The influence of fatigue on cognitive abilities following the adventure race "Terra Incognita Adventure Race Croatia 2007" measured by DSST (Digit symbol substitution test)

Cilj je studije istražiti utjecaj ekstremnoga tjelesnoga napora na kognitivne sposobnosti natjecatelja nakon pustolovne utrke "Terra Incognita Adventure Race 2007", upotrebljavajući Test supstitucije brojki simbolima (engl: DSST - Digit Symbol Substitution Test). Testiranje je provedeno prije i poslije utrke na 32 natjecatelja koji su završili utrku u vremenskom limitu od 100 sati. Prosječni je DSST rezultat prije utrke 61,03±9,71, a poslije 63,56±9,23, poboljšan, ali bez statistički značajne razlike (p=0,067). Zaključili smo da su sportaši u ovom sportu izuzetno psihofizički pripremljeni, imaju izuzetne vidno-prostome sposobnosti, brzinu reakcije i motoričke sposobnosti nakon utrke mjereno DSST-om, unatoč velikim naporima koji ih prate tijekom nekoliko desetaka sati utrke te malo ili nimalo odmora i spavanja.The aim of this study was to examine the influence of extreme physical strain on cognitive abilities of competitors following the Croatian adventure race "Terra Incognita Adventure Race Croatia 2007", by using Digit Symbol Substitution test. 32 competitors, who finished the race within the time limit of 100 hours, were tested before and after the race. Mean DSST lesult before the race was 61,03±9,71, and mean DSST result after the race was 63,56±9,23. The result was slightly improved but without a significant difference (p=0.067). We have concluded that athletes in this sport are both mentally and physically extremely well prepared for adventure racing, so that their visual-spatial, perceptive and motor abilities measured by DSST, even with rest and sleep deprivation that usually accompany such races, remain unchanged

Odnos brzine rasta i procesa okoštavanja u šarana (Cyprinus carpio)

The relationship between growth rate and ossification is not consistent among fish. In some species, fast-growing individuals ossify earlier, while in other species, a trade-off between growth rate and ossification exists. This research was conducted to test the hypothesis about the existence of a trade-off mechanism in common carp offspring. For this purpose, specimens from two groups of common carp offspring (96 in total) with different growth rates were sampled at multiple time points between 5 and 29 days post-hatching. The standard length was measured and presented in correlation with the days post-hatching. To evaluate the skeletal system development, whole specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and stained for bone and cartilage. Particular emphasis was placed on the onset of ossification in the clearly visible bones of the head, vertebral column, and fins. According to our findings, larger, fast- growing specimens ossify earlier. The hypothesis on the existence of a trade-off between fast growth and the onset of ossification in common carp was not confirmed in our study.Odnos između brzine rasta i procesa okoštavanja u riba nije ujednačen. U nekih vrsta te su vrijednosti u pozitivnoj korelaciji, dok je u drugih vrsta prisutan svojevrsni kompromis (engl. trade-off), brži rast negativno utječe na proces okoštavanja. Cilj ovog istraživanja je provjeriti hipotezu o postojanju negativne korelacije između brzine rasta i procesa okoštavanja u šarana (Cyprinus carpio). U tu svrhu, jedinke šarana podrijetlom iz dvije skupine s različitom brzinom rasta (ukupno 96 jedinki) uzorkovane su između 5. i 29. dana nakon valjenja. Mjerena je standardna dužina i prikazana u korelaciji s brojem dana poslije valjenja. U svrhu procjene razvoja koštanog sustava, uzorci su fiksirani u 10% neutralnom formalinu i obojeni metodom za prikaz kosti i hrskavice. Poseban naglasak stavljen je na proces okoštavanja u jasno vidljivim kostima glave, kralježnice i peraja. Prema rezultatima našeg istraživanja, u brzorastućih jedinki proces okoštavanja je nastupio ranije. U ovom radu opovrgnuta je hipoteza o postojanju negativne korelacije između brzine rasta i procesa okoštavanja

Utjecaj paragenetskih čimbenika na veličinu legla, dob pri prvom janjenju i međujanjidbeno razdoblje ovaca romanovske pasmine u Hrvatskoj

Reproductive traits are of paramountimportance in an efficient lamb production system. In Croatia, values of reproductive traits of Romanov sheep are below the average expected for this breed, indicating the need for improvement of these traits to exploit the breed’s full reproductive potential. This study was conducted on 260 Romanov ewes located at a commercial Romanov sheep farm in Croatia. All ewes were kept under similar conditions, and reproductive management was based on accelerated lambing with continuous mating. Linear models with fixed effects were used to estimate the influence of year of birth/lambing, season of birth/lambing, ram, parity and litter type on litter size (LS), age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval (LI). Average LS was 2.11 ± 0.71, while the year of lambing and parity were the most important factors affecting this trait. The smallest litters were recorded after 1st parity (1.77 ± 0.06), and the largest after 5th parity (2.21 ± 0.08). AFL averaged 388.5 ± 72.4 days. All investigated non-genetic factors had a significant (P<0.05) influence on AFL, with year of birth as most important. The average LI was 241.2 ± 70.8 days. A significant (P<0.05) influence of all factors on LI was observed. Ewes lambing in spring (200.2 ± 7.9 days) or summer (190.5 ±6.6 days) had a significantly (P<0.05) shorter LI than ewes lambing in autumn (227.7 ± 8.3 days) or winter (237.2 ± 6.7 days). The longest LI was observed after the first parity (284.0 ±5.5 days). Average values for reproductive traits in the examined population of Romanov sheep were higher than those reported in the official Croatian database for breeding sheep. Non-genetic factors have a significant influence on the variation of reproductive traits of Romanov sheep, and therefore should be considered when assessing ewes’ reproductive performance.U mesnom ovčarstvu reprodukcijska svojstva su izrazito važna. U Hrvatskoj su vrijednosti reproduktivnih svojstava romanovske ovce u odnosu na očekivane vrijednosti za tu pasminu ispodprosječne, što ukazuje da je poboljšanje ovih svojstava neophodno kako bi se iskoristio puni reprodukcijski potencijal pasmine. Ovo istraživanje provedeno je na 260 ovaca romanovske pasmine smještenih na jednoj komercijalnoj farmi ovaca u Hrvatskoj. Sve ovce držane su u sličnim uvjetima, a reprodukcijski menadžment temeljio se na učestalim janjenjima s kontinuiranim razmnožavanjem. Linearni modeli s fiksnim učincima korišteni su za procjenu utjecaja godine rođenja/janjenja, sezone rođenja/janjenja, ovna, redoslijeda janjenja i tipa legla na veličinu legla (VL), dob pri prvom janjenju (DPJ) i međujanjidbeno razdoblje (MR). Prosječna VL iznosila je 2,11±0,71, dok su godina janjenja i redoslijed janjenja bili najvažniji čimbenici koji su utjecali na ovo svojstvo. Najmanja legla zabilježena su nakon 1. janjenja (1,77±0,06), a najveća nakon 5. janjenja (2,21±0,08). DPJ je u prosjeku iznosila 388,5±72,4 dana. Svi istraživani negenetski čimbenici imali su značajan (P<0,05) utjecaj na DPJ, pri čemu je najvažnija bila godina rođenja. Prosječno MR je bilo 241,2±70,8 dana. Uočen je značajan (P<0,05) utjecaj svih čimbenika na MR. Ovce koje su se janjile u proljeće (200,2±7,9 dana) i ljeto (190,5±6,6 dana) imale su značajno (P<0,05) kraća MR od ovaca koje su se janjile u jesen (227,7±8,3 dana) i zimu (237,2±6,7 dana). Najduže MR opaženo je nakon prvog janjenja (284,0±5,5 dana). Prosječne vrijednosti reprodukcijskih svojstava u ispitivanoj populaciji romanovskih ovaca bile su veće od vrijednosti navedenih u službenoj hrvatskoj bazi podataka za uzgojno valjana grla. Paragenetski čimbenici imaju znatan utjecaj na varijaciju reprodukcijskih svojstava romanovskih ovaca te ih stoga treba uzeti u obzir pri procjeni reprodukcijske učinkovitosti ovac

URINARY TRACT DYSFUNCTION IN SPINAL CORD INJURY PATIENTS

Ozljeda kralježnične moždine (OKM) rezultira paralizom, ali i smetnjama mokrenja, zbog čega se tijekom rehabilitacije i života posebna skrb vodi o očuvanju donjeg urotrakta kako bi se spriječila patološka stanja gornjeg urotrakta s nizom komplikacija. Ta skrb uključuje pravodobnu i standardiziranu neurološku i urološku obradu te tehnike eliminacije od kojih se najviše rabi intermitentna kateterizacija. Urološka obrada uključuje uzorkovanje krvi i urina, urinokulturu, ultrazvučno i rendgensko snimanje urotrakta te cistometriju kao pretragu dinamičkih svojstava neurogenoga mokraćnog mjehura. Dokazano je da i kod bolesnika s nepotpunim OKM-om nastaje neurogeni mjehur sličnih karakteristika kao kod bolesnika s potpunom ozljedom, tj. smanjene su vrijednosti cistometrijskog kapaciteta i povišene vrijednosti intravezikalnog tlaka, ugrožavajući gornji urotrakt. Također, pokazano je da nema razlike u tim vrijednostima između pojedinih razina neurološke ozljede: cervikalne, torakalne, torakolumbalne i lumbalne, pa su takvi rizici podjednaki u svakoj od tih skupina bolesnika. Zaključno, potrebno je kod svih bolesnika s OKM-om provoditi dijagnostiku urotrakta za dobrobit kvalitete i duljine života bolesnika.Spinal cord injury (SCI) results with paralysis but also with micturition dysfunction; therefore rehabilitation management and long-term follow-up include lower urinary tract care in order to prevent upper urinary tract pathology and complications. That comprises timely and standardized neurological and urological diagnostics and eliminatory techniques with intermittent catheterisation in majority of patients. Urological diagnostics include blood and urine tests, urine culture, ultrasound and X-ray of urinary tract, and cystometry to assess dynamic properties of neurogenic bladder. It has been proven that incomplete SCI patients have neurogenic bladder with similar findings as patients with complete injuries, i.e. cystometric capacities are reduced while intravesical pressures are increased, which endanger upper urinary tract. Furthermore, it has been shown that there is no difference of these findings between particular levels of injury: cervical, thoracic, thoracic-lumbar and lumbar, so these risks are similar in every group. Conclusively, it is necessary to conduct urinary tract diagnostics in SCI patients for sake of the quality and quantity of patients’ lives

Utjecaj negenskih čimbenika na porođajnu masu janjadi romanovske pasmine

The aim of this study was to analyse the non-genetic factors influencing the birth weight of Romanov lambs, and to determine which of them may be a useful source of information in the selection of female lambs for replacement. The study included 1712 lambs born in the period from 2016 to 2019. The linear model used in birth weight estimation included: birth type, sex, parity, year of birth, season of birth, and breeding group as fixed factors. Year of birth x season of birth interaction was also included in the model. All factors, except the season of birth, significantly affected birth weight (P0.05). Variations in birth weight are influenced by non-genetic factors, with birth type, sex, and parity being the most important. These factors should be considered in breeding and selection programs for lamb meat production, where fertility and growth traits have the key role.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je analizirati negenske čimbenike porođajne mase janjadi romanovske pasmine i utvrditi koji od njih mogu biti korisni izvori informacija u selekciji ženskog rasplodnog podmlatka. U istraživanje je uključeno 1712 janjadi rođene u razdoblju od 2016. do 2019. godine. Za utvrđivanje utjecaja negenskih čimbenika na porođajnu masu korišten je model koji je uključivao tip rođenja, spol, redoslijed legla, godinu rođenja, sezonu rođenja i pripusnu skupinu kao fiksne čimbenike. Svi čimbenici osim sezone rođenja znakovito su utjecali na porođajnu masu (P 0,05) s obzirom na udio ženske i muške janjadi u leglu. Razlike između porođajne mase ženki iz legla dvojaka i ženki iz legla trojaka bile su statistički znakovite (P < 0,05). Na varijacije u porođajnoj masi utječu negenski čimbenici među kojima se ističu tip janjenja, spol i redoslijed legla. To treba uzeti u obzir u provedbi uzgojno-selekcijskog rada u kojemu se primarna pozornost posvećuje svojstvima plodnosti i rasta

Učinak autolognog presatka adipoznog tkiva na proces cijeljenja kritičnog defekta dijafizne kosti kokoši

Treatment of large bone defects and incurable fractures is a challenging clinical problem. A novel approaches in bone engineering is the use of adipose-derived stem cells and adipose tissue. This study aimed to analyse the impact of adipose autograft on the process of bone regeneration in a surgically created critical size defect (CSD) in the hen ulna. In this study, 30 laying hens at the age of 14 months were randomly divided into three groups: control (C, n=10), subcutaneous adipose tissue graft (SC, n=10) and abdominal adipose tissue graft (ABD, n=10). In all 30 hens, a CSD was made in the ulna. Hens from the SC and ABD groups underwent surgery to explant subcutaneous and adipose tissue graft, respectively, and those grafts were then implanted in the ulnar CSD. The first radiographic and histological analysis wer performed 3.5 weeks after surgery on four hens from the C group and five hens from the SC and ABD groups. The second analysis on the remaining 15 hens was performed after 7 weeks. Data were analysed using the Freeman-Halton extension of Fischer’s exact test at the level of statistical significance P0,05). Autologni transplantat masnog tkiva pozitivno je utjecao na cijeljenje ulne kokoši 3,5 i 7 tjedana nakon operacije. Abdominalno masno tkivo moglo bi imati bolji učinak na zacijeljivanje kosti od potkožnog masnog tkiva

Basic principles of sample size estimation in veterinary research

Prilikom planiranja istraživanja važno je pravilno odrediti potrebnu veličinu uzorka. Korištenje uzorka neadekvatne veličine može rezultirati gubitkom vremena, novca, ali i etičkim problemima. Ovisno o tipu istraživanja postoje različite metode za izračun veličine uzorka, a sve se temelje na četiri ključna čimbenika: razini statističke značajnosti, snazi statističkog testa, veličini učinka i varijabilnosti svojstva. Cilj je ovog rada znanstvenicima i stručnjacima iz područja veterine pojasniti osnovna načela izračuna veličine uzorka.When planning research, it is essential to correctly determine the required sample size. Using a sample of inadequate size can result in the loss of time and money, or in ethical problems. Depending on the study design, there are different methods for calculating the sample size. The four critical factors in determining the required sample size are the level of statistical significance, power of the test, effect size, and data variability. The aim of this paper is to explain the basic principles of calculating sample size to veterinary scientists and experts

LEUKOCYTE ADHESION DEFICIENCY – AN INHERITED DISORDER IN CATTLE

U domaćih životinja nasljedni poremećaji mogu biti specifični za pojedine vrste, odnosno pasmine. Nedostatak adhezije leukocita kod goveda nasljedna je bolest koja se pojavljuje u holštajn pasmine i njezinih križanaca, a utječe na zdravlje, uzrokuje uginuća teladi, rezultira smanjenom reprodukcijskom sposobnošću životinja i znatnim ekonomskim gubitcima u proizvodnji. Bolest nastaje kao posljedica mutacije gena odgovornog za ekspresiju receptora na površini bijelih krvnih stanica, uslijed čega dolazi do smanjene funkcije ili potpunog nedostatka bjelančevina koje sudjeluju u upalnom odgovoru. Učestalost bolesti u istraživanim populacijama iznosila je i do 21,5 %. Primjena suvremenih molekularno-genetskih metoda od iznimne je važnosti u identifikaciji nositelja i pridonijela je smanjenju broja životinja nositelja recesivnog alela. Strategije očuvanja niskog broja oboljelih životinja kao i nositelja recesivnog alela uključuju redovitu genotipizaciju rasplodnih bikova i krava prije uvođenja u uzgoj u sklopu uzgojnih programa i genomskog vrednovanja životinja.In domestic animals, inherited disorders may be species-specific or breed-specific. Leukocyte adhesion deficiency in cattle is an inherited disease that occurs in Holstein breed and its crossbreeds, and affects health, causes the death of calves, results in reduced productivity of breeding animals, and significant economic losses in production. The disease occurs as a result of a mutation in the gene responsible for the expression of receptors on the surface of white blood cells resulting in reduced activity or a complete lack of proteins involved in the inflammatory response. The incidence of the disease in the population ranged to 21.5%. The application of modern molecular genetic methods is extremely important in the identification of carriers and has contributed to the reduction of the number of animals carrying the recessive allele. Strategies for maintaining a low number of diseased animals as well as carriers of the recessive allele include regular genotyping of breeding bulls and cows before introduction into breeding as part of breeding programs and genomic evaluation of animals

Population trends of goats in Serbia and Croatia from 2012 to 2021

This paper aims to examine the state of goat production and the population trends of goats in Croatia and Serbia from 2012 to 2021. Goat keeping in both countries suffered immensely in the second half of the 20th century as a result of the infamous Law on Prohibition of goat keeping, which was unique of its kind and which led to the almost complete annihilation of the goat sector in countries which were at the time part of Yugoslavia. With the abolition of this law, both countries have made an effort to revive goat production by importing highproducing breeds, crossbreeding domestic breeds, herd book keeping and government funding. In the past ten years, Serbia has experienced a significant rise in the number of herd book goats and a decline in the total number of heads of goats. The Republic of Croatia had a positive trend in the total number of goats which increased by about 10.6%, and a higher percentage of herd book goats compared to the total number of goats compared to Serbia. However, Serbia has about 2.7 times bigger total goat population. Total production of goat milk and meat in both countries is considered low when seen from the perspective of Europe, as only 1.3% and 0.5% of European goats are raised in Serbia and Croatia, respectively. In Serbia, production systems are still predominantly extensive to semi-intensive, and therefore production potential of animals is not exploited to the maximum. Also, Serbia has weak and unstable markets for goat milk and meat, making this production unpredictable and varying. Even though the goat sector has come a long way since its downfall in 1954, it still has a long way to go to become sustainable. On the other hand, in Croatia, goat milk has been a sought-after product in recent years, and farmers have achieved fair prices, establishing the goat dairy industry. After Croatia joined the European Union, goat farmers gained access to several significant sources of financing, making it the most important event for the goat sector in Croatia

Methods of identification and marking of laboratory mice and rats

Opisivanje i označavanje laboratorijskih životinja imaju za cilj jasnu identifikaciju jedinke što je jedan od glavnih preduvjeta za pouzdanost istraživanja, praćenje i sljedivost podataka tijekom istraživačkog rada, naročito u slučaju genetski izmijenjenih životinja. Od svih vrsta laboratorijskih životinja koje se prema zakonskim aktima smiju koristiti u laboratorijske svrhe, u više od 95% slučajeva zastupljeni su miševi i štakori, različitih linija, ovisno o namjeni i vrsti istraživanja. Prije označavanja potrebno je opisati labora- torijsku životinju, poznavati standarde vrste, odnosno pasmine ili linije. Opisivanje labora- torijskih životinja prema procjeni i razvitku pojedinih regija tijela, boji kože, tjelesnim izmjerama te fotografiranjem, uvelike ovisi o iskustvu, znanju i osposobljenosti osoblja. Pet je osnovnih načela koja se moraju uzeti u obzir prilikom označavanja: da je metoda označavanja jednostavna za primjenu, da se može koristiti što ranije od rođenja životinja, da je ekonomski prihvatljiva, da je dugotrajna te da su prisutne oznake lako uočljive i čitljive u svakom trenutku identifikacije. Metode označavanja laboratorijskih životinja mogu se podijeliti s obzirom na trajnost i invazivnost. Prema trajnosti mogu biti privremene ili tra- jne, a prema invazivnosti invazivne ili neiv- anzivne. Privremene neinvazivne metode označavanja uključuju primjenu flomastera ili tuša te šišanje dlake, a privremene in- vazivne metode potkožnu aplikaciju tinte te označavanje laboratorijskih životinja ušnom markicom. Tetoviranje/mikrotetoviranje, elektroničko označavanje, urezivanje zna- kova na ušci, uklanjanje distalnoga članka prste te identifikacija laboratorijskih životinja metodom genotipizacije su trajne invazivne metode označavanja. Urezivanje znakova na ušci te označavanje ušnom markicom naj- zastupljenije su metode označavanja labo- ratorijskih miševa i štakora. Ovisno o vrsti životinje, postupcima, vremenu i tijeku rada te u skladu sa zakonskim aktima o zaštiti dobrobiti životinja primijenit će se najbolja metoda opisivanja i označavanja laboratori- jskih životinja. Uspjeh označavanja laborato- rijskih životinja u znatnoj mjeri ovisi o iskust- vu, educiranosti i osposobljenosti osoblja te primjeni specijalne opreme za označavanje.The aim of laboratory animal description and marking is the clear identification of each individual animal, as one of the preconditions for research reliability, follow up and traceability of data recorded during research, especially in the case of genetically modified animals. Mice and rats of various lines account for more than 95% of all laboratory animal species that can be used legally in laboratory research, depending on the purpose and type of studies. Prior to marking, the laboratory animal should be described, based on the due knowledge of the standard species, breeds and lines. Describing laboratory animals according to assessment and development of particular parts of the body, skin colour, body measures and photographs greatly depends on the experience, knowledge and competence of personnel. There are five basic principles that should be considered in animal marking, as follows: the marking method should be simple to use, applicable as early as possible after birth, economically acceptable, long-life, and the marks should be readily observable and legible at any time of identification. The methods of laboratory animal marking can be divided according to their durability and invasiveness. In terms of durability, they can be temporary or permanent, while in terms of invasiveness they can be invasive or non-invasive. Temporary non-invasive marking methods include the use felt-tip pen (skin marking) and shaving/cutting the fur, whereas temporary invasive methods include subcutaneous ink application and ear marking (ear tag). Tattooing/micro-tattooing, electronic marking (microchipping), ear notching, removal of the finger distal phalanx, and genotyping are permanent invasive methods of laboratory animal marking. Ear notching and ear marking are the most widely used methods of marking laboratory mice and rats. The best method of laboratory animal marking depends on the animal species and must be in accordance with the legislation on animal welfare, procedures, timing and course of laboratory experiments. Success of laboratory animal marking greatly depends on personnel experience, training and competence, and on the use of specialized marking equipment