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Ciljevi istraživanja: Utvrditi spolne razlike u izražajima BMP-ova (BMP-4, -7) i njihovih inhibitora (Noggin, Gremlin) u sinovijalnoj membrani, zglobnoj hrskavici i u dentatnoj vijugi hipokampusa, te u intenzitetu adultne neurogeneze i razinama upalnih citokina (TNF-α i IL-17A) u krvi kao i njihovu međusobnu korelaciju tijekom tri faze artritisa induciranog pristanom (PIA) – na početku, na vrhuncu i u remisiji. Materijali i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno na 140 Dark Agouti štakora, starosti 7 – 8 tjedana. Analizirani su uzorci mozga, stražnjih stopala i serum. Izražaj BMP-ova i inhibitora te intenzitet adultne neurogeneze određen je imunohistokemijski s kvantifikacijskom analizom, a razina citokina ELISA-om. Stupanj upale u zglobu određen je Krenn-ovom i Mankin-ovom semikvantitaivnom skalom. Rezultati su statistički obrađeni jednosmjernom analizom varijance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U test-om i Pearson-ovom korelacijom (r). Podatci su izraženi kao srednja vrijednost ± SD, a statisička značajnost uzeta pri vrijednosti p < 0,05. Rezultati: PIA je započela ranije u mužjaka, ali je tijekom remisije u ženki utvrđena manja regresija znakova upale. PIA je uzrokovala veći porast izražaja BMP-4, Noggin-a i Gremlin-a u zglobnoj hrskavici ženki te veći pad BMP-7 u mužjaka. Sinovijalna upala te izražaj BMP-ova i inhibitora su bili veći u ženki. U hipokampusu PIA je uzrokovala porast izražaja BMP-4, i pad BMP-7 i Noggin-a u mužjaka, a u ženki pad BMP-4 i Noggin-a. Porast IL-17A u krvi na početku PIA bio je veći u mužjaka, a u ženki porast TNF-α je bio veći u remisiji. U ženki je tijekom remisije došlo do značajno većeg porasta broja Ki-67+ , DCX+ i SOX-2 + stanica i omjera DCX/Ki-67 u subgranularnoj zoni dentatne vijuge u odnosu na mužjake. Zaključci: Rezultati dokazuju postojanje spolnih razlika u izražaju BMP-ova i njihovih inhibitora unutar zglobno-hipokampalne osi, te u razinama TNF-α i IL-17A u krvi. Nadalje, rezultati dokazuju razliku u korelaciji BMP-ova i inhibitora u zglobu i dentatnoj vijugi s intenzitetom adultne neurogeneze, upalom u zglobu i razinama citokina među spolovima. To ukazuje na postojanje različitih mehanizama nastanka i razvoja bolesti, a time i potencijalnih pridruženih neuropsihijatrijskih komplikacija između spolova u sklopu modela reumatoidnog artritisa. Ključne riječi: adultna neurogeneza; koštani morfogenetski proteini; artritis induciran pristanom, Objectives: To determine gender differences in the expression of BMPs (BMP-4, -7) and their inhibitors (Noggin, Gremlin) in the synovial membrane, articular cartilage and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and in the intensity of adult neurogenesis and levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-17A) in the blood as well as their correlation with each other during three stages of pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) - at the onset, at the peak and in remission. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 140 Dark Agouti rats, aged 7-8 weeks. Brain, hindfoot, and serum samples were analyzed. The expression of BMPs and inhibitors and the intensity of adult neurogenesis were determined immunohistochemically by quantification analysis, and cytokine levels by ELISA. The degree of inflammation in the joint was determined by Krenn and Mankin semiquantitative scoring. The results were statistically processed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's correlation (r). Data were expressed as mean ± SD, and statistical significance was taken at p

Aurikula lijevog atrija (LAA, od engl. left atrial appendage) maleni je embriološki ostatak dijela primitivnog atrija koji s lijevim atrijem komunicira preko uskog otvora. Ona aktivno sudjeluje u srčanom ciklusu regulirajući tlakove u lijevom atriju. U raznim patološkim stanjima koje zahvaćaju lijevu stranu srca, može doći do zadržavanja krvi u LAA s posljedičnom trombozom lumena. Postoje četiri morfološka oblika LAA: kaktus, kokošje krilo, vjetrulja i cvjetača. Oblik cvjetače posjeduje najsloženiju unutarnju građu te se zbog toga povezuje s povećanim rizikom za nastanak tromboze. Stanje LAA može se neinvazivno procjeniti primjenom transezofagealne ehokardiografije (TEE, od engl. transoesophageal echocardiography), multidetektorske kompjutorizirane tomografije (MDCT, od engl. multidetector computerised tomography) ili magnetske rezonancije (MR). Prilikom procjene morfologije potrebno je izmjeriti brzine protoka krvi kroz LAA koristeći Doppler ultrazvučni pregled te odrediti obrazac protoka. Brzine protoka manje od 20 cm/s uz prisutnost bifazičnog oblika protoka smatraju se jasnim dokazom postojanja tromboze., The left atrial appendage is a small embrionic remnant of the primitive atrium which comunicates with the left atrium through a small opening in its wall. The appendage has an active role in maintaining equall preassure in the left atrium during cardiac cycle. Different pathological states of the left side of the heart can lead to increassed blood stagnation in the LAA resulting in thrombosis of the LAA. Morphology of the LAA can be clasified into four categories: cactus, chicken wing, windpipe and cauliflower. The cauliflower has a complex internal structure and therefore is the most likely to lead to thrombosis of the LAA. Noninvasive techniques used for LAA assessment are transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During morphological assessment of the LAA it is vital to meassure blood flow velocity using Doppler technique. Velocities lower than 20 cm/s with a biphasic filling and emptying pattern make a strong evidence in favor of LAA thrombosis.

There is accumulating data suggesting an involvement of glutamate in the acute and chronic effects of alcohol, including dependence and withdrawal, and glutamatergic system is emerging as potential target for alcoholism treatment. Recent studies have suggested an association of ionotropic glutamate receptor genes with alcohol dependence. The aim of this study was to examine the association of Ser310Ala functional polymorphism (rs6691840) in the GluR7 glutamate kainate receptor subunit gene (GRIK3) with the development of alcoholism. New insights into the genetic background of alcohol addiction could help identify individuals with high risk of alcoholism development, which would contribute to the prevention as well as alleviation of the consequences of this complex disorder. The study included 275 alcohol-dependent patients and 208 healthy subjects. Possible differences in the frequency of GRIK3 genotypes and alleles between subjects of different gender and smoking status, as well as between alcohol-dependent patients stratified according to aggressive and suicidal behavior, onset of alcohol abuse and type of alcoholism according to Cloninger’s classification were also studied. Genotyping of Ser310Ala polymorphism (rs6691840) in the GRIK3 gene was performed by using TaqMan Real-Time allelic discrimination technique after extraction of DNA from the whole blood with a salting out procedure. Allele and genotype frequencies in the control and alcohol-dependent subjects were compared using χ2 test. The results demonstrated lower frequency of homozygous CC genotype in patients who started abusing alcohol before 25. years of age in relation to alcohol-dependent subjects with the late onset of alcohol abuse. The results have provided supporting evidence for the association of the GRIK3 gene polymorphism (rs6691840) with the age of onset of alcohol abuse in patients of Croatian origin. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of GRIK3 gene in the development of alcohol dependence.

Radionica će se odvijati u tri dijela. U prvom dijelu će voditelj radionice demonstrirati rad u ambulanti za seksualne smetnje, pri čemu će on glumiti samog sebe, tj. pokazati kako izgleda prvi susret pacijenta/klijenta i seksualnog terapeuta. Dvoje studenata/sudionika će glumiti pacijente/klijente. Pokušat će se dočarati realna situacija razgovora o seksualnosti, dobivanja detaljnih anamnestičkih podataka, vođenja intervjua, davanja savjeta, dogovaranja terapije. Nakon toga, u drugom dijelu radionice, studenti starijih godina moći će se okušati u ulozi terapeuta. Na temelju ranije datog primjera (iz prvog dijela radionice), pokušat će voditi dijagnostički intervju, te dati neke osnovne savjete za poboljšanje seksualnog života, uklanjanje seksualnih problema i mitova. U ovome će im pomoći voditelj radionice. Cilj je iz prve ruke osjetiti emocije koje se javljaju kod terapeuta tijekom vođenja intervjua i savjetovanja. Treći dio radionice sastojat će se od vrlo kratkog izlaganja voditelja, nakon kojeg slijedi razgovor- rasprava o seksualnom savjetovanju, seksualnoj terapiji i drugim terapijskim mogućnostima u radu s osobama kod kojih se u seksualnost ne može uključiti mozak (tj. središnji živčani sustav).

Gabapentin, an analogue of GABA, was originally developed to treat epilepsy. However, this anticonvulsive drug demonstrated some positive effects in the treatment of alcohol addiction and withdrawal. Recent reports also indicated potential neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of gabapentin. Although different receptors are suggested to be implicated in its action, the precise mechanisms are still not known. As neurotoxic consequences of high alcohol consumption are common, the aim of our study was to investigate possible protective ability of gabapentin in alcohol-induced citotoxicity. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, non- transfected and stably transfected with alpha1beta2gamma2S GABA-A receptors, were exposed to various concentrations of alcohol and gabapentin for different periods of time. A trypan blue exclusion assay was performed to assess cell viability. Membrane preparations of stably transfected HEK 293 cells treated with 100 mM alcohol in combination with 1 microM gabapentin for 96h were used in [3H]flunitrazepam binding studies to determine the number and affinity of benzodiazepine binding sites, and their allosteric interactions with GABA binding sites. Observed cytotoxic effects of 100 mM alcohol were reduced by simultaneous 1microM gabapentin treatment only in HEK 293 stably transfected with alpha1beta2gamma2S GABA-A receptors. On recombinant GABA-A receptors alcohol induced up- regulation of benzodiazepine binding sites without affecting their affinity. In the same time, alcohol decreased GABA-induced potentiation of benzodiazepine binding, suggesting allosteric uncoupling of receptor binding sites. Simultaneous gabapentin treatment did not change the number of benzodiazepine binding sites, but restored normal functional interactions of GABA-A receptor binding sites. Our findings support the hypothesis that gabapentin exert at least some of its actions via GABA-A receptors. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate whether functional recovery of GABA-A receptor binding sites following gabapentin treatment is related to its protective effects against the alcohol-induced cytotoxicity in HEK 293 cells.

Introduction: Blindness is defined as visual acuity of less than 3/60 in the better eye with best possible correction. The onset of blindness can cause psychiatric disorders. It is unknown and necessary to determine whether there is a difference in anxiety rate and perception of a just world in people with long-lasting blindness. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of long-lasting blindness on the level and type of anxiety of blind people and on their attitudes towards justice in the world.Methods: Anxiety levels were measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Attitudes towards justice were measured using the General Belief in a Just World Scale. A group of blind people was interviewed by the researcher and healthy subjects from the control group solved the test themselves. There wasn`t gender and number difference (n = 27, 15 women, 12 men) or age difference (min.=33, max.=65, mean=48, s.d.= ± 10.8) between the two groups.results: Blind patients had a significantly higher General Belief score compared to the control group (p

The question whether gender differences in behavior and cognitive abilities could be explained by the differences in the brain structures and functions of women and men, is still a current one. As it is with complex behaviors, the key is in the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors.While some authors are prone to exaggerate and overemphasize the differences of various aspects of the female and male behavior and cognitive functioning (like the author of the book "Men are from Mars, women are frome Venus"), others are more inclined to accept the hypothesis of gender similarities, which states that not even small differences in behavior and cognition could be ascribed to the differences of the female and male brain. In this lecture we will be focusing on different hypotheses and theories of the source of gender differences in behavior and cognitive functions, support them with research results and offer our own outlook on this interesting and always intriguing subject.

Studies of activating sex hormones effects, showed greater efficiency of females during menstrual phases, which are characterized by higher levels of sex hormones. Since the right hemisphere is responsible for the recognition of emotions, and high levels of estrogen have an inhibitory effect on the right hemisphere functioning, better performance could be expected in the task of recognizing different facial expressions in the men¬strual phase, when hormone levels are at the lowest possible level. On the other hand, according to the evolutionary hypothesis, greater suc¬cess in the tasks can be expected during the late folicular phase, when conception is possible. Main goal was to examine the effectiveness in task of emotional recognition of happiness, sadness, fear and pain, dur¬ing menstrual and late folicular phase. In examination participated fe¬male students (N= 30) of Mostar University, age 19-24, with regular men¬strual cycle who didn’t consumate oral contraceptives. In the purpose of this study, was constructed task of recognizing emotional facial expres¬sions (happiness, sadness, fear, pain) which examinees performed two times (2. and 13. day of cycle). As performance parameters were used time of recognition, expressed in milliseconds, and number of errors The obtained results showed no statistically significant differences in the ef¬ficiency in performing tasks, given in the different phases of menstrual cycle. Analyses showed significant differences in time recognition of dif¬ferent facial expressions, which was later confirmed by analyzing the number of errors, too. In conclusion, it can be said that the hypothesis of activational effects of sex hormones has not been confirmed. Also, the assumption of greater success in recognition task, in a time when concep¬tion is possible, according to evolutinary hipothesis, has not confirmed.

Cilj ovog istraživanja bila je procjena stupnja pozitivnog ili negativnog utjecaja acetilsalicilne kiseline (aspirina) na brojnost populacije vinske mušice. U istraživanju sam koristio poznati lijek aspirin koji sam sâm sintetizirao u školskom laboratoriju. Kao modelni organizam koristio sam vinsku mušicu jer daje veći broj potomaka i ima kratko generacijsko vrijeme. Vinske mušice uzgajane su na četiri eksperimentalne podloge s dodatkom različitih masa acetilsalicilne kiseline te na jednoj kontrolnoj podlozi bez dodatka kiseline. Pratila se brojnost populacije vinske mušice i vrijeme prijelaza jajašca u odrasli organizam. Istraživanje je pokazalo da se povećanjem udjela acetilsalicilne kiseline u hrani vinske mušice pravilno smanjuje brojnost filijalne generacije, iz čega se može zaključiti negativan utjecaj aspirina na vinsku mušicu. Veće količine aspirina letalne su za odrasle organizme. Osim toga, aspirin usporava i paralizira razvoj jajašca u stadij ličinke, no nije primijećeno da na vinsku mušicu djeluje kao mutagen za boju očiju.

Sex therapy consists of an array of counselling and therapeutic procedures that aim at establishing individual sexual health and/or sexually healthy relationship, and also at alleviating consequences of sexual health disorders and enabling people to cope with them more satisfactorily. Although this kind of therapy has been developing for half a century worldwide, in Croatia structured education in sex therapy started out only a decade ago, and today there are nine licensed sex therapists that finished education founded and organized by the Croatian Association for Sexual Therapy. In this workshop, a case study from the sex therapy that will show the complexity of sexual health issues, ways of approaching these issues and ways of dealing with them will be presented. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to take a sexual history and will become familiar with some of the counselling/therapeutic interventions used during sex therapy.