[Role of physicians in violence against women in family]. / Uloga lijecnika kod nasilja nad zenama u obitelji.

Health protection of every individual is the main goal of health activity and because of that violence against women in family is important everyday health issue in Croatia. The principles of medical science and the principles of professional ethics oblige us to search the real causes of illness, even if causes are not of biological basis. Physicians and the rest of health workers have duty to have knowledge about signs of violence on women, denounce to competent authorities every case of violence against women in family and give adequate medical treatment and healing. In this review article were used medical, judicial, victimological and sociological literature, because only through co-ordinated and responsible co-operation with social service, administration of justice, police, non-government associations and the rest of professionals involved in victim protection, we can help women to live in healthier family union.

Massacre over civilians during the war in Croatia.

The 1991-1995 War for independence of Croatia was a cruel armed conflict, provoked by the conquering aspirations of the "Yugoslav Federal Army" under Serbian command and Serbian terrorists. It took place on the territory of the Republic of Croatia and gave rise to a mass destruction of civilian and sacral buildings and civilian massacres. Here we present three representative cases as an example of the massacre over civilians that happened in the vicinity of Vrhovine, in northwestern Croatia. Seven civilians were taken from their homes in the village of Dabar, exposed to unprecedented, savage torture and cruel execution. Forensic medicine experts revealed that victims were beaten with blunt objects, probably the butt end of rifles or high boots, stabbed with sharp objects as they were dying, and finally killed by gunshots. Their dead bodies were mutilated by cutting auricles and exposed to post-mortem humiliation. Events at Vrhovine have all the characteristics of crimes against humanity and inapprehensible breaches of the Geneva Convention at the very end of 20th century.

Prognostic factors of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Their clinical behavior is very unpredictable and a reliable prognostic factor is lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze some prognostic factors and estimate which one is the most reliable. Thirty-eight biopsy specimens of GIST were immunolabeled for PCNA, CD34, vimentin, NSE and actin. The greatest diameter, histological grading, mitotic count, DNA-index and S-phase were estimated for each case. All patients were followed-up for at least 24 months or to death. The data were analysed by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using a computer program. The results showed that greatest diameter, tumor grade, mitotic count and PCNA-index are prognostic factors in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis only the greatest diameter is a useful prognostic factor for planning further therapy.