Comparison of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage [Usporedba višeslojne kompjuterizirane tomografije i duplex Doppler ultrazvuka u otkrivanju aterosklerotskih karotidnih plakova kompliciranih krvarenjem u plak ]

This study compared sensitivity and specificity of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Carotid plaques from 50 patients operated for carotid artery stenosis were analyzed. Carotid endarterectomy was performed within one week of diagnostic evaluation. Results of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography diagnostic evaluation were compared with results of histological analysis of the same plaque areas. American Heart Association classification of atherosclerotic plaques was applied for histological classification. Median tissue density of carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage was 14.7 Hounsfield units. Median tissue density of noncalcified segments of uncomplicated plaques was 54.3 Hounsfield units (p = 0.00003). The highest tissue density observed for complicated plaques was 31.8 Hounsfield units. Multidetector-row computed tomography detected plaques complicated with hemorrhage with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 70.4%, with tissue density of 33.8 Hounsfield units as a threshold value. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed sensitivity of 21.7% and specificity of 89.6% in detecting plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Multidetector-row computed tomography showed a very high level of sensitivity and a moderate level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed a low level of sensitivity and a moderate-high level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage

SPECTRAL FUNCTIONS OF DAMAGE INDEX (DI) FOR MASONRY BUILDINGS WITH FLEXIBLE FLOORS

Most of the buildings in old city cores of Croatia, built between 1860 and 1920 with wooden floors, are mainly designed to bear vertical loads. In this paper we propose a methodology for seismic vulnerability assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings with flexible floors. The methodology is based on the calculation of Damage Index (DI), a numerical value indicating the level of structural damage. In this methodology, the structure is represented using an SDOF model determined by damping, weight, elastic base shear capacity, elastic stiffness and post-elastic stiffness. Using accelerograms of earthquakes, step by step time-history numerical integrations are provided along with the results: top displacement, yield excursions, cumulative energy and base shear–displacement. These results serve as parameters which are then input in the formula for Damage Index (DI). The results of the paper are presented in the form of diagrams with DI values on the y axis and fundamental period of the structure on the x axis. These spectral functions of DI, along with knowledge of fundamental period and chosen accelerogram, can be used to quickly determine the level of damage for unreinforced masonry buildings with flexible floors

UTJECAJ USPJEHA U SPORTU NA MEDIJSKO PRAĆENJE

Sport je jedna od rijetkih rubrika u medijima u kojoj „dobra vijest“ povećava zanimanje publike za sportski sadržaj. Pobjeda i ostvareni rezultati u sportu smatraju se dobrim vijestima koje su sve manje zastupljene u suvremenim medijima. Cilj je rada prikazati utjecaj sportskoga uspjeha na medijsko praćenje i povećano zanimanje u medijima na primjerima ostvarivanja značajnih sportskih rezultata. Glavna je hipoteza rada da ostvaren uspjeh u sportu povećava zanimanje publike. U tome su smislu definirani sportski uspjeh te postupci i tehnike stvaranja publiciteta sportaša i sportskih organizacija, što je preduvjet za kasnije istraživanje. U radu su analizirani različiti mediji i njihov sadržaj za vrijeme natjecanja u kojima su hrvatski sportaši ostvarili sportski uspjeh. Uz to analizirana je čitanost tekstova objavljenih tijekom sličnih natjecanja u kojima je očekivani rezultat izostao. Osim analize sadržaja hrvatskih medija za potvrdu hipoteze preuzete su i analize iz drugih internetskih izvora. Uz metodu analize sadržaja primijenjene su kvantitativna i komparativna metoda s egzaktnim podatcima. U manjoj mjeri korištena je kvalitativna metoda kako bi se u tekstovima prepoznao uspjeh ili neuspjeh kao dobra ili loša vijest. Rezultati i rasprava pokazuju ispravnost cilja istraživanja i postavljene hipoteze

Similarity and dissimilarity indices for the speakers of the Croatian language in filtered and non–filtered conditions

Svrha istraživanja bila je usporedba akustičko–statističkih postupaka indeksa sličnosti (R) i različitosti (SDDD) na temelju dugotrajnoga prosječnoga spektra govora (LTASS), dobivenih u kontroliranim uvjetima na temelju standardiziranih tekstova i spontanoga govora govornika hrvatskoga jezika (N = 86) iz osam većih hrvatskih gradova. Gradovi su birani ciljano kao predstavnici štokavskoga (Zadar, Šibenik, Dubrovnik), čakavskoga (Rijeka, Pula), kajkavskoga (Zagreb, Čakovec) te čakavsko–štokavskoga varijeteta (Split). Montirani su uzorci (oko 60 s) za svakoga govornika u oba govorna uvjeta te su uspoređivani LTASS u nefiltriranim (0 – 10 kHz) i filtriranim uvjetima (0,8 – 4 kHz). Uspoređivani su indeksi R i SDDD unutar svakoga govornika između čitanog i spontanoga govora (unutargovorne razlike) i između različitih govornika (međugovorne razlike), posebno za muškarce i žene. Rezultati unutargovornih razlika pokazuju da se prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u nefiltriranim uvjetima kod muškaraca i žena kreću od 0,94 kod muških glasova pri čitanju do 0,98 kod žena u oba uvjeta. Rezultati međugovornih razlika pokazuju niže prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u istim uvjetima: od 0,86 u spontanom do 0,94 u čitaćem govoru kod žena. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u filtriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) kreću se od 0,83 kod žena i muškaraca u spontanom govoru do 0,95 kod žena i muškaraca pri čitanju. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa sličnosti (međugovorno) znatno su niže, od 0,57 u muškome spontanom govoru do 0,9 kod žena u čitanju. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa SDDD u nefiltriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) kreću se unutar nižih vrijednosti, od 2,27 kod žena do 3 kod muškaraca pri čitanju. Indeks SDDD (međugovorno) pokazuje prosječno više vrijednosti, od 4,75 u ženskome čitaćem govoru i muškome spontanom govoru do 5,12 kod muškaraca pri čitanju. U filtriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) indeks SDDD kreće se u rasponu nižih vrijednosti, od 2,14 kod muškaraca pri čitanju do 3,01 kod žena u spontanom govoru. Očekivano, rezultati međugovorno pokazuju prosječno više vrijednosti indeksa SDDD, od 3,06 za ženski do 4,71 za muški čitaći govor.The main goal of this research was to compare the acoustic–statistical measurements of similarity index (R) and dissimilarity index (SDDD) on the basis of long term average spectra (LTASS). The collected speech samples consisted of both spontaneous speech and reading of a standardized text which were recorded in controlled conditions. The recorded speakers (N = 86) originated from 8 larger and dialectically different Croatian towns. The cities chosen for this research represented Sthokavian dialect (Zadar, [ibenik, Dubrovnik), Chakavian dialect (Rijeka, Pula), Kaikavian dialect (Zagreb, ^akovec) and Chakavian–Sthokavian variety (Split). Speech samples (duration 60 s) were edited for each speaker in both conditions (filtered and non–filtered speech) and compared on the basis of LTASS – non filtered conditions (0 – 10 kHz) and filtered (0.8 – 4 kHz). Using index R and index SDDD intraspeaker variations and interspeaker variations were compared respectively for male and female speakers. Results of intraspeaker variations showed that average values of similarity index (R) in non–filtered conditions were between 0.94 for male speakers in reading texts to 0.98 for female speakers in reading text and spontaneous speech. Results of interspeaker variations showed lower values of index R in the non–filtered conditions: from 0.86 in spontaneous speech to 0.94 in reading text for female speakers. Average values of R in filtered conditions for intraspeaker variations were between 0.83 for both female and male speakers in spontaneous speech to 0.95 in reading texts. Average values of R index in filtered conditions for interspeaker variations were significantly lower; from 0.57 for male spontaneous speech to 0.9 for female reading texts. Average values of index SDDD in non–filtered conditions for intraspeaker variations were generally lower – from 2.27 for female speakers to 3 for male speakers in reading. SDDD index showed higher values in non–filtered conditions for interspeaker variations; from 4.75 in female reading speech and male spontaneous speech to 5.12 for male reading speech. In filtered conditions intraspeaker variations resulted with SDDD index between 2.14 for male reading speech to 3.01 for female spontaneous speech. As expected, results in filtered conditions for interspeaker variations showed higher values of SDDD index, from 3.06 for female to 4.71 for male reading speech. The differences between similarity index (R) in intraspeaker variations were statistically significant for female speakers (p < 0.0001) and for male speakers (p < 0.05) in both spontaneous speech and reading. Results of interspeaker variations showed statistically significant differences in similarity index (R) for male speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and female speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and statistically significant dissimilarity index (SDDD) differences for male speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and female speakers (p<0.0001 in reading and p<0.0001 in spontaneous speech). Overall results of this research show that acoustic–statistical measurement of similarity and dissimilarity indices are a useful method in speaker recognition in forensic phonetic expertise. Further on, results show that speaking conditions should not be neglected in forensic phonetic cases

Similarity and dissimilarity indices for the speakers of the Croatian language in filtered and non–filtered conditions

Svrha istraživanja bila je usporedba akustičko–statističkih postupaka indeksa sličnosti (R) i različitosti (SDDD) na temelju dugotrajnoga prosječnoga spektra govora (LTASS), dobivenih u kontroliranim uvjetima na temelju standardiziranih tekstova i spontanoga govora govornika hrvatskoga jezika (N = 86) iz osam većih hrvatskih gradova. Gradovi su birani ciljano kao predstavnici štokavskoga (Zadar, Šibenik, Dubrovnik), čakavskoga (Rijeka, Pula), kajkavskoga (Zagreb, Čakovec) te čakavsko–štokavskoga varijeteta (Split). Montirani su uzorci (oko 60 s) za svakoga govornika u oba govorna uvjeta te su uspoređivani LTASS u nefiltriranim (0 – 10 kHz) i filtriranim uvjetima (0,8 – 4 kHz). Uspoređivani su indeksi R i SDDD unutar svakoga govornika između čitanog i spontanoga govora (unutargovorne razlike) i između različitih govornika (međugovorne razlike), posebno za muškarce i žene. Rezultati unutargovornih razlika pokazuju da se prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u nefiltriranim uvjetima kod muškaraca i žena kreću od 0,94 kod muških glasova pri čitanju do 0,98 kod žena u oba uvjeta. Rezultati međugovornih razlika pokazuju niže prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u istim uvjetima: od 0,86 u spontanom do 0,94 u čitaćem govoru kod žena. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa R u filtriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) kreću se od 0,83 kod žena i muškaraca u spontanom govoru do 0,95 kod žena i muškaraca pri čitanju. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa sličnosti (međugovorno) znatno su niže, od 0,57 u muškome spontanom govoru do 0,9 kod žena u čitanju. Prosječne vrijednosti indeksa SDDD u nefiltriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) kreću se unutar nižih vrijednosti, od 2,27 kod žena do 3 kod muškaraca pri čitanju. Indeks SDDD (međugovorno) pokazuje prosječno više vrijednosti, od 4,75 u ženskome čitaćem govoru i muškome spontanom govoru do 5,12 kod muškaraca pri čitanju. U filtriranim uvjetima (unutargovorno) indeks SDDD kreće se u rasponu nižih vrijednosti, od 2,14 kod muškaraca pri čitanju do 3,01 kod žena u spontanom govoru. Očekivano, rezultati međugovorno pokazuju prosječno više vrijednosti indeksa SDDD, od 3,06 za ženski do 4,71 za muški čitaći govor.The main goal of this research was to compare the acoustic–statistical measurements of similarity index (R) and dissimilarity index (SDDD) on the basis of long term average spectra (LTASS). The collected speech samples consisted of both spontaneous speech and reading of a standardized text which were recorded in controlled conditions. The recorded speakers (N = 86) originated from 8 larger and dialectically different Croatian towns. The cities chosen for this research represented Sthokavian dialect (Zadar, [ibenik, Dubrovnik), Chakavian dialect (Rijeka, Pula), Kaikavian dialect (Zagreb, ^akovec) and Chakavian–Sthokavian variety (Split). Speech samples (duration 60 s) were edited for each speaker in both conditions (filtered and non–filtered speech) and compared on the basis of LTASS – non filtered conditions (0 – 10 kHz) and filtered (0.8 – 4 kHz). Using index R and index SDDD intraspeaker variations and interspeaker variations were compared respectively for male and female speakers. Results of intraspeaker variations showed that average values of similarity index (R) in non–filtered conditions were between 0.94 for male speakers in reading texts to 0.98 for female speakers in reading text and spontaneous speech. Results of interspeaker variations showed lower values of index R in the non–filtered conditions: from 0.86 in spontaneous speech to 0.94 in reading text for female speakers. Average values of R in filtered conditions for intraspeaker variations were between 0.83 for both female and male speakers in spontaneous speech to 0.95 in reading texts. Average values of R index in filtered conditions for interspeaker variations were significantly lower; from 0.57 for male spontaneous speech to 0.9 for female reading texts. Average values of index SDDD in non–filtered conditions for intraspeaker variations were generally lower – from 2.27 for female speakers to 3 for male speakers in reading. SDDD index showed higher values in non–filtered conditions for interspeaker variations; from 4.75 in female reading speech and male spontaneous speech to 5.12 for male reading speech. In filtered conditions intraspeaker variations resulted with SDDD index between 2.14 for male reading speech to 3.01 for female spontaneous speech. As expected, results in filtered conditions for interspeaker variations showed higher values of SDDD index, from 3.06 for female to 4.71 for male reading speech. The differences between similarity index (R) in intraspeaker variations were statistically significant for female speakers (p < 0.0001) and for male speakers (p < 0.05) in both spontaneous speech and reading. Results of interspeaker variations showed statistically significant differences in similarity index (R) for male speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and female speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and statistically significant dissimilarity index (SDDD) differences for male speakers (p < 0.0001 in reading and p < 0.0001 in spontaneous speech) and female speakers (p<0.0001 in reading and p<0.0001 in spontaneous speech). Overall results of this research show that acoustic–statistical measurement of similarity and dissimilarity indices are a useful method in speaker recognition in forensic phonetic expertise. Further on, results show that speaking conditions should not be neglected in forensic phonetic cases

The Vulnerability of Buildings From the Osijek Database

Estimating of buildings vulnerability is based on a well-organized and detailed database of buildings and their characteristics. Creation of the buildings database of the city Osijek is in progress. This database contains, for each building, information regarding its location, geometric and structural characteristics, materials which were used for structural elements, and other relevant data. This paper presents numerical and statistic values of some characteristics of the buildings from the database. Different methods can be applied for the prediction of damage probability in the field of earthquake risk assessment. With the empirical Macroseismic method and the analytical Capacity Spectrum Method, the vulnerability of the few blocks of buildings, typical for the city Osijek, is estimated. For unreinforced masonry structures with flexible floors, the probability of reaching a certain degree of damage is estimated by the two selected methods, and the obtained results are compared

Bilateral MR Volumetry of the Amygdala in Chronic PTSD Patients

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients experience symptoms which implicate dysfunction of emotional memory circuits, and possible damage of the amygdala. Laterality differences in activity of the amygdala have been reported in PTSD patients, with presumed adaptive plasticity in the hippocampus and the amygdala. The aim of this study was to investigate possible interhemispheric differences of amygdalar volume in chronic PTSD patients, with calculation of right-to-left volume ratios. Bilateral magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry was applied in 11 chronic PTSD patients. The mean right amygdalar volume of our patients was significantly smaller than the left one (p=0.031), with the right-to-left volume ratio of 0.96±0.06. This tendency towards smaller right amygdala may be an acquired effect as a result of stress-induced plasticity, however we can not exclude the possibility of a predisposing condition

Invazivne gljivične infekcije u djece liječene zbog hematoloških malignih bolesti - petogodišnje iskustvo

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are life-threatening complications of intensive chemotherapy treatment, with the incidence in pediatric patients ranging from 2% to 21%. In this article, we describe our 5-year experience of IFI in pediatric oncology patients and its clinical manifestations with radiological findings, treatment and outcome. A retrospective and descriptive survey of IFI in children with hematologic neoplasms was conducted at the Department of Oncology and Hematology, Zagreb Children’s Hospital. Medical charts of children 0-17 years of age, of both sexes, treated for leukemias and lymphomas from January 2016 to December 2020 were reviewed. In a 5-year period, 60 patients were treated for hematologic malignancy, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) being the most prevalent diagnosis. IFI was verified in 9 (15%) children, predominantly in patients with ALL (75%). The specific causative agent was detected in one child, whereas other infections were classified as probable pulmonary aspergillosis. All the patients received standard prophylaxis with fluconazole and treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. The majority of our patients achieved recovery. IFI prevention, diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge. Uniform prophylaxis and therapy protocols, as well as environmental control are of vital importance for the development of better strategies in the prevention, early detection and treatment of IFI in pediatric hematology patients.Invazivne gljivične infekcije (IFI) životno su ugrožavajuće komplikacije liječenja hematoonkoloških bolesnika, učestalost kojih je od 2% do 21%. Ovaj članak prikazuje naše petogodišnje iskustvo s IFI u pedijatrijskih onkoloških bolesnika, njihove kliničke prezentacije te ishoda liječenja. U Zavodu za onkologiju i hematologiju Klinike za dječje bolesti Zagreb provedeno je retrospektivno i deskriptivno istraživanje učestalosti IFI u djece u dobi od 0-17 godina oboljele od hematoloških malignih bolesti. Pretraženi su medicinski podaci djece oba spola koja su liječena u Zavodu zbog leukemije i limfoma u razdoblju od siječnja 2016. do prosinca 2020. godine. U petogodišnjem razdoblju hematološka bolest dijagnosticirana je u 60 bolesnika, a prevladavala je dijagnoza akutne limfoblastične leukemije (ALL). IFI je dijagnosticirana kod 9 bolesnika, pretežito kod onih oboljelih od ALL. Specifični uzročnik dokazan je u samo jednog bolesnika. Svi bolesnici primili su standardnu profilaksu flukonazolom te terapiju liposomnim amfotericinom B i vorikonazolom. U većine bolesnika postignut je oporavak. Poboljšanje prevencije i liječenja IFI moglo bi se postići postojanjem ujednačenih protokola za profilaksu i liječenje kao i bolje kontrole koncentracije gljivičnih spora u bolesničkim sobama

Ultrasonographic Measurement of the Thyroid Volume

According to the published data, endemic goiter was until recently, still present in some regions in Croatia. In this study the thyroid volume in grown-up, student population was measured. It was also analyzed which of the several traditional physiological attributes (body weight, body height, and body surface area (BSA)) were best correlated with the thyroid volume. Fifty one randomly selected female students from University of Zagreb Medical School were studied. Mean age of our subjects was 22 (range 20–38). All of them were healthy and with normal thyroid hormonal status. The mean thyroid volume was 10.68+/-2.83 mL (range 5.71–17.09 mL). The results show that thyroid volume was best correlated with body height (r=0.37; p=0.001), followed with body surface area (r=0.28; p=0.017). The thyroid volume was found normal in all our subjects

Fullerenol nanoparticles as a new delivery system for doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a very potent chemotherapeutic drug, however its side effects limit its clinical use. The aim of this research was to investigate the properties of a fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite, its potentially cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on malignant cell lines, as well as its toxicity towards zebra fish embryos. Chromatographic, NMR and mass spectral analysis of the nanocomposite imply that interactions between doxorubicin and fullerenol are non-covalent bonds. The stability of the nanocomposite was confirmed by the use of atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposite, compared to the free doxorubicin at equivalent concentrations, significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The flow cytometry results indicated that doxorubicin-loaded fullerenol could remarkably increase the uptake of doxorubicin suggesting that fullerenol might be a promising intracellular targeting carrier for the efficient delivery of antitumor drugs into tumor cells. The nanocomposite also affected cell cycle distribution. A genotoxicity test showed that the nanocomposite at all examined concentrations on MCF-7 and at lower concentrations on MDA-MB-231 cells caused DNA damage. Consequently, cell proliferation was notably reduced when compared with controls. Results of the zebrafish embryotoxicity assay showed a decreased overall toxicity, particularly cardiotoxicity and increased safety of the nanocomposite in comparison to doxorubicin alone, as manifested by a higher survival of embryos and less pericardial edema