Predictors of training efficacy during n-back training

Numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of various cognitive trainings, with working memory being the most often trained cognitive aspect. In this regard, executive aspects of working memory have received the most attention, with updating training being vastly explored. In this study, we aimed to examine the differential contribution of some individual characteristics to the efficacy of updating training using a well-established n-back training paradigm. More specifically, we examined the contribution of fluid reasoning (gf), and personality (neuroticism, conscientiousness) to training efficacy. Participants (N = 47) took part in a 15-session, dual n-back training, spread over 4 weeks. They were pretested for fluid reasoning (CFT-3), personality (IPIP-100), and performed the initial testing on the OSPAN task. OSPAN was measured in three additional measurement points (after 5th, 10th, 15th session). The data was analyzed within the multilevel modeling approach. Initial hypotheses were partly confirmed, in that: 1) training was efficient in terms of OSPAN score, which grew linearly over time and the trajectory was similar between participants, 2) although the growth was similar for all participants, differences were found in intercepts, and 3) these differences could be partly explained by differences in fluid reasoning, but not with personality traits of conscientiousness and neuroticism

The Antimicrobial Effect of Calasept, Superlux Calcium Hydroxide Liner and Gutta-percha with Calcium Hydroxide

Mikroorganizmi i učinci njihova metabolizma glavni su uzročnici patoloških promjena u zubnoj pulpi i u periradikularnom tkivu. Svrha našega istraživanja bila je in vitro odrediti bakterijsku učinkovitost Calasepta (Speico, Darmstadt, Njemačka), Superlux calcium hydroxidelinera (Dental Material Gesellschaft, Hamburg, Njemačka) i Calcium hydroxide conesa (ROEKO Langenau, Njemačka) u izravnom doticaju s mikroorganizmima. Uporabljeni su mikroorganizmi Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) i Candida albicans (NCTC 3123). Pripravljena je prekonoćna miješana kultura mikroorganizama (108 CFU/ml). U tu suspenziju na 5 je minuta uronjeno ukupno 36 absorbirajućih sterilnih papirnih konusa N 50 (ROEKO Langenau, Njemačka) i 18 gutaperka konusa presvučenih kalcijevim hidroksidom (ROEKO Langenau, Germany). Konusi su nakon toga smjeπteni u petrijevke (7). Papirni štapići tada su pažljivo prekriveni s Calaseptom ili Superlux calcium hydroxide linerom. U razmacima od 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 i 72 sata tri “pointa” od svake ispitne skupine su uklonjena iz doticaja s pastom kalcijeva hidroksida i uronjeni u soja triptoza bujon. Inkubirani su 72 h na 37°C, aerobno. Antimikrobni učinak Calasepta i Superlux Calcium hydroxid linera pokazao se nakon 6 h za Enterococcus faecalis i nakon 12 h za Candidu albicans. Antimikrobmo djelovanje gutaperka štapića prekrivenih kalcijevim hidroksidom nije primijećeno nit za jedan ispitani mikroorganizam u 72 h.Microorganisms are the main cause of disease in root canals and periapically. Facultative bacteria and fungi have been identified in persistent endodontic infection. The objective of this study was to determine in vitro the efficacy of: Calasept (Speiko, Darmstadt, Germany), Superlux calcium hydroxide liner (Dental Material Gesellschaft, Hamburg, Germany) and gutta-percha with calcium hydroxide (Roeko, Langenau, Germany) in direct contact with microorganisms. The microorganisms used were: Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Candida albicans (NCTC 3123). An overnight mixed broth culture of microorganisms (108 CFU/ml) was prepared. Paper points and gutta-percha points were immersed in suspension for 5 min. The paper points were then covered with Calasept and Superlux calcium hydroxide liner. At intervals of 0; 6; 12; 24; 48 and 72 h at 37°C, aerobically. The antimicrobial effect of Calasept and Superlux calcium hydroxide liner apparently occured after 6h on Enterococcus faecalis and 12 h on Candida albicans. With gutta-percha, this effect did not occur for either Enterococcus faecalis or Candida albicans after 72 h

Citotoksično djelovanje Ca(OH)2 materijala za punjenje korijenskog kanala na vezivno, koštano i mišićno tkivo

Among numerous root canal sealers those on the basis of Ca(OH)2 are used too. The purpose of this study was to examine possible toxic impact of sealers based on Ca(OH)2 (Sealapex, Kerr and Apexit, Vivadent) on the connective tissue, muscle, bone and cartilage, and compared the results with the impact o f sealers based on the polyketonic compound (Diaket, ESPE). In our experiment 52 female mice of the C-57 BLI6 breed were used. 0.5 ccm of the sealer was injected subcutaneously into the tail root of the laboratory animals. This experimental model was elected due to this location all the examined structures were present. The control group was injected Hanks. The test period was 2, 8 and 30 days respectively, and the sealers impact was histologically examined. After eight days period, the most severe inflammation develops in Sealapex-injected group. After 30 days period in Apexit group, the mildest inflammatory reaction was found. The results indicated Apexit to be the mildest irritant and it had not penetrated into the deeper layers of the tissue.Među mnogim materijalima za punjenje korijenskih kanala danas se sve više upotrebljavaju oni na bazi kalcijevog hidroksida. Željeli smo ispitati mogući toksični učinak materijala na bazi kalcijevog hidroksida (Sealapex, Kerr i Apexit, Vivadent) ipoliketona (Diaket ESPE) na vezivno tkivo, mišiće, kosti i hrskavicu. U korijen repa 52 miša C-57 BL/6 inicirano je 0,5 ccm ispitivanog materijala. Kontrolnoj grupi iniciran je Hanks. Životinje su žrtvovane nakon 2, 8 i 30 dana i napravljeni su histološki preparati. Rezultati pokazuju Apeksit kao najblaži iritans od ispitivanih materijala

Some dairy traits of Istrian ewes kept in semiintensive farming conditions

Istarska ovca je najmliječnija izvorna hrvatska pasmina ovaca iako izvorno pripada skupini ovaca kombiniranih proizvodnih odlika. S obzirom da se mlijeko istarske ovce tradicijski najčešće prerađuje u sir te da su preradbene mogućnosti mlijeka, između ostaloga, uvjetovane njegovim kemijskim sastavom i higijenskom kvalitetom, cilj je rada bio utvrditi utjecaj određenih okolišnih čimbenika (godina, redoslijed i stadij laktacije, sezona (mjesec) janjenja) na dnevnu i laktacijsku proizvodnju mlijeka, trajanje laktacije, kemijski sastav i broj somatskih stanica (BSS) u mlijeku istarskih ovaca. Istraživanjem su ukupno obuhvaćene 83 čistokrvne, muzne istarske ovce, tijekom triju uzastopnih laktacija (od 2012. do 2014. godine). S obzirom na uvjete hranidbe, njege i smještaja, sve ovce su tijekom cijelog istraživanja držane u identičnim (poluintenzivnim) proizvodnim uvjetima. U razdoblju mužnje provođene su redovite mjesečne kontrole mliječnosti ovaca primjenom AT metode. Pri provedbi kontrola mliječnosti, prikupljani su i uzorci mlijeka u svrhu utvrđivanja njegova kemijskog sastava i utvrđivanja broja somatskih stanica u mlijeku. Tijekom prosječnog trajanja laktacije od 206 dana istarske ovce su proizvele prosječno 190,77 kg mlijeka, odnosno prosječno 1,1 kg mlijeka dnevno. Mlijeko istarskih ovaca prosječno je sadržavalo 6,81% mliječne masti, 5,90% bjelančevina, 4,32% laktoze, 18,08% suhe tvari i 11,31% bezmasne suhe tvari. Geometrijska srednja vrijednost BSS u mlijeku istarskih ovaca bila je 316*103*mL-1 mlijeka (log 5,50±0,02). Utvrđen je statistički značajan (P 0,05), dok su prvojanjke proizvele mlijeko s najbogatijim prosječnim kemijskim sastavom. Stadij laktacije je značajno (P < 0,001) utjecao na dnevnu proizvodnju mlijeka, kemijski sastav i BSS u mlijeku. Ovce ojanjene u prosincu su ostvarile značajno (P < 0,001) veću prosječnu dnevnu i laktacijsku proizvodnju mlijeka od onih ojanjenih u siječnju i veljači. Utvrđena je negativna korelacija (P < 0,001) između BSS (log10) i dnevne proizvodnje mlijeka, dok je BSS (log10) bio u pozitivnoj korelaciji (P < 0,001) sa sadržajem suhe tvari, mliječne masti i bjelančevina u mlijeku.Istrian sheep has the highest milk yield among indigenous Croatian sheep breeds though originally belongs to a group of sheep of combined production traits. Since milk of Istrian sheep is traditionally processed into cheese and that processing possibilities of milk, among other things, are defined by its chemical composition and hygienic quality, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of some environmental factors (year, parity, stage of lactation, season (month) of lambing) on daily and lactation milk yield, lactation length, milk chemical composition and the somatic cell count (SCC) in the milk of Istrian ewes. A total of 83 purebred, dairy Istrian sheep, during three consecutive lactations (from 2012 to 2014), were involved in this research. Due to conditions of feeding, care and housing, all ewes were kept in identical (semi-intensive) farming conditions throughout the whole study period. During milking period of lactation regular milking controls were carried out (AT method) and, on these occasions, individual milk samples for chemical composition analysis and determination of somatic cell count were taken. During average lactation length of 206 days Istrian ewes produced on average 190.77 kg of milk, or 1.1 kg of milk per day. Milk of Istrian ewes on average contained 6.81% fat, 5.90% protein, 4.32% lactose, 18.08% total solids and 11.31% non-fat solids. The geometric mean of SCC was 316*103*mL-1 of milk (log 5.50±0.02). A significant (P < 0.001) effect of the year is determined on the milk yield and the lactation length, as well as the chemical composition of milk (with the exception of protein) and SCC. Ewes in the fourth lactation achieved the highest average daily (P < 0.001) and lactation milk yield (P < 0.05), while the first-lambing ewes produced milk with the highest contentof total solids, milk fat and proteins. Stage of lactation significantly (P < 0.001) affected the daily milk yield, milk chemical composition, as well as the somatic cell count in ewe’s milk. Ewes born in December produced significantly (P < 0.001) more milk than ewes born in January and February. There was a negative correlation between SCC (log10) and daily milk yield (P < 0.001), while the SCC (log10) was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with the contents of total solids, milk fat and proteins

SLAUGHTER CHARACTERISTICS AND CARCASS TRAITS OF TRAVNIK PRAMENKA SHEEP

Cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi klaoničke pokazatelje, odlike trupova te boju i pH vrijednost mišićnog tkiva ovaca, ovnova i kastrata travničke pramenke. U tu svrhu zaklano je 69 odraslih grla travničke pramenke, uključujući: 25 ovaca, 22 ovna i 22 kastrata. Klanje životinja je provedeno u ovlaštenoj klaonici, a trupovi su podvrgnuti standardnim postupcima obrade, nakon koje je utvrđena masa svih unutarnjih organa, zatim kože s donjim dijelovima nogu te obrađenih trupova. Neposredno nakon klanja obavljena su mjerenja trupova i određivanje boje mesa na mišićnoj regiji M. rectus abdominis (MRA) i M. semitendinosus (MS), dok je određivanje vrijednosti pH M. longissimus dorsi (MLD) provedeno unutar 45 minuta nakon klanja (pH45) te 24 sata nakon klanja (pH24). Istraživanjem je utvrđeno postojanje značajnih razlika (P<0,01) u tjelesnoj masi neposredno prije klanja između grla istraživanih kategorija (ovce 59,47 kg; ovnovi 71,19 kg; kastrati 68,05 kg), što se značajno (P<0,01) odrazilo i na masu toplih te hladnih trupova. Najviši randman (49,54%) utvrđen je u kastriranih, a najniži u rasplodnih ovnova (47,75%). Podjednake vrijednosti utvrđene su za duljinu, dubinu i širinu trupa, dok se duljina stražnje noge značajno razlikovala između svih istraživanih kategorija (P<0,05 i P<0,01). Najveća masa jetre utvrđena je u ovnova, dok prosječne vrijednosti pH (pH45 i pH24) MLD-a između istraživanih kategorija ovaca nisu bile značajne. Utvrđena je niža vrijednost L* i značajno (P<0,01) više vrijednosti a* i b* pokazatelja boje MRA u ovaca nego u ovnova i kastrata. Vrijednost L* pokazatelja MS-a je bila najniža (P<0,01) u ovaca, vrijednost a* pokazatelja najviša (P<0,05) u kastrata, dok se vrijednost b* pokazatelja značajno razlikovala između svih istraživanih kategorija (P<0,05 i P<0,01).The aim of this study was to determine slaughter characteristics, carcass traits and colour value and pH indicators in muscular tissue of ewes, rams and wethers of Travnik Pramenka sheep. For that purpose, 69 mature sheep’s were slaughtered at three sex categories: 25 ewes, 22 rams and 22 wethlers. Animals were slaughtered in authorized abattoir, and carcasses were submitted to standard procedures of processing, after that all internal organs were weight and skin with lower legs and carcass weight were determinated. After that carcass measurements were taken, pH values (pH45 and pH24) were determined in M. longissimus dorsi (MLD) and colour indicators in M. ractus abdominis (MRA) and M. semitendinosus (MS). Significant (P<0.01) differences were determined in slaughter weight among researched categories (ewes 59.47 kg; rams 71.19 kg; wethers 68.05 kg), that were significantly (P<0.01) reflected on hot and cold carcass weight. The weight of certain internal organs were not significantly different, except liver weight that was the largest (P<0.01) in rams. pH values (pH45 and pH24) of MLD were not significantly different among researched categories. Lower L* and significantly (P<0.01) higher values of a* and b* indicators of colour MRA were determined in ewes then in rams and wethlers. Also, the value of L* indicator of MS was the lowest (P<0.01) in ewes, while a* value was the highest (P<0.05) in wethlers. b* value was significantly different between all researched categories (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Equal values were determined for carcass length, depth and width, while the hind limb length was significantly different between researched categories of Travnik Pramenka sheep

The Antimicrobial Effect of Calasept, Superlux Calcium Hydroxide Liner and Gutta-percha with Calcium Hydroxide

Mikroorganizmi i učinci njihova metabolizma glavni su uzročnici patoloških promjena u zubnoj pulpi i u periradikularnom tkivu. Svrha našega istraživanja bila je in vitro odrediti bakterijsku učinkovitost Calasepta (Speico, Darmstadt, Njemačka), Superlux calcium hydroxidelinera (Dental Material Gesellschaft, Hamburg, Njemačka) i Calcium hydroxide conesa (ROEKO Langenau, Njemačka) u izravnom doticaju s mikroorganizmima. Uporabljeni su mikroorganizmi Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) i Candida albicans (NCTC 3123). Pripravljena je prekonoćna miješana kultura mikroorganizama (108 CFU/ml). U tu suspenziju na 5 je minuta uronjeno ukupno 36 absorbirajućih sterilnih papirnih konusa N 50 (ROEKO Langenau, Njemačka) i 18 gutaperka konusa presvučenih kalcijevim hidroksidom (ROEKO Langenau, Germany). Konusi su nakon toga smjeπteni u petrijevke (7). Papirni štapići tada su pažljivo prekriveni s Calaseptom ili Superlux calcium hydroxide linerom. U razmacima od 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 i 72 sata tri “pointa” od svake ispitne skupine su uklonjena iz doticaja s pastom kalcijeva hidroksida i uronjeni u soja triptoza bujon. Inkubirani su 72 h na 37°C, aerobno. Antimikrobni učinak Calasepta i Superlux Calcium hydroxid linera pokazao se nakon 6 h za Enterococcus faecalis i nakon 12 h za Candidu albicans. Antimikrobmo djelovanje gutaperka štapića prekrivenih kalcijevim hidroksidom nije primijećeno nit za jedan ispitani mikroorganizam u 72 h.Microorganisms are the main cause of disease in root canals and periapically. Facultative bacteria and fungi have been identified in persistent endodontic infection. The objective of this study was to determine in vitro the efficacy of: Calasept (Speiko, Darmstadt, Germany), Superlux calcium hydroxide liner (Dental Material Gesellschaft, Hamburg, Germany) and gutta-percha with calcium hydroxide (Roeko, Langenau, Germany) in direct contact with microorganisms. The microorganisms used were: Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Candida albicans (NCTC 3123). An overnight mixed broth culture of microorganisms (108 CFU/ml) was prepared. Paper points and gutta-percha points were immersed in suspension for 5 min. The paper points were then covered with Calasept and Superlux calcium hydroxide liner. At intervals of 0; 6; 12; 24; 48 and 72 h at 37°C, aerobically. The antimicrobial effect of Calasept and Superlux calcium hydroxide liner apparently occured after 6h on Enterococcus faecalis and 12 h on Candida albicans. With gutta-percha, this effect did not occur for either Enterococcus faecalis or Candida albicans after 72 h

Rijetka Dravet-like – epileptička encefalopatija s novom mutacijom gena PCDH19

Mutacija gena PCDH19, koji kodira protokaderin 19 na kromosomu Xq22, rezultira epilepičkim sindromom s početkom napadaja u dojenačkoj dobi, s blagim do teškim intelektualnim oštećenjem i autističnim obilježjima ili bez njih. Ovaj poremećaj pokazuje neobičan obrazac X- vezanog nasljeđivanja, koji zahvaća heterozigotne žene, ali štedi hemizigotne muškarce. Smatra se da se temeljni odgovorni mehanizam odnosi na „celularnu interferenciju“. Postoji široki klinički spektar napadaja, uglavnom s početkom u dojenačkom ili ranom dječjem razdoblju. Dio bolesnika pokazuje fenotip nalik na sindrom Dravet. Napadaji se uglavnom javljaju u kratkim serijama, već kod blago do umjereno povišene tjelesne temperature. U početnoj fazi primjena antiepileptičkih lijekova relativno slabo utječe na smanjenje napadaja. No s napredovanjem bolesti, učestalost napadaja i njihova farmakorezistencija opadaju. Mogu se javiti smetnje ponašanja, kao što su autistična, opsesivna ili agresivna obilježja. Prikazana je devetogodišnja djevojčica koja od rane dječje dobi boluje i liječi se od farmakorezistentne epilepsije, koja se klinički prezentirala serijom žarišnih motoričkih napadaja praćenih strahom i vrištanjem. Ponavljani interiktalni i iktalni elektroencefalogrami, u budnosti i spavanju, bili su bez specifi čnih abnormalnosti, kao i slikovni prikaz mozga magnetskom rezonancijom visoke rezolucije (3T). Analizom cerebrospinalnog likvora isključene su upalne bolesti središnjeg živčanog sustava, a opsežnom metaboličkom obradom rijetke bolesti s epileptičkim napadajima. Nakon prvih napadaja preporučen je fenobarbiton, a nakon recidiviranja bila je na terapiji s više kombinacija različitih antiepileptika i nijedna nije bila učinkovita. Potpuna kontrola napadaja nikad nije postignuta. Genskom analizom pronađena je nova heterozigotna nonsense mutacija (c.1630C>T ; p. Q544X) u egzonu 1 gena PCDH 19 na Xq22.1. U terapiju je uključen perampanel uz valproat i levetiracetam. Željeli smo upozoriti na rijedak oblik epileptičke encefalopatije od koje obolijevaju samo ženska djeca i na koju treba obratiti pozornost u diferencijalnoj dijagnozi nekontroliranih epileptičkih sindroma vezanih za febrilna stanja