The prevalence of muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy in Croatia: data from national and non-governmental organization registries

Aim To determine the prevalence of muscular dystrophy (MD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Croatia by use of multiple epidemiological tools. Methods This epidemiological study collected data from three national patient registries and one database of a non-governmental organization (NGO) of MD and SMA patients. The study involved all individuals who either had undergone hospital treatment for MD or SMA, had consulted their primary health care providers for MD- and SMA-related symptoms, were listed as disabled due to MD or SMA, or were members of the mentioned NGO in 2016. In order to prevent double entries, we created a new database of all living individuals, each with a unique identification number. The prevalence rates for 2016 were calculated by age and sex groups.Results There were 926 patients diagnosed with MD (544 men). Most men diagnosed with MD were in the age group 10-19, whereas most women were in the age group 50-59. MD prevalence in Croatia was 22.2 per 100 000 population. There were 392 patients diagnosed with SMA (198 men). Most men with SMA were in the age group 50-59, whereas most women were in the age group 60-69. SMA prevalence in Croatia was 9.3 per 100 000 population. Conclusion SMA prevalence rate in Croatia is similar to SMA prevalence worldwide. However, MD prevalence rate is higher than worldwide estimates. This difference could be attributed to the fact that we could not confirm whether every patient registered in these databases actually met the diagnostic criteria for MD and SMA

The prevalence of muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy in Croatia: data from national and non-governmental organization registries

Aim: To determine the prevalence of muscular dystrophy (MD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Croatia by use of multiple epidemiological tools. ----- Methods: This epidemiological study collected data from three national patient registries and one database of a non-governmental organization (NGO) of MD and SMA patients. The study involved all individuals who either had undergone hospital treatment for MD or SMA, had consulted their primary health care providers for MD- and SMA-related symptoms, were listed as disabled due to MD or SMA, or were members of the mentioned NGO in 2016. In order to prevent double entries, we created a new database of all living individuals, each with a unique identification number. The prevalence rates for 2016 were calculated by age and sex groups. ----- Results: There were 926 patients diagnosed with MD (544 men). Most men diagnosed with MD were in the age group 10-19, whereas most women were in the age group 50-59. MD prevalence in Croatia was 22.2 per 100 000 population. There were 392 patients diagnosed with SMA (198 men). Most men with SMA were in the age group 50-59, whereas most women were in the age group 60-69. SMA prevalence in Croatia was 9.3 per 100 000 population. ----- Conclusion: SMA prevalence rate in Croatia is similar to SMA prevalence worldwide. However, MD prevalence rate is higher than worldwide estimates. This difference could be attributed to the fact that we could not confirm whether every patient registered in these databases actually met the diagnostic criteria for MD and SMA

INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SUPEROVULATION AND SUPEROVULATORY RESPONSE AND THE NUMBER OF RECOVERED EMBRYOS AND THE RESULTS OF THEIR TRANSFER IN COWS AND HEIFFERS

Istraživanja uspješnosti superovulacije i superovulacijskog odgovora te broja dobivenih zametaka kao i uspjeha transfera svježih i duboko zamrznutih i kasnije odmrznutih zametaka goveda izvodili smo u 35 plotkinja. Superovulacliju smo inducirali s pripravnicima SŽK (Folligonᴿ), odnosno FSH (Folltropinᴿ) u 27 plotkinja. Rezultate superovulacije i superovulacijski odgovor 7. dan poslije inducirane ovulacije i U.O. -a pratili smo rektalnom i ultrasonografskom pretragom jajnika (ALOHA ECHO CAMERA SSD-210, DX II s transrektalnom sondom od 5 MHz-a) te utvrdili 154 (ˉx = 5,70 ± 0,69) žutih tijela. U23 plotkinje isprali smo ukupno 15 zametaka, od kojih smo kao sposobne za transfer ocijenili 10 te smo jednoga odmah transferirali u odabranu primačicu. Ostalih 9 dubolo smo smrznuli pomoću aparata za smrzavanje zametaka (LE NICOOBAC MS 21). Nakon određenog vremena zametke smo odmrznuli i nakon ponovne ocjene 7 zametaka smo transferirali u 7 sinkroniziranih primačica. U 3 primačice pojavio se opet estrus 25. dan,u jedne 30. dan, a u 3 primačice 35. dana od prethodnog estrusa, dok smo u jedne 34. dan ultrazvučno utvrdili gravidnost.Investigations on the efficiency of the superovulation and superovulatory response and the number of recovered embryos and also the transfer results of fresh and cryopreserved/thawed bovine embryos were performed on 35 females. Superovulation was induced using PMSG (FolligonR) or FSH (FolltropinR) preparations in 27 females. The results of the superovulation and superovulatory respons on day 7 after induced ovulation and A.l. were followed up by rectal and ultrasonographic examinalion of the ovaries (ALOHA ECHO CAMERA SSD-210, DX ll with 5 MHz transrectal transducer) and 154 (ˉx = 5.70 ±0.69 ) corpora lutea were established. In 23 females a total of 15 embryos were received and 10 embryos were classified as transferable and then one embryo was instantly transferred into the selected recipient. The other 9 embryos were cryopreserved using freezing machine (LE NICOOBAC MS 21). After some time embryos were thawed and following classification 7 were transferred into 7 synchronized recipients. In 3 recipinets estrus reappeared after 25 days, in one after 30 days, and in 3 recipients 35 days after the previous estrus, whereas the pregrancy was ultrasonically established in one recipient on the 34th day

BIOCLIMATE, HEALTH STATUS AND WEIGHT GAIN IN FATTENING SWINE FED DIFFERENT DIETS

Istraživan je bioklimat u predtovu i tovu velike svinjogojske farme u području kontinentaine klime s alpskim utjecajem. Tijekom jedne godine po mjesecima praćeni su bioklimatski parametri: temperatura zraka, bzina strujanja zraka, relativna i apsolurna vlaga zraka, plinovi Co₂ i NH₃. Njihove najniže i najviše srednje vrijednosti prikazane su na slici 1, 2 i 3. U istraživanjima korišeni su trostruki križanci (švedski landras x veliki jorkšir x njemački landras). Opisana je ukratko tehnologija držanja i smještaja. Tijekom tova životinje su držane na prehrani kompletnim smjesama za predtov-tov. U prvom dijelu praćenja svinje,su hranjene tekućom hranom tijekom cijelog razdoblja, dok je u drugom dijelu praćenja, nakon rekonstrukcije objekata, u objekte uvedena oprema sistema "IBO". Nadalje, dat je prikaz proizvodnje tovljenika u razdoblju od 1975. do 1984. (slika 4) iz kojega se mogu vidjeti: prirast i konvenija hrane u kilogramima, prisilna klanja, ugibanja i gubitci u postotcima kao i početak i završetak rekonstukcije farme, te razdoblje provedene eradikacije dizenterije na farmi.Bioclimate studies were condusted in pre fattening and fattening units of a large swine farm, located in the continental climate zone influenced by alpine climate. Bioclimate parametres (air temperature, air speed, relative and absolute humidity, and gases CO₂ and NH₃) were monitored monthly during one year period. Minimal and average values were recorded. The management and housing technology of triple crossbreed (Swedish Landrace x Yorkshire x German Laandrace) is briefly described. During the fattening period the pigs were fed with complete pre fattening and fattening mixtures. In the first part of monitoring the pigs were fed with liquid feed. In the second part of monitoring, after the reconstruction of the facilities, they were fed the IBO system equipment. The results of production of fattening pigs in the period from 1975 to 1984 are also presented (growth rate and feed conversion, necessary slaughter, losses) as well as health status after the reconstruction of the farm and eradication of swine dysentery

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Croatia: data from national and non-governmental organization registries

Aim To update the estimate of multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence in Croatia using multiple epidemiological tools. Methods This level IV, epidemiological study gathered data from three national patient registries and one database of a non-governmental MS patients’ organization. Data were extracted on all individuals who had undergone hospital MS treatment, consulted their primary health care providers about MS-related symptoms, been listed as having MS-related disability, or been members of the mentioned non-governmental organization in 2015. A new database was formed, in which all living individuals were identified using a common identification number to prevent double entries. The prevalence rates in 2015 were calculated by age and sex groups. Results In total, 6160 patients diagnosed with MS were identified (72% women). Most women with MS were 50-59 years old and most men were 40-49 years old. The overall MS prevalence rate was 143.8 per 100 000 population. Conclusion The calculated MS prevalence rate in Croatia in 2015 was more than twice as high as the estimate from 2013. This difference warrants further research into MS epidemiology in Croatia and calls for a rational allocation of funds and human resources to provide adequate care and support to MS patients

Prevalence of somatic comorbidities among coronavirus disease 2019 patients in Croatia in the first pandemic wave: data from national public health databases

Aim: To determine the prevalence of common somatic comorbidities among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients in Croatia in the first pandemic wave, and assess the differences in clinical outcomes depending on the presence of comorbidities. ----- Methods: We analyzed data from patients confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2-positive from February through May 2020. The data were obtained from clinical laboratories, primary health care providers, and hospitals. Previously recorded comorbidities, including diabetes, cancer, circulatory diseases, chronic pulmonary, and kidney disease, were analyzed. ----- Results: Among 2249 patients, 46.0% were men (median age 51 years; median disease duration 27 days). Hospitalization was required for 41.8% patients, mechanical ventilation for 2.5%, while 4.7% of all patients died. Patients who died were significantly older (median 82 vs 50 years, P<0.001) with a higher prevalence of all investigated comorbidities (all p's <0.001), more frequently required mechanical ventilation (34% vs 1%, P<0.001), and had shorter length of hospital stay (median 13 vs 27 days, P<0.001) with no sex preponderance. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation were significantly older (median age 70 vs 51 years, P<0.001), more frequently men (59.6% vs 45.7%, P=0.037), showed a higher prevalence of all comorbidities except ischemic heart and chronic kidney disease (all p's <0.001), and demonstrated a higher case-fatality rate (63.2% vs 3.2%, P<0.001). ----- Conclusion: COVID-19 patients who died in the first pandemic wave in Croatia were more likely to suffer previous somatic comorbidities. This corroborates the findings of similar studies and calls for further research into the underlying disease mechanisms, hence providing ground for more efficient preventive measures