The effect of a general practitioner's perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: secondary analysis of a point prevalence audit survey in 18 European countries.

Background: Illness severity, comorbidity, fever, age and symptom duration influence antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTI). Non-medical determinants, such as patient expectations, also impact prescribing.

Aim: To quantify the effect of general practitioners' (GPs') perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for RTI and investigate effect modification by medical determinants and country.

Expression of Wnt signaling proteins LEF1, β-catenin, GSK3β, DVL1, and N-myc varies across retinoblastoma subtypes and pRb phosphorylation status.

Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, has hereditary and non-hereditary forms. While TNM classification helps in prognosis, understanding molecular mechanisms is vital for the clinical behavior of retinoblastoma prediction. Our study aimed to analyze the expression levels of key Wnt pathway proteins, GSK3β, LEF1, β-catenin, and DVL1, and associate them to non-phosphorylated active form (pRb) and the phosphorylated inactive form (ppRb) and N-myc expression, in retinoblastoma cells and healthy retinal cells, in order to elucidate their roles in retinoblastoma and identify potential targets that could help to improve diagnostic and therapy.

INFLUENCE OF ATTACHMENT DIMENSIONS AND PERCEIVED PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION IN ADOLESCENT PATIENTS ON CONDUCT DISORDER.

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in attachment dimensions and the perceived parental acceptance / rejection among adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) in comparison to the control group, and the contribution of the attachment dimensions and parental acceptance /rejection to the CD. The group of male and female adolescents with CD (N=97) and a control group of male and female adolescents with no signs of CD (N=97) participated in this study. Attachment and parental acceptance/rejection were determined in the relationship between adolescents and their mothers and fathers by using self-evaluation questionnaires.

Evaluating academic detailing as an antibiotic stewardship intervention in primary healthcare settings in Croatia.

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are common in primary healthcare care settings and frequently result in antibiotic prescriptions, despite being primarily viral. There is scarcity of research examining impact of academic detailing (AD) intervention on prescribing practices for these infections in resource-constrained healthcare settings like southeastern Europe. Therefore aim of this study was to evaluate impact of AD intervention as an antimicrobial stewardship measure on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in primary setting in Croatia which is located in southeastern Europe.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in adults after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination: a retrospective study in the metropolitan area of Zagreb, Croatia (2010-2022).

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a severe form of illness caused by with high morbidity and mortality rate in the general population, particularly in children <5 years of age, adults ≥65 years of age and the immunocompromised. As known, pneumococcal vaccination lowers the risk of IPD so the aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination has influenced the incidence and mortality of IPD in adults in Croatia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among adult patients (aged ≥18 years) hospitalized due to IPD in the metropolitan area of Zagreb from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2022.

Effects of Tai Chi exercise on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of a Tai Chi exercise program (TCEP) on pain, spinal flexibility, muscle strength, stability and balance, functional status, and quality of life (QoL) among home-dwelling patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or inflammatory arthritis (iA).

Patients And Methods: Between October 2018 and April 2019, a total of 28 participants (4 males, 24 females; median age: 62 years; range, 34 to 79 years) who completed the training program participating in at least 18 sessions were included. The TCEP consisted of 50 sessions for 60 min twice a week.

Qualitative study of paediatricians' experiences in the care process for preschool children with complex needs: an example of paediatric care in Croatia.

Objectives: Preschool children with complex needs require a multidimensional care model. In such a model, paediatricians are one of the key stakeholders. This study examines Croatian paediatricians' experiences and perceptions of their role in the care process.

The Re-Emergence of Neuroinvasive Flaviviruses in Croatia During the 2022 Transmission Season.

(Re-)emerging arboviruses, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Usutu virus (USUV), are continuously increasing in incidence. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of flavivirus infections in humans, sentinel animals, and mosquitoes detected in the 2022 transmission season in Croatia. From April to November 2022, 110 hospitalized patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NID) were tested for the presence of arboviruses.

Systemic Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation as a Possible Driving Force of Fracture Non-Unions?

Introduction: Non-unions are fractures that do not heal properly, resulting in a false joint formation at the fracture site. This condition leads to major health issues and imposes a burden on national healthcare systems. The etiology of non-unions is still not fully understood; therefore, we aimed to identify potential systemic factors that may contribute to their formation.

Temporal Activity and Distribution of the Invasive Mosquitoes and in the Zagreb Area, Croatia.

and are invasive mosquito species that are causing great public concern. have successfully spread in Croatia, established in both the coastal and continental parts of the country, while is invading temperate climate areas. The invasive species are particularly attracted to the black plastic water containers and flower vases in cemeteries where they oviposit their eggs.

Primary prevention in hospitals in 20 high-income countries in Europe - A case of not "Making Every Contact Count"?

This article provides a snapshot of primary prevention activities in hospitals in 20 European high-income countries, based on inputs from experts of the Observatory's Health Systems and Policies Monitor (HSPM) network using a structured questionnaire. We found that in the vast majority of countries (15), there are no systematic national policies on primary prevention in hospitals. Five countries (Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom) reported systematic primary prevention activities in hospitals, although in one of them (Cyprus) this was due to the fact that small hospitals in rural areas or less populated districts host providers of primary care.

Differences between Doctors of Dental Medicine and Doctors of Medicine Awareness of Their Online Image and Perception Concerns: a Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs), including doctors of dental medicine (DMDs) and doctors of medicine (MDs), use social networking sites (SNSs) for personal and professional purposes. This study aims to: (i) explore DMDs and MDs awareness of their online presence, (ii) examine how frequently and for what reasons DMDs and MDs monitor their online images, (iii) determine the prevalence of finding inaccurate, incomplete, or unprofessional information about themselves, examine that experience, and investigate actions performed regarding unprofessional or embarrassing posted material, (iv) assess concerns about their own SNSs usage and the content they post.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among DMDs and MDs in Croatia using a questionnaire.

The Role of Quantitative PCR in Evaluating the Clinical Significance of Human Bocavirus Detection in Children.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) has emerged as a significant pathogen primarily associated with respiratory infections in children. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical relevance of HBoV infection by quantifying viral loads in nasopharyngeal swabs from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and investigating correlations with clinical outcomes. A total of 957 children were tested, with HBoV detected in 73 cases (7.

Abbreviated Breast MRI as a Supplement to Mammography in Family Risk History of Breast Cancer within the Croatian National Breast Screening Program.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of abbreviated breast MRI compared with mammography in women with a family history of breast cancer included in the Croatian National Breast Screening Program.

Methods: 178 women with a family history of breast cancer aged 50 to 69 underwent abbreviated breast MRI and mammography. Radiological findings for each method were categorized according to the BI-RADS classification.

Diverse roles of Primary Health Care in COVID-19 vaccination across 28 European countries - Insights from the Eurodata study.

Background: The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in several European countries involved collaboration between public health and Primary Health Care (PHC).

Objective: To highlight the role of PHC professionals in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, specifically in terms of vaccine administration, communication and contributing to vaccination population coverage.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective study of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign across 28 European countries was conducted, covering data from December 2020 to November 2021.

European pollen reanalysis, 1980-2022, for alder, birch, and olive.

The dataset presents a 43 year-long reanalysis of pollen seasons for three major allergenic genera of trees in Europe: alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and olive (Olea). Driven by the meteorological reanalysis ERA5, the atmospheric composition model SILAM predicted the flowering period and calculated the Europe-wide dispersion pattern of pollen for the years 1980-2022. The model applied an extended 4-dimensional variational data assimilation of in-situ observations of aerobiological networks in 34 European countries to reproduce the inter-annual variability and trends of pollen production and distribution.

Virulence Factors and Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin, Vancomycin, Triclosan, and Chlorhexidine among Enterococci from Clinical Specimens, Food, and Wastewater.

and are opportunistic pathogens commonly found in the microbiota of humans and other animals as well as in the environment. This article presents the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing using phenotypic methods (broth microdilution and standardized disk diffusion) on selected clinical, food, and wastewater isolates of and The isolates were divided into subgroups based on their sensitivity to the following antibiotics: vancomycin (VAN) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), and biocides triclosan (TCL) and chlorhexidine (CHX). The study also investigated in vitro virulence factors, including biofilm formation ability, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and β-hemolysis, to explore aspects of pathogenesis.

Proteomic exploration of potential blood biomarkers in haemophilic arthropathy.

Background And Aims: The pathophysiology of haemophilic arthropathy (HA) is complex and largely undefined. Proteomic analyses provide insights into the intricate mechanisms of the HA.Our study aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins in relation to the severity of HA, explore their pathophysiological roles, and evaluate their potential as HA biomarkers.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV among medical students in Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: Medical students, as future health-care providers (HCPs) play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and should possess adequate knowledge of this infection. The study aim was to assess knowledge about HIV among medical students of the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and to determine the level of discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA.

Methods: We assessed knowledge about epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of HIV by using closed-ended and multiple-choice questions.