Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration in healthy newborns during the first three postnatal days

Introduction: Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is a biochemical marker significant for early prediction of acute kidney injury in adults. However, it has not been examined sufficiently among the infant population, particularly newborns in terms of reference values. The aim of our study was to determine the concentration of uNGAL in healthy term newborns and to determine if there was a difference in uNGAL concentration according to gender, postnatal age and birth weight. Materials and methods: Our study involved 81 healthy term newborns birth (≥ 37 weeks, Apgar score ≥ 8 in the first minute after birth, CRP < 5 mg/L). Urine NGAL was measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) within 72 hours after birth, on Architect plus ci8200 analyser (Abbott, Chicago, USA). Data were analysed using Statistica software. Results: The median concentration of uNGAL in the whole study group of healthy term newborns was 27.1 ng/mL (16.5-56.0 ng/mL) (newborn girls, 27.1 ng/mL (15.8-47.9 ng/mL); newborn boys, 27.9 ng/mL (16.5-61.0 ng/mL), P = 0.941). Median uNGAL concentration according to postnatal age expressed in days was 28.2 ng/mL (11.7-57.2 ng/mL) 1st day, 28.9 ng/mL (16.5-64.2 ng/mL ) 2nd day and 23.9 ng/mL (20.2-46.6) 3rd day, P = 0.863. Regarding birth weight for newborns < 3500 g, median concentration was 25.0 ng/mL (16.5-45.4 ng/mL ) and for weight ≥ 3500 g 30.6 ng/mL (16.5-64.2 ng/mL), P = 0.455. Conclusions: There were no significant difference in uNGAL concentration in relation to gender, postnatal age and birth weight

The Role of Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension in Diabetic Patients

The pathogenesis of renal hypertension has not yet been fully clarified. As the potential role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) has been postulated, their concentrations were determined in plasma and urine of diabetic patients. The study included 30 diabetic patients (both IDDM and NIDDM) with initial or advanced diabetic nephropathy (decreased endogenous creatinine clearance, proteinuria) and 20 healthy control subjects. The correlation with blood pressure and other renal function parameters was monitored and compared with the control group. Also, the effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEI) on ET-1 and NO patterns was monitored in correlation with arterial hypertension. In diabetic patients that did not receive ACEI therapy, the increase in plasma ET-1 was associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure elevation, whereas in those administered ACEI the increase in plasma ET-1 was associated with a systolic blood pressure decline. In addition, the increase in plasma NO was accompanied by a statistically significant decline of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic patients receiving ACEI

IMMUNOHYSTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF VITAMIN D RECEPTOR IN DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

Background: Chemo preventive and antitumor role of vitamin D is manifested through genetic and non genetic ways with a powerful antproliferatory and proapopoptic effect, which is proven by numerous epidemiologic studies. The genetic activity of vitamin D is determined through vitamin D receptors (VDR), a member of stero-thyreoidal family of nuclear receptors, which with vitamin D form a cell nucleus complex responsible for the chemo preventive and antitumor effect. VDR in tissue cells is present in the cytoplasm and the nucleus and manifests its genetic activity after transfer from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The mechanisms for the transport and genetic control of the transport of VDR from cytoplasm to the nucleus in not yet completely understood. Subjects and methods: By using immunohystochemistry we are evaluating the correlation of cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of VDR during different stages of colorectal carcinoma: normal colorectal mucosa, hyperplasic polyp, low grade adenoma (LGD), high grade adenoma (HGD) and colorectal cancer. Results: Our results confirm that the nuclear VDR expression is strongest in normal colorectal mucosa and in hyper plastic polyps, is gradually weakened in low and high grade adenoma while it is extremely weak or absent in colorectal carcinoma. At the same time the expression of cytoplasm VDR is weakest in normal colorectal mucosa and hyper plastic polyps while it grows during the adenoma stage and is most expressed during colorectal carcinoma Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin D has a strong chemo preventive and antitumor effect in normal colorectal mucosa and hyper plastic polyps, while its antitumor and chemopreventive effect is progressively weakened and ultimately absent in colorectal carcinoma

IMMUNOHYSTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF VITAMIN D RECEPTOR IN DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

Background: Chemo preventive and antitumor role of vitamin D is manifested through genetic and non genetic ways with a powerful antproliferatory and proapopoptic effect, which is proven by numerous epidemiologic studies. The genetic activity of vitamin D is determined through vitamin D receptors (VDR), a member of stero-thyreoidal family of nuclear receptors, which with vitamin D form a cell nucleus complex responsible for the chemo preventive and antitumor effect. VDR in tissue cells is present in the cytoplasm and the nucleus and manifests its genetic activity after transfer from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The mechanisms for the transport and genetic control of the transport of VDR from cytoplasm to the nucleus in not yet completely understood. Subjects and methods: By using immunohystochemistry we are evaluating the correlation of cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of VDR during different stages of colorectal carcinoma: normal colorectal mucosa, hyperplasic polyp, low grade adenoma (LGD), high grade adenoma (HGD) and colorectal cancer. Results: Our results confirm that the nuclear VDR expression is strongest in normal colorectal mucosa and in hyper plastic polyps, is gradually weakened in low and high grade adenoma while it is extremely weak or absent in colorectal carcinoma. At the same time the expression of cytoplasm VDR is weakest in normal colorectal mucosa and hyper plastic polyps while it grows during the adenoma stage and is most expressed during colorectal carcinoma Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin D has a strong chemo preventive and antitumor effect in normal colorectal mucosa and hyper plastic polyps, while its antitumor and chemopreventive effect is progressively weakened and ultimately absent in colorectal carcinoma

KAPPA FREE LIGHT CHAINS IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH IDENTIFIED OLIGOCLONAL IMMUNOGLOBULIN G

Background: Production of kappa free light chains (KFLC) represents a part of humoral immune response, along with the synthesis of intrathecal immunoglobulins. Increased concentrations of immunoglobulin G light chains, kappa and lambda chains, were identified through research of numerous diseases of central nervous system. The qualitative method of isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by immunofixation currently represents the accepted standard in identifying oligoclonal bands (OCB), but establishing a sensitive immunonephelometric method for quantification of kappa free light chains (KFLC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has paved a way for new diagnostic possibilities. Andersson classified the pattern types of OCB, ranging from type 1 to type 5, wherein types 2 and 3 indicate intrathecal synthesis. Our aim was to determine KFLC in CSF of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) who had presented with type 2 and type 3 OCB, to determine if there is a difference in concentrations between those two groups and to establish a borderline value of KFLC which would enable differential diagnostics. Subjects and methods: 70 patients, who underwent lumbar punction for CSF analysis and had their blood sampled through the cubital vein, participated in the study. Patients were classified according to Andersson as type 2 or type 3, which besides adulthood, represented the inclusion criteria. The average age of patients classified as type 2 was 36 years, and those classified as type 3 was 39 years, where it is evident that there was not a statistically significant difference (p=0.0685). We used a qualitative electrophoretic technique of IEF with agarose gel followed by immunofixation, and a quantitative immunonephelometric method. All results were interpreted on a level of statistic significance of p<0.05. Results: CSF KFLC concentrations in type 3 were statistically and significantly elevated with regard to type 2 (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.0430). The median for KFLC in type 2 was 0.9 mg/L, while the median for KFLC in type 3 was 2.71 mg/L, and the detection limit for both types was 0.18 mg/L. We used a statistical ROC curve to determine that KFLC concentration can be used for differential diagnostics, meaning it can discriminate type 2 from type 3 with clinical sensitivity of 61% and clinical specificity of 71% (AUC=0.641) (p=0.037). Conclusion: Despite the obtained statistically significant differences in concentrations of KFLC between types of OCBs and ROC analysis results, determination of KFLC by a nephelometric method, insufficiently strong clinical sensitivity and specificity does not justify abandonment of IEF method followed by immunofixation

Inertizacija galvanskog mulja s pomoću kalcijeva oksida, aktivnog ugljena i fosforne kiseline

In this study we compared three methods for the treatment of electroplating sludge highly loaded with zinc and iron: (1) calcium oxide-based solidifi cation/stabilisation; (2) conversion into inert material by adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants onto activated carbon; and (3) conversion of mobile waste components into insoluble phosphates. All three methods proved highly efficient in the conversion of hazardous waste into inert material. Under optimum treatment conditions zinc concentration in the leachate of solidified waste was reduced by 99.7 % compared to untreated sludge. Zinc retention effi ciency in the waste treated with activated carbon and phosphoric acid was 99.9 % and 98.7 %, respectively. The advantages of electroplating sludge treatment with activated carbon over the other two methods are high sorption capacity, insignificant pH and volume changes of the sludge, and simple use.U radu su prikazani i uspoređeni rezultati triju metoda obrade galvanskog mulja visoko opterećenog cinkom i željezom: (1) solidifi kacija/stabilizacija otpada primjenom kalcijeva oksida; (2) inertizacija otpada adsorpcijom organskog i anorganskog opterećenja na aktivni ugljen; (3) prevođenje mobilnih komponenata otpada u teško topljive fosfate. Sve tri metode pokazale su se efikasnima u prevođenju opasnog otpada u inertno stanje. Kod optimalnih uvjeta koncentracija cinka u eluatu solidificiranog otpada snizila se za 99,7 % u odnosu prema neobrađenom otpadu. Efikasnost retencije cinka u otpadu inertiziranom aktivnim ugljenom iznosila je 99,9 %, a fosfornom kiselinom 98,7 %. Prednost inertizacije aktivnim ugljenom u odnosu prema ostalim dvjema metodama očituje se visokim sorpcijskim kapacitetom, neznatnim promjenama pH-vrijednosti i volumena tretiranog otpada, kao i jednostavnošću primjene

Capacities of local self-government units in the Republic of Croatia

Ovaj rad bavi se kapacitetima jedinica lokalne samouprave u Republici Hrvatskoj. Kapacitetima se namjeravamo baviti u fiskalnom i administrativnom smislu, zakonodavnom i naposljetku personalnom smislu. Kako su jedinice lokalne samouprave zadnjih godina aktualna tema kako na lokalnoj razini tako i na nacionalnoj razini, rad bi trebao razjasniti neke probleme kojima se suočavaju jedinice lokalne samouprave a koje se odnose na ljudske, administrativne, a i proračunske kapacitete jer je fiskalni čimbenik presudan u svakoj općini, odnosno gradu. U tom smislu izradili smo anketu koja govori u prilog tome,odnosno o problematici jedinica lokalnih samouprava a koja dokazuje da i osoblje koje radi u navedenim jedinicama svjesno problematike te su ponudili i neka rješenja koja su primjenjiva.This final paper is all about capacity of local governments in the Republic of Croatia. We are planing work on capacity in financial and administration, legislative and finally personal sense. Since last few years local governments are actuall topic on local and national level this paper should clarify some of the problems that are identified in local governments that are related to human capacity, administrative, and budget capacity. Since the financial factor is key in each municipality or city. We have made survey that speaks about issues of local government, which proves that the personnel working in these units aware of the problem and have offered some solutions that are applicable

Capacities of local self-government units in the Republic of Croatia

Ovaj rad bavi se kapacitetima jedinica lokalne samouprave u Republici Hrvatskoj. Kapacitetima se namjeravamo baviti u fiskalnom i administrativnom smislu, zakonodavnom i naposljetku personalnom smislu. Kako su jedinice lokalne samouprave zadnjih godina aktualna tema kako na lokalnoj razini tako i na nacionalnoj razini, rad bi trebao razjasniti neke probleme kojima se suočavaju jedinice lokalne samouprave a koje se odnose na ljudske, administrativne, a i proračunske kapacitete jer je fiskalni čimbenik presudan u svakoj općini, odnosno gradu. U tom smislu izradili smo anketu koja govori u prilog tome,odnosno o problematici jedinica lokalnih samouprava a koja dokazuje da i osoblje koje radi u navedenim jedinicama svjesno problematike te su ponudili i neka rješenja koja su primjenjiva.This final paper is all about capacity of local governments in the Republic of Croatia. We are planing work on capacity in financial and administration, legislative and finally personal sense. Since last few years local governments are actuall topic on local and national level this paper should clarify some of the problems that are identified in local governments that are related to human capacity, administrative, and budget capacity. Since the financial factor is key in each municipality or city. We have made survey that speaks about issues of local government, which proves that the personnel working in these units aware of the problem and have offered some solutions that are applicable

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in feces does not have a prognostic benefit in outcome of COVID-19: Clinical and immunological study

This study explores the correlation between immunological and clinical characteristics in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with detectable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in feces, analyzing data from 251 patients admitted to Mostar University Clinical Hospital from December 2021 to January 2022. Methods involved reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction RT-qPCR from nasopharyngeal swabs and feces, alongside serological tests for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgGs. Demographic and clinical data were collected through questionnaires and medical records. The data analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software. Death occurred in 53 patients (21.1%, P < 0.001), mostly in the elderly (47/53, 88.7%, P = 0.001) and immunocompromised (19/53, 35.8%, P = 0.05), particulary those developing acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) (46/53, 86.8%, P = 0.004), and severe/critical disease (46/53, 86.8%, P = 0.002). Among the patients with positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (86/251, 34.3%, P < 0.001), 41 (47.7%) were vaccinated and 45 (52.3%) unvaccinated (P = 0.666), showing no significant differences in clinical outcomes or mortality. Unvaccinated patients with a negative antibody titer had a higher incidence of ARI (96/123, 78%, P = 0.029) and intensive care unit admission (22/123, 17.9%, P = 0.026), than those with a positive antibody titer. Forty-seven (62.7%) patients, out of the 75 hospitalized who provided a feces sample, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (P = 0.028), without statistical differences between fecal SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative groups regarding vaccination status (15/47, 31.9%, P = 0.493), antibody status (18/47, 38.3%, P = 0.628) or death outcome (5/47, 10.6%, P = 0.706). In conclusion, unvaccinated hospitalized patients with a severe COVID-19 presentation and a negative anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer have more frequent adverse outcomes. This suggests cautious consideration for the diagnostic use of fecal samples compared to nasopharyngeal swabs

A relation of serum homocysteine, uric acid and C-reactive protein level in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Aim To determine the relationship of homocysteine (HCY), uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) prior to application of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and their level of correlation in serum of patients with normal and elevated CRP (predictor of worse cardiovascular outcomes). Methods The study involved 85 patients with diagnosed AMI. Before the PCI, venous blood samples were taken into the vacuum test tubes. The analysis of HCY, UA, inflammatory markers CRP and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as well as lipoprotein status were performed on a different type of analysers and according to accepted protocols of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). Results Elevated level of both HCY and UA in AMI patients as well as a positive correlation between HCY and UA level was observed. Classification of patients on the basis of mean UA concentration showed significant difference at the level of HCY concentration (p=0.022). Conclusion Since HCY and UA participate in the atherosclerotic process and their metabolism, as well as the effects on the cardiovascular system show significant overlaps, their serum level should be analysed synchronously with the level of CRP and NLR (indicators of significant inflammatory process in vessels). Considering a potential link between all parameters observed, further research involving a greater number of patients and including the post treatment effects should be conducted