Synthetic dyes decolorization on agar plates by selected fungi

U ovom radu istražena je sposobnost obezbojenja pet sintetskih bojila (kongo crvena, malahitno zelenilo, fuksin, kristal violet i metilensko modrilo) pomoću tri vrste (četiri soja) odabranih gljiva bijelog truljenja: P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 i C. subvermispora. Gljive su uzgajane na agarnim pločama s dodatkom bojila u koncentracijama 50, 100 i 150 mg L-1 te je praćen njihov rast i obezbojenje bojila tijekom 9 (odnosno 10) dana uzgoja pri 27 ⁰C. Sposobnost obezbojenja azo bojila kongo crvene pokazali su sojevi vrste T. versicolor i C. subvermispora. Kongo crvena nije značajno inhibirala rast odabranih vrsta gljiva. Malahitno zelenilo snažno je inhibiralo rast svih vrsta, ali su sve vrste pokazale dobru sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila, što je vidljivo iz velikog indeksa obezbojenja (promjer obezbojenja/promjer kolonije) u rasponu od 2,42 do 6,04. Sposobnost obezbojenja kristal violeta pokazale su sve vrste gljiva, pri čemu je rast vrsta P. chrysosporium i C. subvermispora bio snažno inhibiran ovim bojilom. Fuksin je inhibirao rast odabranih gljiva samo tijekom prvih dana uzgoja. Sposobnost obezbojenja fuksina pokazale su sve vrste, ali indeks obezbojenja nije bio velik (0,24 – 1). Metilensko modrilo nije inhibiralo rast gljiva, ali je sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila pokazala jedino vrsta T. versicolor TV6. Utvrđeno je kako primijenjene koncentracije bojila u podlozi statistički značajno utječu na rast kolonija gljiva, ali nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika u sposobnosti obezbojenja (izraženo kao promjer obezbojenja oko kolonije).This study tested three white rot fungi (four strains) P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 and C. subvermispora for their ability to decolorize five synthetic dyes (Congo Red, Malachite Green, Crystal Violet, Fuchsine and Methylene Blue). The fungi were cultivated at 27 ⁰C for 9 (10) days on agar plates containing dyes at final concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1. The radial growth and the zone of colour change on the agar plates were measured regularly every three days. Both T. versicolor strains, as well C. subvermispora were able to decolorize azo dye Congo Red to some extent. Congo Red did not inhibit the mycelial growth of investigated fungi. Malachite Green strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of all fungal strains. However, high decolourization index (decolourization diameter/mycelial diameter) ranging from 2.42 to 6.04 for all species indicates very good decolourization ability. All fungi were able to decolorize Crystal Violet to some extent. However, apart from P. chrysosporium, growth of all other strains was strongly inhibited by this dye. Fuchsine inhibited the mycelial growth only during the first days of cultivation. All strains were able to decolorize fuchsine, but not as effectively as other two dyes of triphenylmethane group (decolourization index ranging from 0.24 to 1). Only T. versicolor TV6 decolorized Methylene Blue to some extent, even though this dye did not inhibit the mycelial growth of the tested fungal strains. The influence of agar plate dye concentration on fungal growth was statistically significant, while no statistical significance was observed regarding the decolourization ability

Synthetic dyes decolorization on agar plates by selected fungi

U ovom radu istražena je sposobnost obezbojenja pet sintetskih bojila (kongo crvena, malahitno zelenilo, fuksin, kristal violet i metilensko modrilo) pomoću tri vrste (četiri soja) odabranih gljiva bijelog truljenja: P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 i C. subvermispora. Gljive su uzgajane na agarnim pločama s dodatkom bojila u koncentracijama 50, 100 i 150 mg L-1 te je praćen njihov rast i obezbojenje bojila tijekom 9 (odnosno 10) dana uzgoja pri 27 ⁰C. Sposobnost obezbojenja azo bojila kongo crvene pokazali su sojevi vrste T. versicolor i C. subvermispora. Kongo crvena nije značajno inhibirala rast odabranih vrsta gljiva. Malahitno zelenilo snažno je inhibiralo rast svih vrsta, ali su sve vrste pokazale dobru sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila, što je vidljivo iz velikog indeksa obezbojenja (promjer obezbojenja/promjer kolonije) u rasponu od 2,42 do 6,04. Sposobnost obezbojenja kristal violeta pokazale su sve vrste gljiva, pri čemu je rast vrsta P. chrysosporium i C. subvermispora bio snažno inhibiran ovim bojilom. Fuksin je inhibirao rast odabranih gljiva samo tijekom prvih dana uzgoja. Sposobnost obezbojenja fuksina pokazale su sve vrste, ali indeks obezbojenja nije bio velik (0,24 – 1). Metilensko modrilo nije inhibiralo rast gljiva, ali je sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila pokazala jedino vrsta T. versicolor TV6. Utvrđeno je kako primijenjene koncentracije bojila u podlozi statistički značajno utječu na rast kolonija gljiva, ali nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika u sposobnosti obezbojenja (izraženo kao promjer obezbojenja oko kolonije).This study tested three white rot fungi (four strains) P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 and C. subvermispora for their ability to decolorize five synthetic dyes (Congo Red, Malachite Green, Crystal Violet, Fuchsine and Methylene Blue). The fungi were cultivated at 27 ⁰C for 9 (10) days on agar plates containing dyes at final concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1. The radial growth and the zone of colour change on the agar plates were measured regularly every three days. Both T. versicolor strains, as well C. subvermispora were able to decolorize azo dye Congo Red to some extent. Congo Red did not inhibit the mycelial growth of investigated fungi. Malachite Green strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of all fungal strains. However, high decolourization index (decolourization diameter/mycelial diameter) ranging from 2.42 to 6.04 for all species indicates very good decolourization ability. All fungi were able to decolorize Crystal Violet to some extent. However, apart from P. chrysosporium, growth of all other strains was strongly inhibited by this dye. Fuchsine inhibited the mycelial growth only during the first days of cultivation. All strains were able to decolorize fuchsine, but not as effectively as other two dyes of triphenylmethane group (decolourization index ranging from 0.24 to 1). Only T. versicolor TV6 decolorized Methylene Blue to some extent, even though this dye did not inhibit the mycelial growth of the tested fungal strains. The influence of agar plate dye concentration on fungal growth was statistically significant, while no statistical significance was observed regarding the decolourization ability

Explosives Precursors (Home – Made Explosives): Regulations and Supervision

Za izazivanje kriznih ili izvanrednih situacija, odnosno počinjenje najtežih kaznenih djela, počinitelj često rabi eksplozivne tvari vojne ili gospodarske namjene. Za potrebe nezakonite proizvodnje eksplozivnih naprava (eksploziva kućne izrade) sve se više rabe različite kemikalije, koje su u uporabi u različitim industrijskim granama; ali i kemikalije koje gotovo svakodnevno koriste građani (pojedinci). Kemikalije od kojih se nezakonito proizvode eksplozivi (eksplozivi kućne izrade) nazivaju se prekursori eksploziva, a veliki broj takvih kemikalija može se nabaviti u slobodnoj prodaji. Zbog velike sigurnosne ugroze koja je posljedica nezakonite proizvodnje eksplozivnih tvari, korištenjem različitih kemikalija, odnosno prekursora eksploziva, Europski parlament i Vijeće 15. siječnja 2013. godine donijeli su Uredbu (EU) br. 98/2013 od 15. siječnja 2013. o stavljanju na tržište i uporabu prekursora eksploziva (SL L 39, 9. 2. 2013.) kojom se uspostavljaju pravila o stavljanju na tržište i uporabu prekursora eksploziva. Vezano uz navedenu Uredbu, u Republici je Hrvatskoj 2016. godine donesen Zakon o njezinoj provedbi. Zbog vrlo široke legitimne primjene različitih eksplozivnih tvari, a posebno prekursora eksploziva te zbog brzog razvoja u zlouporabi tih tvari, potrebno je konstantno ulaganje napora za poboljšavanje sustava nadziranja proizvodnje, prometa i uporabe eksplozivnih tvari i prekursora eksploziva. Jedini način otežavanja, odnosno svođenja na najmanju moguću mjeru mogućnosti nezakonite proizvodnje eksploziva, stalni je nadzor nad tvarima od kojih se takvi eksplozivi proizvode.To cause crisis or emergency situations, or to commit the most serious crimes, the perpetrator often uses explosive substances of military or economic use. Various chemicals which are in use in various industries and also chemicals that are used almost daily by citizens (individuals) are increasingly used for the purposes of the illicit manufacture of explosive devices (home-made explosives). Chemicals used to make explosives (home-made explosives) are called explosives precursors, and a large number of such chemicals are commercially available. Due to the high-security risk resulting from the illicit manufacture of explosives by the use of various chemicals, i.e. precursors of explosives the European Parliament and the Council 15 January 2013 brought Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors (OJ L 39, 9.2.2013). Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 establish rules for the market placing and use of explosives precursors. In connection with the aforementioned Regulation, in 2016, the Law on its implementation was adopted in the Republic of Croatia. Due to the extensive legitimate use of various explosives, especially explosives precursors, and the rapid development in the misuse of these substances, constant efforts are needed to improve the control system for the production, traffic and use of explosive substances and explosives precursors. The only way to make it difficult, or to minimise the possibility of illicit production of explosives, is to monitor the substances from which such explosives are produced constantly

Synthetic dyes decolourisation on agar plates by selected fungi

U ovom radu istražena je sposobnost obezbojenja sintetskih bojila (malahitno zelenilo MZ, kristal violet KV, fuksin F i metilensko modrilo MM) pomoću četiri vrste gljiva bijelog truljenja: P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 i C. subvermispora. Gljive su uzgajane pri 27 ⁰C 9 (10) dana na agarnim pločama s dodatkom bojila u koncentracijama 50, 100 i 150 mg L$^{-1}$. Zona rasta kolonija te zona obezbojenja (promjene boje) mjerene su (u dva međusobno okomita smjera) svaka 3 dana. MZ je snažno inhibiralo rast svih vrsta, ali su sve pokazale dobru sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila, što je vidljivo iz velikog indeksa obezbojenja (promjer obezbojenja/promjer kolonije) u rasponu od 2,42 do 6,04. Sposobnost djelomičnog obezbojenja KV pokazale su sve vrste gljiva, pri čemu je rast vrsta P. chrysosporium i C. subvermispora bio snažno inhibiran ovim bojilom. F je inhibirao rast odabranih gljiva samo tijekom prvih dana uzgoja. Sposobnost obezbojenja F pokazale su sve vrste, ali indeks obezbojenja nije bio velik (0,24 – 1). Inhibicija rasta ovim bojilom primijećena je samo u prvim danima uzgoja. MM nije inhibiralo rast gljiva, ali je djelomičnu sposobnost obezbojenja ovog bojila pokazala jedino vrsta T. versicolor TV6. Utvrđeno je kako primijenjene koncentracije bojila u podlozi statistički značajno utječu na rast kolonija gljiva, ali nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika u sposobnosti obezbojenja.Four white rot fungi P. chrysosporium CCBAS 570, T. versicolor CCBAS AG613, T. versicolor TV6 and C. subvermispora were tested for their ability to decolourise synthetic dyes (Malachite Green MG, Crystal Violet CV, Fuchsine F and Methylene Blue MB). Fungal species were cultivated at 27 °C for 9 (10) days on Potato dextrose agar plates containing dyes at final concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg L$^{-1}$. The colony radial growth and the decolourisation zone (in two perpendicular directions) were measured every three days. Although all fungal strains were strongly inhibited by MG, high decolourisation index (decolourisation diameter/mycelial diameter) ranging from 2.42 to 6.04 for all tested species indicated very good decolourisation ability. CV strongly inhibited the growth of all fungi except P. chrysosporium. However, all species partially decolourised CV. F was also decolourised by all strains but the decrease in decolourisation efficiency was observed (decolourisation index ranging from 0.24 to 1). Inhibitory effect of F to fungal growth was observed only during the first cultivation days. Only T. versicolor TV6 partially decolourised MB, even though this dye did not inhibit the mycelial growth of the tested fungal strains. The influence of agar plate dye concentration on fungal growth was statistically significant, while no statistical significance was observed regarding the decolourisation ability

Histološka i citološka istraživanja tkiva reproduktivnog sustava štakora nakon kratkotrajne isprekidane izloženosti radiofrekvencijskom zračenju

The unfavourable outcomes of mobile phone use on male fertility have still not been fully elaborated. To establish the potentially adverse effects of everyday exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RF) on humans, we performed a controlled animal study that aimed to investigate the influence of RF radiation on rat testis histology as well as the amount, mobility, and structure of epididymal free sperm cell population. Eighteen adult male rats were divided into two groups of nine. One group comprised sham-exposed control animals, while the other group endured total body irradiation for an hour daily during two weeks. A 915 MHz RF field, power density of 2.4 W m-2 and strength of 30 V m-1 was generated in a Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic chamber. The specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0.6 W kg-1. Body mass and temperature were measured before and after each exposure treatment. Immediately after the last exposure, the animals were sacrificed and testes removed and prepared for histological analysis. The free sperm cells were collected from the cauda epididymis and their quantity, quality, and morphology were microscopically determined using a haemocytometer. No statistically significant alteration in any of the endpoints was observed. This study found no evidence of an unfavourable effect of the applied RF radiation on testicular function or structure. Based on these results, we can conclude that short-time intermittent exposure to RF radiation does not represent a signifi cant risk factor for rat reproductive functions.Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je ispitati utjecaj radiofrekvencijskog zračenja (RF) na histologiju testisa štakora i slobodnu populaciju epididimalnih spermija. Osamnaest odraslih štakora (12 tjedana starosti, približne tjelesne mase 350 g) podijeljeno je u dvije skupine po devet životinja. Unutar gigahercne transverzalne elektromagnetske komore (GTEM) stvoreno je RF polje frekvencije 915 MHz, gustoće snage 2,4 W m-2 i snage polja 30 V m-1. Jedna skupina životinja (n=9) bila je dva tjedna zračena u GTEM komori jedan sat na dan. Specifična brzina apsorpcije (SAR) iznosila je 0,6 W kg-1. Tjelesna masa i temperatura bile su mjerene prije i nakon svakog ozračivanja. Odmah nakon posljednjeg izlaganja životinje su žrtvovane, testisi su uklonjeni, očišćeni od okolnog tkiva i fiksirani. Uzorci tkiva bili su uklopljeni u parafin, presjeci obojeni hematoksilin-eozinskom bojom. Histološki su preparati analizirani pomoću svjetlosnog mikroskopa. Cauda epididimis isprana je toplim hranjivim medijem. Prikupljene su slobodne stanice, spermiji, te im je hemocitometrom određena količina, kakvoća i morfologija. U usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom, ni jedan praćeni parametar nije statistički značajno odstupao u ozračenoj skupini životinja. Rezultati su pokazali da primijenjeno RF zračenje frekvencije 915 MHZ nije utjecalo na funkciju i strukturu testisa u štakora

REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF THOROUGHBRED MARES IN CROATIA

For the purpose of gaining better cognition on Thoroughbred breeding in Croatia, reproductive parameters of 87 Thoroughbred mares were analyzed. An average age of the first covering and foaling were 5.9 and 6.6 years, respectively. The average gestation length was 341.1 days and the most frequent foaling period (20.2% of foalings) was recorded between 336 to 340 days of gestation. Prolonged gestation period (p<0.05) was determined in colts. The gestation length was the longest in January (344.4 days) and the shortest in July (324.0 days). Between the gestation length and the age of the mare no significant correlation was found. There was a trend of foaling rate decreasing in mares older than 11 years. The highest number of successively registered foalings with 10 live born foals was observed on 2 individual samples. The greatest number of foalings occurred in April (30.9%), whilst there was no foaling in October. The genders were 50.6% male and 49.4% female foals. The incidence of abortions was 7.3%. Although indicators point to the breeding strategy heading towards the right direction, by educating the owners and with frequent veterinary supervision, especially for twin reduction, the reproductive performance could be enhanced

Activity of Radiofrequency Radiation at the Cell Level

Svrha rada je procjena biološkog djelovanja zračenja radiofrekvencijskog (RF) pojasa visokih frekvencija niskog intenziteta na stanične makromolekularne strukture; DNA te mikrotubularna, aktinska i vimentinska vlakna citoskeleta u kontroliranim uvjetima. U istraživanju su korištena dva pokusna modela, životinjski i stanice u kulturi. Štakori (n=40) podijeljeni su u 4 podskupine kako bi svaka za sebe bila zračena. Prva podskupina zračena je 4 h, druga 16 h, treća 30 h i četvrta 60 h. Životinje su žrtvovane 2., 8., 15. i 30. dana pokusa. U istraživanje je bila uključena i kontrolna skupina (n=24). Štakori su podvrgnuti RF zračenju frekvencije 2450 MHz i prosječne gustoće snage elektromagnetskog zračenja 7,5 mW cm-2 (specifične apsorbirana snaga – SAR = 1,25 W kg-1). Stanični uzorci linije V79 izlagani su 1 h, 2 h i 3 h RF zračenju frekvencije 915 MHz, jakosti električnog polja 10 V m-1 (SAR = 0,2 W kg-1). U istraživanju je proveden mikronukleusni test na stanicama in vivo i in vitro. U prvoj fazi istraživanja in vivo nađeno je značajno povišenje broja polikromatskih eritrocita s mikronukleusom (MN) u perifernoj krvi štakora nakon osam tretmana zračenja po dva sata svaki. Genotoksičnost RF zračenja istražena je izlaganjem trajne kulture V79 stanica kontroliranim uvjetima zračenja u istom RF pojasu elektromagnetskog spektra. In vitro studija je pokazala da je značajno povišenje broja stanica s MN i oštećenje polarnih proteinskih vlakana mikrotubula i aktina povezano s duljinom izloženosti zračenju (p<0,05). Naša su istraživanja potvrdila i u in vivo i u in vitro pokusnim uvjetima mogućnost nepoželjnih učinaka radiofrekvencijskih polja na razini polarnih makromolekularnih struktura u stanicama.The aim was to assess the biological effect of low-intensity, radiofrequency (RF) radiation on cell macromolecular structures, DNA, and cytoskeleton fi bres, including the microtubule, actin, and vimentin. The study was performed both in vivo (animal model) and in vitro (cell culture). The in vivo design included exposed rats (n=40) and unexposed controls (n=24). Both groups were divided in four subgroups. The fi rst exposed subgroup was irradiated with 2450 MHz RF waves and an average power density of 7.5 mW cm-2 (SAR = 1.25 W kg-1) for 4 h in total, the second for 16 h, the third for 30 h, and the fourth for 60 h. Daily exposure in all groups was 2 h a day. The animals were killed on exposure days 2, 8, 15, and 30. The in vitro design included continuous cell culture of V79 cells exposed to a 915 MHz RF fi eld and 10 V m-1 electric fi eld (SAR = 0.2 W kg-1) for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. We performed the micronucleus test on polychromatic erythrocytes in vivo and V79 cells in vitro. The test showed signifi cantly more polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei (MN) in rats irradiated for 16 h. The in vitro study confi rmed the signifi cantly higher occurrence of micronucleated cells as well as damage to polar microtubules and actin fi laments, which correlated with the duration of radiation exposure. Our in vivo and in vitro results confirm the possibility of undesired effects of man-made radiofrequency fields at the cell level

COMPUTER SIMULATION AS A TOOL FOR RISK ASSESSMENT OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN A FOOD PRODUCTION CHAIN

Pojam „terorist“ označava osobu koja provodi nasilne radnje s ciljem zastrašivanja ili nanošenja štete, odnosno unošenja kaosa u sustav. Jedna od često potencijalnih meta terorista jest i hrana zbog mogućnosti usmjeravanja akcija na široku populaciju i lakog izazivanja panike. U novije vrijeme takvi incidenti više nisu rijetkost, scenariji o teoretskoj mogućnosti terorističkog napada na neki lanac proizvodnje hrane više ne djeluju samo kao teorija, a zabrinutost da bi se nešto takvo moglo uistinu i dogoditi poprima sve veće dimenzije. Namjerno onečišćenje hrane može imati velike ekonomske posljedice, čak i kada je incident relativno malih razmjera, jer upravo je rušenje ekonomske stabilnosti najčešće glavni motiv nekog namjernog napada koji može biti usmjeren na neki proizvod, pojedinog proizvođača, granu industrije ili cijelu državu. Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija (WHO) u Godišnjem izvješću o zdravlju iz 2007. godine proglasila je slučajna i namjerna onečišćenja hrane kao najveću prijetnju zdravlju u 21. stoljeću. Iz tog razloga, WHO apelira na vlade zemalja članica, a i na ostale, da pomognu prehrambenoj industriji jer ona snosi primarnu odgovornost za hranu koju proizvodi, dok je namjerno onečišćenje hrane opasnim agensima za njih često potpuno nova opcija o kojoj bi trebalo razmisliti. Mjere prevencije, zajedno s pojačanim nadzorom i sredstvima za adekvatan odgovor u slučaju namjernog ili slučajnog incidenta, bolje praćenje hrane i mogućnost njezina brzog povlačenja s tržišta, dvosmjerna komunikacija državnih službi i prehrambene industrije, unaprijed predviđeni scenariji koji će olakšati raspodjelu resursa i jednostavnije postavljanje prioriteta u slučaju incidenta, te koordinacija između industrije i vlade u komunikaciji s javnošću trebali bi biti najmanje što bi svaka vlada trebala učiniti. U tu svrhu posljednjih se godina počelo pridavati puno više pažnje sigurnosti proizvodnih pogona, povećanju higijenskih standarda i uvođenju preventivnog pristupa u vidu uvođenja HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) sustava, čime se razvijaju i implementiraju preventivne mjere kojima se želi spriječiti moguće nenamjerno onečišćenje hrane prilikom njezine proizvodnje, prerade i distribucije. Iako je HACCP najčešće učinkovit sustav, on često zahtijeva nadogradnju u smislu zaštite od namjernih onečišćenja hrane u vidu terorističkih napada. Sprječavanje takvih incidenata ne podrazumijeva obavezno visoku tehnologiju i velike troškove. Pogodna opcija je svima dostupan besplatni računalni program CARVER+Shock koji je razvila Vlada SAD-a a služi kao alat što pomaže pri postavljanju prioriteta i otkrivanju ranjivih točaka unutar nekog proizvodnog sustava ili druge infrastrukture. Program analizira šest karakteristika što se koriste za procjenu privlačnosti cilja za napad: kritičnost, pristupačnost, oporavak, ranjivost, učinak i prepoznatljivost, a provodi se u pet koraka: postavljanje parametara, okupljanje stručnjaka, opis lanca opskrbe hranom, dodjeljivanje ocjena, primjena naučenoga. Navedene mogućnosti čine ovaj program idealnim alatom za identifikaciju potencijalno slabih točaka u lancu proizvodnje hrane s obzirom na napadača i agense koje prepoznajemo kao potencijalne prijetnje.The term “terrorist” is related to a person that is performing violent acts with the aim of frightening or causing damage and producing chaos within the system. Because of the possibilities to direct such actions on wide population and easiness of producing panic, food is often one of the most potential targets for terrorist attacks. In recent years, such incidents are not rare any more, scenarios of theoretical possibilities of terrorist attacks on food chains are not only theoretical, while worry that such scenarios could become real is gaining higher dimension. Intentional spoilage of food can result in significant economic consequences, even when incidents are of relatively low range, because of the ruining of economic stability that is often the main motivation of an intentional attack targeted at a certain food product, producer, industry branch or even whole country. World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared unintentional and intentional food spoilages in its Annual Health Report published in 2007 as the biggest threat to health in 21st century. Because of that, WHO is appealing to the member countries’ governments, as well as the other countries, to help food industry as it carries on now primary responsibility for food safety, while the intentional food spoilage often presents completely new option for them that should be revised. Measures for prevention, together with increased surveillance and facilities for adequate response in cases of intentional or unintentional food spoilage, better tracing and possibilities for food withdrawal, interactive communication between governmental institutions and food producers, predicted scenarios that should rationalise usage of budget, simplification of defining of priorities in the cases of incidents, as well as coordination between the industry and governments in public communication should be considered as a minimum that each government should be doing. With this aim, more care has been directed at the safety of producing units, increase of hygiene standards and introduction of preventive approach through the implementation of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles, which is developing preventive measures aimed at prevention of unintentional food spoilage while producing, processing and distribution of food. Despite the fact that HACCP is most often an efficient system, it frequently demands upgrading in the meaning of protection from intentional food spoilages through the terrorist attacks. Prevention from such incidents does not necessarily require high technology and financial resources. Good opportunity could be found in CARVER+Shock computer program that is accessible and free to use and has been developed by the USA Government. It serves as a tool for determination of priorities and detection of vulnerable points within certain producing unit or other infrastructure. The program can analyse six characteristics that can be used for assessment of attractiveness of a target for attack: criticality, accessibility, recuperability, vulnerability, effect and recognisability, while it is being performed in five steps: establishing parameters, assembling experts, detailing food supply chain, assigning scores and applying what has been learned. The listed possibilities make this program an ideal tool for the identifi cation of potentially weak points in a food producing chain related to attackers and agents recognised as potential threats

Morphological skills in preschool children born after asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction

U istraživanju su ispitana i uspoređena morfološka znanja između djece rođene nakon intrauterinog zastoja rasta i kontrolnih ispitanika. Djeca s intrauterinim zastojem rasta rođena su u terminu, ispod desetog centila za gestacijsku dob, red rođenja i spol. Kontrolni ispitanici su ujednačeni s djecom rođenom nakon inutrauterinog zastoja rasta prema kronološkoj i gestacijskoj dobi, spolu i stupnju obrazovanja majke. Svi ispitanici su rođeni na termin i hrvatski jezik im je materinji. Statistička analiza potvrđuje značajne razlike u koristi kontrolnih ispitanika na zadacima za ispitivanje infleksijske morfologije. Najveći doprinos razlikama daju dvojina imenica i množina lažnih riječi. Prema rezultatima istraživanja možemo zaključiti kako intrauterini zastoj rasta može imati negativan utjecaj na usvajanje jezičnih sposobnosti u dijelu morfoloških znanja. Rezultati upućuju na potrebu praćenja ove skupine neurorizčne djece kako bi se mogući zastoji ili usporavanja u usvajanju jezičnih sposobnosti uočili u ranoj dobi, što bi omogućilo pravovremenu intervenciju.The study assessed and compared morphological knowledge between a group of children born after asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and a group of children with adequate birth weight (BW). IUGR participants were born at full term with BW under the 10th percentile for gestation age, parity and gender. There were 40 examinees in each group matched according to chronological and gestational age, gender and mother’s educational level. All children were born at term and they were native speakers of the Croatian language. Results confirmed statistically significant differences at the level of inflection of morphological knowledge. Variables of dual of nouns and plural of pseudowords had the most discriminatory power. According to findings from this research, IUGR has a negative impact on the development of morphological knowledge. The results indicate the necessity to follow up on children with IUGR for the purpose of detecting language difficulties and early intervention