Some Demographic Changes in the Communes of »Zagreb Ring« under the Influence of Zagreb

Some quantitative indicators of the population dynamics in 14 communes of Zagreb region (so called »Zagreb Ring«), under the influence of a city are being presented as the subject of article. The author has found the trend of the population dynamics to be under the average in the Central-Croatian macro-region as well as in the whole of Croatia. A total number of inhabitants in those communes has almost been stagnating with the negative migratory balance relatively great. But analysis shows considerable differences among the observed communes: in the communes closer to Zagreb, faster and more favorable development is being observed. Furthermore, there is a considerably faster increase of inhabitants in communal centers with regard to the republic average, and at the same time, a number of inhabitants in villages has been reduced (—6,0%) with negative migratory balance of 9,6%. Great increase in the number of inhabitants living in the suburban communes of Zagreb points at the process of decentralization of some urban functions, what in return renders possible the more rational redistribution of inhabitants in the over-inhabited city area

The Effects of Parental Smoking on Anthropometric Parameters, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Physical Condition in School Children

Passive smoking in children is a considerable health problem, mainly arising from parental smoking. The objectives of the present cross-sectional study were to assess the impact of passive smoking on 1) anthropometric parameters; 2) peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR); and 3) physical condition in school children. The target population included 177 children attending elementary school 5th to 8th grade. Study subjects were divided into two groups according to parental smoking habits. Body weight and height were determined using a digital weighing scale and digital stadiometer; PEFR was measured between 8 AM and 10 AM using a Peak Flow Meter; and physical condition was assessed by the 6-minute run test. Sixty-six percent of study children were exposed to passive smoking. The children of smoking parents had higher BMI [18.79 (17.50-21.13) kg/m2] than children of nonsmoking parents [17.90 (16.00-20.00) kg/m2; P=0.036]. There was no statistically significant difference in body height and weight. The children of smoking parents had statistically lower values of PEFR [M(IQR)=84 (78-88)%, M(IQR)=94 (89-101)%, respectively; P<0.0001] and 6-minute run test than children of nonsmoking parents [M(IQR)=2(1-3), M(IQR)=4(3-5); respectively; P<0.0001]. The results of the present study showed that exposure of school children to passive smoking by their parents resulted in an increase of BMI, impairment of lung function, and impairment of physical condition, especially in children of both smoking parents

The Effects of Parental Smoking on Anthropometric Parameters, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Physical Condition in School Children

Passive smoking in children is a considerable health problem, mainly arising from parental smoking. The objectives of the present cross-sectional study were to assess the impact of passive smoking on 1) anthropometric parameters; 2) peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR); and 3) physical condition in school children. The target population included 177 children attending elementary school 5th to 8th grade. Study subjects were divided into two groups according to parental smoking habits. Body weight and height were determined using a digital weighing scale and digital stadiometer; PEFR was measured between 8 AM and 10 AM using a Peak Flow Meter; and physical condition was assessed by the 6-minute run test. Sixty-six percent of study children were exposed to passive smoking. The children of smoking parents had higher BMI [18.79 (17.50-21.13) kg/m2] than children of nonsmoking parents [17.90 (16.00-20.00) kg/m2; P=0.036]. There was no statistically significant difference in body height and weight. The children of smoking parents had statistically lower values of PEFR [M(IQR)=84 (78-88)%, M(IQR)=94 (89-101)%, respectively; P<0.0001] and 6-minute run test than children of nonsmoking parents [M(IQR)=2(1-3), M(IQR)=4(3-5); respectively; P<0.0001]. The results of the present study showed that exposure of school children to passive smoking by their parents resulted in an increase of BMI, impairment of lung function, and impairment of physical condition, especially in children of both smoking parents

Hierarchical and Redundant Lymphocyte Subset Control Precludes Cytomegalovirus Replication during Latent Infection

Reactivation from latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is often associated with conditions of immunosuppression and can result in fatal disease. Whether the maintenance of systemic CMV latency is mainly governed by factors of the infected cell or by immune control functions is unknown. Likewise, the putative immune control mechanisms which could prevent the induction and spread of recurrent CMV infection are not clearly identified. We took advantage of latently infected B cell–deficient mice and a sensitive method for virus detection to study CMV reactivation after ablation of lymphocyte subsets. A crucial role of both T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells was demonstrated. Within 5 d after depletion of lymphocytes, productive infection occurred in 50% of mice, and 14 d later 100% of mice exhibited recurrent infection. A hierarchy of immune control functions of CD8+, NK, and CD4+ cells was established. Reactivation was rare if only one of the lymphocyte subsets was depleted, but was evident after removal of a further subset, indicating a functional redundancy of control mechanisms. The salivary glands were identified as the site of most rapid virus shedding, followed by the detection of recurrent virus in the lungs, and eventually in the spleen. Our findings document a previously unknown propensity of latent CMV genomes to enter productive infection immediately and with a high frequency after immune cell depletion. The data indicate that only the sustained cellular immune control prevents CMV replication and restricts the viral genome to a systemic state of latency

Peak Health Care Burden During the First Three COVID-19 Waves in the Republic of Croatia

Uvod: Preopterećenje kapaciteta zdravstvenog sustava predstavlja jednu od glavnih prijetnji tijekom COVID-19 pandemije. Cilj je prikazati vršne vrijednosti odabranih indikatora tijekom COVID-19 valova u RH i osigurati informacije koje će omogućiti reviziju plana spremnosti i moguću re(organizaciju) rada bolnica. Metode: Retrospektivna analiza rezultata COVID-19 testiranja, infekcija, hospitalizacija, JIL popunjenosti te podataka o osobama na respiratoru i preminulih prikupljanih sustavom nadzora kapaciteta tijekom prva tri vala u RH. Rezultati: Vršna popunjenost bolničkih kreveta opažena u 2. i 3. valu bila je 70,19% i 54,60%, u usporedbi s maksimalnim kapacitetima raspoloživim tijekom COVID-19 valova, te 168,90% i 131,38%, u usporedbi s kapacitetima dostupnima između dva vala, JIL kreveta 75,51% i 70,73% odnosno 170,51% i 160,37%. Vršne dnevne vrijednosti bile su kako slijedi (prvi/drugi/treći val); pozitivni: 53/4827/3198; testirani: 1984/13325/11622; ukupno hospitalizirani: 372/2976/2315; ukupno na respiratoru: 31/306/278; ukupno JIL hospitalizirani: nepoznato/370/348, preminuli: 8/92/52. Zaključak: Tijekom korona valova, zahtjevi za bolničkim i JIL posteljama značajno su nadmašili postojeće standardne kapacitete zdravstvenog sustava. Sustav se akutno uspio prilagoditi povećanjem broja raspoloživih kreveta za COVID-19 pacijente. Međutim, obzirom na do sada opažene vršne vrijednosti, potrebno je trajno dodatno povećanje ili reorganizacija bolničkih kapaciteta koji bi osigurali da se tijekom predstojećih valova izbjegne ugroza zdravlja ne-COVID-19 i COVID-19 bolesnika te preopterećenja dijela osoblja.Introduction: One of the main concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic was the overload of health care sector capacities. The objective of this paper was to show peak numbers of selected indicators during the three COVID-19 waves in Croatia and ensure information that will enable revision of preparedness plan and potential hospitals` (re)organization. Methods: Retrospective analysis of COVID-19 testing, infections, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, mechanical ventilation support and deceased data collected via capacity surveillance in the Republic of Croatia during the first three waves. Results: Peak hospital bed occupancy rates observed in the 2nd and 3rd waves were 70.19% and 54.60%, compared to maximum capacity during the COVID-19 wave, and 168.90% and 131.38%, compared to maximum capacity between waves, while ICU beds occupancy rates were 75.51% and 70.73%, and 170.51% and 160.37%, respectively. Peak daily numbers were as follows (first/ second/third wave); positive persons: 53/4827/3198; tested persons: 1984/13325/11622; total hospitalized persons: 372/2976/2315; total mechanical ventilation needed: 31/306/278; total ICU hospitalized: unknown/370/348; deceased: 8/92/52. Conclusion: During pandemic waves, the requirements for hospital and ICU beds significantly exceeded standard available health sector capacities. The system has acutely adjusted by increasing the number of beds available for COVID-19 patients. However, given the peaks observed so far, a permanent additional increase or reorganization of hospital capacity is needed to ensure that during the upcoming waves non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 patients won’t be endangered or part of the staff overloaded

Participation of endogenous tumour necrosis factor in host resistance to cytomegalovirus infection

Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) represents an essential cytokine involved in murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) clearance from the salivary gland and the control of horizontal transmission. Because IFN gamma cannot be responsible for all cytokine effects during recovery from MCMV infection we have now tested the potential participation of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the antiviral defence. Neutralization of endogenous TNF alpha abolished the antiviral activity of CD4 T cells in immunocompetent as well as in CD8 subset-deficient mice. These data suggest that the antiviral effect of the CD4 subset requires the presence of at least two cytokines, namely IFN gamma and TNF alpha. Depletion of endogenous TNF alpha in adoptive cell transfer recipients diminished the antiviral function of CD8 T lymphocytes suggesting that TNF alpha also participates in CD8 T cell effector functions. Furthermore, endogenous cytokines were found to be required for survival after infection with lethal doses of MCMV, whereas immunotherapy with recombinant TNF alpha and IFN gamma could not limit virus replication in vivo. The results suggest that, similar to IFN gamma, TNF alpha is an integral part of the protective mechanisms involved in cytomegalovirus clearance

Research on Ship Collision Probability Model Based on Monte Carlo Simulation and Bi-LSTM

The efficiency and safety of maritime traffic in a given area can be measured by analyzing traffic density and ship collision probability. Maritime traffic density is the number of ships passing through a given area in a given period of time. It can be measured using vessel tracking systems, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The information provided by AIS is real-time data designed to improve maritime safety. However, the AIS data can also be used for scientific research purposes to improve maritime safety by developing predictive models for collisions in a research area. This article proposes a ship collision probability estimation model based on Monte Carlo simulation (MC) and bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (Bi-LSTM) for the maritime region of Split. The proposed model includes the processing of AIS data, the verification of AIS data, the determination of ports and ship routes, MC and the collision probability, the Bi-LSTM learning process based on MC, the ship collision probability for new or existing routes, and the traffic density. The results of MC, i.e., traffic/vessel route and density, and collision probability for the study area can be used for Bi-LSTM training with the aim of estimating ship collision probability. This article presents the first part of research that includes MC in detail, followed by a preliminary result based on one day of processed AIS data used to simulate MC and propose a model architecture that implements Bi-LSTM for ship collision probability estimation

Research on Ship Collision Probability Model Based on Monte Carlo Simulation and Bi-LSTM

The efficiency and safety of maritime traffic in a given area can be measured by analyzing traffic density and ship collision probability. Maritime traffic density is the number of ships passing through a given area in a given period of time. It can be measured using vessel tracking systems, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The information provided by AIS is real-time data designed to improve maritime safety. However, the AIS data can also be used for scientific research purposes to improve maritime safety by developing predictive models for collisions in a research area. This article proposes a ship collision probability estimation model based on Monte Carlo simulation (MC) and bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (Bi-LSTM) for the maritime region of Split. The proposed model includes the processing of AIS data, the verification of AIS data, the determination of ports and ship routes, MC and the collision probability, the Bi-LSTM learning process based on MC, the ship collision probability for new or existing routes, and the traffic density. The results of MC, i.e., traffic/vessel route and density, and collision probability for the study area can be used for Bi-LSTM training with the aim of estimating ship collision probability. This article presents the first part of research that includes MC in detail, followed by a preliminary result based on one day of processed AIS data used to simulate MC and propose a model architecture that implements Bi-LSTM for ship collision probability estimation

Gamma interferon-dependent clearance of cytomegalovirus infection in salivary glands

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), similar to other members of the Herpesviridae family, can establish both persistent and latent infections. Each of the CMVs that are found in many animal species replicates in the salivary gland, and oral secretion represents a source of horizontal transmission. Locally restricted replication characterizes the immunocompetent individual, whereas in the immunocompromised host, protean disease manifestations occur due to virus dissemination. The virus is cleared by immune surveillance, and CD8+ T lymphocytes play a major role. Remarkably, certain cell types of salivary gland tissues are exempt from CD8+ T-lymphocyte control of murine CMV infection and require the activity of CD4+ T lymphocytes. The results presented here suggest that this activity is a function of Th1 cells. Neutralization of endogenous gamma interferon abrogated the antiviral activity of Th1 cells but not that of CD8+ T lymphocytes in other tissues. Neutralization of endogenous gamma interferon did not interfere with the induction of the cellular and humoral immune response but acted during the effector phase. Recombinant gamma interferon could not replace the function of Th1 cells in vivo and had limited direct antiviral activity in vitro. The results therefore suggest that gamma interferon represents one, but not the only, essential factor involved in salivary gland clearance, establishment of CMV latency, and, eventually, the control of horizontal transmission