Pučko praznovjerje i mitologija

Ukoliko netko namjerava izučavati mitologiju Slavena, on mora najprije dobro upoznati pretkršćanski religijski život starih Slavena, cijeli kršćanski život i tradiciju slavenskog prostoga puka, a naročito »pučko praznovjerje

Combustion of lean fuel mixtures with subcritical streamer microwave discharge

A sub-critical microwave discharge is used to achieve a stable ignition and combustion of lean air-fuel mixtures in a long tube. The microwave discharge is burnt at the presence of initiator with the quasi-optical microwave beam. The resonance way of initiation of a microwave discharge is more effective compared to traditional plasma-assisted ways of ignition and stabilization of combustion. The experimental observations show that ignition and combustion of a lean air and propane mixture in a long tube is achieved at low ignition limit with fuel/air ratio lower than 0.55. The results obtained are useful for design of new and improvement of the existing plasma-assisted technologies in aviation industry

Nickel’s Role in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Potential Involvement of microRNAs

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancer types with a limited overall survival rate due to the asymptomatic progression of symptoms in metastatic stages of the malignancy and the lack of an early reliable diagnostic biomarker. MicroRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are small (~18–24 nucleotides), endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which are closely linked to the development of numerous malignancies comprising PDAC. Recent studies have described the role of environmental pollutants such as nickel (Ni) in PDAC, but the mechanisms of Ni-mediated toxicity in cancer are still not completely understood. Specifically, Ni has been found to alter the expression and function of miRs in several malignancies, leading to changes in target gene expression. In this study, we found that levels of Ni were significantly higher in cancerous tissue, thus implicating Ni in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Hence, in vitro studies followed by using both normal and pancreatic tumor cell lines and increasing Ni concentration increased lethality. Comparing LC50 values, Ni-acetate groups demonstrated lower values needed than in NiCl2 groups, suggesting greater Ni-acetate. Panc-10.05 cell line appeared the most sensitive to Ni compounds. Exposure to Ni-acetate resulted in an increased phospho-AKT, and decreased FOXO1 expression in Panc-10.05 cells, while NiCl2 also increased PTEN expression in Panc-10.05 cells. Specifically, following NiCl2 exposure to PDAC cells, the expression levels of miR-221 and miR-155 were significantly upregulated, while the expression levels of miR-126 were significantly decreased. Hence, our study has suggested pilot insights to indicate that the environmental pollutant Ni plays an important role in the progression of PDAC by promoting an association between miRs and Ni exposure during PDAC pathogenesis

Ocjena radne sposobnosti pacijenta s Wilsonovom bolesti - prikaz bolesnika

Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare, progressive autosomal recessive disorder characterised by impaired transport and excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and other tissues. The disease is diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and screening tests results. Work ability assessment of patients with WD is based on the analysis of liver, kidney, neurological, and cognitive impairments, and takes into account patient’s level of education. This article presents a case with a 48-year-old male patient, who was admitted for work ability assessment due to polymorphic symptoms. The patient had been working as a salesman for 28 years. A detailed interview and examination by occupational health and other medical specialists revealed that the patient had been suffering from Wilson’s disease from the age of 13, and had now developed hepatic manifestations (compensated liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension), neurological manifestations (dystonia, dysarthria, muscle weakness, vertigo), and psychiatric manifestations (depression, insomnia, cognitive impairment) of the disease, including problems partially caused by long-lasting treatment with copper chelating agents (neurological and haematological manifestations). There were no ocular manifestations of Wilson’s disease (Kayser-Fleischer rings or sunflower cataract). The patient was assessed as having drastically diminished general work ability, dominantly due to neurological and psychiatric impairments caused by Wilson’s disease.Wilsonova je bolest rijetka, progresivna autosomno recesivna bolest karakterizirana poremećajem transporta bakra i posljedičnim prekomjernim nakupljanjem bakra u jetri, mozgu i drugim tkivima i organima. Dijagnoza bolesti postavlja se na osnovi kliničkih manifestacija bolesti i nalaza laboratorijskih ispitivanja. Ocjena radne sposobnosti pacijenata s Wilsonovom bolesti zasniva se na analizi postojanja oštećenja i stupnja oštećenja hepatičkih, neuroloških, bubrežnih i kognitivnih funkcija, kao i na analizi stupnja obrazovanja pacijenata. Prikazan je slučaj D. M., 48-godišnjeg pacijenta, koji je primljen zbog polimorfnih tegoba na bolničko ispitivanje radi ocjene radne sposobnosti. Pacijent je radio kao prodavač posljednjih 28 godina. Nakon detaljne anamneze i pregleda koje su obavili specijalisti medicine rada i drugi specijalisti utvrđeno je da pacijent boluje od Wilsonove bolesti od 13. godine života i da u ovom trenutku ima izražene hepatične manifestacije (kompenzirana ciroza jetre s portalnom hipertenzijom), neurološke manifestacije (distonija, dizartrija, mišićna slabost, vrtoglavica) i psihijatrijske manifestacije (depresija, nesanica, kognitivno oštećenje) Wilsonove bolesti, kao i da su prisutne tegobe djelomično uzrokovane dugotrajnom upotrebom kelatne terapije (neurološki i hematološki poremećaji). Nisu uočene karakteristične očne promjene Wilsonove bolesti (Kayser-Fleischerov prsten, katarakta u obliku suncokreta). Ocjenom radne sposobnosti utvrđeno je da pacijent ima drastično smanjenu radnu sposobnost pretežno zbog neuroloških i psihičkih poremećaja u sklopu Wilsonove bolesti

Lipidna peroksidacija i aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima u eritrocitima radnika profesionalno izloženih aluminiju

Current research indicates that lipid peroxidation could have a role in aluminium toxicity. The aim of this study was to asses lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activity in erythrocytes of workers occupationally exposed to aluminium. We investigated a group of 59 workers (Al group) exposed to aluminium fumes (contamination factor F=8.07 to 13.47, national maximal allowed concentration value is 2 mg m-3). The control group (C group) consisted of 75 subjects employed in lime production who had not been occupationally exposed to aluminium or any known toxic substance. Erythrocyte aluminium concentrations were significantly higher in the exposed group than controls [Al group (8.41±3.66) µg L-1, C group (5.60±0.86) µg L-1, p<0.001]. In the Al group, erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration was also significantly higher [Al group (189.59±81.27) µmol L-1, C group (105.21±49.62) µmol L-1, p<0.001] and antioxidative enzyme activity reduced for glucoso-6-phosphatedehydrogenase [Al group (5.05±1.70) IU g-1 Hb, C group (12.53±4.12) IU g-1 Hb, p<0.001], glutathione reductase [Al group (1.41±0.56) IU g-1 Hb, C group (1.89±0.57) IU g-1 Hb, p<0.001], glutathione peroxidase [Al group (12.37±5.76) IU g-1 Hb, C group (15.54±4.85) IU g-1 Hb, p<0.001], catalase [Al group (116.76±26.60) IU g-1 Hb, C group (158.81±71.85) IU g-1 Hb, p<0.001] and superoxide dismutase [Al group (1175.8±149.9) IU mg-1 Hb, C group (1377.9±207.5) IU mg-1 Hb, p<0.001].Rezultati suvremenih istraživanja pokazuju da lipidna peroksidacija može imati važnu ulogu u toksičnosti aluminija. Cilj istraživanja bio je da se ispita lipidna peroksidacija i aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima u eritrocitima kod radnika profesionalno izloženih aluminiju. Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćena skupina od 59 radnika (Al skupina) profesionalno izloženih aluminiju (faktor onečišćenja F=8,07 do 13,47, nacionalna maksimalno dopuštena koncentracija je 2 mg m-3). Kontrolna skupina sastojala se od 75 osoba zaposlenih u proizvodnji vapna koje nikada nisu bile profesionalno izložene aluminiju ni drugim toksičnim tvarima. U skupini izloženoj aluminiju utvrđene su statistički signifikantno više koncentracije aluminija u eritrocitima nego u kontrolnoj skupini [Al skupina (8,41±3,66) µg L-1, kontrolna skupina (5,60±0,86) µg L-1, p<0,001]. U Al skupini utvrđene su statistički značajno više koncentracije malondialdehida u eritrocitima [Al skupina (189,59±81,27) µmol L-1, kontrolna skupina (105,21±49,62) µmol L-1, p<0,001]. Također, u Al skupini utvrđene su i statistički značajno niže aktivnosti antioksidativnih enzima u eritrocitima: glukozo- 6-fosfatdehidrogenaza [Al skupina (5,05±1,70) IU g-1 Hb, kontrolna skupina (12,53±4,12) IU g-1 Hb, p<0,001], glutationreduktaza [Al skupina (1,41±0,56) IU g-1 Hb, kontrolna skupina (1,89±0,57) IU g-1 Hb, p<0,001], glutationperoksidaza [Al skupina (12,37±5,76) IU g-1 Hb, kontrolna skupina (15,54±4,85) IU g-1 Hb, p<0,001], katalaza [Al skupina (116,76±26,60) IU g-1 Hb, kontrolna skupina (158,81±71,85) IU g-1 Hb, p<0,001] i superoksiddizmutaza [Al skupina (1175,8±149,9) IU mg-1 Hb, kontrolna skupina (1377,9±207,5) IU mg-1 Hb, p<0,001]

Recognition of COVID-19 with occupational origin: a comparison between European countries

Objectives This study aims to present an overview of the formal recognition of COVID-19 as occupational disease (OD) or injury (OI) across Europe. Methods A COVID-19 questionnaire was designed by a task group within COST-funded OMEGA-NET and sent to occupational health experts of 37 countries in WHO European region, with a last update in April 2022. Results The questionnaire was filled out by experts from 35 countries. There are large differences between national systems regarding the recognition of OD and OI: 40% of countries have a list system, 57% a mixed system and one country an open system. In most countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as an OD (57%). In four countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as OI (11%) and in seven countries as either OD or OI (20%). In two countries, there is no recognition possible to date. Thirty-two countries (91%) recognise COVID-19 as OD/OI among healthcare workers. Working in certain jobs is considered proof of occupational exposure in 25 countries, contact with a colleague with confirmed infection in 19 countries, and contact with clients with confirmed infection in 21 countries. In most countries (57%), a positive PCR test is considered proof of disease. The three most common compensation benefits for COVID-19 as OI/OD are disability pension, treatment and rehabilitation. Long COVID is included in 26 countries. Conclusions COVID-19 can be recognised as OD or OI in 94% of the European countries completing this survey, across different social security and embedded occupational health systems.This publication is based on work from COST Action CA16216 (OMEGA-NET), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

An open-label, multicenter, phase Ib study investigating the effect of apalutamide on ventricular repolarization in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer

Purpose: Phase Ib study evaluating the effect of apalutamide, at therapeutic exposure, on ventricular repolarization by applying time-matched pharmacokinetics and electrocardiography (ECG) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Safety of daily apalutamide was also assessed. Methods: Patients received 240 mg oral apalutamide daily. Time-matched ECGs were collected via continuous 12-lead Holter recording before apalutamide (Day − 1) and on Days 1 and 57 (Cycle 3 Day 1). Pharmacokinetics of apalutamide were assessed on Days 1 and 57 at matched time points of ECG collection. QT interval was corrected for heart rate using Fridericia correction (QTcF). The primary endpoint was the maximum mean change in QTcF (ΔQTcF) from baseline to Cycle 3 Day 1 (steady state). Secondary endpoints were the effect of apalutamide on other ECG parameters, pharmacokinetics of apalutamide and its active metabolite, relationship between plasma concentrations of apalutamide and QTcF, and safety. Results: Forty-five men were enrolled; 82% received treatment for ≥ 3 months. At steady state, the maximum ΔQTcF was 12.4 ms and the upper bound of its associated 90% CI was 16.0 ms. No clinically meaningful effects of apalutamide were reported for heart rate or other ECG parameters. A concentration-dependent increase in QTcF was observed for apalutamide. Most adverse events (AEs) (73%) were grade 1–2 in severity. No patients discontinued due to QTc prolongation or AEs. Conclusion: The effect of apalutamide on QTc prolongation was modest and does not produce a clinically meaningful effect on ventricular repolarization. The AE profile was consistent with other studies of apalutamide

Challenges and Lessons Learned from fabrication, testing and analysis of eight MQXFA Low Beta Quadrupole magnets for HL-LHC

By the end of October 2022, the US HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP) had completed fabrication of ten MQXFA magnets and tested eight of them. The MQXFA magnets are the low beta quadrupole magnets to be used in the Q1 and Q3 Inner Triplet elements of the High Luminosity LHC. This AUP effort is shared by BNL, Fermilab, and LBNL, with strand verification tests at NHMFL. An important step of the AUP QA plan is the testing of MQXFA magnets in a vertical cryostat at BNL. The acceptance criteria that could be tested at BNL were all met by the first four production magnets (MQXFA03-MQXFA06). Subsequently, two magnets (MQXFA07 and MQXFA08) did not meet some criteria and were disassembled. Lessons learned during the disassembly of MQXFA07 caused a revision to the assembly specifications that were used for MQXFA10 and subsequent magnets. In this paper, we present a summary of: 1) the fabrication and test data of all the MQXFA magnets; 2) the analysis of MQXFA07/A08 test results with characterization of the limiting mechanism; 3) the outcome of the investigation, including the lessons learned during MQXFA07 disassembly; and 4) the finite element analysis correlating observations with test performance

Viruses in extreme environments

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comInternational audienceThe tolerance limits of extremophiles in term of temperature, pH, salinity, desiccation, hydrostatic pressure, radiation, anaerobiosis far exceed what can support non-extremophilic organisms. Like all other organisms, extremophiles serve as hosts for viral replication. Many lines of evidence suggest that viruses could no more be regarded as simple infectious ‘‘fragments of life'' but on the contrary as one of the major components of the biosphere. The exploration of niches with seemingly harsh life conditions as hypersaline and soda lakes, Sahara desert, polar environments or hot acid springs and deep sea hydrothermal vents, permitted to track successfully the presence of viruses. Substantial populations of double-stranded DNA virus that can reach 109 particles per milliliter were recorded. All these viral communities, with genome size ranging from 14 kb to 80 kb, seem to be genetically distinct, suggesting specific niche adaptation. Nevertheless, at this stage of the knowledge, very little is known of their origin, activity, or importance to the in situ microbial dynamics. The continuous attempts to isolate and to study viruses that thrive in extreme environments will be needed to address such questions. However, this topic appears to open a new window on an unexplored part of the viral world