Short-Term Supplementation of Sauerkraut Induces Favorable Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Active Athletes: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Since the gut microbiota is important for athlete health and performance, its optimization is increasingly gaining attention in sports nutrition, for example, with whole fermented foods. Sauerkraut is a traditional fermented food rich in pro-, pre-, and postbiotics, which has not yet been investigated in the field of sports nutrition.

Methods: To determine whether sauerkraut could be used for gut microbiota optimization in sports nutrition, a proof-of-concept study was conducted.

A Decade of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for Chromosomal Abnormalities in Croatia: First National Monocentric Study to Inform Country's Future Prenatal Care Strategy.

Background: Chromosomal numerical and structural alterations are significant causes of various developmental disorders in foetuses. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has emerged as an effective screening tool for detecting common aneuploidies, aiding in the identification of individuals who may require further diagnostic work-up.

Methods: This retrospective, monocentric observational study evaluates the usage patterns, test choices, turnaround times (TAT), and outcomes of NIPT between 2013 and 2023 on a sample of 2431 pregnant women at a special hospital offering outpatient services and comprehensive gynaecological/obstetric inpatient care.

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.

5-years outcomes following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction comparing quadruple hamstring and peroneus longus tendon autografts: a randomized control trial.

Aims: This study presents clinical outcomes, functional results, and return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using quadruple hamstring tendon autograft or peroneus longus tendon autograft in a randomized controlled trial.

Patients And Methods: Between February 2018 and July 2019, patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were randomly assigned to two groups: hamstring and peroneus longus. Patient related outcome measurements and pain intensity were evaluated using IKDC, Lysholm, and visual analog scores at 3 and 6 months, 1, 2, and 5 years after the surgery.

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.

Virtue ethics-based research integrity training intervention to change medical students' attitudes and perceptions of organizational ethical climate: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Universities are increasingly offering training in research integrity (RI) to enhance research quality and foster RI. Despite the importance of integrating scientific virtues into such training, there is a lack of assessment of virtue ethics-based RI training.

Methods: This was a randomised controlled study assessing the impact of a virtue-based training for RI, performed at the University of Split School of Medicine in 2020-2021.

The determination of euglobulin clot lysis time reference intervals in Beckton Dickinson and Kima 3.2% sodium citrate coagulation tubes.

Enhanced fibrinolysis or hyperfibrinolysis may lead to life-threatening blood loss, while reduced activity may contribute to thrombosis. Euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) is a manual method that measures plasma fibrinolytic activity and is considered the gold standard. However, the data on reference interval is scarce and outdated.

Exploratory study on reference intervals of calprotectin and pentraxin 3.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to determine reference intervals for serum pentraxin 3 and calprotectin, as well as for urine calprotectin according to the CLSI EP28-A3C guidelines for defining, establishing, and verifying reference intervals in the clinical laboratory.

Materials And Methods: A total of 120 serum and urine samples from either healthy volunteers or outpatients were used for reference interval establishment. The participants had CRP levels, leucocyte counts, serum urea levels, creatinine levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rates (CKD-EPI eGFRs) within the reference range and no medical history of acute/chronic inflammatory diseases/conditions or cancer.

Comparative Effects of Spinal Anesthesia and Combined Spinal with Peripheral Nerve Blocks on Postoperative Outcomes in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair.

: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of spinal anesthesia (SA) alone versus combined spinal anesthesia with adductor canal block (ACB) and sciatic nerve block (SNB) (SA + ACB + SNB) in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We hypothesized that SA + ACB + SNB would provide better analgesia, greater patient satisfaction, and shorter postanesthesia recovery times than SA alone. : A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients aged 15-49 years scheduled for elective arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.

The Association between the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio and Body Mass among European Population with the Highest Proportion of Adults with Obesity: An Observational Follow-Up Study from Croatia.

: The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the main constituents of the gut microbiota. An imbalance in the gut microbiota is a sign of dysbiosis, and the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio has been proposed to be a marker of it, especially in the context of obesity. Since Croatia is the country with one of the highest obesity rates in Europe, a pilot observational study was conducted.

Undetected Ocular Mass as a Critical Alert for Identifying Uveal Metastasis.

We report our experience of diagnosing and managing metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lungs with primary manifestation to the iris and the ciliary body with the purpose to raise clinical suspicion for systemic malignancy in the presence of undetected ocular mass along with other ocular manifestations. An 82-year-old male presented with a deterioration of vision and intense pain in the right eye since the day before. With his right eye, he suddenly discerned hand movements only.

Short- and long-term stability of synovial fluid calprotectin.

Introduction: Information about analyte stability is of crucial importance. The aims of this study were to determine the short- and long-term stability of synovial fluid calprotectin at various temperature conditions (4-8 °C for 7 days, - 20 °C and - 80 °C for 6 weeks).

Materials And Methods: Eleven samples from patients were included in this study.

Poor registration and publication practices in clinical trials of targeted therapeutics for endocrine and metabolic diseases: an observational study.

Objectives: To assess the completeness and concordance of reporting in registries and corresponding publications of interventional trials on targeted therapeutics for endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Study Design And Setting: We searched clinical trial registries in September 2022 for completed interventional trials of target therapeutics for endocrine and metabolic disorders registered from 2005 onwards. We used ClinicalTrials.

Global education - Impressive results of Ian Donald school.

The Ian Donald International School of Ultrasound bears testament to globalization in its most successful and worthwhile form. The school was founded in Dubrovnik in 1981. Since then, the growth has been meteoric and now consists of 126 branches throughout the world.

Molecular Mechanisms Affecting Statin Pharmacokinetics after Bariatric Surgery.

According to recent data, one in eight people in the world struggle with obesity. Obesity management is increasingly dependent on bariatric surgical interventions, as the combination of lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy could have a modest long-term effect. Surgery is recommended only for individuals whose body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m and ≥ 35 kg/m in the presence of weight-related comorbidities.

Individualised therapeutic approach to the patient with atypical haemolytic-uraemic syndrome.

Atypical haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease associated with uncontrolled activation of the alternative complement pathway, leading to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Early diagnosis and treatment with eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the complement component C5, are crucial to improve outcomes and prevent renal failure and mortality. Current recommendations include lifelong eculizumab therapy, yet this practice presents challenges including high treatment costs and increased infection risks from prolonged complement inhibition.

The Interplay between Dietary Habits and Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes: A Comprehensive Prospective FGM Study.

Type 1 diabetes has become prevalent among the adult population, who have increasingly gained access to sensing technology. This study delved into the impact of diet, nutritional status, and the use of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) on glycemic regulation among adults diagnosed with T1D. Employing a prospective design, data were gathered from 151 participants aged 18-60 across multiple cycles.

Effects of High-Intensity Training on Complete Blood Count, Iron Metabolism, Lipid Profile, Liver, and Kidney Function Tests of Professional Water Polo Players.

Aim: Our goal was to examine the effect of high-intensity physical activity on changes in the lipid profile, complete blood count (CBC), iron metabolism, and kidney and liver function tests of professional water polo players.

Methods: This study included twenty professional male water polo players. Blood sampling was carried out at the beginning of the season and during periods of high-intensity training.