COVID-19 and Pneumonia

Bolest uzrokovana novim koronavirusom 2019 (COVID-19) postala je prijetnja cijeloj svjetskoj populaciji. Njena česta komplikacija je upala pluća. Najčešći simptomi bolesti su povišena tjelesna temperatura, suhi kašalj, umor, iskašljavanje, zaduha. Rjeđi simptomi su glavobolja, suho grlo, probavne tegobe, simptomi gornjega dišnog puta, promjene u osjetu njuha i okusa. Starija dob i komorbiditeti kao što je visoki krvni tlak, šećerna bolest, kronične plućne bolesti, kardiovaskularne bolesti, srčane bolesti, pretilost predstavljaju značajni rizični faktor za bolesnike inficirane koronavirusom SARS-CoV-2. Uobičajeni laboratorijski nalazi uključuju limfopeniju, povišenu razinu C-reaktivnog proteina, feritina, aminotransferaza, laktat dehidrogenaze. Bolesnici koji razviju tešku kliničku sliku obično imaju brojne laboratorijske poremećaje što sugerira da SARS-CoV-2 infekcija može uzrokovati ozljedu stanične imunosti, aktivaciju koagulacije, oštećenje miokarda, jetre i bubrega. Najčešće komplikacije su akutni respiratorni distres sindrom, šok, aritmije, akutna ozljeda miokarda, akutno oštećenje bubrežne funkcije. Kompjuterizirana tomografija (CT) može biti korisna kao komplementarna metoda polimeraznoj lančanoj reakciji u realnom vremenu za dijagnozu COVID-19 pneumonije. Njezine glavne CT karakteristike su infiltrati tipa mliječnog stakla periferne i subpleuralne distribucije. Ova područja uzorka mliječnog stakla mogu se miješati s područjima žarišne konsolidacije i/ili se na njih superponiraju zadebljale intralobularne septe, što daje uzorak ludog popločenja.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a clinical threat to the general population worldwide. Pneumonia is a common complication of COVID-19. Most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum production, dyspnea. Less common symptoms include headaches, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms, upper airway symptoms, alterations in smell or taste. Higher age and comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and obesity, pose significant risk for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Common laboratory findings include lymphopenia, elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, aminotransferase levels and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Patients who develop severe disease typically have numerous laboratory abnormalities, which suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with cellular immune deficiency, coagulation activation, myocardial, hepatic and kidney injury. The most frequent complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, arrhythmias, acute cardiac injury and acute renal failure. Computed tomography (CT) may prove useful as a complementary method to real-time polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia. The main CT feature of COVID-19 pneumonia is the presence of ground-glass opacities (GGO), typically with peripheral and subpleural distribution. These areas of GGO may be admixed with areas of focal consolidation and/or associated with superimposed intralobular reticulations, resulting in a crazy-paving pattern

Verbalna memorija u bolesnika nakon operacije rupturirane i nerupturirane cerebralne aneurizme

A cerebral aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of a brain blood vessel with a risk to rupture. It occurs in about 2% of the population, somewhat more often in women. Most aneurysms are located in the anterior circulation area. Aneurysm rupture is relatively rare and accounts for 5% of all cerebrovascular brain incidents. Ruptured and asymptomatic/unruptured aneurysms are often treated surgically at the Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School University of Zagreb. The study included 134 patients after cerebral aneurysm surgery during the last 10 years, and neuropsychological testing was performed on average 77 days after surgery. The average age was 52 years and they completed an average of 12 years of education. In the group of patients included in this study, 40.3% of them were operated after ruptured, and 59.7% for unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Most aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral and anterior communicating arteries. With regard to lateralization, there was an equal number of aneurysms located in the right and left hemisphere and bilaterally (on the anterior communicating artery). As part of regular neuropsychological assessment, tests of verbal learning and memory (numerical, logical and mechanical memory) were applied. The aims of the study were to find out whether patients operated for ruptured cerebral aneurysms show greater verbal memory impairments than patients operated for unruptured cerebral aneurysms and whether there was the significant effect of lateralization of aneurysm (to check the interaction effect of both rupture and lateralization on those functions). The results obtained show that, even though there are no statistically significant differences between groups of patients that underwent surgery for ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysm, patients show a trend of somewhat better results on most of the verbal memory functions after surgery for unruptured brain aneurysm. The results show statistically significant difference between groups of patients that underwent surgery for ACoA aneurysm and those with right lateralized cerebral aneurysms on most of the trails on AVLT test. Also, patients with operated ACoA aneurysm have significantly worse scores in learning process (AVLT 3 and AVLT 4) and especially on short-term and long-term verbal memory than the patients who were operated for left or right lateralized aneurysm.Cerebralna aneurizma je proširenje cerebralne krvne žile kod kojeg postoji vjerojatnost rupture. Javlja se u oko 2% populacije, nešto češće kod žena, a većina je smještena je u području prednje cirkulacije. Ruptura aneurizme je relativno rijetka i predstavlja 5% svih cerebrovaskularnih moždanih incidenata. U Klinici za neurokirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu često se operativno liječe rupturirane, ali i asimptomatske/nerupturirane aneurizme. U ovo istraživanje uključeno je 134 bolesnika operiranih u zadnjih 10 godina, kod kojih je neuropsihologijsko testiranje provedeno u prosjeku 77 dana nakon operacije. Prosječna životna dob ispitanika je bila 52 godine te u prosjeku imaju 12 godina školovanja. U skupini bolesnika uključenih u ovo istraživanje 40.3% bolesnika operirano je nakon rupture aneurizme, a 59,7% bolesnika operirano je zbog nerupturirane aneurizme. Najviše je aneurizmi bilo smješteno na srednjoj mozgovnoj i prednjoj komunikantnoj arteriji. S obzirom na lateralizaciju, bio je podjednak broj aneurizmi smještenih u desnoj i lijevoj hemisferi odnosno bilateralno (na prednjoj komunikantnoj arteriji). U okviru redovne neuropsihologijske obrade primijenjeni su testovi verbalnog učenja i pamćenja (numeričko, logičko i mehaničko pamćenje). Cilj istraživanja bio je ustanoviti postoji li razlika u deficitima verbalnog pamćenja u bolesnika nakon operacije rupturiranih i nerupturiranih aneurizmi te postoji li značajan učinak lateralizacije aneurizme (provjeriti interakcijski učinak rupture i lateralizacije na te funkcije). Dobiveni rezultati su pokazali da, iako nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike između skupine bolesnika operiranih nakon rupturirane aneurizme i nerupturirane aneurizme, u većini ispitivanih funkcija bolesnici nakon operacije rupturirane aneurizme postižu nešto niže rezultate. Rezultati pokazuju statistički značajnu razliku između skupina pacijenata koji su operirani zbog ACoA aneurizme i onih s desnim lateralnim cerebralnim aneurizmama na većini ponavljanja na AVLT testu. Također, pacijenti s operiranom ACoA aneurizmom imaju značajno lošije rezultate u procesu učenja (AVLT3 i AVLT4), a posebno na kratkotročnom i dugoročnom verbalnom pamćenju od pacijenata koji su operirani zbog aneurizme smještene u lijevoj ili desnoj mozgovnoj hemisferi

Population-based reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand test

Objectives: To determine reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in an adult population. Methods: Cross-sectional study nested within a nationwide health promotion campaign in Switzerland. Adults performed the STS test and completed questions on demographics and health behavior. Results: 6,926 out of 7,753 (89.3 %) adults were able to complete the STS test. The median number of repetitions ranged from 50/min (25-75th percentile 41-57/min) in young men and 47/min (39-55/min) in young women aged 20-24years to 30/min (25-37/min) in older men and 27/min (22-30/min) in older women aged 75-79years. Conclusions: The reference values support the interpretation of 1-min STS test performance and identification of subjects with decreased lower body muscular strength and enduranc

Population-based reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand test

Abstract Objectives To determine reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in an adult population. Methods Cross-sectional study nested within a nationwide health promotion campaign in Switzerland. Adults performed the STS test and completed questions on demographics and health behavior

Quantification of coronary atherosclerotic burden with coronary computed tomography angiography: adapted Leaman score in Croatian patients

The aim of the study was to quantify the total coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) defined by coronary computed tomography adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) and to estimate its cut-off level for high coronary atherosclerotic burden. We enrolled 434 consecutive patients referred to coronary computed tomography angiography, of which 261 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as CAD risk factors were obtained. CAD pre-test probabilities were estimated by the Diamond-Forrester model and Morise score. The coronary atherosclerotic burden was estimated using CT-LeSc. As a cut-off for a high coronary atherosclerotic burden, we used 3rd tercile (Tc3) (CT-LeSc ≥ 5.52). We evaluated the association of clinical characteristics and risk factors with Tc3 in univariate and multivariate analysis. There were 60.9% males and 39.1% females, 81% of patients had above-normal weight, 68.2% hypertension, 54.0% dyslipidemia, 15.3% diabetes mellitus, 12.3% positive smoking history and 11.9% had a family history of CAD. According to the Diamond-Forrester model and Morise score the majority of patients had intermediate risk, 59.7 and 52.8%, followed by the high-risk group, 36.0 and 34.4%, respectively. Age, dyslipidemia, hypertension and pre-test risk scores in the univariate analysis significantly predicted Tc3. In the multivariate analysis, male sex (p = 0.004), dyslipidemia (p = 0.002) and coronary calcium score (< 0.001) were identified as predictors of Tc3. CT-LeSc quantified the total coronary atherosclerotic burden and showed an association of risk factors and pre-test probabilities with Tc3

Population-based reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand test

OBJECTIVES: To determine reference values for the 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) test in an adult population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study nested within a nationwide health promotion campaign in Switzerland. Adults performed the STS test and completed questions on demographics and health behavior. RESULTS: 6,926 out of 7,753 (89.3 %) adults were able to complete the STS test. The median number of repetitions ranged from 50/min (25-75th percentile 41-57/min) in young men and 47/min (39-55/min) in young women aged 20-24 years to 30/min (25-37/min) in older men and 27/min (22-30/min) in older women aged 75-79 years. CONCLUSIONS: The reference values support the interpretation of 1-min STS test performance and identification of subjects with decreased lower body muscular strength and endurance

Proteomics in food: Quality, safety, microbes, and allergens

Food safety and quality and their associated risks pose a major concern worldwide regarding not only the relative economical losses but also the potential danger to consumer's health. Customer's confidence in the integrity of the food supply could be hampered by inappropriate food safety measures. A lack of measures and reliable assays to evaluate and maintain a good control of food characteristics may affect the food industry economy and shatter consumer confidence. It is imperative to create and to establish fast and reliable analytical methods that allow a good and rapid analysis of food products during the whole food chain. Proteomics can represent a powerful tool to address this issue, due to its proven excellent quantitative and qualitative drawbacks in protein analysis. This review illustrates the applications of proteomics in the past few years in food science focusing on food of animal origin with some brief hints on other types. Aim of this review is to highlight the importance of this science as a valuable tool to assess food quality and safety. Emphasis is also posed in food processing, allergies, and possible contaminants like bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens

Water for all : Proceedings of the 7th international scientific and professional conference Water for all

The 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all is organized to honour the World Water Day by the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), Danube Parks, Croatian Food Agency, Croatian Water, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Department of Chemistry, Nature Park “Kopački rit”, Osijek- Baranja County, Public Health Institute of the Osijek- Baranja County and „Vodovod-Osijek“ -water supply company in Osijek. The topic of World Water Day 2017 was "Wastewater" emphasizing the importance and influence of wastewater treatments on global environment. The international scientific and professional conference Water for all is a gathering of scientists and experts in the field of water management, including chemists, biologists, civil and agriculture engineers, with a goal to remind people about the significance of fresh water and to promote an interdisciplinary approach and sustainability for fresh water resource management. The Conference has been held since 2011. About 300 scientists and engineers submitted 95 abstracts to the 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for all, out of which 33 was presented orally and 62 as posters. 47 full papers were accepted by the Scientific Committee. 38 full papers became the part of the this Proceedings while 9 papers were accepted for publication in Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology and Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Osijek - e-GFOS

Renal parenchymal diseases caused by hematologic neoplasms

Bubreg, parni organ, mase otprilike 150 grama u zdrava odrasla čovjeka, anatomski je smješten uz kralježnicu u retroperitonealnom prostoru. Zbog složene fiziološke uloge u regulaciji volumena i sastava odjeljaka tjelesnih tekućina, protok krvi kroz oba bubrega iznosi 20-25% srčanog minutnog volumena. S tim u vezi, često je oštećen ciljni organ u pacijenata oboljelih od hematoloških neoplazmi. Postoji široki spektar bubrežnih manifestacija hematoloških neoplazmi kao i patofizioloških mehanizama nastanka istih. Povezanost između raznih entiteta zajedničkog naziva hematološke neoplazme i bubrežnog oštećenja je složena i dvosmjerna. Uz to što određeni klinički sindromi i patohistološke promjene bubrežnog parenhima mogu biti uzrokovani malignom bolešću odnosno nefrotoksičnošću kemoterapije i druge specifične onkološke terapije, također postoji povezanost obolijevanja od malignoma u osoba sa oštećenom bubrežnom funkcijom. Nadalje, prva, a u nekim slučajevima i jedina prezentacija hematološke neoplazme može biti neki stupanj bubrežnog oštećenja, koje pak može biti klinički manifestno ili se dokazuje laboratorijski, odnosno patohistološki. Upravo ta spoznaja o kompleksnoj povezanosti bubrežne funkcije i osnovne bolesti (hematološke neoplazme) iznjedrila je novu subspecijalističku granu, onkonefrologiju, sa ciljem što boljeg i sveobuhvatnog zbrinjavanja ovih pacijenata. Nužno je naglasiti, da svaki korak u pristupu, počevši od dijagnostike, a zatim i liječenja i praćenja ishoda liječenja valja biti multidisciplinaran. U ovome su radu opisani osnovni patofiziološki mehanizmi bubrežnog oštećenja povezani sa pojedinim hematološkim neoplazmama, klinički sindromi kojima se ta oštećenja mogu prezentirati, dijagnostičko-terapijski pristup pacijentima te bubrežna funkcija nakon primjene specifičnih modaliteta onkološkog liječenja. Na koncu, stavljen je naglasak na važnost očuvanja bubrežne funkcije tijekom čitavog dijagnostičko-terapijskog procesa budući da je ona usko vezana uz tijek i sam ishod liječenja, kao i dugoročnu prognozu i kvalitetu života ovih bolesnika.The kidney is a paired organ that weighs approximately 150 grams in a healthy adult and is anatomically located next to the spine in the retroperitoneal space. Due to its complex physiological role in regulating volume and composition of the body´s fluid compartments, blood flow through both kidneys account for 20-25% of total cardiac output. In this regard, this target organ is often damaged in patients with hematological neoplasms. There is a wide range of renal manifestations of hematological neoplasms as well as pathophysiological mechanisms of their occurrence. The connection between various entities under the common name of hematological neoplasms and kidney damage is complex and bidirectional. In addition to the fact that certain clinical syndromes and pathohistological changes of the renal parenchyma can be caused by the malignant disease or nephrotoxicity of chemotherapy and other specific oncological therapies, there is also a correlation between the risk of malignancies in people with impaired renal function. Furthermore, the first and in some cases the only presentation of a hematological neoplasm can be some degree of kidney damage, which can in turn be clinically apparent or can be proven by laboratory testing and/or pathohistological sampling. It was this knowledge about the complex relationship between kidney function and the underlying disease (hematological neoplasm) that gave rise to a new branch in medicine, subspeciality, onco-nephrology, with the aim of providing the best possible and comprehensive care for these patients. It is necessary to emphasize that every step in the approach, starting with diagnostics, and than treatment, as well as monitoring of treatment outcomes, ought to be multidisciplinary. This paper describes the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of kidney damage associated with certain hematological neoplasms, clinical syndromes in which these damages can be presented, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients, and kidney function after the application of specific modalities of oncological treatment. Finally, emphasis is placed on the importance of preserving renal function during the entire diagnostic and therapeutic process, since it is closely related to the course and outcomes of oncological treatment, as well as the long-term prognosis and quality of life of these patients