The emergence of logistics distribution centers has in the past few decades become a mass phenomenon that has emerged as a result of global economic processes. As part of logistics networks, ...logistics distribution centers are the key link between production and the market, i.e. end users, and function as nodes that facilitate international business activities. For this reason, the aim of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of logistics distribution centers on the example of logistics distribution centers of the selected Western and Central European Union countries and examine the prospects for the development of logistics distribution centers in Croatia. The research results indicate that the Republic of Croatia is less competitive in comparison with Western and Central European countries, although it has a number of logistics distribution centers due to insufficient utilization and renewal of transport infrastructure. Logistics distribution centers are an important center of logistics networks, and the countries will have to devote more attention to their development to attract foreign investment and achieve economic development, because their significance will continue to grow in the future.
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, incidence and the burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Southern Albania.
This is an epidemiologic observational study with cross-sectional ...analyses of all patients with RA who lived in Southern Albania during the 1995-2011 years. The RA prevalence, incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were assessed.
During the 1995-2011 years, 194 patients (154 females and 40 males) with RA living in Southern Albania were identified. The prevalence of RA in 2011 was 0.25% in general population and 0.34% in adult (>14 years) population. The incidence of RA in 2011 was 0.012% (12 new cases per 100000 inhabitants) and 0.016% (16 new cases per 100000 adults). The prevalence increased (from 0.036% in 1996 to 0.25% in 2011) and the incidence did not change over the study period. The mortality was 3.2% (n=7 deaths). The DALY due to RA was 823 years per 100000 inhabitants during 1995-2011 years.
RA in Southern Albania has a prevalence of 0.25 % and an annual incidence of 0.012% in the general population in 2011. RA was responsible for a considerable burden on the health of population during the 1995-2011 years.
The purpose of this study was to detect the level of genomic instability and p53 alterations in anaplastic astrocytoma and primary glioblastoma patients, and to evaluate their impact on glioma ...pathogenesis and patients outcome. AP-PCR DNA profiling revealed two types of genetic differences between tumor and normal tissue: qualitative changes which represent accumulation of changes in DNA sequence and are the manifestation of microsatellite and point mutation instability (MIN-PIN) and quantitative changes which represent amplifications or deletions of existing chromosomal material and are the manifestation of chromosomal instability (CIN). Both types of alterations were present in all analyzed samples contributing almost equally to the total level of genomic instability, and showing no differences between histological subtypes. p53 alterations were detected in 40% of samples, predominantly in anaplastic astrocytoma. The higher level of genomic instability was observed in elderly patients (>50years) and patents with primary glioblastoma. Level of genomic instability had no impact on patients' survival, while presence of p53 alterations seemed to be a favorable prognostic factor in this case. Our results indicate that extensive genomic instability is one of the main features of malignant gliomas.
► AP-PCR DNA fingerprinting revealed a high level of genomic instability in glioma. ► Grade III and grade IV glioma have almost the same level of genomic instability. ► CIN and MIN-PIN contribute equally to the level of total genomic instability. ► p53 alterations have no impact on the level of genomic instability. ► The level of genomic instability has no impact on patients' survival.
Premda se više desetljeća proučava i unapređuje poslovanje teretnih morskih luka, one u Republici Hrvatskoj još uvijek nisu konkurentne takvim lukama u Jadranskome i Sredozemnom moru, stoga je ...predmet istraživanja u ovom radu bio da se uz pomoć teorijske i praktične spoznaje utvrde aktivnosti koje će dovesti do unapređenja u poslovanju hrvatskih teretnih morskih luka. Na početku razmatranja, poradi boljeg razumijevanja same problematike, predočene su važnije značajke o pomorskom prometu i morskim lukama, kao što su pojam pomorskog prometa i morskih luka, njihove vrste i funkcije. Nakon detaljno elaboriranih značajki posebna je pozornost posvećena teretnim morskim lukama, iznoseći zakonske odrednice za upravljanje njima, opseg teretnog prometa i, konačno, ocjena upravljanja teretnim morskim lukama u Republici Hrvatskoj. S obzirom na činjenicu da je kontejnerski promet vrlo perspektivan oblik prijevoza tereta, izvršena je analiza kontejnerskog prometa te je predstavljena ocjena upravljanja kontejnerskim prometom u morskim lukama. Na temelju dobivenih pokazatelja izneseno je i elaborirano nekoliko prijedloga kojima bi se poboljšalo poslovanje teretnih morskih luka uz podršku Ministarstva, udruženja luka, lučkih uprava i važnijih sudionika u njihovu poslovanju. Na kraju, zaključeno je da bi pritom bilo prijeko potrebno uspostaviti konzistentnu prometnu i lučku politiku koja će biti usklađena sa standardima i propisima Europske unije.
Although in the past decades a number of studies and activities to improve business of cargo ports were carried out, still the cargo seaports in the Republic of Croatia are not competitive in ...relation to the cargo seaports in the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, thereby the objective of this thesis was to use theoretical and practical knowledge to establish activities which will lead to improvement in the business activities of cargo seaports in Croatia. At the beginning of this thesis work for a better understanding of the issues, important features of maritime transport and seaports are presented, such as: the concept of maritime transport and ports, types of maritime transport and ports and the function of maritime ports. After thoroughly elaborated features of maritime transport and seaports special attention was paid to the cargo seaports, setting out the legal guidelines of management of seaports, the movement of freight traffic in seaports and assessment of management of cargo seaports in Croatia. Given the fact that container traffic is one of the most promising forms of transport, an analyze has been made in container traffic and an assessment of container traffic management in the seaports of Croatia is presented. Based on the analysis and evaluation of the degree of business efficiency of cargo ports and container traffic in Croatia a few suggestions for improvement of cargo ports are laid out by the Ministry, port associations, port authorities and major actors in the business of cargo seaports. In the end, it was concluded that to improve freight operations of Croatian ports it is necessary to set a consistent transport and port policies that will be consistent with standards and regulations of the European Union.
Obstructive uropathy encompasses various urinary tract obstructions, leading to changes in urine flow, kidney pressure, and impaired kidney function. Predicting renal recovery from obstructive ...uropathy, can be challenging and necessitates treatment, as in percutaneous nephrostomy (PNS) drainage. The choice of drainage method depends on patient-specific factors and local expertise. According to the data for the Republic of North Macedonia, in the register of the European Renal Association, in the last few years, there has been an increase in the percentage of patients with obstructive nephropathy from 7.6% to 8.9% who end up on a chronic hemodialysis program. Prompt relief from urinary tract obstruction is essential to preserve renal function and prevent complications. The aim of this study is to present our initial data analysis of recent experience in the use of nephrostomies as a method for temporary or long-term resolution of obstructive nephropathy, in terms of safety and success in preserving kidney function and reducing the number of patients on hemodialysis.
This study analyzed the medical records of 24 patients with obstructive uropathy who underwent PNS placement. Data were collected for the type and degree of obstruction from the ultrasonographic examination. A pig tail nephrostomy was used, with a dilator, guided under ultrasound and controlled with contrast and fluoroscope. Obstructive nephropathy was defined as an elevation of the serum creatinine > 109 µmol/L, before the intervention. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated according to the formula CKD epi in ml/min. Each placement of the PNS was considered as an individual procedure and the data of 38 placed nephrostomies were analyzed. We compared the laboratory analyses from the day before (D0) PNS placement and on the seventh day (D7) after PNS placement. The reduction of values for red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) baseline values from D0 to D7 and the need for transfusion after the procedure were defined as a complication-bleeding. The increase in total counts of the white blood cells (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) from the baseline values from D0 to D7 were defined as a complication-infection. Standard statistical methods were used for data processing.
Most patients, 17 (70%), had malignant disease as the cause of obstruction. Unilateral obstruction was more common, detected in 24 (63%) of procedures, with a high degree of hydronephrosis. Obstructive nephropathy, marked by elevated serum creatinine, was observed in 23 (60%) cases before PNS placement. Complications included bleeding and infection but did not result in any fatalities. When comparing the laboratory analysis before PNS placement (D0) and seven days later (D7), a statistically significant decrease in serum creatinine (225±161 vs. 162±145, p=0.005) and an increase in GFR (47±39 vs.59±34, p= 0.005) were observed.
Percutaneous nephrostomy is a safe and effective treatment option for urinary tract obstruction, especially in patients with malignancies. Continuous monitoring is essential to assess long-term complications and the longevity of PNS functionality. This procedure offers a significant benefit in preserving renal function and minimizing the need for hemodialysis in these patients.
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