Mathematical Model of Vertical Movements of the Krk Bridge

Na temelju dugogodišnjih mjerenja pomaka i deformacija građevina moguće je zaključiti o znatnim utjecajima temperature na veličinu pomaka. U ovome se radu definira matematički model vertikalnih pomaka Krčkog mosta kao posljedica utjecaja temperature.On the basis of measuring deformations of construction objects through many years, it is possible to make a conclusion about the considerable temperature influences onto the extent of movements. This paper determines the mathematical model of vertical displacements of the Krk Bridge being the result of temperature changes

A Current Genetic and Epigenetic View on Human Aging Mechanisms

The process of aging is one of the most complex and intruguing biological phenomenons. Aging is a genetically regulated process in which the organism’s maximum lifespan potential is pre-determined, while the rate of aging is influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle. Considering the complexity of mechanisms involved in the regulation of aging process, up to this date there isn’t a major, unifying theory which could explain them. As genetic/epigenetic and environmental factors both inevitably influence the aging process, here we present a review on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of the most important molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the process of aging. Based on the studies on oxidative stress, metabolism, genome stability, epigenetic modifications and cellular senescence in animal models and humans, we give an overview of key genetic and molecular pathways related to aging. As most of genetic manipulations which influence the aging process also affect reproduction, we discuss aging in humans as a post-reproductive genetically determined process. After the age of reproductive success, aging countinously progresses which clinically coincides with the onset of most chronic diseases, cancers and dementions. As evolution shapes the genomes for reproductive success and not for post-reproductive survival, aging could be defined as a protective mechanism which ensures the preservation and progress of species through the modification, trasnmission and improvement of genetic material

Systematic review and meta-analysis of genetic association studies in idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion

Objectives1) To perform the first comprehensive systematic review of genetic association studies (GASs) in idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (IRSA); 2) to analyze studies according to recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) definition and selection criteria for patients and control subjects; and 3) to perform meta-analyses for the association of candidate genes with IRSA.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.SettingNot applicable.Patient(s)Couples with IRSA and their spontaneously aborted embryos.Intervention(s)Summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by means of fixed- or random-effects models.Main Outcome Measure(s)Association of genetic variants with IRSA.Result(s)The systematic review included 428 case-control studies (1990–2015), which differed substantially regarding RSA definition, clinical evaluation of patients, and selection of control subjects. In women, 472 variants in 187 genes were investigated. Meta-analyses were performed for 36 variants in 16 genes. Association with IRSA defined as three or more spontaneous abortions (SAs) was detected for 21 variants in genes involved in immune response (IFNG, IL10, KIR2DS2, KIR2DS3, KIR2DS4, MBL, TNF), coagulation (F2, F5, PAI-1, PROZ), metabolism (GSTT1, MTHFR), and angiogenesis (NOS3, VEGFA). However, ORs were modest (0.51–2.37), with moderate or weak epidemiologic credibility. Minor differences in summary ORs were detected between IRSA defined as two or more and as three or more SAs. Male partners were included in 12.1% of studies, and one study included spontaneously aborted embryos.Conclusion(s)Candidate gene studies show moderate associations with IRSA. Owing to large differences in RSA definition and selection criteria for participants, consensus is needed. Future GASs should include both partners and spontaneously aborted embryos. Genome-wide association studies and large-scale replications of identified associations are recommended

The Effectiveness of a 40-year Long Iodine Prophylaxis in Endemic Goitre Region of Grobnik, Croatia

The region of Grobnik, in the north west of Croatia, 15 km away from the Adriatic coast and 400 meters above the sea level, used to be known as a centre of endemic goitre. Iodine prophylaxis of 10 mg KJ added per kilo salt started in Croatia during the year 1953 and it was increased to 25 mg KJ per kilo in 1996. During 1961, the prevalence of goiter among Grobnik school children was 63%, while in the adult population it was 34%. In 1981, 18% of goitrous school children and 11% of goitrous adults were found in the same region, which shows the fall in goitre prevalence in the twenty-year period, from a severe to a mild one. The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis in goitre eradication and to compare the obtained results to those found in the same region 20 and 40 years ago, namely, in 1961 and 1981. The research was conducted in 2001. We examined 472 Grobnik inhabitants, 378 children (196 girls and 182 boys, aged 7–15 years) and 94 adults. Regarding their size thyroid glands were graded according to WHO and PAHO classification. Data regarding lifestyles and health conditions were collected by individual and family questionnaires. The prevalence of goitre in 2001 was 6.6% in school children and 6.4% in adults. In relation to 1981, we found a statistically significant fall of goitre in school children at the level of p0.01, x2=1.419). The frequency of thyroid gland hereditary diseases in native inhabitants was high, 11.7%. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of goitre or thyroid hereditary diseases between groups of native and newcomers’ children. According to our results, in the year 2001 the area of Grobnik was still was a region of a mildly expressed endemic goitre. This study presents final results of a 40-year long follow up of endemic goitre eradication, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis

The Effectiveness of a 40-year Long Iodine Prophylaxis in Endemic Goitre Region of Grobnik, Croatia

The region of Grobnik, in the north west of Croatia, 15 km away from the Adriatic coast and 400 meters above the sea level, used to be known as a centre of endemic goitre. Iodine prophylaxis of 10 mg KJ added per kilo salt started in Croatia during the year 1953 and it was increased to 25 mg KJ per kilo in 1996. During 1961, the prevalence of goiter among Grobnik school children was 63%, while in the adult population it was 34%. In 1981, 18% of goitrous school children and 11% of goitrous adults were found in the same region, which shows the fall in goitre prevalence in the twenty-year period, from a severe to a mild one. The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis in goitre eradication and to compare the obtained results to those found in the same region 20 and 40 years ago, namely, in 1961 and 1981. The research was conducted in 2001. We examined 472 Grobnik inhabitants, 378 children (196 girls and 182 boys, aged 7–15 years) and 94 adults. Regarding their size thyroid glands were graded according to WHO and PAHO classification. Data regarding lifestyles and health conditions were collected by individual and family questionnaires. The prevalence of goitre in 2001 was 6.6% in school children and 6.4% in adults. In relation to 1981, we found a statistically significant fall of goitre in school children at the level of p0.01, x2=1.419). The frequency of thyroid gland hereditary diseases in native inhabitants was high, 11.7%. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of goitre or thyroid hereditary diseases between groups of native and newcomers’ children. According to our results, in the year 2001 the area of Grobnik was still was a region of a mildly expressed endemic goitre. This study presents final results of a 40-year long follow up of endemic goitre eradication, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis

Analysis of the Differences Between Realised and Designed Heights of the Upper Asphalt Layer on Different Categories of Roads

U radu je izložena statistička obrada odstupanja izvedenih od projektiranih visina završnog, asfaltnoga sloja kolničke konstrukcije ceste. Analizom su obuhvaćeni podaci mjerenja prikupljenih tijekom geodetskog nadzora pri građenju različitih kategorija cesta: regionalnih, magistralnih i autocesta. Cilj rada bio je utvrditi točnost izvođenja završnog sloja i rezultate istraživanja usporediti s tolerancijama navedenima u odgovarajućim građevinskim propisima.The paper presents a statistical data analysis of the differences between realised and designed heights of the upper asphalt layer of the pavement structure. The analysis comprises measurement data obtained during the geodetic supervision of the different road categories: regional, main and highway roads. The purpose of this paper is to establish the accuracy of construction works on the final asphalt layer and to compare them with the tolerances specified in the corresponding technical regulations

Immunoregulatory factors contributing to fetal allograft survival

ABSTRACT A mammalian fetus expresses a variety of antigens potentially unknown to the immunologically competent mother. Presented here are the results of investigations of maternal immune reactivity to paternally derived antigens of fetoplacental unit. detected at various levels: 11 spleen and distant lymphatic organs, 2) regional lymph nodes draining uterus, and 31 materna-fetal interface. The results suggest that the mother's immune system reacts differently in semiallogeneic pregnancies than in syngeneic ones. The type of the systemic immune response depends on the stage of pregnancy. Increased percentage of CD8+ cells and decreased CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio was found in distant and regional lymphatic organs during pregnancy. The paternal class IMHC antigens expressed on the trophoblast cells are nonpolymorphic molecules which can have a role in immunotrophism of the placenta and in fetal allograft protection

Analysis of Shift and Deformation of Planar Surfaces Using the Least Squares Plane

Suvremene mjerne tehnike razvijene temeljem povećanja mogućnosti bezreflektornog mjerenja duljina omogućile su otvaranje novih područja otkrivanja i analize pomaka i deformacija. Prikupljanjem velikog broja točaka često će biti potrebno pronaći matematički model plohe koja se njima najbolje prilagođava. Iako je to za prostorne plohe složen postupak, za ravninske plohe lako se obavlja i omogućava dalju obradu i analizu podataka mjerenja. U radu je prikazano prilagođavanje ravnine skupu mjerenih točaka metodom najmanjih kvadrata udaljenosti, uz prethodno uklanjanje podataka koji znatno odstupaju od zadanoga skupa upotrebom algoritma RANSAC. Temeljem toga prikazana je metoda analize deformacija i pomaka ravninskih ploha.Modern methods of measurement developed on the basis of advanced reflectorless distance measurement have paved the way for easier detection and analysis of shift and deformation. A large quantity of collected data points will often require a mathematical model of the surface that fits best into these. Although this can be a complex task, in the case of planar surfaces it is easily done, enabling further processing and analysis of measurement results. The paper describes the fitting of a plane to a set of collected points using the least squares distance, with previously excluded outliers via the RANSAC algorithm. Based on that, a method for analysis of the deformation and shift of planar surfaces is also described

Recurrent Achalasia in a Child with Williams-Beuren Syndrome

Williams-Beuren syndrome is a multysistem genetic disorder caused by the 1.6Mb hemizygous deletion involving the elastin gene in the region q11.23 of chromosome 7. The phenotype of Williams-Beuren syndrome is extremelly variable but the most common findings include cardiovascular disease, distinctive facies, mental retardation, a specific congitive profile, endocrine abnormalities, growth retardation and connective tissue abnormalities. Although gastrointestinal difficulties are one of the most constant and prominent finding of the syndrome, including gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), poor suckling, vomiting, constipation, prolonged colic, rectal prolapse, inguinal, umbilical and hiatal hernia, there have been no reports of achalasia in association with Williams-Beuren syndrome in the literature. We present the case of a boy with Williams-Beuren syndrome, achalasia and recurrent postoperative stenosis of the cardia. After Heller myotomy, the boy developed severe restenosis of the cardia with abundant adhesions which repeated after every treatment, five times in periods shorter than one month. Eventually, he developed GER, errosive gastritis and hiatal hernia which led to severe malnutrition and failure to thrive. Although the genetic defect causing Williams-Beuren syndrome might not be the direct cause of achalasia we suggest that the frequent development of severe restenosis of cardia due to tight adhesions could be the consequence of elastin gene haploinsufficiency and altered structure and function of elastic fibers in esophageal connective tissue. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of esophageal motor disorders in childhood which should be included in the differential diagnosis when a child with Williams-Beuren syndrome presents with dysphagia and/or regurgitation

Immunoregulatory factors contributing to fetal allograft survival

ABSTRACT A mammalian fetus expresses a variety of antigens potentially unknown to the immunologically competent mother. Presented here are the results of investigations of maternal immune reactivity to paternally derived antigens of fetoplacental unit. detected at various levels: 11 spleen and distant lymphatic organs, 2) regional lymph nodes draining uterus, and 31 materna-fetal interface. The results suggest that the mother's immune system reacts differently in semiallogeneic pregnancies than in syngeneic ones. The type of the systemic immune response depends on the stage of pregnancy. Increased percentage of CD8+ cells and decreased CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio was found in distant and regional lymphatic organs during pregnancy. The paternal class IMHC antigens expressed on the trophoblast cells are nonpolymorphic molecules which can have a role in immunotrophism of the placenta and in fetal allograft protection