Symptomatic Sacral Perineurial (Tarlov) Cysts

Sacral perineurial (Tarlov) cysts are rare lesions. Over a seven year period 4000 patients underwent surgery for lumbar disk herniation. In three patients neurological symptoms were caused by large sacral perineurial cysts. Methods of choice for diagnosis of Tarlov cysts are lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography myelography. The majority of Tarlov cysts are asymptomatic. In case of large (ł1.5 cm) and symptomatic perineurial cyst, as in three patients reported in this article, microsurgical treatment was successful. Although rare, perineurial (Tarlov) cysts must be taken into consideration when approaching to patient with low back and radicular pain. Authors review the medical literature, pathological and pathophysiological features and treatment options of sacral perineurial cysts

Ozon u graničnom sloju u Osijeku, istočna Hrvatska

Results of the first ozone monitoring in ambient air in eastern Slavonia are reported for the growth season in 2002 (April through September). The monitoring site at the northern boundary of the city was chosen to distinguish two types of air masses: one from the rural and marshy region to the north and the other urban and suburban from the south. The measured hourly average ozone volume fractions varied between 0 and 80 ppb, the average being 35 ppb. The low value indicated that the air is well mixed. No significant differences were found between air masses from the north and from the south. Thus, no significant photochemical pollution problems are expected for the city Osijek.Prikazani su rezultati prvih mjerenja volumnog udjela ozona u Istočnoj Slavoniji tijekom sezone rasta (1. travnja do 30. rujna) 2002. godine. Mjerno mjesto na sjevernoj strani grada Osijeka uz rijeku Dravu na visini od oko 50 m iznad tla odabrano je da se mogu razlikovati dva tipa zračnih masa: ruralno-močvarne sa sjevera i gradsko-predgradske s juga. Izmjereni satni proscjeci udjela ozona u zraku varirali su od 0 do 80 dijelova u milijardu, a srednja je vrijednost iznosila 35 ppb. Niske vrijednosti ukazuju na dobru izmješanost zraka. Usporedbom vrijednosti uz vjetar iz sjevernog odnosno južnog sektora nisu nađene bitne razlike pa se tako ne očekuju problemi fotokemijskog onečišćenja zraka u gradu Osijeku

HR GC and GC-MS Study of Steroids in Northern Croatian Petroleum

Since steranes might be of pharmaceutical utility, Northern Croatian petroleums were selected for a steroid study by HR GC: sample PI with a hilly elevated base of chromatograms at the heavy end (where steroids eluate) and with intensive re-alkanes; PII rich in re-alkanes with a comparatively flat heavy end; and PHI with a remarkably elevated heavy end, but poor in re-alkanes. The fraction of saturates was studied for steranes by GC-MS, also the fraction of aromatics for MA and TA steroids. Mass spectra and mass fragmentograms m/z 217, m/z 253 and m/z 231, were used. In 3 select samples (out of 43 petroleums), the steranes were determined in the range from norcholestanes up to re-propylcholestanes, making 3000- -9000 ppm of saturates. So, it might be considered that there are Croatian petroleum samples which contain steranes in concentrations interesting for pharmaceutical purposes. Cholestanes, ergostanes and stigmastanes are dominant while the concentrations of diasteranes are low. Pill is the sterane richest sample. Its characteristics are low epimeri- zation of sterane skeletons, regarding H at C atoms in position 14, 17 and 20, as well as re-alkanes diminishing by biodegradation. PHI also contains the relatively highest TA steroid concentration. The intensity proportion between TA steroids and MA steroids is highest for PII. This can be visualized by the thermal stress absorbed and it is in good agreement with the comparatively highest epimerization level

Islam as a paradigma facing contemporary European society and Christian thought

Islamska religija i civilizacija u vremenu globalizacije čine sastavni dio svjetske povijesti i kulture te zahtijevaju da se o njima promišlja na integrirajući i konstruktivan način, na način dijaloškog izazova i suživota, a ne isključivo kao prijetnju ili suparništvo. Dapače, islam u mnogočemu danas može poslužiti kao svojevrsni hermeneutički ključ kojim bi se moglo nanovo iščitati i reinterpretirati zapadnu civilizaciju, suvremeno europsko društvo, kao i kršćansku misao. S tog polazišta autor promatra islam kroz trostruku paradigmu – povijesno-političku, socio-religijsku i teološku – po kojima bi Europi i kršćanstvu islam mogao pridonijeti u obnovljenom razmišljanju o sebi i drugima. Osobito se ističe važnost muslimana iz Hrvatske i Bosne i Hercegovine koji su pozvani postati svojevrstan paradigmatski most između Istoka i Zapada.Islamic religion and civilization in the period of globalization makes up an integral part of world history and culture and demands to be thought about in an integrating and constructive way, in the sense of a dialogical challenge and coexistence, and not exclusively through the prism of threat or rivalry. On the contrary, in many ways Islam today can be used as a sort of hermeneutical key through which Western civilization, contemporary European society as well as Christian thought can be reread and reinterpreted again. Coming from this point of view, the author sees Islam through a triple paradigm – historical and political, socio-religious and theological – through which Islam could help Europe and Christianity to deliberate about themselves and others in a new way. He especially accentuates the importance of Muslims in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina who are called upon to become a sort of paradigmatic bridge between the East and West

Microbial Colonization of High Density Polyethylene Garbage Bags

This research aimed to determine the microbial colonization and potential biodegradation of classical high density polyethylene (HDPE) garbage bags in conditions which refl ects its real disposal without preliminary abiotic pretreatment. The HDPE fi lms were buried during 14 weeks in containers with humifi ed soil, activated sludge and its mixture. The colonization of heterotrophic mesophilic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria on the HDPE was monitored. The bacteria and fungi formed biofi lms on the surface of HDPE, but did not have the potential to degrade it since no changes in FTIR spectra of HDPE fi lms were observed. The classical HDPE is primary nontoxic inert material, which is not biodegradable in environmental conditions, what represents a serious ecological problem

Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue as a Challenge to Catholic Religious Education

Polazeći od činjenice religijskoga i kulturalnog pluralizma koji obilježava današnji globalni svijet i suvremenu Europu, ovaj rad želi istaknuti i vrednovati sve veću važnost međureligijskoga i međukulturalnog dijaloga u religijskom obrazovanju, osobito u katoličkom vjeronauku. U tu svrhu autor najprije prikazuje stav Katoličke Crkve prema međureligijskom dijalogu u svjetlu (poslije)koncilskog naučavanja. Zatim ukazuje na glavne odrednice katoličkog pristupa međukulturalnom dijalogu, osobito u obrazovanju. Naposljetku se podrobnije osvrće na mjesto koje međureligijski i međukulturalni dijalog imaju u Kurikulumu Katoličkog školskog vjeronauka u Hrvatskoj, kao i na važnost koja se općenito pridaje dijalogu u hrvatskoj religijskoj pedagogiji. U radu se naglašava kako međureligijski i međukulturalni dijalog zajedno sa srodnim nastavnim sadržajima učenicima omogućuje obuhvatnije upoznavanje s drugim religijskim i kulturalnim tradicijama, proširuje njihove misaone i duhovne horizonte, otvara ih i uči poštivanju različitosti, razvija u njima osjećaj za kulturu susreta i dijaloga te ih priprema da postanu odgovorni vjernici i građani. Autor zaključuje kako su naučavanje Katoličke Crkve i istraživanja katoličke teologije na području međureligijskog i međukulturalnog dijaloga veoma bogati i nadahnjujući ne samo za religijski odgoj i obrazovanje nego za obrazovanje i za društvo u cjelini.Starting from the fact of religious and cultural pluralism that characterizes today’s global world and contemporary Europe, this paper wants to highlight and evaluate the increasing importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in religious education, especially in Catholic religious education. For this purpose, the author first presents the attitude of the Catholic Church towards interreligious dialogue in the light of (post) council teaching. It then points to the main determinants of the Catholic approach to intercultural dialogue, especially in education. The last part reviews in more detail the place that interreligious and intercultural dialogue has in the Curriculum of Catholic school religious education in Croatia, as well as the importance generally attached to dialogue in Croatian religious pedagogy. The paper emphasizes how interreligious and intercultural dialogue, together with related teaching content, enables students to get to know other religious and cultural traditions more comprehensively, expands their intellectual and spiritual horizons, opens them up and teaches them respect for diversity, develops in them a sense of the culture of encounter and dialogue, and prepares them to become responsible believers and citizens. The author concludes that the teaching of the Catholic Church and the research of Catholic theology in the field of interreligious and intercultural dialogue are very rich and inspiring not only for religious upbringing and education, but for education and for society as a whole

Islam as a paradigma facing contemporary European society and Christian thought

Islamska religija i civilizacija u vremenu globalizacije čine sastavni dio svjetske povijesti i kulture te zahtijevaju da se o njima promišlja na integrirajući i konstruktivan način, na način dijaloškog izazova i suživota, a ne isključivo kao prijetnju ili suparništvo. Dapače, islam u mnogočemu danas može poslužiti kao svojevrsni hermeneutički ključ kojim bi se moglo nanovo iščitati i reinterpretirati zapadnu civilizaciju, suvremeno europsko društvo, kao i kršćansku misao. S tog polazišta autor promatra islam kroz trostruku paradigmu – povijesno-političku, socio-religijsku i teološku – po kojima bi Europi i kršćanstvu islam mogao pridonijeti u obnovljenom razmišljanju o sebi i drugima. Osobito se ističe važnost muslimana iz Hrvatske i Bosne i Hercegovine koji su pozvani postati svojevrstan paradigmatski most između Istoka i Zapada.Islamic religion and civilization in the period of globalization makes up an integral part of world history and culture and demands to be thought about in an integrating and constructive way, in the sense of a dialogical challenge and coexistence, and not exclusively through the prism of threat or rivalry. On the contrary, in many ways Islam today can be used as a sort of hermeneutical key through which Western civilization, contemporary European society as well as Christian thought can be reread and reinterpreted again. Coming from this point of view, the author sees Islam through a triple paradigm – historical and political, socio-religious and theological – through which Islam could help Europe and Christianity to deliberate about themselves and others in a new way. He especially accentuates the importance of Muslims in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina who are called upon to become a sort of paradigmatic bridge between the East and West