Nature and lability of northern Adriatic macroaggregates.

The key organic constituents of marine macroaggregates (macrogels) of prevalently phytoplankton origin, periodically occurring in the northern Adriatic Sea, are proteins, lipids and especially polysaccharides. In this article, the reactivity of various macroaggregate fractions in relation to their composition in order to decode the potentially ¼bioavailable« fractions is summarized and discussed. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the macroaggregate matrix, using α-amylase, ß-glucosidase, protease, proteinase and lipase, revealed the simultaneous degradation of polysaccharides and proteins, while lipids seem largely preserved. In the fresh surface macroaggregate samples, a pronounced degradation of the α-glycosidic bond compared to ß-linkages. Degradation of the colloidal fraction proceeded faster in the higher molecular weight (MW) fractions. N-containing polysaccharides can be important constituents of the higher MW fraction while the lower MW constituents can mostly be composed of poly- and oligosaccharides. Since the polysaccharide component in the higher MW fraction is more degradable compared to N-containing polysaccharides, the higher MW fraction represents a possible path of organic nitrogen preservation. Enzymatic hydrolysis, using α-amylase and ß-glucosidase, revealed the presence of α- and ß-glycosidic linkages in all fractions with similar decomposition kinetics. Our results indicate that different fractions of macroaggregates are subjected to compositional selective reactivity with important implications for macroaggregate persistence in the seawater column and deposition.

Forensic efficiency parameters for the 15 STR loci in the population of the island of Cres (Croatia).

Forensic parameters based on 15 AmpFISTR Identifiler short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, VWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were evaluated in the sample of 122 unrelated, autochthonous, adult individuals from the Island of Cres (Croatia). PCR amplification was performed with the AmpFISTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit and the amplified products were separated and detected using the ABI 3130 DNA genetic analyzer. The agreement with Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was confirmed for all loci (p > 0.05). The combined power of discrimination (PD) and the combined power of exclusion (PE) for the 15 tested STR loci were 0.99999999999999997988728679 and 0.999997397, respectively. According to the presented data, D18S51 proved to be the most informative marker followed by markers D2S1338 and D21S11. Interpopulation comparisons in allele frequencies with other East Adriatic Islands revealed significant differences for all analyzed population pairs ranging from 4 loci (Cres vs. Hvar) to 1 locus (Cres vs. Krk). Furthermore, allele frequencies comparisons of Cres and Croatian mainland revealed the lack of statistically significant differences at all studied loci. The results of the current study indicate that the examined fifteen STR loci are useful genetic markers for individual identification and paternity testing in Croatian population from the Island of Cres.

Evidence of an autochthonous Toscana virus strain in Croatia.

BACKGROUND: Phleboviruses are large and widespread group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods and they have been reported to circulate in endemic regions of Mediterranean Basin, including Croatia. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of Toscana virus, as a cause of the aseptic meningitis, in summer months in Croatia. STUDY DESIGN: Samples from 30 patients with aseptic meningitis were retrospectively tested by serology and RT-PCR for TOSV. RESULTS: TOSV RNA was detected in 2/30 and TOSV IgM antibodies were found in 4/30 of patients. Phylogenetic analysis of partial L and S segments suggests that TOSV from Croatia represents an autochthonous strain. CONCLUSIONS: The study has confirmed the role of TOSV as an agent that causes aseptic meningitis in Croatia, therefore it should be considered by physicians when encountering meningitis or febrile illness among indigenous population or travellers during the summer months.

High prevalence and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis strains in southern Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from inpatients at the Split University Hospital (southern Croatia) during a survey performed between 2005 and 2008. A total of 2152 consecutive isolates of P. mirabilis were isolated. The prevalence was 0.5 % in 2005 and increased significantly to 20.9 % by 2008. Strains were most frequently isolated from urine (36.5 %) and bronchial aspirates and wound swabs (11.3 %). ESBL-producing P. mirabilis isolates showed very high resistance rates to the majority of non-ß-lactam antibiotics and were susceptible to a ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor and carbapenems. The isolates were genotyped and their ESBLs were molecularly characterized. Strains originating from the intensive care unit and the surgery and neurosurgery wards were clonally related. All P. mirabilis isolates produced the TEM-52 type of ESBL. To the best of our knowledge, our work detailed here and summarized in an earlier communication is the first report of such isolates from southern Croatia. Increased monitoring and screening for ESBL production in this species at our hospital is mandatory.