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.

First trimester pregnancy decidual natural killer cells contain and spontaneously release high quantities of granulysin.

Abstract: Citation Veljkovic Vujaklija D, Gulic T, Sucic S, Nagata K, Ogawa K, Laskarin G, Saito S, Haller H, Rukavina D. First trimester pregnancy decidual natural killer cells contain and spontaneously release high quantities of granulysin. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 363–372 Problem Granulysin (GNLY) is a novel cytolytic protein lytic against a variety of tumor cells and microbes. The role of GNLY during pregnancy has not been extensively explored. The aim of this study is to examine GNLY expression and distribution in the first trimester pregnancy peripheral blood (PB) and decidua, the ability of decidual and PB natural killer (NK) cells to secrete GNLY spontaneously, and the role of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the regulation of GNLY expression in decidual NK cells. Method of study GNLY expression was analyzed using cell permeabilization method, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. GNLY secretion by purified NK cells was detected by ELISA method. Results GNLY is abundantly expressed at the maternal–fetal interface in the first trimester pregnancy. Decidual T lymphocytes express significantly higher levels of GNLY (58%) then PB T lymphocytes (11%). Over 85% of decidual CD56+ cells express GNLY and when cultured spontaneously release high quantities of GNLY. Decidual APC participate in the control of GNLY expression in CD56+ cells. Conclusion Abundant expression of GNLY in the decidual immunocompetent cells and the capacity of decidual CD56+ cells to spontaneously secrete high quantities of GNLY point to important protective and immunomodulatory role that this molecule could play at the maternal–fetal interface.

Artificial intelligence acceptance in services: connecting with Generation Z

Abstract: This paper aims to examine willingness to accept artificial intelligence (AI) devices, focusing on the so-called Gen Z population. This study presumes that specific knowledge of a business process ...

Low power steam turbine energy efficiency and losses during the developed power variation

Abstract: This paper investigates low power marine steam turbine during the variation in its developed power. The turbine is used for the Main Feedwater Pump (MFP) drive. Energy analysis of the Main Feedwater Pump Turbine (MFPT) is based on the measurements performed in nine different operating regimes. The measured operating parameters were steam pressure and temperature at the turbine inlet, steam pressure at the turbine outlet, and a water volume flow through MFP. Turbine energy power losses are most influenced by steam mass flow through the turbine and by steam specific enthalpy at the turbine outlet. An increase in turbine developed power causes a continuous increase in turbine energy efficiency. Analyzed turbine is balanced as most of the other steam system components – maximum energy efficiency will be obtained at the highest load, on which the majority of turbine and system operation can be expected during exploitation.

Emotional understanding as a predictor of socio-emotional functioning and school achievement in adolescence

Abstract: The main goal of our research was to investigate whether the ability of emotional understanding can predict students' school achievement over and above fluid intelligence and the Big Five personality factors. A sample of 493 pupils (45% girls) participated in this study (Mage = 12.61, SD = 1.12). According to our results, girls were slightly better than boys in understanding emotions. Girls also had a slightly higher GPA than boys, and reported engaging in more altruistic and prosocial behavior than boys. As expected, boys reported more aggressive behaviors than girls. Understanding emotions had a weak but significant effect on the prediction of aggressive behavior. It also accounted for an additional 5% (for boys) and 9% (for girls) of the variance of GPA, after controlling for fluid intelligence and personality factors. A better understanding of emotions is important for academic achievement, as well as for well-being and adjustment in the educational environment.

Correlation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade urothelial carcinoma.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to correlate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) with bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We retrospectively identified from the institutional database 115 patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC after transurethral resection (TURBT) without adjuvant therapy and with complete follow-up, between 1996 and 2006. Tumor specimens were retrieved and tissue microarrays were constructed. Patients were divided in two groups: those who developed recurrent disease (n = 69) and those without recurrence (n = 46) during a follow-up period of a minimum of 5 years. Immunohistochemical staining for TIL with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, CD68, and granzyme B (GrB) was performed. Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, as well as uni- and multivariate analyses were applied to compare the two patient groups. TIL were predominantly observed in cancer stroma. The number of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes observed in the non-recurrent group of patients was lower than that in recurrent patients (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Also, in uni- and multivariate analyses, levels of CD3+ TIL (OR = 5.4035; p = 0.0001 and OR = 5.8280; p = 0.0102) and CD8+ TIL (OR = 3.2857; p = 0.0036 and OR = 5.3257; p = 0.0092) showed prognostic value with regard to NMIBC recurrence. Our results suggest that CD3+ and CD8+ TIL are predictive of bladder cancer recurrence in patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC which might facilitate identification of patients with higher risk of recurrence. However, prospective validating studies have to confirm these results before immunohistochemical staining for CD3 and CD8 TIL can be included in the clinical workup of these patients.