Publications by authors named "Sviben M"

Considering our previous experience in the design of new cholinesterase inhibitors, especially resveratrol analogs, in this research, the basic stilbene skeleton was used as a structural unit for new carbamates designed as potentially highly selective butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors with excellent absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity ADMET properties. The inhibitory activity of newly prepared carbamates - was tested toward the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BChE. In the tested group of compounds, the leading inhibitors were and , which achieved excellent selective inhibitory activity for BChE with IC values of 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In previous research, 1,2,3-triazolium salts showed significant biological activity as potential inhibitors of cholinesterase enzymes (ChEs), which are crucial for neurotransmission. In this research, pairs of uncharged thienobenzo-triazoles and their charged salts were prepared in order to further examine the role of the positive charge on the nitrogen of the triazole ring in interactions within the active site of the enzymes, and to compare the selectivity of 1,2,3-triazolium salts in relation to their uncharged analogs obtained by photochemical cyclization. Neutral thienobenzo-triazoles showed very good selective activity toward butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), while their salts showed excellent non-selective inhibition toward both BChE (the most active : IC 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Detection and monitoring of TORCH infections during pregnancy is crucial, as they can lead to severe congenital abnormalities despite typically causing mild morbidity in mothers.
  • - A study testing 1,032 women revealed varying seroprevalence rates for TORCH pathogens: 20.1% for toxoplasmosis, 91.3% for rubella, 70.5% for cytomegalovirus, 66.8% for HSV-1, and 3.5% for HSV-2, with age and geography influencing these rates.
  • - There has been a declining trend in seroprevalence for TORCH pathogens compared to earlier studies (2005-2011), suggesting that monitoring maternal serology
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat, leading to increased mortality and necessitating urgent action-however, its impact on athletes and the world of sports has hitherto been neglected. Sports environments (including athletic and aquatic) exhibit high levels of microbial contamination, potentially contributing to the spread of resistant microorganisms during physical activities. Moreover, the literature suggests that travel for sports events may lead to changes in athletes' gut microbiomes and potentially impact their antibiotic resistance profiles, raising questions about the broader implications for individual and public/global health.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Human alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) has been increasingly reported in central Croatia over the past two decades, marking a new epidemiological focus.
  • Between 2019 and 2022, six autochthonous HAE cases were identified, particularly in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, affecting mainly middle-aged individuals with significant liver lesions.
  • The prevalence of HAE in local red foxes was recorded at 11.24%, highlighting the need for health screening programs and preventive veterinary measures in the region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Infection with the parasitic nematode is characteristic for tropical and subtropical regions of the world, but autochthonous cases have been reported in European countries as well. Here we present the first nation-wide survey of seroprevalence in Croatian individuals presenting with eosinophilia, and evaluate the fraction of positive microscopy rates in stool specimens of seropositive individuals. In our sample of 1407 patients tested between 2018 and 2021, the overall prevalence of strongyloidiasis was 9.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * Despite being a notifiable disease, it is under-reported in European health systems, prompting a systematic review of case data from 1997 to 2021.
  • * The review identified 64,745 cases in 40 European countries, with a mean annual incidence of 0.64 cases per 100,000 people, concentrated primarily in southeastern Europe, while Mediterranean countries have seen a decline in cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The helminth infection caused by is widespread in tropical regions, but rare in European countries. Unfamiliarity with the disease and diagnostic obstacles could contribute to its lethal outcome. Frequent use of corticosteroids during the COVID-19 pandemic could increase its significance.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: By analysing the largest collection of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) isolates from a single centre thus far, we aimed to appraise a potential causal link between an infrequently isolated species and the urethritis syndrome in men.

Methods: A total of 1055 Caucasian male individuals with or without urethritis syndrome were included in this single-centre case-control study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Genital warts (also known as condylomata acuminata) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) represent one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Although they are usually found in the outer genital region, a small proportion of men can present with (often unrecognised) intraurethral warts, generally limited to the distal urethra and urethral meatus. This poses a treatment challenge not adequately addressed by the current guidelines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Strongyloides stercoralis infections are prevalent in Croatia, with a study analyzing data from patients treated for the infection from 2010 to 2019.
  • Out of 65 patients, most were men aged 50-79, with varying clinical presentations, including many showing no symptoms but having elevated eosinophil levels.
  • The study highlights the need for screening immunosuppressed individuals and organ donors in Croatia due to the endemic nature of strongyloidiasis in the region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus with a pandemic spread. So far, a total of 349,910 SARS-CoV-2 cases and 7687 deaths were reported in Croatia. We analyzed the seroprevalence and neutralizing (NT) antibody response in the Croatian general population after the first (May-July 2020) and second (December 2020-February 2021) pandemic wave.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Although trichinellosis represents one of the most significant global foodborne zoonotic diseases, human seroprevalence studies are scarce. Due to its endemicity in Croatia, the aims of this study were to establish the general prevalence of Trichinella infection in Croatian individuals presenting with eosinophilia during a 5-year period, and to assess the value of such screening endeavours for early detection/differentiation of outbreaks. A total of 1342 serum samples were collected from male and female subjects presenting with peripheral blood eosinophilia between 2013 and 2017, and tested for Trichinella IgG antibodies by employing commercial qualitative ELISA and Trichinella Excreted/Secreted (E/S) Western blot methods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The predominance of the genus Corynebacterium in the healthy male urogenital system contributes to the resident microbiome of not only the distal urethra, but potentially the proximal urethra and urinary bladder as well. However, for certain species in this genus, pathogenic potential was described, and the salient representative is Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) implicated in cases of urethritis and prostatitis in men.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine in vitro synergy and postantibiotic effect of colistin alone and combined with meropenem or vancomycin against Enterobacteriaceae producing multiple carbapenemases; combinations of two metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) or MBL with OXA-48. Colistin-resistant strain positive for OXA-48 was also included in the study.

Methods: The antibiotic susceptibility was tested by broth microdilution method.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Previous studies suggested a complex association between Toxoplasma gondii (TG) infection and host lipid metabolism. Both TG infection and metabolic disturbances are very common in patients with schizophrenia, but this relationship is not clear.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the association between TG seropositivity, serum lipid levels, body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 210 male inpatients with schizophrenia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) is a rare isolate that is only recently being acknowledged as a potential urogenital pathogen. The bibliographical references on this bacterial species are scarce, and its influence on all semen parameters was hitherto unknown - therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on a range of sperm quality parameters.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In order to identify the groups at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), we assessed the sociodemographic profiles of men testing for STD, their sexual habits, and the results of microbiological analysis. During a three-year period, a total of 700 men older than 18 years of age completed the questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and sexual behavior. Urethral swabs were taken for microbiological analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most common bacterial agent of sexually transmitted infections around the world, but susceptibility testing of this pathogen is rarely pursued due to its intracellular niche. The principal aims of this research were to determine in vitro sensitivity profile of urogenital chlamydial strains isolated from Croatian patients and to compare obtained concentration values of different antimicrobial drugs mutually and with the literature.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hepatitis E has become an emerging infection in many European countries. We analysed the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in selected population groups in Croatia. Overall HEV IgG seropositivity was 5.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis in men with and without symptoms of urethritis, with concomitant analysis of sociodemographic and behavioural specificities of both groups. Also, the objective is to evaluate laboratory methods used in the diagnostics of this parasitic disease.

Methods: A total of 500 men with and 200 without urethritis symptoms were included in the study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF