Etiology, early detection and treatment of diseases in childhood and adolescence

Results from the research project may add to the scientific development in five distinctive ways: Publications in SCI listed scientific journals with high impact factors are internationally accepted indicators of the level of scientific research and significantly contribute to the international prestige of Slovenian scientific research. Results from this program were published in 25 SCI articles (mean impact factor (interval) = 3.177 (1.216– 14,505)), most of them already cited. Obtained and published results also opened several new scientific questions relevant for the ongoing research. Important was also the development and optimization of new laboratory methodrs now used in routine diagnostics. Integration into EU and international research projects enables the transfer of Slovenian research into international scientific community and promotes exchange of ideas and technologies. Presentation of our own original scientific data on international meetings and invited lectures promote the recognition and the standing of Slovenian scientific research. Researchers presented their research and results on dozens invited lectures and several dozen presentations on scientific meetings. Incorporation of graduate students in the publishable scientific research enables our PhD programs to be internationally comparable and recognized. Researchers mentored 7 completed PhD student programs. Translation of the scientific data into clinical routine increases the quality of tertiary clinical care and thus the general health care. Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, published based on the research data, were directly implemented into clinical routine and some also incorporated into published international guidelines.

The original scientific achievements, their international publication and citations are incorporated into many statistical analysis of achievements of EU and OECD member states, increasing reputation and better position of Slovenia for acquisition of funding and grants from different EU funds. This is especially important in the fields of higher education and scientific research, where Slovenia is usually positioned in the middle of the rankings. Our own scientific research is also important requirement to get involved into joint European research projects financed by the EU. The educational level of its members is crucial for modern society. The higher education, especially the graduate programs inseparably linked with the scientific research, are essentially defined with measurable research criteria achievements of its teachers and scientific staff. The researchers were mentors of 7 PhD theses during the duration of this research program. The PhD students published more than one research paper on average in scientific journals with at least middle class impact factors. Consequently our research work under the program has importantly contributed to the quality of Slovenian graduate education. The quality of health care is one of the most crucial indicators of well-being of the society and the country in the modern world. The transfer of research achievements into the clinical routine and the international clinical guidelines is important contribution to the quality of the health care and has direct positive impact on members of the society. Finally, our own original knowledge and its implementation into the process of education is increasing the cultural level of society, based on reasoning and dialogue of different evidence-based arguments,