The Effect of Color on Consumer WTP for Farmed Salmon

Atlantic salmon is recognized for its pink-red color. The color is due to deposition of color pigments in the muscles. Wild salmon absorb the pink-red color pigment astaxanthin from the crustaceans they eat. To impart the pink-red color in farmed salmon, synthetically produced astaxanthin is added to their feed. The more astaxanthin, the redder the flesh becomes. In conventional salmon farming, the relatively expensive astaxanthin constitutes approximately 15% of the total feed costs. In this study, we use a stated choice experiment with pictures to investigate consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for salmon with different degrees of redness. The results show that consumer WTP increases with the redness of the salmon. However, when consumers were informed about the origin of the color, the WTP for the above-normal-red salmon was reduced.choice experiment, color, mixed logit, salmon, WTP, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q13, Q22,

The influence of raised and reduced levels of peripheral serotonin on trabecular bone mass in rats

U nedavnim istraţivanjima se pokazalo kako periferni serotonin djeluje inhibitorno na proces koštane formacije. U našem istraţivanju smo koristili sublinije ţivotinja dobivene selektivnim kriţanjem sa višom odnosno niţom razinom perifernog serotonina što predstavlja fiziološki model za razliku od modela s izbaĉenim genom u kojem su dobivene ekstremne vrijednosti. Kako bi pokazali utjecaj perifernog i centralnog serotonina analizirali smo distalni dio bedrene kosti i kraljeţnicu mikro CT-om te denzitometrijom. PotvrĊene su statistiĉki znaĉajne razlike relevantnih koštanih parametara ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina u odnosu na ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina. Porastom vrijednosti serotonina dolazi do sniţavanja trabekularnog koštanog volumena. Nadalje, ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina imale su veću duljinu bedrene i goljeniĉne kosti od ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina. Dobiveni rezultati mogli bi posluţiti u daljnjim istraţivanjima i razvoju nove anaboliĉke terapije kojoj bi mehanizam djelovanja bio inhibicija kljuĉnih dijelova serotoninskog puta.Recent studies have shown that peripheral serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the process of bone formation. In our research, we used sublines of animals that have developed, through selective cross-breeding higher and lower levels of peripheral serotonin, which represents a physiological model, as opposed to the model with the excluded gene in which extreme values were obtained. To show the effect of peripheral and central serotonin, we have analysed the distal femur and the spine using micro-CT and densitometry. We confirmed statistically significant differences in relevant bone parameters of animals with reduced levels of serotonin, compared to animals with raised levels. The increase in the serotonin value leads to lowering trabecular bone volume. Measuring length and width of femur and shin bone we have found that increasing serotonin values leads to increasing bone length and width compared to animals with reduced levels of serotonin. The acquired results could help further research and the development of a new anabolic therapy, whose mechanism of action would be the inhibition of key parts of serotonergic pathways

The influence of raised and reduced levels of peripheral serotonin on trabecular bone mass in rats

U nedavnim istraţivanjima se pokazalo kako periferni serotonin djeluje inhibitorno na proces koštane formacije. U našem istraţivanju smo koristili sublinije ţivotinja dobivene selektivnim kriţanjem sa višom odnosno niţom razinom perifernog serotonina što predstavlja fiziološki model za razliku od modela s izbaĉenim genom u kojem su dobivene ekstremne vrijednosti. Kako bi pokazali utjecaj perifernog i centralnog serotonina analizirali smo distalni dio bedrene kosti i kraljeţnicu mikro CT-om te denzitometrijom. PotvrĊene su statistiĉki znaĉajne razlike relevantnih koštanih parametara ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina u odnosu na ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina. Porastom vrijednosti serotonina dolazi do sniţavanja trabekularnog koštanog volumena. Nadalje, ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina imale su veću duljinu bedrene i goljeniĉne kosti od ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina. Dobiveni rezultati mogli bi posluţiti u daljnjim istraţivanjima i razvoju nove anaboliĉke terapije kojoj bi mehanizam djelovanja bio inhibicija kljuĉnih dijelova serotoninskog puta.Recent studies have shown that peripheral serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the process of bone formation. In our research, we used sublines of animals that have developed, through selective cross-breeding higher and lower levels of peripheral serotonin, which represents a physiological model, as opposed to the model with the excluded gene in which extreme values were obtained. To show the effect of peripheral and central serotonin, we have analysed the distal femur and the spine using micro-CT and densitometry. We confirmed statistically significant differences in relevant bone parameters of animals with reduced levels of serotonin, compared to animals with raised levels. The increase in the serotonin value leads to lowering trabecular bone volume. Measuring length and width of femur and shin bone we have found that increasing serotonin values leads to increasing bone length and width compared to animals with reduced levels of serotonin. The acquired results could help further research and the development of a new anabolic therapy, whose mechanism of action would be the inhibition of key parts of serotonergic pathways

Prospektivno istraživanje prevencije kontrastne nefropatije u Republici Hrvatskoj

Aim: To explore the protective role of hydration, urine alkalization (Na bicarbonate) and high doses of antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine) in the prevention of CIN. Material and methods: In a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study patients were divided into three groups: 1) peroral hydration, 2) Na bicarbonate infusion and 3) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) plus NaHCO3 infusion. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were measured before and 48 hours after the angiography. Mehran score was calculated for each patient. Results: The study included 106 patients. Groups were comparable regarding the baseline characteristics. According to Mehran risk score 70 % of patients had a low risk, 24% medium and 6% high risk score for development of CIN. After the procedure renal function was preserved in all patients (SCr 103(87.0-121.5), BUN 5.8 (4.9-7.6), creatinine clearance 74.7(55.3-97.6), NGAL 11.4(5.4-19.9)) regardless of the Mehran risk score. The follow up was completed for 73 patients (68 %). Twenty two patients (32 %) developed chronic kidney disease, mostly classified as G3a and G3b according to KDIGO guidelines. Chronic kidney disease developed in patients with the positive history of diabetes and in patients who had higher Mehran score before the diagnostic procedure. Conclusion: The study showed that patients with preserved renal function are not prone to CIN. Regardless of the protocol used, no case of CIN was observed. Our results indicate that adequate hydration is a key component in maintaining the renal function. Higher Mehran score might be useful in predicting the development of chronic kidney disease.Cilj: Ispitati protektivnu ulogu hidracije, alkalizacije mokraće (natrijevim bikarbonatom) i visokih doza antioksidansa (N-acetilcistein) u prevenciji kontrastne nefropatije. Materijali i metode: U prospektivnom istraživanju pacijenti su bili podijeljeni u tri skupine: 1) peroralna hidracija, 2) infuzija natrijevog bikarbonata i 3) infuzija N-acetilcisteina (NAC) i NaHCO3. Serumska vrijednost kreatinina, ureje i neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) izmjerene su prije i 48 sati nakon angiografije. Svakom pacijentu izračunati su Mehran bodovi koji predstavljaju rizik razvoja kontrastne nefropatije. Rezultati: U istraživanje je uključeno 106 pacijenata. Sve tri skupine pacijenata imale su usporedive osnovne karakteristike. Prema bodovima po Mehranu, 70 % pacijenata imalo je niski rizik, 24 % srednji i 6 % visoki rizik razvoja kontrastne nefropatije. Nakon kontrastne pretrage bubrežna funkcija bila je očuvana u svih pacijenata (serumski kreatinin 103 (87.0 – 121.5), urea 5.8 (4.9 – 7.6), klirens kreatinina 74.7 (55.3 – 97.6), NGAL 11.4 (5.4 – 19.9)) neovisno o riziku procijenjenom bodovima po Mehranu. Praćenje je završeno za 73 pacijenta (68 %). Dvadeset i dva pacijenta (32 %) razvila su kroničnu bubrežnu insuficijenciju, klasificiranu prema KDIGO smjernicama kao G3a i G3b. Kronična bubrežna insuficijencija razvila se u pacijenata sa šećernom bolesti i u pacijenata koji su imali viši broj bodova prema Mehranu prije dijagnostičke pretrage. Zaključak: Istraživanje je pokazalo da pacijenti s normalnom bubrežnom funkcijom imaju mali rizik razvoja kontrastne nefropatije. U ispitivanoj skupini pacijenata nije zabilježen niti jedan slučaj kontrastne nefropatije bez obzira na vrstu protokola koji je korišten za hidraciju. Naši rezultati ukazuju na to da je adekvatna hidracija ključna u prevenciji kontrastne nefropatije. Nadalje, postoji mogućnost da viši broj bodova po Mehranu može poslužiti kao prediktor razvoja kronične bubrežne bolesti

LOW SPECIFICITY OF PLATELET TO SPLEEN RATIO FOR NONINVASIVE PREDICTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Dijagnoza varikoziteta jednjaka (VJ) postavlja se endoskopskim pregledom što je neugodna metoda koja nosi određeni rizik od komplikacija. Zbog toga se istražuju neinvazivne metode za karakterizaciju VJ. Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je analizirati vrijednost omjera broja trombocita i veličine slezene (OTS) za neinvazivnu karakterizaciju VJ u bolesnika s alkoholnom cirozom jetre (ACJ). U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 117 bolesnika s ACJ (20 žena i 97 muškaraca, prosječne dobi 60,7 godina). Svim bolesnicima učinjen je endoskopski pregled jednjaka, a varikoziteti su kvalifi cirani kao mali (5 mm). U svih je bolesnika ultrazvukom izmjeren dulji promjer slezene, te je iz uzorka krvi određen broj trombocita. Izračunat je OTS, te su dobivene vrijednosti komparirane s prisustvom, veličinom i rizikom od krvarenja iz VJ što je defi nirano endoskopski. Nije nađena značajna razlika u vrijednostima OTS između bolesnika bez VJ i s VJ (1,341±0,725 prema 1,053±0,636; p=0,06). Vrijednost OTS značajno se razlikuje u bolesnika s malim od onih s velikim VJ (1,103±0,689 prema 0,876±0,314; p<0,05) uz prijelomnu vrijednost 1,141 (senz. 94,7 %, specif. 38,2 %., AUROC=0,656 uz p=0,042). Vrijednost OTS ispod 1,182 upućuje na rizik od krvarenja iz VJ (senz. 91,7 %, specif. 38,5 %, AUROC =0,625, p=0,035). Zaključuje se da se u bolesnika s ACJ ne može preporučiti isključivo korištenje OTS za neinvazivnu predikciju postojanja i karakterizaciju VJ zbog njegove relativno niske specifi čnosti.Diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) is based upon endoscopic examination, which is a rather unpleasant method that carries a certain risk of complications. For that reason, efforts have been made to develop noninvasive methods for characterization of EV. The aim of this study was to explore the value of platelet count to spleen size ratio (PSR) for noninvasive prediction and characterization of EV in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). One hundred and seventeen patients (20 females and 97 males, mean age 60.7) with ALC were included in our research. All patients underwent endoscopic examination upon which the EV were classifi ed as small (5 mm), or absent. Spleen size (bipolar diameter in mm) was assessed by ultrasound. Platelet count to spleen diameter ratio was calculated and the values obtained were compared to the presence, size and risk of bleeding from EV as defi ned by endoscopy. No signifi cant difference in PSR could be found between patients without and with EV (1.341±0.725 vs. 1.053±0.636, respectively; p=0.06). The PSR was signifi cantly different between the patients with small and large EV (1.103±0.689 vs. 0.876±0.314; p<0.05) with a cut-off value of 1.141 (sensitivity 94.7%, specifi city 38.2%, AUROC=0.656; p=0.042). The value of PSR below 1.182 pointed to patients at risk from variceal bleeding with 91.7% sensitivity and 38.5% specifi city (AUROC =0.625, p=0.035). Based on our results, it is not possible to recommend the use of PSR as the exclusive noninvasive indicator for the presence, size and bleeding risk from EV due to its low specificity for these categories in patients with ALC

The influence of raised and reduced levels of peripheral serotonin on trabecular bone mass in rats

U nedavnim istraţivanjima se pokazalo kako periferni serotonin djeluje inhibitorno na proces koštane formacije. U našem istraţivanju smo koristili sublinije ţivotinja dobivene selektivnim kriţanjem sa višom odnosno niţom razinom perifernog serotonina što predstavlja fiziološki model za razliku od modela s izbaĉenim genom u kojem su dobivene ekstremne vrijednosti. Kako bi pokazali utjecaj perifernog i centralnog serotonina analizirali smo distalni dio bedrene kosti i kraljeţnicu mikro CT-om te denzitometrijom. PotvrĊene su statistiĉki znaĉajne razlike relevantnih koštanih parametara ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina u odnosu na ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina. Porastom vrijednosti serotonina dolazi do sniţavanja trabekularnog koštanog volumena. Nadalje, ţivotinje sa povišenom razinom serotonina imale su veću duljinu bedrene i goljeniĉne kosti od ţivotinja sa sniţenom razinom serotonina. Dobiveni rezultati mogli bi posluţiti u daljnjim istraţivanjima i razvoju nove anaboliĉke terapije kojoj bi mehanizam djelovanja bio inhibicija kljuĉnih dijelova serotoninskog puta.Recent studies have shown that peripheral serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the process of bone formation. In our research, we used sublines of animals that have developed, through selective cross-breeding higher and lower levels of peripheral serotonin, which represents a physiological model, as opposed to the model with the excluded gene in which extreme values were obtained. To show the effect of peripheral and central serotonin, we have analysed the distal femur and the spine using micro-CT and densitometry. We confirmed statistically significant differences in relevant bone parameters of animals with reduced levels of serotonin, compared to animals with raised levels. The increase in the serotonin value leads to lowering trabecular bone volume. Measuring length and width of femur and shin bone we have found that increasing serotonin values leads to increasing bone length and width compared to animals with reduced levels of serotonin. The acquired results could help further research and the development of a new anabolic therapy, whose mechanism of action would be the inhibition of key parts of serotonergic pathways

Peningkatan Sikap Ilmiah Siswa melalui Metode Eksperimen dalam Pembelajaran IPA Kelas IV SD/MI

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan sikap ilmiah peserta didik menggunakan metode eksperimen pada pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam Kelas IV SD/MI. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kombinasi antara penelitian tindakan kelas dan kuasi eksperimen. Selama kegiatan belajar mengajar, siswa telah melaksanakan aktifitas dengan baik seperti memperhatikan penjelasan guru/teman kelompok, siswa membaca LKS, bekerja dengan menggunakan alat peraga secara bersama-sama dan&nbsp; mencatat yang relevan dengan pembelajaran. Subjek penelitian tindakan kelas adalah siswa kelas IV Sekolah Dasar / Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Populasi penelitian kuasi ekspermen ini seluruh siswa kelas IV Sekolah Dasar Negeri/Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Sampel penelitiannya dipilih dua kelas di SD/MI yaitu kelas IVA dan IVB. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan lembar observasi dan tes. Analisis data menggunakan rata-rata (mean) dan uji-t. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa penerapan metode eksperimen dapat meningkatkan sikap ilmiah siswa secara signifikan dalam pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam pada siswa kelas IV. Sikap ilmiah siswa yang paling menonjol atau meningkat secara signifikan dari siklus ke siklus adalah sikap rasa ingin ingin tahu siswa. Hal itu dibuktikan dengan persentase perolehan nilai sikap ilmiah siswa yang semakin meningkat dari siklus kesiklus