Tumor-agnostic cancer therapy using antibodies targeting oncofetal chondroitin sulfate.

Molecular similarities between embryonic and malignant cells can be exploited to target tumors through specific signatures absent in healthy adult tissues. One such embryonic signature tumors express is oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS), which supports disease progression and dissemination in cancer. Here, we report the identification and characterization of phage display-derived antibody fragments recognizing two distinct ofCS epitopes.

SOME INDICATORS OF HEALTH CARE STATUS IN CROATIA.

The article presents the basic principles of health care, health care measures and strategic objectives of these measures in Croatia. The health of the population does not depend solely on the activities of the health care system but also on various demographic indicators. Our success in implementing health care depends largely on the structure of health facilities and health workers.

[A STUDY INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS OF INTERNET ADDICTION].

The aim of the study was to explore the characteristics of Internet use among elementary school eighth-graders in the Bjelo- var-Bilogora County, to evaluate gender and sociodemographic differences, and to examine predictors for Internet addiction. The study included 437 (female 51%) eighth-graders, mean age 13.8 ± 0.

[Relationship of perception conflict and assertiveness in nurses].

At their workplace, nurses are exposed to a number of conflict situations. On dealing with such situations, a significant role is played by assertiveness skills. Assertiveness is the necessity of efficient communication between nurses and patients.

Spinal deformities among pupils - A growing issue.

This paper presents data obtained by somatic examination of pupils in the 1st, 5th and 8th grade of elementary school in the area of the Town of Split in the period of three school years. There was a corresponding increase in bad posture, over the school years observed, with an increase in kyphosis among pupils of both genders, The occurrence of kyphosis among boys ranged from 0.49% in the first grade, 0.

Q fever in Croatia: war-induced changes in epidemiological characteristics.

The article describes the epidemiological characteristics of Q fever in Croatia, during the period before and after the Homeland War. In the ten years prior to the Homeland War (1983-1992) 1053 cases of Q fever were recorded, 16.2% (171) of which on islands and in coastal areas.

Occurence of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Croatia.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to show epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Croatia.

Methods: Analysis of data on reported visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases and description of the most common clinical manifestations of the disease was based on meta analysis of collected data.

Results: A total of 124 cases of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis were reported from 1954 until the end of 2006.

Historic, demographic, and genetic evidence for increased population frequencies of CCR5Delta32 mutation in Croatian Island isolates after lethal 15th century epidemics.

Aim: To assess the frequency of 32 base pair deletion in CCR5 (CCR5Delta32), which has been shown to confer resistance to HIV infection in a homozygous form, in 10 isolated island communities of Dalmatia, Croatia, with different histories of exposure to epidemics during and since the medieval period.

Methods: In 2002, DNA analysis of 100 randomly selected individuals from each of the 10 isolated communities of 5 Croatian islands (Susak, Rab, Vis, Lastovo, and Mljet) showed high levels of 3-generational endogamy, indicating limited gene flow. Five of the communities were decimated by epidemics of unknown cause between 1449-1456, while the other 5 villages remained unaffected.

[Nutritive density of zinc, copper, iron and manganese in daily diet of adults].

The aim of the present study was to determine the actual daily dietary intake of zinc, copper, manganese and iron in daily meals. The mass amounts of this micronutrients were determined by flame atomic absorption techniques. The daily meals from public organised nutrition were collected using random sampling during 1998-1999.

The antioxidant power and level of lipid peroxidation products in the sera of apparently healthy adult males.

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant potential of the serum and the level of lipid oxidation products in the sera of apparently healthy adult males. The "antioxidant power" of the serum, defined as the ability to reduce ferric ions by antioxidants from the serum (FRAP), was taken as the indicator of total antioxidation potential. The formation of lipid oxidation products was evaluated as thiobarbituric reactive species serum test (TBARS).

Epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis in Croatia.

Objective: The goal was to show the epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis in Croatia.

Methods: Data on registered Lyme borreliosis cases were analyzed and the most common clinical manifestations of the disease, based on meta-analysis of the data collected, are described.

Results: A total of 3,317 cases were reported from 1987 to the end of 2003.

Effects of inbreeding, endogamy, genetic admixture, and outbreeding on human health: a (1001 Dalmatians) study.

Aim: (1001 Dalmatians) research program collects biomedical information from multiple small isolated populations ((metapopulation)) on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and investigates health effects of human population isolation, inbreeding, admixture, and outbreeding.

Methods: We collected random samples of 100 individuals from 9 island settlements and an additional sample of 101 immigrants to the islands, pooled from all study populations. According to their personal genetic histories, the examinees were categorized as inbred, autochthonous, admixed, and outbred.

[Epidemiologic characteristic of hepatitis B in the Splitsko-Dalmatinska County].

Epidemiologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Split-Dalmatia County and in Croatia as a whole from January 1, 1994 till December 31, 2003 were analyzed. The mean number of hepatitis B cases was 28 (morbidity rate 6.03 per thousand) in the Split-Dalmatia County and 208 (morbidity rate 4.

Epidemiological characteristics of rickettsial diseases in Croatia.

Objective: To show the presence and prevalence of rickettsial diseases and the geographic distribution in Croatia.

Methods: The pattern of these diseases was monitored during the 1992-2003 period.

Results: The rickettsial diseases that occur sporadically in the littoral of Croatia (Adriatic islands and the coastal area) include Mediterranean spotted fever, murine typhus, Brill-Zinsser disease, and a clinical entity known as rickettsioses.

Association of stress and delinquency in children and adolescents.

The aim of investigation was to assess the impact of subjective stress exposure on delinquent behaviour in children and adolescents. The study included 174 young male delinquents, selected by the method of stratified systematic (random) sample and divided into three age groups of <14, 14-17, and 18-21 years. General data, data on the type of criminal offence, and data on the type of deviant behaviour were collected.

[Some epidemiologic characteristics of foodborne intoxications in Croatia during the 1992-2001 period].

Epidemiologic characteristics of foodborne intoxications registered in Croatia during the 1992-2001 period are described. Salmonellosis, as well as staphylococcal food intoxication, foodborne botulism, Clostridium perfringens food intoxication, histamine poisoning and food intoxication caused by other pathogens, especially conditionally pathogenic bacteria, were analyzed. During the study period, 87,782 cases were reported, 45,721 (52.

[Antioxidative activity of propolis from Dalmatia (Croatia)].

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidative activity of propolis from ecologically clean parts of Dalmatia.

Methods: Phenol concentration in ethanolic propolis extracts was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent using gallic acid as the standard. Flavonoid phenolic compounds were analyzed after precipitation with formaldehyde.

[What is new in the epidemiologic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Croatia?].

Aim: The aim was to describe epidemiologic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Croatia.

Methods: We analyzed published data from obligatory infectious disease reports and notification of deaths due to infectious diseases, data on the hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome epidemics in Croatia, and our own data.

Results And Discussion: During the 1987-2002 period, 555 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome were recorded in Croatia, 160 (28.

Epidemiologic characteristics and military implications of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in croatia.

Aim: To analyze epidemiologic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Croatia, including military implications of the disease and measures for its prevention.

Method: We analyzed data from obligatory infectious disease reports and notification of deaths due to infectious diseases, data on the hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome epidemics in Croatia, and data collected by survey of the population, serological findings, and studies of wild rodents serving as reservoirs of the infection.

Results: During the 1987-2001 period, 235 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome were recorded in Croatia, with 147 (62.

[Gas gangrene and hyperbaric oxygenation--a lesson forgotten or never learned?].

Gas gangrene develops in devitalized hypoxic tissue. It spreads rapidly under strong influence of enzymes produced by the causing bacteria and often results in fatal outcome. It is of utmost importance to stop toxin production as soon as possible, which is most effectively achieved by early application of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO2), as the first measure in a "trident" (HBO2, antibiotics, surgical measures).

Effect of programmed kinesiologic treatment on structural transformation of some strength and endurance manifestations in Croatian Army draftees.

Structural, i.e. qualitative changes in some motor dimensions (strength and endurance) were assessed during a 2-month period in a sample of 307 male subjects, Croatian Navy draftees, mean age 21 years.

Effect of specially programmed physical and health education on motor fitness of seven-year-old school children.

The efficacy of specially programmed physical and health education on the motor development of first-grade pupils was analyzed in a sample of 633 children aged 7 years. Pupils have been divided into control group consisting of 140 boys and 137 girls attending standard program of physical and health education, and in experimental group consisting of 184 boys and 172 girls attending specially programmed physical and health education. A battery of 12 motor tests has been used on two occasions separated by nine-month interval.

[Lyme borreliosis in Croatia from 1987 to 1998--epidemiologic aspects].

Lyme borreliosis is one of the most common diseases originating from natural foci in the Republic of Croatia. Some 200 cases are reported every year to the Epidemiological Department of Croatian National Institute of Public Health, but data from hospital treatment and individual limited research show that the number of infected is certainly higher. Officially reported cases have been used and analysed in this article.

Hepatitis B in the family.

During a 3-year period (1992-1995), 239 index cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and 459 members of their households from the Osijek-Baranja county were examined. The aim of the study was to determine the spread of HBV infection in the families with a member verified as a virus carrier, and to identify the family members with the highest risk of infection according to kinship degrees. The retrospective and prospective methods were used in the study.