Effect of Antioxidants and Synergists on the Shelf Life of Hemp Oil

U ovom radu ispitan je utjecaj dodatka prirodnih i sintetskih antioksidanasa te sinergista na promjenu oksidacijske stabilnosti (održivosti) hladno prešanog konopljinog ulja. Od prirodnih antioksidanasa korišteni su ekstrakt ružmarina OxyLess CS, ekstrakt kadulje, alfa tokoferol, mješavina tokoferola, ekstrakt maslinove komine i katehin, a od sintetskih antioksidanasa propil galat te butil hidroksianisol. Kao sinergisti korištene su askorbinska i limunska kiselina. Efikasnost dodatka navedenih antioksidanasa i sinergista u stabilizaciji ulja određena je SchaalOven testom oksidacijske stabilnosti kod konstantne temperature 63 ⁰C. Također, primjenom standardnih metoda određeni su osnovni parametri kvalitete konopljinog ulja: peroksidni broj, slobodne masne kiseline, netopljive nečistoće i udio vlage. Rezultati pokazuju da je dodatkom prirodnih antioksidanasa postignuta bolja zaštita ulja od oksidacijskog kvarenja, nego dodatkom sintetskih antioksidansa. Najbolje djelovanje na usporavanje oksidacijskog kvarenja konopljinog ulja pokazao je ekstrakt ružmarina. Sinergisti su dodatno povećali otpornost ulja konoplje prema oksidacijskom kvarenju, a bolje sinergističko djelovanje pokazala je askorbinska kiselina.Aim of this study was to examine the influence of the addition of natural and synthetic antioxidants and synergists on the oxidative stability of cold pressed hemp oil. The natural antioxidants used were rosemary OxyLess CS extract, sage extract, alpha tocopherol, a mixture of tocopherol, olive pomace and catechin, and synthetic antioxidants propyl gallate and butyl hydroxyanisole. Ascorbic and citric acid were used as synergists. The effectiveness of the addition of these antioxidants and synergists in oil stabilization was determined by the Schaal Oven oxidation stability test at a constant temperature of 63 ⁰C. Also, by using standard methods, basic parameters of hemp oil quality were determined: peroxide number, free fatty acids, insoluble impurities and moisture content. The results showed that the addition of natural antioxidants results in better protection of the oil from oxidative deterioration than the addition of synthetic antioxidants. Rosemary extract showed the best effect in slowing down the oxidative degradation of hemp oil. Synergists further increased the resistance of hemp oil to oxidative degradation, and ascorbic acid showed better synergistic activity

Effect of Antioxidants and Synergists on the Shelf Life of Hemp Oil

U ovom radu ispitan je utjecaj dodatka prirodnih i sintetskih antioksidanasa te sinergista na promjenu oksidacijske stabilnosti (održivosti) hladno prešanog konopljinog ulja. Od prirodnih antioksidanasa korišteni su ekstrakt ružmarina OxyLess CS, ekstrakt kadulje, alfa tokoferol, mješavina tokoferola, ekstrakt maslinove komine i katehin, a od sintetskih antioksidanasa propil galat te butil hidroksianisol. Kao sinergisti korištene su askorbinska i limunska kiselina. Efikasnost dodatka navedenih antioksidanasa i sinergista u stabilizaciji ulja određena je SchaalOven testom oksidacijske stabilnosti kod konstantne temperature 63 ⁰C. Također, primjenom standardnih metoda određeni su osnovni parametri kvalitete konopljinog ulja: peroksidni broj, slobodne masne kiseline, netopljive nečistoće i udio vlage. Rezultati pokazuju da je dodatkom prirodnih antioksidanasa postignuta bolja zaštita ulja od oksidacijskog kvarenja, nego dodatkom sintetskih antioksidansa. Najbolje djelovanje na usporavanje oksidacijskog kvarenja konopljinog ulja pokazao je ekstrakt ružmarina. Sinergisti su dodatno povećali otpornost ulja konoplje prema oksidacijskom kvarenju, a bolje sinergističko djelovanje pokazala je askorbinska kiselina.Aim of this study was to examine the influence of the addition of natural and synthetic antioxidants and synergists on the oxidative stability of cold pressed hemp oil. The natural antioxidants used were rosemary OxyLess CS extract, sage extract, alpha tocopherol, a mixture of tocopherol, olive pomace and catechin, and synthetic antioxidants propyl gallate and butyl hydroxyanisole. Ascorbic and citric acid were used as synergists. The effectiveness of the addition of these antioxidants and synergists in oil stabilization was determined by the Schaal Oven oxidation stability test at a constant temperature of 63 ⁰C. Also, by using standard methods, basic parameters of hemp oil quality were determined: peroxide number, free fatty acids, insoluble impurities and moisture content. The results showed that the addition of natural antioxidants results in better protection of the oil from oxidative deterioration than the addition of synthetic antioxidants. Rosemary extract showed the best effect in slowing down the oxidative degradation of hemp oil. Synergists further increased the resistance of hemp oil to oxidative degradation, and ascorbic acid showed better synergistic activity

Serumska vrijednost homocisteina u mladih bolesnika koji nisu primali sustavnu i biološku terapiju

Introduction: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease, affecting approximately 1-3% of the population worldwide. Psoriasis patients are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascu- lar diseases and hyperhomocysteinemia; however, it remains elusive weather serum homocysteine levels correlate to disease activity and duration of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of homocysteine in young patients with plaque psoriasis naïve for conventional systemic and biologic therapy. An additional aim was to determine correlation of homocysteine levels with disease severity, inflammation, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplies. Materials and methods: 26 subjects were enrolled to participate in this case-control study, including 13 adult psoriatic patients naïve for systemic therapy, without comorbidities, malignancies and infectious diseases, and 13 healthy unrelated, age and sex-matched volunteers. The disease severity and life quality were assessed using standardized tools – Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), respectively. Venous blood was collected and processed for analysis of differential blood count (DBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (hsCRP), serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid in the routine clinical laboratory. Results Studied cohort consisted of young participants with average age around 35 years. According to the PASI index, disease severity ranged from mild (2.10) to moderate (15.2). There was no significant difference in hsCRP and DBC levels between the groups. Psoriasis patients had significantly higher levels of homocysteine compared to healthy subjects, but there was no evidence of hyperhomocystein- emia related to psoriasis. All subjects had normal serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid. A moderate negative correlation was found between plasma homocysteine level and vitamin B12 and folic acid. Furthermore, homocysteine levels did not correlate to hsCRP, total leukocytes, and thrombocytes count, but did significantly positively correlate to ESR. Conclusions: The risk of cardiovascular diseases should be considered among all psoriasis patients, regardless of age and disease severity, but larger prospective controlled studies are needed to estimate the role of homocysteine in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in psoriatic patients.Uvod: Psorijaza je imunološki posredovana kronična upalna bolest, koja pogađa otprilike 1-3% populacije u svijetu. Pacijenti oboljeli od psorijaze imaju veću vjerojatnost razvoja kardiovaskularnih bolesti i hiperho- mocisteinemije, međutim, ostaje nejasna povezanost serumske razine homocisteina s aktivnošću i trajanjem bolesti. Cilj ove studije bio je ispitati serumske vrijednosti homocisteina u mladih bolesnika s plak psorijazom, koji nisu do sada primali sustavnu, ili biološku terapiju. Dodatni cilj bio je utvrditi povezanost serumske razine homocisteina s težinom bolesti, razinom upale te razinom folne kiseline i vitamina B12. Materijali i metode U ovo istraživanje bilo je uključeno 26 ispitanika, uključujući 13 odraslih bolesnika s psorijazom naivnih za sustanu terapiju, bez komorbiditeta, malignih oboljenja i zaraznih bolesti te 13 zdravih, nepovezanih, dobno i spolno usklađenih dobrovoljaca. Težina bolesti i kvaliteta života procijenjena je korištenjem standardiziranih testova - Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) i Dermatološkog indeksa kvalitete života (DLQI). Iz venske krvi ispitanika, u rutinskom kliničkom laboratoriju, određena je diferenci- jalna krvna slika (DKS), brzina sedimentacije eritrocita (SE), C reaktivni protein (hsCRP) te serumske razine homocisteina, vitamina B12 i folne kiseline. Rezultati Istraživana skupina sastojala se od mladih sudionika, prosječne dobi oko 35 godina. Prema PASI indeksu, težina bolesti bila je u rasponu od blage (2,10) do umjerene (15,2) psorijaze. Nije bilo značajne raz- like u vrijednostima hsCRP-a i DKS-a između ispitivanih skupina. Ispitanici s psorijazom imali su statistički značajno više vrijednosti homocisteina u usporedbi sa zdravim ispitanicima, ali nije bilo dokaza hiperhomo- cisteinemije povezane s psorijazom. Svi ispitanici imali su normalne vrijednosti vitamina B12 i folne kiseline u serumu. Utvrđena je umjerena negativna povezanost između razine homocisteina u serumu i vitamina B12 te razine homocisteina i folne kiseline. Nadalje, serumska razina homocisteina nije bila povezana s hsCRP-om, ukupnim brojem leukocita i trombocita, ali je uočena značajna pozitivna povezanost serumske razine homocisteina i sedimentacije. Zaključak: Rizik od kardiovaskularnih bolesti treba razmotriti među svim pacijentima oboljelima od psori- jaze, bez obzira na njihovu dob i težinu bolesti. Potrebna su veća prospektivna, kontrolirana ispitivanja kao bi se procijenila uloga homocisteina u razvoju kardiovaskularnih bolesti kod psorijatičnih bolesnika

Serumska vrijednost homocisteina u mladih bolesnika koji nisu primali sustavnu i biološku terapiju

Introduction: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease, affecting approximately 1-3% of the population worldwide. Psoriasis patients are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascu- lar diseases and hyperhomocysteinemia; however, it remains elusive weather serum homocysteine levels correlate to disease activity and duration of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of homocysteine in young patients with plaque psoriasis naïve for conventional systemic and biologic therapy. An additional aim was to determine correlation of homocysteine levels with disease severity, inflammation, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplies. Materials and methods: 26 subjects were enrolled to participate in this case-control study, including 13 adult psoriatic patients naïve for systemic therapy, without comorbidities, malignancies and infectious diseases, and 13 healthy unrelated, age and sex-matched volunteers. The disease severity and life quality were assessed using standardized tools – Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), respectively. Venous blood was collected and processed for analysis of differential blood count (DBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (hsCRP), serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid in the routine clinical laboratory. Results Studied cohort consisted of young participants with average age around 35 years. According to the PASI index, disease severity ranged from mild (2.10) to moderate (15.2). There was no significant difference in hsCRP and DBC levels between the groups. Psoriasis patients had significantly higher levels of homocysteine compared to healthy subjects, but there was no evidence of hyperhomocystein- emia related to psoriasis. All subjects had normal serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid. A moderate negative correlation was found between plasma homocysteine level and vitamin B12 and folic acid. Furthermore, homocysteine levels did not correlate to hsCRP, total leukocytes, and thrombocytes count, but did significantly positively correlate to ESR. Conclusions: The risk of cardiovascular diseases should be considered among all psoriasis patients, regardless of age and disease severity, but larger prospective controlled studies are needed to estimate the role of homocysteine in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in psoriatic patients.Uvod: Psorijaza je imunološki posredovana kronična upalna bolest, koja pogađa otprilike 1-3% populacije u svijetu. Pacijenti oboljeli od psorijaze imaju veću vjerojatnost razvoja kardiovaskularnih bolesti i hiperho- mocisteinemije, međutim, ostaje nejasna povezanost serumske razine homocisteina s aktivnošću i trajanjem bolesti. Cilj ove studije bio je ispitati serumske vrijednosti homocisteina u mladih bolesnika s plak psorijazom, koji nisu do sada primali sustavnu, ili biološku terapiju. Dodatni cilj bio je utvrditi povezanost serumske razine homocisteina s težinom bolesti, razinom upale te razinom folne kiseline i vitamina B12. Materijali i metode U ovo istraživanje bilo je uključeno 26 ispitanika, uključujući 13 odraslih bolesnika s psorijazom naivnih za sustanu terapiju, bez komorbiditeta, malignih oboljenja i zaraznih bolesti te 13 zdravih, nepovezanih, dobno i spolno usklađenih dobrovoljaca. Težina bolesti i kvaliteta života procijenjena je korištenjem standardiziranih testova - Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) i Dermatološkog indeksa kvalitete života (DLQI). Iz venske krvi ispitanika, u rutinskom kliničkom laboratoriju, određena je diferenci- jalna krvna slika (DKS), brzina sedimentacije eritrocita (SE), C reaktivni protein (hsCRP) te serumske razine homocisteina, vitamina B12 i folne kiseline. Rezultati Istraživana skupina sastojala se od mladih sudionika, prosječne dobi oko 35 godina. Prema PASI indeksu, težina bolesti bila je u rasponu od blage (2,10) do umjerene (15,2) psorijaze. Nije bilo značajne raz- like u vrijednostima hsCRP-a i DKS-a između ispitivanih skupina. Ispitanici s psorijazom imali su statistički značajno više vrijednosti homocisteina u usporedbi sa zdravim ispitanicima, ali nije bilo dokaza hiperhomo- cisteinemije povezane s psorijazom. Svi ispitanici imali su normalne vrijednosti vitamina B12 i folne kiseline u serumu. Utvrđena je umjerena negativna povezanost između razine homocisteina u serumu i vitamina B12 te razine homocisteina i folne kiseline. Nadalje, serumska razina homocisteina nije bila povezana s hsCRP-om, ukupnim brojem leukocita i trombocita, ali je uočena značajna pozitivna povezanost serumske razine homocisteina i sedimentacije. Zaključak: Rizik od kardiovaskularnih bolesti treba razmotriti među svim pacijentima oboljelima od psori- jaze, bez obzira na njihovu dob i težinu bolesti. Potrebna su veća prospektivna, kontrolirana ispitivanja kao bi se procijenila uloga homocisteina u razvoju kardiovaskularnih bolesti kod psorijatičnih bolesnika

Quasi-vitamins

Kvazivitamini su spojevi koji se ne smatraju vitaminima u pravom smislu, no za pojedine životinjske vrste ili pod određenim uvjetima mogu ispunjavati kriterij vitamina. Kod ljudi se najčešće sintetiziraju u tijelu ili nisu od esencijalne važnosti ukoliko njihov deficit ne uzrokuje ozbiljnija zdravstvena stanja. U ovu skupinu ubrajaju se različiti spojevi koji pozitivno djeluju na ljudsko zdravlje. Flavonoidi se ne mogu sintetizirati u ljudskom tijelu, no imaju dobra antioksidativna svojstva pa sprječavaju štetne oksidacijske procese, preveniraju kardiovaskularna oboljenja, smanjuju krvni tlak i LDL-kolesterol. Lipoična kiselina smanjuje simptome dijabetske neuropatije te ima dobra antioksidativna djelovanja zbog kojih se povezuje s prevencijom bolesti povezanih sa oksidativnim stresom. Ubikinon (koezim Q10) ima antioksidativno djelovanje, pomaže u regulaciju krvnog tlaka kod hipertenzije, oporavku oboljelih od raka, a pozitivne učinke pokazuje i kod smanjenja simptoma nekih neurodegenerativnih bolesti. Kolin ima bitne uloge u metabolizmu masti te pridonosi smanjenju rizika obolijevanja od kardiovaskularnih bolesti pa njegov veći deficit može uzrokovati ozbiljne bolesti jetre i bubrega te kardiovaskularne bolesti. Karnitin pokazuje pozitivne učinke u povećanju izdržljivosti kod srčanih bolesnika, smanjuje simptome hemodijalize, a smatra se i da smanjuje kognitivno propadanje kod oboljelih od Alzheimerove bolesti. Uz njih, u kvazivitamine se svrstavaju i ne-provitaminski karotenoidi, mio-inozitol, orotska kiselina, p-aminobezojeva kiselina te pirolokinolin kinon. Za većinu navedenih učinaka, a osobito za pretpostavljena djelovanja potrebna su daljnja istraživanja.Quasi vitamins are compounds that are not considered vitamins in the true sense, but for certain animal species or under certain conditions can meet the vitamin criterion. Human body usually can synthesize them or they do not have essential significance if their deficiency does not cause any serious health condition. This group includes various compounds that positively affect human health. Flavonoids can not be synthesized in the human body, but they have good antioxidant properties so they prevent oxidative processes, also cardiovascular disease, reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Lipoic acid reduces the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and has good antioxidant effects due to which is related with the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) has antioxidant activity, helps regulate blood pressure in hypertension, cancer recovery, and has positive effects in reducing the symptoms of some neurodegenerative diseases. Colin plays an important role in fat metabolism and contributes to reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, so its higher deficit can cause severe liver and kidney diseases and also cardiovascular diseases. Carnitine indicates positive effects in increasing cardiac endurance, reduces hemodialysis symptoms, and is also considered to reduce cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Often studied quasi-vitamins are also non-provitamin A carotenoids, mio-inositol, orotic acid, paminobenzoic acid and pyroloquinoline quinone. Further research is needed for most of the mentioned effects, especially for the assumed ones

Quasi-vitamins

Kvazivitamini su spojevi koji se ne smatraju vitaminima u pravom smislu, no za pojedine životinjske vrste ili pod određenim uvjetima mogu ispunjavati kriterij vitamina. Kod ljudi se najčešće sintetiziraju u tijelu ili nisu od esencijalne važnosti ukoliko njihov deficit ne uzrokuje ozbiljnija zdravstvena stanja. U ovu skupinu ubrajaju se različiti spojevi koji pozitivno djeluju na ljudsko zdravlje. Flavonoidi se ne mogu sintetizirati u ljudskom tijelu, no imaju dobra antioksidativna svojstva pa sprječavaju štetne oksidacijske procese, preveniraju kardiovaskularna oboljenja, smanjuju krvni tlak i LDL-kolesterol. Lipoična kiselina smanjuje simptome dijabetske neuropatije te ima dobra antioksidativna djelovanja zbog kojih se povezuje s prevencijom bolesti povezanih sa oksidativnim stresom. Ubikinon (koezim Q10) ima antioksidativno djelovanje, pomaže u regulaciju krvnog tlaka kod hipertenzije, oporavku oboljelih od raka, a pozitivne učinke pokazuje i kod smanjenja simptoma nekih neurodegenerativnih bolesti. Kolin ima bitne uloge u metabolizmu masti te pridonosi smanjenju rizika obolijevanja od kardiovaskularnih bolesti pa njegov veći deficit može uzrokovati ozbiljne bolesti jetre i bubrega te kardiovaskularne bolesti. Karnitin pokazuje pozitivne učinke u povećanju izdržljivosti kod srčanih bolesnika, smanjuje simptome hemodijalize, a smatra se i da smanjuje kognitivno propadanje kod oboljelih od Alzheimerove bolesti. Uz njih, u kvazivitamine se svrstavaju i ne-provitaminski karotenoidi, mio-inozitol, orotska kiselina, p-aminobezojeva kiselina te pirolokinolin kinon. Za većinu navedenih učinaka, a osobito za pretpostavljena djelovanja potrebna su daljnja istraživanja.Quasi vitamins are compounds that are not considered vitamins in the true sense, but for certain animal species or under certain conditions can meet the vitamin criterion. Human body usually can synthesize them or they do not have essential significance if their deficiency does not cause any serious health condition. This group includes various compounds that positively affect human health. Flavonoids can not be synthesized in the human body, but they have good antioxidant properties so they prevent oxidative processes, also cardiovascular disease, reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Lipoic acid reduces the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and has good antioxidant effects due to which is related with the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) has antioxidant activity, helps regulate blood pressure in hypertension, cancer recovery, and has positive effects in reducing the symptoms of some neurodegenerative diseases. Colin plays an important role in fat metabolism and contributes to reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, so its higher deficit can cause severe liver and kidney diseases and also cardiovascular diseases. Carnitine indicates positive effects in increasing cardiac endurance, reduces hemodialysis symptoms, and is also considered to reduce cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Often studied quasi-vitamins are also non-provitamin A carotenoids, mio-inositol, orotic acid, paminobenzoic acid and pyroloquinoline quinone. Further research is needed for most of the mentioned effects, especially for the assumed ones

Evaluation of chemical status of Kopački rit surface water bodies through analysis of selected heavy metals through one-year period

Močvarni ekosustavi predstavljaju najproduktivnije ekosustave na Zemlji. Zbog izmjene suhe i vlažne faze osiguravaju raznolikost ekoloških uvjeta na istom staništu te podržavaju veliku bioraznolikost flore i faune. Dinamika plavljenja Kopačkog rita posljedica je njegovog geografskog smještaja na području ušća Drave u Dunav. Kemijsko stanje površinske vode utvrđuje se na temelju prosječne (PGK) i maksimalne godišnje koncentracije (MGK). Teški metali ubrajaju se u grupu najopasnijih anorganskih onečišćujućih tvari zbog bionerazgradivosti, bioakumulacije i zbog ugradnje u hranidbene mreže. Otopljeni u vodi nalaze se u ionskom obliku i ne mogu se biološki razgraditi, ali se mogu bioakumulirati. U sklopu projekta Naturavita na području Kopačkog rita provedeno je uzorkovanje i analiza žive, nikla, kadmija i olova te njihovih spojeva na 19 postaja kroz jednogodišnji period od 12 ciklusa. Prema rezultatima, za sve mjerne postaje izmjerene prosječne (PGK) i maksimalne godišnje koncentracije (MGK) ne prelaze SKVO iz Uredbe o standardu kakvoće vode (NN 96/2019) te je na svim postajama postignuto dobro kemijsko stanje.Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Due to the undergoing wet – dry cycles, they ensure the diversity of ecological conditions and support high biodiversity. The dynamics of the Kopački rit floodplain water regime is a consequence of its geographical location in the area of the Drava – Danube confluence. The chemical status of surface water is based on the annual average concentrations (AAC) of the substances and on the maximum annual concentration (MAC). Heavy metals are among the most dangerous inorganic pollutants due to biodegradability, bioaccumulation, toxicity and due to incorporation into food chains. Dissolved in water, they are in ionic form and non-biodegradable and tend to accumulate in living things in the process of bioaccumulation. As part of the Naturavita project in the Nature Park Kopački rit, sampling and analysis of mercury, nickel, cadmium, lead and their compounds were carried out at 19 locations through one-year period of 12 field survey cycles. According to the obtained results, at all sampling locations, the measured average (AAC) and maximum annual concentrations (MAC) do not exceed allowable concentration according to Regulation on water quality standard (OG 96/2019). Good chemical status has been achieved at all sampling locations

Are We Missing the Opportunity to Disseminate GOLD Recommendations Through AECOPD Discharge Letters?

Introduction: Acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) lead to poor outcomes and increased burden for patients and healthcare systems. The Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) includes specific recommendations for AECOPD interventions, discharge criteria, and follow-up. Aligning the AECOPD discharge letters (DL) with GOLD guidelines could facilitate dissemination of recommendations among general practitioners (GPs). Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the compliance of DL with the GOLD recommendations in Croatia. Methods: Pre-pandemic DL of patients presenting for AECOPD to emergency room (ER) were analyzed and stratified by clinical decision to hospitalize (HDL) or discharge patients for outpatient treatment (ERDL). Experienced pulmonologists checked the information from DL against guidelines by using online study-specific questionnaires. Results: In total, 225 HDL and 368 ERDL were analyzed. In most cases, the GOLD ABCD categories (85% HDL, 92% ERDL) or the spirometry-based degree of severity (90% HDL, 91% ERDL) were not included. The number of AEs in the previous year was recorded, but the specific frequent exacerbator phenotype not explicitly stated. The AE phenotype was included in two thirds of HDL and one third of ERDL. The blood eosinophil count was frequently available, but not considered decision-relevant information. Adjustments of previous maintenance therapy, mostly escalation, were recommended in 58.4% HDL and 27.9% ERDL, respectively. Education on proper use of inhalers was recommended only in 15.6% of HDL. Smoking cessation measures were advised in 23.1% HDL and 7.9% ERDL; pulmonary rehabilitation in 35.6% HDL and 0.8% ERDL. Early follow-up was frequently advised (>50%), but rarely appointed. Conclusion: Significant deficiencies in compliance with the GOLD guidelines were identified, translating into a missed opportunity for GPs to become acquainted with GOLD recommendations. These findings emphasize the necessity to increase compliance with guidelines first at specialist level and consequent standardization of DL

Ružička days : International conference 19th Ružička Days “Today Science – Tomorrow Industry” : Proceedings

Dear colleagues, we are extremely honoured to present to you the Proceedings of the international conference 19th Ružička Days, which was successfully held on September 21–23, 2022, in Vukovar, Croatia, in the hometown town of our famous Croatian scientist and first Nobel laureate, professor Leopold (Lavoslav) Ružička. The main goals of the Conference were to promote excellence, originality and innovation of interdisciplinary scientific research as well as the practical application of the obtained results through collaboration with industry, emphasizing thus the recognizable slogan of the Ružička Days conference: "Today Science – Tomorrow Industry". In addition, the Conference gave the opportunity for meetings, exchanging the ideas, opinions, experiences and cooperation among participants from different working surroundings. It is also important to point out that since 2008, within the international conference Ružička Days, Meeting of Young Chemists has also been held, where high school students, with the help of their mentors, present papers in the field of chemistry, with the aim to direct students and young people to the technical and natural sciences, especially chemistry. In its seventh issue (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021) the Proceedings publishes scientific and professional full papers of high quality in the following sections: Chemical analysis and synthesis (10), Chemical and biochemical engineering (3), Food technology and biotechnology (4), Chemistry in agriculture and forestry (1), Environmental protection (9) and 8th Meeting of Young Chemists (3). Full-length papers were subjected to an international review procedure done by eminent experts from the corresponding fields, to whom we express our gratitude, but they were not subjected to linguistic proofreading. On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committee of the 19th Ružička Days we cordially thank all the authors, reviewers, participants, lecturers, organizers, especially the international organizers EuCheMS and EHEDG, auspices and sponsors, and all the others who, in any way, supported the Conference and contributed to the preparation of the Proceedings, especially to our highly skilled and committed associates, who have put a lot of effort in the preparation of these Proceedings. At the very end, special thanks to our young, future scientists and their mentors who are faithful participants of the Meeting of Young Chemists of the Ružička Days conference. Enjoy the extremely interesting scientific and professional papers contained in these Proceedings, until the next 20th jubilee of Ružička Days in 2024! We are looking forward to meeting you again in Vukovar! Yours sincerely, Chief Editors Jurislav Babić Vesna Ocelić Bulatović Dajana Kučić Grgi