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Examination of milk samples for the presence of antibiotics
No full textMlijeko je bogat izvor esencijalnih nutrijenata poput kalcija, proteina i vitamina, ključnih za
rast i razvoj organizma. Antibiotici u mlijeku predstavljaju ozbiljan problem jer mogu dovesti
do razvoja otpornosti bakterija na lijekove i predstavljati rizik za ljudsko zdravlje. Ostaci
antibiotika u mlijeku mogu nastati uslijed nepravilne uporabe lijekova kod mliječnih krava ili
nepoštivanja propisanih karenci prije mužnje. Regulacija razina antibiotika u mlijeku u
Republici Hrvatskoj uređena je kroz nekoliko zakona i pravilnika, uključujući Zakon o hrani,
Zakon o veterinarstvu, Pravilnik o maksimalnim razinama ostataka pesticida, i Zakon o
veterinarsko-medicinskim proizvodima. Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, HAPIH i Veterinarska
inspekcija ključna su tijela koja nadziru provedbu ovih zakona. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je
ispitati prisutnost antibiotika u uzorcima komercijalno dostupnih i domaćih sirovih mlijeka
koristeći test TwinSensor. Korišteni uređaj, TwinSensor Plus, koristi se za brzo i precizno
otkrivanje prisutnosti antibiotika u uzorcima mlijeka, čime se osigurava kvaliteta i zdravstvena
ispravnost mliječnih proizvoda. Rezultati našeg ispitivanja pokazali su odsutnost antibiotika u
ispitivanim uzorcima mlijeka, čime smo potvrdili njegovu zdravstvenu ispravnost i usklađenost
s propisanim standardima kvalitete. Zaključno, redovito ispitivanje mlijeka na prisutnost
antibiotika ključno je za očuvanje sigurnosti prehrambenog lanca i povjerenja potrošača.Milk is a rich source of essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, which are
crucial for the growth and development of the organism. Antibiotics in milk are a significant
concern because they can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pose
health risks to consumers. Residues of antibiotics in milk can occur due to improper use of
medications in dairy cows or failure to observe the required withdrawal periods before
milking.The regulation of antibiotic levels in milk in the Republic of Croatia is governed by
several laws and regulations, including the Food Act, the Veterinary Act, the Regulation on
Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides, and the Act on Veterinary-Medical Products. The
Ministry of Agriculture, HAPIH, and the Veterinary Inspection are key bodies responsible for
overseeing the implementation of these laws. We have addressed various aspects of antibiotic
use in the dairy industry, including specific types of antibiotics such as tetracyclines,
cephalosporins, and beta-lactam antibiotics, their mechanisms of action, and their use in treating
cattle. The goal of testing milk samples for the presence of antibiotics is to ensure the milk’s
safety and protect consumers from potential harmful residues. The TwinSensor Plus device is
used for the rapid and accurate detection of antibiotics in milk samples, ensuring the quality
and safety of dairy products. Negative results for antibiotic presence in milk confirm its safety
and compliance with established quality standards. In conclusion, regular testing of milk for
antibiotics is crucial for maintaining the safety of the food chain and consumer trust
Identifikacija cirkulirajućih biomarkera neurološkog oporavka u bolesnika s ozljedom mozga: zbirka radova
No full textZnanstveni radovi iz projekt
2015 versus 2021: Self-Reported Preparedness to Prescribe Antibiotics Prudently among Final Year Medical Students in Sweden
No full textCross-sectional surveys have found variations in how prepared medical students feel to prescribe antibiotics responsibly, but insights are lacking on the stability of these outcomes. In a 2015 survey, final-year Swedish medical students reported very high preparedness levels across a comprehensive range of relevant curriculum topics. We repeated this survey in 2021 to assess the stability of previous findings and to capture the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Final-year students in 2015 and 2021 at all seven Swedish medical schools were eligible to participate in an online survey covering curricula topics, teaching methods and COVID-19 impacts (2021). Eligible students received email invitations and reminders from local coordinators. Students from six of seven medical schools participated in both surveys, with response rates of 24.1% (309/1281) in 2021 and 21.3% (239/1124) in 2015. The average global preparedness was 77.0% and 83.2%, respectively (p < 0.001), with lower preparedness levels in 24/27 curriculum topics in 2021. Students at certain universities reported COVID-19 impacts on antibiotic prescribing education (format, duration and perceived quality). Self-reported preparedness levels have fallen slightly but remain high compared with 2015 levels in other European countries. Students consistently reported lower preparedness in specific topics; improvement efforts should consider focusing on these areas, particularly in the context of the ongoing implementation of programmes leading to a full licence upon graduation
Secondary polycythemia in acutely ill COVID-19 patients is associated with higher mortality but not markedly higher thrombotic risk
No full textSecondary polycythemia is commonly observed among patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. However, its significance in the context of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated a total of 5872 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mostly severe and critical symptoms, and without prior or subsequently diagnosed myeloproliferative neoplasm. Patients were stratified based on admission hemoglobin into four subgroups: anemia (hemoglobin 165 g/L for females and >185 g/L for males). Among 5872 patients, a total of 158 (2.7%) had mild and 25 (0.4%) severe polycythemia. Polycythemia was significantly associated with higher respiratory and functional impairment, reduced plasma volume, higher serum osmolarity and comorbidity burden specific to the degree of polycythemia. Patients presenting with mild (odds ratio (OR) = 1.63, p = .003) and severe polycythemia (OR = 4.98, p < .001) had increased risk of death in comparison to patients with normal hemoglobin, whereas no significant associations with venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis nor major bleeding were observed. Anemia was associated with higher risk of death (OR = 1.42, p < .001), venous thromboembolism (OR = 1.34, p < .006) and major bleeding (OR = 2.27, p < .001) in comparison to normal hemoglobin. Associations of polycythemia and anemia with mortality diminished, and anemia with venous thromboembolism and major bleeding persisted, after multivariate adjustments for age, sex, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity and functional status. Secondary polycythemia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without prior of subsequently diagnosed myeloproliferative neoplasm is rare and is associated with high mortality, increasing with degree of polycythemia, but not markedly higher thrombotic ris
Real World Interstitial Glucose Profiles of a Large Cohort of Physically Active Men and Women
No full textThe use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in individuals living without diabetes is increasing. The purpose of this study was to profile various CGM metrics around nutritional intake, sleep and exercise in a large cohort of physically active men and women living without any known metabolic disease diagnosis to better understand the normative glycemic response to these common stimuli. A total of 12,504 physically active adults (age 40 ± 11 years, BMI 23.8 ± 3.6 kg/m2; 23% self-identified as women) wore a real-time CGM (Abbott Libre Sense Sport Glucose Biosensor, Abbott, USA) and used a smartphone application (Supersapiens Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA) to log meals, sleep and exercise activities. A total of >1 M exercise events and 274,344 meal events were analyzed. A majority of participants (85%) presented an overall (24 h) average glucose profile between 90 and 110 mg/dL, with the highest glucose levels associated with meals and exercise and the lowest glucose levels associated with sleep. Men had higher mean 24 h glucose levels than women (24 h—men: 100 ± 11 mg/dL, women: 96 ± 10 mg/dL). During exercise, the % time above >140 mg/dL was 10.3 ± 16.7%, while the % tim
An association between PPARα-L162V polymorphism and increased plasma LDL cholesterol levels after risperidone treatment
No full textPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and antipsychotic medications both influence poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) homeostasis, and thus PPARα polymorphism may be linked to antipsychotic treatment response. Here we investigated whether the functional leucine 162 valine (L162V) polymorphism in PPARα influenced antipsychotic treatment in a group of psychosis patients (N = 186), as well as in a patient subgroup with risperidone, paliperidone, or combination treatment (N = 65). Antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients and nonadherent chronic individuals were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction analysis. At base line, and after 8 weeks of treatment with various antipsychotic medications, we assessed the patients’ Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores; PANSS factors; and metabolic syndrome-related parameters, including fasting plasma lipid and glucose levels, and body mass index. In the total patient group, PPARα polymorphism did not affect PANSS psychopathology or metabolic parameters. However, in the subgroup of patients with risperidone, paliperidone, or combination treatment, PPARα polymorphism influenced changes in plasma LDL cholesterol. Specifically, compared to PPARα-L162L homozygous patients, PPARα-L162V hetero zygous individuals exhibited significantly higher increases of LDL cholesterol levels after antipsychotic treat ment. The PPARα polymorphism had a strong effect size, but a relatively weak contribution to LDL cholesterol level variations (~12.8 %)
A synergistic anti-bacterial and anti-adhesion activity of tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia ) and lemon eucalyptus tree ( Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) essential oils on Legionella pneumophila
No full textLegionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that colonizes natural and artificial water systems and has the ability to form a biofilm. The biofilm protects L. pneumophila from vari-ous environmental factors and makes it more resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants. This study investigated the anti-bacterial properties of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betche) Cheel) oil and lemon eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) essential oils (EOs) and their synergistic, additive inhibitory and anti-adhesive effects against L. pneumophila biofilm formation on polystyrene. The minimum effective concentration (MEC) for tea tree is 12.8mgml−1 and for lemon eucalyptus tree EO 6.4mg ml−1. In the checkerboard assay, different combinations of these two EO show synergistic and additive anti-microbial activity. The minimum anti-adhesive concen-tration (MAC) for tea tree is 12.8mg ml−1 and for lemon eucalyptus tree EO 6.4mg ml−1. A com-bination of 3.2mg ml−1 tea tree EO and 0.8mg ml−1 lemon eucalyptus tree EO showed the strongest anti-adhesive effect against L. pneumophila on polystyrene. The tested oils and their combination showed intriguing potential to inhibit L. pneumophila biofilm formation
Effectiveness and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Older Cancer Patients
No full textBackground: The development of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer care. However, old patients are underrepresented in most clinical trials, although they represent a significant proportion of real-world patients. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ICIs in patients older than the age of 70. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 145 patients aged 70 or older treated with ICIs for metastatic or unresectable cancer. Results: Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.4 months (95% CI 8.6–13.7), with no differences between octogenarians and septuagenarians (p = 0.41). Female gender (p = 0.04) and first-line treatment setting (p 0.005). Patients treated with ICIs in the first-line setting reported longer OS compared to treatment in the second-line setting (p < 0.001). Discontinuation of ICIs due to adverse effects was associated with both shorter PFS (p = 0.0005) and OS (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The effectiveness of ICIs in older cancer patients primarily depends on the line of treatment and treatment discontinuation. Octogenarians experienced similar treatment responses, PFS, OS, and adverse effects compared to septuagenarians
Serum Concentrations of TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 in Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
No full textHemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a rodent-borne disease widespread in Europe and Asia. HFRS is caused by negative-sensed single-stranded RNA orthohantaviruses transmitted to humans through inhaling aerosolized excreta of infected rodents. Symptoms of HFRS include acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhages, and hypotension. The immune response raised against viral antigens plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HFRS. Inhibitory co-receptors are essential in regulating immune responses, mitigating immunopathogenesis, and reducing tissue damage. Our research showed an increased soluble form of inhibitory co-receptors TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 in HFRS patients associated with disease severity. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of HFRS on the concentrations of soluble forms of inhibitory receptors TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 in the patient’s serum and the potential correlation with key clinical parameters. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of HFRS on the concentrations of soluble forms of inhibitory receptors TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 in the patient’s serum and their possible association with relevant clinical parameters. Using multiplex immunoassay, we found elevated levels of TIM-3, LAG-3, and PD-1 proteins in the serum of HFRS patients. Furthermore, increased levels were associated with creatinine, urea, lactate dehydrogenase concentrations, and platelet count. These findings suggest that these proteins play a role in regulating the immune response and disease progression
Olfactory neuroblastoma in children and adolescents: The EXPeRT recommendations for diagnosis and management
No full textOlfactory neuroblastoma (ON) is a rare tumor commonly presenting between 50 and 60 years of age. In pediatric age this tumor is even rarer, with an estimated incidence of 0.1 per 100,000 children up to 15 years. It arises from the olfactory neurorepithelium of the nasal cavity, and it can be locally aggressive, spreading to the orbital cavity, skull base, intracranial cavity. In rarer cases it can also give distant metastasis, more frequently to regional lymph nodes and less commonly to distant sites like liver, lungs and bones. Prognosis varies depending on the stage at presentation (including dural invasion, regional nodal involvement, and distant metastasis), the histological grade, and aspects related to the treatment, such as the possibility to achieve clear margins with surgery and the multimodal approach. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy have been used to treat these patients and the different approaches have been reported in the literature. Given the rarity of the disease no shared guidelines exist for the management of this entity in children, but some suggestions can be given to optimize the ON management. This study presents the internationally recognized recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ON in children and adolescents, established by the European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors (EXPeRT) group within the EU-funded project Pediatric Rare Tumors Network - European Registry (PARTNER)