Search

Opening, lecturers and program of the DOSEtrace Training Course, This project 17RPT01 DOSEtrace has received funding from the EMPIR programme cofinanced by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Poster on ICDA-3 onference about the DOSEtrace project, This project 17RPT01 DOSEtrace has received funding from the EMPIR programme cofinanced by the Participating States and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

We report on response of newly designed 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode (SBD) detector to alpha, beta and gamma particles. In order to optimize SiC SBD detector’s thermal neutron efficiency, it’s of particular importance to understand its behavior in various radiation fields. The optimal size of the SBD is limited by degradation of electronic properties, and consequently their charge particle detection. We have manufactured diodes up to 3 x 3 mm active surface area to study those properties in correlation with increasing of detector size. Approximately 25 µm thick epitaxial layer is grown on SiC substrate by chemical vapor deposition, which is sufficient to stop alpha particles up to 6.8 MeV. Different active volume sizes of the detector based have been electrically characterized and exposed to radiation fields of alpha, beta and gamma particles. Extensive studies of the detector response to the various alpha emitters in the 3.27 MeV to 8.79 MeV energy range have been carried out. Results presented here demonstrate not only excellent linear response of the different detector active area to alpha particles, but also shows linear response to gamma particles. The detectors show a linear energy response, high charge collection efficiency and high energy resolution for the alpha particle energies bellow 6.7 MeV which is in a correlation with the range of charged particles in epitaxial layer of our detectors. Electrical characteristics of the detectors were assessed by temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements as well as by Laplace DLTS characterization of the electrically active defects. Ideality factor of the diodes is found to be in the range of 1.01 to 1.02 and free carrier concentration is in the range of 3x1014 cm-3 to 4.5x1014 cm-3. Co-60 and Cs-137 gamma radiations were carried out in Ruđer Bošković Institute’s Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory with the air kerma rates up to 77 mGy/min., The 7th International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA2021)

Background: In the final phase of clot formation, fibrinogen constitutes frame, whereas factor XIII (FXIII) active form is responsible for the covalent cross-linking of fibrin fibres and plasmin inhibitor (PI), thus contributing to clot stability. It could be expected that any change of coagulation factors’ structure affects the clot formation and modulates the atherothrombotic risk. The aim was to determine the frequency of four single nucleotide polymorphisms: (i) A > G in codon 312 of the fibrinogen alpha-chain gene (rs6050, Thr312AlaFGA), (ii) C > T at position 10034 of the 3-untranslated region in the fibrinogen gamma-chain gene (rs2066865, 10034C > T FGG), (iii) C > T in codon 564 of the FXIII-A subunit gene (rs5982, Pro564LeuFXIII-A), and (iv) C > T in codon 6 of the plasmin inhibitor gene (rs2070863, Arg6TrpPI) in Croatian patients and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We performed the unrelated case- control association study on the consecutive sample of patients 18 or more years old, who had undergone coronary angiography for investigation of chest pain and suspected CAD. The cases were patients with confirmed CAD (N = 201), and the controls were the subjects with no CAD (N = 119). Samples were genotyped using PCR-RFLP analysis. Results: Observed frequencies of the rare alleles of Thr312Ala FGA, 10034C > T FGG, Leu564Pro FXIII- A and Arg6Trp PI polymorphisms were 21%, 17%, 14%, 20%, respectively. Patients with 10034C > T FGG CC genotype had 3.5 times (95% CI 1.02–12.03) higher adjusted odds for CAD than patients with 10034C > TFGG TT genotype. Patients with Arg6Trp PI CC genotype had 3.86 times (95% CI 1.23–12.12) higher odds for CAD than patients with Arg6Trp PI TT genotype. It seems that those genotype-related higher odds are also male-gender related. No difference was observed regarding any other investigated polymorphism. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that 10034C > T FGG and Arg6Trp PI are associated with CAD.

Cilj ovog doktorskog rada je razvoj konvertera za učinkovitu detekciju termalnih neutrona. Kao osnovni, aktivni materijal u poluvodičkom detektoru, koristi se širokopojasni 4H-SiC. S obzirom na to da se termalni neutroni ne mogu detektirati direktno s poluvodičkim, čvrstim, detektorom već preko nabijenih čestica koje nastaju interakcijom s drugim jezgrama, potreban je učinkovit konverter. Fokus istraživanja je na izotopima 6Li te 10B, koji u interakciji s termalnim neutronima emitiraju alfa-čestice (6Li(n,α)3H, 10B(n,α)7Li). U okviru istraživanja primijenjeno je nekoliko različitih metoda pripreme tankih filmova. Optimalna debljina tankog sloja filma određena je na temelju Monte Carlo simulacija, a očekivane vrijednosti su u granicama od 1 do 30 μm. Morfologija i struktura dobivenih filmova proučavane su mikroskopskim metodama. Učinkovitost dobivenih konvertera testirana je na nuklearnom reaktoru TRIGA Mark II Instituta Jožef Stefan u Ljubljani, Slovenija. Osim odziva detektora na termalne neutrone, obrađen je i odziv silicijeva karbida na druge izvore ionizirajućeg zračenja kao što su alfa-čestice i gama-zračenje. This thesis deals with development of a converter for efficient detection of thermal neutrons. A wide gap 4H-SiC is used here as a basic, active material in the semiconductor detector. It is not possible to detect thermal neutrons directly with solid semiconductor detector, but through charged particles generated by interaction with other cores. Thus, an efficient converter is needed. The focus of the research is on the isotopes of 6Li and 10B, which interact with the thermal neutrons emitting alpha particles (6Li(n,α)3H, 10B(n,α)7Li). Within the scope of the research, a range of techniques of thin film preparation was used. Optimal thin film thickness was determined using Monte Carlo simulation. The expected values are within the range of 1 to 30 μm. The morphology and structure of the obtained films was studied by means of microscopy methods. Efficiency of the obtained converters was tested on the TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor of the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In addition to the detector response to thermal neutrons, this thesis covers the response of silicon carbide to other sources of ionizing radiation such as alpha particles and gamma radiation as well.

European Metrology Networks are organized under the umbrella of EURAMET in order to improve Europe’s metrology capabilities based on the high-quality research and metrology service. One of the proposed European Metrology Networks is currently prepared by the EMPIR 19NET03 supportBSS Joint Network Project to address the needs in metrology for radiation protection and radiation protection regulation. The new network EMN for Radiation Protection (short name: RadiationProtect) that was approved by EURAMET in the General Assembly 2021 aims to improve communication between regulatory bodies, metrology institutes, and their stakeholders, promote smart specialization of calibration laboratories, establish a knowledge sharing program, and create roadmaps for future research priorities in the field of radiation protection metrology. Evropske metrološke mreže su organizovane pod okriljem EURAMET u cilju poboljšanja evropskih metroloških kapaciteta na osnovu visoko kvalitetnih istraživanja i metroloških servisa. Jedna od predloženih mreža je trenutno u pripremi u okviru međunarodnog projekta EMPIR 19NET03 supportBSS, sa ciljem da se zadovolje potrebe u okviru metrološke zajednice vezane za zaštitu od zračenja i regulativu u oblasti zaštite od zračenja. Nova mreža IRProtect je odobrena na generalnoj skupštini EURAMET u 2021. godini, i po uspostavljanju će težiti da poboljša komunikaciju između regulatornih tela, metroloških instituta i njihovih stejkholdera, zatim da promoviše “pametnu” specijalizaciju laboratorija za etaloniranje, uspostavi program razmene znanja i napravi mape puta sa budućim naučnim i razvojnim prioritetima u oblasti metrologije u zaštiti od zračenja. XXXI Симпозијум Друштва за заштиту од зрачења Србије и Црне Горе, 06-08. октобар 2021. Proceedings: [https://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/9668]

Individual monitoring of external radiation is an activity usually regulated by national regulatory bodies in most countries. Regulations generally contain technical requirements to be met by the individual monitoring services (IMS), in order to ensure that the measurements are correct and therefore the dosimetry results are reliable. In some countries, the requirements include or even consist of the accreditation of the service according to the standard ISO/IEC 17025: “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories”. This document specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories. It is a fact that accreditation is a growing trend among European IMS as a way to guarantee confidence in their technical competence. The acceptance of the dosimetry results between countries and their indentation in the respective National Dose Registries is facilitated if laboratories conform to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. In the framework of the activities of EURADOS (European Radiation Dosimetry Group) working group2 "Harmonisation of Individual Monitoring in Europe" and attending to the concern of many European IMS in the process of accreditation, this guide has been prepared by a dedicated task group composed not only of experienced IMS staff, quality managers and accreditation auditors but also by IMS personnel involved in the course of accreditation. The purpose of this task group was to assist and encourage IMS to apply for accreditation and to share their own accreditation experience. This document intends to be a practical reference for IMS on how to interpret and implement the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratories to the specific activity of a personal dosimetry service for external radiation, emphasising those aspects of special interest. As a new edition of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard was released in 2017[1], this guide also identifies the major differences of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 in comparison to the 2005 version. The objective is to provide accredited IMS with suggestions and examples on how to implement the novelties in their quality systems. It is also aimed to serve as a guide for accreditation auditors, who can find useful information and examples that could help them in decision making at audit. In the case of any doubt or discrepancy between what could be understood from the explanations of this publication and the text of the standard, the requirement of the standard should always prevail. At no time has it been the intention of the authors to exclude other multiple ways of fulfilling the requirements that only the auditor can judge. The guide is structured following the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 contents and provides: - Identification of changes or novelties regarding ISO/IEC 17025:2005. - Suggestions on how to interpret the requirement applied to individual monitoring services. - Suggestions on how to implement the requirement including practical recommendations. - Examples of accredited dosimetry laboratories with different layouts. - Assistance to prepare audits giving some examples of possible auditor’s questions and how to show evidence of compliance. - Cross references with other ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clauses to take into account in order to be consistent.

In 2016, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme funded research project "Engineering SiliconCarbide for Border and Port Security" — E-SiCure was launched, its objective being the development ofradiation-hard silicon carbide (SiC) based detectors of special nuclear materials (SNM), with the aim to enhanceborder and port security barriers. Detector prototypes based on SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) and neutronconverter films were developed. This paper presents the results of a dedicated experimental testing campaignperformed at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA reactor in which several SiC detector prototypes equippedwith10B and6LiF converter films were irradiated in the Dry Chamber of the reactor. The obtained resultsdemonstrate a clearly measurable neutron response, which varies linearly with the neutron flux. The measuredparticle spectra from the SiC detectors exhibit a clear structure, attributable to the nature and energy ofsecondary particles originating as reaction products from nuclear reactions involving10B and6Li isotopes.The determined sensitivity of the detectors, their active volume being 1 mm×1 mm×25μm, 1 mm×1 mm×69μmand 1 mm×1 mm×170μm, was of the order of 2×10−5counts per second, per unit ofneutron flux [counts s−1per n cm−2s−1] (for neutron energies between 0 and 5 eV). Scaling the detectionsensitivity by a factor of105, i.e. to an array with a surface of around 20 cm×2 m, comparable to largeBF3or3He detectors, would theoretically enable an overall sensitivity of around 2 counts s−1per n cm−2s−1,which is already comparable to typical neutron sensitivity values of gas detectors, in the range from severalto over 100 counts s−1per n cm−2s−1. Due to its outstanding tolerance to harsh environments (including hightemperatures and radiation fields) and superior electronic properties when compared to other semiconductors,SiC is a promising base material for the fabrication of solid-state detectors with stable and long life-time.Improvements in sensitivity combined with the capability of fabricating large modules (SiC arrays), couldmake SiC an important detection technology, applicable also in the context of border and port security barriermonitoring.

The measurements of the five potential scenarios, some of which include misuse of X-ray device and handling the opposite of what the prescribed by regulations governing this area were performed. The highest patient dose was measured at the position of the thyroid, but in reality (given the number of exposures, ie. the number of dental images per month), this dose is 20-30 times lower. As expected, the highest dose was measured at the extremities (fingers) which adheres to the sensor and the annual dose received in this way is four times higher than the prescribed limits. The maximum effective dose was measured in a scenario where, also incorrectly, beam of the X- ray unit was directed directly to the operator. For scenarios in which the operator during the exposure stands at the back of the X-ray tube is not measured elevated doses (except for the case of adherence to the sensor). The dosimeter, which is mounted to the hand of the X-ray machine during operation, does not show an increased effective dose. Abiding by the principles of radiation protection when using intraoral dental X-ray unit, it is not possible to get out of the dose limits prescribed by law. Effective, but also the equivalent dose received by the patient during the exposure of the teeth are low as about 50 μSv per radiograph (equivalent dose of thyroid).

Dosimetry in diagnostic radiology requires the use of specialized instrumentation, the design and performance of which must be matched to the needs of the clinical situation. These instruments have to be calibrated to be traceable to national or international standards. The IAEA ensures traceability of radiation measurements through the IAEA/WHO network of Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs) and Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory at Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI/SSDL) is a member of the network. Calibrations are performed in compliance with TRS457 [1] which is the code of practise for calibrations in diagnostic radiology. Calibrations are performed in the X ray field in different beam qualities. The qualities at RBI/SSDL are established according to IEC 61267 [2]. Calibrations should be performed in radiation fields with air kerma rate within the sensitive volume of the detector not to vary more than 5% according to standard 4037-1 [4]. Uniformity of radiation field is influenced by spectral distribution of x-rays, finit focus dimensions, Heel effect and aging of anode. Our aim was to investigate uniformity and dose profiles of IEC 61267[2] RQT-8, RQT-9 and RQT-10 radiation qualities. These qualities simulate the unattenuated beam used in CT diagnostic radiology. Establishment of these qualities requires establishment of radiation qualities RQR IEC 61267[2] which are used for measurements in the radiation beam as emerging from the x-ray source assembly. Such radiation qualities are, for example, applied for determining characteristics of patient supports in case the patient support is situated in between the x-ray source assembly and the patient. When these qualities are established, copper filtration is added to generate RQT qualities.

BACKGROUND:A number of coagulation factors are required for the cascade of biochemical reactions leading to fibrin formation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between haemostatic factors II(FII), VII(FVII), XIII(FXIII), fibrinogen and conventional coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors in order to enhance understanding of phenotypic variation in haemostatic factor levels in patients and clinical controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study was performed according to Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Magdalena Special Hospital for Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiology Ethic Committee. Association analysis was carried out in 242 subjects with ³ 50% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary vessels (CAD+) and 138 subjects with angiographically excluded disease (CAD-). Data regarding body mass index (BMI), presence of arterial hypertension (AH), diabetes, smoking status or history of myocardial infarction (MI) was obtained on admission. Blood collection and processing were performed according to standardized procedures. Established risk factor ratio (ERF) was calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HLD-cholesterol. Fibrinogen was determined by Clauss method ; FII and FVII by single step clotting assays and FXIII by chromogenic assay on a BCS analyzer (Siemens Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany). Bivariate correlations between variables were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and trendlines were calculated with linear regression analysis. Significance was taken as P0.05). Females have higher values in compare to males (FII:113.6 vs. 105.9, p=0.005 ; FVII:131.5 vs. 117.9, p=0.006, FXIII:100.6 vs. 92.0, p=0.001, FIB:3.18 vs. 2.8, p=0.006).Fibrinogen correlated with age (R:0.124, p=0.05), FXIII(R:0.285, p=0.01) and FII(R:0.162, p=0.01). Furthermore, FII correlate with BMI (R:0.117, p=0.05), ERF(R:0.174, p=0.01) and FVII (R:0.741, p=0.01) whereas FVII values correlated with ERF(R:0.118, p=0.05) and smoking(R=-0.105, p=0.01). In clinical controls FII, FXIII, FVII activities correlated with AH (R:0.192 ; 0.263, 0.296 at p

Diastolic dysfunction indicates a functional abnormality of diastolic relaxation, filling, or distensibility of the left ventricle (LV), regardless of whether the LVEF is normal or abnormal. Diastolic dysfunction is practically always progressive and connected with higher morbidity and mortality rates, and, if not treated may lead to a diastolic heart failure. The golden standard for evaluation of diastolic function is echocardiography. One of the most important causes of diastolic dysfunction is ischemic heart disease. The revascularization of chronic myocardial ischemia can be partial (incomplete) or complete. Previous data have shown that the completeness of revascularization could have influence on clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to asses, by means of echocardiography, the impact of completeness of revascularization on diastolic dysfunction in ischemic heart disease. This study included 65 consecutive patients with previously recognized diastolic dysfunction that met criteria for PCI revascularization. Two groups of patients were identified ; one with complete revascularization achieved and another one with incomplete one. There were no statistical differences between two groups considering gender age, arterial hypertension, hyperlipoproteinaemia, previous CABG and left ventricle systolic function. In the incomplete revascularization group, the proportion of patients that had diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction and previous PCI procedure were statistically higher (p < 0.05). The diastolic function recovery was statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in recovery between the two groups. Lack of recovery was registered in 18.2% patients with incomplete revascularization achieved, and 15.6% in the complete group, which was not significant, but shows a trend. The causes of somewhat worse recovery in the incomplete revascularization group could be attributed to the higher proportion of diabetics, to the somewhat older population and ultimately to the incomplete revascularization. The E/A ratio on diastolic transmitral flow as well as the E/E lat ratio on tissue doppler were found as the best echocardiographic parameters in diastolic function evaluation. In follow up recovery after complete or incomplete revascularization the tissue doppler (E/E lat) was recognized as the best parameter. In conclusion, we found that echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function recovery was a safe method, and our results showed that even in incomplete revascularization group of patients the recovery of diastolic function could be as good as in the complete one, if the indication for revascularization was correct.

Mjerna nesigurnost metode za mjerenje osobnog doznog ekvivalenta napravljena je na ThermoFisher Scientific (Harshaw) sustavu (čitač model 6600 te TLD LiF:Mg, Ti), prema „Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement“ (GUM) smjernicama. U ovom radu dan je pregled komponeti koje ulaze u izračun mjerne nesigurnosti tzv. „fish-bone“ pristupom. Za potrebe budžeta mjerne nesigurnosti napravljen je tipni test prema zahtjevima norme HRN IEC 61066:2007. Sama mjerenja, kao i izračun mjerne nesigurnosti, napravljeni su za osobni dozni ekvivalent Hp(10) kao i za osobni dozni ekvivalent Hp(0, 07) (na dubini kože). Tipni test uključuje testove za linearnu, energijsku i kutnu ovisnost, aditivnost i slabljenje signala („fading“). Rezultati su izraženi kao proširena mjerna nesigurnost pouzdanosti 95% (faktor prekrivanja od 1, 96), koja je dobivena kombinacijom obje utjecajne veličine, nesigurnosti tipa A i B. Mjerenja su provedena kroz 20 mjeseci, a za potrebe ispitivanja korišteno je više od 500 TL detektora/dozimetara. Dozimetri su ozračeni u Sekundarnom standardnom dozimetrijskom laboratoriju Instituta Ruđer Bošković (SSDL) energijama od 33 keV do 1, 33 MeV.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of door-to-balloon time and symptom onset-to- balloon time on the prognosis of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Croatian Primary PCI Network. A total of 1190 acute STEMI patients treated with primary PCI were prospectively investigated in eight centers across Croatia (677 non-transferred, 513 transferred). All patients were divided according to door-to-balloon time in three subgroups (< 90, 90-180, and > 180 minutes) and according to symptom onset-to-balloon time in three subgroups ( 360 minutes). The postprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow, in-hospital mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (mortality, pectoral angina, restenosis, reinfarction, coronary artery by-pass graft and cerebrovascular accident rate) in six-month follow-up were compared between the subgroups. The Croatian Primary PCI Network ensures results of treatment of acute STEMI comparable with randomized studies and registries abroad. None of the result differences among the door-to-balloon time subgroups was statistically significant. Considering the symptom onset-to-balloon time subgroups, a statistically significant difference at multivariate level was highest for in-hospital mortality in the subgroup of patients with longest onset-to-balloon time (4.5 vs. 2.6 vs. 5.7% ; p = 0.04). Door-to-balloon time is one of the metrics of organization quality of primary PCI network and targets for quality improvement, but without an impact on early and six-month follow-up results of treatment for acute STEMI. Symptom onset-to- balloon time is more accurate for this purpose ; unfortunately, reduction of the symptom onset-to- balloon time is more complex than reduction of the former.

Perioperative myocardial ischemia is rare but serious complication of CABG. Graft dysfunction, coronary artery thrombosis and incomplete revascularization are main causes. Pharmacological treatment, intra aortic counter pulsation and immediate additional grafting have limited results. Treatment strategy based on coronary angiography findings could lessen the burden of high mortality rate in these patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the causes of perioperative ischemia and angiography based treatment strategy including percutaneous intervention. We enrolled all 55 consecutive patients that went early coronary angiography for perioperative myocardial ischemia in a prospective longitudinal study. Incorrect graft anastomosis, graft spasm, displacement and dissection were found in 49%, 7%, 5% and 4% of patients, respectively. Acute coronary artery thrombotic occlusion was found in 5% of patients and ischemia due to incomplete revascularization in 6% of patients. In 22% of patients no cause of myocardial ischemia could be detected. There were no complications of coronary angiography. Based on coronary angiography findings percutaneous intervention was performed in 30 patients, additional grafting in 8 patients and no action was taken in 17 patients. Percutaneous intervention with stenting was performed on coronary arteries (78%) and graft anastomosis (22%) with primary success 97%. One anastomosis rupture with treatable tamponade and one lethal stent thrombosis were complications of percutaneous treatment. Overall in hospital mortality was 30%. We concluded that graft dysfunction is usual cause of myocardial ischemia due to incorrect anastomosis and that percutaneous intervention on bypass graft or coronary artery can lessen high mortality rate in these patients.

The aim of the study was to describe the relationship of clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting and genetic polymorphisms (GP) which are known to relate to the incidence of in-stent restenosis and late thrombotic complications. The study included 190 patients with standardized clinical follow-up over 5 years, which were initially treated with PCI. We investigated clinical data, angiographic characteristics, 10 polymorphisms involved in neointimal hyperplasia and late thrombosis at 6 different levels and their relationship with the major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The long-term clinical outcome was defined by MACE: death, target vessel revascularization (PCI or coronary bypass grafting, CABG) and myocardial infarction. Angiotensin receptor type I (AGTR A1166C) and angiotensinogen (AGT MET235THR) GPs correlated with repeat revascularization and total MACE. Carriers of G allele for NOS3 A922G GP were shown to have a significantly lower repeat revascularization rate in comparison with the AA genotype, as did the T allele carriers in the NOS3 C690T GP analysis when compared to the CC genotype. The Asp genome carriers with the NOS3 GLU298ASP GP were also shown to have significantly less re-PCI in contrast to the Glu/Glu genotype. The study could document the protective influence of the 4G/5G GP for plasminogen inhibitor activator-1, which carried the lowest rate of re- PCI and total MACE during the follow-up. GPs for beta-1 G-protein subunit GNB3 C825T, fibrinogen FGB G455A and E-selectins Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe did not show statistical correlation with the clinical outcome. The results illustrate the potential use of genetic markers in defining patients with possibly worse clinical outcome after PCI, who may profit from more aggressive prevention of restenosis and late thrombotic complications.

To determine factors affecting sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of exercise testing in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. We compared data from symptoms limited cycle-ergometry testing and coronarography of 901 patients.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, is a leading cause of death and disability throughout the world. Two key events during CAD pathogenesis are atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) characterized by a C to T substitution at nucleotide 10034 of the fibrinogen  gene (FGG 10034C>T) has been proposed as a novel risk factor for thrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between FGG 10034C>T polymorphism, total fibrinogen level and risk of CAD. The analysis was performed on subjects who had undergone coronary angiography for investigation of chest pain and suspected CAD in Magdalena Special Hospital for Cardiology in Croatia – overall 114 subjects had angiographically proven CAD (CAD+), while in 68 subjects CAD was angiographically excluded (CAD-). CAD+ patients had >50% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary vessels. FGG genotypes were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism of the PCR-amplified fragments of DNA isolated from whole blood while fibrinogen levels were measured in plasma. Overall, CC genotype was recorded in 80.2% of subjects (78.9%CAD+ vs. 82.4%CAD-), CT in 18.7% (19.3%CAD+ vs. 17.3% CAD-), and TT in 1.1% (only in 1.8% CAD+) of subjects. The frequency of the rare T allele was 10.4%. There was no significant difference between two groups of patients regarding genotype or allele frequency (p>0.05). Additionally, total fibrinogen levels showed no correlation to patients’ genotype. According to obtained results there is no association between FGG 10034C>T polymorphism and fibrinogen level as well as FGG 10034C>T polymorphism and CAD, although comprehensive case-control study is needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Provedena je analiza sastojaka ploda i lista tri uzorka biljke kupine (Rubus fruticosus): dva uzorka ploda samonikle te jedan uzorak ploda kupine iz uzgoja kao i po jedan uzorak lista kupine iz uzgoja i samonikle kupine. U istraživanju su korištene klasične metode analize (gravimetrija, titrimetrija), kao i one suvremene (plazma spektrometrija, plamena spektrometrija, UV/VIS spektrofotometrija, spektrofluorimetrija). Dobivenim podacima utvrđene su sličnosti i razlike između samonikle kupine i kupine iz uzgoja, a podaci uspoređeni sa onima iz literature. Promatrani su faktori koji utječu na promjenu boje ploda te kvanitativno određena količina pigmenta. Kvantitativno je određena i količina mnogih metala, te fosfora kao anorganskih fosfata. Utvrđena je i količina ukupnih suhih supstancija (120°C) te vode kao i pH vrijednost ploda. Pigment ploda kupine pripada skupini spojeva - antocijaninima koji su se pokazali kao zanimljiva skupina spojeva za daljnja istraživanja.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between systolic blood pressure during maximal treadmill test (SBP9mtt)) and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Abnormal rise of SBP(mtt) is the phenomenon more frequent in hypertensive persons but it could be found in normotensive subjects too. 199 subjects referred to treadmill test were enrolled in the study. Four groups were formed: hypertensives with abnormal SBP(mtt) (group A), hypertensives with normal SBP(mtt) (group B), normotensives with abnormal SBP(mtt) (group C) and normotensives with normal SBP(mtt) (group D). Rise of SBP(mtt) above 200 mmHg was considered abnormal reaction. Simple linear regression analysis showed significant inverse relationship between SBP(mtt) and FMD (F = 20.2036, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.0956). Mean FMD index was worst in hypertensive subjects with abnormal SBP(mtt) (group A), followed by normotensives with abnormal SBP(mtt) (group C), hypertensives with normal SBP(mtt) (group B) and the best was in normotensives with normal SBP(mtt) (3.56 +/- 5.17, 4.19 +/- 5.14, 6.81 +/- 8.43 and 10.92 +/- 7.48%, respectively). In multivariate regression analysis FMD showed significant association with abnormal SBP(mtt) (p < 0.001) along with brachial artery diameter (p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), but not with hypertension (p = 0.073), BMI (p = 0.137) and total cholesterol (p = 0.23) (coefficients: -0.26, -0.40, -0.27, -0.13, -0.11 and -0.07, respectively). There was a significant inverse relationship between SBP(mtt) and FMD. An impairment of FMD exists in normotensive subjects with abnormal SBP(mtt). In hypertensives with abnormal SBP(mtt) an additional impairment of FMD exists when compared to hypertensives with normal SBP(mtt). Abnormal SBP(mtt) should be taken into account in global cardiovascular risk assessment.