PROCES ODLUČIVANJA O KUPNJI NA TRŽIŠTU VELIKIH KUĆANSKIH APARATA : Završni rad

Ponašanje potrošača dinamičan je proces pod utjecajem velikog broja osobnih, društvenih i psiholoških čimbenika. Prilikom kupnje, kupac prolazi kroz pet faza procesa donošenja odluke- započinje spoznajom potrebe, a završava poslijekupovnim ponašanjem. Tržište hladnjaka dinamično se razvija prateći tehnološki razvoj i postojeće trendove. Uspjeh tvrtke na tom tržištu ovisi o razumijevanju potreba potrošača, omjeru cijene i kvalitete, aktivnoj interakciji sa kupcima u obliku poslijeprodajnih usluga, istraživanja zadovoljstva i sl.Consumer behaviour is dynamic process influenced by a numerous number of personal, social and psychological factors. While buying a product, consumers goes though five stages of decession making process- it begins with understanding a problem, and ends with after- sales behaviour. Refrigerators market dynamically develops with technological advancement and existing trends. The company's performance on the market is dependent on consumer understanding, cost and quality ratio, active consumer- side interaction, satisfication surveys, etc

Long-term stability of clinically relevant chemistry analytes in pleural and peritoneal fluid

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate the stability of clinically relevant analytes in pleural and peritoneal fluids stored in variable time periods and variable storage temperatures prior to analysis. Materials and methods: Baseline total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TRIG), creatinine (CREA), urea, glucose and amylase (AMY) were measured using standard methods in residual samples from 29 pleural and 12 peritoneal fluids referred to our laboratory. Aliquots were stored for 6 hours at room temperature (RT); 3, 7, 14 and 30 days at - 20°C. At the end of each storage period, all analytes were re-measured. Deviations were calculated and compared to stability limits (SL). Results: Pleural fluid TP and CHOL did not differ in the observed storage periods (P = 0.265 and P = 0.170, respectively). Statistically significant differences were found for ALB, LD, TRIG, CREA, urea, glucose and AMY. Peritoneal fluid TP, ALB, TRIG, urea and AMY were not statistically different after storage, contrary to LD, CHOL, CREA and glucose. Deviations for TP, ALB, CHOL, TRIG, CREA, urea and AMY in all storage periods tested for both serous fluids were within the SL. Deviations exceeding SL were observed for LD and glucose when stored for 3 and 7 days at - 20°C, respectively. Conclusions: TP, ALB, CHOL, TRIG, CREA, urea and AMY are stable in serous samples stored up to 6 hours at RT and/or 30 days at - 20°C. Glucose is stable up to 6 hours at RT and 3 days at - 20°C. The stability of LD in is limited to 6 hours at RT

Waldenströmova makroglobulinemija kao dijagnostički problem: prikaz slučaja

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is a distinct clinicopathologic entity defined as a B-cell neoplasm characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate in the bone marrow, with an associated immunoglobulin (Ig) M paraprotein. Clinical manifestations are due to deposition of IgM in the liver, spleen, and/or lymph nodes, so it presents with anemia, hyperviscosity, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and neurologic symptoms. The main diagnostic criteria are a typical peak on serum protein electrophoresis and malignant cells in bone marrow biopsy samples. There is no standard therapy for the treatment of symptomatic Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and no agents have been specifically approved for this disease, but initial treatment usually starts with the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, either alone or in combination with other agents, rather than chemotherapy alone. This article confirms that, despite the existence of more modern imaging methods, ultrasonography still has a significant diagnostic role.Waldenströmova makroglobulinemija je specifičan kliničkopatološki entitet definiran kao B stanična neoplazma obilježena limfoplazmatskim infiltratima u koštanoj srži udruženim s paraproteinom imunoglobulinom (Ig) M. Kliničke manifestacije nastaju kao posljedica taloženja IgM u jetri, slezeni i/ili limfnim čvorovima, tako da se bolest manifestira anemijom, hiperviskozitetom, limfadenopatijom, hepatomegalijom, splenomegalijom i neurološkim simptomima. Glavni dijagnostički kriteriji su tipični vršak u elektroforezi serumskih proteina te maligne stanice u uzorcima biopsije koštane srži. Ne postoji standardna terapija za liječenje simptomatske Waldenströmove makroglobulinemije i nema lijekova specifično odobrenih za ovu bolest, no liječenje najčešće ne započinje kemoterapijom, nego monoklonskim anti-CD 20 antitijelom rituksimabom kao monoterapijom ili u kombinaciji s drugim lijekovima. Ovaj članak potvrđuje da unatoč postojanju modernih metoda prikazivanja ultrazvuk i dalje ima značajnu dijagnostičku ulogu

Laboratory policies and practices for thyroid function tests in Croatia: survey on behalf of Working Group for Laboratory Endocrinology of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

IntroductionLaboratory plays important part in screening, diagnosis, and management of thyroid disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate current laboratory preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical practices and policies in Croatia. Materials and methodsWorking Group for Laboratory Endocrinology of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine designed a questionnaire with 27 questions and statements regarding practices and protocols in measuring thyroid function tests. The survey was sent to 111 medical biochemistry laboratories participating in external quality assurance scheme for thyroid hormones organized by Croatian Centre for Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine. Data is presented as absolute numbers and proportions. ResultsFifty-three participants returned the questionnaire. Response rate varied depending on question, yielding a total survey response rate of 46-48%. All respondents perform thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). From all other thyroid tests, most performed is free thyroxine (37/53) and least TSH-stimulating immunoglobulin (1/53). Laboratories are using nine different immunoassay methods. One tenth of laboratories is verifying manufacturer’s declared limit of quantification for TSH and one third is verifying implemented reference intervals for all performed tests. Most of laboratories (91%) adopt the manufacturer’s reference interval for adult population. Reference intervals for TSH are reported with different percentiles (90, 95 or 99 percentiles). ConclusionThis survey showed current practices and policies in Croatian laboratories regarding thyroid testing. The results identified some critical spots and will serve as a foundation in creating national guidelines in order to harmonize laboratory procedures in thyroid testing in Croatia

PROCES ODLUČIVANJA O KUPNJI NA TRŽIŠTU VELIKIH KUĆANSKIH APARATA : Završni rad

Ponašanje potrošača dinamičan je proces pod utjecajem velikog broja osobnih, društvenih i psiholoških čimbenika. Prilikom kupnje, kupac prolazi kroz pet faza procesa donošenja odluke- započinje spoznajom potrebe, a završava poslijekupovnim ponašanjem. Tržište hladnjaka dinamično se razvija prateći tehnološki razvoj i postojeće trendove. Uspjeh tvrtke na tom tržištu ovisi o razumijevanju potreba potrošača, omjeru cijene i kvalitete, aktivnoj interakciji sa kupcima u obliku poslijeprodajnih usluga, istraživanja zadovoljstva i sl.Consumer behaviour is dynamic process influenced by a numerous number of personal, social and psychological factors. While buying a product, consumers goes though five stages of decession making process- it begins with understanding a problem, and ends with after- sales behaviour. Refrigerators market dynamically develops with technological advancement and existing trends. The company's performance on the market is dependent on consumer understanding, cost and quality ratio, active consumer- side interaction, satisfication surveys, etc

Precision, accuracy, cross reactivity and comparability of serum indices measurement on Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 and Roche Cobas 6000 c501 clinical chemistry analyzers

Introduction: The aim of our study was to perform verification of serum indices measurement on three clinical chemistry platforms. Materials and methods: This study was done on three analyzers: Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 (BC) and Roche Cobas 6000 c501. Following analytical specifications were verified: precision (two patient samples), accuracy (sample with the highest concentration of interferent was serially diluted and measured values compared to theoretical values), comparability (120 patients samples) and cross reactivity (samples with increasing concentrations of interferent were divided in two aliquots and remaining interferents were added in each aliquot. Measurements were done before and after adding interferents). Results: Best results for precision were obtained for H index (0.72% to 2.08%). Accuracy for H index was acceptable for Cobas and BC, while on Architect, deviations in high concentration range were observed (y = 0.02 (0.01-0.07) + 1.07 (1.06- 1.08) x). All three analyzers showed acceptable results in evaluating accuracy of L index and unacceptable results for I index. H index was comparable between BC and both, Architect (Cohen ´s Kappa (95% CI) = 0.795 (0.692-0.898)) and Roche (Cohen´s Kappa (95% CI) = 0.825 (0.729- 0.922)), while Roche and Architect were not comparable. I index was not comparable between all analyzer combinations, while L index was only comparable between Abbott and BC. Cross reactivity analysis mostly showed that serum indices measurement is affected when combination of interferences is present. Conclusion: There is heterogeneity between analyzers in HIL quality performance. Verification of serum indices in routine work is necessary to establish analytical specifications

Croatian laboratories have a good knowledge of the proper management of hemolyzed, icteric and lipemic samples

Background: Endogenous interferences are an important source of biased laboratory results. Hemolysis, lipemia and icteria are the main source of endogenous interference in laboratory medicine. Accreditation according to ISO 15189 improves the overall quality of the laboratory procedures. The aim of our study was i) to assess the level of knowledge of Croatian medical biochemists about the proper detection and management of hemolysis, lipemia and icteria ; and ii) to identify possible differences in the level of knowledge respective to the laboratory accreditation status. Methods: An on-line self-report survey was carried out by the Working Group for Preanalytical Phase of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine during April to May 2015. Survey included 14 statements (Q1–Q14) about procedures for samples with interferences and participants were asked to assess the degree of agreement with the statement using a 4-point Likert scale. Results: The lowest level of knowledge was observed for statements Q10 (dealing with icteric sample ; 40.9% participants agreed with the correct procedure), Q12 (allowable error for interference ; 47.2%) and Q11 (dealing with lipemic sample ; 60.1%). Almost all participants (97.4%) agreed that laboratories in Croatia should have a harmonized protocol for management of samples with interferences. Participants from accredited laboratories showed higher knowledge of hemolysis detection (p = 0.031), rejection of hemolyzed sample (p < 0.001), management of icteric samples (p = 0.038) and allowable error for interferences (p = 0.040). Conclusions: Croatian laboratories have a good knowledge of the proper detection and management of hemolyzed, icteric and lipemic samples. Accreditation is associated with higher knowledge about management of samples with interferences

The Association between TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-10 with Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is assumed to be associated with different biological/genetic vulnerability, as well as with neuroinflammation, mediated by cytokines. The present study evaluated the role of cytokines in AD. ----- Objective: The aim was to determine the possible association of TNF-α (rs1800629), IL1-α (rs1800587) and IL-10 (rs1800896) polymorphisms with AD, and to assess serum TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 concentrations in patients with AD and in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). ----- Methods: The study included 645 Caucasian participants: 395 subjects with AD and 250 subjects with MCI. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR in all 645 subjects, while serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 and were determined using ELISA in 174 subjects. ----- Results: The frequency of the TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes did not differ significantly between patients with AD and MCI. Serum concentration of IL-1α and IL-10 were significantly decreased, while the concentration of TNF-α was significantly higher in patients with AD than in MCI subjects. TNF-α, IL1-α or IL-10 concentrations were similar in subjects with AD or MCI subdivided into carriers of the corresponding TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes. ----- Conclusion: Similar distribution of the IL1-α rs1800587, TNF-α rs1800629 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes in subjects with AD and MCI failed to confirm that these specific risk genotypes are associated with vulnerability to develop AD. Alteration in IL-1α, IL-10 and TNF-α concentrations in patients with AD partially confirmed the association with the neuroinflammatory response in AD

Robert’s Intragastric Alcohol-Induced Gastric Lesion Model as an Escalated General Peripheral and Central Syndrome, Counteracted by the Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157

We redefined Robert’s prototypical cytoprotection model, namely the intragastric administration of 96% alcohol in order to generate a general peripheral and central syndrome similar to that which occurs when major central or peripheral veins are occluded in animal models. With this redefinition, we used Robert’s model to examine the cytoprotective effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. The intragastric administration of alcohol induced gastric lesions, intracranial (superior sagittal sinus) hypertension, severe brain swelling and lesions, portal and vena caval hypertension, aortal hypotension, severe thrombosis, inferior vena cava and superior mesenteric vein congestion, azygos vein failure (as a failed collateral pathway), electrocardiogram disturbances, and heart, lung, liver and kidney lesions. The use of BPC 157 therapy (10 µg/kg or 10 ng/kg given intraperitoneally 1 min after alcohol) counteracted these deficits rapidly. Specifically, BPC 157 reversed brain swelling and superior mesenteric vein and inferior vena caval congestion, and helped the azygos vein to recover, which improved the collateral blood flow pathway. Microscopically, BPC 157 counteracted brain (i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage with degenerative changes of cerebral and cerebellar neurons), heart (acute subendocardial infarct), lung (parenchymal hemorrhage), liver (congestion), kidney (congestion) and gastrointestinal (epithelium loss, hemorrhagic gastritis) lesions. In addition, this may have taken place along with the activation of specific molecular pathways. In conclusion, these findings clarify and extend the theory of cytoprotection, offer an approach to its practical application, and establish BPC 157 as a prospective cytoprotective treatment