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Introduction: The study aimed to determine satisfaction level with the quality of education among dental students and dentists in Croatia based on the acquired knowledge and clinical and soft skills. Materials and Methods: An online cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 533 dentists and dental students. The questionnaire consisted of four sections with closed‐ended questions. The first section included personal and professional data, whereas the second to fourth sections assessed satisfaction with learned basic dental, professional technical or clinal and interpersonal social or soft skills on a 5‐point Likert scale. The data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test and linear regression analysis. The significance level was set at.05. Results: When comparing satisfaction scores between dentists and dental students in terms of basic dental knowledge and skills learned, students showed higher satisfaction scores for the categories of "Emergency Medical Situations" (p =.005) and "Ergonomic Principles of Work" (p =.004). Dentists, on the other hand, showed higher satisfaction for the categories "Selection and use of local anaesthetics and local antibiotics" (p =.005, p =.026; respectively). For the type of technical skills from the different areas of dentistry, dentists were most satisfied with "Oral Surgery" (4.26 ± 0.85), while students were most satisfied with "Oral Medicine" (4.29 ± 0.89). Finally, when comparing satisfaction scores with social skills, dentists had lower satisfaction scores in all categories studied (p ≤.05). Conclusion: Dental students showed higher overall satisfaction than dentists. The most significant satisfaction was expressed in technical skills learned, and the most considerable dissatisfaction was recorded in the unmeasurable skills category focused on "Career management". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The article presents a group of Bronze Age artefacts recovered from the Drava river wetlands in continental Croatia, examining their typological and chronological markers, and assessing the technological characteristics of the material through spectrometric and use‐wear analyses. We discuss the context of the finds, types of items retrieved and deposition locations, and how these fit into the patterns of European Bronze Age metal deposition practices. Compositional and metalwork use analyses indicate that most of the items were in use prior to their deposition and display solid metallurgical skill. Chronologically, typologically, compositionally, and conceptually, the items align with the depositional trends seen in the wider region and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: High‐risk human papilloma virus (HR HPV) testing and liquid‐based cytology are used for primary cervical screening. Digital cytology, based on whole‐slide scanned samples, is a promising technique for teaching and diagnostic purposes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver variation in low‐grade squamous lesions, HR HPV status bias, and the use of whole‐slide scanned digital cervical cytology slides. Methods: Fifteen expert cytopathologists evaluated 71 digitalized ThinPrep slides (31 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC‐US], 21 negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, and 19 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases). HR HPV data were accessible only in the second round. Results: In interobserver analysis, Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.52 in the first round and 0.58 in the second round. Fleiss' kappa values were 0.29 in the first round and 0.31 in the second round. In the ASC‐US category, Fleiss kappa increased from 0.19 to 0.22 in the second round and the increase was even higher expressed by Kendall's coefficient: from 0.42 to 0.52. In intraobserver analysis, personal scores were higher in the second round. Conclusions: The interobserver and intraobserver variability in low‐grade squamous lesions was within fair agreement values in the present study, in line with previous works. The comparison of two rounds showed that expert cytopathologists are generally unbiased by the knowledge of HR HPV data, but that being informed of the HR HPV status leads to a better agreement. Stain quality and back discomfort were highlighted as factors affecting digital cytopathology use. The interobserver and intraobserver variability in low‐grade squamous lesions was within fair agreement values and knowing high‐risk human papillomavirus status leads to better agreement. Stain quality and back discomfort were highlighted as factors affecting digital cytopathology use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 43rd European Congress of Cytology in Wrocław, Poland, was held as a hybrid meeting in the Fall of 2021. After nearly 2 years without in‐person cytology conferences, the 43rd Congress represents 1 of the first major international scientific meetings to occur during the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 pandemic. Since March 2020, the pandemic situation substantially modified the organization of scientific meetings because of both domestic and international travel restrictions, new health standards, and concern among participants, resulting in new alternative forms of virtual conferencing. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2022;130:000‐000.; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: We focused on the, yet undescribed, therapy effect of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in hippocampal ischemia/reperfusion injuries, after bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries in rats. The background is the proven therapy effect of BPC 157 in ischemia/reperfusion injuries in different tissues. Furthermore, there is the subsequent oxidative stress counteraction, particularly when given during reperfusion. The recovering effect it has on occluded vessels, results with activation of the alternative pathways, bypassing the occlusion in deep vein thrombosis. Finally, the BPC 157 therapy benefits with its proposed role as a novel mediator of Roberts' cytoprotection and bidirectional effects in the gut‐brain axis. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries for a 20‐min period. At 30 s thereafter, we applied medication (BPC 157 10 µg/kg; or saline) as a 1 ml bath directly to the operated area, that is, trigonum caroticum. We documented, in reperfusion, the resolution of the neuronal damages sustained in the brain, resolution of the damages reflected in memory, locomotion, and coordination disturbances, with the presentation of the particular genes expression in hippocampal tissues. Results: In the operated rats, at 24 and 72 hr of the reperfusion, the therapy counteracted both early and delayed neural hippocampal damage, achieving full functional recovery (Morris water maze test, inclined beam‐walking test, lateral push test). mRNA expression studies at 1 and 24 hr, provided strongly elevated (Egr1, Akt1, Kras, Src, Foxo, Srf, Vegfr2, Nos3, and Nos1) and decreased (Nos2, Nfkb) gene expression (Mapk1 not activated), as a way how BPC 157 may act. Conclusion: Together, these findings suggest that these beneficial BPC 157 effects may provide a novel therapeutic solution for stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Control of serum phosphate is important for patients on hemodialysis. The aim of the study was to determine if education based on phosphorus-reducing techniques in food preparation and thermal processing, and accordingly prepared and applied diets, will lead to better outcomes than a standard education program to improve phosphate control in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: Forty-seven patients on hemodialysis were divided between an intervention and a control group. All subjects received training about nutrition for hemodialysis patients by trained dietitian. In addition, subjects in the intervention group received additional training in phosphorus-reducing techniques in food preparation and received two hospital meals prepared using suggested cooking methods to reduce the phosphate content of food during dialysis treatment. Serum phosphate, serum albumin, and anthropometric parameters were measured, while nPCR was calculated, at the baseline and during the 1-year study. Findings: No differences in serum phosphate levels were observed between intervention (1.68 mmol/L [1.48-2.03]) and control group (1.88 mmol/L [1.57-2.2]) at baseline (P = 0.130). Although not statistically significant between groups the mean reduction was more apparent in the intervention group (−0.3 mmol/L (−0.4 to 0.1) vs. −0.2 (−0.5 to 0.1)), and lead to significantly reduction of phosphate binder therapy. During the study, the nPCR and anthropometric status of the patients did not change significantly. Discussion: Providing additional education to hemodialysis patients on the specific cooking methods and accordingly prepared meals may decrease serum phosphate levels without significantly affecting nutritional status which may be useful in helping to prevent and treat hyperphosphatemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature and phosphorus positively interacted in controlling picoplankton biomass production and its transfer towards higher trophic levels. Two complementary approaches (experimental and field study) indicated several coherent patterns: (1) the impact of temperature on heterotrophic bacteria was high at temperatures lower than 16°C and levelled off at higher temperatures, whereas this impact on autotrophic picoplankton was linear along the entire range of the investigated temperatures; (2) the addition of phosphorus increased the values of picoplankton production and grazing, but did not change the nature of their relationships with temperature substantially; (3) the picoplankton carbon flux towards higher trophic levels was larger during the warmer months (grazing by HNF dominated during the warmer period and by ciliates during the colder period) and also strengthened in conditions without phosphorus limitation; (4) the hypothesis that the available phosphorus can be better utilized at higher temperatures was confirmed for both autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton; (5) the hypothesis that the rise in temperature stimulates growth only in conditions of sufficient phosphorus was confirmed only for heterotrophic bacteria. Therefore, in the global warming scenario, an increase of the picoplankton carbon flux towards higher trophic levels can be expected in the Adriatic Sea, particularly under unlimited phosphorus conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conference abstracts are a potential source of new and relevant information about randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, their dependability is questionable. The objectives of this study were to quantify the agreement between results of RCTs reported in abstracts presented at the four most recent World Congresses on Pain (WCP) and their corresponding full publications, and to analyse the completeness of reporting in those abstracts.Methods: To identify RCTs, we screened all abstracts presented at four WCPs from 2008 to 2014. Two independent authors identified corresponding full-text reports published through August 2016. Data about the main outcomes in each abstract and full publication were extracted, including the outcome domains and numerical results reported. We reported discordance between abstracts and full texts. We evaluated abstracts against the CONSORT for Abstracts checklist.Results: Approximately half of the 614 included abstracts had been fully published. Among the 306 abstract/publication pairs, eight pairs were not evaluable, and in the remaining 298 we found some form of discordance in 31% of the cases; the majority of discordances were quantitative, i.e. numerical results were different in the two locations, but with the same direction of effect. In the abstract-publication pairs where the abstract presented only preliminary/interim results, 79% had some form of discordance, mostly quantitative.Conclusions: The reporting quality of the 614 abstracts was suboptimal; the median adherence across all domains for all abstracts was 26%. In conclusion, conference abstracts of pain research are often not necessarily dependable information. Authors should be required to report abstracts according to reporting guidelines.Significance: Abstracts of RCTs addressing pain are not often dependable information sources; half of them are not published, their reporting quality is suboptimal. When published, 30% of abstracts-full text pairs have discordant results, with 78% discordance when abstracts present preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the frequency of nonrecreational prescription analgesic sharing, associated factors and differences between lenders and borrowers.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 outpatient family medicine practices in Croatia amongst 1000 patients to whom their physicians have prescribed analgesics at least once in their lives. A questionnaire was used to collect data about patients' pain intensity, prescription analgesic sharing habits, factors associated with this behaviour, perception of risks associated with the conduct and demographic data. Logistic regression was conducted to analyse independent factors associated with lending and borrowing prescription analgesics.Results: We found that 61% of patients in family medicine practices engage in sharing prescription analgesics, whether it was lending (42%) and/or borrowing (54%). Independent predictors of lending prescription analgesics were as follows: history of sharing prescription medication other than analgesics, providing information regarding the medication alongside the prescription medication itself, not reading package insert that accompanies medication, subjective perception of personal health and decreased awareness of personal harm associated with prescription analgesic sharing. Independent predictors of prescription analgesic borrowing were as follows: younger age, communicating details regarding the medication that was given, scanning of package insert accompanying the medication, biased subjective perception of personal health and perceiving alternative medicine as a safer option over conventional medicine.Conclusions: Sharing prescription analgesics is highly prevalent amongst patients in family medicine. Healthcare providers should remain alert by routinely questioning patients regarding such behaviours. Preventive interventions should be conceived and established.Significance: Sharing of prescription analgesics is a highly prevalent behaviour amongst pain patients, and there exist independent factors associated with such conduct. This information can be useful in the design of interventions aimed at mitigating analgesic sharing behaviour in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of irinotecan was investigated on a static mercury drop electrode using square‐wave voltammetry. The mechanism of irinotecan electroreduction is a complex, pH‐dependent, quasireversible process and includes the transfer of two electrons and two protons. In acidic medium, the first electron transfer reaction is followed by the chemical reaction, and the product of this chemical reaction undergoes further electrochemical reduction at more negative potentials. Both irinotecan and the product of its reduction adsorb on the mercury electrode surface. Based on the adsorptive character of irinotecan, a new adsorptive stripping square‐wave voltammetric method for its electroanalytical determination has been proposed. The voltammetric response could be used to determine irinotecan in the concentration range from 1×10−7 mol/L to 1.5×10−6 mol/L and from 5×10−9 mol/L to 1.2×10−7 mol/L, if the accumulation time is 20 s and 300 s, respectively. The calculated limit of detection for irinotecan was found to be 8.7×10−9 mol/L (if tacc=300 s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of individual projectile production errors on the probability of hitting a target is analyzed. The intensity of errors is linked to the level of production quality. The consequences of manufacturing errors are estimated by a comprehensive Monte Carlo (MC) simulation where a 3D CAD model of a missile and a modified 6DOF model of its flight are coupled. A 122 mm rocket is selected as a case study. The MC simulation gives the estimation of the probability that rocket will destroy the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and non-16 genotype, p16/Ki-67 dual staining and koilocytosis and their role in the prediction of the clinical outcome of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cytology. Methods: One hundred and fifty-five patients with LSIL were followed up and recorded as progression, persistence or regression. HPV genotyping was performed for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA-positive cases. Koilocytosis was reviewed and p16/Ki-67 dual staining was performed on reprocessed conventional cytology slides. Results: HPV16 was the most frequent genotype found in 16.3% of cases. p16/Ki-67 dual staining was positive in 36.1% of all cases. Progression, including concurrent cervical intraepithelial lesion grade 2 or above (CIN2+), was recorded in 13.8% of cases. A statistically significant difference between progressive and non-progressive cases was shown by the following: hrHPV-positive versus hrHPV-negative (P = 0.022), HPV16-positive versus non-16 HPV-positive (P < 0.001) and p16/Ki-67-positive versus p16/Ki-67-negative (P < 0.001) cases. Cases with combined HPV16 and p16/Ki-67 positivity showed the highest progression rate (58.3%). Non-koilocytic HPV16-positive cases showed a 50% progression rate compared with 10.1% for koilocytic non-16 HPVpositive cases (P = 0.010). The sensitivity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining for the detection of CIN2+ lesions was 80%, comparable with hrHPV (85%). The specificity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining was 71% and of hrHPV 42%. The highest specificity was found for HPV16 genotype presence (91%), but with low sensitivity (50%). Conclusion: HPV genotyping, p16/Ki-67 dual staining and koilocytic morphology can be useful in the prediction of clinical outcome in women initially diagnosed with LSIL cytology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Croatian traditional cheese, which ripens in a lamb skin sack, was studied to determine compositional, biochemical and sensory changes over 60 days of ripening. The ripening time had a significant effect on the chemical, biochemical and sensory parameters, particularly on the medium- and long-chain free fatty acids ( P < 0.05) and total FFAs ( P < 0.001). At the end of ripening palmitic, oleic and stearic acids were the predominant FFAs. Cheese ripened for more than 45 days was less acceptable to consumers as a consequence of extensive proteolysis and lipolysis. Therefore, ripening for more than 45 days, which is commonly practised by cheesemakers, is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

K048 is a member of K-oximes, a new oxime class that has recently been confirmed effective against poisoning by the nerve agent tabun and several pesticides. The toxicity profile of the K048 oxime has not been fully characterized and its optimal therapeutic dose has not yet been established. Earlier studies report excellent results with K048 in reactivating tabun-phosphorylated AChE and in the therapy of tabun-poisoned mice. It possesses a low acute toxicity and exerts an acceptable toxicity profile on isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of K048 in rats resulted in an LD50 of 238.3 mg/kg. In this in vivo study, we investigated cholinesterase ( ChE) activity and oxidative stress marker levels (lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity) in the plasma of exposed rats after administering the compound at 25% of its LD50. Lymphocyte viability was evaluated using an acridine orange/ethidium bromide in situ fluorescent assay. The levels of primary DNA damage in rat white blood cells were measured using the alkaline comet assay. The compound applied at 25% of its LD50 did not significantly affect ChE activity and lipid peroxidation and did not cause significant changes in the SOD activity in plasma. The cytotoxicity profile of K048 in the tested dose was also acceptable, and it did not possess significant DNA-damaging potential. The obtained results are promising for further evaluations of the K048 oxime, which should include tests on a broader concentration range and longer incubation times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the model for assessing the effect that manufacturing errors have on the missile's trajectory and the position of its impact point. Manufacturing errors are considered to be non‐deterministic variables. One typical error is analyzed: the erroneously manufactured missile's warhead. To test the resulting trajectory deviation, a realistic 3D CAD model of a missile is built and linked to the improved 6DOF model. A simulation using the Monte‐Carlo method shows the resulting dispersion of missile's impact points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical Education 2010: 44: 387–395 Context Elective courses are a significant part of undergraduate medical education throughout the world, but the value provided by these courses and the reasons for choosing particular elective courses have not been studied extensively. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate medical and dental students’ experiences of elective courses in undergraduate medical education in Croatia and to gather students’ recommendations for the improvement of elective courses. Methods Medical and dental students studying under the Bologna curriculum were given a questionnaire in which they were asked for their opinions of elective courses and their suggestions as to how they might be improved. Data on elective courses were obtained from medical schools’ administrative offices. Results The survey response rate was 92% (834/903). Medical students gave elective courses an average grade of 3.44 out of 5, whereas dental students gave a lower average of 3.15. Students’ suggestions for change included introducing more practical work and recognising international student exchanges and attendance at conferences as elective options. A third of students indicated that teachers should be given additional training in leading elective courses. Analysis of the curriculum showed that elective courses in Croatian medical schools are very heterogeneous in terms of their content and the number of credits and assessment methods they involve, and are very conservative in that only structured courses are offered. Students cannot design their own courses or take more elective courses than represent 10% of their total number of credits. Conclusions Student opinion should be consulted when medical schools venture into the elective curriculum so that students can feel that they are really benefiting from these subjects. Students would welcome new and personally designed strands. Elective courses are a significant part of medical education and therefore their quality and purpose need to be assessed regularly in order to ensure that they meet students’ needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some compounds, although not primarily designed as supportive drugs in chemotherapy, are promising candidates for clinical use. The ability of HI-6 oxime to relieve the side effects of irinotecan was recently determined in vitro. In this animal study, we investigated the efficacy of HI-6 in vivo, when given as a pre-treatment and concomitantly with irinotecan. We evaluated the cholinesterase (ChE)/acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, the levels of oxidative stress markers, DNA damage and the radical scavenging capacity of HI-6. Both HI-6 and irinotecan inhibited ChE/AChE activity but showed different levels of ChE inhibition in plasma and AChE inhibition in the liver and brain tissue. We also observed a weak antioxidant capacity of HI-6, undiscovered until now, and found an acceptable genotoxicity profile in three types of somatic cells in rats. The in vivo erythrocyte micronucleus assay showed that HI-6 did not significantly change either the frequency of micronuclei or the ratio of polychromatic and normorchromatic erythrocytes. Taken together, our results provide a good argument in favour of HI-6 as a promising molecule for further studies and eventual use in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that evaluates the genotoxic and oxidative damage potential of glyphosate on human lymphocytes. It states that testing was done with and without metabolic activation and the genotoxicity was evaluated with the use of alkaline comet assay, micronuclei analysis, and other nuclear instabilities. The results showed that DNA damage is not dose-dependent and the lack of observed effects is due to the low number of samples.

Carbofuran belongs to the group of N-methylcarbamate insecticides used for the control of soil-dwelling and foliar-feeding insects in various crops; its consumption totals approximately 20,000 tonnes per year. Although the neurological effects on human beings have been well documented, little is known on its impact on the genome. A 38-year-old, healthy male worker employed in a carbofuran production facility accidentally inhaled the dust of the active ingredient carbofuran. Thirty minutes later, he experienced weakness, fatigue, perspiration, breathing difficulties, cephalalgia, disorientation, abdominal pain and vomiting. Blood samples were taken to measure cholinesterase activity, and to perform the alkaline comet assay and micronucleus assay combined with pancentromeric probes. Analyses were repeated 72 hr after intoxication and compared with the results obtained from regular monitoring conducted 10 days prior to the accident. Cholinesterase activity showed the highest correlation with the number of apoptotic cells, comet assay tail length, and number of long-tailed nuclei, suggesting that these are the genomic end-points primarily affected by carbofuran intake. Only a weak correlation was detected for the total number of micronuclei, centromere-containing micronuclei and nuclear buds. Since those end-points increased significantly 72 hr after the accident, they could be considered as late biomarkers of the effects of carbofuran intoxication. The results of this report suggest that, in the interests of higher standards in risk assessment and health hazard protection, periodical medical examination of carbamate-exposed populations should include genotoxicity testing in addition to the assessment of cholinesterase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic effects of the antineoplastic drug irinotecan on human blood cells at concentrations of 9.0 µg/ml and 4.6 µg/ml were evaluated in vitro. Using the alkaline and neutral comet assay significantly increased levels of primary DNA damage in lymphocytes were detected. The induction of apoptosis/necrosis, as determined by a fluorescent assay, was also notably increased. Cytogenetic outcomes of the treatment were assessed by the analysis of structural chromosome aberrations and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A significantly higher incidence of chromatid breaks and complex quadriradials was observed. Painted chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 were equally involved in translocations, but only the chromosome 1 was involved in the formation of quadriradials. Sister chromatid exchange analysis was performed in parallel with the analysis of lymphocyte proliferation kinetics. The higher concentration of irinotecan caused almost seven-time increase, while the lower one caused a five-time increase of the basal sister chromatid exchange frequency, accompanied with significant lowering of the lymphocyte proliferation index. Using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, a dose-dependent increase in micronucleus frequency along with the formation of nuclear buds and nucleoplasmic bridges was noticed. Inhibitory effects of irinotecan on enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were studied in erythrocytes. An IC50 value of 5.0 × 10−7 was established. Irinotecan was found to be strong inhibitor of the acetylcholine hydrolysis and to cause a continuous decrease of catalytic activity of AChE. The results obtained on a single donor may contribute to the understanding of irinotecan toxicity, but further in vitro and in vivo studies are essential in order to clarify remaining issues, especially on possible inter-individual variability in genotoxic responses to the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the cytomorphology of clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the ovary in intraoperative samples of peritoneal fluid, imprint and scraping samples of the tumour tissue. Study design: Fourteen histologically confirmed cases, stained by standard cytological procedures, were analysed by light microscopy. Results: In 33.3% of peritoneal fluid samples and 92.9% of imprint and scraping cytological samples, besides variable clear cell cellular morphology, one or both distinct cytological characteristics were observed: eosinophilic, hyaline, extracellular, globular substance with or without formation of a ‘raspberry’ body and an eosinophilic, intracytoplasmic inclusions. These structures were clearly seen only in samples stained by May-Grünwald–Giemsa. Conclusion: Using cytological analysis of imprint and scraping samples of ovarian tumours it is possible to make a precise intraoperative cytological diagnosis in most cases of CCC of the ovary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine values of a quantitative morphometry analysis of nuclear characteristics and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in differential cytodiagnosis of benign, atypically proliferating (borderline) and malignant serous ovarian tumours. Methods: Cytological imprints of benign ( n = 20), borderline ( n = 19) and malignant ( n = 20) ovarian serous tumours were analysed. A computerized, digital analysis was used to determine morphometric nuclear features, the number and characteristics of single AgNORs, cluster AgNORs, total AgNOR and AgNOR area/nucleus (relative area) ratio. According to their size AgNORs were classified in three categories. A one-way variance analysis and post hoc test (Scheffé) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The morphometric nuclear analysis showed that benign, borderline and malignant serous ovarian tumours are statistically different ( P < 0.001) according to the area and outline, the values being highest in malignant tumours and lowest in the borderline group. Digital analysis of AgNORs in benign, borderline and malignant groups showed that the total AgNOR number increases with progression of the lesion (meaning tumour malignancy) significantly ( P < 0.001) between benign and malignant as well as between borderline and malignant serous ovarian tumours ( P < 0.001). The progression of the lesion malignancy was accompanied by a significant ( P < 0.001) progressive increase of the total and relative AgNOR area per nucleus. The AgNOR size increases from benign to malignant tumours and a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.001) was observed in all three groups regarding small and large AgNORs. Conclusion: Combining different markers of morphometric nuclear characteristics and AgNOR values could improve differential cytodiagnosis of benign, borderline and malignant serous ovarian tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines the case study of a young girl who developed thyroid tumor after treatment for neuroblastoma. Is suggested that the radiation therapy for neurablastoma might have caused the secondary papillary carcinoma after 5 to 7 years, as it was similarly observed after the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and lymphosytic leukemia. Her case was diagnosed as follicular variant of papillary carcinoma.

Factors underlying genetic predisposition for development of sporadic colorectal cancer are largely unknown. The fact that this cancer is more common in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease raises the question of the relationship between chronic inflammation and cancer. Toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) and 4 (TLR4) are critical in initiating innate immune response and inflammation toward various bacteria commonly found in the intestine. Recent evidence about the association of polymorphisms in these genes with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as other inflammatory conditions, was the basis for our investigation of their role in sporadic colorectal cancer. We assessed genotype and allele frequencies of TLR2 GT microsatelite polymorphism, TLR2 Arg753Gln, TLR4 Asp299Gly and TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphisms in 89 colorectal cancer patients and 88 age- and sex-matched controls. The frequency of TLR2 GT microsatelite alleles with 20 and 21 GT repeats was decreased (p = 0.0044 and p = 0.001, respectively), while the frequency of the allele with 31 GT repeats was increased (p = 0.0147) in patients. The mutant allele Asp299Gly of TLR4 gene was slightly more frequent in colorectal cancer patients (p = 0.0269). In conclusion, we report an association of microsatelite GT polymorphisms of TLR2 gene and Asp299Gly polymorphism of the TLR4 gene with sporadic colorectal cancer among Croatians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7.) is an extremely active enzyme necessary for terminating the action of acetylcholine in cholinergic synapses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of four mono-pyridinium compounds 1-phenacylpyridinium chloride (I), 1-phenacyl-2-methylpyiridinium chloride (II), 1-benzoylethylpyridinium chloride (III), and 1-benzoylethylpyridinium-4-aldoxime chloride (IV) in the therapy of soman poisoning. Their effect was compared with HI-6 and TMB-4 oximes. The inhibitory potency (IC50) of compounds as well as reactivating (%R) and protective potency (P50) with respect to soman-inhibited AChE were determined for each of the compounds. Their acute intraperitoneal toxicity (LD50 with 95% confidence limits) was tested in mice and observed for 24 hr. The therapeutic effect was expressed as the protective index and as the therapeutic dose. The tested compounds were found to be reversible inhibitors of AChE. In vivo results show that the tested compounds are relatively toxic (their LD50 was from 74.9 to 210.0 mg/kg body weight). The best antidotal efficacy was obtained with compound II, which had the highest affinity for AChE (IC50 was 1.9×10−5 mol l−1) and seems to be an adequate antidote in soman poisoning (its protective index and therapeutic dose were 2.8 and 2, respectively). Our results indicate that its antidotal effect is related to the reactivation or protection of AChE. The type of the substituent in the pyridinium ring generally has a significant influence on toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and on the antidotal efficacy of all new tested compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study about the effectiveness of adamantyl tenocyclidine derivative Tamorf (1-[2-2(2-thienyl)-2-adamantyl morpholine]) in treating rats poisoned with soman which causes toxic effects in the central nervous system. The study found that Tamorf was more effective than carbamate physostigmine in the elimination of soman-induced poisoning. It discovered that the antidotal mechanism of Tamorf is based on combined biomechanical and receptor properties.

ABSTRACT Background Methods Results Conclusion The interplay between peritoneal dialysis (PD), residual kidney function (RKF), and thyroid function remains poorly understood, with limited prospective studies comparing thyroid function in PD versus hemodialysis (HD) patients.This prospective single‐center study assessed thyroid function in 18 PD patients over a 24‐month follow‐up period at the Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Kidney Transplantation, UHC Rijeka, Croatia. Data were compared to 24 concurrently treated HD patients.Initially, some PD patients exhibited elevated TSH levels, which normalized during follow‐up despite longer dialysis duration. Compared to HD patients, PD patients demonstrated significantly higher T4 concentrations at baseline and higher FT4 concentrations at 12 and 24 months. Furthermore, FT3 levels were significantly higher in PD patients at baseline and at both 12 and 24 months, with T3 levels also within the reference interval after the beginning of the study. Additionally, a positive association was observed between T4 levels and 24‐h diuresis after 12 months in PD patients.Recognizing additional risk factors and potential impacts on RKF and cardiovascular comorbidities in dialysis patients can enhance patient care, influence dialysis modality selection, and guide ongoing patient monitoring. Thorough evaluation of thyroid function in PD and HD patients is essential for optimizing clinical outcomes and overall well‐being. This study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between thyroid function, RKF, and dialysis modality, emphasizing the need for further research to inform comprehensive patient care strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteotomies are frequently performed procedures in dental implantology and are generally performed with traditional instruments. Despite the fact that they are considered a golden standard for bone osteotomies, these instruments present some disadvantages caused by the pressure and friction arising during their contact with the bone tissue which can delay, or even, jeopardise the bone healing process. Consequently, the requirement for superior methods of bone tissue surgery, which would enable less invasive, precise osteotomies unrelated to the geometry of the mechanical instrument, with limited collateral tissue trauma and reduced force and friction, has promoted the development of new osteotomy techniques including erbium laser ablation and piezoelectric surgery. Aim/Hypothesis: The purpose of the present experimental study was to determine the dynamics of the bone healing process following osteotomies performed by standard steel bur, piezoelectric surgery, and Er:YAG laser ablation used in contact and noncontact modes using SEM and 3D-SEM analysis. The null hypothesis tested was that there were no differences between the tested surgical techniques with respect to neoformation of bone in the artificially prepared osteotomies. Material and Methods: A total number of 24 Wistar rats were used in this study, randomly divided into 4 groups, based on the post-operative duration of survival of the animals. Osteotomies on both rat’s tibiae were performed under general anaesthesia by an intraperitoneal injection of thiopental sodium. Four osteotomies were performed always in the same sequence: low speed surgical bur, digitally controlled non-contact Er:YAG laser (X-RunnerTM, Fotona, Slovenia), piezosurgery (Piezomed, W&H Dentalwerk Burmoos GmbH, Austria) and contact Er:YAG laser (LightWalker®, Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia). The osteotomies were 5 mm away from each other and 2 mm deep, with a same diameter. Animals from the first group were euthanised immediately after performing osteotomies, with an overdose of anaesthetic solution. The animals from the second group were sacrificed after 1 week, from the third group after 2 weeks and from the fourth group after 3 weeks, all with an anaesthetic overdose. Bone samples collected from the rat tibiae were cut transversely to contain the complete osteotomy sites. Electron images were obtained with a cold cathode field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM Hitachi SU 8030, Tokyo, Japan). The threedimensional (3D) stereo-photographs (anaglyphs) were created by taking two stereo-pair photographs with a separation of 7 degrees, the first at 3.5 degrees and the second with a + 3.5 degree tilt. The microphotographs were superimposed and visualized with 3D-anaglyphic glasses. Results: Immediately after surgery, there were significant differences in the appearance of the bone defects, with the presence of bone fragments and debris after standard steel bur preparation, in comparison to the clean smooth walls and relatively sharp edges in all other groups. The initial bone formation in defects prepared by piezosurgery was observed to be the most rapid. After 3 weeks, all bone defects were completely restored; although, differences in the healing pattern were noted, with a modest initial delay in healing after laser preparation. The first stage of the bone healing process is delayed when contact and non-contact Er: YAG laser modes are used, principally due to the haemostatic effect, and accelerated by piezosurgery. However, the results after 3 weeks demonstrate similar restitution of defects in all of the tested groups. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The initial healing process of the defects prepared by piezosurgery was observed to be the most rapid. Osteotomies prepared by contact and non-contact Er:YAG laser exhibited an initial delay in the bone healing, arising from the pronounced haemostatic effect. Results after 3 weeks demonstrated similar restitution of the defects in all tested groups. The results of presented study suggest that piezosurgery and Er:YAG laser ablation can be of a potential benefit in performing dental osteotomies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the complete motion of the rigid aircraft with use of six degrees-of-freedom model (6DOF). It mentions that model is complex and requires large sets of data for modeling the aerodynamics, mass, and propulsion. It informs that the motion of the aircraft's center of gravity with the mass as a function of time due to the fuel consumption need to be determine some global characteristics for aircraft performance analysis.

The present paper deals with the existence, behaviour and approximation of some positive radial solutions u (|x|) of the equation Δu + K (|x|) u = 0. The errors of the approximations for solutions u and the first derivative u′ are defined by the functions which can be sufficiently small A |x| ⩾ 1. The qualitative analysis theory and the topological retraction method are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the existence, behaviour and approximation of some positive radial solutions u (|x|) of the equation Δu + K (|x|) up = 0. The errors of the approximations for solutions u and the first derivative u′ are defined by the functions which can be sufficiently small A |x| ⩾ 1. The qualitative analysis theory and the topological retraction method are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]