Impact of COVID-19 on Croatian mariculture: Findings from the first national surveys.

An overview of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mariculture industry of the republic of Croatia is provided. An initial online survey was circulated early after the onset of the pandemic and a follow-up field survey was performed a year into the pandemic. The surveyed companies varied in size (micro to medium enterprises), location (north, central and southern coast) and cultured organism (European flat oyster, Mediterranean mussel, European sea bass, Gilthead sea bream and/or Bluefin tuna) and were asked questions on the subject of economic and job losses, aquaculture supply chain processes and implemented or proposed measures for mitigation of negative effects. Results from the online survey showed higher economic loss than job loss, but companies reported increased job loss in the period leading to the field survey. Most companies reported reductions in sales and avenues of procurement, which, in addition to direct stressors, indirectly affected business processes. Micro enterprises fared well due to their part-time nature, low capital investments and running costs, while small to medium enterprises were under the most pressure. Large enterprises were barely affected as they had secure local and/or international distribution chains and dominated the market. Producers most affected were those that relied on the HoReCa market for product placement and/or had difficulty coping with existing stressors. Bivalve producers generally experienced a higher drop in sales than finfish farms and companies with specialized production were not able to adapt to market changes to the degree that more versatile businesses seemed capable of.

SUCCESSFUL REPOSITIONING PROCEDURE FOR BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO AFTER STAPEDOTOMY.

This report aimed to investigate the relationship after successful left-sided stapedotomy and postoperative benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) due to vitamin D deficiency. A 56-year-old woman presented with a complaint of progressive hearing loss and tinnitus in the left ear without dizziness. A successful left-sided stapedotomy was performed, confirming the diagnosis of otosclerosis and closing the air-bone gap to less than 10 dB. Seven days after the stapedotomy, the patient reported dizziness, usually when turning to her left side in the bed. An electrophysiological assessment was performed to investigate vestibular function. Dix Hallpike maneuver showed a typical response, about 5 seconds after repositioning the head, and geotropic, torsional rotary nystagmus of about 30 seconds was registered. Vitamin D deficiency in serum was found. Complete symptom remission was achieved after 7-day-treatment with Epley's maneuver. As a postoperative vertigo complication, BPPV often remains unrecognized after stapes surgery. Canalith repositioning maneuver is treatment for BPPV. Determining serum levels of total calcium and vitamin D may play a significant role in monitoring and reducing the recurrence of dizziness.

Osteopontin Levels in Patients with Squamous Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Increased osteopontin (OPN) concentrations in the plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cancer (HNSCC) have diagnostic significance, and it can indicate more aggressive biological behavior of cancer. The aim of this study was to determine OPN levels in patients with HNSCC of different primary locations and to assess its prognostic significance in metastasis development. Materials and Methods: This cohort study included 45 patients (41 male and 4 female patients) with HNSCC with different primary localization of head and neck. All patients underwent surgery-neck dissection. All patients were categorized according to the histological findings of the resected material and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification system. After surgery, N categories were determined on the basis of histological features of resected material. Results: The histological findings of our patients showed: N0 in 11 patients, N1 in 8 patients, N2a in 4 patients, N2b in 14 patients and N2c in 8 patients. Plasma OPN values in all study participants ranged from 2.24 to 109.10 ng/mL. OPN levels in plasma of patients with negative nodes compared to the group of patients with positive nodes in the neck differed significantly (16.89 ng/mL to 34.08 ng/mL, respectively; p = 0.03). There were significantly lower OPN plasma levels in the group of subjects with histologically positive one lymph node in the neck (N1) compared to the group of patients with N2b histologically positive findings of resected neck material (10.4 ng/mL to 43.9 ng/mL, respectively; p = 0.02). Conclusions: The results have shown that growing N degrees of positive neck nodes classification were accompanied by growing values of plasma osteopontin. Osteopontin might be important for the development of neck metastases.

Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (C30-C39) in the Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia.

The Institute of Public Health of the Osijek-Baranja County in collaborate with different county institutes provide updated information on the cancer occurrence and trends in the Osijek-Baranja County (OBC). The cancers were defined according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10), codes of malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (C30-C39). The aim of this article was to show the size of cancer problem with the C30-C39 cancer group in the Osijek-Baranja County (OBC). This article processes data on cancer incidence and mortality, appertaining age distribution, median age, cancer survival and length of stay in hospital collected in period 2001-2009. Out of all patients diagnosed with C30-C39 cancers, there were 18.2% of females and 81.8% of males. The total incidence rate in males (119.5/100,000) decreases while the total mortality rate (110.9/100,000) does not change in 9-year period. In the same period, the total mortality rate in females (15.7/100,000) increase moderately. The age-standardized incidence rate was six times higher in males than in females. The overall median age at diagnosis of C30-C39 cancers of both genders was 64.5 years, which exceeds the average age at diagnosis of cancer in general in the OBC by 4.8 years. Five-year relative survival rate was 14.8%, 19.7% for females and 13.7% for males. Male lung and bronchus cancer patients (C34) were 1 year younger at diagnosis of cancer than the respective female patients. An average C30-C39 cancer patient was hospitalized 2.0 times during the course of their illness while the median length of stay in hospital amounted to 16.1 days. The number of hospital admissions in both genders decreased over the 2001-2009 period. In both genders, the total length of stay in hospitals was slightly reduced. Females spent 0.4 days more in hospital than males. The overall incidence and mortality rate in the OBC were among the highest in Europe. However, these rates in females reached neither the Croatian nor the EU average. Other data are similar to those in Europe.

Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26) in the Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia.

The Institute of Public Health for the Osjek-Baranja County (OBC) has processed the data on cancer patients that were collected from mandatory county hospitals data reports, county bureaus of statistics and the County Register of Deaths. The cancers were defined according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10), codes of malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26). The aim of this article is to show the size of the problem and the burden of the health care system caused by cancers of the digestive system (C15-C26) in the OBC in the period 2001-2006. This article deals with cancer incidence and mortality data, appertaining age distribution, cancer survival, median age at diagnosis and at death and length of stay in hospitals. The overall incidence and mortality rate from cancer group C15-C26 (101.1 and 80/100,000, respectively, EU standard population) declined in all age groups, comparing the data originating from the 2001-2003 period to the data referring to the 2004-2006 period. The median age at diagnosis of cancer was 67.8 years with a shift of 0.91 year up in second period (the median age in the first period was 67.3 years and in the second one 68.2 years). The median age at diagnosis of cancer in females was 69.7 years while in males was 66.3 years, which represents a difference of 2.9 years in favour of females. The overall relative survival rate of all ages was 23.6%. This figure was slightly bigger for females (24.3%) than for males (23.1%). Concerning all age groups, the number of hospital admissions of males increased during the observation period while the number of hospital admissions of women decreased at the same time. The average length of stay over the six years did not changed significantly. Group of cancer C15-C26 was the most common group of cancers regarding both genders. The five-year relative survival as one of the reliable benchmarks of the quality of the health care system needs to be raised to a great extent in order to come nearer to the EU average within a short period of time.

Influence of allergy and bacterial colonization on the quality of life in nasal polyposis patients.

Allergies and bacterial colonization are frequently found in patients with chronic rhinosinuitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). The aim of this study was to identify patients with allergy and present microorganisms in ethmoid sinus among the patients with refractory CRSwNP undergoing surgical treatment at the University Hospital Centre Osijek, and to compare their life quality, defined by SNOT-20 analysis (sinonasal outcome test) to the rest of patients, and a control group consisting of patients undergoing septoplasty but free of allergy and/or CRS. An additional aim was to identify specific types and strains of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) found in these patients, in order to compare them to other reports, and to revise the empirical antimicrobial therapy. In this paper we demonstrate a high incidence of bacterial colonization (83.3%) among CRSwNP patients. As in previous studies, gram positive aerobes were the most frequently isolated bacteria and all of them were covered by specific antibiotics given before the specimen collection. Allergy was found in only 20% of these patients, who presented with a reduced quality of life when compared to the control group and CRSwNP without allergy. Significantly more frequent dominant symptoms in these patients were cough, frustration and irritation. In the line with this finding is the objective assessment by endoscopy (Malm score) that showed more prominent nasal polyposis in allergy patients.

Pretreatment hearing grades and hearing recovery outcomes after primary hyperbaric oxygen treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies suggest the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) but it is mostly used as an adjuvant and salvage treatment. This study evaluated the effect of primary HBOT according to pretreatment hearing grades and hearing recovery outcomes using modified Siegel's criteria in patients with ISSNHL. METHODS: Fifty-nine ISSNHL patients treated with only HBOT were included. A pure-tone audiogram was recorded before and after a course of HBOT (90 min at 203 kPa daily for 20 days). Using the modified Siegel's criteria, patients were divided into groups according to hearing threshold before and after treatment. RESULTS: Hearing thresholds were significantly lower after HBOT compared to pre-treatment values across all patients (P < 0.001) with a median value of recovery of 22.5 dB (interquartile range 12.5-33.7 dB). Significantly lower hearing threshold values were recorded at 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz after treatment (P < 0.001). The greatest recovery was at 1,000 Hz, (change in median threshold = 32 dB) but without a significant difference compared to other frequencies (P = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: HBOT is a legitimate choice as the primary treatment for ISSNHL, especially if it is readily accessible, and if there are contraindications for corticosteroid therapy.

Monitoring Internal Training Intensity Correlated with Neuromuscular and Well-Being Status in Croatian Professional Soccer Players during Five Weeks of the Pre-Season Training Phase.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in internal training intensity, well-being, and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and to determine their relationship across five weeks of the pre-season training phase in professional soccer players. A total of 22 professional male soccer players (age = 21.7 ± 4 years, body height = 185.9 ± 6.3 cm, body weight = 79 ± 6.3 kg, BMI = 22.8 ± 1.4 kg·m−2; VO2max = 52.9 ± 3.2) from the Croatian Second League voluntary participated in this study. The players spent 2230 ± 117 min in 32 technical/tactical and strength/conditioning training sessions, mostly at the low intensity zone (61%), and played 8 friendly matches at a high intensity (>90%). A one-way repeated measure of analysis ANOVA revealed a significant difference between weeks in CMJ performance (F(1,22) = 11.8, p < 0.001), with CMJ height in weeks 4 and 5 being likely to very likely higher than that noted in week 1. Moreover, significant differences between weeks were found in all internal training intensity measures (average [F(1,22) = 74.8, p < 0.001] and accumulated weekly internal training intensity [F(1,22) = 55.4, p < 0.001], training monotony [F(1,22) = 23.9, p < 0.001], and training strain [F(1,22) = 34.5, p < 0.001]). Likewise, differences were observed for wellness status categories (fatigue [F(1,22) = 4.3, p = 0.003], sleep [F(1,22) = 7.1, p < 0.001], DOMS [F(1,22) = 5.7, p < 0.001], stress [F(1,22) = 15.6, p < 0.001]), mood [F(1,22) = 12.7, p < 0.001], and overall well-being status score (F(1,22) = 13.2, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed large negative correlations between average weekly internal training intensity and fatigue (r = −0.63, p = 0.002), DOMS (r = −0.61, p = 0.003), and WBI (r = −0.53, p = 0.011). Additionally, fatigue was significantly associated (large negative correlation) with accumulated weekly internal training intensity (r = −0.51, p = 0.014) and training strain (r = −0.61, p = 0.003). Small, but non-significant, correlations were found between CMJ performance and wellness status measures. These findings highlight the utility and simplicity of monitoring tools to improve athletes' performance.

Epidemiologic data of malignant melanoma in Osijek-Baranya County (Eastern Croatia) during the period of 2000-2008.

During the past several decades there has been a substantial increase in the incidence of malignant melanoma worldwide. The highest incidences were reported in New Zealand and Australia. In Europe the northern countries generally have a higher incidence. The aim of this retrospective study was to provide the incidence and mortality for all patients with malignant melanoma diagnosed in Osijek-Baranya County, Eastern Croatia, during 2000-2008. In the past 30 years in the Republic of Croatia the incidence of melanoma increased by 337%. During the period of 2000-2006 in Osijek-Baranja County, the incidence of melanoma increased by 13%. The incidence of melanoma increases with age, but in past decades melanoma is more often diagnosed in people aged 25-40. The mortality between 2000 and 2008 increased by 18%. The incidence of melanoma generally increases equally in men and women. The most common localization of skin melanoma in males was trunk and in females the lower extremities. Presently, in Osijek-Baranya County melanoma is 15th on the list of malignant tumors and represent 2% of all malignant tumors. In New Zealand, Australia and European northern countries mortality is reduced, as result of earlier diagnosis and education of risk groups. Unfortunately, in Osijek-Baranya County, in a comparison with these countries, the mortality is higher although incidence is the same or lower.

Bilateral laryngoceles in association with squamos cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

Coexistence of laryngoceles and laryngeal carcinoma is still being debated, and there are several suggested theories about the pathophysiological relationship between these two entities. We present the case of a 66-year-old male patient with bilateral laryngomucoceles and laryngeal squamos cell carcinoma. A systematic hystological examination of whole organ sections showed that the submucosal spreading of cancer around the saccular necks on both sides caused stenosis which probably created a one-way valve mechanism allowing air to enter the saccule but not to exit. Progression of the tumor completely obstructed the laryngeal opening, leading to glandular secretion stagnation and formation of laryngomucoceles.

[Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx--a case report and literature review]. / Pleomorfni rabdomiosarkom grkljana: prikaz bolesnika i pregled literature.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a very rare malignant tumor of the larynx which can present in a number of histologic variants. The pleomorphic variant of the tumor has been described in 16 patients to date. Being a rarity, rhabdomyosarcoma is as a rule managed according to the principle of treatment for malignant mesenchymal tumors of the head and neck, and includes radical surgery with postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A case is presented of a pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the vocal cord. Successfully treated by endoscopic CO2 laser cordectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and 6-year uneventful follow up.

Exploring possibilities in nasal polyposis treatment at one Croatian hospital.

AIM: To validate different operative techniques commonly used for nasal polyposis (NP) treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective study exploring data on the NP surgery during a five-year period at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, Croatia. Data were analysed regarding patients' gender, age, type of the surgery performed, and possible recurrence. Recurrence rate among patients that were followed up during that period of time and operated by different techniques (FESS vs. classical polipectomy) was compared. RESULTS: Most frequently used operative technique was classical bilateral polypectomy, in 62.9% (154/245) of cases. The frequency of classical polypectomy was significantly decreased from 42/46 (91.3%) in 2006 to 34/60 (56.7%) cases in 2010, whereas the frequency of FESS in combination with classical polypectomy was significantly increased during that period (p<0.0001). Among patients with relapse that were followed up most of them were subjected to classical polypectomy at the time of their first surgery (9/10), thus implicating higher incidence of relapse in classically polypectomized patients. CONCLUSIONS: A higher incidence of recurrence in patients who underwent classical polypectomy implicates the need for additional precautions when choosing an operative technique. In addition, further investigation of NP and better understanding of etiology as well as the development of more specific drugs would be of great importance for the improvement of nasal polyposis treatment in the future.