Nikolino Zura

Dr. Nikolino Zura

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 July 2021 in Rheumatology International
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NZNikolino Zura
Nikolino Zura
MVMarta Vukorepa
Marta Vukorepa
IJIvan Jurak
Ivan Jurak
PPPorin Perić
Porin Perić
JBJasmina Botonjić
Jasmina Botonjić
ICIvan Ljudevit Caktaš
Ivan Ljudevit Caktaš

20 May 2024 in Insects
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MVMarinko Vilić
Marinko Vilić
IŽIvona Žura Žaja
Ivona Žura Žaja
MTMirta Tkalec
Mirta Tkalec
PTPerica Tucak
Perica Tucak
KMKrešimir Malarić
Krešimir Malarić
Ivana Tlak GajgerIvana Tlak Gajger
Ivana Tlak Gajger
In this study, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in honey bee larvae, pupae and the midguts of adult bees were investigated during a one-year exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) at a frequency of 900 MHz under field conditions. The experiment was carried out on honey bee colonies at three locations with electric field levels of 30 mV m−1, 70 mV m−1 and 1000 mV m−1. Antioxidant enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as indicators of lipid peroxidation were measured spectrophotometrically. The GST activity within the same developmental stage showed no significant differences regardless of electric field level or sampling time. The highest GST activity was found in the pupae, followed by activity in the larvae and midguts. Both CAT activity and TBARS concentration were the highest in the midguts, regardless of field level and sampling time. The larvae showed a significantly higher TBARS concentration at the location with an electric field level of 1000 mV m−1 compared to the locations with lower levels. Our results show that RF-EMFs at a frequency of 900 MHz can cause oxidative stress in honey bees, with the larval stage being more sensitive than the pupal stage, but there was no linear relationship between electric field level and effect in any of the developmental stages.

7 March 2024 in Animals
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IŽIvona Žura Žaja
Ivona Žura Žaja
SVSilvijo Vince
Silvijo Vince
IBIvan Butković
Ivan Butković
KSKim Senaši
Kim Senaši
NMNina Poljičak Milas
Nina Poljičak Milas
MVMarinko Vilić
Marinko Vilić
Anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from wireless technologies has increased dramatically. The boar semen used for artificial insemination is essential in sustaining the pig industry, and additionally it is also exposed to the effects of the RF-EMR of wireless technologies. Furthermore, there are no data on the effects of RF-EMR on semen quality, and this is the first analysis of sperm’s morphometric parameters for assessing the effect of RF-EMR on the spermatozoa subpopulations of boars. This study investigated the effect of RF-EMR on in vitro exposed breeding boar semen spermatozoa motility and the proportions of spermatozoa subpopulations according to their morphometric head and tail parameters. The semen samples of 12 boars were divided into control and experimental groups. The samples in the experimental group were exposed in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic chamber at a frequency of 2500 MHz (the frequency band used in 5G technology) and an electric field strength of 10 Vm−1 for two hours. After exposure, the spermatozoa motility was evaluated for both groups. A morphometric analysis of the semen smears was performed using SFORM software (Version 1.0; VAMS, Zagreb, Croatia). The progressive spermatozoa motility was significantly reduced in the experimental group (74.7% vs. 85.7%). PC analysis and cluster analysis revealed two spermatozoa subpopulations: S1, spermatozoa with a more regular head shape and a smaller midpiece outline, and S2, spermatozoa with a more elongated head shape and a larger midpiece outline. The experimental semen samples had a greater proportion of the S1 spermatozoa subpopulation (68.2% vs. 64.4%). The effect of RF-EMR at 2500 MHz on the in vitro exposed boar semen resulted in decreased progressive spermatozoa motility and a lower proportion of the spermatozoa subpopulation with a higher fertilizing potential.

15 February 2025 in Biomedicines
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NZNikolino Zura
Nikolino Zura
SVSilvijo Vince
Silvijo Vince
PPPorin Perić
Porin Perić
MVMarinko Vilić
Marinko Vilić
KMKrešimir Malarić
Krešimir Malarić
IŽIvona Žura Žaja
Ivona Žura Žaja
Background/Objectives: This study assessed the effects of 5G radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) at different frequencies (700 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3500 MHz) on the complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte morphometry, and platelet activation after the short-term in vitro exposure of human blood. Methods: Blood samples from 30 healthy volunteers (15 men and 15 women, aged 25–40 years old) were collected at three intervals (14 days apart). For each collection, four tubes of blood were drawn per volunteer—two experimental and two controls. Experimental samples were exposed to 5G RF-EMR for 2 h at room temperature using a half-cone gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell. The CBC was analysed via a haematology analyser, the erythrocyte morphometry was analysed using the SFORM program, and platelet activation was analysed via flow cytometry. Results: The CBC and platelet activation showed no significant differences between the experimental and control samples. However, the erythrocyte morphometry exhibited notable changes. At 700 MHz, the erythrocyte size, contour, and membrane roughness increased significantly for both sexes, with women’s cells showing greater sensitivity. At 2500 MHz, women exhibited an increased contour index and a decreased solidity and form factor. At 3500 MHz, women showed an increased contour index and outline but a decreased solidity, elongation, and form factor. Cluster analysis identified two erythrocyte subpopulations: smaller, rounder cells with smooth membranes and larger cells with rougher membranes. Conclusions: These results indicate that 5G RF-EMR exposure significantly alters erythrocyte morphometry. The strongest effects were observed at 700 MHz, where men exhibited greater membrane roughness, and women showed larger and rounder erythrocytes. These findings suggest that short-term in vitro 5G RF-EMR exposure disrupts the cytoskeleton, increasing membrane permeability and deformability.

26 August 2024 in Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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NKNataša Kalebota
Nataša Kalebota
NŽNadica Laktašić Žerjavić
Nadica Laktašić Žerjavić
KDKristina Kovač Durmiš
Kristina Kovač Durmiš
Milan MiloševićMilan Milošević
Milan Milošević
AAAntun Andreić
Antun Andreić
PPPorin Perić
Porin Perić
Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of a Tai Chi exercise program (TCEP) on pain, spinal flexibility, muscle strength, stability and balance, functional status, and quality of life (QoL) among home-dwelling patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or inflammatory arthritis (iA). Patients and methods: Between October 2018 and April 2019, a total of 28 participants (4 males, 24 females; median age: 62 years; range, 34 to 79 years) who completed the training program participating in at least 18 sessions were included. The TCEP consisted of 50 sessions for 60 min twice a week. The average attendance rate was high (78%, 39 sessions). Results: Chest mobility (breathing index, p<0.001), sagittal mobility of cervical (p<0.001), thoracic (p=0.009), and lumbar spine (Schober’s test, p<0.001) improved significantly in participants with OA and iA. The improvement in functional status was significant only in participants with OA (Lequesne index, p=0.014). Although the change in Lequesne index was statistically significant, the median value remained in the range of severe disability and the change did not reach the minimal clinically important difference. Although the trends were positive, the changes in pain (Visual Analog Scale pain, p=0.599), stability and balance (functional reach test, p=0.341), muscular strength (wall sit test, p=0.069), and health-related QoL (15D, p=0.065) were non-significant in participants with OA and iA. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that a 25-week TCEP is safe and can improve chest and spinal mobility in home-dwelling individuals with OA or iA.

21 November 2024 in Physiotherapy Research International
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Journal Article
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IJIvan Jurak
Ivan Jurak
SGSilvija Grabar
Silvija Grabar
NZNikolino Zura
Nikolino Zura
LJLukrecija Jakuš
Lukrecija Jakuš
Background and Purpose: This randomised controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training in managing chronic low back pain (CLBP). Given the multifactorial nature of CLBP, this study explores a multimodal treatment approach integrating CRMRF, known for its thermal effects and ability to alleviate pain through improved cell metabolism and microcirculation, with PNF training, which enhances muscle strength, flexibility, and proprioception.Methods: This study was designed as a single‐blind, parallel, randomised controlled trial conducted in an outpatient clinical setting. Over the course of four months, 62 participants, suffering from chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to receive either the combined CRMRF and PNF treatment or PNF alone, with primary outcomes measured in terms of pain and functional disability using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). For secondary outcome of disability associated with pain, Quebec Pain Disability Scale (QPDS) and Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used. The study's hypothesis was that the combined treatment would reduce pain and disability more effectively than PNF alone.Results: Results indicated that the experimental group experienced greater improvements in pain and functional disability, surpassing the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) for the VAS, ODI, QPDS and RMDQ, suggesting the clinical relevance of the combined CRMRF and PNF approach.Discussion: These findings are consistent with previous research highlighting the benefits of CRMRF in various musculoskeletal disorders and suggest that integrating CRMRF with PNF training offers a promising non‐invasive treatment option for CLBP sufferers. Overall, our study contributes to the growing evidence base supporting innovative, multimodal treatment strategies for managing CLBP, with the potential to enhance patients' quality of life.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05682287