Showing papers by "University of Zagreb published in 1996"
TL;DR: Both the overall IES score as well as the intrusion and avoidance score were significantly higher in girls than boys, and the reliability of the scale was adequate across different age groups and for subgroups of displaced and refugee children.
Abstract: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Impact of Event Scale (IES scale) in children a study was conducted on 1787 children exposed to the warfare in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study group comprised 877 girls and 910 boys ranging in age from 6 to 15 years attending 28 arbitrary selected schools in Zagreb. High levels of posttraumatic reactions were found in the group of children. The pattern of endorsement and the factor structure of the IES scale were similar to that found in other samples. This supports the use of the IES in the assessment of posttraumatic stress reactions in children. Two factors emerged from a Principal Component Analysis, labeled intrusion (9 items), and avoidance (4 items). As in other studies, this study documented problems with several items (items 2, 12 and 15), items that should be considered omitted from the IES. Girls reported significantly more distress on 13 out of the 15 items. Both the overall IES score as well as the intrusion and avoidance score were significantly higher in girls than boys. The factor structure for boys and girls were very similar, and the reliability of the scale was adequate across different age groups and for subgroups of displaced and refugee children.
135 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the problem of the misinterpretation of polydispersity index as a single and unique measure of the width of molecular weight distributions (MWD) is discussed and the origin and solutions of the problem are clearly described via several theoretical distribution functions.
123 citations
TL;DR: Xylanase obtained by the submersed fermentation of Thermomyces lanuginosus, a strain classified in the German type culture collection under the number DSM 5826, was purified to homogeneity by a combination of chromatographic methods and characterized and contains only one cysteine residue, important for the xylanase activity.
118 citations
TL;DR: The catalytic influence of polyaniline (PANI) film, prepared from sulphuric and perchloric acid solutions, on hydroquinone/benzoquinone ( HQ BQ ) and Fe 2+ 3+ reactions has been investigated in this paper.
117 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of Croatian earthquake catalogue revision for the period 1908-1992, which lists a total of 4853 events (4486 after 1908), of which 3700 are mainshocks.
Abstract: The paper presents the results of Croatian earthquake catalogue revision for the period 1908–1992. The revised catalogue lists a total of 4853 events (4486 after 1908), of which 3700 are mainshocks. All primary data sources available to us (seismograms, phase onset time readings, macroseismic questionnaires…) were consulted in order to improve the quality and reliability of magnitude, intensity and location. Along with the most important earthquake parameters the catalogue contains entries that enable assessment of the reliability of location and bibliographic references. Using the temporal analysis of the maximum-likelihood estimate of the b-value in the frequency-magnitude relation, the catalogue is estimated to be complete for events with M ≥ 4.0 throughout the investigated period. The magnitude completeness threshold decreases to 3.8 after the middle of the century, and to about 3.6 in the last three decades. It is noted that the b-value variation with time is closely tied to the seismic activity, as well as that at present there seems to be a lack of seismic energy release corresponding to the M = 6.0–6.5 earthquake.
117 citations
TL;DR: The structures of N-(α-naphthyl)-2-oxy-1-Naphthaldimine1 and N-(β-nophthyl]-2-oxide-1 naphthydimine2 have been investigated by X-ray analysis and by spectroscopic methods as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The structures of N-(α-naphthyl)-2-oxy-1-naphthaldimine1 and N-(β-naphthyl)-2-oxy-1-naphthaldimine2 have been investigated by X-ray analysis and by spectroscopic methods. Crystals of1 are monoclinic, space groupPn, with cell dimensionsa=10.823(3),b=5.826(2),c=11.899 (3) A, and β=99.66(3)°. Compound2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupPca21 witha=17.564(3),b=6.314(2), andc=13.663(4) A. The IR spectra exhibited neither N−H nor O−H stretching frequencies. The existence of theintramolecular hydrogen bonding of N−H...O type was predicted by spectroscopic experiment but unequivocally established by diffraction experiment in both cases1 and2. The molecules1 and2 are significantly planar with considerable quinoid effect at the 2-oxy-naphthaldimine moiety. Although essentially planar, both molecules1 and2 show the delocalization of π-electrons only in the central part of the molecules including C=N imino group with pendent ring carbon atoms.Intermolecular attractions in the crystals belong to weak van der Waals interactions-between discrete planar molecules spatially arranged into the expectedherringbone motif in the solid state.
116 citations
TL;DR: The postmortem remains of sixty-one war victims were excavated from 6 mass graves in Bosnia and Herzegovina one and a half years after interment using standard identification methods, 35 persons were identified.
Abstract: The postmortem remains of sixty-one war victims were excavated from 6 mass graves in Bosnia and Herzegovina one and a half years after interment. Using standard identification methods, including the matching of medical and dental records, the recognition of distinguishing characteristics such as the use of clothing and belongings, and video superimposition, 35 persons were identified. For the remaining 26 persons identification efforts continue. DNA typing was performed at the HLA DQA1 locus and five PM system loci. Results from DNA typing were confirmed by other methods. DNA profiles of family members of 150 missing persons are now being developed using the 6 loci. These DNA profiles will then be compared with those generated from the bone and teeth remains of the unidentified victims.
115 citations
TL;DR: chemical investigations indicate the presence of the flavonoids isoquercitrin, rutin, hyperoside and quercetin-3-O-triglycoside in Paliurus spina-christi, and the antibacterial effect of extracts from different plant parts was investigated.
112 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that the representation of the horizontal meridian does not necessarily correspond in a one-to-one manner with the base of the calcarine fissures and that some lower field stimuli can activate regions in the lower bank of the fissure.
Abstract: Retinotopic mapping strategies similar to those used for invasive electrophysiological studies to identify multiple visual areas in monkeys have been adapted for noninvasive studies in humans, using magnetic recordings of brain activity in conjunction with anatomical magnetic resonance imaging. The retinotopic organization of the primary visual area (V1) in the left hemisphere of human subjects was examined by presenting a small patterned stimuli near the vertical and horizontal meridians in the lower right visual field. In contrast with the classical model of V1 retinotopy, our results suggest that the representation of the horizontal meridian does not necessarily correspond in a one-to-one manner with the base of the calcarine fissure and that some lower field stimuli can activate regions in the lower bank of the fissure. The results also indicate significant individual variability in the details of how V1 maps around the calcarine fissure.
110 citations
TL;DR: RJ exhibited immunomodulatory properties by stimulating antibody production and immunocompetent cell proliferation in mice or depressing humoral immune functions in rats, which could probably be reversed by changing the dose or the route of RJ application.
Abstract: In order to study a possible immunomodulatory effect of the royal jelly (RJ) secreted by mandibular and hypopharingeal glands of the worker honeybee (Apis mellifera Linne.) we have used a well established rodent model. The CBA mice were given s.c. 0.1 ml of RJ, 7 days before, or immediately after, the immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The Y59 rats received i.m. 0.4 ml or i.v. 0.025 ml of RJ once or twice at 7 day intervals. Serum levels of total proteins and immunoglobulins in the rats that received RJ once or twice within a 2-week-period were significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) as compared with the nontreated animals. In mice which were immunized with 4 x 10(8) of SRBC 7 days after the application of RJ the number of plaque forming splenocytes was significantly higher (P < or = 0.05) than that in the controls. Both the weight of inguinal lymph node and the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes were increased (P < or = 0.05) in RJ-treated mice 3 or 5 days after the immunization, respectively. Neutrophils were decreased (P < or = 0.05) in the mice that were killed 5 or 10 days after the RJ treatment. Overall these results indicate that RJ exhibited immunomodulatory properties by stimulating antibody production and immunocompetent cell proliferation in mice or depressing humoral immune functions in rats. Both phenomena, though species-related in this model, could probably be reversed by changing the dose or the route of RJ application.
109 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that among eight national groups of men aged 40-59 years enrolled in the Seven Countries Study, the multivariate coefficients of major risk factors predicting coronary heart disease mortality over 25 years would be relatively similar.
Abstract: BackgroundIt was hypothesized that among eight national groups of men aged 40-59 years enrolled in the Seven Countries Study, the multivariate coefficients of major risk factors predicting coronary heart disease mortality over 25 years would be relatively similar.Materials and methodsSixteen cohorts
TL;DR: Glimepiride is safe, effective and has clearly-definable pharmacokinetics in diabetic patients with renal impairment and the increased plasma elimination of glimepirid with decreasing kidney function is explainable on the basis of altered protein binding with an increase in unbound drug.
Abstract: The pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of glimepiride were investigated in a single- and a multiple-dose open study in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and renal impairment and an initial creatinine clearance above 10 ml/min. Patients were divided into three groups with creatinine clearance above 50 ml/min, 20–50 ml/min and under 20 ml/min. Fifteen fasting patients received a single dose of 3 mg glimepiride and serial blood and urine samples were taken over 24 h for pharmacokinetic and efficacy analyses. A further 16 patients received glimepiride over a 3-month period, an initial dose of 1 mg glimepiride being adjusted within the range 1 to 8 mg to achieve good glucose control. Pharmacokinetic evaluation was done on day 1 and after 3 months. Mean relative total clearance and mean volume of distribution of both single (41.6 ml/min and 8.47 litres, respectively, when creatinine clearance was above 50 ml/min) and multiple doses of glimepiride increased in proportion to the degree of renal impairment (to 91.1 ml/min and 14.98 litres, respectively, when creatinine clearance was below 20 ml/min, single dose), whereas the terminal half-life and mean time remained unchanged. Lower relative total clearance and renal clearance of both glimepiride metabolites correlated significantly with lower creatinine clearance values. Of the 16 patients 12 required between 1 and 4 mg glimepiride to stabilize their fasting blood glucose. Glimepiride was well-tolerated and there were no drug-related adverse events. In conclusion glimepiride is safe, effective and has clearly-definable pharmacokinetics in diabetic patients with renal impairment. The increased plasma elimination of glimepiride with decreasing kidney function is explainable on the basis of altered protein binding with an increase in unbound drug. [Diabetologia (1996) 39: 1617–1624]
TL;DR: In this article, the size of nanophase TiO2 was determined by low-frequency Raman scattering, and the results showed that anatase was the dominant phase and brookite was dominant phase.
TL;DR: This study finds lower stroke risk in those men whose blood pressure increased moderately from low usual levels, and associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with stroke mortality were similar in cultures with different stroke mortality rates.
Abstract: Background and Purpose This report explores the prediction of long-term stroke mortality in cohorts of the Seven Countries Study. Methods Sixteen cohorts of men aged 40 to 59 years at entry were examined at years 0, 5, and 10, with mortality follow-up through 25 years. Results Stroke death rates in 25 years were high in rural Serbia, Croatia, and Japan; intermediate in Italy, Greece, and urban Serbia; and low in Finland, the Netherlands, and the United States. Age and blood pressure were powerful predictors of 25-year stroke mortality in almost all cohorts and countries. Proportional hazards regression coefficients were .0232 increase in stroke death hazard per millimeter of mercury (t=14.60) for systolic blood pressure and .0409 (t=13.41) for diastolic blood pressure. Moderate blood pressure increases from low usual levels were associated with lower stroke mortality rates in years 10 to 25. Increases of blood pressure starting from high usual levels were associated with increased rates of stroke mortalit...
TL;DR: The influence of an external magnetic field on a quasi-one-dimensional system with a charge-density wave (CDW) instability is treated within the random-phase approximation which includes both CDW and spin- density wave correlations and shows that the CDW is sensitive to both orbital and Pauli effects of the field.
Abstract: The influence of an external magnetic field on a quasi-one-dimensional system with a charge-density wave (CDW) instability is treated within the random-phase approximation which includes both CDW and spin-density wave correlations. We show that the CDW is sensitive to both orbital and Pauli effects of the field. In the case of perfect nesting, the critical temperature decreases monotonically with the field, and the wave vector of the instability starts to shift above some critical value of magnetic field. Depending on the ratio between the spin and charge coupling constants and on the direction of the applied magnetic field, the wave-vector shift is either parallel (${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{x}}$ order) or perpendicular (${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{y}}$ order) to the most conducting direction. The ${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{x}}$ order is a field-dependent linear combination of the charge- and spin-density waves and is sensible only to the Pauli effect. The wave-vector shift in ${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{y}}$ depends on the interchain coupling, but the critical temperature does not. This order is affected by the confinement of the electronic orbits. By increasing the relative strength of the orbital effect with respect to the Pauli effect, one can destroy the ${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{y}}$, establishing either a ${\mathrm{CDW}}_{\mathit{x}}$ or a ${\mathrm{CDW}}_{0}$ (corresponding to the perfect nesting wave vector). By increasing the imperfect nesting parameter, one passes from the regime where the critical temperature decreases with the field to the regime where it is initially enhanced by the orbital effect and eventually suppressed by the Pauli effect. For a bad nesting, the quantized phases of the field-induced CDW appear. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
TL;DR: This first description of desmin immunoreactivity may shed some light on the ontogeny of human Sertoli cells and demonstrates that this cell type is able to express three types of intermediate filaments in a complex manner.
Abstract: The intermediate filament of mature human Sertoli cells is vimentin. A co-expression of vimentin together with cytokeratin has been demonstrated in Sertoli cells during embryonal development and under pathologic conditions in adult testes. We analysed the presence of vimentin, cytokeratin, and desmin in Sertoli cells of fetal testes (n=20), in seminiferous tubules of cryptorchid testes (n=10) and adjacent to testicular germ cell tumours (n=47) using specific monoclonal antibodies and single and double-labelling immunohistochemistry. During embryonal development prominent cytokeratin expression disappears after the 20th week of gestation. Interestingly, we also found desmin in immature intratubular Sertoli cells between weeks 11 and 14. In adult cryptorchid testes and in peritumour tubules, desmin was also prominently present in Sertoli cells in the vast majority of the cases investigated, as well as vimentin and cytokeratin co-expression. This first description of desmin immunoreactivity may shed some light on the ontogeny of human Sertoli cells and demonstrates that this cell type is able to express three types of intermediate filaments in a complex manner.
TL;DR: In this article, the passive film formation as a function of applied potential on tin in citrate buffer solution was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry.
TL;DR: The modelling of the L-tert-leucine synthesis shows that the optimisation of the quantity of the enzyme used results in a minimisation in the biocatalyst costs.
Abstract: The L-tert-leucine synthesis was performed continuously in series of two enzyme-membrane reactors by reductive amination of trimethylpyruvate with leucine dehydrogenase. The necessary “native” cofactor NADH is regenerated with the aid of a second enzyme, formate dehydrogenase.
TL;DR: There were statistically significant differences in permeability between lased groups with and without a smear layer in the cervical third of the root canal following lasing, which appeared capable of producing a glazed-like surface and craters.
Abstract: The permeability, temperature and morphologic changes of the wall of the root canal induced by Nd:YAG, CO2 and argon lasers were studied. The changes were evaluated according to the presence or absence of a smear layer. Root canals of 140 human single-rooted teeth were enlarged using a step-back technique. Permeability was evaluated by the extent of methylene blue dye penetration into the tubules. Temperature changes were measured using a thermovision system, and morphological changes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Laser energy was delivered into the canal by means of a flexible optical fibre or metal tip. There were statistically significant differences in permeability between lased groups with and without a smear layer in the cervical third of the root canal following lasing. In the middle third of the root canal, all three laser types induced permeability increases in groups with a smear layer. In the apical third, statistically significantly decreases in permeability were observed among CO2 laser and Nd:YAG compared with control group (P < 0.01). Rises in temperature ranged from a minimum of +10.1 degrees C (CO2 laser) to a maximum of +54.8 degrees C (argon laser). All three laser devices appeared capable of producing a glazed-like surface and craters.
TL;DR: In this paper, data for the codeposition of some types of inert, semiconductive and conductive particles with copper in the electroplating is presented and it is shown that current density and particle concentration in the plating bath strongly affect the particle content in the composites produced.
Abstract: Data for the codeposition of some types of inert, semiconductive and conductive particles with copper in the electroplating are presented. It is shown that current density and particle concentration in the plating bath strongly affect the particle content in the composites produced. The nature of the particles also has a great influence on the amount of particles entrapped in composites. The presence of particles in composites changes their characteristics, making them better or worse with respect to tensile strength, hardness or surface texture. The particle distribution in electrodeposited composites is uniform across and over the coating.
TL;DR: In this paper, the applicability of some empirical and functional mathematical models of tumor growth to multicell tumor spheroids which are a three-dimensional experimental paradigm of prevascular tumors is discussed.
TL;DR: Analysis of gastroprotective effect of the pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on gastric lesions produced in rats by 96% ethanol, restraint stress, and indomethacin provides evidence for complex synergistic interaction between the beneficial effectiveness of B PC 157 and peptidergic sensory afferent neuron activity.
Abstract: Very recently, the integrity of capsaicin somatosensory neurons and their protection were suggested to be related to the activity in nociception of a newly discovered 15-amino acid peptide, BPC 157, shown to have strong beneficial effect on intestinal and liver lesions. Therefore, from this viewpoint, we have studied the gastroprotective effect of the pentadecapeptide BPC 157, on gastric lesions produced in rats by 96% ethanol, restraint stress, and indomethacin. The possible involvement of sensory neurons in the salutary actions of BPC 157 (10 micrograms/kg, 10 ng/kg intraperitoneally) was studied with capsaicin, which has differential effects on sensory neurons: a high dose in adult (125 mg/kg subcutaneously, 3 months old) or administration (50 mg/kg subcutaneously) to neonatal animals (age of the 7 days) destroys sensory fibers, whereas a low dose (500 micrograms/kg intraperitoneally) activates neurotransmitter release and protective effects on the mucosa. In the absence of capsaicin, BPC 157 protected gastric mucosa against ethanol, restraint, and indomethacin application. In the presence of neurotoxic doses of capsaicin, the negative influence of capsaicin on restraint, ethanol, or indomethacin lesions consistently affected salutary activity of BPC 157. However, BPC 157 protection was still evident in the capsaicin-treated rats (either treated as adults or as newborns) in all of these assays. Interestingly, after neonatal capsaicin treatment, a complete abolition of BPC gastroprotection was noted if BPC 157 was applied as a single nanogram-regimen, but the mucosal protection was fully reversed when the same dose was used daily. In line with the excitatory dose of capsaicin the beneficial effectiveness of BPC 157 appears to be increased as well. Taken together, these data provide evidence for complex synergistic interaction between the beneficial effectiveness of BPC 157 and peptidergic sensory afferent neuron activity.
01 May 1996-Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of chemical stress by cadmium exposure or physical stress by handling cause a significant response and comparable effects between stressors, such as cortisol, metallothionein (MT), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactants (TBARs).
TL;DR: While the solubility of nifedipine was enhanced by inclusion into a cyclodextrin complex, the drug release from the complex was significantly reduced and in vitro release rates were influenced by the cross-linking density, particle size and initial drug loading in the microspheres.
TL;DR: In this paper, pure trans-(R, R )-diaryl-epoxides are obtained in two steps and under aprotic conditions using Eliel's oxathiane as the chiral auxiliary.
Abstract: Pure trans -( R , R )-diaryl-epoxides are obtained in two steps and under aprotic conditions using Eliel's oxathiane as the chiral auxiliary. The enantiomeric excesses, determined by chiral HPLC, are 97.9% to 99.9% and the oxathiane is recovered in 78% to 92% yield and may thus be re-used.
TL;DR: Patients with isolated cleft palate showed greater improvement in hearing level with age than patients with UCLP and BCLP; as adults they showed the lowest frequency of ears with hearing level of less than 40 dB, and the highest frequency of eyes with hearing levels of 11-20 dB.
TL;DR: It would be very important to define prognostic factors for predicting the malignancy potential of primary uterine neoplasms and at least some of their subtypes.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Malignant mesenchymal uterine neoplasms are the most aggressive type of primary uterine tumors, with most patients dying within a few years of diagnosis. Thus, it would be very important to define prognostic factors for predicting the malignancy potential of at least some of their subtypes. METHODS: Flow cytometric cell cycle analysis (proliferative activity, DNA ploidy, and DNA index) was performed on archival paraffin embedded blocks from 80 patients with malignant mesenchymal uterine neoplasms (endometrial stromal sarcomas, malignant smooth muscle tumors, and malignant Mullerian mixed tumors). The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess relative effects of the following factors on patient survival: clinical stage, mode of therapy, DNA+proliferative activity, DNA index, histologic type, cellularity, degree of atypia, mitotic activity, and depth of myometrial invasion. RESULTS: There were 9 low grade stromal sarcomas, 17 high grade stromal sarcomas, 8 smooth muscle neoplasms with uncertain malignant potential, 23 leiomyosarcomas, and 16 homologous and 7 heterologous malignant Mullerian mixed tumors. In univariate analysis for stromal sarcomas, statistical significance was found for DNA ploidy+proliferative activity (P < 0.001), histologic type (P = 0.005), and DNA index (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, DNA index appeared to be the only significant parameter influencing patient survival (P = 0.005). In univariate analysis for malignant smooth muscle neoplasms, statistical significance was detected for mitotic activity (P = 0.049) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification (P = 0.021), but in multivariate analysis, clinical stage appeared to be the only significant parameter influencing patient survival (P = 0.032). In univariate analysis for malignant Mullerian mixed tumors, statistical significance was found for the depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.039), DNA index (P = 0.037), and clinical stage (P = 0.013), but in multivariate analysis, only the depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.036) and clinical stage (P = 0.025) were of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The most powerful prognostic indicator for stromal sarcomas was the DNA index, for malignant smooth muscle neoplasms it was the clinical stage, and for malignant Mullerian mixed tumors it was the depth of myometrial invasion.
TL;DR: By including the eminent scientists' gatekeeping roles, the explanation of their total, co-authored and foreign publications can be improved and the most important predictors of the elite's productivity are also qualificational and organizational variables but of a more selective nature.
Abstract: The empirical research on the sample of 385 eminent Croatian scientists was carried out in order to explore the patterns and factors of their scientific productivity. The study design made it possible to compare the results with those obtained in the 1990 survey on a sample of the research population. The average scientific productivity of eminent researchers is not only several times larger but also shows a more intensive scientific collaboration and orientation towards the international scientific arena. The most important predictors of the elite's productivity are also qualificational and organizational variables but of a more selective nature. By including the eminent scientists' gatekeeping roles, the explanation of their total, co-authored and foreign publications can be improved.
TL;DR: Plasma stability studies showed that liposomes containing N-CD complex II are more stable than lipOSomes containing nifedipine, andEncapsulation of drug-cyclodextrin complexes into liposome can increase the entrapment of the lipophilic drug and reduce its release from the carrier.