Kakvoća života i razina tjelesne aktivnosti djece mlađe školske dobi s juvenilnim idiopatskim artritisom u Primorsko-goranskoj županiji

The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and level of physical activity in primary school children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County as compared to healthy peers, and to identify the most pronounced differences in QOL between them. The study included 13 children with JIA recruited from the paediatric rheumatology clinic and 17 healthy children from primary school. The children were aged 8-14 years. All participants, including their parents, completed questionnaires to assess the level of their physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children; PAQ-C) and QOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) Generic Core and Rheumatology Module scales). Study results showed statistically significant differences in the QOL associated with physical functioning/health (p=0.033), school activities (p=0.008) and psychosocial health (p=0.033) between JIA and control groups. Responses in the rheumatologic questionnaire revealed a statistically significant difference in the QOL associated with pain (p=0.041), daily activities (p=0.011), treatment (p=0.002), concern (p=0.0006) and communication (p=0.0002) between JIA and control groups. The JIA group showed a significantly lower level of physical activity (p=0.008). There was a statistically significant (p=0.0000) correlation between the QOL associated with pain and the QOL associated with physical functioning/health (r=0.94), emotional functioning (r=0.71), social functioning (r=0.74), school functioning (r=0.56) and psychosocial health (r=0.80). In conclusion, study results suggested JIA to affect QOL in almost all domains in the affected primary school children, with the greatest differences from their healthy peers being recorded in the QOL associated with worrying and communicating about their illness.Cilj ovog presječnog istraživanja je utvrditi kvalitetu života (QOL) i razinu tjelesne aktivnosti djece mlađe školske dobi s juvenilnim idiopatskim artritisom (JIA) na lokaciji Primorsko-goranske županije u usporedbi sa zdravim vršnjacima te utvrditi koje su najizraženije razlike među njima vezane za kakvoću života. Metode: Istraživanje je provedeno na 13-ero djece s JIA-om s popisa liječene na Klinici za dječju reumatologiju i 17-ero zdrave djece iz osnovne škole. Djeca su bila u dobi između 8-14 godina. Svi sudionici, uključujući njihove roditelje, ispunili su upitnike za procjenu razine svoje tjelesne aktivnosti (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children; PAQ-C) i kvalitetu života (Quality of life Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM Generic Core Scale; Rheumatology Module Scale). Rezultati su pokazali statistički značajne razlike u kakvoći života vezanoj za fizičko funkcioniranje/zdravlje (p =0,033), školske aktivnosti (p = 0,008) i psihosocijalno zdravlje (p = 0,033) između JIA i kontrolne skupine. Odgovori iz reumatološkog upitnika otkrili su statistički značajnu razliku u kakvoći života vezanoj za bol (p = 0,041), dnevne aktivnosti (p = 0,011), liječenje (p = 0,002), zabrinutost (p = 0,0006) i komunikaciju ( p = 0,0002) između JIA i kontrolne skupine. JIA skupina pokazala je značajno nižu razinu tjelesne aktivnosti (p = 0,008). Otkrivena je statistički značajna (p = 0,0000) povezanost između kakvoće života vezane za bol i one vezane za fizičko funkcioniranje/zdravlje (r = 0,94), emocionalno funkcioniranje (r = 0,71), socijalno funkcioniranje (r = 0,74) ), funkcioniranje u školi (r = 0,56) i psihosocijalno zdravlje (r = 0,80). Zaključci: Rezultati istraživanja sugeriraju da JIA utječe na kakvoću života u gotovo svim područjima oboljele djece mlađe školske dobi, te da su najveće razlike prema zdravim vršnjacima prisutne u kakvoći života vezanoj za brigu o svom zdravlju i komunikaciju o njihovoj bolesti

Evaluation of prosthetic rehabilitation success in patients with lower limb amputation

Cilj: Protetička rehabilitacija nakon amputacije donjeg uda uključuje sve kompleksne postupke i interakcije rehabilitacijskog tima i pacijenta koje su usmjerene cilju uspostavljanja sigurnog i stabilnog hoda s protezom. Nakon otpuštanja iz rehabilitacijskog centra pacijent koristi protezu, sukladno dobi, stilu života i okolini u kojoj živi. Cilj: Cilj rada je procijeniti uspješnost protetičke rehabilitacije osoba s amputacijom donjeg uda koristeći indekse predviđene mobilnosti pacijenta (engl. Amputee Mobility Predictor; AMP) i brzinu hoda. Ispitanici i metode: U radu su korišteni podaci pacijenata iz baze podataka Zavoda za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu Kliničkog bolničkog centra u Rijeci, a pri tome su u skladu s Helsinškom deklaracijom ostali anonimni: dob, spol, vrsta i strana amputacije, AMP, brzina hoda i vrijeme provedeno u protezi. Od sto pacijenata s amputacijom 62 su bila transtibijalna (TT) i 38 transfemoralna (TF). U ispitivanju je sudjelovalo 27 žena i 73 muškarca. Svim pacijentima je utvrđen AMP indeks prije rehabilitacijskog postupka (AMPnoPRO) te nakon završenog rehabilitacijskog postupka (AMPPRO). Rezultati: Nakon provedene protetičke rehabilitacije utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika u konačnoj mobilnosti (AMP: p < 0,001) i brzini hoda (p = 0,002) između TT i TF grupa, odnosno bolji rezultat su postigli pacijenti s nižom razinom amputacije (TT). Također je utvrđena statistički značajna povezanost između vremena provedenog u protezi i brzini hoda te AMP indeksa (p < 0,001). Zaključak: Razina amputacije je važna stavka koja pridonosi konačnom ishodu rehabilitacijskog postupka, odnosno viša razina amputacije kod pacijenata (TF) predstavlja jedan oblik ograničenja za bolji uspjeh u odnosu na pacijente s nižom razinom amputacije (TT).Aim: Prothetic rehabilitation after lower limb amputation includes all complex procedures and interactions between the rehabilitation team and the patient aimed for establishing a safe and stable walk with the prosthesis. After being released from the rehabilitation center, the patient uses the prosthesis, according to age, lifestyle and the environment in which he lives. Aim: The aim of the paper is to evaluate the success of the prosthetic rehabilitation after lower limb amputation patients using Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) and walking speed measures. Patients and methods: The following patients’ data ware taken from the database at the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, used in purpose of this work only, and stayed anonymous according to the Helsinki Declaration: age, sex, type and side of amputation, AMP, walking speed and the time spent in the prosthesis. From the 100 patients with amputation, 62 of them was transtibial (TT) and 38 transfemoral (TF). The AMP index was established for all patients prior to the rehabilitation procedure (AMPnoPRO) and after the completed rehabilitation procedure (AMPPRO). Results: After the prosthetic rehabilitation, a statistically significant difference in ultimate mobility (AMP: p < 0,001) and walking speed (p = 0.002) between the TT and the TF group was established, respectively, in a patients with a lower level of amputation (TT). A statistically significant correlation between the time spent in the prosthesis and walking speed and AMP index (p < 0.001) was also established. Conclusion: The level of amputation is an important factor contributing to the ultimate outcome of the rehabilitation process, and a higher level of amputation in patients (TF) is one form of limitation for better success compared to patients with lower amputation levels (TT)

Determination of the levels of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to non-MS individuals: use of standard psychometric tests on a small number of subjects

Cilj: Upotrebom standardnih psihometrijskih testova utvrditi razinu umora, boli, funkcionalne neovisnosti i kvalitetu života u ljudi oboljelih od multiple skleroze (MS) u odnosu na neoboljele na malom broju ispitanika, te utvrditi povezanost umora i boli s percipiranom kvalitetom života vezanom za umor, bol, emocionalno i fizičko funkcioniranje. Ispitanici i metode: Grupa ljudi oboljelih od MS (N = 17), pretežno ženskog spola, u dobi od 21 - 70 g, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) vrijednosti 0.0 - 8.0, bez relapsa i kortikosteroidne terapije proteklih 4 tjedna te bez težih kroničnih oboljenja, bila je podvrgnuta sljedećim testovima: Barthelov indeks, Functional Independence Measure, Visual Analogue Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale i Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Kontrolna grupa (N = 17) bez težih akutnih i kroničnih oboljenja također je podvrgnuta istim testovima. Rezultati: Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike među grupama (P<0.05 - P<0.001) te statistički značajna (P<0.05) povezanost između razine umora i percipirane kvalitete života vezane za umor, te nepostojanje veze između razine boli i percipirane kvalitete života vezane za bol. Korelacijom razine umora i boli s kvalitetom života vezanom za fizičko funkcioniranje utvrđene su statistički značajne (P<0.05) veze, za razliku od korelacije s kvalitetom života vezanom za emocionalno funkcioniranje. Zaključak: Odabrana kombinacija psihometrijskih testova pokazala je jasne razlike u razini umora, boli, funkcionalne neovisnosti te kvaliteti života kod oboljelih od MS u odnosu na neoboljele na malom broju ispitanika te utvrdila povezanost razine umora s percipiranom kvalitetom života vezanom za umor kao i razine umora i boli s kvalitetom života vezanom za fizičko funkcioniranje.Aim: Using standard psychometric tests to determine the level of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to non-MS people on a small number of subjects, and establish the correlation between fatigue and pain with perceived quality of life related to fatigue, pain, emotional and physical functioning. Patients and Methods: A group of people with MS (N = 17), predominantly female gender, 21-70 years old, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) values from 0.0 to 8.0 without relapse and corticosteroid therapy for the past 4 weeks and without severe chronic illnesses, was subjected to the following tests: Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measure, Visual Analogue Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. The control group (N = 17) without severe acute and chronic illnesses was also subjected to the same tests. Results: Statistically significant differences between the groups (P <0.05 - P <0.001) and statistically significant (P <0.05) correlation between fatigue level and perceived quality of life related to fatigue and the absence of link between pain level and perceived quality of life related to pain. The correlations between fatigue and pain level and the quality of life-related physical functioning has been statistically significant (P <0.05), unlike the correlation with the quality of life associated with emotional functioning. Conclusion: The selected combination of psychometric tests showed clear differences in the level of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in MS patients compared to non-MS people on a small number of subjects and established a correlation between fatigue level with perceived quality of life related to fatigue and also fatigue and pain levels with the quality of life associated with physical functioning

Association of vitamin D insufficiency and low physical activity with fatigue, headaches and psychological distress in college students, North-Mediterranean Croatia – a pilot study

Cilj ove studije bio je ispitati vitamin D u serumu kod studenata prijediplomskog zdravstvenog studija i njegovu povezanost s učestalošću konzumacije hrane bogate vitaminom D, izlaganjem suncu, umorom vezanim za studiranje, glavoboljom i psihopatološkim statusom, te posljednja tri s vrstom tjelesne aktivnosti. Razina 25-hidroksivitamina D (25-OHD-a) u krvi, procjena nesposobnosti vezane za migrenu (Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS)), kakvoće života vezane za umor (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale), psihopatološkog statusa (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure (COREOM)), načina prehrane i tjelesne aktivnosti ispitani su kod nasumice izabranih studenata. Rezultati studije su pokazali da je 49% studenata imalo nedostatak/manjak 25-OHD-a . Vrijednosti MIDAS-a bile su veće u skupini s nedostatkom/manjkom (p =0.035) i bile su povezane su sa satima tjednih kardio-vježbi (r = -0,48, p =0,031). CORE-OM i ukupni umor korelirali su s 25-OHD-a (r = -0,59, p =0,024; r =0,51, p =0,023). Studenti s dovoljno 25- OHD-a imali su značajno veći unos vitamina D konzumirajući srdele u svojoj mjesečnoj prehrani (p =0,048); 25-OHD je korelirao s količinom mjesečno pojedenih srdela (r =0,59, p =0,006). Naši rezultati pružaju početne dokaze o tome kako je pravilan način života ispunjen pravilnom tjelesnom aktivnošću, posebno kardio-vježbanjem, i prehranom bogatom vitaminom D važan za smanjenje umora, glavobolje i psiholoških tegoba.The aim of the study was to investigate serum vitamin D level in undergraduate students of health studies and its relationship with the frequency of vitamin D rich food consumption, sun exposure, study-related fatigue, headache and psychopathological status, and the relationship of the latter three parameters with the type of physical activity. A blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), nutrition and physical activity were surveyed in randomly chosen students. Study results showed that 49% of students had 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency. The MIDAS values were higher in the insufficient/ deficient group (p=0.035) and were associated with hours of weekly cardio exercises (r=-0.48, p=0.031). CORE-OM and total fatigue correlated with 25(OH)D (r=-0.59, p=0.024; r=0.51, p=0.023). Students with sufficient 25(OH)D had a significantly higher vitamin D intake by consuming sardines in their monthly nutrition (p=0.048). 25(OH)D correlated with the amount of monthly consumed sardines (r=0.59, p=0.006) in general. Our results provide initial evidence that an appropriate lifestyle along with proper physical activity, especially cardio exercise, and vitamin D rich nutrition is important to reduce fatigue, headaches and psychological distress

The effect of the body mass index on calcaneal quantitative ultrasound parameters in women of the City of Rijeka

Cilj: Žene u menopauzi zbog nedostatka hormona estrogena izložene su ubrzanom gubitku koštane mase, što dovodi do bolesti koštanog defi cita kakva je osteoporoza. Smanjenju koštane mase u menopauzi mogu pridonijeti i neki drugi faktori rizika kao što su to nizak indeks tjelesne mase, neuravnotežena prehrana i tjelesna neakti vnost. Cilj ovoga rada bio je ispitati ako i u kojem opsegu, s obzirom na hormonski status, antropometrijski parametri i starosna dob predviđaju vrijednosti parametara kvanti tati vnog ultrazvuka petne kosti u žena. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 499 žena grada Rijeke. Metode: Periferna gustoća petne kosti mjerena je pomoću ultrazvučnog aparata Clinical Bone Sonometar Sahara Hologic (Hologic Inc., Massachussets, SAD). Mjerenje je izvršeno u sjedećem stavu ispitanica, na konstantnom mjestu (desno stopalo). Rezultati : Stati sti čkom obradom svih ispitanica utvrđeno je da prediktorske varijable (menopauza, starosna dob, antropometrijski parametri) značajno predviđaju vrijednosti parametara kvanti tati vnog ultrazvuka petne kosti. U žena koje su više od 5 godina u menopauzi utvrđeno je da iste prediktorske varijable s izuzetkom menopauze statistički značajno predviđaju vrijednosti parametara kvantitativnog ultrazvuka petne kosti. Zaključak: U menopauzi izostaje povoljan utjecaj hormona na fiziološke procese u koštanom tkivu koji zbog toga postaju katabolični. U takvim uvjeti ma posti gnuta tjelesna masa ostaje jedina rezerva koja čuva koštani sustav od bolesti koštanog defi cita kakve su osteoporoza i osteopenija.Aim: Menopausal women, due to lack of hormones-estrogen are exposed to accelerated bone loss leading to bone defi ciency diseases, such as osteoporosis. In menopause, other risk factors such as: low body mass index, unbalanced diet and physical inactivity may reduce bone mass. The aim of this study was to examine whether, and to what extent anthropometric parameters and age predict the value of quanti tati ve ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus in women with respect to hormonal status. The study included 499 women of the City of Rijeka. Methods: Peripheral density of the calcaneus was measured using an ultrasound machine Clinical Bone Sonometar Sahara Hologic (Hologic Inc., Massachusett s, USA). The measurements were performed in sitting subjects, at a constant location (right foot). Results: Stati sti cal analysis of all subjects has determined that independent variables (age, menopause, anthropometric parameters) signifi cantly predict the value of quanti tati ve ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus. In women who are more than 5 years of menopause, the same independent variables, with the excepti on of menopause significantly predicted the value of quanti tati ve ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus. Conclusion: In menopause, the beneficial effect of hormones on the physiological processes in bone ti ssue is absent, which therefore become catabolic. In such conditi ons, achieved body mass remain the only backup system that preserves skeletal system from bone deficiency diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia

Efficacy of pain treatment with shock wave therapy in plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and lateral epicondylitis of the elbow

Uvod: Terapija udarnim valom (TUV) (od engl. shockwave therapy) je neinvazivna metoda temeljena na mehaničkim pulsovima koji se u obliku vala šire kroz ljudsko tijelo te izazivaju mikroskopske intersticijalne i ekstracelularne biološke učinke među kojima je i regeneracija tkiva. Cilj: Cilj ovog retrospektivnog istraživanja bio je ispitati učinkovitost i razlike u liječenju bola TUV-om u pacijenata s dijagnozama plantarni fascitis, kalcificirajući tendinitis ramena i lateralni epikondilitis lakta nakon upotrebe tri i pet uzastopnih tretmana. Ispitanici i metode: U radu su korišteni podatci pacijenata iz baze podataka Zavoda za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu Kliničkog bolničkog centra u Rijeci, a pri tome su u skladu s Helsinškom deklaracijom ostali anonimni: dob, spol, mjerenja intenziteta bola dobivena uz pomoć vizualno analogne skale (od engl. Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). Ispitanici su podijeljeni u dvije grupe za svaku dijagnozu (TUV3 i TUV5). Ispitivanje je sadržavalo ukupno 148 pacijenata: plantarni fascitis N = 50, kalcificirajući tendinitis ramena N = 50 i lateralni epikondilitis lakta N = 48. Rezultati: Primjena terapije udarnim valom kod pacijenata s dijagnozama plantarni fascitis, kalcificirajući tendinitis ramena i lateralni epikondilits lakta, s ciljem smanjenja intenziteta bola, pokazala se uspješnom. Dobivenim rezultatima utvrđeno je da primjena pet TUV tretmana dovodi do boljih rezultata smanjenja bola u sve tri dijagnoze negoli samo tri primijenjena tretmana (p < 0,001; p < 0,001; p < 0,001). Nadalje je utvrđeno da se nakon tri primijenjena tretmana postigao bolji učinak smanjenja bola kod plantarnog fascitisa negoli kod kalcificirajućeg tendinitisa ramena i lateralnog epikondilitisa lakta, dok nakon pet primijenjena tretmana nije bilo razlike u smanjenju bola među dijagnozama. Zaključak: Ova studija preporučuje primjenu pet tretmana kod sve tri dijagnoze kako bi pacijenti imali bolji učinak smanjenja bola.Introduction: Shock wave therapy (SWT) is a non-invasive method based on mechanical pulses widening through the human body and causing microscopic interstitial and extracellular biological effects, including tissue regeneration. Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze efficacy and differences in pain treatment with SWT in patients with plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and lateral epicondylitis of the elbow after three and five consecutive treatments. Participants and methods: The patients data were taken from the database at the Departmentof Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of the Clinical Hospital Center in Rijeka and used only in purpose of this work, and according to the Helsinki Declaration, stayed anonymous: age, sex, pain intensity measurements obtained using the Visual Analogue Scale. The participants were devided into two groups (TUV3 and TUV5). The data were taken from 148 patients: plantar fasciitis N = 50, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder N = 50 and lateral epicondylitis of the elbow N = 48. Results: The therapy with SWT proved to be successful in patients with diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. The analyzed results showed that three or five treatments both resulted in pain reduction in all three diagnosis, with five treatments being more efficient than just three applied treatments (p < 0,001; p < 0,001; p < 0,001). It has also been established that after three applied treatments a better effect of pain reduction is achieved in plantar fascitis than in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, and after five applied treatments there was no difference in pain reduction between diagnoses. Conclusion: Therefore, this study recommends the application of five treatments in all three diagnoses in order for patients to have better pain relief

The basics of bone biology

Koštano tkivo je najzastupljenije potporno tkivo u organizmu čovjeka. Ono izgrađuje koštani sustav čije su funkcije višestruke (potporni uređaj organizma, određuje veličinu i oblik tijela, zaštita organa, pokretanje u prostoru). Koštano tkivo razvija se iz mezenhima složenim procesom osteogeneze. Potonja je rezultat istovremenih procesa izgradnje i razgradnje koštanog tkiva. Izgradnja i razgradnja koštanog tkiva su, promatrajući njihovu svrhu u cjelini, sinergistički i fiziološki uravnoteženi procesi jer oba djeluju u cilju stvaranja i održavanja homeostaze koštanog sustava. Otklon od fiziološke ravnoteže ovih dvaju procesa očituje se u patološkoj osteogenezi pri kojoj je homeostaza u koštanom tkivu narušena, bez obzira na uzrok (osteoartroza, osteoporoza). Mnoga suvremena istraživanja usmjerena su na proučavanje ovih procesa, a njihovi rezultati omogućili su razumijevanje patofizioloških procesa koji zahvaćaju koštano tkivo. Rezultati istraživanja procesa osteoindukcije (koštani morfogenetski proteinii njihovi inhibitori) i osteokondukcije imaju uspješnu primjenu u koštanoj kirurgiji.Bone tissue is the most abundant supporting tissue in the human body. It builds the skeletal system, which performs several functions: it provides the framework of the body, determines the size and shape of the body, protects the organs, and enables movements. Bone tissue develops from the mesenchyme by a complex process of osteogenesis. Osteogenesis results from continuous processes of bone formation and resorption. Bone formation and resorption are, considering their purpose as whole, synergistically and physiologically balanced processes since they both act to create and maintain the skeletal system homeostasis. Physiological imbalance of these processes is evident as pathological osteogenesis when bone tissue homeostasis is disturbed, regardless of the cause (osteoarthrosis, osteoporosis). Many recent investigations have focused on the study of these processes and their results provided understanding of pathophysiological processes which affect bone tissue. The results of investigating osteoinduction (bone morphogenetic proteins and their inhibitors) and osteoconduction have found successful application in bone surgery

Contribution to the knowledge of comparative anatomy of the circulatory system of vertebrates

Građa i oblik cirkulacijskog sustava među životinjskim vrstama bitno se razlikuju, napose u pojedinim poredbeno anatomskim aspektima, čak do neprepoznatljivost. Budući da cirkulacijski sustav osigurava funkcionalnu i morfološku povezanost svih dijelova organizma, njegova konstrukcija bitno ovisi o obliku organizma i njegovim biološkim osobitostima. U ovome radu, u obliku diskusije, izneseni su neki komparativno-anatomski aspekti temeljnih načela cirkulacijskog sustava u kralježnjaka.Structure and shape of the circulatory system differ substantially among animal species, and particularly in some aspects of comparative anatomy they are unrecognizable. Since the circulatory system ensures the functional and morphological integrity of all parts of the organism, its structure depends essentially on the shape of the organism and its biological properties. This paper, in the form of a discussion, presents some aspects of comparative anatomy related to the basic principles of the vertebrate circulatory system

Adult neurogenesis – accent on subgranular and subventricular zone in mammals

Donedavno se smatralo da se živčane stanice prestaju dijeliti u ranoj postnatalnoj životnoj dobi, no posljednjih 20 godina mnoga istraživanja na tom polju dokazala su suprotno. Neurogeneza u odraslom mozgu dokazana je u većine sisavaca, uključujući i čovjeka. Proces se u fiziološkim uvjetima spontano odvija pretežno u dvjema germinativnim regijama u mozgu u kojima se nalaze neuralne matične stanice; u subgranularnoj zoni dentatne vijuge hipokampusa te subventrikularnoj zoni lateralnog ventrikula. Neuralne matične stanice u njima imaju veću sposobnost proliferacije i diferencijacije prema novim budućim neuronima, astrocitima i oligodendrocitima u odnosu na neuralne matične stanice drugih područja živčanog sustava. Sposobnost proliferacije i regeneracije koju ove dvije „niše“ posjeduju ima važnu ulogu u prilagodbi mozga na vanjske podražaje tijekom odrastanja i sazrijevanja, što se naziva plastičnošću mozga. Germinativne „niše“ u mozgu su specifičan mikrookoliš u kojem se uskom interakcijom specifičnih proneurogenetskih čimbenika i rezidentnih neuralnih matičnih stanica te krvožilja stvaraju strogo kontrolirani uvjeti koji omogućuju proliferaciju, diferencijaciju, migraciju i sazrijevanje neuroblasta ili glioblastate preživljenje i integraciju novonastalih neurona i glijalnih stanica u postojeće sinaptičke mreže u mozgu. U slučaju narušavanja homeostaze tih i drugih germinativna središta u mozgu, dolazi do pojave raznih psihoneuroloških poremećaja. Boljim razumijevanjem funkcioniranja germinativnih mikrookoliša u mozgu otvaraju se nove mogućnosti u neuronanosti u pravcu manipuliranja adultnom neurogenezom potičući stvaranje neurona de novo te na taj način liječenja spomenutih psihoneuroloških poremećaja.Tillrecently was assumed that neural cells stop dividing in early postnatal period of life, but last two decades large ammount ofresearches on that field proved contrary. There are evidences confirming existance of adult neurogenesis in most mammalian species, including humans.This process occurs spontaneouslyin physiological termsin two germinal brain regionscontaining neural stem cells; in subgranular zone of hippocampal dentate gyrus and subventricular zone of lateral ventricule.Neural stem cells in this germinal regions posses higher proliferative and differential capacity toward new future neurons, astrocytes and oligidendrocytes than neural stem cells from other regions in nervous system. Proliferative and regenerative power of this two niches has important role in brain adjustment to exterior stimuli during life which is called neuroplasticity. Germinal niches in brain are specific microenvironment in which close interaction of specific proneurogenic factors and resident neural stem cells and blood vessels form strictly controled conditions providing neuroblast and glioblast proliferation, differentiation, migration andmaturation and also survival and integration of newly created neuron or glial cell in existing brain sinaptic cirtuits. In case of harming this and other germinal brain centers different psichoneurologic disorders occur. Better understanding of germinal microenvironment function in human brainopens a new possibilities in neuroscience for creating a therapy based on adult neurogenesis manipulation through creating neurons “de novo”

Contribution to the knowledge of comparative anatomy of the circulatory system of vertebrates

Građa i oblik cirkulacijskog sustava među životinjskim vrstama bitno se razlikuju, napose u pojedinim poredbeno anatomskim aspektima, čak do neprepoznatljivost. Budući da cirkulacijski sustav osigurava funkcionalnu i morfološku povezanost svih dijelova organizma, njegova konstrukcija bitno ovisi o obliku organizma i njegovim biološkim osobitostima. U ovome radu, u obliku diskusije, izneseni su neki komparativno-anatomski aspekti temeljnih načela cirkulacijskog sustava u kralježnjaka.Structure and shape of the circulatory system differ substantially among animal species, and particularly in some aspects of comparative anatomy they are unrecognizable. Since the circulatory system ensures the functional and morphological integrity of all parts of the organism, its structure depends essentially on the shape of the organism and its biological properties. This paper, in the form of a discussion, presents some aspects of comparative anatomy related to the basic principles of the vertebrate circulatory system