Urine levels of nicotine and its metabolites in young population exposed to second-hand smoke in nightclubs: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of second-hand smoke exposure in younger population visiting nightclubs in Croatia by comparing the levels of nicotine and its main metabolites cotinine and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (3HC) in urine samples taken from 22 participants before and after spending about three hours in a nightclub, stratified by smoking status (smokers and non-smokers). The samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction and analysed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of nicotine, cotinine, and 3HC was confirmed in all urine samples.

Chronic Cannabidiol Administration Mitigates Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue in Patients with Primary Hypertension: Insights from a Randomized Crossover Trial.

The chronic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) supplementation on factors that could impact the quality of life (anxiety, sleeping quality, memory, etc.) are poorly explored. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish whether chronic CBD supplementation will improve self-reported outcomes related to quality of life.

Intake of Artificial Sweeteners through Soft Drinks in the Preschool- and School-Aged Population.

One of the main public health issues that has recently been observed in a greater number of children is being overweight. The cause certainly lies in the decreasing physical activity of children, but mostly in their eating habits. Soft drinks are recognized as the most significant contributor to body overweight due to high sugar content; thus, as a result of numerous campaigns, part of the sugar is replaced by artificial sweeteners (ASs).

Does Sunlight Affect the Quality for Purposes of DNA Analysis of Blood Stain Evidence Collected from Different Surfaces?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sunlight on the degradation of DNA samples taken from blood stains from different types of surfaces. A blood sample obtained from a single male donor was placed on seven different surfaces (galvanized sheet, iron rod, newspaper, white printer paper, glass, soil, and ceramic panel). Samples were kept, during a 4-week summer period, in a room, but next to an open window.

Real-Time PCR Method as Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Periodontal Pathogens in Patients with Periodontitis.

The most common type of periodontal disease is chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory condition caused by pathogenic bacteria in subgingival plaque. The aim of our study was the development of a real-time PCR test as a diagnostic tool for the detection and differentiation of five periodontopathogenic bacteria, , , , , and , in patients with periodontitis. We compared the results of our in-house method with the micro-IDent semiquantitative commercially available test based on the PCR hybridization method.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Cannabidiol in Croatia among Students, Physicians, and Pharmacists.

Due to cannabidiol's health benefits and absence of serious side effects, its use is constantly growing. This is a survey-based cross-sectional study that was conducted to determine Croatian pharmacists', physicians', and students' knowledge and attitudes about cannabidiol (CBD). Two questionnaires were created, one for students and the other for physicians and pharmacists.

Differences in Plasma Cannabidiol Concentrations in Women and Men: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.

The potential therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) require further study. Here, we report a triple-blind (participant, investigator, and outcome assessor) placebo-controlled crossover study in which 62 hypertensive volunteers were randomly assigned to receive the recently developed DehydraTECH2.0 CBD formulation or a placebo.

Trial of a Novel Oral Cannabinoid Formulation in Patients with Hypertension: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pharmacogenetic Study.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and available evidence suggests potential efficacy in the treatment of many disorders. DehydraTECH™2.0 CBD is a patented capsule formulation that improves the bioabsorption of CBD.

Leafy Vegetable Nitrite and Nitrate Content: Potential Health Effects.

The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of nitrates and nitrites in different types of vegetables that are commonly represented in the diet of the inhabitants of Split and Dalmatian County. Therefore, using the method of random selection, there were 96 samples of different vegetables. The determination of the nitrate and nitrite concentrations was carried out by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD).

New psychoactive and classic substances in pooled urine samples collected at the Ultra Europe festival in Split, Croatia.

We believe that analysing pooled urine samples for recreational drugs used at mass events can provide useful information about trends in drug use. An opportunity arose with the Ultra Europe music festival, which is attended by more than 150,000 people from over 150 countries every year. We analysed 30 pooled urine samples collected from portable chemical toilets located at or close to the Ultra Europe music festival venue in Split, Croatia in 2016-2018 to detect the presence of classic and new psychoactive substances (NPS).

NUTRITION AND MINERAL CONTENT IN HUMAN TEETH THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were: (i) to compare mineral values of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and their ratios, in teeth from Croatian populations that lived in different historical periods, namely the Medieval period, the early 20th century, and the 21 st century; and (ii) to elucidate the influence of diet and lifestyle on tooth quality in these groups.

Design: Determination of mineral content (Ca, Mg, P and Zn) in 294 teeth from three different periods of history (Medieval Period [G1], Second World War period [G2] and the contemporary period [G3]) using atomic absorption spectrometer and UV/VIS spectrometer methods.

Results: Our results showed that the mineral content in teeth has changed over the centuries.

ABCB1, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 genetic polymorphisms do not affect methadone maintenance treatment in HCV-positive patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ABCB1, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 genetic polymorphisms on methadone metabolism in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). The study included 35 participants undergoing MMT, who were divided in three groups: HCV-positive (N=12), HCV-negative (N=16), and HCV clinical remission (CR) (N=7). The concentrations of methadone and its main metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) were determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Comparison of dental caries in Croats from the early medieval period and the 20th century.

Objective: To compare dental caries frequency in the Croatian population exhumed from two archeological periods and compare two methods: International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and DMFT (Decayed-Missing-Filled-Tooth) index.

Materials And Methods: The study included 279 teeth from 69 human remains: Set I of 30 remains and 126 teeth dated from 9th to10th centuries A.D.

Examination of a New Delivery Approach for Oral Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pharmacokinetics Study.

Introduction: Therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in specialized populations continue to emerge. Despite supra-physiological dosing being shown to be tolerable in various pathologies, optimization of CBD absorption has obvious benefits for general health and recreational usage. Our objectives were to: (1) to investigate a joint pharmacokinetic-physiological time course of multiple recreational-equivalent (< 100 mg) dosages of oral CBD in young healthy adults and (2) evaluate a newly developed technology (TurboCBD™) for the enhanced delivery of CBD.

Liver damage indices as a tool for modifying methadone maintenance treatment: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To assess the effect of liver damage on methadone metabolism in opiate addicts undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 74 patients treated at the outpatient clinic of Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County from 2013-2016. Concentrations of methadone and its main inactive metabolite were measured in participants' biological samples on regular check-ups.

A case of synthetic cannabinoid poisoning in Croatia.

The number of new psychoactive substances (NPS), synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in particular, is growing constantly. Because of the insufficiently explored effects on consumer health, they have become a major problem in the emergency departments. They are difficult to identify, and there are no antidotes that could reverse their detrimental effects.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A 15-year Retrospective Study in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study is to use existing epidemiological data on patients in methadone maintenance treatment in Split-Dalmatia County from 2001 to 2015 to evaluate the substitution treatment system and policy of opiate addicts treatment, the epidemiological trend, and risk of overdose mortality. In addition, we would like to highlight the problem of poor control of methadone therapy and thus the possibility of selling methadone. The result is a greater number of deaths caused by methadone in people who were not in methadone therapy.

Comparison of the solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction methods for methadone determination in human serum and whole blood samples using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal biological sample and the optimal extraction technique for monitoring methadone concentrations in biological samples. We analysed methadone in serum and whole blood samples using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Before analysis, we compared five solid-phase extraction (SPE) and two liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) methods and determined that SPE with Supelco LC-18 in serum yielded the best extraction efficiency.

Bone mineral density of skeletal remains: Discordant results between chemical analysis and DXA method.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning is a gold standard for bone mineral density measurement and diagnosis of primary and secondary osteoporosis in living persons. DXA is becoming widespread when analysing archaeological material, and is considered to provide an accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis in skeletal samples. The aim of this study was to explain the differences in results between bone mineral density (obtained with DXA) and chemical determination of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in skeletal remains.

Identification process of skeletal remains from mass graves: Our experience and proposal guidelines.

Aim of this paper is to present our experience and proposal guidelines for reducing the number of samples for DNA analysis of skeletal remains from mass graves, whether for scientific purpose or for the identification of mass graves victims. Therefore, the analysis of 94 bone fragments included the following measurements: femur length and the femoral head diameter, the diameter of the upper, wider portion and lower wider portion of the bone fragment, densitometry of the fragments and measurement of mass and volume of fragments. Bone density was determined on the basis of measured values of mass and volume.

Blood alcohol stability in postmortem blood samples.

The effect of long-term storage on alcohol stability in postmortem blood samples was investigated. Seventy-nine blood samples were used in this study. For the first time, blood alcohol concentrations were measured within 1 to 4 days after being taken at the Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology.

The role of alcohol in road traffic accidents with fatal outcome: 10-year period in Croatia Split-Dalmatia County.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and fatal road traffic accidents that took place in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia) during a 10-year period (from August 2001 to August 2011).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 474 autopsy reports was performed, with an emphasis on 337 toxicologal findings of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the mode of participation in traffic (driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist). Relations between the BAC, the weekday on which death occurred, victim's age and gender, and differences according to 3 successive legislation periods within the observed time frame were analyzed.

Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction for simultaneous determination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its main metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in urine samples.

In presented paper analytical method based on solid-phase extraction using molecularly imprinted polymer and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been developed and validated for the confirmation of THC, THC-OH and THC-COOH in urine samples. Non-covalent molecularly imprinted polymers of THC-OH were prepared using different functional monomers (methacrylic acid, 4-vinylpyridine, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker and 2,2'-azobis-isobutyronitrile as an initiator of radical polymerization. Analytes were extracted from urine samples using prepared polymer sorbent with highest binding selectivity and capability.

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample.

We present a case in which postmortem blood ethanol concentration was 0.02 g/kg and acetone concentration was 0.51 g/kg, while urine ethanol concentration was 6.