Search

Proximal tubular damage is an early sign of renal impairment in endemic (Balkan) nephropathy, and low molecular proteinuria is hallmark of it.

Aim was to determine if levosimendan could improve cardiac performance during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with normal preoperative left ventricular function. Twenty-four patients included in this double-blind randomized controlled trial received either placebo (n=12) or 12  g/kg loading dose of levosimendan (n=12) during a period of 15 minutes before the surgery. The heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular ejection fraction were measured before and 10 and 60 minutes after the drug administration. The baseline measurements of hemodynamic parameters did not differ between the groups. Heart rate was not significantly different between the placebo and levosimendan group. Compared with placebo group, cardiac index and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly higher 10 and 60 minutes (p=0.018 for all) after administration of levosimendan. After 60 minutes, the cardiac index increased from the baseline value of 2.18 L/min/m2 to 2.84 L/min/m2. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 14% after 10 minutes, and by 10% after 60 minutes. Stroke volume index was significantly higher at 10 minutes (p=0.018), but not at 60 minutes (p=0.063) after the administration of levosimendan. Administration of 12  g/kg of levosimendan enhances the left ventricular performance and offers a promising therapeutic option during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with good preoperative left ventricular function.

The aim of the study was to evaluate weather positive CA 15-3 value could confirm early bone metastatic disease (solitary lesions) in breast cancer patients.

AIM: To determine correlation between glycemic control and osteoporosis in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients (DM type 2). Methods: The subjects were divided into one group consisting of 60 DM type 2 patients and control group made up of 27 nondiabetic subjects randomized according to their age and gender. The bone mineral density was measured by DXA densitometry at the lumbar spine and in the hip-neck region. Osteoporosis was defined as T-score: normal (T

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of replacing current dual local therapy (timolol and pilocarpine) with latanoprost 0.005% in 71 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients with controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). 39 patients switched to latanoprost 0.005%) and 32 patients continued timolol-pilocarpine therapy. Mean diurnal (IOP) was measured at baseline, after 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. After 6 months 38 patients with latanoprost and 30 patients with timolol-pilocarpine had completed the study. At baseline the mean diurnal IOP was 20.4+/-2.0 mmHg for patients in latanoprost treatment group and 21.4 +/- 2.1 mmHg for patients in timolol-pilocarpine group. At the end of the study, after 6 months of treatment, the mean diurnal IOP values were 16.6 +/- 2.4 and 17.9 +/- 2.0 mmHg respectively. IOP was statistically significantly reduced from baseline (p

Pseudocholinesterase is an enzyme (E.C.3.1.1.8)synthesized in the liver and plays a role in the metabolism of some anaesthetic drugs. the aim of this study was to determine PChE activity as an index of early liver function recovery after portosystemic shunting in children.

Can long term major depressive disorder cause osteoporosis...

xx

The value of acute phase proteins as the biochemical predictors of clinical relapse of Crohn's disease

Postoperative vomiting (PV) after adenotonsillectomy in children is a common problem with an incidence as high as 40-80%. Only few studies in the recent literature compared the effect of different anesthetic techniques concerning PV in children. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PV in two groups of children who underwent two different general anesthesia techniques in order to determine what type of anesthetic technique is more related to less PV. The clinical trial included 50 children (physical status ASA I, 3-12 years old) divided into 2 groups and monitored for PV 24 hours following the surgery. Group one (G1) consisted of 25 children who underwent general anesthesia with gas mixture 60% nitrous oxide and 40% oxygen and anaesthetic propofol, opioid fentanyl and muscle relaxant vecuronium intravenously and group two (G2) included 25 children to whom volatile anaesthesia with sevoflurane in the same gas mixture was given. Demographic characteristics (gender, age, weight, history of motion sickness and earlier PV) as well as surgical data (length of surgery and anesthesia, intraoperative blood loss) were recorded. There were no significant differences considering demographic characteristics and surgical data between the investigated groups. The incidence of PV was relatively low 3 children ( 12%) in G1 group and 5 children (20%) in G2 group. Statistically there was no significant difference between the groups regarding the incidence of PV and both anesthetic techniques can be used equally safe regarded to PV. Key words: postoperative vomiting, adenotosillectomy, anesthetic technique, propofol, fentanyl, sevoflurane

Hipotalamo-hipofizno-adrenalna os slo`eni je kontrolni sustav koji igra zna~ajnu ulogu prvenstveno u reakciji na stres, pri ~emu glukokortikoidi potiskuju autonomne (vegetativne), endokrine, imunolo{;ke i psihi~ke odgovore na stresni stimulus. Opisali smo klini~ku, fiziolo{;ku i biokemijsku povezanost izme|u osteoporoze i velike depresije. U oba stanja dolazi do hiperaktivnosti HPA osi, LC/NE sustava te povi{;enog lu~enja CRH, kortizola i katekolamina. Mnoga stanja i bolesti su povezana uz osteoporozu, 491 M. Vrkljan et al.: Depressive Disorders and Osteoporosis, Coll. Antropol. 25 (2001) 2: 485–492 pa i hiperkorticizam gledamo kao jedno od takvih. Neka novija istra`ivanja povezuju raniju povijest MDD sa osteoporozom. U velikoj depresiji (engl. Major Depressive Disorder, MDD) su zabilje`ene dvije biokemijske abnormalnosti: hiperkorticizam i rezistencija na supresiju deksametazonom. Na{;e je istra`ivanje uklju~ivalo 31 bolesnika s MDD (19 mu{;karaca i 12 `ena prosje~ne dobi 37 1, 3 godine i raspona od 29–41 godinu) i 17 mu{;kih dobrovoljaca (prosje~ne dobi 39 1, 6 godina, raspona 34–45 godina). Svim bolesnicima je odre|ivana razina kortizola u 24-satnom urinu, serumski kortizol u 8h i 17h, kortizol u testu supresije deksametazonom te denzitometrijski odre|ivana gusto};a kosti. Radilo se, dakle, o skupini mla|ih mu{;karaca i `ena s odr`anim menstruacijskim ciklusom, u po~etku bez osteoporoze, ali godinama pod antidepresivnom terapijom. Analiziraju};i ih, na{;li smo povi{;ene vrijednosti kortizola te pojavu osteoporoze, ~iji je razvoj bio posljedica povi{;ene razine kortizola. U radu je kori{;tena neparametrijska rang-korelacija, kod koje je Spearmanov ro = – 0.805, imao statisti~ku zna~ajnost p < 0.01. Iz svega navedenog se name};e zaklju~ak, da {;to se bolesnici dulje lije~e od depresije razviti };e ja~i oblik hiperkorticizma, {;to bi moglo biti uzrokom osteoporoze jer je ve}; poznato da bolesnici sa nelije~enim Cushingom razvijaju jaki oblik osteoporoze.

Mitchell's osteotomy gives very good results but there are still some cases where the original method, as well as its modification, cannot address all aspects of deformity. We modified the original Mitchell's method to address pronation and plantar displacement of the first metatarsal. Modification includes formation of lateral and plantar spur with metatarsal displacement and derotation of distal metatarsal fragment in the frontal and horizontal planes with stable screw fixation. We present midterm results of the first 60 patients compared to the original Mitchell method (30 patients). Differences between the groups postoperatively were in declination angle, postoperative metatarsalgia rate, and first metatarsal pronation angle. The technique described eliminated many of the disadvantages of Mitchell's method.

Damages caused by negative forcing of diverse biotic and abiotic influences (e.g. bark beetles, ice loads, windthrow) in artificial Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) stands constantly increase. In addition, it is predicted that they will even increase in the forthcoming decades. Direct consequences for forest management are significant financial and ecological losses, which makes the management of these forests complex and demanding. Taking into account the fact that ecological degradation starts soon after canopy cover is lost, the post-disturbance areas should be reforestated immediately after disturbance takes place. Unsuccessful reforestation, besides further commercial losses, results with site degradation in such matter that further reforestation would be restricted to the use of less desired tree species and more challenging silvicultural methods (e.g. higher cost of tending activities). Despite the fact that there are early successional tree species which can provide fast and efficient reforestation (e.g. birch, sycamore maple), their commercial and biological value is lower than those of late successional and commercially more interesting tree species. Such important native tree species, which is crucial part of natural species composition of hilly areas of Central Croatia is sessile oak. Thus, there was a need to study the post-planting success of Sessile oak seedlings. The trial plots are set on locality in central Croatia in a Latin square research design. Three different planting methods are studied (control treatment, moulding and removal of litter). Seedlings were marked individually and measured in four consecutive years after planting (2010 – 2013) and again in seventh year (2017) after planting. Data were analysed using Statistica soft. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences both in terms of treatments and interaction treatments x years. Data analysis revealed that selection of planting method has important influence on post-planting growth and development. The best method was moulding, followed by removal of accumulated litter, so these methods are strongly advised to be used in reforestation practices in Central Croatia in the future.

In this research, we are dealing with problematic of predicting the availability of dentists based on the variables of the number of patients per dentist, regions of Slovenia, type of health care activity and patients age. We collect the data for analysis from the Health insurance institute of Slovenia and the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia. For the prediction, we will use methods of logistic regression and decision tree.

In the paper is proposed a new approach for representation of textual documents in lowerdimensional space. Approach aims at capturing clustering structure of the data in the goal of further application for cross-language classification of textual documents. The proposed approach is based on factorization of a term- document matrix by an iterative method of Reduced k-means clustering. Method of Reduced k- means aims at simultaneous reduction of objects (documents) and variables (index terms). Proposed method is compared to standard machine learning techniques of cross- language representation of textual documents by usage of latent semantic indexing and canonical correlation analysis.

Norway spruce is the object of numerous discussions because it is susceptible to a number of diverse biotic and abiotic in uences, which result with signi cant economic losses and negative ecological consequences. Areas after disturbances need to be restored, while Norway spruce is often replaced with broadleaves or mixtures of conifer and broadleaved tree species. Research included restoration after disturbances in gaps and on larger area after strong bark beetle attack and windthrow on Bistranska gora locality (Central Croatia). Data collected from 2010. – 2013. (height, basal diameter, quality indices and height increment) were compared using Statistica soft. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted for di erent age, quality and type of planting material (European beech seedlings). Replacement by seeding and planting under shelterwood of spruce trees was also included in the research, with the aim of comparison with restoration methods (hemispherical photographs used to document the light availability). The use of the shelterwood method gives the best results for Norway spruce replacement, so it is strongly recommended for one to establish a new forest culture (a mixed one) with a bigger share of broadleaved tree species before disturbance takes place. Nevertheless, the success of ball-rooted seedlings planted after disturbances on the large area showed the best results in terms of height and basal diameter increment, but lowest in terms of quality. Research provides basic knowledge of current restoration needs, risks and silvicultural methods for the Central part of Croatia, as well as a valuable scienti c insight into restoration methods on the European level.

In numerous horticultural researches the authors’ interest is related to changes in fruit characteristics caused by treatment in one or more genotypes. However, the results are often contradictory. The general significance and the size of the treatment effect can be estimated reliably by meta-analysis using metadata. In horticultural research there are no known developed procedures for the use of meta-analysis which represents a challenge to generate it in order to process the typical multilayer data profile originating from multiple sources and multiple measurements scales. The answer for this typical horticultural metadata setting is application of Main Effect Meta Principal Component Analysis (ME-MetaPCA). ME-MetaPCA represents specific combination of Meta-analysis and Principal Component Analysis adjusted specifically for the use on horticultural data. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the application and usefulness of this novel technique through simulations and analysis of a typical horticultural data - in apple as a model crop. Data were modeled in terms of plant growth regulator treatment effect researched in several studies on multiple apple varieties. The treatment effect is measured in multiple fruit characteristics on multiple measurement scales. Simulation model is realistically composed of five different studies involving five apple varieties and measuring six fruit characteristics providing total of 5×5×6, i.e. 150 study level data, which with recorded means, standard deviations and sample size for both treatment and control formed a matrix of 900 data. Besides the standard forest plot as a result of the meta-analysis, the results of the ME-MetaPCA are displayed in the form of biplot in principal components space. This provides straightforward and simple in-one-glance overview of the definite general effects of the studied treatment on i. individual fruit characteristics, ii. studied apple varieties and iii. grouping patterns with grouping rules and exceptions.

In order to conduct meta-analysis abundance of quality metadata are required. Meta-analysis in horticultural sciences is novel approach and the standard methodology for finding metadata is to conduct the data search from related research papers through available databases. In the course of planned meta-analysis available databases were searched for metadata on hail protection of apple orchards specifically regarding impact of hail nets on fruit characteristics.It is observed that in horticultural literature sometimes the case that effect sizes are reported without clearly specifying estimates of variations, sample sizes and even without reporting p-values of applied statistical tests. This is especially often in the cases when several groups are compared with post-hoc test hence indicating the grouping pattern with letters rather than actual biometrical test results. Such practice is understandable from the perspective of simplification of data presentation and comprehension of research results. However from the perspective of possible summarizing and reviewing the results from the multiple researches especially for application in meta-analysis a full set of average effect sizes, with related variability estimates and tested values with its exact significance are recommended to be included in publications.

Research integrity is fundamental value of both scientists and science, medical especially, because results usually have immediate impact on human health. Thus, integrity and honesty of scientific work are its inherent characteristics that define the meaning of science, whilst dishonesty and fraud restrain it. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty, “illegitimate appropriation of intellectual property, ideas, methods, results, text, speech or thought for the purpose of displaying as its own.” Plagiarism does not enlarge human knowledge at all, but brings to perpetrator (author) undeserved credits. The problem has been recognized worldwide, as well as at the Rijeka University by the Forum for Ethics and Development of Science and Higher Education by expressing the view that plagiarism is a "sign of universal prostitution in which cheating becomes legitimate way to earn money." Act of plagiarizing has been explored by our team from the Department of Medical Informatics for the past fifteen years. Following our previous research we set three-year study with three main objectives: to measure attitude of scientists towards plagiarism and identify factors that determine it, in parallel by measuring personality characteristics, to research the prevalence of plagiarism in three Croatian biomedical journals (Croatian Medical Journal, Biochemia Medica, and Acta Stomatologica Croatica), and to determine the characteristics of scientific plagiarism in overall international scientific community by systematic review and meta-analysis of published scientific studies that measure the prevalence of plagiarism using questionnaires or computer programs to detect plagiarism. Design of the study will be presented with expected research objectives, methodology and proposed statistical analysis of data. (Study is supported by the project 13.06.1.2.29 of the Rijeka University.)

Croatia is a country which possesses significant biological and ecological diversity due to its geografical position. Those differences, together with related social, historical and management circumstances provide different silvicultural options and significance of afforestation activities. Specific issues together with afforestation potential of the area present a basis for any planning related to land use management and afforestation planning and therefore possess high significance for any future activities. Curently, there is a low share of newly established forest cultures in relation to total forest area (< 3%). Planned amount of areas for afforestation according to Management plan for the whole country is rather low comparing to the amount of available areas. In addition, there is no special and comperehensive management plan for afforestation activities in Croatia. The lack of interest, proper data provision and related research created vast space in management decisions related to afforestation activities in Croatia for the near future. Structural parameters of monocultures and mixed forest cultures will be analysed with different statistical methods which will provide the basis for more successful decision making. The potential for newly established forests and the significance of their pronounced functions for this part of the Country will be given in the presentation. For instance, this region has pronounced protection and production function which have strong influence on selection of species and silvicultural methods. Also, this overwiev creates a need for harmonisation of afforestation potential for individual tree species with the nursery production plans which are currently insuficient.