Connectedness is a multidimensional human experience that is essential to successful aging. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to assess connectedness and self-perception of successful aging in older people, to examine whether there are differences in relation to basic characteristics, and to examine whether there is a connection between connectedness and self-perception of successful aging. The respondents were elderly people in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using two validated scales: Croatian versions of the Register–Connectedness Scale for Older Adults and the Self-Assessment Scale of Successful Aging. The study included 824 respondents, of which 319 (38.7%) were men and 505 (61.3%) were women. The median age was 72 years. The median connectivity of the respondents was 8.9 (IQR= 7.6–10.2), and the median rating of successful aging was 3.25 (IQR = 1–5). Spearman’s correlation coefficient ρ (p value) was 0.585 (<0.001). Connectivity was rated better by respondents with a higher level of education, who were married, resided in their own homes, used modern technologies, and were active in the community. There is a significant positive association between connectedness and the self-perception of successful aging overall, as well as in all individual connectedness domains.

Research has shown that glycemic variability increases the risk of the development of acute and chronic complications with diabetes. Accordingly, the assessment of glycemic variability is of great importance to determine the quality of life for people suffering from diabetes. Objective: To examine the connection between glycemic variability and the quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes who use self-monitoring blood glucose devices. Respondents and methods: 42 respondents participated in the research with an average age of 39.6, who are treated with intensified insulin therapy. For the purpose of glycemic variability assessment, an innovative uniGluko system is used, which enables the display of glycemia in a unique graphic interface in the form of numeric values within the last three months from which a glycemic variability index was calculated as well as a general information survey, a survey on the quality of life from the World Health Organization (WHOQOL – BREF) and a short questionnaire regarding illness perception (Brief – IPQ). Results: By usage of standard deviation as a glyemic variability measure, statistically significant results have been obtained and they demonstrate that lower glycemic variability is connected to better quality of life (rs=-0.4571; p=0.0023), higher satisfaction with health (rs=-0.3186; p=0.0398) and reduced impact of disease on emotional life (rs=0.4097; p=0.,0071). Lower glucose variability implies reduced impact of disease on everyday life (rs=0.3091; p=0.0464), reduced incidence of symptoms (rs=0.3441; p=0.0255), and patients’ sense that they have more control over disease (rs=-0.5185; p=0.0004). Conclusion: The glycemic variability has a negative impact on life quality and health of patients with diabetes type 1.

This study aimed to examine the impact of personality on glycemic regulation in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The study group consisted of subjects with T1DM, who were ≥ 18 years of age. The study was conducted in two phases: At baseline, subjects completed the Croatian version of the International Personality Item Pool scale (IPIP50s) and a questionnaire designed to gather socioeconomic data, duration of diabetes, presence of chronic complications, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, frequency, and type of pre-existing hypoglycemic episodes per week. Blood and urine samples were collected and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Each participant was provided with the intermittently scanned glucose monitoring system (isCGM) Freestyle Libre. During the second visit (3 months from the start of the trial), glycemic parameters were collected from the reports generated from the Freestyle Libre system. Estimated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were significantly lower after three months compared to baseline HbA1c (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). An inverse correlation between the number of daily scans and degree of extraversion among subjects was observed, e.g., higher degrees of extraversion resulted in lower numbers of daily scans, while lower degrees of extraversion, i.e., introvertedness, resulted in higher numbers of daily scans (Rho = −0.238 p = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between emotional stability and time spent in hypoglycemia (Rho = 0.214; p = 0.02). In addition, a shorter duration of diabetes was associated with higher percentages of TIR and vice versa (p = 0.02). Investigating personality traits can be a useful tool for identifying patients predisposed to hypoglycemia and lower scanning frequency. Patients with a longer history of T1DM require closer follow-up and should be re-educated when necessary.

Extract of Alchemilla vulgaris L. was investigated as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for aluminium in 3 % NaCl using electrochemical techniques. According to the results, inhibition efficiency increases with the increase concentration of extract and the highest efficiency (~80 %) is recorded for the maximal concentration of extract (1.0 g L–1). The inhibition activity of extract occurs by the spontaneous physisorption (ΔG ≈ –16 kJ mol–1) on active sites of aluminium surface that follows Freundlich isotherm. Polarization curves showed that Alchemilla vulgaris L. extract act s a mixed-type inhibitor. The effect of temperature on the aluminium corrosion and inhibition action of extract was studied and the result showed that the corrosion rate increased and the inhibitor efficiency decreased with increase of temperature. The calculated values of the activation energy confirmed presence of inhibitive Alchemilla vulgaris L. extract on aluminium surface.

The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in the attitudes towards partner emotional or sexual infidelity, as well as to determine predictive contribution of jealousy and history of abusive behavior to dating violence in adolescent relationship. The study included 122 university students, both gender. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) was used to examine committing and exposure to dating violence. The sensitivity to partner sexual and emotional infidelity was examined by modified Buss method, which measure he intensity of jealousy. Obtained results showed that young men were more prone to sexually and threatening abuse of their partner compared to girls. As regards to exposure, men were more often inclined in emotional/verbal, sexual, physical abuse and threatening behavior by their female partner. There were not found gender differences in the sensitivity of partner infidelity. Aggression perpetration and exposure to aggressive behavior was in strong relationship with intensity of jealousy. Strong relationship was also found between perpetration and victimization for all aggressive behavior across genders. The sensitivity of sexual infidelity for boys was a significant predictor of emotional, verbal abuse and relational perpetration (β = 0.51) of their partners and exposure to relational abuse (β = 0.56). The sensitivity of girls to hypothetical emotional infidelity was significant predictor of relational abuse (β = 0.26) and exposure to relational abuse (β = 0.47). History of exposure to different form of dating violence was statistically significant predictor for perpetration and exposure to aggressive behavior for girls and boys. These results demonstrate that the use of abusive behaviors in adolescent dating relationships is prevalent. Sex differences were evident in the perpetration and exposure to dating violence. Jealousy is statistically significant predictor for exposure and preparation of dating violence.

BACKGROUND Timely and efficient recall of products known or suspected to be non-conforming is an important measure in the prevention of adverse events and in patients' safety. Product recall in the transfusion service is regulated by professional standards and legal acts, but publications presenting results related to the implementation of these procedures are quite rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine (CITM) on the procedures of product recall during an 11-year period (2000-2010) were retrospectively analyzed. Reasons for product recall, their frequency, level of severity and efficiency of the procedures are presented and discussed. RESULTS During the study period, there were 245 procedures of product recall, for an average of 22 (18-29) procedures/year, all of low extent (1-25 products). Recall was required for 1/3,571 blood products issued, while the frequency of laboratory test report recalls was 1/5,447 patients. The leading reasons for product recall were suspected bacterial contamination of blood products (30.2%) and suspected or demonstrated non-conformity of laboratory test reports (28.6%). In total, 99 (40.4%) product recalls were categorized as class I, 30 (12.2%) as class II and 116 (47.3%) as class III. DISCUSSION According to the available literature data, the product recall procedures were performed quite infrequently by the CITM and were of low extent. There was a remarkable decreasing trend in the rate of product recall due to non-conformities or errors made at the CITM, along with a constant or increasing rate of recalls because of biological variability of blood products.

A number of studies have shown that involvement in bullying behavior is associated with substantial adverse effects on psychological health, but it is not unclear which come first, involvement in bullying behavior or psychological symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether involvement in bullying behavior (as bullies, victims and bully/victims) precedes psychological symptoms or whether these symptoms precede involvement in bullying behavior. The study uses longitudinal data from 536 children aged 11 to 15 years, who completed School Relationship Questionnaire and Youth Self-Report on both occasions of data collection. The baseline measurements were taken in the fall of 2008 and follow-up measurements in the spring of 2009 in elementary schools in the Siroki Brijeg municipalities. The results show that children involved in bullying behavior had a significantly higher risk for development of psychological difficulties like anxiety and depression (OR=5.93 ; P=0.002), withdrawn (OR=3.67 ; P=0.010), somatic problems (OR=3.59 ; P=0.025), social problems (OR=4.34 ; P=0.008), thoughts problems (OR=3.11 ; P=0.028), attention problems (OR=5.29 ; P=0.009), and delinquent behaviors (OR=5.43 ; P=0.001) compared with children who were not involved in bullying behavior. Difficulties in psychological adjustment at the beginning of the year do not represent a risk factor for involvement in bullying during the year. Obtained results indicate that involvement in bullying behavior causes an increase in difficulties in psychological adjustment. For the psychologist and health practitioners, these findings stress the importance of establishing whether bullying plays a contributing role when a child exhibits such symptoms.

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of researchinto the relationship between empathy and bullying. Thereforethe review indicated a number of researches that show differenteffects of empathy on bullying, regarding the type of bullying,roles in bullying behavior, as well as gender. From a review ofresearch it may be concluded that empathy significantly contributesto a reduction in various forms of violence. Most researchindicates the importance of the affective component of empathycompared to the cognitive component. The results of researchinto the relationship of empathy and its role in bullying behaviorwere less consistent. For this reason, the review highlightedmethodological difficulties in the study of bullying and empathy.  Conclusion  – In conclusion it could be said that most studiesshow a negative correlation between empathy and various typesof violence. Furthermore, it is evident that different componentsof empathy have differing degrees of influence in direct and indirectforms of violent behavior.

Dating violence is a prevalent problem in today’s society and significant research has been directed toward the question of their psychological well- being. Studies have yet to provide a definitive answer, but potential strong mediator of the relation between intimate partner violence and psychological outcomes could be coping stress strategies variables. So the aim of this study was to reveal ways in which coping strategies (adaptive and non-adaptive) mediate the association between dating violence and psychological well-being. The study sample included 220 high school students ranging in age from 16 to 19 years. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory was used to gather information about dating violence. The Coping strategies were assessed by The Ways of Coping Scales, while Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 was used for assessing current psychological adjustment. Results indicated that emotional/verbal violence by partners and psychological adjustment link was mediated by non- adaptive coping strategies. However the relation of emotional violence and psychological well-being was not mediated by adaptive strategies. Furthermore, coping strategies were not found to be mediator variables of relationship between physical violence and psychological outcomes. Obtained results have significant implication for clinical practice with abused persons. Preventive strategies need to focus on developing of effective coping styles.

Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati povezanost između nasilja u mladenackim vezama i psiholoske prilagodbe uzimajuci u obzir uloge u mladenackom nasilju, razinu pobuđenosti i strategije suocavanja sa stresom. Podatci su prikupljeni koristenjem upitnika za samoprocijenu na uzorku od 220 adolescenata u dobi od 16 do 18 godina. Upitnik za procjenu konflikata u mladenackim vezama koristen je za procjenu nasilja u mladenackim vezama. Razina pobuđenosti (APS) ispitanika procijenjena je pomocu Skale pobuđenosti, dok je Cek lista traumatskih simptoma (TSC-40) koristena za procjenu trenutne psiholoske prilagodbe. S obzirom na oblik nasilnog ponasanja, ucestalost varira od 19% do 36% za izloženost nasilnom ponasanju od strane partnera te od 10% do 37% za nasilno ponasanje prema partneru. Ženski spol, mlađa dob, uloga u maldenackom nasilju, kao i visoka razina pobuđenosti i koristenje manje efikasnih strategija suocavanja predstavljaju prediktore poteskoca u psiholoskoj prilagodbi. Na temelju rezultata ovog istraživanja može se zakljuciti da nasilje u mladenackim vezama je znacajan prediktor psiholoskih poteskoca u adolescenciji. Rezultati su također pokazali da razina pobuđenosti i strategije suocavanja sa stresom su važne determinante uspjesne adaptaciju u situaciji mladenackog nasilja.

The aim of this study is to present the results and experiences of the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine (CITM) in blood product testing for the presence of bacterial contamination. This is the first study analysing the results of bacterial testing of blood products in Croatia.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the relationship between involvement in bullying in childhood and adolescence and psychological difficulties in young adulthood. MATERIALS AND METHOD A total of 249 college students completed the Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire and Trauma Symptom Checklist. RESULTS The results showed significant differences in psychological adjustment among respondents who were exposed to bullying compared to respondents who were not exposed to bullying. Those exposed to bullying had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and dissociative and traumatic symptoms compared to those who were not exposed to bullying. Respondents who were exposed to bullying in all three examined periods (the period from the first to fourth grade, the period from the fifth to eighth grade and the high school period) had higher scores on the subscale of dissociative symptoms and sexual trauma symptoms compared to respondents who were exposed through one or two periods. Victims abused in all three periods have more symptoms of anxiety and sleeping problems compared to the subjects exposed to bullying during one examination period. There were no differences in the level of depressive symptoms and sexual problems regarding the duration of bullying. Also, there were no differences in psychological adjustment between respondents who were bullied during one specific period. CONCLUSION Bullying experiences in childhood and adolescence are connected with difficulties in psychological adjustment in young adulthood.

Objective – To examine gender differences in the attitudes of boys and girls in a hypothetical situation of emotional and sexual infidelity and the predictive contribution of hypothetical jealousy for various forms of violent behavior in boys and girls.  Method – The study included 140 high school students (58 boys and 82 girls). The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) used examines the incidence of dating violence. In order to determine the intensity of jealousy, sensitivity to sexual and emotional infidelity of the partner was also examined.  Results – The most common form of abuse in adolescent relationships is emotional and verbal abuse to which boys (52.16%) and girls (48.41%) are exposed. Young men more frequently sexually abuse their partners (F(1.140)=43.58; p=0.000), as compared to girls, and are more often exposed to emotional and verbal abuse by their female partner (F(1.140)=3.09; p=0.080). In comparison with girls, boys are more sensitive to hypothetical sexual infidelity (F(1.140)=10,08; p<0.000). The sensitivity of boys to hypothetical sexual infidelity was a significant predictor of physical (I²=-0.27) and sexual abuse (I²=0.26), while the sensitivity to hypothetical emotional infidelity was a predictor of emotional and verbal abuse (I²=0.23).  Conclusion – Boys are more sensitive to sexual and girls to the emotional infidelity of their partners. The adolescent men more frequently use sexual forms of abuse while girls are more often exposed to emotional and verbal abuse. Jealousy of adolescent men towards hypothetical sexual infidelity was a significant predictor of sexual abuse, while jealousy of adolescent girls towards hypothetical sexual and emotional infidelity is not a predictor of any form of violent behavior.

Rezultati empirijskih istraživanja ukazuju da izloženost vrsnjackom nasilju ostavlja znacajne psiholoske posljedice. Usprkos brojnim istraživanjima o vrsnjackom nasilju, mali broj njih se bavio ispitivanjem dugotrajnih posljedica izloženosti nasilnom ponasanju. Koristeci retrospektivnu metodu istraživanja, cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati dugotrajne psiholoske posljedice kod osoba mlađe odrasle dobi koje su bile izložene vrsnjackom nasilju u periodu djetinjstva i adolescencije. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 253 ispitanika (176 studentica i 77 studenata) Sveucilista u Mostaru, dobi od 18 do 28 godina (prosjecna dob 21, 3 godina, sd=3, 14). Izloženost vrsnjackom nasilju u periodu osnovne i srednje skole ispitana je pomocu Upitnika za retrospektivno ispitivanje vrsnjackog nasilja (Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire-RBQ) autora Schafer i sur. (2004). Za ispitivanje poteskoca u psiholoskoj prilagodbi koristena je Cek lista traumatskih simptoma (TSC-40) autora Briere i Runtz (1996) kojom je procjenjivana prisutnost simptoma anksioznosti, depresivnosti, seksualnih poteskoca, poteskoca sa spavanjem, te disocijativnih i traumatskih simptoma. Na temelju rezultata na Upitniku za retrospektivno ispitivanje vrsnjackog nasilja ispitanici su, s obzirom na oblik nasilnog ponasanja kojem su bili izloženi, podijeljeni u sljedece skupine: ispitanici izloženi relacijskom nasilju, ispitanici izloženi relacijskom i tjelesnom nasilju i ispitanici koji nisu bili izloženi nasilnom ponasanju. Dobiveni rezultati su pokazali znacajne razlike u psiholoskim poteskocama između ispitanika koji su bili izloženi nasilnom ponasanju u odnosu na ispitanike koji nisu bili izloženi nasilnom ponasanju. Ispitanici izloženi nasilnom ponasanju imali su znacajno visu razinu anksioznosti, depresije, poteskoca sa snom, te disocijativnih i traumatskih simptoma u odnosu na ispitanike koji nisu bili izloženi nasilnom ponasanju. Statisticki znacajne razlike između ispitivanih skupina nisu utvrđene za seksualne poteskoce. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da izloženost vrsnjackom nasilju u djetinjstvu i adolescenciji predstavlja cimbenik rizika za razvoj psiholoskih poteskoca u periodu mlađe odrasle dobi.