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Pottova bolest ekstrapulmonalni je koštano-zglobni oblik tuberkuloze kod koje bacili Mycobacterium tuberculosis uzrokuju osteomijelitis kralježaka. Kod Pottove bolesti dolazi do razvoja kroničnog apscesa koji se još naziva i hladni apsces zbog odsutnosti boli i drugih znakova upale. Ako se hladni apsces razvije u području cervikalne kralježnice, može doći do njegova širenja prema stražnjoj stijenci ždrijela kroz duboke vratne prostora smještene anteriorno od cervikalnih kralježaka. U našem radu prikazujemo slučaj bolesnice s apscesom dubokih vratnih prostora koji je uzrokovan Pottovom bolešću cervikalne kralježnice. Apsces se prezentirao kao izbočina na stražnjoj stijenci ždrijela udružena s otežanim gutanjem, disanjem, inspiratornim stridorom i tetraparezom.

U ovom radu su analizirani utjecaji klimatskih promjena na prirodnu baštinu Australije uvrštenu na UNESCO-vu listu svjetske baštine. Na primjerima Velikog koraljnog grebana i Velikog modrog gorja prikazan je utjecaj klimatskih promjena na stanje prirodne baštine u Australiji, kao i mjere prilagodbe klimatskim promjenama radi njezinog očuvanja i zaštite. Pritisci koji prijete prirodnoj baštini Australije, a koji su posljedica klimatskih promjena, uključuju porast temperature, promjene u količini i godišnjem hodu padalina, porast razine mora, požare, češće ekstremne vremenske nepogode te acidifikaciju oceana. Veliki koraljni greben doživio je masovno izbjeljivanje prilikom toplinskih morskih valova uzrokovanih klimatskim promjenama čime su zaštićenom području ugrožena obilježja koja ga čine svjetskom baštinom. Veliko modro gorje je ugroženo zbog učestalih i snažnih požara uzorkovanih klimatskim promjenama. U radu su također analizirani nacionalni, regionalni i lokalni planovi i strategije za zaštitu prirodne baštine te okolišne posljedice na odabranim primjerima. In this paper, the impacts of climate change on Australia's natural heritage included in the UNESCO World Heritage List are analyzed. Using the examples of the Great Barrier Reef and the Greater Blue Mountains, the impact of climate change on the state of natural heritage in Australia is shown, as well as measures for climate change adaptation due to its preservation and protection. Pressures threatening Australia's natural heritage resulting from climate change include rising temperatures, changes in the amount and pattern of rainfall, sea level rise, fires, more frequent extreme weather events, and ocean acidification. The Great Barrier Reef experienced massive bleaching during marine heatwaves caused by climate change, which threatened the protected area's features that make it a world heritage site. The Greater Blue Mountains are threatened by frequent and powerful fires patterned by climate change. The paper also analyzes national, regional, and local plans and strategies for the protection of natural heritage and the environmental consequences on selected examples.

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate the stability of clinically relevant analytes in pleural and peritoneal fluids stored in variable time periods and variable storage temperatures prior to analysis. Materials and methods: Baseline total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TRIG), creatinine (CREA), urea, glucose and amylase (AMY) were measured using standard methods in residual samples from 29 pleural and 12 peritoneal fluids referred to our laboratory. Aliquots were stored for 6 hours at room temperature (RT); 3, 7, 14 and 30 days at - 20°C. At the end of each storage period, all analytes were re-measured. Deviations were calculated and compared to stability limits (SL). Results: Pleural fluid TP and CHOL did not differ in the observed storage periods (P = 0.265 and P = 0.170, respectively). Statistically significant differences were found for ALB, LD, TRIG, CREA, urea, glucose and AMY. Peritoneal fluid TP, ALB, TRIG, urea and AMY were not statistically different after storage, contrary to LD, CHOL, CREA and glucose. Deviations for TP, ALB, CHOL, TRIG, CREA, urea and AMY in all storage periods tested for both serous fluids were within the SL. Deviations exceeding SL were observed for LD and glucose when stored for 3 and 7 days at - 20°C, respectively. Conclusions: TP, ALB, CHOL, TRIG, CREA, urea and AMY are stable in serous samples stored up to 6 hours at RT and/or 30 days at - 20°C. Glucose is stable up to 6 hours at RT and 3 days at - 20°C. The stability of LD in is limited to 6 hours at RT.

Melatonin is the main hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, and it is mostly produced by the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan. It has cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Melatonin is also one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, directly acting on free radicals and the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system. Furthermore, it participates in antitumor activity, hypopigmentation processes in hyperpigmentary disorders, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating activity in inflammatory dermatoses, maintaining the integrity of the epidermal barrier and thermoregulation of the body. Due predominantly to its positive influence on sleep, melatonin can be used in the treatment of sleep disturbances for those with chronic allergic diseases accompanied by intensive itching (such as atopic dermatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria). According to the literature data, there are also many proven uses for melatonin in photoprotection and skin aging (due to melatonin’s antioxidant effects and role in preventing damage due to DNA repair mechanisms), hyperpigmentary disorders (e.g., melasma) and scalp diseases (such as androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium).

Testicular seminoma (SE) represents the most common type of testicular germ cell tumours, which are affecting young men. Thus, it is important to find novel biomarkers for early detection which could improve the life and reproductive health of the patients after the diagnosis and treatment. Copy number variation (CNV) has already been associated with various cancers as well as with SE. In this study, we selected two genes, NANOG and KITLG for CNV analysis which are located on chromosomes susceptible to gains, and whose aberrant expression was already detected in SE. CNV analysis was performed on genomic DNA (gDNA) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from seminal plasma as liquid biopsy. The aim of the study was to investigate the CNV of selected genes and determine their potential as a possible SE biomarker. Twenty-four SE patients and thirty-five healthy volunteers (HV) were recruited for this study. CNV analysis was performed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) on gDNA from SE and nonmalignant testicular tissue. Seminal plasma cfDNA from SE patients before and after surgery was analysed, as well as from healthy volunteers. Statistically significant gains were detected in gDNA for both analysed genes. Comparison between CNVs detected in cfDNA from seminal plasma of HV, preoperative, and postoperative samples disclosed that CNV of NANOG and KITLG was increased in preoperative samples, indicating the reflection of increased NANOG and KITLG CNV from gDNA SE tissue in cfDNA from seminal plasma. Although statistically not significant, a decrease in CNV trend in analysed genes in postoperative compared to preoperative seminal plasma samples indicates that operational treatment induces at least slight normalization in CNV to an HV level. Although clinical value is yet to be determined, presented data emphasize a potential use of CNV as a potential SE biomarker from a liquid biopsy.

Introduction: Existing data about potential salivary changes in pediatric patients with eating disorders (ED) are scarce. The purpose of present study was to assess differences between pediatric patients with ED and control group in the amount of saliva and the concentration of total amylase and electrolytes in saliva. Study also aimed to evaluate the correlation between saliva changes and nutritional status. Materials and methods: 101 participants (14.3 ±2.0 years) were included: ED subgroups included 50 participants, while control group included 51 participants. Obtained data were statistically processed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square and Spearman rank correlation test (α=0.05). Results: Significant differences of salivary volume between groups were not determined. A significant difference of the salivary volume secreted in the 5th and 15th minute was determined between the anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa subgroups. Examined anthropometric parameters were marginally or significantly positively associated with salivary volume at 5th and 15th minute, with a more significant correlation of the same at 15th than at 5th minute. In patients with ED were higher concentration of inorganic phosphates in saliva while the concentrations of other electrolytes and total amylase in saliva did not differ significantly. Nutritional status can affect salivation. Conclusion: A differences in salivary volumes in pediatric patients with different ED disorders are expected. Variations in salivary electrolytes in pediatric patients with ED are possible.

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a malignancy with the highest prevalence and very high incidence among men worldwide. Clinical challenge is to differentiate localized PCa from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) due to the lack of specificity of routinely used biomarker PSA. Epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsies, especially miRNA, could address this challenge. The absolute expression of miR375-3p, miR-182-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-148a-3p were quantified in blood plasma and seminal plasma of 65 PCa and 58 BPH patients by digital droplet PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of these microRNAs were determined using ROC curve analysis. The higher expression of miR-182- 5p and miR-375-3p in the blood plasma of PCa patients was statistically significant as compared to BPH (p = 0.0363 and 0.0226, respectively). Their combination achieved a specificity of 90.2 % for predicting positive or negative biopsy results, while PSA cut-off of 4 µg/L performed with only 1.7 % specificity. In seminal plasma, miR-375- 3p, miR-182-5p, and miR- 21-5p showed a statistically significantly higher expression in PCa patients with PSA >10 µg/L compared to ones with PSA >10 µg/L. MiR182-5p and miR-375-3p in blood plasma show higher performance than PSA in differentiating PCa from BPH. Seminal plasma requires further investigation as it represents an obvious source for PCa biomarker identification.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory systematic disease that primarily affects the skin. Various factors influence the disease outcome and severity, among which the influence of vitamin D serum levels could potentially be important for disease pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Aim: To analyze vitamin D serum levels in patients with psoriasis in comparison to healthy individuals, together with markers of inflammation and disease severity. Methods: The study included patients with psoriasis that formed the case group, while the control group consisted of healthy individuals. The investigated features were demographical data, body mass index (BMI), disease severity, vitamin D serum levels, inflammatory markers, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Results: The study included 112 participants, 60 in the case group and 52 in the control group with the median age of 49 years. Physical activity was higher in the control group, while the body mass and the BMI were higher in the case group. Participants’ BMI negatively correlated to vitamin D serum levels, as well as C-reactive protein values in the control group and PTH in the case group. There was no significant difference in nicotine and alcohol consumption, sun exposure or vitamin D levels between the two groups. Conclusion: Both groups presented with vitamin D serum levels in the deficiency range. The seasons of the year and the participants’ BMI affected vitamin D status. Vitamin D levels were equally distributed between the groups without influence on disease severity., Uvod: Vulgarna psorijaza kronična je, upalna, sustavna bolest koja se primarno očituje promjenama kože. Različiti čimbenici utječu na ishod liječenja i težinu ove bolesti, a među njima se posebno izdvaja potencijalno važna uloga serumskih koncentracija vitamina D kako u patogenezi tako i kao terapijska opcija. Cilj: Analiza serumskih koncentracija vitamina D u bolesnika koji boluju od vulgarne psorijaze u usporedbi sa zdravom kontrolnom skupinom, kao i procjena težine bolesti i utjecaja upalnih markera. Metode: U istraživanje su uključeni bolesnici koji boluju od vulgarne psorijaze i kontrolna zdrava skupina ispitanika. Istraživana su obilježja kao što su osnovni demografski podaci, indeks tjelesne mase (BMI), klinički stupanj bolesti, serumske vrijednosti vitamina D, upalni parametri te vrijednosti paratireoidnog hormona (PTH). Rezultati: U istraživanje je uključeno 112 ispitanika, 60 oboljelih te 52 ispitanika u kontrolnoj skupini s medijanom dobi od 49 godina. Znatno je viša bila razina tjelesne aktivnosti u kontrolnoj skupini, dok su među oboljelima zabilježeni veća tjelesna masa i BMI. Utvrđena je negativna korelacija između serumskih vrijednosti vitamina D i BMI-ja, kao i razine C-reaktivnog proteina u kontrolnoj skupini, odnosno vrijednosti PTH-a u oboljelih. Prilikom ispitivanja utjecaja konzumacije alkohola i nikotina, izloženosti Sunčevim zrakama i serumskih vrijednosti vitamina B nije bilo znatnih razlika između skupina. Zaključak: Zabilježene su niske koncentracije vitamina D u obje skupine ispitanika. Godišnja doba i BMI utječu na razinu vitamina D. Nije uočena snižena koncentracija vitamina D u bolesnika sa psorijazom ili utjecaj na težinu bolesti.

Posljednjih se godina na području Europe sve češće bilježi pojava arbovirusnih infekcija. Značajno mjesto među njima zauzimaju West Nile (WNV) i Usutu virusna (USUV) infekcija, čiji vektori su komarci. Ovaj rad prikazuje rezultate testiranja komaraca na prisutnost flavivirusa WNV i USUV, koji su prikupljeni na području Grada Zagreba u razdoblju od 2015. do 2019. godine. Komarci su uzorkovani CDC klopkama, BG Sentinel klopkama i aspiratorom. Za dokazivanje virusa ukupno su pripremljene 15.863 jedinke komaraca prikupljene tijekom 466 uzorkovanja. Determinirano je 10 vrsta komaraca. Jedinke su razvrstane u 700 skupnih uzoraka koji su testirani na prisutnost WNV i USUV RNA metodom RT- qPCR u stvarnom vremenu. RNA USUV je dokazana u tri skupna uzorka: jednom skupnom uzorku jedinki Ae. albopictus iz 2016. godine i dva skupna uzorka jedinki Cx. pipiens kompleks (2018. i 2019. godina). RNA WNV nije dokazana niti u jednom testiranom skupnom uzorku komaraca. Filogenetskom analizom pozitivnih skupnih uzoraka iz 2018. i 2019. godine dokazana je USUV europska linija 2. USUV pozitivni skupni uzorak komaraca Cx. pipiens kompleks iz 2018. godine dodatno je analiziran NGS metodom pri čemu su dokazane virusne sekvence iz različitih porodica virusa od kojih većina pripada virusima koji inficiraju komarce, a od virusa koji inficiraju sisavce i ptice dokazan je USUV. Dokaz RNA USUV u skupnim uzorcima komaraca u Zagrebu tijekom godina istraživanja pokazuje da je virus kontinuirano prisutan na istraživanom području te da je područje sjeverozapadne Hrvatske postalo endemsko područje za USUV. Dokazana RNA USUV u skupnom uzorku vrste Ae. albopictus 2016. godine prvi je dokaz flavivirusa u komarcima u Hrvatskoj.

In the season 2020/2021 two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in Croatia, one in northern and the other in eastern Croatia at a distance of approximately 200 kilometers apart. In both cases, the H5N8 subtype virus was detected. The first outbreak was recorded in mid-November 2020 at a fattening turkey farm, and the second outbreak in early March 2021 in three dead mute swans found within a four-kilometer diameter. The whole genome sequencing revealed that both outbreaks were caused by viruses of the Guandong/96 lineage, clade 2.3.4.4b. Viruses from both outbreaks in the 2020/2021 season are similar to HPAI viruses of H5 subtype detected in wild birds and poultry in Russia and Kazakhstan since July 2020 and with these viruses detected in northern, western and central Europe since October 2020. A more detailed analysis indicates a very close association of the virus detected in Croatia in a turkey farm in November 2020 with viruses detected in Western Europe in the autumn of the same year, especially with viruses detected in Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland. In contrast, the virus detected in dead swans in March 2021 is closely related to viruses detected in early 2021 in Russia, particularly to viruses detected in poultry in Krasnodar and Kurgan. Although the introduction of the virus into the turkey farm in November 2020 remains unclear, it can undoubtedly be concluded that it is not directly related to viruses detected in wild birds in Croatia in March 2021 and there were at least two independent introductions of this virus. In order to prevent the introduction of HPAI viruses into poultry farms and avoid major economic losses, active wild bird monitoring is necessary, especially during autumn in areas where these viruses were detected.

The poster provides an overview of the qualitative research on the occurrence of child marriages conducted in 2019 in the Roma community in Croatia. Since child marriages are phenomenon which grossly violates children's rights of girls and boys, jeopardizes their well-being and prevents them from realizing their full potential, but also due to the lack of research that would allow a deeper understanding of this practice, the general goal of this research was to gain insight into personal experience of adult Roma women associated with their marriage before the age of eighteen. The study involved seven adult Roma women aged 24 to 41 living in Međimurje County in North Croatia. Data were collected by semi-structured interview method and analyzed by thematic analysis. The results are presented in four thematic areas: (1) reasons and circumstances of getting marriade as a minor, (2) schooling experience, (3) experience and impressions of married life and (4) experience of respondents with their own daughters. The results of the research indicate the intertwining and intricate relationship between various factors that lead to entering into a marital union in a minor age, from the level of the girls themselves to the level of norms in the Roma community. Therefore, the research gets its value from the aspect of guidelines for planning specific interventions as well as potential topics for further research in Croatia, primarily in terms of prevalence and characteristics of the phenomenon itself, where it is important to take into account the heterogeneity of the Roma community. Consequently, the public policy framework is discussed, and activities aimed at preventing the practice of child marriage in the education system are proposed as well as activities in the community and with the community aimed at supporting young people, but also at changing norms that support this practice.

Rad je usmjeren na razumijevanje pojave dječjih brakova kao prakse koja grubo krši ljudska i dječja prava djevojčica i dječaka, ugrožava njihovu dobrobit i sprječava ih u ostvarivanju njihovih punih potencijala. U uvodnom dijelu analiziraju se uzroci i posljedice dječjih brakova te se iznose dostupni podaci o raširenosti ove pojave u regiji. Slijedom dostupnih istraživanja na području Europe koja ukazuju na povećanu zastupljenost pojave u romskoj zajednici, a uzimajući u obzir nedostatak domaćih istraživanja i literature o ovoj temi, u radu su predstavljeni rezultati provedenog kvalitativnog istraživanja čiji je opći cilj bio dobiti uvid u osobno iskustvo odraslih žena Romkinja povezano s njihovim stupanjem u bračnu zajednicu prije navršene osamnaeste godine života. Podaci su prikupljani metodom polustrukturiranog intervjua te analizirani postupkom tematske analize. Rezultati istraživanja poklapaju se s dostupnim znanjima u ovom području, ali i dodatno artikuliraju isprepletenost različitih čimbenika od razine samih djevojaka i roditelja do razine normi u romskoj zajednici. Slijedom toga, raspravlja se i o javno političkom okviru, a predložene su aktivnosti usmjerene na prevenciju prakse dječjih brakova u sustavu obrazovanja te aktivnosti u zajednici i sa zajednicom usmjerenih na pružanje podrške mladima, ali i na mijenjanje normi koje podržavaju ovu praksu., This paper focuses on understanding the emergence of child marriage as a practice that grossly violates human and children's rights of girls and boys, threatens their well-being and prevents them from reaching their full potential. The first section analyzes the causes and consequences of child marriages and presents available data on the prevalence of this phenomenon in the region. Based on the available research in Europe, which indicates an increased prevalence of the phenomenon in the Roma community, and taking into account the lack of domestic research and literature on the topic, this paper presents the results of a qualitative study aimed at gaining insight into the personal experience of adult Roma women associated with their entry into marriage before the age of eighteen. The data were collected by semi-structured interview method and analyzed by the thematic analysis procedure. The results of the research coincide with the available knowledge in this field, but also additionally articulate the interplay of various factors from the level of the girls and parents themselves to the level of norms in the Roma community. Consequently, the public policy framework is also discussed, and activities aimed at preventing the practice of child marriage in the education system and activities within the community aimed at providing support to young people, but also at changing the norms which support this practice, have been proposed.

Pojava flavivirusnih infekcija tijekom posljednja dva desetljeća sve se češće bilježi na području Europe. Među infekcijama značajno mjesto zauzimaju West Nile (WNV) i Usutu virusna (USUV) infekcija, čiji vektori su komarci. Na području sjeverozapadne Hrvatske (Grad Zagreb i Međimurska županija) u razdoblju od 2015. do 2020. godine odrasle jedinke komaraca su uzorkovane radi testiranja na prisutnost WNV i USUV virusa. Komarci su uzorkovani CDC klopkama, BG Sentinel klopkama i aspiratorom. Ukupno je obavljeno 618 uzorkovanja, 613 u Zagrebu (2015.-2020. godine) i 5 u Međimurskoj županiji (2017. godina). Za dokazivanje virusa ukupno su pripremljene 20.363 jedinke komaraca, od čega s područja Zagreba 20.291, a s područja Međimurske županije 72 jedinke. Određeno je 11 vrsta komaraca. Jedinke su razvrstane u 899 skupnih uzoraka komaraca koji su testirani na prisutnost WNV i USUV RNA metodom RT-qPCR u stvarnom vremenu. RNA USUV je dokazana u četiri skupna uzorka komaraca: jednom skupnom uzorku jedinki Ae. albopictus iz 2016. godine (Zagreb), dva skupna uzorka jedinki Cx. pipiens kompleks iz Zagreba (2018. i 2019. godina) i jednom skupnom uzorku Cx. pipiens kompleks iz Preloga (Međimurje). RNA WNV nije dokazana niti u jednom testiranom skupnom uzorku komaraca. Filogenetskom analizom pozitivnih skupnih uzoraka iz 2018. i 2019. godine dokazana je USUV europska linija 2. USUV pozitivni skupni uzorak komaraca Cx. pipiens kompleks iz 2018. godine (uzorkovan na području ŠRC Jarun) dodatno je analiziran NGS metodom pri čemu su dokazane virusne sekvence iz različitih porodica virusa od kojih većina pripada virusima koji inficiraju komarce, a od virusa koji inficiraju sisavce i ptice dokazan je USUV. Dokaz RNA USUV u skupnim uzorcima komaraca uzastopno tijekom četiri godine na području sjeverozapadne Hrvatske pokazuje da je virus kontinuirano prisutan na istraživanom području te da je navedeno područje postalo endemsko područje za USUV.

With prostate cancer (PCa) being the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm among men and often resembling benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), biomarkers with a higher differential value than PSA are required. We investigated the expression of certain miRNAs from liquid biopsies as potential epigenetic biomarkers of PCa. The absolute expression of miR- 375-3p and miR-182-5p were quantified in blood plasma and seminal plasma of 65 PCa and 58 BPH patients by digital droplet PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of these microRNAs were determined using ROC curve analysis. The higher expression of miR-182-5p and miR-375- 3p in the blood plasma of PCa patients was statistically significant as compared to BPH (p = 0.0363 and 0.0226, respectively). Their combination achieved a specificity of 90.2 % for predicting positive or negative biopsy results, while PSA cut-off of 4 µg/L performed with only 1.7 % specificity. In seminal plasma, miR-375- 3p, and miR-182-5p showed a statistically significantly higher expression in PCa patients with PSA >10 µg/L compared to ones with PSA >10 µg/L. MiR-182-5p and miR-375-3p in blood plasma show higher performance than PSA in differentiating PCa from BPH. Seminal plasma requires further investigation as it represents an obvious source for PCa biomarker identification.

U ovom radu prikazat će se čimbenici koji utječu na promjene razine mora, te posebno suvremeni uzroci i moguće posljedice eustatičkog porasta razine mora. U glavnom dijelu raspravljat će se o mogućim i stvarnim posljedicama porasta razine mora u obalnim gradovima. Kroz primjere će se prikazati različite strategije i načini borbe gradskih sredina s ovom pojavom danas. S obzirom na trendove, obalni gradovi morat će definirati i dugoročne strategije u odnosu na predviđene promjene razine mora. This paper will present the factors influencing sea level changes, especially contemporary causes and possible consequences of eustatic sea level rise. The main part will discuss the possible and real consequences of rising sea levels in coastal cities. Through examples, different strategies and ways of combating urban areas with this phenomenon today will be presented. Given the trends, coastal cities will also need to define long-term strategies in relation to projected sea level changes.

Prvi susret djeteta s ljudskih bićima zapravo je susret s njegovim roditeljima, prvim i najznačajnijim odgojiteljima koji imaju važnu ulogu u svestranom razvoju djeteta. S obzirom na to da djeca u ranoj dobi usvajaju znanja na principu imitacije, ujedno su i njegov uzor za učenje. Određena znanja usvajaju kroz samousmjerene interakcije s okolinom (Piaget i Inhelder, 1969, prema Gromko, Poorman, 2015). U težnji za uspostavljanjem optimalnoga balansa između intuitivne i intelektualne spoznaje, umjetnost pruža mogućnost nadopunjavanja načina ljudskoga razumijevanja života te razvija estetski senzibilitet prema otkrivanju umjetničkih i prirodnih fenomena. Još od antičkoga doba ističe se važnost umjetničkoga odgoja te njegov pozitivan utjecaj na cjeloviti razvoj čovjeka (Mendeš, Hicela, Pivac, 2012). Na estetsku osjetljivost djeteta možemo utjecati tijekom najranijih godina života (Manasteriotti, 1977). Djeca reagiraju na glazbu i prije rođenja putem majčinoga govora ili pjeva koji se transformira u slušni podražaj te krvotokom prenosi do fetusa (Radočaj-Jerković, 2017). Prije negoli naučimo pričati – pjevamo, prije negoli prohodamo – plešemo, što potvrđuje činjenicu da je umjetnost prirodni čovjekov izraz. U ovom radu usko ću se vezati za onu umjetnost koja se opisuje kao zvuk emocija i osjećaja – glazbom, njezinim utjecaj na razvoj glazbenih sposobnosti te ulozi roditelja u razvoju. Rano djetinjstvo period je brzih promjena i razvoja, stoga je bitno uključiti dijete u glazbene aktivnosti u ranoj dobi. Brojna istraživanja (Wolff, 1979; Kalmar, 1982; Rausher, Shaw i Ky, 1995; Jackson i Tlauka, 2004; Schellenberg i Hallam, 2005, prema Nikolić, 2018) pokazala su pozitivan utjecaj glazbene obuke na čovjeka, njegov glazbeni razvoj te na razvoj neglazbenih područja poput razvoja sluha, govora, kreativnosti, vizualno spacijalnih sposobnosti i slično. Osim toga pomaže nam poboljšati sliku o sebi, razviti samokontrolu, samosvjesnost i samoregulaciju (Rickard i sur., 2013, prema Nikolić, 2018). Glazbene sposobnosti razvijaju se kroz glazbene aktivnosti. Smatra se da svaki čovjek u sebi ima muzikalnost, odnosno glazbenu sposobnost, ali u različitoj razini razvijenosti. Glazbena sposobnost kombinacija je naslijeđenoga i naučenoga, odnosno sastoji se od neformalnih iskustava stečenih pod djelovanjem sredine i formalnoga učenja (Šulentić Begić, 2012). Vrlo bitnu ulogu u razvoju ima okolina u kojoj dijete odrasta. Ako u svojoj okolini dijete nema doticaj s bilo kojim oblikom umjetnosti, ono će ostati zakinuto za takvo iskustvo te će se sporije razvijati. Okolina koja njeguje dječju znatiželju potiče razvoj njihove inteligencije (Gromko, Poorman, 2015). Jedna od komponenata glazbene okoline djeteta je glazbena tradicija roditelja, njihovi stavovi i angažman (Lyon, 2008). Djecu trebamo zainteresirati za glazbu od samoga rođenja, a najbolji pristup je provođenjem raznih glazbenih aktivnosti, pjevanja, slušanja glazbe i ponajviše glazbenih igara. Pjevanje je aktivnost koju djeca rado izvode, a znatno doprinosi razvoju osjećaja za ritam, glazbenoga sluha i pamćenja te estetskoga shvaćanja (Tomerlin, 1969). Glazbene elemente djeca upoznaju slušanjem glazbe koje se smatra temeljem glazbenoga odgoja jer pomaže učenicima pri stvaranju senzibiliteta prema glazbenoj umjetnosti (Rojko, 2012). Kroz igru djeca na vrlo lak i zabavan način razvijaju svoje glazbene sposobnosti (Radočaj-Jerković, 2009). Provođenjem takvih aktivnosti pobuđujemo i razvijamo interes za glazbom i sudjelovanjem u glazbenim aktivnostima (Vidulin, 2016). Kako bismo ostvarili dobrobiti glazbe i glazbenoga obrazovanja u što većoj mjeri, potrebno je izložiti djecu glazbom i glazbenim aktivnostima u što ranijoj dobi. Uključivanjem roditelja u glazbeno obrazovanje, djeca bolje razvijaju svoje vještine, a tijekom procesa stvaranja glazbe osjećaju samopouzdanje i sigurnost. U radu možemo pronaći rezultate istraživanja u vezi uloge roditelja na razvoj glazbenih sposobnosti. Istraživanje je provedeno virtualnim putem u kojem je sudjelovalo 169 roditelja, većinom majke. Između ostaloga, ispitali smo njihovu stručnu spremu, radni odnos i glazbeno iskustvo. Rezultati pokazuju kako roditelji vole glazbu i rado ju slušaju sa svojom djecom. Dopuštaju djeci da samostalno odabiru pjesme koje žele slušati. U prosjeku provode od 2 do 4 sata u zajedničkim aktivnostima s djecom, od kojih glazbene aktivnosti zauzimaju manje od pola sata do jedan sat. Glazbene aktivnosti koje najčešće provode su glazbene igre s pjevanjem i slušanje glazbe. Slušaju većinom pasivno, dok obavljaju druge aktivnosti ili ju koriste za smirivanje, uspavljivanje ili zabavu. Ovim istraživanjem utvrdili smo da roditelji izlažu djecu glazbi, ali ne provode ciljano aktivnosti u svrhu razvoja glazbenih sposobnosti, već u svrhu zabave i uživanja. . The first encounter of a child with human beings is a meeting with his parents, the first and most important educators who play an important role in the universal development of a child. They are also a child’s model for learning given the fact that children at an early age acquire knowledge based on the principle of imitation. Certain knowledge is acquired through self-directed interactions with the environment (Piaget and Inhelder, 1969 according to Gromko, Poorman, 2015). To establish an optimal balance between intuitive and intellectual knowledge, art offers the possibility of complementing the way of human understanding of life and develop aesthetic sensibility towards the discovery of artistic and natural phenomena. Since ancient times, the importance of art education and its positive influence on the overall development of man has been emphasized (Mendeš, Hicela, Pivac, 2012). The aesthetic sensitivity of a child can be influenced during the earliest years of life (Manasteriotti, 1977). Children react to music even before birth through their mother’s speech or song that transforms into a hearing stimulus and circulates blood to the fetus (Radočaj-Jerković, 2017). Before we learned to talk – we sing, before we walk – we dance, which confirms the fact that art is a natural expression of man. In this work, I will talk about the art described as the sound of emotions and feelings – music, its influence on the development of musical abilities, and parents’ role in that process. Early childhood is a period of rapid change and development, therefore it is important to include the child in music activities at an early age. Numerous research (Wolff, 1979; Kalmar, 1982; Rausher, Shaw and Ky, 1995; Jackson and Tlauka, 2004; Schellenberg and Hallam, 2005 according to Nikolić, 2018) showed a positive impact of music training on man, his musical development and on the development of non-musical areas such as hearing, speech, creativity, visual skill, etc. It also helps us to improve our image of ourselves, develop self-control, self-awareness, and self-regulation (Rickard et al., 2013, according to Nikolić, 2018). Musical capabilities are developed through musical activities. It is considered that each man has musicality or musical ability within him, but at a different level of development. Musical ability is a combination of inherited and learned, i.e. it consists of informal experiences acquired under the influence of middle and formal learning (Šulentić Begić, 2012). The environment in which the child grows has a very important role in development. If a child has no contact with any form of art in his environment, it will remain blocked for such experience and will develop slower. The environment that nourishes children’s curiosity stimulates the development of their intelligence (Gromko, Poorman, 2015). Parents musical tradition, their attitudes, and engagement are one of the components of the child’s musical environment (Lyon, 2008). Children should be interested in music from the very beginning, and the best approach is to conduct various musical activities, such as singing, listening to music, and especially music games. Singing is an activity that children gladly perform, and it contributes significantly to the development of rhythm, musical hearing, and memory, and aesthetic understanding (Tomerlin, 1969). Children learn musical elements by listening to music that is considered the basis of music education because it helps students to create sensibility towards musical art (Rojko, 2012). Through the play, children develop their musical abilities in a very easy and fun way (Radočaj-Jerković, 2009). By carrying out such activities we encourage and develop an interest in music and participation in musical activities (Vidulin, 2016). To achieve the well-being of music and music education, it is necessary to expose children to music and musical activities as soon as possible. By including parents in musical education, children develop their skills better and feel self-confident and secure during the process of creating music. In this paper, we can find research results on parents’ role in the development of musical capabilities. The research was carried out by 169 parents, mostly mothers. Among other things, we examined their expertise, work relationship, and musical experience. The results show that parents love music and gladly listen to it with their children. They allow children to choose the music they want to listen to on their own. On average they spend 2 to 4 hours in joint activities with children, of which music activities occupy less than half an hour to 1 hour. The most frequent music activities are music games with singing and listening to music. They listen mostly passively while performing other activities. Also, they use music to calm their children, put them to sleep or entertain. With this research, we found that parents exhibit children to music, but do not conduct activities to develop musical abilities, but in the purpose of entertainment and enjoyment.

Within the last several years, frequency of vitamin D testing has multiplied substantially all over the world, since it has been shown to have an important role in many diseases and conditions. Even though liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been identified as “gold standard” method for vitamin D measurement, most laboratories still use immunochemistry methods. Besides analytical problems (hydrophobicity, low circulating concentrations, ability to bind to lipids, albumins and vitamin D binding protein, presence of multiple vitamin D metabolites and variable ratios of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 in the blood), vitamin D shows great preanalytical variability, since its concentration is drastically influenced by seasonal changes, exposure to sun, type of clothes or sun block creams. Vitamin D is mostly measured in serum or plasma, but new studies are showing importance of measuring vitamin D in pleural effusions, breast milk, urine, synovial fluid and saliva. Besides the main role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, many studies linked vitamin D deficiency with cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, fertility and many other conditions. However, even though initial observational studies indicated that supplementation with vitamin D might be beneficial in disease development and progression; first results of well-designed randomized controlled prospective studies did not find differences in frequency of cardiovascular events or invasive cancer between patients taking vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo. In the light of these recent findings, validity of excessive vitamin D testing remains an open question.

Background:The aim of our study was to perform verification of serum indices on three clinical chemistry platforms.Methods:This study was done on three analyzers: Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 (BC) and Roche Cobas 6000 c501. The following analytical specifications were verified: precision (two patient samples), accuracy (sample with the highest concentration of interferent was serially diluted and measured values compared to theoretical values), comparability (120 patients samples) and cross reactivity (samples with increasing concentrations of interferent were divided in two aliquots and remaining interferents were added in each aliquot. Measurements were done before and after adding interferents).Results:Best results for precision were obtained for the H index (0.72%–2.08%). Accuracy for the H index was acceptable for Cobas and BC, while on Architect, deviations in the high concentration range were observed (y=0.02 [0.01–0.07]+1.07 [1.06–1.08]x). All three analyzers showed acceptable results in evaluating accuracy of L index and unacceptable results for I index. The H index was comparable between BC and both, Architect (Cohen’s κ [95% CI]=0.795 [0.692–0.898]) and Roche (Cohen’s κ [95% CI]=0.825 [0.729–0.922]), while Roche and Architect were not comparable. The I index was not comparable between all analyzer combinations, while the L index was only comparable between Abbott and BC. Cross reactivity analysis mostly showed that serum indices measurement is affected when a combination of interferences is present.Conclusions:There is heterogeneity between analyzers in the hemolysis, icteria, lipemia (HIL) quality performance. Verification of serum indices in routine work is necessary to establish analytical specifications.

Simple Summary Testicular seminoma represents the most common type of testicular germ cell tumours, which are the most prevalent malignancies among the male population in reproductive age. Thus, it is crucial to find novel biomarkers for early detection and improve patient management. Copy number variation (CNV) is associated with various cancers including seminoma. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate CNV of specific genes and determine their potential as a possible seminoma biomarker. CNVs were investigated in genomic DNA from seminoma tissue, as well as in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from seminal plasma as liquid biopsy. We detected increased CNVs in tissue samples, as well as in cfDNA from seminal plasma. According to obtained data, seminoma CNV hotspots are present and are reflected in seminal plasma. Although clinical value is yet to be determined, presented data emphasize a potential use of CNV as an SE biomarker. Abstract Seminoma (SE) is the most frequent type of testicular tumour, affecting predominantly young men. Early detection and diagnosis of SE could significantly improve life quality and reproductive health after diagnosis and treatment. Copy number variation (CNV) has already been associated with various cancers as well as SE. In this study, we selected four genes (MAGEC2, NANOG, RASSF1A, and KITLG) for CNV analysis in genomic DNA (gDNA), which are located on chromosomes susceptible to gains, and whose aberrant expression was already detected in SE. Furthermore, CNV was analysed in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from seminal plasma. Analysis was performed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) on gDNA from SE and nonmalignant testicular tissue. Seminal plasma cfDNA from SE patients before and after surgery was analysed, as well as from healthy volunteers. The CNV hotspot in gDNA from SE tissue was detected for the first time in all analysed genes, and for two genes, NANOG and KITLG it was reflected in cfDNA from seminal plasma. Although clinical value is yet to be determined, presented data emphasize a potential use of CNV as a potential SE biomarker from a liquid biopsy.

Početnički solfeggio prvi je sustavni program formalnog glazbenog obrazovanja koji se realizira u glazbenoj školi. Jedan je od primarnih ciljeva početničkog solfeggia razvijanje glazbenog sluha, a djeca se putem različitih glazbenih aktivnosti uvode u glazbenu umjetnost i pripremaju za pohađanje glazbene škole. Aktivnosti početničkog solfeggia obuhvaćaju pjevanje, slušanje i glazbene igre. Većina ih se izvodi uz pomoć instrumenta – klavira. Cilj je ovog rada prikazati na koji se način i u kojim aktivnostima upotrebljava klavir kao nastavno sredstvo u nastavi početničkog solfeggia kao prinos razvoju metodike nastave solfeggia i razvoju funkcionalnih klavirskih vještina u budućih glazbenih pedagoga.

Vitamin D is beneficial in patients with immune- mediated rheumatic diseases as it has been shown that it lowers the incidence risk and the level of inflammation. To examine the association between clinical outcomes and initial 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in patients with the immune-mediated rheumatic diseases treated with infliximab for 9 months. This study was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with infliximab for at least 38 weeks. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for RA and PsA and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for AS, while the global assessment was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to 25(OH)D concentration which was classified as deficient or non-deficient (below and above 50 nmol/L, respectively). Concentrations of infliximab (IFX) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured according to the manufacturer's instructions.This study was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with infliximab for at least 38 weeks. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for RA and PsA and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for AS, while the global assessment was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to 25(OH)D concentration which was classified as deficient or non-deficient (below and above 50 nmol/L, respectively). Concentrations of infliximab (IFX) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured according to the manufacturer's instructions. The study included 23 patients (14 with RA, 6 with AS and 3 with PsA), median age 54 years, 15 females. Vitamin D deficient and non- deficient groups had median initial concentrations of 38 and 61 nmol/L, respectively. DAS28 and pain on VAS calculated at the 2nd and 38th week showed a statistically significant decrease only in RA and PsA patients with vitamin D deficiency (P = 0.02 and 0.06, respectively). Lower initial concentration of 25(OH)D in patients treated with infliximab was associated with better improvement of clinical measures (DAS28 and VAS) of disease after 9 months of therapy.

Virus zapadnog Nila (WNV) i virus Usutu (USUV) su srodni flavivirusi s preklapanjem zemljopisnog raspona vrsta prijenosa, domaćina i vektora. Svaki od ova dva virusa se dodatno može razvrstati u više genskih loza. Ptice su im prirodni rezervoari, vektori su komarci, dok ljude i ostale kralješnjake smatramo slučajnim, odnosno krajnjim domaćinima. Brojne ptičje vrste mogu biti zaražene, no manji broj vrsta iz redova vrapčarki, močvarica i sova zbog dugotrajne i izrazito visoke viremije smatramo kompetentnim rezervoarima koji služe za daljnje širenje virusa. Pojedine ptičje vrste su posebno osjetljive prema ovim virusima pa infekcija, osim teške kliničke slike u kojoj prevladavaju neurološki simptomi, može rezultirati i uginućem. Prema sojevima WNV koji prevladavaju u Europi, posebno su osjetljivi jastreb (Accipiter gentilis) i kobac (Accipiter nisus), ali i druge grabljivice. Kos (Turdus merula) i velika sova (Strix nebulosa) posebno su osjetljivi na USUV. Iako su u proteklom desetljeću u Hrvatskoj u više navrata dokazane infekcije ljudi i konja, WNV i USUV su u ptica u Hrvatskoj prvi put dokazani u rujnu 2018. godine. WNV je detektiran u dva oboljela jastreba iz sjeverozapadne Hrvatske. Jastrebovi su pokazivali izrazite neurološke simptome, a potom su i uginuli. Detektirani WNV pripada genskoj lozi 2, kao i brojni humani izolati iz Hrvatske detektirani u istoj sezoni prijenosa. Analiza cijelog genoma WNV iz jastreba pokazuje najveću sličnost (99, 8 %) sa sojevima dokazanim u pticama iz Njemačkoj iz iste godine. USUV je detektiran u mozgu uginulog kosa u središnjoj Hrvatskoj. Detektirani USUV pripada genskoj lozi Europa 2, kao i humani izolat iz istočne Hrvatske i izolat iz komarca u Zagrebu koji su detektirani u istoj sezoni prijenosa. Analizirani dio gena NS5 soja USUV iz kosa identičan je virusima dokazanim u mozgu kosova u Češkoj 2017. i u Austriji 2016. godine. S obzirom na učestalost infekcija WNV i USUV u slučajnim domaćinima u Hrvatskoj, ova dva nalaza u pticama predstavljaju tek naznaku nazočnosti i značaja ovih virusa za populaciju divljih ptica u Hrvatskoj. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja WNV i USUV u ptica u Hrvatskoj, naročito vrsta koje su osjetljive na infekciju ovim virusima.

Background The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of ascorbic acid-positive urine samples and to evaluate the potential risk on patient safety. Materials and methods A total of 27,856 samples submitted for urinalysis in previous year were retrospectively analysed from the laboratory information system. Urinalysis was done on Iris IQ200 analyzer using 11-parameter iChem Velocity test strips. Risk analysis combined the impact of potentially erroneous results (due to ascorbic acid interference) on patient safety (severity – S) with their frequency (occurrence – O). Potential risk was identified as high, intermediate and low. Results One thousand one hundred and ninety-nine (4.3%) and 1646 (5.9%) samples were mildly (20 mg/dL, 1+) and highly positive (40 mg/dL, 2+) for ascorbic acid, respectively. Severity (S1 to S5) was assigned to four possible errors: false-negative glucose (U-Glc: S2), blood (U-Hb: S5), nitrite (U-Nit: S4) and bilirubin (U-Bil: S1). Based on the frequency of errors, occurrence was categorized as: O2 for U-Glc, and O3 for U-Bil, U-Nit and U-Hb. The risk analysis matrix revealed that false-negative U-Hb was associated with potentially high risk, false-negative U-Nit with intermediate risk, while false-negative U-Glc and U-Bil were associated with low risk on patient safety. Conclusions Positive ascorbic acid can cause potentially high risk for patient safety by missing positive blood in urine.

Uspostavljanje spolnog ciklusa kod visokomliječnih krava nakon teljenja je veliki problem na farmama koje imaju intenzivnu proizvodnju mlijeka. Iako visoka proizvodnja sama po sebi donosi puno problema oni se još povećavaju s lošim menedžmentom kao što je nedovoljno kvalitetna hrana i nepravilno izbalansiran obrok za visokomliječna goveda pa dolazi do metaboličkih i reproduktivnih problema tijekom laktacije. U radu je napravljena analiza razine opskrbljenosti goveda s energijom i njen utjecaj na uspostavu spolnog ciklusa nakon teljenja i reproduktivne pokazatelje kod visokomliječnih krava na farmi mliječnih krava „V.v. Farma“ na području Međimurske županije temeljem sadržaja proteina i uree u mlijeku. Na temelju odnosa mliječne masti i bjelančevina te sadržaja bjelančevina i uree u mlijeku može se zaključiti da 17,5% uzoraka mlijeka potječe od krava nedovoljno opskrbljenih energijom. Razdoblje rane laktacije (prvih 60 dana) je najosjetljivije razdoblje s obzirom na dostatnu opskrbu energijom i proteinima kod krava na što ukazuje činjenica da 45% uzoraka mlijeka analiziranih u ovom razdoblju ukazuje na deficit unosa energije, a u 16,5% uzoraka utvrđen je IMB >1,5 što sugerira opsežnu mobilizaciju masti iz tjelesnih rezervi i pojavu metaboličkih poremećaja. Uspostava spolnog ciklusa izražena kao razdoblje do prvog osjemenjivanja u većine krava bila je unutar 90 dana nakon teljenja (74%) dok u svega 9% krava to razdoblje je bilo dulje od 120 dana. Unatoč tome u čak 32% krava gravidnost je nastupila iza 120. dana laktacije što ukazuje na izostanak ovulacije i/ili postojanja nepovoljnih uvjeta za preživljavanje embrija (rana embrionalna smrtnost). Povezanost između pojedinih sastojaka mlijeka i reproduktivnih pokazatelja nije utvrđena. Establishing a ovarian cycle in high-yielding dairy cows after calving is a major problem for farms that have intensive milk production. Although high production itself brings a lot of problems, they are still growing with poor management such as inadequate quality food and improperly balanced meal for high-production cows, and therefore metabolic and reproductive problems occur during lactation. The paper analyzes the energy supply level and its impact on the establishment of ovarian cycle after calving and reproductive indexes in high-production dairy cows using the urea and protein content in milk. Investigation was caaried out on dairy cows farm "V.v. Farma"in the area of Međimurje County. Based on the ratio of milk fat and protein as well as urea content in milk samples, it can be concluded that 17.5% of milk samples come from cows that are not sufficiently supplied with energy. The period of early lactation (the first 60 days) is the most sensitive period in view of the sufficient supply of energy and proteins in cows. 45% of the milk samples analyzed in this period indicate a deficit of energy intake and 16.5% of the samples determined IMB> 1.5 suggesting extensive fat mobilization from body reserves and the occurrence of metabolic disorders. The establishment of the ovarian cycle, expressed as the period until the first mating, was within 90 days after calving (74%), while in only 9% of cows this period was more than 120 days. Nevertheless, even 32% of cow gravity appeared after the 120th day of lactation, indicating the absence of ovulation and / or the existence of unfavorable conditions for the survival of embryos (early embryonic mortality). The association between milk parameters and reproductive indicators was not detected.