The Prevalence of Candida Albicans in Institutionalized Geriatric Denture Wearers

The aim of this prospective study was to record the presence of Candida albicans yeast in a geriatric population, and to compare the results between denture wearers and non-wearers, in order to evaluate the role of dentures as a factor influencing Candida growth. We performed an oral examination on 217 institutionalized elderly people living in the hospice "Sv. Josip" in Zagreb, recorded data regarding oral health and collected detailed information on denture wearing status. Furthermore, we performed oral smears for Candida cultures, cultivated on Sabouraud\u27s dextrose agar (“Emmon\u27s”) at 37°C for 48 hrs and counted the Candida colonies. Collected data were stored in the database created for this purpose in "Microsoft Access 2000". The number of Candida colonies from denture wearers and non-wearers were compared (Man-Whitney U test, p<0.05), and the obtained results are discussed

Sthe role of myofibroblasts in granulomatous lymphadenitis in pigs naturally infected with M. Avium subsp. hominissuis

The most important morphological characteristic of infections caused by M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is granuloma formation. The growth of mycobacteria is in accordance with anti-bacterial effector mechanisms of the host within granuloma. The most important cytokines for „orchestrating“the host defense are interferon γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Myofibroblasts that make up a peripheral layer of granuloma largely express receptors for TGF-β1. This cytokine is believed to affect the induction of myofibroblast proliferation. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of myofibroblasts in the formation and sustainability of granuloma during natural infection of pigs with M. avium subsp. hominissuis. Examinations have been performed on the samples of Lnn. jejunales, Lnn. ileocolici and Lnn. colici of 100 pigs with a positive tuberculin skin test. The molecular method confirmed the presence of a genome M. avium subsp. hominissuis. The microscopic examination of lymph node samples stained by the routine hematoxyilin-eosin (HE) method, showed the presence of granulomatous lymphadenitis. The method of double immunohistochemical staining revealed that myofibroblasts which express TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1RI) and α smooth muscle actin (α SMA) have an important role in the morphogenesis of granulomatous lymphadenitis in pigs infected with MAH

Political consequences of mixed electoral systems

Студија Политичке последице мешовитих изборних система посвећена је испитивању генезе комбинованих изборних правила и последица њихове примене на макро и микро нивоу. Циљ рада је анализа ефеката примене система са комбинованим изборним правилима, како оних у којима бирачи имају један глас – већински системи са компензацијском листом – тако и оних у којима су им на располагању два гласа – мешовити системи. Студијом је обухваћено 35 држава и 185 изборних циклуса. У раду су коришћене квалитативне, али и квантитативне методе: мултиваријантна статистичка анализа – биноминална регресиона анализа, линеарна регресиона анализа (ordinary least squares регресија и fixed effects model estimation); као и парадигма институционализма рационалног избора...The study Political Consequences of Mixed Electoral Systems is dedicated to the examination of the genesis of hybrid electoral rules and the consequences of their application at the macro and micro levels. The paper uses qualitative and quantitative methodology - multivariate statistical analysis (ordinary least squares regression and fixed effects model estimation) – as well as the paradigm of rational choice institutionalism. The aim of the paper is the analysis of the effects of the application of a system with hybrid electoral rules, including one-vote systems – plurality systems with a compensatory list – as well as two-vote systems – mixed-member systems. The study encompasses 35 states and 185 electoral cycles..

Numerical simulation of energy consumption optimization in residential buildings in Belgrade

This paper presents heat consumption optimization and possibility to increase energy efficiency of Belgrade residential buildings. Residential buildings were selected according to the year of construction and type of building (multi apartment buildings and single family houses). Numerical simulation was applied to investigate heat consumption of buildings' zero model which represents buildings' current state. Numerical simulations were performed for typical meteorological year conditions for Belgrade city area. In this calculation, building surroundings, outside heat transfer coefficient (which depends on local weather conditions) and inside heat transfer coefficient (according to the type of walls) were taken in account. The validation of zero model is based on measured and calculated inside air temperature in considered objects. The influence of improved building envelope on heat consumption, compared to building zero model, was investigated by adding insulation and/or by replacement existing windows with those with better thermal characteristics. The energy consumption was numerically simulated over whole heating season. The energy efficiency increase calculations showed possibility for saving heating energy from 10% to 80%. This conclusion was obtained by comparing four different scenarios of improved building envelope with basic zero model for four modeling objects (two multi apartment buildings and two single family houses). Results indicate that focus of energy savings should be on how to decrease energy consumption in households sector. Additionally, solar energy use for two different objects (PV cells were applied for multi apartment building and solar thermal collectors for single family house) was numerically simulated

Impact of age, weight and concomitant treatment on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics

What is known and Objective: Lamotrigine metabolism may be substantially altered with concomitant administration of valproic acid and/or carbamazepine. Such alterations may require the adjustment of lamotrigine dose to ensure optimal treatment efficacy and safety. Methods: The extent of lamotrigine interactions was investigated dependent on age, gender, weight and dose of concomitant carbamazepine and/or valproic acid in 65 patients with epilepsy. Lamotrigine plasma steady-state oral clearance (CLss/F) and area under the curve (AUCss) were calculated from the dose of drug, average steady-state concentration (Css) and interval of administration. Multiple regression analysis was used for the identification and quantification of factors that influenced lamotrigine pharmacokinetics. Results and Discussion: Age and dose of carbamazepine and valproic acid had significant influence on lamotrigine CLss/F and AUCss. Carbamazepine was associated with a dose-dependent increase and valproic acid with a dose-dependent decrease of lamotrigine metabolism rate. The effect of carbamazepine was more pronounced. Younger patients were expected to metabolize lamotrigine more rapidly whereas overweight patients may be less susceptible to interactions. Gender had no influence on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics. What is new and Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of lamotrigine may be altered by concomitant administration of carbamazepine and valproic acid. The models developed may be useful for estimating doses of lamotrigine for individual patients to minimize clinically significant interactions. Therapeutic monitoring is advisable when those drugs are used concomitantly

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the rhizome essential oils of two athamanta turbith subspecies

The hydrodistilled essential oils of the rhizomes of Athamanta turbith subsp. hungarica and A. turbith subsp. haynaldii were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Twenty-one compounds (99.8% of total oil) were identified in the oil from A. turbith subsp. hungarica, and 33 components (99.9% of total oil) were identified in the oil from A. turbith subsp. haynaldii. Both oils were characterized by high amounts of phenylpropanes, with myristicin (54.2% and 22.3%, respectively) and apiole (32.6% and 48.5%, respectively) being the main components. The antimicrobial activity of the oils was determined using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution method. Investigated essential oils were the most effective against Micrococcus luteus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and had no effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As for antifungal activity, essential oils exerted similar and significant activity, but only in higher concentrations. © 2009, Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved