR-a (p<0.001). Dužina trajanja odvojenosti makule (Duration of macular detachment - DMD) i ranija trauma oka, nisu uticali na anatomski uspeh operacije. Najbolji funkcionalni rezultati dobijeni su kad je operacija izvršena u prvih sedam dana od nastanka ablacije makule u poređenju sa kasnije operisanim (p<0.001) bez razlike u dobijenim postoperativnim vidnim oštrinama unutar ovog perioda. Refrakcija oka nema uticaja na funkcionalni rezultat. Pacijenti starosti od 50-60 godina postižu najbolji anatomski uspeh operacije, dok funkcionalni uspeh opada sa godinama starosti. Zaključak: Operacija AR klasičnom metodom je efikasna hirurška procedura za nekomplikovane slučajeve AR. Najbolji rezultati se dobijaju kada se operacija izvrši u prvih sedam dana od nastanka ablacije makule.Objective: To analyze the results of scleral buckling (SB) for the repair of uncomplicated macula-off retinal detachment (RD). Methods: A prospective observational study of consecutive patients that underwent SB for macula-off RD was conducted in a one year period (2011) at the single referral centre for vitreoretinal surgery in Serbia. Results: A total of 168 consecutive patients (mean age 58.2±13.9 years) with macula-off RD were included in the study. Anatomical success was achieved in 90.5% and was more often in cases with a single retinal break (p=0.040), transparent lens (p=0.041) and without PVR (p<0.001). Duration of macular detachment (DMD) and previous ocular trauma did not affect the anatomical result. However, the best functional results were achieved if surgery was performed within seven days of macular detachment compared to surgery at all later times (p<0.001) with no difference in postoperative visual acuity during this period. Refraction of the eye did not influence the functional result. Patients aged 50-60 years were most likely to achieve the best anatomical outcome, but functional results decreased with age. Conclusions: SB is an efficacious surgical procedure for uncomplicated RD cases. The best results are achieved if the operation is performed within the first seven days of DMD

Submachine guns in the armed forces of the NATO countries / Автоматическое оружие в вооруженных силах НАТО / Automati u naoružanju oružanih snaga NATO zemalja

The paper presents a brief review of modern achievements and directions of further development of one type of small arms in the armament of foreign armed forces - namely, submachine guns in the armed forces of the countries signatories of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The article follows the historical genesis of the development of the use of submachine guns as specific types of small arms. Access to recent literature represented a major problem; consequently, data from the Internet was largely used. Submachine guns are one of the most effective and efficient types of infantry weapons of foreign armed forces so a more versatile look at the effects of their use is purposeful as well as the need for innovation and investing in our own resources. The article presents a synthesis of the authors’ practical experience with the use of submachine guns and the relevant theoretical knowledge. / В данной статье представлен краткий обзор современных достижений в области развития одного из видов стрелкового оружия, а точнее автоматов, используемых зарубежными вооруженными силами, в частности в странах участницах Североатлантического Альянса (НАТО). В статье описан исторический генезис развития и использования автоматов, с акцентом на особенности данного вида огнестрельного оружия. При написании статьи авторы столкнулись с проблемой недоступности современной печатной литературы, вследствие чего обращались к интернет ресурсам. Знания об автоматах, как самого эффективного вида стрелкового оружия, используемых вооруженными силами зарубежных стран, могут помочь более целенаправленно рассмотреть все преимущества их применения, а также понять насколько велика потребность в инновационном подходе и вложениях в собственные ресурсы и средства. Статья является результатом накопленных теоретических и практических знаний авторов в области использования автоматов. / Članak predstavlja kratak pregled modernih dostignuća i pravce daljeg razvoja jedne vrste streljačkog naoružanja - automata u oružanim snagama zemalja potpisnicama Severnoatlantskog saveza (NATO). Prati i razvoj upotrebe automata, kao posebne vrste streljačkog naoružanja. U nedostatku novije literature u radu su umnogome korišćeni podaci sa interneta. Poznavanjem automata, kao jedne od najefekasnije i najefektivnije vrste streljačkog naoružanja stranih oružanih snaga mogu se na svrsishodniji način sagledati njihovi efekti upotrebe, kao i potreba za inovacijama i ulaganjem u sopstvene resurse. Članak predstavlja sublimat iskustava iz prakse i teoretskih saznanja autora u vezi sa upotrebom automata

Vision-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction Following Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy—A Panel Study

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and treatment satisfaction (TS) in patients with diabetic retinopathy treated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Material and Methods: The panel study included 95 patients who underwent PRP for diabetic retinopathy. Eligible patients with no history of previous PRP were interviewer-administered the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and Retinopathy Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (RetTSQ) beforehandand one month after the last session of laser application. The study was conducted between June 2017 and June 2019 at tertiary care center in Serbia, Belgrade. We assessed pre- to post-PRP values of the composite score and subscale scores of VFQ-25 and RetTSQ, using a paired samples t-test. Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between binary outcomes and potential predictors. Multivariate regression included predictors from univariate analyses that were statistically significant. Results: The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 65.4 ± 17.4 before and 63.3 ± 19.5 after PRP (p = 0.045). Subscale analysis showed that two of the 11 items achieved a significant decrease after laser application (general vision and dependency). The mean RetTSQ score at baseline was 60.0 ± 11.8 and at the exit visit was 60.3 ± 12.3 (p = 0.858). Sub-scale analysis showed significant deterioration for five of the 13 items. Multivariate logistic regression found that significant predictor of VFQ-25 composite score reduction was fewer laser burns (p = 0.002) while significant predictor of RetTSQ total score reduction was presence of hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.021). Conclusion: The use of vision-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction questionnaires in conjunction with clinical examination, appears to provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s daily well-being following PRP. Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy leads to deterioration of some of the patients’ perceived VR-QOL and TS. Health-care providers should inform patients about their treatment options and together decide which therapeutic method is best for them

FBXW7 regulates endothelial barrier function by suppression of the cholesterol synthesis pathway and prenylation of RhoB

Rho GTPases control both the actin cytoskeleton and adherens junction stability and are recognized as essential regulators of endothelial barrier function. They act as molecular switches and are primarily regulated by the exchange of GDP and GTP. However, posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation, prenylation, and ubiquitination can additionally alter their localization, stability, and activity. F-box proteins are involved in the recognition of substrate proteins predestined for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Given the importance of ubiquitination, we studied the effect of the loss of 62 members of the F-box protein family on endothelial barrier function in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Endothelial barrier function was quantified by electrical cell impedance sensing and macromolecule passage assay. Our RNA interference-based screen identified FBXW7 as a key regulator of endothelial barrier function. Mechanistically, loss of FBXW7 induced the accumulation of the RhoB GTPase in endothelial cells, resulting in their increased contractility and permeability. FBXW7 knockdown induced activation of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and changed the prenylation of RhoB. This effect was reversed by farnesyl transferase inhibitors and by the addition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. In summary, this study identifies FBXW7 as a novel regulator of endothelial barrier function in vitro. Loss of FBXW7 indirectly modulates RhoB activity via alteration of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and, consequently, of the prenylation status and activity of RhoB, resulting in increased contractility and disruption of the endothelial barrier

CSN5 inhibition triggers inflammatory signaling and Rho/ROCK-dependent loss of endothelial integrity

RhoGTPases regulate cytoskeletal dynamics, migration and cell-cell adhesion in endothelial cells. Besides regulation at the level of guanine nucleotide binding, they also undergo post-translational modifications, for example ubiquitination. RhoGTPases are ubiquitinated by Cullin RING ligases which are in turn regulated by neddylation. Previously we showed that inhibition of Cullin RING ligase activity by the neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 is detrimental for endothelial barrier function, due to accumulation of RhoB and the consequent induction of contractility. Here we analyzed the effect of pharmacological activation of Cullin RING ligases on endothelial barrier integrity in vitro and in vivo. CSN5i-3 induced endothelial barrier disruption and increased macromolecule leakage in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CSN5i-3 strongly induced the expression and activation of RhoB and to lesser extent of RhoA in endothelial cells, which enhanced cell contraction. Elevated expression of RhoGTPases was a consequence of activation of the NF-κB pathway. In line with this notion, CSN5i-3 treatment decreased IκBα expression and increased NF-κB-mediated ICAM-1 expression and consequent adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells. This study shows that sustained neddylation of Cullin RING-ligases leads to activation the NF-κB pathway in endothelial cells, elevated expression of RhoGTPases, Rho/ROCK-dependent activation of MLC and disruption of the endothelial barrier

Vitamin D attenuates endothelial dysfunction in uremic rats and maintains human endothelial stability

Background-—Dysfunctional endothelium may contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Supplementation with active vitamin D has been proposed to have vasoprotective potential in CKD, not only by direct effects on the endothelium but also by an increment of a-Klotho. Here, we explored the capacity of the active vitamin D analogue paricalcitol to protect against uremia-induced endothelial damage and the extent to which this was dependent on increased a-Klotho concentrations. Methods and Results-—In a combined rat model of CKD with vitamin D deficiency, renal failure induced vascular permeability and endothelial-gap formation in thoracic aorta irrespective of baseline vitamin D, and this was attenuated by paricalcitol. Downregulation of renal and serum a-Klotho was found in the CKD model, which was not restored by paricalcitol. By measuring the real-time changes of the human endothelial barrier function, we found that paricalcitol effectively improved the recovery of endothelial integrity following the addition of the pro-permeability factor thrombin and the induction of a wound. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining revealed that paricalcitol promoted vascular endothelial-cadherin-based cell-cell junctions and diminished F-actin stress fiber organization, preventing the formation of endothelial intracellular gaps. Conclusions-—Our results demonstrate that paricalcitol attenuates the CKD-induced endothelial damage in the thoracic aorta and directly mediates endothelial stability in vitro by enforcing cell-cell interactions

SMAD7 variant rs4939827 is associated with colorectal cancer risk in Croatian population

BACKGROUND: Twenty common genetic variants have been associated with risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) in genome wide association studies to date. Since large differences between populations exist, generalisability of findings to any specific population needs to be confirmed. ----- AIM: The aim of this study was to perform an association study between risk variants: rs10795668, rs16892766, rs3802842 and rs4939827 and CRC risk in Croatian population. ----- METHODS: An association study was performed on 320 colorectal cancer cases and 594 controls recruited in Croatia. We genotyped four variants previously associated with CRC: rs10795668, rs16892766, rs3802842 and rs4939827. ----- RESULTS: SMAD7 variant rs4939827 (18q21.1) was significantly associated with CRC risk in Croatian population. C allele was associated with a decreased risk, odds ratio (OR): 0.70 (95% CI: 0.57-0.85, P=3.5E-04). Compared to TT homozygotes, risk was reduced by 34% in heterozygotes (OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47-0.92) and by 52% in CC homozygotes (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.33-0.72). ----- CONCLUSION: Our results show association of rs4939827 with colorectal cancer risk in Croatian population. The higher strength of the association in comparison to other studies suggests population-specific environmental or genetic factors may be modifying the association. More studies are needed to further describe role of rs4939827 in CRC. Likely reason for failure of replication for other 3 loci is inadequate study power