University of Rijeka

About: University of Rijeka is a education organization based out in Rijeka, Croatia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 3471 authors who have published 7993 publications receiving 110386 citations. The organization is also known as: Rijeka University & Sveučilište u Rijeci.

VEGF expression is associated with negative estrogen receptor status in patients with breast cancer

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression on tumor cells and other clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer that could give additional information on its prognostic significance. Immunohistochemical analysis of expression of VEGF, estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), HER-2/neu, and Ki67 was performed in 233 breast cancers. VEGF expression estimated semiquantitatively was correlated with all the above-mentioned parameters as well as with clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer such as menopausal status of patients, tumor size, histologic and nuclear grade, vascular invasion, and lymph node status. Most of the tumor cells and some stromal components expressed VEGF. A higher percentage of VEGF-positive tumor cells was present in premenopausal patients and in ER-negative tumors. In postmenopausal patients tumors with a higher expression of VEGF were associated not only with ER-negative but also with HER-2/neu-positive tumor cells. These ER-negative tumors were characterized by a higher proliferative activity. Angiogenic switch as well as proliferative activity of breast cancer cells probably are unfavorably dependent on estrogen activity. This negative correlation between VEGF expression and ER status may not only shed more light on tumor biology but may also have future therapeutic implications.

Buckling analysis of thin-walled functionally graded sandwich box beams

Abstract: Buckling analysis of thin-walled functionally graded (FG) sandwich box beams is investigated. Material properties of the beam are assumed to be graded through the wall thickness. The Euler-Bernoully beam theory for bending and the Vlasov theory for torsion are applied. The non-linear stability analysis is performed in framework of updated Lagrangian formulation. In order to insure the geometric potential of semitangental type for internal bending and torsion moments, the non-linear displacement field of thin-walled cross-section is adopted. Numerical results are obtained for FG sandwich box beams with simply–supported, clamped–free and clamped–clamped boundary conditions to investigate effects of the power-law index and skin-core-skin thickness ratios on the critical buckling loads and post-buckling responses. Numerical results show that the above-mentioned effects play very important role on the buckling analysis of sandwich box beams.

The psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics questionnaire—translation and cross-cultural validation in Croatia

Abstract: To perform a translation and validation of the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics questionnaire (PIDAQ) in the Croatian cultural context. A total of 262 subjects (34 % males) aged 18–30 years (mean age 22.7 ± 2.6) were included. The questionnaire included the PIDAQ, a self-assessment of satisfaction with dental aesthetics, a self-perceived dental treatment need assessment, self-reported malocclusion, an aesthetic component of index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN AC) and an oral health impact profile (OHIP-14 CRO). The subjects’ orthodontic treatment needs were assessed by a dentist using the dental health and aesthetic component of the IOTN. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, validity and responsiveness were assessed. Little’s Irregularity index was used to correlate the amount of resolution of dental crowding by orthodontic treatment with the change in PIDAQ domains. The domains of the Croatian version of the PIDAQ showed satisfactory internal consistency (α ranging from 0.79 to 0.95) and high test–retest reliability (r > 0.85). The significant association between the PIDAQ domains and self-reported satisfaction with teeth appearance, IOTN AC and OHIP-14 CRO (p < 0.001) confirmed the convergent validity. The domains were able to detect differences in the subjects’ psychosocial impact related to orthodontic treatment that improved dental aesthetics in responsiveness testing (p < 0.001). The Croatian version of the PIDAQ demonstrated good psychometric properties, similar to those of the original.

Anatomical variations of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel

Abstract: The median nerve was explored in 100 hands and the variations classified by the Lanz system. Only 47.7% of hands showed the standard anatomy described in textbooks. Rare variations were also found. Knowledge of the variable anatomy of the nerve could help to avoid incomplete decompression at operations for carpal tunnel entrapment and injury to the thenar branch of the nerve. The possibility of double thenar innervation must be considered in preoperative evaluation and in the follow up of median nerve injuries.