Segment-specific impact of TNF-[alpha]-induced inflammation on HCO3-homeostasis and epithelial barrier function in the murine intestine

[no abstract

Sigurnost, terorističke ugroze i namjera putovanja turista

Posljednja dva desetljeća u javnosti se stvara percepcija terorizma kao globalnog problema. Mnoštvo informacija i vijesti koje su danas dostupne stvaraju dojam da je terorizam tu i sada te bude osjećaj straha. Prijašnja istraživanja su pokazala kako strah od terorizma utječe na donošenje odluke turista pri izboru destinacije. Stoga, glavni ciljevi ovog rada su istražiti: 1) koliku važnost ima sigurnost pri odabiru destinacije za putovanje za turiste te 2) kako izloženost turista medijskim objavama o terorističkim ugrozama utječe na namjeru posjete destinaciji koje su bile ranije pogođene terorističkim napadima. U ovom radu provedena su dva primarna istraživanja metodom online ankete na prigodnom uzorku od 118 domaćih i 94 stranih ispitanika koji koriste popularne turističke web portale. Nalazi istraživanja pokazuju da je sigurnost važan faktor u odabiru destinacije putovanja za turiste koji dolaze iz zemalja koje imaju visoku razinu izbjegavanja neizvjesnosti. Nadalje, nalazi pokazuju da povećana medijska izloženost vijestima koje se odnose na terorizam smanjuje namjeru turista da posjete odredište koje je bilo pogođeno terorizmom, ali samo u grupi turista s manje razvijenim kozmopolitskim identitetom

Neurophysiologic markers of primary motor cortex for laryngeal muscles and premotor cortex in caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus investigated in motor speech disorder : a navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies have so far reported the results of mapping the primary motor cortex (M1) for hand and tongue muscles in stuttering disorder. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for locating the M1 for laryngeal muscle and premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, corresponding to Broca's area in stuttering subjects by applying new methodology for mapping these motor speech areas. Sixteen stuttering and eleven control subjects underwent rTMS motor speech mapping using modified patterned rTMS. The subjects performed visual object naming task during rTMS applied to the (a) left M1 for laryngeal muscles for recording corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials (CoMEP) from cricothyroid muscle and (b) left premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus while recording long latency responses (LLR) from cricothyroid muscle. The latency of CoMEP in control subjects was 11.75 +/- A 2.07 ms and CoMEP amplitude was 294.47 +/- A 208.87 A mu V, and in stuttering subjects CoMEP latency was 12.13 +/- A 0.75 ms and 504.64 +/- A 487.93 A mu V CoMEP amplitude. The latency of LLR in control subjects was 52.8 +/- A 8.6 ms and 54.95 +/- A 4.86 in stuttering subjects. No significant differences were found in CoMEP latency, CoMEP amplitude, and LLR latency between stuttering and control-fluent speakers. These results indicate there are probably no differences in stuttering compared to controls in functional anatomy of the pathway used for transmission of information from premotor cortex to the M1 cortices for laryngeal muscle representation and from there via corticobulbar tract to laryngeal muscles.Peer reviewe

Neurophysiologic markers of primary motor cortex for laryngeal muscles and premotor cortex in caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus investigated in motor speech disorder : a navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies have so far reported the results of mapping the primary motor cortex (M1) for hand and tongue muscles in stuttering disorder. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for locating the M1 for laryngeal muscle and premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, corresponding to Broca's area in stuttering subjects by applying new methodology for mapping these motor speech areas. Sixteen stuttering and eleven control subjects underwent rTMS motor speech mapping using modified patterned rTMS. The subjects performed visual object naming task during rTMS applied to the (a) left M1 for laryngeal muscles for recording corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials (CoMEP) from cricothyroid muscle and (b) left premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus while recording long latency responses (LLR) from cricothyroid muscle. The latency of CoMEP in control subjects was 11.75 +/- A 2.07 ms and CoMEP amplitude was 294.47 +/- A 208.87 A mu V, and in stuttering subjects CoMEP latency was 12.13 +/- A 0.75 ms and 504.64 +/- A 487.93 A mu V CoMEP amplitude. The latency of LLR in control subjects was 52.8 +/- A 8.6 ms and 54.95 +/- A 4.86 in stuttering subjects. No significant differences were found in CoMEP latency, CoMEP amplitude, and LLR latency between stuttering and control-fluent speakers. These results indicate there are probably no differences in stuttering compared to controls in functional anatomy of the pathway used for transmission of information from premotor cortex to the M1 cortices for laryngeal muscle representation and from there via corticobulbar tract to laryngeal muscles.Peer reviewe

Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp: The success of conservative approach in treatment of a large defect

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation that usually involves the scalp. It may occur as an isolated defect or be combined with congenital malformations. We present a case of a female infant at the age of 2 days with aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp. Although there is no consensus about the treatment, we have decided for a conservative approach because sagittal sinus, large veins, or brain were not exposed. Ten months since the onset of conservative treatment, the aplastic area was almost completely cured

Assessment of Arsenic in Hair of the Inhabitants of East Croatia—Relationship to Arsenic Concentrations in Drinking Water

The problem of elevated arsenic concentrations in water and environment is an increasing public health concern. The aim of the study was to assess the arsenic content in human hair in selected areas of eastern Croatia and to compare them with measured values after installation of a new water supply system. The hair samples were taken in the areas of wider Osijek and Vinkovci area and analyzed using the ICP–MS method. These data were also compared with data for Vinkovci previously published in 2004. Depending on the investigated area, the median concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.9 µg g−1, whereby this last value exceeded the upper range of the reference value (0.319 µg g−1). The arsenic concentrations from the Našice, Osijek and Vinkovci areas were within or slightly above the maximum allowed reference range. The highest median values in hair samples were detected in Čepin, with arsenic-contaminated potable water, while in areas where the water source was changed, the values were significantly lower. The results add to the conclusion that there has been significant reduction in hair arsenic concentrations in the population that was given access to clean, uncontaminated water from other regional sources

What is safe enough - asthma in pregnancy - a review of current literature and recommendations

Abstract Background Although asthma is one of the most serious diseases causing complications during pregnancy, half of the women discontinue therapy thus diminishing the control of the disease, mostly due to the inadequate education and fear of adverse events. Sadly, this is sometimes encouraged by insufficiently educated physicians. Since the incidence and the prevalence of asthma is increasing, it is important to arouse the importance of proper asthma therapy during pregnancy. Inadequate therapy, as well as interrupting or discontinuing therapy, may result in adverse perinatal outcomes for both mother and child. Main body The main goal of asthma control during pregnancy is control of symptoms and prevention of exacerbations, same as in every asthmatic, but even more important. Maintaining optimal lung function, as well as regular daily activities, ensures maintenance of optimal fetal oxygenation. The therapy should be adapted depending on the frequency and severity of daily and nocturnal symptoms, demand for reliever therapy, by the limitations in everyday activities and the frequency of emergency asthma-related hospitalizations. Pre-conceptual education and therapy are very important and should be supported by an asthma action plan adjusted for the period of pregnancy. It is very important to note that most of the drugs used before pregnancy can be safely continued during pregnancy. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy should be used in parallel. Pregnant women should be informed about the nature of the disease, therapy used during pregnancy, possible complications, avoidance of triggers, proper administration of therapy and, most important, why should the therapy be continued throughout the pregnancy on individual basis. Although drug treatment should be based on using drugs with less harm risk, if control of severe symptoms is needed to be achieved in order to protect both mother and child, any anti-asthmatic drug would have the beneficial benefit/harm ratio. Conclusion There is no solid evidence that asthma treatment during pregnancy causes adverse outcomes for the mother and child but for many, especially new drugs, there is not enough data gathered. On the other hand, harmfulness of uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy is well documented so every effort should be put on preserving good control of asthma during pregnancy

Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Tissue Biomarker Analysis: A Comparison of Human Protein Atlas and Individual Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Component Immunohistochemistry

The accurate management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) depends on identifying the individual histological tumor components. Currently available data on protein expression in TGCTs are limited. The human protein atlas (HPA) is a comprehensive resource presenting the expression and localization of proteins across tissue types and diseases. In this study, we have compared the data from the HPA with our in-house immunohistochemistry on core TGCT diagnostic genes to test reliability and potential biomarker genes. We have compared the protein expression of 15 genes in TGCT patients and non-neoplastic testicles with the data from the HPA. Protein expression was converted into diagnostic positivity. Our study discovered discrepancies in three of the six core TGCT diagnostic genes, POU5F1, KIT and SOX17 in HPA. DPPA3, CALCA and TDGF1 were presented as potential novel TGCT biomarkers. MGMT was confirmed while RASSF1 and PRSS21 were identified as biomarkers of healthy testicular tissue. Finally, SALL4, SOX17, RASSF1 and PRSS21 dysregulation in the surrounding testicular tissue with complete preserved spermatogenesis of TGCT patients was detected, a potential early sign of neoplastic transformation. We highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to fully understand the protein landscape of human testis and its pathologies