Influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates in Croatia in 2010-2011: a season with predominant circulation of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus.

This is a retrospective study using the test-negative case-control method to estimate seasonal 2010-2011 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Croatia. Of patients consulting a physician for influenza-like illness (ILI) and for whom a swab was taken, we compared RT-PCR influenza-positive and RT-PCR influenza-negative patients. We used a structured questionnaire and physicians' records to obtain information on vaccination status and potential confounders. We conducted a complete case analysis using logistic regression to measure adjusted VE overall, against A(H1N1)pdm09 and in age groups. Out of 785 interviewed patients, 495 eligible patients were included in the study, after applying exclusion criteria [217 cases, of which 92·6% were A(H1N1)pdm09 positive, 278 controls]. Crude VE was 31·9% [95% confidence interval (CI) -40·9 to 67·1] and adjusted VE was 20·7% (95% CI -71·4 to 63·3), with higher VE in youngest and oldest age groups. Results from this first VE study in Croatia suggest a low to moderate VE for the 2010-2011 season. Studies year on year are needed with a greater sample size to provide more precise estimates, and also by age group and risk groups for vaccination.

Nanoscale layering of antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases in Rb(2)Fe(4)Se(5) single crystals.

We studied phase separation in the single-crystalline antiferromagnetic superconductor Rb(2)Fe(4)Se(5) (RFS) using a combination of scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy and low-energy muon spin rotation (LE-µSR). We demonstrate that the antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases segregate into nanometer-thick layers perpendicular to the iron-selenide planes, while the characteristic in-plane size of the metallic domains reaches 10 µm. By means of LE-µSR we further show that in a 40-nm thick surface layer the ordered antiferromagnetic moment is drastically reduced, while the volume fraction of the paramagnetic phase is significantly enhanced over its bulk value. Self-organization into a quasiregular heterostructure indicates an intimate connection between the modulated superconducting and antiferromagnetic phases.

Spotlight on measles 2010: excretion of vaccine strain measles virus in urine and pharyngeal secretions of a child with vaccine associated febrile rash illness, Croatia, March 2010.

We describe excretion of measles vaccine strain Schwarz in a child who developed a febrile rash illness eight days after primary immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella. Throat swabs and urine specimens were collected on the fifth and sixth day of illness, respectively. Genotyping demonstrated measles vaccine strain Schwarz (genotype A). If measles and rubella were not under enhanced surveillance in Croatia, the case would have been either misreported as rubella or not recognised at all.

Material-specific infrared recognition of single sub-10 nm particles by substrate-enhanced scattering-type near-field microscopy.

We study the optical material contrast of single nanoparticles in infrared scattering-type near-field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM) in the presence of strong probe-substrate coupling. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that the contrast depends on both the dielectric properties of the nanoparticles and on their size. We can separate the two dependencies by correlating the simultaneously acquired topography and near-field images pixel-by-pixel. This allows us to establish material-specific mapping of polydisperse nanoparticle mixtures with nanoscale spatial resolution. We experimentally demonstrate the differentiation between sub-10 nm gold and polymer particles adsorbed on a Si substrate. Possible applications of our method range from the material-specific mapping of nanoparticle assemblies to the measurement of the doping concentration in single semiconductor nanoparticles.

Analytical model for quantitative prediction of material contrasts in scattering-type near-field optical microscopy.

Nanometer-scale mapping of complex optical constants by scattering-type near-field microscopy has been suffering from quantitative discrepancies between the theory and experiments. To resolve this problem, a novel analytical model is presented here. The comparison with experimental data demonstrates that the model quantitatively reproduces approach curves on a Au surface and yields an unprecedented agreement with amplitude and phase spectra recorded on a phonon-polariton resonant SiC sample. The simple closed-form solution derived here should enable the determination of the local complex dielectric function on an unknown sample, thereby identifying its nanoscale chemical composition, crystal structure and conductivity.

Infrared imaging of single nanoparticles via strong field enhancement in a scanning nanogap.

We demonstrate nanoscale resolved infrared imaging of single nanoparticles employing near-field coupling in the nanoscopic gap between the metal tip of a scattering-type near-field optical microscope and the substrate supporting the particles. Experimental and theoretical evidence is provided that highly reflecting or polariton-resonant substrates strongly enhance the near-field optical particle contrast. Using Si substrates we succeeded in detecting Au particles as small as 8 nm (

[Adrenal gland cyst]. / Cista nadbubrezne zlijezde.

The authors present a case with a large pseudocyst (20 x 10 x 10 cm.) of the suprarenal gland containing tho liters of clear yellow liquid. It had pushed the right kidney entirely to the left retroperitoneum. On IVU there can be observed a crossed ectopia of the right kidney as well as the shadow of the tumorous formation in the right half of the abdomen. On angiography the right renal artery origins from its normal place, from the right side of aorta, but later it bands medially, crosses aorta over its front side and enters the right kidney, which is now placed under the left kidney. The left renal artery has a normal course. The branches of both arteries inside the kidneys are normal. The right suprarenal artery comes out together with the phrenical artery; it is pushed back in an arc-like form and ramifies over the avascular formation - the cyst. The operation confirmed the diagnosis. The suprarenal gland cyst was removed by a partial resection of the right suprarenal gland and nephropexy of the right kidney to the twelfth rib was done. IVU following the operation demonstrated a normal situation. There are also mentioned the difficulties in classification, pathohistology and pathogenesis of this illness.

[Surgical treatment of ureterocele]. / Prilog operativnom lijecenju ureterokele.

From 1971 the authors operated on 6 patients with ureterocoele type B (Uson), using a modified Hutch-Chisholm method. Following the removal of the ureterocoele and reconstruction of the detrusor muscle, the hiatus of the ureter and the vesicular wall, the ureter is placed on the reconstructed muscle whereas its free end is fixed to the trigone. Covering the ureter with vesical mucosa is not necessary; in cases with large ureterocoeles that is not even possible. The regenerative capacity of the vesical mucosa is great and rapid and covers the intravesicular part of the ureter without causing damage to the ureteral orifice or to its valvular function. In all 6 patients the results were good at the control examination 3 to 6 years postoperatively.