Search

The research presented here aims to determine how art education influences students' preferences for the 20th-century art movements. An educational experiment that spanned through one school year was conducted on 200 primary school students. It included three types of intervention: observing works of art from the 20th century, introducing works of art using a puppet, and the students' art activities/artwork based on the 20th-century art movements. The results show that the model of art education is an important factor in changing students' preferences for the 20th century art movements. Students reacted positively to each kind of education, as evidenced in the wider acceptance of 20th-century art (abstract, fauvism, cubism, pop art, and surrealism). The type of education did not influence preferences (as much) when it came to classical art and visual works without artistic value. We concluded that puppets and independent creative work should be used more often in art education.

In this paper we reflect upon inner silence as a path to embrace eudemonia in relation to Dialogical Self Theory. We suggest that the awareness of the dynamics of different I-positions can empower the person to feel more freedom over their thoughts, feelings and actions. Thus, inner silence can promote the capacity to activate meta-positions or de-positioning, which are shifts of attentional foci in the stream of consciousness. The practice of inner silence can also promote the experience of genuine dialogues, by encouraging the flow and flexibility of the self, and by strengthening the connection with the experience of values. We also suggest a number of implications for counselling associated with self-exploration and self-transcendence, such as meditation, contemplation and prayer.

Copyright of Church in the World / Crkva u Svijetu is the property of University of Split, Catholic Faculty of Theology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Lijecnicki Vjesnik is the property of Croatian Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of young school children in the visual preferences of paintings from the 20th century. The study was conducted at 4 elementary schools around Split, Croatia. A total of 200 children participated in the study, of which 87 were girls and 113 were boys aged 6-10 years. Visual preference testing was conducted individually where pupils assessed, on a 5-point scale, the degree to which they liked 36 paintings that were presented in pairs on the computer screen. The results showed that pupils preferred paintings made before the 20th century and paintings without artistic value. Boys and girls equally prefer paintings from the 20th century, with the exception of surrealism, which boys preferred better. Pupils, irrespective of age, better prefer fauvism, pop art, and surrealism, as opposed to cubism and abstract art. Apparently, children prefer more fine lines with a distinctive motif, cleaner colors, and 3-dimensional diagrams of signs and space (fauvism, surrealism, pop art); and they less favored paintings from the 20th century where it is hard to perceive the spatial relationships, which are abstract or difficult to figuratively recognize (cubism, abstract painting).

Background: There is an ongoing discussion about possible differences between insulin degludec (IDeg-100) and glargine U300 (IGlar-300). There is little data and head-to-head comparison of IDeg-100 and IGlar-300 regarding their simultaneous impact on glycemic variability and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: In our randomized, open-label, crossover study, we compared the impact of IDeg-100 and IGlar-300 on glycemic variability and oxidative stress in insulin-naive patients with T2DM. Methods: We recruited a total of 25 adult patients with T2DM (7 females) whose diabetes was uncontrolled (HbA1c ≥7.5%) on two or more oral glucose-lowering drugs; a total of 22 completed the study. Mean age was 57.3 (SD 6.99) years and duration of diabetes was 9.94 (SD 5.01) years. After the washout period, they were randomized alternately to first receive either IDeg-100 or IGlar-300 along with metformin. Each insulin was administered for 12 weeks and then switched. At the beginning and end of each phase, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. On 3 consecutive days prior to each control point, patients performed a 7-point self-monitoring of blood glucose profile. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring thiol groups and hydroperoxides (determination of reactive oxygen metabolites test) in serum. Results: IGlar-300 reduced mean glucose by 0.02-0.13 mmol/L, and IDeg-100 reduced glucose by 0.10-0.16 mmol/L, with no significant difference. The reduction of the coefficient of glucose variation also did not show a statistically significant difference. IGlar-300 increased thiols by 0.08 μmol/L and IDeg-100 increased thiols by 0.15 μmol/L, with no significant difference (P=.07) between them. IGlar-300 reduced hydroperoxides by 0.040 CARR U and IDeg-100 increased hydroperoxides by 0.034 CARR U, but the difference was not significant (P=.12). Conclusions: The results of our study do not show a significant difference regarding glycemic variability between patients receiving either insulin IDeg-100 or IGlar-300, although IGlar-300 showed greater dispersion of data. No significant difference in oxidative stress was observed. In a larger study, doses of insulins should be higher to achieve significant impact on glycemic parameters and consequently on glycemic variability and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary objective of this study was to compare concomitant and hybrid therapy in the first line eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, in which clarithromycin resistance is above 20%. The secondary objective of the study was to determine and compare compliance and adverse events rate between these therapeutic protocols. Materials and methods: In an open-label, randomised clinical trial 140 patients total with H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to either concomitant (esomeprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, metronidazole 500 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, twice daily for 14 days) or hybrid (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily during 14 days with adding metronidazole 500 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, in the last 7 days,) treatment group. Results: Eradication rates for concomitant group and hybrid therapy group were 84.1% (58/69) and 83.1% (59/71) respectively in the intention-to-treat analysis and 96.7% (58/60) and 95.2% (59/62) in per-protocol analysis. There was no significant difference between the groups (ITT analysis: P = 0.878; PP analysis: P = 0.675). Adverse events were more frequent in the concomitant group (33.3% vs 18.3%, P = 0.043). There was no difference among groups regarding compliance rate. Conclusion: Hybrid therapy has similar eradication rate as concomitant therapy, with lower adverse events rate. In the era of increasing antibiotic resistance, eradication regime with less antibiotic's usage, as hybrid therapy, should be reasonable first line treatment choice for H. pylori infection. Clinical Trials, gov: NCT03572777. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of spirituality and religiosity among children is underrepresented in research in the context of growth and development, especially when it comes to qualitative studies. The aim of this study is the understanding of religiosity among children within the frame of five fundamental dimensions of religiosity - ideological, experiential, intellectual, consequential, and ritualistic. By using the multidimensional conceptualisation of religiosity, the authors carried out qualitative-narrative study of the relation between everydayness and religiosity among twelve pupils of the age of 13 and 14. Reports of children in interviews show that they envision God as a person who is above their level of existence, but who is at the same time similar to or same as them. They do not differentiate between supernatural and natural, but instead presuppose as ordinary experience, which is in accordance with the level of cognitive development. They identify conscience with God's inner voice and they relate peace and searching in silence with knowledge of God. These two dimensions are related to one's attitude towards and acceptance of the other, while they generally identify religiosity with the psychological dimension of belonging. Future studies should utilise mixed methodology, i.e., questionnaires, deep interviews, and discussion groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Društvena Istraživanja is the property of Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD), a very common complication after cardiac surgery, is characterised by impairment of both memory function and intellectual ability as well as being associated with increased use of healthcare resources. The investigators focused on the role of the inflammatory response to a surgical procedure as a potential factor involved in the pathogenesis of POCD.Objective: The use of prophylactic dexamethasone to attenuate the inflammatory response was hypothesised to reduce the risk of POCD.Design: Randomised controlled study.Setting: Single university teaching hospital, from March 2015 to January 2016.Patients: A total of 169 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were enrolled, and 161 patients were included in the analyses.Intervention: Patients were randomised to receive a single intravenous bolus of 0.1 mg kg dexamethasone (n = 85) or placebo (n = 84) 10 h before the surgery.Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure in both groups was the incidence of POCD on the 6th day after surgery. The investigators also evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, postoperative C-reactive protein levels and postoperative serum S100β protein levels.Results: Compared to the placebo group, the dexamethasone group showed statistically significant reductions in the incidence of POCD (relative risk, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 0.89; P = 0.02), the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (30.0 versus 58.0%, P < 0.001) and postoperative C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.001). Postoperative S100β levels were insignificantly lower (P = 0.56) in the dexamethasone group.Conclusion: Preoperative administration of dexamethasone reduced the inflammatory response and thereby decreased the risk of early POCD after cardiac surgery.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02767713. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze the possible diff erences in visual art expression between children with chronic/acute diseases and healthy children. Study hypothesis was that sick children would probably use darker shades and occupy less space in the drawing. Considering the unfavorable consequences of the disease, the aim was to assess whether children would express their sadness, fear and anxiety about their disease through drawings. The study included 22 children suff ering from chronic or acute diseases and hospitalized at Department of Pediatrics, and 102 healthy children from the Stobreč Elementary School, of which 22 drawings were chosen. The children were asked to make a drawing by their own choice and a family drawing during a homeroom class. Study results did not confirm the preset hypothesis, i.e. there was no significant diff erence in using dark shades and space in drawings between the two groups of children. Other results obtained by analysis and comparison of children's drawings did not show any statistically significant diff erences either; both healthy and sick children chose various subjects in their drawings; colors were less used by sick children; all sick children drew both parents; more sick children drew other family members; and more healthy children drew the motifs of sun, sky and grass on their family drawings. Accordingly, study results indicated that there were no significant diff erences between the drawings made by healthy children and those hospitalized for chronic/acute diseases. Both groups of children used the space off ered for drawing in a similar way and used similar colors. In conclusion, the children with chronic/acute diseases did not express more negative emotions or difficulties in self-perception in their visual art expression as compared with healthy children. Considering some study limitations such as sample size, other relevant hypotheses should be tested on a larger sample in order to get better insight into the characteristics of drawings made by children suff ering from chronic and acute diseases. Such data could be helpful in designing targeted programs of encouragement and support provided for children with chronic and acute diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim To investigate the association between parental war involvement and different indicators of psychosocial dis-tress in a community sample of early adolescents ten years after the war in Croatia 1991 -1995 Methods A total of 695 adolescents were screened with a self-report questionnaire assessing parental war involve-ment, sociodemographic characteristics, and alcohol and drug consumption. Personality traits were assessed with the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire; depressive symptoms with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI); and unintentional injuries, physical fighting, and bullying with the World Health Organization survey Health Behav-ior in School-aged Children. Suicidal ideation was assessed with three dichotomous items. Suicidal attempts were as-sessed with one dichotomous item. Results Out of 348 boys and 347 girls who were includ-ed in the analysis, 57.7% had at least one veteran parent. Male children of war veterans had higher rates of uninten-tional injuries (odds ratio [OR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 2.63) and more frequent affirmative responses across the full suicidal spectrum (thoughts about death -OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.3; thoughts about suicide - OR, 5; 95% CI, 1.72 to 14.66; suicide attempts - OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.03 to 12.67). In boys, thoughts about suicide and un-intentional injuries were associated with parental war in-volvement even after logistic regression. However, girls were less likely to be affected by parental war involvement, and only exhibited signs of psychopathology on the CDI total score. Conclusion Parental war Involvement was associated with negative psychosocial sequels for male children. This rela-tionship is possibly mediated by some kind of identifica-tion or secondary traumatization. Suicidality and uninten-tional Injuries are nonspecific markers for a broad range of psychosocial distresses, which is why the suggested target group for preventive interventions should be veteran par-ents as vectors of this distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Društvena Istraživanja is the property of Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There are no definitive evidence based standards regarding use of succinylcholine (SCh) for anesthesia induction. However, there is a global trend toward eliminating SCh not only in elective, but also in emergency surgery in adults. The aim of the study was to survey the use of SCh in adult elective and emergency anesthesia practice in several European countries and the United States by questionnaire. One hundred and seventy anesthesiologists out of 201 possible, from six institutions in five countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, United Kingdom, and the United States) anonymously completed the questionnaire about their use of SCh. The questionnaire was structured to assess the respondents': frequency of use of SCh in adult surgery (elective and emergency), reasons for use or rejection of SCh, positive and negative attributes of SCh, and observed side effects in their practice. Differences in use were tested using c 2-test when appropriate. There was a significant difference in the use of SCh between countries for elective surgery with the lower use in UK and Hungary (c 2=45.8, p<0.001). One hundred and seventeen (69%) use it regularly. In emergency surgery 165 (97%) anesthesiologists use it without any significant difference among countries (c 2=2.13, p<0.711). The top indications for SCh use were anticipated difficult intubation/ventilation (74%), caesarean section (54%), and obesity and/or hiatus hernia (49%). The top reasons against SCh use were adequate substitutes (87%), fear of arrhythmias (45%), and anaphylaxis (19%). The most desirable reported drug features were: rapid onset (88%), short duration (64%), and effective relaxation (61%). Forty-six per cent of the surveyed anesthesiologists stated they had never experienced a complication with its use. The most frequently reported side effects were myalgias (47%), bradycardias (42%), and prolonged blockade (39%). Allergic reactions were reported by 13%, and asystole by 12% of physicians. From our survey it is possible to conclude that succinylcholine is still regularly used, at least by surveyed anesthesiologists in Europe and USA, in adult anesthesia practice, especially in elective surgery for which it may be least suited. This reflects the discrepancies between the international guidelines for the use of SCh and the clinical practice of many anesthesiologists in different countries. The regional differences in SCh usage may be considered through anesthesia cultures and practice variations depending on country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the value of Ki-67 quantitative analysis in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in relation to CIN grading and human papillomavirus (HPV) group typing.Cervical samples selected retrospectively from 106 cases were analyzed immunohistochemically for Ki-67-positive nuclei in 3 epithelial layers and by polymerase chain reaction for HPV typing.The proportion of high-risk HPV positivity was 0% in normal controls and 30% in CIN 1, 57% in CIN 2, and 90% in CIN 3 groups, and there was no low-risk HPV finding in CIN 2 and CIN 3 cases (P < 0.001). High-risk HPV-positive cases exhibited significantly more Ki-67-positive nuclei per 100-μm basal membrane, which were more frequent in the middle and upper third layers of the epithelium compared with low-risk HPV and HPV-negative cases (P < 0.001). The differences among the CIN groups in the total number and in the percentages of Ki-67-positive nuclei in the lower, middle, and upper third layers of the epithelium were significant (P < 0.001). With the cutoff value of more than 33% Ki-67-positive nuclei in the middle and the upper third layers of the epithelium, Ki-67 staining demonstrated 98.4% sensitivity (60/61 cases) and 97.8% specificity (44/45 cases) for the detection of CIN 2/CIN 3 in our study group.The Ki-67 immunostaining proved to be predictive for high-risk HPV infection, and it can differentiate reactive lesions from cervical dysplasias. Ki-67 quantitative analysis in 3 epithelial layers is a sensitive and specific method of differentiation between CIN 1 and CIN 2/CIN 3 grades and can be a valuable adjunctive method for more accurate CIN grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alcoholism: Journal on Alcoholism & Related Addictions is the property of Center for Study & Control of Alcoholism & Addictions and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Presents a study which assessed the differences in the susceptibility to severe acute illness in children with and without chronic health conditions treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Contribution of chronic health conditions to childhood morbidity and mortality; Materials and methods used in the study; Reasons for PICU admissions.

As high clarithromycin resistance (>20%) in the Split-Dalmatia region of Croatia hinders the treatment of H. pylori infection, the primary objective of this study was to compare concomitant quadruple with the tailored, personalized therapy as first-line eradication treatment of H. pylori. In an open-label, randomized clinical trial, 80 patients with H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to either concomitant (esomeprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 gr, metronidazole 500 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, twice daily for 14 days) or tailored therapy in accordance with the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Eradication status was assessed 4 weeks after treatment. Eradication rates were significantly higher in tailored group than in concomitant group both in intention-to-treat (70 vs. 92.5%, p = 0.010) and per-protocol (87.5 vs. 100%, p = 0.030) analysis in the setting of increasing antibiotic resistance (clarithromycin 37.5%, metronidazole 17.5%, dual resistance 10%). Adverse effects were more frequent in the concomitant group (32.5 vs. 7.5%, p = 0.006). Tailored therapy achieves higher eradication with a lower adverse events rate. With the increasing resistance of H. pylori strains to antibiotic treatment, eradication regimes with such characteristics should be strongly considered as a reasonable choice for first-line treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to interpret the usage of symbols in popular religion based on contemporary symbolic interactionism using the reference framework of the symbolic community. The strength of the chosen symbolic interactionist approach is primarily in the research of the role of different dimensions of the religious in understanding the meaning of popular religion in the symbolic community. The qualitative approach and the method of in-depth semi-structured interviews were employed in the research, which responded to the main goal of the research on the meanings the participants of the popular religion attach to the symbolic interactions. A deliberate sample was used for the selection of participants in the popular forms of celebrating the days of Our Lady of Vrpolje, Our Lady of Sinj, and Our Lady of Karavaj as well as the Guardians of Christ's grave in Vodice, Croatia. According to the results, popular religion, transmitted through visible signs, places believers in a position of physical contact with the supernatural world within a symbolic environment. To achieve this, popular religion displays a need for sacred images, words, sounds, signs, movements, smells. Believers in popular religion seek to establish as simple, intimate, and direct relationship with a deity as possible. The respondents' answers confirm that the experiential dimension of religiosity is lived primarily on a personal level that precedes the social dimension. For the participants, the religious community has a symbolic character in terms of creating strong bonds between members of society or a social group, especially within the symbolic meaning of a feast day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of our work, we want to point out how religion has multiple social functions and as such, under certain circumstances, can serve as a fertile soil for distance and closeness. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of religious self-identification and church attendance on social distance toward Muslims. We applied a questionnaire to students of the University of Split, the city which is geographically in vicinity of the complex of ethnic and religious context of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results showed that religious self-identification and church attendance significantly influence the level of social distance toward Muslims. Believers showed a significantly higher level of social distance, in comparison to respondents who belong but not believe, and others. Respondents who attend church daily or once a week have also a higher level of social distance in comparison to respondents who attend church monthly or rarely and those who never attend church. We have tried to explain the reasons for such research findings, relying on various national, cultural, religious and psychological factors that have been present in the last twenty years after the war in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare developmental changes of delta 1 (0.5-2.0 Hz) and delta 2 (2.25-3.75 Hz) power spectra between healthy monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs and among MZ and DZ twin groups during active/REM (AS/REM) and quiet/NREM (QS/NREM) sleep stages at 38th, 46th, and 52nd weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA). Materials and methods: Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were analyzed using fast Fourier transforms. Differences in the developmental changes of delta power within twin pairs and between twin groups were estimated by calculating mean absolute differences of relative spectral values in delta 1 (0.5-2 Hz) and delta 2 (2.25-3.75 Hz) frequencies. Results: A review of electrodes showed that relative delta 1 power decreased, whereas delta 2 power increased from 38th toward 52nd week of PMA regardless of zygosity, sleep stages, and electrode position. Twin groups did not significantly differ (P > .05) in within-pair MZ and DZ similarity for delta 1 and delta 2 power spectra; similarity between MZ twin partners for delta 1 and delta 2 power spectra was as high as that of DZ twin partners on each electrode position, sleep stage, and period of measurement. Conclusions: Developmental changes of delta 1 and delta 2 power spectra occurred equally in MZ and DZ twin groups during AS and QS sleep stages at 38th, 46th, and 52th PMA. The rhythm of EEG maturation evidenced by the maturation of delta 1 and delta 2 power spectra was not dependent on zygosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the applicability of the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Intensive Care (ANZPIC) Registry diagnostic codes and Paediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 2 scoring system in a Croatian paediatric intensive care unit. Use of ANZPIC Registry diagnostic codes in conjunction with PIM2; Validity of the PIM2 scoring system; Efficacy of ANZPIC Registry and PIM2 as international diagnostic coding system.

Aim To assess physicians' knowledge and practices for obtaining patients' informed consent to medical procedures. Methods An anonymous and voluntary survey of knowledge and practices for obtaining informed consent was conducted among 470 physicians (63% response rate) working in 6 hospitals: 93 specialists in anesthesiology, 166 in internal medicine, and 211 in surgery. Results Only 54% physicians were acquainted with the fact that the procedure for obtaining consent was regulated by the law. Internists and surgeons were better informed than anesthesiologists (P = 0.024). More than a half of respondents (66%) were familiar with the fact that a law on patient rights was passed in Croatia; there were no differences among different specialties (P = 0.638). Only 38% of the physicians were fully informed about the procedure of obtaining consent. Internists and surgeons provided detailed information to the patient in 33% of the cases and anesthesiologists in 16% of the cases (P < 0.050). Internists reported spending more time on informing the patient than anesthesiologists and surgeons (P < 0.001). There were no differences in knowledge and practices for obtaining informed consent between physicians working in university and those working in community hospitals (P ≥ 0.05 for all questions). Conclusion Physicians in Croatia have no formal education on informed consent and implement the informed consent process in a rather formal manner, regardless of the type of hospital or medical specialty. Systemic approach at education and training at the national level is needed to improve the informed consent process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess if there is deterioration in mental and psychomotor performance during 24-hour voluntary fluid intake deprivation. Methods A battery of computer generated psychological tests (Complex Reactionmeter Drenovac) was applied to 10 subjects to test light signal position discrimination, short-term memory, simple visual orientation, simple arithmetic, and complex motor coordination. We measured total test solving time, minimum (best) single task solving time, total ballast time, and total number of errors. Mood self-estimate scales of depression, working energy, anxiety, and self-confidence were used to determine the emotional status of subjects. During the first day of the experiment, subjects had free access to drinks. After a 48-hour interval, subjects voluntarily abstained from fluid intake for 24 hours. During that period, the testing was performed 7 times a day, at 3-hour intervals, except during the night. Z-transformation of the results enabled the comparison of 50 dependent measurements on the same subjects. Results During dehydration, there was significant deterioration in total test solving time, minimum single task solving time, and total ballast time. No significant deterioration was found by mood self-estimate scales, except on the scale of energy at 23:00 hours. Conclusion Voluntary 24-hour fluid intake deprivation led to deterioration in objective parameters of psychological processing, but not in subjective parameters. The results suggest that the duration of fluid intake deprivation can be a useful indicator of mental and psychomotor deterioration level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the demographic characteristics, endoscopic and laboratory findings, comorbidities and mortality rate of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding related to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Methods We reviewed the records of patients admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding to the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Split, between 2015 and 2019. The characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy were analyzed. Results The study enrolled 1367 patients, 434 (31.7%) of whom received anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy (mean age 74.9 ± 10.7 years; 64.3% men). The most frequently prescribed drug was acetylsalicylic acid (56.7%), the most common bleeding site was the stomach (41.3%), and the most prevalent cause of bleeding was ulcer (61.6%). Patients taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy who died had significantly higher creatinine (P = 0.011) and lower albumin (P = 0.015). In the multivariate analysis, the factors that negatively affected survival were older age, higher creatinine, and lower albumin. Patients taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy had slightly lower in-hospital mortality (8.3%) compared with other patients (10.3%). Conclusion Although anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, it does not directly affect the outcome, which is mainly determined by age and comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]