Repository of the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine
Not a member yet
7184 research outputs found
Sort by
Does vitamin D supplementation impact serotonin levels? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
No full textBackground and Aims: Vitamin D deficiency impacts a significant proportion of the world's population, and this deficiency has been linked to various conditions characterized by imbalanced serotonin regulation. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum serotonin levels. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central for Randomized Clinical Trials, and Web of Science up to September 2022, without any language restrictions. The effect sizes were calculated using the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Six randomized clinical trials involving 356 participants were included in the analysis. Our findings indicated no significant changes in serotonin levels between the intervention and control groups (SMD: 0.24 ng/mL, 95% CI: −0.28, 0.75, p > 0.10). Subgroup analysis also did not reveal any significant changes in serotonin levels among children, participants with autism spectrum disorders, interventions lasting 10 weeks or longer, or those receiving vitamin D doses below 4000 IU/day. Conclusion: Although the results obtained in this systematic review are inconclusive, they support the need for further well-designed randomized trials to assess the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in regulating serotonin levels and potentially ameliorating depression and related disorders
Ketone bodies in energy metabolism, cell signaling and therapeutic application
No full textKetonska tijela jedno su od glavnih središta fiziološke homeostaze. Pomoćno su metaboličko gorivo koje zamjenjuje glukozu u većini ekstrahepatičkih tkiva u situacijama ograničene dostupnosti ugljikohidrata, ili nemogućnosti njihovog iskorištavanja. Ove molekule nastaju ketogenezom u jetri, a metaboličkim procesom ketolize iskorištavaju se u ekstrahepatičkim tkivima u energetske svrhe. Pored toga, ketonska tijela su i međuprodukti nekoliko metaboličkih puteva i signalne molekule koje putem površinskih receptora, epigenetičkom regulacijom transkripcije gena i još nepoznatim mehanizmima utječu na mnoge stanične funkcije. Ova nekanonska djelovanja ketonskih tijela odaju sliku moćnih molekula koja nude mogućnosti terapijske primjene kod raznih zdravstvenih stanja kroz modulaciju upale, oksidacijskog oštećenja, acetilaciju histona i druge mehanizme. Ovime se i proširuje razumijevanje fiziološke uloge ketonskih tijela izvan one u održanju energetske homeostaze i ukazuje na njihov pleiotropan potencijal, zbog čega je danas ketonskim tijelima dodijeljena uloga medijatora metaboličkog zdravlja. Stoga je svrha u ovom radu opisati metabolizam i pleiotropne uloge ketonskih tijela s tradacionalnog i suvremenog gledišta te istaknuti fiziološki i terapijski potencijal ovih molekula.Ketone bodies are one of the main molecules of physiological homeostasis. They are auxiliary metabolic fuel that replaces glucose in most extrahepatic tissues in situations of limited carbohydrate availability, or inability to utilize them. These molecules are produced by ketogenesis in the liver, while the metabolic process of ketolysis exploits ketone bodies in extrahepatic tissues for energy purposes. In addition, ketone bodies are also intermediates on multiple metabolic pathways and signaling molecules that, through surface receptors, epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, and yet unknown mechanisms, influence many cellular functions. These noncanonical actions of ketone bodies give an image of powerful molecules that offer therapeutic applications in a variety of health conditions through modulation of inflammation oxidative damage, histone acetylation, alteration of cellular redox status, and other mechanisms. This also extends the understanding of physiological role of ketone bodies beyond that of maintaining energy homeostasis and points to their pleiotropic potential, which is why ketone bodies are today assigned the role of mediators of metabolic health. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to describe the metabolism and pleiotropic roles of ketone bodies from a traditional and modern point of view and to highlight the physiological and therapeutic potential of these molecules
The role of environmental factors in the etiopathogenesis of thyroid disease
No full textŠtitnjača, mala endokrina žlijezda smještena u vratu, igra ključnu ulogu u regulaciji metaboličkih procesa u tijelu. Proizvodi hormone tiroksin i trijodtironin koji su neophodni za normalno funkcioniranje organizma, a njihova sinteza uključuje složen proces hvatanja joda iz krvi i niz biokemijskih reakcija. Regulacija funkcije štitnjače ovisi o međudjelovanju hipotalamusa, hipofize i same štitnjače, pri čemu tireotropin igra ključnu ulogu u poticanju proizvodnje hormona. Poremećaji u funkciji štitnjače u vidu hipertireoze ili hipotireoze mogu dovesti do ozbiljnih zdravstvenih problema, bilo da uzrokovane autoimunim mehanizmima, kao što je slučaj kod Hashimoto tireoiditisa i Gravesove bolesti, ili drugim uzrocima.
Okolišni čimbenici i životne navike mogu značajno utjecati na rad štitnjače. Izloženost kemijskim spojevima, poput pesticida, triklosana i perklorata, te teškim metalima mogu djelovati kao endokrini disruptori, ometajući normalnu funkciju štitnjače. Pesticidi mogu utjecati na sintezu hormona, dok teški metali mogu biti toksični pri višim koncentracijama. Također, životne navike poput pušenja, konzumacije alkohola i loše prehrane mogu povećati rizik od bolesti štitnjače.
Osim navedenog, utjecaj prehrane, manjak tjelesne aktivnosti, stres i lijekovi također utječu na rad štitnjače. Prehrana bogata jodom, ali i određeni sastojci različitih namirnica mogu promijeniti razine hormona štitnjače. Tjelesna aktivnost i stres također mogu utjecati na funkciju štitnjače, dok određeni lijekovi mogu izazvati autoimune bolesti štitnjače. Razumijevanje i kontroliranje navedenih čimbenika može smanjiti učestalost bolesti štitnjače u populaciji.The thyroid, a small endocrine gland located in the neck, plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolic processes. It produces the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are essential for the normal functioning of the body, and their synthesis involves a complex process of iodine uptake from the blood and a series of biochemical reactions. The regulation of the thyroid function depends on the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the thyroid itself, with thyrotropin playing a key role in stimulating hormone production. Disturbances in thyroid function in the form of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can lead to serious health problems, whether caused by autoimmune mechanisms, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, or other causes.
Environmental factors and lifestyle habits can significantly impact thyroid function. Exposure to chemical compounds such as pesticides, triclosan, and perchlorate, as well as heavy metals, can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with normal thyroid function. Pesticides can affect hormone synthesis, while heavy metals can be toxic at higher concentrations. Additionally, lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet can increase the risk of thyroid diseases.
Furthermore, the impact of diet, lack of physical activity, stress, and medications also influences thyroid function. A diet rich in iodine, as well as certain ingredients in different foods, can alter thyroid hormone levels. Physical activity and stress can also affect thyroid function, while certain medications can trigger autoimmune thyroid diseases. Understanding and managing these factors can reduce the prevalence of thyroid diseases in the population
Methods for determining trihalomethanes in pool waters
No full textZdravstveno ispravna voda je voda koja ne sadržava tvari koji imaju negativan utjecaj na ljudski organizam. Bazeni služe kao javno dobro te kvaliteta vode mora biti na visokoj razini ne bi li se spriječila svaka potencijalna opasnost koja bi narušila ljudsko zdravlje. Potrebno je pravilno i kontinuirano provoditi regeneraciju filter mase te provjeravati ispravnost sustava kemijske pripreme. Na taj način izbjegava se opasnost od pojave trihalometana. Trihalometani su halogenirani ugljikovodici i nalaze se u skupini organskih spojeva koji su lako hlapljivi. Oni nastaju kao nusproizvod tijekom reakcije dezinfekcijskog sredstva sa organskom li anorganskom tvari uslijed dezinfekcije. Trihalometani predstavljaju opasnost za ljudsko zdravlje, obzirom da su, spojevi koji prelaze dopuštene zakonske vrijednosti, kancerogene. Da bi se odredila prisutnost trihalometana koristi se tehnika zvana kromatografija. Ona odjeljuje, identificira i kvantitativno određuje kemijske sastojke u vodi. Metoda kojim se određuju trihalometani je plinska kromatografija U ovom radu nastoje se odrediti trihalometani u bazenskim vodama. Određuju se plinskom kromatografijom preko MS i ECD detektora.Healthy water is water that does not contain substances that adversely affect the human body. Swimming pools serve as a public good, and quality of the water must meet a high standard in order to prevent any potential danger that would harm human health. It is necessary to properly and continuously carry out the regeneration of the filter mass and check the correctness of the chemical preparation system. In this way, the danger of the appearance of trihalomethanes is avoided. Trihalomethanes are halogenated hydrocarbons and are in the group of organic compounds thar are easily volatile. They are generated as a by-product of reaction of the disinfectant with an organic or inorganic substance due to disinfection. Trihalomethanes pose a danger to human health, given that compounds that exceed the permitted legal values are carcinogenic. A technique called chromatography is used to determine the presence of trihalomethanes. It separates, identifies and quantitatively determines the chemical components in water. The methods used to determine trihalomethanes is gas chromatography. They are determined by gas chromatography using MS and ECD detectors. This paper aims to determine trihalomethanes in swimming pool waters
Razine THM-a u bazenskim vodama Primorsko-goranske županije
No full textBazensko kupalište prikladno je za medicinske, sportske i rekreacijske aktivnosti, ali je od ključne važnosti da bazenska voda i prostor bazenskog kupališta ispunjavaju sanitarno-tehničke i higijenske uvjete propisane važećim pravilnicima. Osiguravanje zdravstveno ispravne vode, kao i odgovarajuće održavanje i stroga kontrola bazena, ključni su za smanjenje zdravstvenih rizika na minimum. Za postizanje prvobitnog cilja zdravstveno ispravne bazenske vode potrebno je osigurati educirano osoblje te prikladan pribor i opremu za nadzor određenih parametara poput temperature vode, pH vrijednosti, razine dezinfekcijskog sredstva i slobodnog klora u bazenskoj vodi.
Istraživanje je provedeno u razdoblju od 01.siječnja do 31.prosinca 2023. godine na području Primorsko-goranske županije. Tijekom istraživanja analizirano je 1795 uzoraka bazenske vode ispitanih na ukupno 12 fizikalno-kemijskih i mikrobioloških parametara. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi razine trihalometana u odnosu na vrstu bazena i tip vode za punjenje. Analizom rezultata istraživanja dokazano je da otvoreni bazeni i kupališta ispunjena slanom vodom imaju više razine trihalometana u odnosu na zatvorene bazene te kupališta ispunjena slatkom vodom.
Rezultati istraživanja također pokazuju zadovoljavajuću kvalitetu bazenske vode zahvaljujući primjenom pravilnika te redovitom analizom određenih parametara kvaliteta
Utjecaj klornih preparata na biofilm Legionella pneumophila
No full textLegionele se često pronalaze unutar građevinskih vodovodnih sustava i kućnih vodovodnih instalacija. Mogu predstavljati problem u svakom dijelu distribucije pitke vode, od glavnog vodovoda do krajnje točke potrošnje. U vodovodnom sustavu, u kojem se nalaze unutar cijevi, mogu s lakoćom u biofilmu preživjeti i više godina. Iz vodovodnog sustava ove bakterije dolaze u bazene gdje mogu stvarati mješovite biofilmove s ostalim bakterijama iz vode i tako predstavljati izvor zaraze za kupače. Porastom trenda izgradnje bazena može doći i do novih javnozdravstvenih izazova.
Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja je ustanoviti djelotvornost klornih preparata na ponašanje biofilma legionele. Testiranja su rađena sa pet različitih sredstava na biofilmu Legionella pneumophila starom pet dana. Uz osnovni tretman je rađen i ponovni porast bakterija nakon djelovanja klornih preparata. Dodatno na temu su izmjerene vrijednosti trihalometana i razine rezidualnog klora u preparatima koji su odradili tretiranje biofilma.
Rezultatima ovog rada se ukazuje potreba za daljnjim istraživanjem biofilma L. pneumophila. U istraživanju je korišteno pet različitih sredstava od kojih niti jedan nije u potpunosti razorio biofilm. Preparati pod nazivom Kloromix i Sani-granulat su pokazali najbolju učinkovitost. Najslabije djelovanje na razaranje biofilma je imao preparat BIS C5330 koji bi kao sredstvo za čišćenje trebao imati bolju učinkovitost. Kod svih pet klornih preparata, nakon tretmana, dolazi do ponovnog rasta biofilma. Ustanovljeni ponovni porast je pokazatelj ne učinkovitosti na razaranje biofilma
A Multiparametric Method Improves the Serological Characterization of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Preliminary Results from a Multicenter Eastern Europe Study
No full textThe serological support for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is actually very limited. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a promising multiparametric method including either well-established and newly developed biomarkers. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study at the Gastroenterology Units of Udine (Italy), Rijeka (Croatia) and Belgrade (Serbia). Sera was collected from IBD patients, and autoantibody profiles were determined using a mosaic cell and tissue-based indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) method simultaneously investigating anti-saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCAs), anti-atypical perinuclear neutrophilic antibodies (P-ANCAs), anti-pancreatic antigens antibodies (PABs) and anti-goblet cells antibodies (GAB). The study finally enrolled 156 patients with IBD: 100 affected by Crohn’s disease (CD) and 56 by ulcerative colitis (UC). Twenty age-sex matched blood donors (BDs) were included as controls. PAB (anti-CUZD1 and/or anti-GP2 antibodies) were present in 24 CD patients versus none of the UC patients or BDs (24% sensitivity, 100% specificity). As regards CD patients, combined positivity of PAB and ASCA (sensitivity 84%, specificity 71.4%) performed better than ASCA alone. Colon involvement (87.5% vs. 60.5%; p = 0.014), deep mucosal lesions (58.3% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.002) and need for biologic therapies (79.2% vs. 46.1%; p = 0.005) were significantly more prevalent in PAB-positive than in PAB-negative CD patients. Multivariate analysis identified PAB positivity (OR = 3.67; 95%CI = 1.29–10.46) and anti-CUZD1 in particular (OR = 3.54; 95%CI = 1.08–11.63) as significant risk factors for deep mucosal lesion development in CD. A multiparametric diagnostic approach appears very useful to better characterize IBD patients. PABs, whether isolated or combined with other autoantibodies, may support differential diagnosis but above all facilitate the selection of CD patients at risk for more severe disease
On dosimetric characteristics of detectors for relative dosimetry in small fields: a multicenter experimental study
No full textObjective. In this multicentric collaborative study, we aimed to verify whether the selected radiation detectors satisfy the requirements of TRS-483 Code of Practice for relative small field dosimetry in megavoltage photon beams used in radiotherapy, by investigating four dosimetric characteristics. Furthermore, we intended to analyze and complement the recommendations given in TRS-483. Approach. Short-term stability, dose linearity, dose-rate dependence, and leakage were determined for 17 models of detectors considered suitable for small field dosimetry. Altogether, 47 detectors were used in this study across ten institutions. Photon beams with 6 and 10 MV, with and without flattening filters, generated by Elekta Versa HDTM or Varian TrueBeamTM linear accelerators, were used. Main results. The tolerance level of 0.1% for stability was fulfilled by 70% of the data points. For the determination of dose linearity, two methods were considered. Results from the use of a stricter method show that the guideline of 0.1% for dose linearity is not attainable for most of the detectors used in the study. Following the second approach (squared Pearson’s correlation coefficientr 2 ), it was found that 100% of the data fulfill the criteria r 2> 0.999 (0.1% guideline for tolerance). Less than 50% of all data points satisfied the published tolerance of 0.1% for dose-rate dependence. Almost all data points(98.2%)satisfied the 0.1% criterion for leakage. Significance. For short-term stability (repeatability), it was found that the 0.1% guideline could not be met. Therefore, a less rigorous criterion of 0.25% is proposed. For dose linearity, our recommendation is to adopt a simple and clear methodology and to define an achievable tolerance based on the experimental data. For dose-rate dependence, a realistic criterion of 1% is proposed instead of the present 0.1%. Agreement was found with published guidelines for background signal (leakage)
Raznolikost zakonom propisanih mjera za počinitelje s duševnim smetnjama
No full textUvod: Psihijatrija i pravo često se isprepliću, zajedno omogućujući rehabilitaciju i socijalnu
reintegraciju duševnih bolesnika koji su počinili nezakonita djela.
Cilj: U ovom radu prikazati ćemo tri različite vrste pravnih mjera u hrvatskom pravosudnom sustavu
koje se odnose na počinitelje kojima je potrebna psihijatrijska pomoć.
Pregled: Kazneno pravo u Hrvatskoj dijeli psihijatrijske mjere liječenja u tri kategorije: mjere
oslobađanja od krivice zbog neubrojivosti, sigurnosne mjere, te zaštitne mjere. Duševni bolesnici koji nisu
krivi zbog neubrojivosti zaštićeni su Zakonom o zaštiti osoba s duševnim smetnjama i ne mogu biti
kažnjeni. Umjesto toga, mogu biti podvrgnuti institucionalnom liječenju, liječenju izvan psihijatrijske
ustanove ili se uopće ne liječiti, ako ne predstavljaju nikakav dodatni rizik za buduće prijestupe. Sigurnosne
mjere dijele se na obvezno psihijatrijsko liječenje i obvezno liječenje od ovisnosti. To se odnosi samo na
one koji su u trenutku počinjenja kaznenog djela bili "bitno smanjene uračunljivosti" ili su bili pod
utjecajem psihoaktivnih tvari. U zamjenu za blažu kaznu ili izostanak kazne izriče im se obvezno
psihijatrijsko liječenje kao mjera sigurnosti radi sprječavanja ponavljanja kaznenog djela. Budući da su još
uvijek krivi i u vrijeme počinjenja djela su bili ponešto svjesni svojih postupaka, nepridržavanje liječenja
koje im je odredio sud, mogu biti smješteni u zatvor radi izvršenja preostalog vremena kazne predviđenog
za počinjeno djelo. Zaštitne mjere služe istoj svrsi, ali ih može odrediti sam sud, bez vještačenja.
Zaključak: Hrvatski zakonodavac predvidio je gotovo sve moguće ishode u kojima bi zdravstveni
sustav mogao spriječiti ponavljanje kaznenih djela u slučajevima počinitelja s psihičkim smetnjama
Effect of Chlorhexidine Digluconate on Oral Bacteria Adhesion to Surfaces of Orthodontic Appliance Alloys
No full textThis study aimed to analyse the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX DG) mouthwash on the adhesion of oral bacteria to orthodontic appliances. The interactions of four bacteria (S. mutans, A. actinomycetemcomitans, S. oralis, and V. parvula) with two alloys (stainless steel [SS] and nickel-titanium [NiTi]) and three CHX DG solutions (commercial products Curasept and Perio Plus, and pure CHX DG, all with 0.12% active substance) were tested. The adhesive effect on the orthodontic wires was evaluated after 24 h for S. oralis and after 72 h for the other bacteria. The minimum bactericidal concentration of the solution for each bacterial strain was determined using the dilution method to test the antibacterial action. Salivary-pretreated orthodontic archwires were exposed to minimal bactericidal concentrations of solution and bacteria. Commercial antiseptic products, especially Perio Plus, showed a better inhibition of bacterial adhesion to both alloys than pure CHX DG solution (p < 0.05). A. actinomycetemcomitans was most inhibited in the adhesion of all bacteria by the CHX DG products. A greater inhibition of streptococci adherence was observed on SS, while that of A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed on NiTi. V. parvula inhibition was product-dependent. Although there were differences between the strains and the tested agents, it can be concluded that Perio Plus most effectively inhibited the adhesion of all tested bacteria to the SS and NiTi alloys. A. actinomycetemcomitans was most sensitive to all tested agents, while S. mutans showed the highest resistance. The effectiveness of the tested agents was better on NiTi alloys