Epidemiologic characteristics of campylobacteriosis in hospitalized patients

Među 1632 bolesnika s kampilobakteriozom hospitalizirana od 1994.–2002. godine, nije utvrđen porast udjela kampilobakterioza u odnosu na sve druge uzročnike proljeva (p=0,333), niti u odnosu na salmoneloze (p=0,751), te je utvrđen porast bolesnika s C. jejuni (71,7%) u odnosu na one s C. coli (28,3%) infekcijom (p<0,001). Najviše je bolesnika u dobnoj skupini mlađih od tri godine (38,5 %), zatim u skupini 18–29 g. (9,9 %). Mu{karci prevladavaju u svim dobnim skupinama, osim u najstarijoj (≥60 g.) (p<0,001). Značajno najveći broj bolesnika je hospitaliziran u toplijim mjesecima godine; 14,3% bolesnika s C. jejuni tijekom lipnja, a po 11,5 % bolesnika s C. coli u lipnju i kolovozu (p<0,001). U skupinama seoskog, prigradskog i gradskog stanovništva je omjer bolesnika s C. jejuni i C. coli infekcijom podjednak (p=0,289). Bolest se u 83,9% bolesnika javila sporadično, a u 13,1% bolesnika nakon putovanja. Pohađanje kolektiva se pokazalo značajnim u odnosu na epidemijski oblik pojavnosti bolesti (p<0,001).Among 1632 patients with campylobacteriosis hospitalized in the period from 1994–2002, we did not record an increase in the ratio of campylobacteriosis compared to all other causative agents of diarrhoeal diseases (p=0.333), nor in comparison to salmonelloses (p=0.751), but a significant increase in the number of C. jejuni (71.7%) compared to C. coli infections (28.3 %) was noticed (p<0.001). The majority of patients belonged to age group of three years and younger (38.5 %), and to 18 –29 years group (9.9 %), respectively. Males predominated in all age groups, except in the oldest one (≥60 years) (p<0.001). Significantly highest number of patients was hospitalized during warm months of the year; 14.3% patients with C. jejuni infection during June, and 11.5 % of patients with C. coli infection in both June and August (p<0.001). In the groups of rural and urban population, the difference in the ratio between C. jejuni and C. coli infections was not recorded (p=0.289). The disease appeared in 83.9% of patients sporadically, and in 13.1% after travelling. Community setting was a significant factor in epidemic pattern of the disease (p<0.001)

Clinical characteristic of campylobacteriosis in hospitalised patients

Bolest izazavana gram-negativnim bakterijama iz roda Campylobacter u ljudi najčešće prolazi kao akutna proljevna bolest u trajanju do tjedan dana. Komplikacije bolesti su rijetke, a najznačajnije su među njima sepsa, bakterijemija s vancrijevnim žarištima zaraze, septički pobačaj, te imunološki uvjetovan Guillain-Barréov sindrom. Među 1632 bolesnika s kampilobakteriozom hospitalizirana od 1994.–2002. godine analizom pojedinih kliničkih parametara logističkom regresijom uočeno je značajno duže trajanje proljeva u bolesnika zaraženih s C. jejuni (p = 0,014, OR 1,06, 95 % CI 1,01–1,11). Komplikacije bolesti su zabilježene u 4,6 % bolesnika, a smrtni ishod ili naknadna hospitalizacija zbog Guillain-Barréovog sindroma u klinikama zagrebačkog područja nisu u njih zabilježeni. S učestalošću od 7,2 % komplikacije su bile značajno češće u dobnoj skupini mlađih od tri godine (p = 0,010). Odgovarajućim antimikrobnim lijekom je liječeno 78,7 %, neodgovarajućim antimikrobnim lijekom 6,7 %, a simptomatski 14,6 % bolesnika. Kliničke osobine u naših bolesnika s kampilobakteriozom ne odudaraju znatnije od onih opisanih u populacijama razvijenih zemalja. Kao osobitost bilježi se česta primjena antimikrobnog liječenja, a azitromicin, kojeg je dobijalo 46,4 % bolesnika liječenih odgovarajućim antimikrobnim lijekom, je najčešće primjenjivani lijek.Diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria from genus Campylobacter in humans are most often presented as an acute diarrhoeal illness, which lasts up to seven days. Complications are rare, and among them the most important are: sepsis, bacteremia with extraintestinal sites of infection, septic abortion, and immunologically triggered Guillain-Barré syndrome. Among 1632 hospitally treated patients in the period from 1994–2002, the analysis of a particular clinical parameters using logistic regression showed significantly longer duration of diarrhoea among patients with C. jejuni infection (p = 0.014, OR 1.06, 95 % CI 1.01–1.11). Disease complications were observed in 4.6 % patients, and no fatalities or hospitalisations of observed patients due to Guillain-Barré syndrome in any of the hospitals from Zagreb region were recorded. Complications were significantly more frequent (7.2 %) in the age group younger than three years (p = 0.010). Adequate antimicrobial treatment received 78.7 % of patients, unadequate antimicrobial treatment 6.7 %, and 14.6 % of patients were treated symptomaticaly. Clinical characteristics in our patients with campylobacteriosis do not differ significantly from those described in populations of developed countries. As a peculiarity, a common use of antimicrobial therapy is recorded, and azithromycin, used in 46.4 % of patients treated with adequate antimicrobial treatment, was the most frequently used drug

Batch Crystallizer Scale-up

U svrhu pronalaženja odgovarajućeg pravila uvećanja, provedena su mjerenja u tri geometrijski slična kristalizatora Rushtonovih dimenzija različitih veličina, u laboratorijskom mjerilu. Za miješanje je upotrijebljeno miješalo s četiri lopatice nagnute pod kutem od 45°. Mjerenja su provedena pri različitim hidrodinamičkim uvjetima, odnosno različitim brzinama vrtnje miješala. Za kriterij usporedbe primijenjene su granulometrijske karakteristike (oblik i raspodjela veličina) dobivenih kristala. Provedena je šaržna kristalizacija hlađenjem vodene otopine kalijeva klorida. Kalijev klorid je odabran radi izuzetne osjetljivosti na radne uvjete. Naime i oblik i raspodjela veličina kristala jako se mijenjaju s promjenom radnih uvjeta. Poboljšanjem hidrodinamičkih uvjeta u kristalizatoru dobivaju se kristali pravilnijeg oblika. Ispitana je primjenljivost različitih pravila uvećanja, koja se primjenjuju kod uređaja za miješanje suspenzija. S obzirom da hidrodinamički uvjeti u kristalizatoru u velikoj mjeri utječu na kvalitetu dobivenog produkta (oblik, veličina i granulometrijski sastav kristala), uz geometrijsku sličnost nije moguće zadovoljiti niti jedan istraživan kriterij uvećanja. Na temelju metodologije koja se primjenjuje za uvećanje kada se mjerenja mogu provesti u tri ili više uređaja, određen je kriterij uvećanja šaržnog kristalizatora za kristalizaciju kalijeva klorida hlađenjem iz vodene otopine.In order to define an appropriate scale-up criterion for a batch crystallizer batch cooling crystallization of potassium chloride from the aqueous solution has been performed. The measurements were undertaken on the laboratory scale in three geometrically similar pieces of equipment (Table 1) under mixing intervals from 300 to 600 min –1 . A stirrer was supplied with pitched (at 45°) 4- blade propeller. Granulometric properties (shape and size distribution) of the obtained crystals were used as a comparison criterion. Hydrodynamic conditions in the crystallizer and size of the equipment had major influence on the properties of the crystals. Under higher mixing intensity and with larger equipment the crystals assumed more regular shape (Fig. 3.), and their size distribution showed finer fractions (Fig. 2, Fig. 4.). Actually, these conditions reduced the amount of agglomerates in the finished product. In addition, better hydrodynamic conditions for heat and mass transfer were achieved, whereas the secondary nucleation (contact) was minor. The comparison between the obtained crystal size distributions in all three pieces of laboratory equipment showed that the mixing rate of n = 500 min –1 yielded satisfactory results (Fig. 4 b.). They were further used to define the scale-up criterion for the batch crystallizer. Applicability of different scale-up criteria to the suspension stirrers was tested. Compliance with the geometric similarity and hydrodynamic conditions did not allow for compliance with the conventional scale-up criteria (Fr = const, Re = const). Based on the scale-up methodology, when the measurements can be undertaken in three or more pieces of equipment, the scale-up criterion, for the batch crystallizer for cooling crystallization of potassium chloride from the aqueous solution, is defined (Fig. 5.). The methodology proposed for the studied crystallizer gives a relatively low mixing intensity (237 min –1), which corresponds to the solution homogeneity 1 (Table 2.). Given that crystallization required suspension homogeneity between 6 and 9 (Chemineer ChemScale),8 implying that the suspension homogeneity was 95–98 % of the liquid height, the mixing intensity for these conditions were determined as well. The obtained values were within the range of the used mixing intensity

Učinkovitost u zadacima fine motorike i prostornih odnosa tijekom menstrualnog ciklusa

Various studies have shown fl uctuations in task performance during the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to see the effects of the menstrual cycle on performing fi ne motor and spatial tasks of different level of complexity in twenty students aged 18 to 21 years, with regular menstrual cycle (28 to 30 days). The students performed O’Connor Finger Dexterity Test and mental rotation test during the menstrual, late follicular, and midluteal phase. Before the tests were performed, we administered Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for each phase. After the tasks were completed, the subjects ranked their diffi culty on Borg’s scale. The results showed the best performance in both tests in the midluteal phase (with sex hormones at their peak). The anxiety level and task diffi culty ranking were the highest in the menstrual phase, when the hormone levels were the lowest.Različita su istraživanja pokazala promjene učinkovitosti tijekom menstrualnog ciklusa. U zadacima u kojima su uspješnije žene, najveća učinkovitost događa se tijekom kasne folikularne ili srednje lutealne faze. U zadacima u kojima su pak uspješniji muškarci najveća je učinkovitost nađena u menstrualnoj fazi. Na osnovi uporabe zadataka fi ne motorike i prostornih zadataka različitih razina kompleksnosti, cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati utjecaj menstrualnog ciklusa na kognitivne funkcije. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo dvadeset ispitanica, dobi od 18 do 21 godinu, s redovitim menstrualnim ciklusima (28 do 30 dana). Ispitanice su izvodile O’Connorov deksterimetar i zadatke mentalne rotacije tijekom menstrualne, kasne folikularne i srednje lutealne faze. Prije izvođenja zadataka, u svakoj fazi ciklusa primijenjen je Spielbergerov upitnik stanja anksioznosti. Nakon izvođenja zadataka, ispitanice su procjenjivale njihovu težinu na Borgovoj skali. Rezultati su pokazali najbolju učinkovitost u oba zadatka u fazi visokih razina spolnih hormona (srednja lutealna faza). Stanje anksioznosti i procijenjene težine zadataka bili su najviši u menstrualnoj fazi, kada su razine spolnih hormona najniže

Association of MAPT haplotype‐tagging polymorphisms with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A preliminary study in a Croatian cohort

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the world leading cause of dementia. Early detection of AD is essential for faster and more efficacious usage of therapeutics and preventive measures. Even though it is well known that one ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene increases the risk for sporadic AD five times, and that two ε4 alleles increase the risk 20 times, reliable genetic markers for AD are not yet available. Previous studies have shown that microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) gene polymorphisms could be associated with increased risk for AD. Methods: The present study included 113 AD patients and 53 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as well as nine healthy controls (HC) and 53 patients with other primary causes of dementia. The study assessed whether six MAPT haplotype‐tagging polymorphisms (rs1467967, rs242557, rs3785883, rs2471738, del–In9, and rs7521) and MAPT haplotypes are associated with AD pathology, as measured by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers amyloid β1–42 (Aβ1–42), total tau (t‐tau), tau phosphorylated at epitopes 181 (p‐tau181), 199 (p‐tau199), and 231 (p‐tau231), and visinin‐like protein 1 (VILIP‐1). Results: Significant increases in t‐tau and p‐tau CSF levels were found in patients with AG and AA MAPT rs1467967 genotype, CC MAPT rs2471738 genotype and in patients with H1H2 or H2H2 MAPT haplotype. Conclusions: These results indicate that MAPT haplotype‐tagging polymorphisms and MAPT haplotypes should be further tested as potential genetic biomarkers of AD

Wild Boar Tissue Levels of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury in Seven Regions of Continental Croatia

Concentrations of cadmium, mercury and lead were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry in the kidney and muscle of free-living wild boar (n = 169) from hunting grounds in seven counties of continental Croatia. Mean levels of metals (mg/kg) in muscle and kidney of boars ranged as follows: Cd: 0.005–0.016 and 0.866–4.58, Pb: 0.033–0.15 and 0.036–0.441, Hg: 0.004–0.012 and 0.04–0.152. In all seven regions, concentrations exceeded the permitted values (muscle and kidney mg/kg: cadmium 0.05/1; lead 0.1/0.5; mercury 0.03/0.1) in 13.6% and 71.6% of samples (muscle and kidney, respectively) for cadmium; 13.6% and 8.9% for lead; 19.5% and 2.4% for mercury. There were significant differences among the regions. Vukovar-Srijem and Virovitica-Podravina Counties were highly contaminated with cadmium, Sisak-Moslavina and Virovitica-Podravina Counties with lead and Brod-Posavina County had highest mercury concentrations. These results suggest a detailed investigation of physiological and environmental factors contributing to accumulation of metals in boars

Dijete je gradu festival

Understanding the intra- and extracellular proteins involved in the development of the corticospinal tract (CST) may offer insights into how the pathway could be regenerated following traumatic spinal cord injury. Currently, however, little is known about the proteome of the developing corticospinal system. The present study, therefore, has used quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics to detail the protein profile of the rat CST during its formation in the spinal cord. This analysis identified increased expression of 65 proteins during the early ingrowth of corticospinal axons into the spinal cord, and 36 proteins at the period of heightened CST growth. A majority of these proteins were involved in cellular assembly and organization, with annotations being most highly associated with cytoskeletal organization, microtubule dynamics, neurite outgrowth, and the formation, polymerization and quantity of microtubules. In addition, 22 proteins were more highly expressed within the developing CST in comparison to other developing white matter tracts of the spinal cord of age-matched animals. Of these differentially expressed proteins, only one, stathmin 1 (a protein known to be involved in microtubule dynamics), was both highly enriched in the developing CST and relatively sparse in other developing descending and ascending spinal tracts. Immunohistochemical analyses of the developing rat spinal cord and fetal human brain stem confirmed the enriched pattern of stathmin expression along the developing CST, and in vitro growth assays of rat corticospinal neurons showed a reduced length of neurite processes in response to pharmacological perturbation of stathmin activity. Combined, these findings suggest that stathmin activity may modulate axonal growth during development of the corticospinal projection, and reinforces the notion that microtubule dynamics could play an important role in the generation and regeneration of the CST

Attitudes, Behaviour and Knowledge on Sexuality among Female Adolescents in Zagreb, Croatia

The aim of this study was to estimate the level of knowledge about sexuality, attitudes and sexual behaviour of female adolescents. The study included 194 female students, 117 from Medical High School (MHS) and 77 from General High School (GHS) in Zagreb. Data was collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. In addition to items on personal data (age, parental education etc.), the participants were asked to define terms about sexuality (e.g. menstruation, puberty) the definitions of which are found in biology textbooks for the fifth and eighth grade of primary school. The aim of the third part of the survey was to collect information about attitudes and behaviour of female adolescents. The results showed a low level of knowledge in students of both schools. General High School students showed a higher level of knowledge than their Medical High School peers. One fifth of General High School students and 1/3 of Medical High School students were unable to define the term »menstruation«. The majority of adolescents talk about sexuality with their friends, 92.1% of General High School and 81.2% of Medical High School students. Almost 50% of students of both schools would like to talk about sexuality with their school doctor. 6.9% of Medical High School students had at least one sexual intercourse while none of the General High School students had been sexually active at the time of the survey. As the majority of students were not sexually active and results showed a rather low level of knowledge, this seems to be the ideal period for the implementation of educational programs aimed at increasing the level of knowledge, and thus preventing unwanted consequences (STD, pregnancy, abortion, infertility)

IP Pegasi: Investigation of the accretion disk structure. Searching evidences for spiral shocks in the quiescent accretion disk

We present the results of spectral investigations of the cataclysmic variable IP Peg in quiescence. Optical spectra obtained on the 6-m telescope at the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia), and on the 3.5-m telescope at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center (Calar Alto, Spain), have been analysed by means of Doppler tomography and Phase Modelling Technique. From this analysis we conclude that the quiescent accretion disk of IP Peg has a complex structure. There are also explicit indications of spiral shocks. The Doppler maps and the variations of the peak separation of the emission lines confirm this interpretation. We have detected that all the emission lines show a rather considerable asymmetry of their wings varying with time. The wing asymmetry shows quasi-periodic modulations with a period much shorter than the orbital one. This indicates the presence of an emission source in the binary rotating asynchronously with the binary system. We also have found that the brightness of the bright spot changes considerably during one orbital period. The spot becomes brightest at an inferior conjunction, whereas it is almost invisible when it is located on the distant half of the accretion disk. Probably, this phenomenon is due to an anisotropic radiation of the bright spot and an eclipse of the bright spot by the outer edge of the accretion disk.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures (= 21 EPS files), accepted for publication in A&

A tau homeostasis signature is linked with the cellular and regional vulnerability of excitatory neurons to tau pathology.

Excitatory neurons are preferentially impaired in early Alzheimer's disease but the pathways contributing to their relative vulnerability remain largely unknown. Here we report that pathological tau accumulation takes place predominantly in excitatory neurons compared to inhibitory neurons, not only in the entorhinal cortex, a brain region affected in early Alzheimer's disease, but also in areas affected later by the disease. By analyzing RNA transcripts from single-nucleus RNA datasets, we identified a specific tau homeostasis signature of genes differentially expressed in excitatory compared to inhibitory neurons. One of the genes, BCL2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3), a facilitator of autophagy, was identified as a hub, or master regulator, gene. We verified that reducing BAG3 levels in primary neurons exacerbated pathological tau accumulation, whereas BAG3 overexpression attenuated it. These results define a tau homeostasis signature that underlies the cellular and regional vulnerability of excitatory neurons to tau pathology