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Recreation in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Focus on Air Travel and Wellness
No full textSAŽETAK
Tijekom rehabilitacijskoga procesa pitanje rekreacijskih aktivnosti obično se postavlja u fazi rekonvalescencije. Rekreacija obuhvaća tjelesne i/ili mentalne aktivnosti koje zadovoljavaju psihološki i biološki uvjetovane potrebe. Turizam uključuje i tjelesne i mentalne rekreacijske elemente. U kontekstu udaljenih odredišta, korištenje zračnim prijevozom otvara niz zdravstvenih pitanja, dok domaći turizam često uključuje posjete toplicama i saunama, što također može značiti rizik za bolesnike s kardiovaskularnim (KV) bolestima. Putnici su tijekom leta izloženi fizikalnim, psihološkim i fiziološkim utjecajima koji mogu uzrokovati pojavu smetnji, najčešće palpitacije i bol u prsima. Boravak u termalnim kupkama i saunama popularan je oblik rekreacije, ali može biti zabrinjavajući u bolesnika s KV bolestima. Stupanj povišenja temperature i posljedični utjecaj na cirkulaciju različit je kod kupki i sauna, zbog čega se ove aktivnosti ne mogu bezrezervno preporučiti navedenim bolesnicima. U ovom ćemo preglednom radu predstaviti fiziološke posljedice zračnoga prijevoza na ljudski organizam te pružiti sažetak međunarodne literature i smjernica o zračnom prijevozu pri različitim KV stanjima. Nadalje, detaljno ćemo opisati promjene u krvotoku uzrokovane finskom i infracrvenom saunom, kao i kupkama u vrućoj vodi, te raspraviti o mogućim kontraindikacijama za te aktivnosti.SUMMARY
During the rehabilitation process, the question of recreational activities typically arises in the convalescent phase. Recreation encompasses physical and/or mental activities that fulfill a psychologically and biologically determined need. Tourism includes both physical and mental recreational elements. Regarding distant destinations, air travel raises several concerns, just as domestic tourism frequently involves visits to spas and saunas, both of which may pose risks for patients with cardiovascular conditions. Air travel exposes passengers to physical, psychological, and physiological effects, which can lead to cardiac symptoms, most commonly palpitations and chest pain. Visiting thermal baths and saunas is a popular recreational activity, but it can also be concerning for patients with cardiovascular disease. The degree of temperature elevation and its impact on circulation differ between baths and saunas, making them not universally recommended for these patients. In this review, we summarize the physiological effects of air travel on the human body, as well as international literature and guidelines regarding air travel in various cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, we detail the circulatory changes induced by Finnish and infrared saunas, as well as hot water baths, and discuss their potential contraindications
Schiff base metal complexes as emerging therapeutics against antimicrobial-resistant skin pathogens
No full textBackground and purpose: The development of antimicrobial resistance reduces the efficacy of antimicrobial agents and poses a significant challenge to treat skin diseases. Many scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies work diligently to investigate novel antimicrobial agents and discover alternatives to existing ones, aiming to address antimicrobial resistance. Within the broad field of metal complexes, Schiff base complexes occupy a prominent position, with structural versatility and significant biological properties that make them promising candidates for developing alternative drugs to combat the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance. Experimental approach: This paper reviewed the existing literature on how the structural features of some recently studied Schiff base ligands and their complexes influence the antibacterial and antifungal activities of these compounds against common skin pathogens, including Candida albicans sp., dermophytes, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Key results: The structural features, including the azomethine group (C=N), heteroatoms and substituents, in Schiff base compounds have been associated with interference with protein synthesis and the growth of bacterial and fungal cells. Schiff base compounds affect cell wall and cell membrane synthesis and inhibit enzymes essential to cell division and other cellular mechanisms. The chelation theory and the overtone’s concept suggest that Schiff base metal complexes exhibit higher antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to Schiff base ligands. Conclusion: This review focuses on providing an overview of how the structural features of Schiff base compounds influence the antimicrobial properties of these compounds against Candida albicans sp., dermophytes, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
Rosanoid diterpenoids: structural diversity, classification and biological activities
No full textBackground and purpose: Rosanoid diterpenoids, including ent-rosane and rosane diterpenoids, are structurally unique and bioactive subclass diterpenes characterized by a tricyclic carbon skeleton. This work aims to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on these diterpenoids from 1975. to September 2025., including their occurrence, structural diversity, and biological activities. Approach: An extensive literature search was conducted through scientific databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and publishers’ webpages (Elsevier, Wiley, ACS, RSC, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Bentham, Thieme, and MDPI), covering reports from 1975 to September 2025. Key Results: Rosanoid diterpenoids have been isolated from various natural sources, including fungi, liverworts, and higher plant families such as Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Alismataceae, Asteraceae, Velloziaceae, and Celastraceae. They are predominantly found in Euphorbia species, revealing their chemotaxonomic relevance to the Euphorbiaceae family. These compounds exhibit extensive structural diversity, encompassing a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, enzyme-inhibitory, neuroactive, and anti-adipogenic effects. Conclusion: The reported findings highlight the chemical variability and pharmacological potential of rosanoid diterpenoids, making them promising building blocks for future drug discovery and natural product development. However, further studies are warranted to explore their pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and biosynthetic pathways
Determination of metals and aflatoxin M1 in the milk of Croatian Cold-Blooded mares in different stages of lactation
No full textIn this study, the concentrations of metals (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb)), and aflatoxin M1 were analysed in mare's milk samples taken from eight mares over a period of six months during lactation. The results showed that the concentrations of metals in milk occurred in the following order: Cu > Pb > Hg > Cd > As. Key findings of the study included the determined content of metals, depending on lactation stages and animal husbandry practices. Copper had the highest concentration among the metals analysed, while Cd and As were not detected. No statistically significant differences were found in the levels of heavy metals or aflatoxin M1 across different lactation stages. However, statistically significant differences in aflatoxin M1 concentrations were observed depending on the type of animal husbandry, illustrating the influence of environmental and husbandry conditions on milk contamination. The study concludes that there is no toxicological risk for consumers of Croatian Cold-Blooded mare's milk, which is an important finding for food safety and public health. The significance of this study lies in the provision of valuable data on the safety of mare’s milk, especially with regard to its possible contamination with toxic heavy metals and aflatoxin M1. The main objective was to determine the presence and concentrations of the listed contaminants, to evaluate the influence of lactation stage and husbandry, and to assess compliance with established safety standards
Laktoza i dijabetes tipa 2: nutritivne i metaboličke perspektive
No full textDiabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes (T2D), is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders worldwide, strongly influenced by lifestyle and nutritional factors. Current dietary recommendations emphasize the importance of carbohydrate quality and food matrix effects in modulating glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. Lactose, the principal disaccharide in milk, is frequently overlooked in the context of diabetes research, as most attention has been focused on other dietary sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose. However, lactose displays a relatively low glycaemic index compared to other carbohydrates and is hydrolysed into glucose and galactose, the latter showing potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, a growing body of evidence suggests that dairy intake is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, with fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir, consistently showing the most protective associations. Recent studies have further highlighted the role of genetic variation in lactase persistence and non-persistence, pointing to the potential influence of gut microbiota and lactose fermentation products on glucose homeostasis. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of current evidence linking lactose metabolism and dairy consumption to the risk, regulation, and management of type 2 diabetes.Šećerna bolest, osobito dijabetes tipa 2 (T2D), jedan je od najraširenijih metaboličkih poremećaja u svijetu, snažno uvjetovan životnim stilom i prehrambenim čimbenicima. Aktualne prehrambene preporuke naglašavaju važnost kvalitete ugljikohidrata i učinaka prehrambene matrice u regulaciji glikemijske kontrole i inzulinske osjetljivosti. U istraživanjima povezanima s dijabetesom, laktoza, glavni disaharid u mlijeku, često je zanemarena, budući da je većina pozornosti usmjerena na druge prehrambene šećere poput glukoze, saharoze i fruktoze. Međutim, laktoza ima relativno nizak glikemijski indeks u usporedbi s drugim ugljikohidratima te se hidrolizira na glukozu i galaktozu, pri čemu galaktoza pokazuje potencijalna antioksidativna i protuupalna svojstva. Sve veći broj dokaza upućuje na to da je unos mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda povezan sa smanjenim rizikom od dijabetesa tipa 2, pri čemu fermentirani mliječni proizvodi, poput jogurta i kefira, pokazuju najizraženiji zaštitni učinak. Nedavna istraživanja dodatno ističu ulogu genetskih varijacija u perzistenciji i neperzistenciji laktaze, upućujući na mogući utjecaj crijevne mikrobiote i produkata fermentacije laktoze na homeostazu glukoze. Cilj ovoga preglednog rada je pružiti pregled aktualnih spoznaja koje povezuju metabolizam laktoze i konzumaciju mliječnih proizvoda s rizikom, regulacijom i upravljanjem dijabetesom tipa 2
First record of Spiraea hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia (Rosaceae) in Kosovo
Get PDFThis study reports the first record of Spiraea hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia in Kosovo, found on Mt. Golesh at 740 m a.s.l. The taxon forms a dense population on serpentine substrates, occupying a specific ecological niche. Due to its limited distribution and specific habitat requirements, it faces a high risk of extinction. A preliminary conservation status assessment suggests it is Vulnerable (VU) D2 according to IUCN criteria. Additional field surveys and habitat monitoring are needed to protect this population against environmental and anthropogenic pressures
Notes on rare and newly found Carex taxa (Cyperaceae) in Croatia
Get PDFAlthough the flora of Croatia is rather well known, several new Carex species and hybrids were able to be added during a caricological visit to Croatia and after two more years of fieldwork (2023–2024). The total number of Carex species is now 91; besides, there are eleven Carex hybrids known. During our herbarium research and revision in several European herbaria, and recent fieldwork, five new Carex taxa for Croatia were found: C. distachya subsp. phyllostachioidea, C. depressa subsp. transsilvanica, C. nigra subsp. juncea, C. pairae, and C. secalina, while C. aterrima subsp. aterrima was overlooked on the previous Croatian national list. In addition, eleven hybrids were found that were new for Croatia: C. × alberti, C. × alsatica, C. × auroniensis, C. × leutzii, C. × oberrodensis, C. × oenensis, C. × prolixa, C. × pseudoaxillaris, C. × subviridula, C. × villacensis, and C. × xanthocarpa. Moreover, several rare Carex species were confirmed at known locations and new localities were detected for multiple species. The following species were involved: C. atrata, C. buekii, C. capillaris, C. cespitosa, C. fritschii, C. illegitima, C. lasiocarpa, C. pulicaris, C. punctata, C. randalpina, C. rupestris, and C. vulpinoidea. Carex limosa has to be considered as extinct from Croatia. Search for the species C. arenaria, C. diandra, C. frigida, C. melanostachya, C. pauciflora, C. stenophylla, and C. supina, has revealed only very old herbarium specimens, but there has been no recent confirmation in the field. For C. dioica there was no material available, nor could it be confirmed in the field. Two hybrid names, C. × rossiana and C. × villacensis, are lectotypified here