Proposal of neural network model for neurocognitive rehabilitation and its comparison with fuzzy expert system model.

This article focuses on the development of algorithms for a smart neurorehabilitation system, whose core is made up of artificial neural networks. The authors of the article have proposed a completely unique transfer of ACE-R results to the CHC model. This unique approach allows for the saturation of the CHC model domains according to modified ACE-R factor analysis.

Dragonfly Hunter CZ: Mobile application for biological species recognition in citizen science.

Citizen science and data collected from various volunteers have an interesting potential in aiding the understanding of many biological and ecological processes. We describe a mobile application that allows the public to map and report occurrences of the odonata species (dragonflies and damselflies) found in the Czech Republic. The application also helps in species classification based on observation details such as date, GPS coordinates, and the altitude, biotope, suborder, and colour.

[CROATIAN GUIDELINES FOR THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES].

Introduction: The Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders of the Croatian Medical Association has issued in 2011 the first national guidelines for the nutrition, education, self-control, and pharmacotherapy of diabetes type 2. According to the increased number of available medicines and new evidence related to the effectiveness and safety of medicines already involved in the therapy there was a need for update of the existing guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes in the Republic of Croatia.

Participants: as co-authors of the Guidelines there are listed all members of the Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, as well as other representatives of professional societies within the Croatian Medical Association, who have contributed with comments and suggestions to the development of the Guidelines.

Improvement in Depressive Symptoms Is Associated with Reduced Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Response in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Subsyndromal Depression: The Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Psychoeducation, Physical Exercise, and Enhanced Treatment as Usual.

Aims. To examine one-year changes in oxidative damage and inflammation level in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing behavioral treatment for subsyndromal depression. Materials and Methods.

Does treatment of subsyndromal depression improve depression-related and diabetes-related outcomes? A randomised controlled comparison of psychoeducation, physical exercise and enhanced treatment as usual.

Background: Elevated depressive symptoms that do not reach criteria for a clinical diagnosis of depression are highly prevalent in persons with diabetes. This study was aimed at determining the efficacy of psychoeducation and physical exercise compared with enhanced treatment as usual on 1-year changes in depressive symptoms, diabetes distress and self-management, and quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes patients with subsyndromal depression.

Methods: Adult type 2 diabetes patients who screened positively for depression and expressed a need for professional help with mood-related issues were eligible.

Carbon nanoparticles downregulate expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in the heart during embryogenesis.

Carbon nanoparticles, with their high biocompatibility and low toxicity, have recently been considered for biomedical applications, including antiangiogenic therapy. Critical to normal development and tumor formation, angiogenesis is the process of forming capillary blood vessels from preexisting vessels. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of diamond and graphite nanoparticles on the development of chicken embryos, as well as vascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane and heart at the morphological and molecular level.

Nano-nutrition of chicken embryos. The effect of silver nanoparticles and ATP on expression of chosen genes involved in myogenesis.

It has been suggested that the quantity and quality of nutrients stored in the egg might not be optimal for the fast rate of chicken embryo development in modern broilers, and embryos could be supplemented with nutrients by in ovo injection. Recent experiments showed that in ovo feeding reduces post-hatch mortality and skeletal disorders and increases muscle growth and breast meat yield. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a "ready for use" energetic molecule, while nanoparticles of silver (Nano-Ag) may penetrate tissues as well as cells and localise inside cells.

Influence of nanoparticles of platinum on chicken embryo development and brain morphology.

Platinum nanoparticles (NP-Pt) are noble metal nanoparticles with unique physiochemical properties that have recently elicited much interest in medical research. However, we still know little about their toxicity and influence on general health. We investigated effects of NP-Pt on the growth and development of the chicken embryo model with emphasis on brain tissue micro- and ultrastructure.

Comparison of anti-angiogenic properties of pristine carbon nanoparticles.

Angiogenesis is vital for tumour formation, development and metastasis. Recent reports show that carbon nanomaterials inhibit various angiogenic signalling pathways and, therefore, can be potentially used in anti-angiogenic therapy. In the present study, we compared the effect of different carbon nanomaterials on blood vessel development.

Redefinition of gestational diabetes mellitus: implications for laboratory practice in Croatia.

An increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes has become a very challenging task in prenatal care worldwide. International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) has recently issued recommendations on the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. These recommendations, the first to provide harmonised, evidence-based criteria for the diagnosis and classification of diabetes in pregnancy, are currently being discussed and accepted worldwide by the relevant authorities.

In vitro evaluation of the effects of graphene platelets on glioblastoma multiforme cells.

Graphene is a single atom-thick material with exciting potential. It can be used in many fields, from electronics to biomedicine. However, little is known about its toxicity and biocompatibility.

Estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetes: the performance of MDRD and CKD-EPI equations in patients with various degrees of albuminuria.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) equations in estimating GFR in a large cohort of diabetic patients with various degrees of albuminuria.

Design And Methods: In a group of 842 diabetic patients GFR was estimated from standardized creatinine, with MDRD-Study and CKD-EPI equations, and their performance evaluated regarding clinical stages of albuminuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Results: Patients with normoalbuminuria had higher eGFR when calculated by CKD-EPI, than MDRD-Study equation [median (IQR): 103 (91-115) vs 97 (85-113)mL/min/1.

Impact of a guide dog on glycemia regulation in blind/visually impaired persons due to diabetes mellitus.

The aim was to assess glycemia regulation in a blind diabetic patient after getting a guide dog. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) results of a blind patient before and after getting the guide dog were retrospectively collected. The paired t-test results yielded a two-tailed P value of 0.

Gender differences in the control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes -a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Trends in diabetes and cardiovascular mortality rates are considerably different between women and men; this can be partially explained by differences in diabetes control. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether sex differences exist in effective control of cardiovascular risk factors among persons with type 2 diabetes treated at the Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic in 2008.

Materials And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis including 8,775 patients who attended the clinic in 2008.

Effects of an empowerment-based psychosocial intervention on quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

This study was aimed at determining impact of an empowerment-based psychosocial intervention on the patients' quality of life and glycemic control as compared to patients in standard care. Consecutively recruited type 2 diabetic patients, scheduled for their regular medical check-ups, were individually acquainted with empowerment-based principles and invited to participate in an empowering psychosocial course. The response rate was 35% giving a number of 73 patients who were treated in eight separate groups.

[The diabetic foot. The Croatian model--national consensus (clinical recommendations for diagnosis, prevention and therapy)].

Diabetic foot occurs due to the loss of protective sense and circulation disorder and a marked proneness to infections. Mechanical stress of bone growths frequently leads to ulcerations. The prevention and timely treatment of diabetic foot requires the participation of both patients and all health care levels.

Emotional adjustment and metabolic control in newly diagnosed diabetic persons.

Emotional reactions to diagnosis were examined in a random sample of newly detected diabetic patients (n = 71) and compared with the indicators of glycemic control in a one-year-follow-up period. The social and emotional factors subscale of the diabetes care profile was used to determine the subjectively experienced burden, negative feelings and positive coping abilities. The initial struggle against the disease indicated three characteristic emotional patterns.

Incidence of IDDM during 1988-1992 in Zagreb, Croatia.

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the population of Zagreb, Croatia, during 1988-1992. A centralized diabetes registry was the primary source of data, while secondary sources were used to assess ascertainment. A total of 282 new cases of IDDM were diagnosed in the study period, the primary and secondary sources identifying annually 93-100% of the cases.

War-induced prolonged stress and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

Sound evidence that psychological stress may significantly worsen metabolic control in diabetic patients in lacking. The stressful effects of war on glycaemia control have not been assessed as yet. A randomly selected sample of displaced Type 2 diabetic persons (N = 44) was compared to a matched group of diabetic persons who had not been forced to leave their homes.

Effect of war-induced prolonged stress on cortisol of persons with type II diabetes mellitus.

The study was designed to assess the impact of protracted, war-induced stress on cortisol levels and glycemic control in persons with Type II diabetes mellitus. A randomly selected sample of 44 displaced Type II diabetic persons was compared with a group of diabetic persons matched for sex, age, weight, duration of diabetes, and type of treatment who had not been forced to leave their homes. The self-reported stress, depression level, serum cortisol, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin were compared.