The Allegorical Matrices in Ivan Kušan's Toranj (The Tower) and Slobodan Novak's Izvanbrodski dnevnik (Three Journeys)

Zbivanja u hrvatskoj književnosti nakon Drugog svjetskog rata odvijala su se u neposrednoj vezi sa zbivanjima na političkoj sceni. Uvođenjem socijalističkog uređenja, umjetnost je postala oruđe ideologije, a književnosti je pripala agitacijska funkcija. Slobodnije umjetničko stvaranje i odmak od socrealističke prakse započinje sredinom 50-ih godina 20. stoljeća. Na književnoj sceni dominira krugovaška proza koja osporava postojeće društvene i kulturne strukture. Književni život Hrvatske u tom je razdoblju obilježen istovremenim djelovanjem različitih književnih generacija i praksi pa tako i u romanesknoj praksi krugovaškog naraštaja prevladava simultanizam modela, od socijalnog mimetizma do alegorijske interpretativne šifre. Ivan Kušan i Slobodan Novak autori su koji su naraštajno i poetički bliski. Njihovi romani Toranj i Izvanbrodski dnevnik alegorijski su romani koji problematiziraju jugoslavensku društvenu stvarnost 60-ih i 70-ih godina. Glavni smisao Tornja i Izvanbrodskoga dnevnika ostvaruje se na nedoslovnoj razini na koju upućuju različiti postupci kao što su ironija, humor, jezični ludizam, intertekstualni pasaži i literarne aluzije. Jezik je u romanima poslužio kao sredstvo pomoću kojega je demaskirana lažna zbilja. Pisci su se u analizi (kritici) konkretnoga političkoga sistema i nosioca vlasti u tome sistemu poslužili alegorijskim matricama koje su vezane uz gradnju i plovidbu (toranj i brod). Toranj i brod alegorija su ideologije koja bezglavo nameće svoje ciljeve, a oni koji grade toranj i oni koji upravljaju brodom predstavljaju samovolju moćnika. U Izvanbrodskom dnevniku očituje se još jedna razina koju u Tornju ne nalazimo, a to je egzistencijalna. Oba romana završavaju porazom pojedinca u sukobu s ideologijom, iluzijama i kolektivnim mitovima

Distribution of ABO genotypes among patients with thromboembolism in Croatia

Brojna istraživanja u posljednjih desetak godina usmjerena su otkrivanju biološke uloge sustava krvnih grupa, te su i pokazala veću ili manju povezanost između ABO sustava krvne grupe i nekih bolesti, kao što su kardiovaskularne, gastrointestinalne, tumorske i infektivne. Tromboembolijske bolesti su veliki javnozdravstveni problem i jedan od vodećih uzroka mortaliteta populacije. Zbog toga je od velikog značenja utvrditi čimbenike rizika koji su uključeni u razvoj ovih bolesti, kako bi mogli spriječiti nastanak, ponavljanje trombotičkih epizoda i poboljšati liječenje. Poznato je da nositelji ne-O krvne grupe ABO sustava imaju povećani trombotički rizik. Razlika između O i ne-O KG je u razini glikoproteina von Willebrand u plazmi koja je za 25-30% niža kod osoba s O krvnom grupom, u odnosu na ne-O krvne grupe. Smatra se da je to posljedica izravnog funkcionalnog utjecaja ABO genskog !okusa, ali mehanizam nije razjašnjen. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi povezanost ABO genotipova i genetičkih protrombotičkih čimbenika kao genetičkih čimbenika rizika za razvoj tromboze (FV Leiden, protrombin 02021 OA i metilentetrahidrofolat reduktaza C677T) u hrvatskoj populaciji. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 164 bolesnika s venskom trombozom, 182 bolesnika s arterijskom trombozom i 303 asimptomatska dobrovoljna davatelja krvi koji su predstavljali kontrolnu skupinu.Genotipizacija na 5 osnovnih alela i 15 genotipova bila je izvedena pomoću PCR-SSP metode, protrombotičke mutacije nac:injene su pomoću metoda PCR-SSP, PCR-RFLP i RT-PCR. Dobiveni rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju povećani trombotički rizik kod ne-00 nositelja u odnosu na 00 nositelje genotipova za razvoj tromboembolijskih bolesti. Utvrđen je veći rizik za obolijevanje od tromboembolijskih bolesti kod nositelja genotipova 01B/02B/BB i AB/ A2B tj. A i B alela, gdje bolesnici imaju povećanu rizik za VTE u odnosu na nositelje 00 alela. Kod infarkta miokarda niti jedan ne-00 genotip ne povećava trombotički rizik. Mutacija FVL u skupini ne-00 nositelja povećava izglede za razvoj venske tromboze oko 9 puta, za nositelje MTHFR 677TT povećava ih za oko 4 puta, dok mutacija FII 02021 OA kod ne- 00 nositelja kao čimbenik rizika nema značenje. Protrombotički genetički čimbenici niti u jednoj skupini ne doprinose povećanju rizika za razvoj arterijske tromboembolije, tj. akutnog infarkta miokarda. Rad predstavlja temelje za istraživanje ABO sustava krvnih grupa kao genetičkog čimbenika rizika za druge kardiovaskularne bolesti, kao i gastrointestinalne, tumorske i infektivne bolesti.These decades numerous researches were directed to detection of biological function of blood group systems. There have been reports on a lower or higher association between ABO blood groups and cardiovascular, tumour, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases. Thromboembolic diseases are important public health problem and one ofleading cause ofpopulation mortality. It is ofutmost importance to identify the risk factors implicated in the disease development. Most studies performed to date have generally agreed that non-00 blood group carriers have a higher risk of thrombosis than 00 blood group carriers. Differences between O and non-0 blood groups are in values of glycoprotein von Willebrand factor in plasma which is by 25-30% lower in O blood group than in non-0 blood group. The hypothesis is that this occurs due to the direct functional impact of ABO locus; however, the exact mechanism bas not yet been elucidated. Aim of the study was to assess the association between ABO blood group genotypes and genetic risk factors for thrombosis (FV Leiden, prothrombin G202 l OA, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutations) in the Croatian population. The study included 164 patients with VTE, 182 patients with CAD and 303 asymptomatic blood donors as a control group. Genotyping to 5 common alleles and 15 genotypes was performed by PCR-SSP and prothrombotic mutations were determined by PCR-SSP, PCR-RFLP and RT-PCR methods. The results show higher thrombotic risk for non-00 carriers compared to 00 genotype carriers for the development of thromboembolic diseases. The strongest association with thrombotic risk was recorded for OIB/02B/BB andi AB/ A2B; carriers of A and B allele have highest VTE risk than 00 allele carriers. There was no significant difference between genotypes in the risk of myocardial infarction. FV Leiden increased the risk of thrombosis 9-fold in the group of non-00 carriers, and fourfold in the group of MTHFR 677TT carriers, while there was no significant difference in the risk of thrombosis between 00 and non-00 blood groups associated with prothrombin mutation. There was no contribution of prothrombotic genetic factors to risk for development of myocardial infarction. Study represents a basis for research of ABO blood group system as genetic risk factors for other cardiovascular diseases, as well as gastrointestinal, cancer and infectious diseases

Air Transport and Logistics in Pandemic Outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) virus

In April 2009, the WHO, (World Health Organization) evaluated the available data on the swine influenza A (H1N1), confirmed the outbreak and declared decision on raising the pandemic phase from five to six. IATA, (International Air Transport Association) invited the airlines to support WHO’s reference laboratories around the world in handling specimens should the outbreak expand further. The specimens shall be transported according to the regulations stipulated for acceptance and transportation of dangerous goods by air. The paper analyses the current infrastructural situation at the airports in Croatia, predispositions related to the trained staff and coordination procedures with the relevant institutions. The implementation of activities complying with the international regulations are suggested in order to conduct measures fighting the pandemic in Croatia. KEY WORDS: pandemic outbreak, regulation, recommendation, specimen, responsibilities, transportation and logistic for biological substance

Artroskopsko liječenje ozljeda meniska u adolescenata: usporedba tehnike šivanja izvana-unutra i meniskealnih strelica

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and subjective outcomes of the meniscal dart technique in patients having undergone arthroscopic meniscal repair by comparing it with the outside-in suturing technique. From January 2006 until June 2017, case records of 37 patients having undergone arthroscopic meniscal repair were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the technique used for meniscal repair, as follows: 18 patients in suture technique group and 19 patients in meniscal dart group. Each patient was analyzed for the following parameters: age, gender, mechanism of injury, side of injury and injured meniscus, injury localization regarding anatomic position, injury type and associated injuries. The patients that underwent meniscal repair were analyzed for type of repair technique, operating results and results of follow-up (Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups according to clinical outcomes except for anatomic injury localization (p=0.035). Median of operation time was 62.5 min in suture technique group and 70 min in meniscal dart group (p=0.184); median of hospital stay was 2 days for both groups (p=0.951); median of Lysholm score was 86.5 and 84.5 (p=0.651); and median of IKDC score was 81.05 and 81.6, respectively (p=0.986). Understanding the harmful impact of meniscectomy, arthroscopic meniscal repair should be attempted whenever possible. Our data support arthroscopic repair of meniscal tears, since both the suture technique and the meniscal dart technique are safe and successful in meniscal repair in children, with good long-term results and without important complications.Cilj ovoga istraživanja je bio analizirati kliničke i subjektivne ishode liječenja u bolesnika operiranih zbog ozljeda meniska te usporediti dvije skupine bolesnika operiranih različitim tehnikama popravka meniska. Od siječnja 2006. do lipnja 2017. godine u studiju je uključeno 37 bolesnika koji su liječeni artroskopski zbog rupture meniska. Bolesnici su podijeljeni u dvije skupine ovisno o vrsti kirurškog zahvata: jednu skupinu skupinu činilo je 18 bolesnika u kojih je meniskus šivan tehnikom postavljanja šavova, a drugu 19 bolesnika u kojih su upotrebljene strelice za fiksaciju meniska. Svakom ispitaniku analizirani su sljedeći parametri: dob, spol, mehanizam nastanka ozljede, lateralizacija ozljede i meniska, anatomska lokalizacija ozljede i pridružene ozljede. Ispitanicima koji su podvrgnuti tehnikama popravka meniska analizirani su još i vrsta kirurške tehnike popravka meniska, rezultati subjektivne evaluacije 4 tjedna nakon operacije putem upitnika Lysholm i IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) te komplikacije nakon operacije. Između skupina bolesnika operiranih tehnikom postavljanja šavova i tehnikom fiksacije meniska strelicama nije bilo značajne razlike u promatranim ishodima liječenja, osim za anatomsku lokalizaciju ozljede (p=0,035). Medijani operacijskog vremena u skupini bolesnika operiranih tehnikom postavljanja šavova iznosio je 62,5 min, dok je u skupini fiksacije meniska strelicama medijan operacijskog vremena iznosio 70 minuta (p=0,184). Medijan duljine hospitalizacije bio je 2 dana za obje skupine (p=0,951). Medijan vrijednosti ljestvice Lysholm za promatrane skupine bio je 86,5 i 84,5 (p=0,651), a ljestvice IKDC 81,05 i 81,6 (p=0,986). Poznavajući štetne učinke meniskektomije, tehnika popravka meniska je dugoročnije bolji odabir i trebala bi se provoditi kadgod je to moguće. Obje tehnike (tehnika postavljanja šavova i tehnika fiksacije meniska strelicama) su sigurne i uspješne u liječenju ruptura meniska u djece, bez značajnijih komplikacija te s dobrim dugoročnim rezultatima

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND ASTHMA

Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Obesity is the most common comorbidity of asthma and is connected to incidence and course of the disease. Obesity is associated with non-allergic asthma phenotype, but t his relation could be influenced by gender. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between BMI and asthma and to explore possible gender differences. Subjects and methods: Study included 149 patients with asthma (examined group) and 153 healthy blood donors (control group). Data from the medical records of patients with asthma were used, and all included subjects had their BMI calculated usi ng standard formula. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods. Data with non-parametric distribution were analysed with Mann-Whitney U test and showed through medians with corresponding interquartile ranges. Statistical significance of BMI differences between non-allergic asthma, allergic asthma and control groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance - ANOVA. The results were interpreted at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: The comparison between median BMI values of two groups shows that examined group of patients with astma has significantly higher median BMI value in comparison with control group (P=0.035). Correlation was stronger for women than men (P=0.002 vs P=0.898). Incresed BMI of the examined group of patients with asthma was not asociated with non-allergic asthma (P=0.085). However, when stratified according to gender, there was a strong association of increased BMI with non-allergic asth ma in women (P<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with asthma in our study have higher BMI in comparison to healthy individuals, which contributes to hypothesis that BMI is a risk factor for development of asthma. We found that possible effect that BMI has on asthma is stronge r in women, since there was a strong association between increased BMI and non-allergic asthma only in women

HEALTH SEQUELAE OF TOBACCO EXPOSURE IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Tobacco consumption is one of the most common preventable cause of premature deaths worldwide. Persisting effects of exposure to tobacco smoke on children and adolescents are apparent during pregnancy and in early infancy, passive exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in home and elsewhere, and active smoking during adolescence. While, lung development in these stages of growth is not complete, tobacco smoke puts children and adolescents in danger of severe respiratory diseases and may interfere with the growth of their lungs. Active tobacco consumption by adolescents may have immediate adverse health outcomes such as addiction, impaired lung growth or reduced lung function. Much of the current evidence comes from longitudinal and cross-sectional longitudinal observational studies and propose that the strongest associations with smoke exposure are in the pregnancy and early childhood. The association of nicotine with respiratory system among children and adolescents is less clearly understood and the evidence primarily comes from in vitro and animal studies

Research of the Influence of Air Transportation on Blood Sample Quality

In air freight industry, blood samples are classified as time and temperature sensitive biologically produced pharmaceuticals. To determine the level of influence that the handling processes and air transportation have on blood sample quality, a research has been conducted through transportation of whole blood samples on two European scheduled routes. Two shipping models were defined: the standard one without defined transportation temperature regime and the controlled one, where transportation is conducted under appropriate temperature regime. The blood samples were packed and transported respecting all relevant national and international regulations. The analysis was conducted and the results compared to control sample kept in the laboratory. Significant changes were identified on all components analyzed after crosschecking with the control sample. KEY WORDS: regulatory issues, blood sample quality, shipping model, packaging instruction, temperature profile