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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Laboratory diagnostics of trichinellosis
No full textTrihineloza je parazitoza koju uzrokuju oblići iz roda Trichinella. Unutar ovog roda do sada je poznato devet vrsta i tri dodatna genotipa te su svi patogeni za čovjeka. Iako se u svijetu bilježi pad incidencije trihineloze zahvaljujući raznim preventivnim mjerama, Hrvatska je još uvijek endemska zemlja za ovu bolest. Izvor infekcije može biti meso bilo koje životinje no najčešće se radi u našim krajevima o mesu domaće ili divlje svinje. Do infekcije dolazi ingestijom nedovoljno termički obrađenog ili sirovog mesa koje sadrži ličinke parazita. Posljedično tome dolazi do oslobađanja ličinki i njihovog prodora u stijenku tankog crijeva gdje dozrijevaju u odrasle jedinke koje legu žive ličinke. Ličinke koje se ondje izlegu imaju sposobnost invazije tkiva i migracije krvotokom do bilo kojeg dijela tijela. Najčešće se encistiraju u poprečno-prugastom mišićju čitavog tijela gdje ostaju žive čak desetljećima od infekcije. Ova parazitoza može biti obilježena nizom nespecifičnih simptoma, a ističu se febrilitet, abdominalni grčevi, proljev, mučnina te bol i slabost u mišićima. Zbog mogućnosti razvoja teških i po život opasnih komplikacija, važno je rano postavljanje dijagnoze i pravovremena primjena specifične terapije. Metode dijagnostike dijele se na direktne i indirektne. Direktna dijagnostika obuhvaća sve dijagnostičke metode koje izravno dokazuju prisutnost uzročnika. To se odnosi na trihineloskopiju, umjetnu digestiju, histološki pregled te molekularnu dijagnostiku. Indirektne metode odnose se na one dijagnostičke metode koje potvrđuju kontakt domaćina s uzročnikom, odnosno potvrđuju prisutnost specifičnih protutijela kod pacijenta i nazivaju se još serološkim metodama. Najčešće se koriste ELISA, IFA i western blot. To su ujedno i najčešće rabljene metode za dijagnostiku trihineloze u ljudi. Liječenje se zasniva na antihelmintskoj terapiji albendazolom ili mebendazolom i adjunktivnoj terapiji kortikosteroidima. Uspješnost liječenja izravno je povezana s brzinom primjene specifičnog lijeka.Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by organisms from the genus Trichinella. Within this genus, nine species and three additional genotypes are known, all of which are pathogenic to humans. Although the incidence of trichinellosis has decreased worldwide due to various preventative measures, Croatia is still considered an endemic country for this disease. The source of infection can be meat from any animal, but most commonly domestic or wild pigs. Infection occurs through the ingestion of undercooked or raw meat containing parasite larvae. As a result, the released larvae penetrate the intestinal wall, where they mature into adult worms that lay live larvae. The larvae that hatch there have the ability to invade tissues and migrate through the bloodstream to any part of the body. They most commonly encyst in the striated muscles throughout the body, where they can remain alive for decades after infection. This parasitic disease can be characterized by a range of nonspecific symptoms, with fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and muscle pain and weakness being prominent. Due to the possibility of severe and life-threatening complications, early diagnosis and timely administration of specific therapy are important. Diagnostic methods are divided into direct and indirect ones. Direct diagnostic methods encompass all methods that directly demonstrate the presence of the causative agent. This includes trichinoscopy, artificial digestion, histological examination, and molecular diagnostics. Indirect methods refer to diagnostic techniques that confirm the host's contact with the causative agent, specifically by confirming the presence of specific antibodies in the patient and they are called serological methods. The most commonly used serological methods are ELISA, IFA, and western blot. These are also the most commonly used methods for diagnosing trichinellosis in humans in general. Treatment is based on anthelminthic therapy with albendazole or mebendazole, along with adjunctive corticosteroid therapy. The success of treatment is directly related to the prompt administration of the specific medication
Human filariasis
No full textInfekcija filarijama često su zanemarene, no značajan su uzrok morbiditeta i mortaliteta u endemskim područjima. Vrste koje su odgovorne za najviše kliničkih slučajeva su Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus i Loa loa. Rasprostranjene su u tropskim i, suptropskim područjima. Za prijenos i puni životni ciklus potreban im je vektor koji uključuje više vrsta artropoda. Unutar ljudskog organizma infektivne ličinke razvijaju se u adulte. Odrasle ženke svakodnevno liježu tisuće mikrofilarija koje migriraju u krv i nastanjuju krvne žile. Klinički filarioza zahvaća potkožno tkivo te limfni sustav. Kronična infekcija može dovesti do limfedema koji najčešće zahvaća donje ekstremitete ili genitalije. Najpoznatiji klinički entitet kojeg uzrokuju jest elefantijaza. Onchocerca volvulus i Loa. loa također mogu zahvatiti i oko te infekcija može dovesti do znatnog narušenja oštrine vida ili sljepoće. Dijagnostika se bazira na mikroskopiji uzoraka krvi i dokazivanju prisustva mikrofilarija ili zrelih adulta u bioptičkom materijalu. U dijagnostici se mogu koristiti i serološki testovi, a testovi detekcije antigena su u razvoju. Infekcija filarijama može se liječiti s više vrsta antihelmintika, a najčešće se koristi dietilkarbamazin, ivermektin ili albendazol. Kontrola ovih infekcija provodi se kontrolom razmnožavanja i širenja vektora te godišnjom profilaktičkom primjenom lijekova u endemskim područjima.Filariasis infections are often neglected, but they are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the endemic areas. The species responsible for most clinical cases are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa. They are widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. For transmission and a full life cycle, they need a vector that includes an arthropod. Inside the human organism, the infective larvae develop into adults. Female adults produce thousands of microfilariae every day that migrate into the blood and inhabit small capillaries. Clinical filariasis affects the subcutaneous tissue and the lymphatic system. Chronic infection leads to significant edema, which most often affects the lower extremities or genitals. The most well-known clinical entity that is caused by filarias is elephantiasis. Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa also affect the eye, and the infection can lead to significant impairment of visual acuity or blindness. Diagnosis is based on microscopy of blood samples and proof of the presence of microfilariae or mature adults. Serological tests and circulating antigen tests are being developed, but currently they do not represent an adequate replacement for direct microscopy. Filariasis is treated with diethylcarbamazin, ivermectin or albendazole. Infection control is carried out by controlling the reproduction and spread of vectors and annual prophylactic use of drugs in endemic areas
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Infections with free - living amoebas
Full text linkInfekcije uzrokovane slobodno-živućim amebama nisu toliko učestale, no često su smrtonosne, kako u imunokompetentnih tako i u imunokompromitiranih pacijenata. Slobodno-živuće amebe svrstavamo u nekoliko rodova: Naegleria, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia i Sappinia. Četiri različita klinička entiteta uvjetovana su ovim organizmima: PAM (primarni amebni meningoencefalitis), GAE (granulomatozni amebni encefalitis), AK (amebni keratitis) te diseminirana granulomatozna amebna bolest. PAM je uzrokovan slobodno-živućom amebom N. fowleri. Pretežito se javlja u imonokompetentne mlađe djece i odraslih, obično nakon kontakta sa slatkovodnom vodom. GAE je uzrokovan slobodno-živućim amebama iz roda Acanthamoeba te vrstama Balamuthia mandrillaris i Sappinia pedata. Uobičajeno se javlja u imunokompromitiranih pojedinaca. AK je uzrokovan slobodno-živućim amebama iz roda Acanthamoeba. Javlja se u imunokompetentnih, a predisponirajuće čimbenike za razvoj AK-a predstavljaju traume rožnice i nošenje kontaktnih leća uz, istodobno, slabiju higijenu oka. Diseminiranu granulomatoznu amebnu bolesti uzrokuju slobodno-živuće amebe roda Acanthamoeba i vrsta Balamuthia mandrillaris. Pretežito se javlja u imunokompetentnih osoba. Dijagnostika ovih infekcija često je zakašnjela iz razloga što se na infekcije uzrokovane ovim organizmima vrlo rijetko i pomišlja. Terapijski algoritmi koji postoje još uvijek su nedovoljno kvalitetno uspostavljeni.Infections caused by free-living amoebae are not so frequent, but often fatal, in immunocompetent as well as in immunocompromised patients. Free-living amoebae could be classified into several different species: Naegleria, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia and Sappinia. Four different clinical entities are caused by these organisms: PAM (primary amoebic meningoencephalitis), GAE (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis), AK (amoebic keratitis) and disseminated granulomatous amoebic disease. PAM is caused by a free-living amoeba N. fowleri. It usually affects immunocompetent young children and adults, usually after the contact with fresh water. GAE is caused by free-living amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba and the species Balamuthia mandrillaris and Sappinia pedata. It usually occurs in immunocompromised individuals. AK is caused by free-living amoeba from the genus Acanthamoeba. It occurs in immunocompetent subjects. The predisposing factors for the AK development are corneal trauma and the wearing of contact lenses combined with the insufficient eye-hygiene. Disseminated granulomatous amoebic disease is caused by a free-living amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba and the species Balamuthia mandrillaris. It usually affects immunocompetent individuals. The diagnosis of infections caused by free-living amoebae is often delayed. The main reason for late diagnosis is insufficient clinical awareness. The current therapeutic algorithms are not satisfactory
Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic and treatment of malaria
No full textMalarija je jedna od najvažnijih zaraznih parazitarnih bolesti tropskih i suptropskih regija svijeta uzrokovana krvno-tkivnim protozoima roda Plasmodium. Procjenjuje se da je skoro 40% svjetske populacije pod rizikom za obolijevanje od malarije, a prema Svjetskoj zdravstvenoj organizaciji procijenjeno je da je u 2020. godini u svijetu bio 241 milijun kliničkih slučajeva malarije te je malarija bila uzrokom smrti kod 627 tisuća ljudi. Malarija je najčešći uzročnik vrućice u endemskim krajevima, a klinički razlikujemo nekompliciranu i kompliciranu ili tešku malariju. Kod nekomplicirane malarije klasični napad započinje malaksalošću, glavoboljom, bolovima u mišićima i zglobovima, naglom tresavicom, zimicom i vrućicom koja se penje do 40 °C. Kada liječenje nije učinkovito ili se nije započelo na vrijeme može se razviti teška, komplicirana malarija uz multisistemsko organsko zatajenje, a kliničke manifestacije tada mogu biti cerebralna malarija, akutno bubrežno zatajenje, akutni respiratorni distres sindrom, hipoglikemija, acidoza i teška anemija. Uobičajena dijagnoza malarije postavlja se mikroskopiranjem guste kapi i razmaza periferne krvi bojenih po Giemsi. Dodatno u dijagnostici je moguće napraviti brze dijagnostičke testove kojima se u krvi dokazuju različiti antigeni parazita, a također postoje i molekularne metode dijagnostike poput najčešće u tu svrhu primjenjivane metode PCR-a. Liječenje malarije provodi se antimalaričnim kemoterapeuticima, a najčešće se koriste klorokin, atovakvon-progvanil, artemeter-lumefantrin, meflokin, primakin, doksiciklin i drugi. Terapija bazirana na kombinaciji lijekova koje sadržavaju artemisinin glavni je i široko primjenjivani standard u liječenju ove bolesti. Odabir lijeka ovisi o vrsti plazmodija koji je uzrokovao bolest, težini kliničke slike te o kraju svijeta u kojemu je nastupila infekcija. Važni su i podaci o rezistenciji uzročnika na pojedine antimalarike. Liječenje teške malarije provodi se u jedinici intenzivnog liječenja te zahtijeva kontinuirani monitoring, a intravenozni artesunat je lijek izbora.Malaria is one of the most important infectious parasitic disease in many tropical and subtropical regions in the world caused by blood-borne Plasmodium species parasites. It is estimated that nearly 40% of the world’s population is at risk for acquiring malaria and according to World Health Organisation, there were an estimated 241 million clinical cases of malaria in 2020 globally as well as 627 thousand deaths. Malaria is the most common cause of fever in endemic areas. It can be categorized as uncomplicated or severe, complicated malaria. Patients with uncomplicated malaria disease usually present with weakness, headache, muscle and joint pain, paroxysms of chills, rigor, fever which usually peaks at around 40°C, sweating, fatigue and sleepiness. When the treatment is not effective, or does not start on time, severe malaria can develop with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. It is presented with cerebral malaria, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycaemia, acidosis and severe anaemia. Light microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears is the accepted standard for malaria diagnosis. In situations in which expert microscopic examination is delayed or difficult to obtain, Rapid Diagnostic Tests are performed which are based on capturing of parasite antigen from peripheral blood. There are also molecular methods like PCR, biochemical methods, immunoassays, flow cytometry and different approaches to microscopy. Malaria is treated with antimalarial chemotherapeutics. Most commonly used are chloroquine, atovaquone-proguanil, artemether-lumefantrine, mefloquine, primaquine, doxycycline, artemisinin-based combination therapy etc. Drug selection is based on which plasmodium caused the disease, severity of clinical presentation and a part of the world where the infection occurred. The data about parasite resistance to antimalarials are also very important. The treatment of severe malaria is being implemented in intensive care unit and it requires continuous monitoring. Intravenous artesunate is a drug of choice
Human filariasis
No full textInfekcija filarijama često su zanemarene, no značajan su uzrok morbiditeta i mortaliteta u endemskim područjima. Vrste koje su odgovorne za najviše kliničkih slučajeva su Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus i Loa loa. Rasprostranjene su u tropskim i, suptropskim područjima. Za prijenos i puni životni ciklus potreban im je vektor koji uključuje više vrsta artropoda. Unutar ljudskog organizma infektivne ličinke razvijaju se u adulte. Odrasle ženke svakodnevno liježu tisuće mikrofilarija koje migriraju u krv i nastanjuju krvne žile. Klinički filarioza zahvaća potkožno tkivo te limfni sustav. Kronična infekcija može dovesti do limfedema koji najčešće zahvaća donje ekstremitete ili genitalije. Najpoznatiji klinički entitet kojeg uzrokuju jest elefantijaza. Onchocerca volvulus i Loa. loa također mogu zahvatiti i oko te infekcija može dovesti do znatnog narušenja oštrine vida ili sljepoće. Dijagnostika se bazira na mikroskopiji uzoraka krvi i dokazivanju prisustva mikrofilarija ili zrelih adulta u bioptičkom materijalu. U dijagnostici se mogu koristiti i serološki testovi, a testovi detekcije antigena su u razvoju. Infekcija filarijama može se liječiti s više vrsta antihelmintika, a najčešće se koristi dietilkarbamazin, ivermektin ili albendazol. Kontrola ovih infekcija provodi se kontrolom razmnožavanja i širenja vektora te godišnjom profilaktičkom primjenom lijekova u endemskim područjima.Filariasis infections are often neglected, but they are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the endemic areas. The species responsible for most clinical cases are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa. They are widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. For transmission and a full life cycle, they need a vector that includes an arthropod. Inside the human organism, the infective larvae develop into adults. Female adults produce thousands of microfilariae every day that migrate into the blood and inhabit small capillaries. Clinical filariasis affects the subcutaneous tissue and the lymphatic system. Chronic infection leads to significant edema, which most often affects the lower extremities or genitals. The most well-known clinical entity that is caused by filarias is elephantiasis. Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa also affect the eye, and the infection can lead to significant impairment of visual acuity or blindness. Diagnosis is based on microscopy of blood samples and proof of the presence of microfilariae or mature adults. Serological tests and circulating antigen tests are being developed, but currently they do not represent an adequate replacement for direct microscopy. Filariasis is treated with diethylcarbamazin, ivermectin or albendazole. Infection control is carried out by controlling the reproduction and spread of vectors and annual prophylactic use of drugs in endemic areas
Novelties in laboratory diagnostics of malaria
No full textMalarija, kao jedan od vodećih svjetskih javnozdravstvenih problema, 2021. godine dovela je do 619 000 smrtnih slučajeva. Globalni utjecaj malarije mogao bi se smanjiti boljom kontrolom bolesti za koju je potrebna pravovremena i ispravna dijagnoza. Od otkrića samog uzročnika bolesti pa do danas, svjetlosna mikroskopija uzoraka krvi i dalje ostaje zlatni standard u dijagnostici, no njome je teško odrediti bolesti s niskom razinom parazitemije što otežava nastojanja njene eradikacije. Shodno tome, razvijaju se brojne nove imunokromatografske i molekularne metode u borbi protiv malarije. Integracijom laboratorijskih metoda na prijenosne uređaje koji bi omogućili primjenu na terenu nastoji se pružiti bolji pristup malariji u područjima s ograničenim resursima. Ovaj pregledni rad osvrće se na laboratorijske metode korištene u rutinskoj dijagnostici, na nove eksperimentalne metode tek u nastajanju, kao i na biologiju uzročnika Plasmodium spp., čije je poznavanje nužno za optimizaciju dijagnostičkih metoda.Malaria, as one of the leading global public health challenges, lead to 619,000 deaths in 2021. The global impact of malaria could be reduced through improved disease control, which requires timely and accurate diagnosis. Since the discovery of its causative agent, light microscopy of blood samples has remained the gold standard for diagnostics. However, it faces challenges in detecting infections with low parasitemia, making eradication efforts difficult. Hence, numerous new immunochromatographic and molecular methods are being developed in the fight against malaria. Integrating laboratory methods into portable devices for field application aims to provide better access to malaria diagnostics in resource-limited areas. This review focuses on laboratory methods used in routine diagnostics, emerging experimental approaches, along with the biology of Plasmodium spp., knowledge of which is crucial for optimizing diagnostic methods
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