Hepatitis E seroprevalence and associated risk factors in Croatian liver transplant recipients

Abstract INTRODUCTION Solid-organ transplant recipients are at risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. We analyzed the seroprevalence/risk factors of HEV in Croatian liver transplant recipients. METHODS Two hundred forty-two serum samples were tested for HEV immunoglobuline IgG/IgM and HEV RNA. Sociodemographic data and risk factors were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS HEV IgG seroprevalence rate was 24.4%. Positive/equivocal HEV IgM were found in two patients. HEV RNA was not detected. Logistic regression showed that older age, female gender, rural area/farm, water well, and septic tank were associated with HEV seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a high exposure rate to HEV in Croatian liver recipients.

Investigator Argus X-12 study on the population of northern Croatia

Abstract X chromosome STR typing has emerged recently as a powerful tool, complementary to autosomal STR typing, in solving complex forensic and missing person cases. Investigator® Argus X-12 is a commercial product that allows co-amplification of 12 X chromosomal markers belonging to four linkage groups (LGs). In this study, we analyzed by capillary electrophoresis blood samples from 100 females and 102 males from a population of northern Croatia. Statistical analysis included calculation of allele and haplotype frequencies, as well as forensic parameters. The most informative marker for the northern Croatia population was DXS10135 with PIC=0.9211 and a total of 27 alleles. The least polymorphic marker was DXS8378 with 6 alleles. The proportion of observed haplotypes from the number of possible haplotypes varied from 2.74-8.57% across all LGs, with LG1 being the most informative. Of the 11 tested world populations compared to the population of northern Croatia, significant differences in genetic distance (FST) were found for Greenlandic and all non-European populations. We found that all tested markers are in HWE and can thus be used for match probability calculation. Because of high combined power of discrimination in both men and women, Investigator® Argus X-12 is applicable for the northern Croatia population in routine forensic casework.

Influence of the local spring warming on the breeding phenology in blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) in Croatia.

Recent papers have shown that climate change affects many species, including birds. Several papers from different areas have devoted attention to the negative correlation between the dates of breeding and year, and also negative correlation between the dates of breeding and air spring temperatures. Recent work give some firm evidence for postulating causal relationship between spring temperature and laying dates. We used 31 years (1979-2009) of data from blackcap Sylvia atricapilla in Mokrice area, Northwestern Croatia to assess whether there has been any systematic change in breeding phenology through time. Among environmental factors possibly affecting the breeding date, consideration was given to mean monthly air temperatures (April- May). Over the past three decades, the breeding date of blackcap in our study population has changed significantly: They started breeding progressively earlier (11.77 days). Two regression analysis with laying date as criterion variable showed that spring temperatures can significantly predict variation of laying date and that there are also some other unknown factors which significantly explain variation of laying date. We conclude that blackcaps across northwestern Croatia are breeding earlier and that mean air spring temperatures is probably the most important factor causing it, among other factors.

Association of TNF promoter polymorphisms with type 1 diabetes in the South Croatian population

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic p cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleotropic cytokine with potent immunomodulatory and inflammatory activity. Association studies of TNF polymorphisms and type 1 diabetes (TIDM) frequently demonstrated TNF involvement with TIDM. Although TNF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TIDM, the genetic association of TNF región with the disease has not been conclusive because of the strong linkage disequilibrium with HLA genes. In this study, we examined two TNF promoter variants (rs 1800629 at position -308, and rs361525 at position -238) for TIDM association in 233 patients and 144 controls from the population of South Croatia. A higher frequency of TNF -308 A alíele and also, a more frequent specific -308A -238G haplotype in TIDM patients were observed with a limited significance. However, we did not find strong evidence of association of TNF promoter polymorphisms with TIDM. In order to elucidate the trae contribution of TNF to TIDM susceptibility in our population, more comprehensive studies with HLA adjustment in a larger sample are required.

Serum Lipid Concentrations in Croatian Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Comorbid with Major Depressive Disorder, or Major Depressive Disorder

The aim of this study was to assess eventual differences in serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio between veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) only or comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD), veterans with combat experiences with MDD, and healthy control group. PTSD and/ or MDD were diagnose according to structured clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria. Additional criteria to diagnose PTSD were Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and to diagnose MDD Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRAS). Serum lipid concentrations were determined by using the enzyme-assay method. Veterans with combat-related PTSD as well as veterans with combat-related PTSD comorbid with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of cholesterol (F=9.858, p<0.01), triglycerides (F=10.112, p<0.01), LDL-C (F=11.145, p<0.01), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (F=8.346, p<0.01) vs. veterans with MDD or healthy control group. Contrary healthy control group and veterans with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL-C (F=8.421, p<0.01), vs. veterans with PTSD or PTSD comorbid with MDD. In conclusion, there are no differences in serum lipid concentrations between veterans with combat-related PTSD and PTSD comorbid with MDD, but they have higher lipid concentrations than veterans with MDD or healthy control subjects.