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.

Lack of MHC class I complex expression has no effect on spread and control of cytomegalovirus infection in vivo

Abstract: It has been claimed that MHC class I proteins serve as receptors for murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and that this interaction is the most important mechanism for virus entry in most cells. This claim is based on the observation that the MHC haplotype contributes to the susceptibility to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in vivo. Results from in vitro studies support the concept that stable expression of correctly folded MHC class I molecules contributes to infection, since the individual properties of MHC class I alleles, the availability of β2-microglobulin (β2m) and also the degree of peptide charging of the MHC class I heavy chain β2m heterodimers determined the infection phenotype of cell lines. To assess the biological relevance of proper MHC class I expression we investigated CMV infection in β2m-deficient mice which fail to express ternary MHC class I complexes and lack peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes. We found that organ virus titres and virus clearance kinetics were not altered in β2m mutant mice. In addition, there was no indication of diminished virus propagation in β2m-/- embryonic fibroblasts. β2m-/- mice suffered from the lack of CD8+ T lymphocytes that was partially compensated for by the function of CD4+ T lymphocytes. An organ-specific anti-virus function of natural killer (NK) cells was observed, independent from the β2m deletion. The immune control unique for salivary gland infection was maintained. From the data presented here, we confirm the role of MHC class I molecules in the immune surveillance of CMV infection but question the biological impact of correct MHC class I complexes for productive infection.

Childhood supratentorial ependymomas with YAP1-MAMLD1 fusion: an entity with characteristic clinical, radiological, cytogenetic and histopathological features.

Abstract: Ependymoma with YAP1-MAMLD1 fusion is a rare, recently described supratentorial neoplasm of childhood, with few cases published so far. We report on 15 pediatric patients with ependymomas carrying YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions, with their characteristic histopathology, immunophenotype and molecular/cytogenetic, radiological and clinical features. The YAP1-MAMLD1 fusion was documented by RT-PCR/Sanger sequencing, and tumor genomes were studied by molecular inversion probe (MIP) analysis. Significant copy number alterations were identified by GISTIC (Genomic Identification of Significant Targets in Cancer) analysis. All cases showed similar histopathological features including areas of high cellularity, presence of perivascular pseudo-rosettes, small to medium-sized nuclei with characteristic granular chromatin and strikingly abundant cells with dot-like cytoplasmic expression of epithelial membrane antigen. Eleven cases presented features of anaplasia, corresponding to WHO grade III. MRI showed large supratentorial multinodular tumors with cystic components, heterogeneous contrast enhancement, located in the ventricular or periventricular region. One of two variants of YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions was detected in all cases. The MIP genome profiles showed balanced profiles, with focal alterations of the YAP1 locus at 11q22.1-11q21.2 (7/14), MAMLD1 locus (Xp28) (10/14) and losses of chromosome arm 22q (5/14). Most patients were female (13/15) and younger than 3 years at diagnosis (12/15; median age, 8.2 months). Apart from one patient who died during surgery, all patients are alive without evidence of disease progression after receiving different treatment protocols, three without postoperative further treatment (median follow-up, 4.84 years). In this to date, largest series of ependymomas with YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions we show that they harbor characteristic histopathological, cytogenetic and imaging features, occur mostly in young girls under 3 years and are associated with good outcome. Therefore, this genetically defined neoplasm should be considered a distinct disease entity. The diagnosis should be confirmed by demonstration of the specific fusion. Further studies on large collaborative series are warranted to confirm our findings.

The molecular basis for the pharmacological activity of anthocyans.

Abstract: This review summarizes the current knowledge of the regulatory role of pure anthocyans in cellular signaling pathways and gene expression. The molecular basis for anthocyans pharmacological activity includes the regulation of plethora of mechanisms mainly involved in: (1) suppression of the inflammatory response through targeting the phospholipase A2 and PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways, (2) protection from cardiovascular disease by exerting (i) antihypertensive and endothelium-protective activity through targeting the Akt/eNOS and ACE pathways (ii) antiatherogenic activity through targeting NF-κB mediated VCAM and ICAM expression, (3) growth/differentiation control and tumor suppression by exerting (i) anticancerogenic activity through targeting the EGF and HGF signaling pathways (ii) tumor anti-invasive activity through targeting the VEGF signaling pathway and ECM degrading enzymes (iii) cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis through the JNK/p38 MAPK mediated caspase activation (iv) modulation of chemotherapeutic efficacy by affecting resistance to anticancer drugs, (4) reduction of diabetes incidence through modulation of insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization, (5) neuroprotection through amelioration of oxidative stress and Aβ deposition, and (6) hepatoprotective activity through interference with TNF-α and TGF-β in the liver. The estrogen-like activity of anthocyans could be utilized in cancer and hormone-replacement therapy. These data provide a concise insight into molecular mechanisms of protective and therapeutic activity of anthocyans in various pathological conditions, which may not be attributed solely to their antioxidant activity but also to direct blockage of signaling pathways. Structure-activity analysis reveals that the number of hydroxyl groups and presence of sugar moiety are crucial for their specific modulatory actions.

Atmospheric impact of ship traffic in four Adriatic-Ionian port-cities: comparison and harmonization of different approaches

Abstract: Shipping is a growing transport sector representing a relevant share of atmospheric pollutant emissions at global scale. In the Mediterranean Sea, shipping affects air quality of coastal urban areas with potential hazardous effects on both human health and climate. The high number of different approaches for investigating this aspect limits the comparability of results. Furthermore, limited information regarding the inter-annual trends of shipping impacts is available. In this work, an approach integrating emission inventory, numerical modelling (WRF-CAMx modelling system), and experimental measurements at high and low temporal resolution is used to investigate air quality shipping impact in the Adriatic/Ionian area focusing on four port-cities: Brindisi and Venice (Italy), Patras (Greece), and Rijeka (Croatia). Results showed shipping emissions of particulate matter (PM) and NOx comparable to road traffic emissions at all port-cities, with larger contributions to local SO2 emissions. Contributions to PM2.5 ranged between 0.5% (Rijeka) and 7.4% (Brindisi), those to PM10 were between 0.3% (Rijeka) and 5.8% (Brindisi). Contributions to particle number concentration (PNC) showed an impact 2–4 times larger with respect to that on mass concentrations. Shipping impact on gaseous pollutants are larger than those to PM. The contribution to total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) concentrations was 82% in Venice and 56% in Brindisi, with a different partition gas-particle because of different meteorological conditions. The inter-annual trends analysis showed the primary contribution to PM concentrations decreasing, due to the implementation of the European legislation on the use of low-sulphur content fuels. This effect was not present on other pollutants like PAHs.

Satisfaction as a determinant of tourist expenditure

Abstract: The main aim of this study is to analyse the influence of tourist satisfaction with the tourism offering on tourist expenditure in the destination. Quantitative analysis is based on 523 self-administered questionnaires collected from tourists visiting Rijeka and the Opatija Riviera (Croatia) during the summer of 2014. Principal component analysis was conducted on 22 elements of the offering in order to reduce the dimensionality of satisfaction with the tourism offering, resulting in four dimensions of satisfaction. Regression analysis was conducted with the log of daily expenditure as a dependent variable. The results revealed that only one satisfaction dimension (related to the diversity of facilities) out of the four proved to be a significant predictor of tourist expenditure in the destination. The study also confirms that family income, type of accommodation, past behaviour and length of stay significantly influence daily expenditure.