Spatial distribution and density of dolines in the southeastern Velebit area

Ponikve pripadaju među najznačajnije krške oblike koji se stoga smatraju i dijagnostičkim oblicima krša. Njihov prostorni raspored i gustoća važan su pokazatelj stupnja okršenosti nekog prostora, ali i njegova cjelokupnoga geomorfološkog razvoja. Cilj ovoga rada je utvrditi prostorni raspored i gustoću ponikava te analizirati utjecaj geološke građe i morfometrijskih karakteristika terena (hipsometrija, nagib padina, vertikalna raščlanjenost) na prostorni raspored ponikava na području jugoistočnog Velebita. Prvi je put na području krša Hrvatske uspoređen prostorni raspored ponikava s prostornim rasporedom ulaza u speleološke objekte i to samo na dijelu jugoistočnog Velebita – Crnopcu. Podaci o položaju ponikava preuzeti su s topografskih karata 1:25 000. Svi podaci su digitalizirani i računalno analizirani s pomoću ArcGIS 10.1 programskog paketa u GIS laboratoriju GO PMF-a u Zagrebu. Istraživanjem je ustanovljen snažan utjecaj morfometrijskih parametara reljefa na gustoću ponikava. Najznačajnija pojava ponikava vezana je za područja nadmorskih visina 1000 – 1200 m, nagiba padina manjeg od 2° i vertikalne raščlanjenosti reljefa 100 – 200 m/km2. Također, najveća gustoća ponikava zabilježena je u karbonatnim naslagama jurske starosti te je utvrđeno da zone glavnih rasjeda nemaju značajniji utjecaj na povećanje gustoće ponikava. Usporedbom prostornog rasporeda i gustoće ponikava i ulaza u speleološke objekte utvrđen je njihov visok stupanj korelacije.Dolines are considered to be among the most prominent karst formations, which is why they can serve as diagnostic forms of karst. Their spatial distribution and density are important indicators of an area’s degree of karstification, as well as of an overall geomorphological development. The aim of this paper is to determine the spatial distribution and the density of dolines, and also to analyse the influence of geological structure and morphometric features of the terrain (hypsometry, slope inclination, relative relief) on the spatial distribution of dolines in the area of southeastern Velebit. Moreover, for the first time with regards to the Croatian karst, the spatial distribution of dolines was compared with the spatial distribution of entrances into caves in the southeastern Velebit’s area of Crnopac. The data on the dolines’ position were adopted from 1:25,000 scaled topographic maps. All data were digitalised and analysed with ArcGIS 10.1 software in the GIS laboratory of the Geographic Department of the Faculty of Science in Zagreb. The research showed a strong influence of morphometric parameters of the relief on dolines’ density. The most prominent occurrence of dolines is linked with the areas ranging from 1000 to 1200 meters of altitude, slope inclination lower than 2° and the relative relief of 100 – 200 m per km2. Furthermore, the highest density of dolines was recorded in the Jurassic carbonate layers, while it was determined that the zones of main faults do not have a significant influence on the increase of dolines’ density. A high degree of correlation was determined by comparing spatial distributions and density of dolines and entrances into caves

Lipid peroxidation, detoxification capacity, and genome damage in mice after transplacental exposure to pharmaceutical drugs

Data on genome damage, lipid peroxidation, and levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in newborns after transplacental exposure to xenobiotics are rare and insufficient for risk assessment. The aim of the current study was to analyze, in an animal model, transplacental genotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, and detoxification disturbances caused by the following drugs commonly prescribed to pregnant women: paracetamol, fluconazole, 5- nitrofurantoin, and sodium valproate. Genome damage in dams and their newborn pups transplacentally exposed to these drugs was investigated using the in vivo micronucleus (MN) assay. The drugs were administered to dams intraperitoneally in three consecutive daily doses between days 12 and 14 of pregnancy. The results were correlated, with detoxification capacity of the newborn pups measured by the levels of GPX in blood and lipid peroxidation in liver measured by malondialdehyde (HPLC-MDA) levels. Sodium valproate and 5-nitrofurantoin significantly increased MN frequency in pregnant dams. A significant increase in the MN frequency of newborn pups was detected for all drugs tested. This paper also provides reference levels of MDA in newborn pups, according to which all drugs tested significantly lowered MDA levels of newborn pups, while blood GPX activity dropped significantly only after exposure to paracetamol. The GPX reduction reflected systemic oxidative stress, which is known to occur with paracetamol treatment. The reduction of MDA in the liver is suggested to be an unspecific metabolic reaction to the drugs that express cytotoxic, in particular hepatotoxic, effects associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation

Suradnja Laboratorija za procesne parametre sa Savezom inovatora Zagreba

Nakon što su dostignuća na području razvoja inteligentne odjeće i termalnog manekena doživjela priznanje prihvaćanja patentnih prijava domaćih i stranih patentnih ureda te užeg kruga stručnjaka kroz obranu doktorskog rada i publiciranja više izvornih znanstvenih radova, odlučeno je da se prikaže široj javnosti te da se izloži na domaćim i stranim izložbama izuma, inovacija i patenata sa svrhom međunarodne valorizacije postignutih rezultata. Svesrdnu pomoć i podršku pružilo je vodstvo Saveza inovatora Zagreba koji su prepoznali potencijal spomenutih inovacija

Opportunistic screening for colorectal cancer in high-risk patients in family medicine practices in the Republic of Croatia

Colorectal cancer is a malignant neoplasm which has an increasing incidence and represents a global public health problem. The majority of patients are diagnosed after the age of 50, and the risk of developing it over lifetime is 5%. Development of preventive, diagnostic and treatment methods has resulted in a significant reduction in mortality and other negative clinical outcomes. Precisely because of the efficient method of prevention and early detection of this disease, numerous countries, including Croatia, have organized national colorectal cancer screening and monitoring programs. However, these programs are primarily organized for the population with the usual, i.e. average risk of developing colorectal cancer. High-risk groups include persons with endoscopically detected and removed colon polyps, persons surgically treated for colon cancer, persons with a positive family history of colorectal cancer, persons with inflammatory bowel diseases, individuals and families with hereditary disorders or genetic mutations that increase the risk of this disease several fold, persons with acromegaly, and patients who have undergone ureterosigmoidostomy. Recommendations for the detection and monitoring of high-risk groups are often not defined clearly, and some of the existing ones are based mostly on scarce scientific evidence. It is commonly accepted that screening in high-risk groups should start at an earlier age, with shorter intervals between follow-ups. The basic diagnostic method for screening and monitoring in these patient groups is endoscopic monitoring, or colonoscopy. The aim of this review paper is to present the characteristics of the abovementioned risk groups and provide clear screening recommendations

Scripta in honorem Igor Fisković: zbornik povodom sedamdesetog rođendana

The International Research Centre for Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages prepared a Festschrift in honour of one of its founders, Igor Fisković on the occassion of his 70th birthday. The Festschrift  includes works addressing the periods that Igor Fisković has dealt with most, thus reflecting the diversity of his interests, ranging from Late Antiquity to contemporary art, with key emphasis on the Late Middle Ages and early modernity. Due to the diversity and the broad period of time the texts are covering, they have been arranged more or less chronologically. The works focus mainly on the Late Middle Ages and the early modern period, Fisković’s forte and the topic of some of his best writings. There are also several texts addressing the baroque period, which was not one of the honouree’s interests, but they were written by some of his closest friends and members of the generation of his former students who have had prestigious careers. (from the Foreword)Zbornik je pripredio Međunarodni istraživački centar za kasnu antiku i srednji vijek povodom sedamdesetog rođendana jednog od svojih osnivača Igora Fiskovića. Zbornik obuhvaća radove koje pokrivaju razdoblja kojima se Igor Fisković ponajviše bavio, reflektirajući raznolikost njegovih interesa, od početne kasne antike i suvremene umjetnosti, do ključnoga naglaska na kasnom srednjem vijeku i početku modernog doba. Zbog te raznolikosti i širokog vremenskog razdoblja koje pokrivaju, radovi su poredani manje-više kronološki. Ističe se brojem radova upravo kasnosrednjovjekovno doba i početci modernoga, forte u kojem je Igor Fisković dao svoje ponajbolje radove. Uz njih je i više priloga koji pokrivaju razdoblje baroka, kojim se slavljenik nije bavio, no koji su iz pera njegovih najbliskijih prijatelja i one generacije njegovih bivših studenata koji su danas ostvarili ugledne karijere. (iz Predgovora

Scripta in honorem Igor Fisković: zbornik povodom sedamdesetog rođendana

The International Research Centre for Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages prepared a Festschrift in honour of one of its founders, Igor Fisković on the occassion of his 70th birthday. The Festschrift  includes works addressing the periods that Igor Fisković has dealt with most, thus reflecting the diversity of his interests, ranging from Late Antiquity to contemporary art, with key emphasis on the Late Middle Ages and early modernity. Due to the diversity and the broad period of time the texts are covering, they have been arranged more or less chronologically. The works focus mainly on the Late Middle Ages and the early modern period, Fisković’s forte and the topic of some of his best writings. There are also several texts addressing the baroque period, which was not one of the honouree’s interests, but they were written by some of his closest friends and members of the generation of his former students who have had prestigious careers. (from the Foreword)Zbornik je pripredio Međunarodni istraživački centar za kasnu antiku i srednji vijek povodom sedamdesetog rođendana jednog od svojih osnivača Igora Fiskovića. Zbornik obuhvaća radove koje pokrivaju razdoblja kojima se Igor Fisković ponajviše bavio, reflektirajući raznolikost njegovih interesa, od početne kasne antike i suvremene umjetnosti, do ključnoga naglaska na kasnom srednjem vijeku i početku modernog doba. Zbog te raznolikosti i širokog vremenskog razdoblja koje pokrivaju, radovi su poredani manje-više kronološki. Ističe se brojem radova upravo kasnosrednjovjekovno doba i početci modernoga, forte u kojem je Igor Fisković dao svoje ponajbolje radove. Uz njih je i više priloga koji pokrivaju razdoblje baroka, kojim se slavljenik nije bavio, no koji su iz pera njegovih najbliskijih prijatelja i one generacije njegovih bivših studenata koji su danas ostvarili ugledne karijere. (iz Predgovora

Croatian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term describing excessive accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, and is associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. NAFLD prevalence is on increase and goes in parallel with the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. That is why Croatian guidelines have been developed, which cover the screening protocol for patients with NAFLD risk factors, and the recommended diagnostic work-up and treatment of NAFLD patients. NAFLD screening should be done in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, or persons with two or more risk factors as part of metabolic screening, and is carried out by noninvasive laboratory and imaging methods used to detect fibrosis. Patient work-up should exclude the existence of other causes of liver injury and determine the stage of fibrosis as the most important factor in disease prognosis. Patients with initial stages of fibrosis continue to be monitored at the primary healthcare level with the management of metabolic risk factors, dietary measures, and increased physical activity. Patients with advanced fibrosis should be referred to a gastroenterologist/ hepatologist for further treatment, monitoring, and detection and management of complications

Hypersensitivity to Pollen of Olea Europea in Patients with Pollen Allergy in Zadar Country, Croatia

Preosjetljivost na pelud masline važan je uzrok peludnih alergija u mediteranskim zemljama. Cilj ovoga rada bio je utvrditi učestalost preosjetljivosti na pelud masline među bolesnicima s peludnom alergijom u Zadru i Zadarskoj županiji. Dobivene rezultate usporedili smo s ranijim ispitivanjem preosjetljivosti na pelud masline u Dalmaciji. Ukupno je obrađen 671 ispitanik s preosjetljivosti na peludne alergene. Od toga broja 61 % ispitanika bilo je muškog spola, a 39 % je bilo ženskog spola. Od ukupno ispitanih 53.5 % činila su djeca u dobi od 4 do 14 godina, a preostalih 46.5 % bili su odrasli u dobi od 15 do 59 godina života. Svim ispitanicima uzeta je detaljna obiteljska i osobna anamneza, napravljen klinički pregled te učinjeno kožno prick-testiranje i enzimatsko-imunološki UniCAP-test za određivanje specifi čnih IgE-protutijela. Statistička obrada podataka učinjena je χ2-testom. Preosjetljivost na pelud masline dokazana je u 8.8 % bolesnika s peludnom alergijom. Najveći broj bolesnika s preosjetljivosti na pelud masline boluje od alergijskog rinitisa, 58 % bolesnika. Postoji statistički značajna razlika u broju bolesnika između dvije ispitivane sredine, gradske i seoske. Samo 3 % bolesnika stanovnici su otoka. Preosjetljivost na pelud masline u našem ispitivanju najniža je u odnosu na ispitivanja provedena u drugim mediteranskim zemljama. Najčešće se očituje kliničkom slikom alergijskog rinitisa, a statistički je značajno češća u gradskoj sredini. Usporedba preosjetljivosti na pelud masline tijekom dvaju ispitivanih razdoblja u našoj zemlji nije pokazala porast broja bolesnika s preosjetljivosti na pelud masline.Olive pollen is one of the most common respiratory allergens in the Mediterranean countries. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of hypersensitivity to the pollen of Olea europea in pollen allergic patients in the County of Zadar. The study included 671 patients with pollen allergy; 61 % were male and 39 % female. 53.5 % were children aged from 4 to 14 years and 46.5 % adolescents and adults from 15 to 59 years. We took their case history, clinically examined them, and tested using the skin prick test and enzymo-immunologic UniCAP test for specifi c IgE antibodies. For statistical analysis we used the chi-square test. Hypersensitivity to Olea europea pollen was confi rmed in 8.8 % patients with pollen allergy. Among them, the most prevalent symptom was rhinitis (58 %). Most hypersensitive patients were urban residents. Only 3 % patients lived on an island. Judging by available data, our fi ndings show the lowest hypersensitivity to olive pollen in the Mediterranean. A comparison with our two earlier studies did not show any fl uctuation in this kind of hypersensitivity

Denitrifying dephosphatation over nitrite

U ovom radu istražena je denitrificirajuća defosfatacija otpadne vode u anoksičnim uvjetima. Kao izvor ugljika korišten je natrijev acetat pri omjerima (i) C/NO2-N = 1 početne koncentracije 24,1 mg NO2-N/L i 11,2 mg PO4-P/L; (ii) C/NO2-N = 2 početne koncentracije 23,9 mg NO2-N/L i 12,0 mg PO4-P/L; (iii) C/NO2-N = 3 početne koncentracije 25,2 mg NO2-N/L i 12,3 mg PO4-P/L; (iv) C/NO2-N = 4 početne koncentracije 25,8 mg NO2-N/L i 10,4 mg PO4-P/L; (v) C/NO2-N = 7 početne koncentracije 23,2 mg NO2-N/L i 10,9 mg PO4-P/L. Pokazano je da aktivni mulj provodi proces denitrificirajuće defosfatacije u anoksičnim uvjetima, pri koncentraciji otopljenog kisika DO≤0,4 mg/L. Natrijev acetat se pokazao kao povoljan izvor ugljika za denitrificirajuću defosfataciju. Omjer C/NO2-N = 4 dostatan je za potpunu denitrifikaciju u istraživanim uvjetima. Maksimalna količina uklonjenog fosfora je pri istraživanim uvjetima 24,5±1,3 mg NO2-N/L pri omjeru N/P 2,1 i pri omjerima C/NO2-N = 4 i C/NO2-N = 7, iznosila 72,1% i 71,6%.In this paper denitrifying dephosphatation of wastewater under anoxic conditions was evaluated. Sodium acetate was used as the carbon source, at ratios: (i) C/NO2-N = 1 initial concentration 24,1 mg NO2-N/L and 11,2 mg PO4-P/L; (ii) C/NO2-N = 2 initial concentration 23,9 mg NO2-N/L and 12,0 mg PO4-P/L; (iii) C/NO2-N = 3 initial concentration 25,2 mg NO2-N/L and 12,3 mg PO4-P/L; (iv) C/NO2-N = 4 initial concentration 25,8 mg NO2-N/L and 10,4 mg PO4-P/L; (v) C/NO2-N = 7 initial concentration 23,2 mg NO2-N/L and 10,9 mg PO4-P/L. The obtained results showed that activated sludge carried out process of denitrifying dephosphatation under anoxic conditions, at a dissolved oxygen concentration of DO≤0,4 mg/L. Sodium acetate was a good carbon source for denitrifying dephosphatation. Ratio C/NO2-N = 4 was sufficient for complete denitrification under investigated conditions. The highest amount of phosphorus removal under investigated conditions of 24,5±1,3 mg NO2-N/L with ratio N/P 2,1 and C/NO2-N = 4 and C/NO2-N = 7, was 72,1% i 71,6%

Open field and novel object tests appliance in neuroscience

Bihevioralna znanost, kao podgrana neuroznanosti, bavi se proučavanjem kognitivnih procesa te obrazaca ponašanja životinja u laboratorijski kontroliranim uvjetima. Test otvorenog polja (open field test – skraćeno OFT) je jedan od najčešće korištenih metoda istraživanja u bihevioralnoj znanosti (Belzung 2014). Uz njega, u zadnje vrijeme test novog objekta (novel object test – skraćeno NOT) dobiva na sve većoj popularnosti. OFT i NOT primjenjivani su na cijelom spektru životinja od beskralježnjaka pa sve do odvedenijih sisavaca poput majmuna. U ovom radu dan je pregled u varijabilnost čimbenika unutar metodologije koji se koriste pri eksperimentalnom istraživanju. Vrlo je široka primjena testova OFT-a i NOT-a u medicini gdje se može pratiti djelovanje anksiolitika, koje su posljedice lezija mozga ili genetskih mana, otkriti sedacija ili hiperaktivno ponašanje, kao i napraviti procjenu učenja i pamćenja te istražiti općeniti učinak lijekova i supstanci na ponašanje (Belzung 2014). Mnogi znanstvenici iznijeli su kritiku na OFT i NOT gdje se iznosi problematika nekoordiniranosti u metodologiji odnosno samom procesu provedbe eksperimenta. Čimbenici poput rukovanja životinja prije testiranja, oblik novog objekta koji se koristi u NOT-u, odvajanje životinje od socijalne grupe pri testiranju te prisilno sučeljavanje organizma s OF-om uvelike utječu na daljnje ponašanje životinje u eksperimentu. Stoga je bitno svaki korak specificirati te zajedničkim naporima doći do rješenja kako smanjiti utjecaj tih faktora.Behavioural science, as a neuroscience branch, studies cognitive processes and patterns of animal behaviour in laboratory-controlled conditions. The OFT (abbreviation for open field test) is one of the most commonly used research methods in behavioural science (Belzung 2014). Along with it, the NOT (abbreviation for novel object test) has been gaining in popularity lately. OFT and NOT have been applied to the broad-spectrum of animals from invertebrates to advanced mammals such as monkeys. This paper provides an overview of factors variability within the methodology used in experimental research. OFT and NOT are extensively used in medicine where they reveal the effects of anxiolytics, explore which are the consequences of brain lesions and genetic defects, detect sedation or ADHD behaviour, as well as assess learning and memory and reveal effect of drugs and substances (Belzung 2014). Many scientists have criticised OFT and NOT about the lack of coordination in the methodology and about the process of conducting the experiment issue. Factors such as handling animals prior testing, the shape of the novel object used in the NOT, separation of the animal from the social group for testing and forced confrontation of the organism with OF greatly influence the further behaviour of the animal in the experiment. Hence, it is important to specify all the steps used in research and come up with a solution to reduce the impact of these factors