Survey on hygiene and food safety among kitchen staff in preschools in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Ensuring food safety in kindergartens is crucial for protecting the health of young children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 113 kitchen employees across the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. These employees prepare and serve two to four meals daily for children under six.

In silico analysis of endocrine-disrupting potential of triclosan, bisphenol A, and their analogs and derivatives.

Owning to the increasing body of evidence about the ubiquitous exposure to endocrine disruptors (EDCs), particularly bisphenol A (BPA), and associated health effects, BPA has been gradually substituted with insufficiently tested structural analogs. The unmanaged excessive use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan (TCS) during the COVID-19 outbreak has also raised concerns about its possible interferences with hormonal functions. The similarity of BPA and estradiol, as well as TCS and non-steroidal estrogens, imply that endocrine-disrupting properties of their analogs could be predicted based on the chemical structure.

Biomonitoring Study of Toxic Metal(loid)s: Levels in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate heavy metal(loid)s (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, and As) in lung cancer patients in order to elucidate their role as lung cancer environmental risk factors. Sixty-three patients of both sexes with adenocarcinoma stage IIIB or IV were enrolled in this research.

Onion Polyphenols as Multi-Target-Directed Ligands in MASLD: A Preliminary Molecular Docking Study.

A sedentary lifestyle associated with unregulated diets rich in high-calorie foods have contributed to the great prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) latterly, with up to 60% in the high-risk population and 25% in the general population. The absence of specific pharmacological strategies for this syndrome represents one of the major problems in the management of MASLD patients. Lifestyle interventions and adherence to a healthy diet are the main cornerstones of current therapies.

Plasma Amino Acids in NAFLD Patients with Obesity Are Associated with Steatosis and Fibrosis: Results from the MAST4HEALTH Study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have been linked to changes in amino acid (AA) levels. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between MRI parameters that reflect inflammation and fibrosis and plasma AA concentrations in NAFLD patients. Plasma AA levels of 97 NAFLD patients from the MAST4HEALTH study were quantified with liquid chromatography.

Food contaminants and potential risk of diabetes development: A narrative review.

The number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to increase, especially among younger populations. Apart from genetic predisposition and lifestyle, there is increasing scientific and public concern that environmental agents may also contribute to diabetes. Food contamination by chemical substances that originate from packaging materials, or are the result of chemical reactions during food processing, is generally recognized as a worldwide problem with potential health hazards.

Cytokine receptor IL27RA is an NF-κB-responsive gene involved in CD38 upregulation in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) shows constitutive activation of canonical and noncanonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling via genetic mutations or tumor microenvironment (TME) stimulations. A subset of MM cell lines showed dependency for cell growth and survival on the canonical NF-κB transcription factor RELA alone, suggesting a critical role for a RELA-mediated biological program in MM pathogenesis. Here, we determined the RELA-dependent transcriptional program in MM cell lines and found the expression of the cell surface molecules interleukin-27 receptor-α (IL-27Rα) and the adhesion molecule JAM2 to be responsive to RELA at the messenger RNA and protein levels.

The effects of phthalate exposure on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background-aim: Phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals which are present in wide-range of products. The objective of the study was to investigate whether phthalate exposure may attribute to the metabolic syndrome development in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Method: The cross-sectional study involved 60 women in reproductive age with confirmed PCOS.

When the microbiome helps the brain-current evidence.

The gut microbiota-brain axis has been recognized as a network of connections that provides communication between the gut microflora and both central and autonomic nervous system. The gut microbiota alteration has been targeted for therapy in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disbalances. Psychobiotics are probiotics that contribute beneficially to the brain function and the host mental health as a result of an interaction with the commensal gut bacteria, although their mechanism of action has not been completely revealed.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Croatia-Rapid Detection of the First Case and Cross-Border Spread.

Background: Due to rapid spread, the Omicron variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant responsible for infections worldwide. We present the first detection of the Omicron variant in Croatia which resulted in rapid cross-border spreading.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system.

Comprehensive insight into triclosan-from widespread occurrence to health outcomes.

Humans are exposed to the variety of emerging environmental pollutant in everyday life. The special concern is paid to endocrine disrupting chemicals especially to triclosan which could interfere with normal hormonal functions. Triclosan could be found in numerous commercial products such as mouthwashes, toothpastes and disinfectants due to its antibacterial and antifungal effects.

FATC Domain Deletion Compromises ATM Protein Stability, Blocks Lymphocyte Development, and Promotes Lymphomagenesis.

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase is a master regulator of the DNA damage response, and loss of ATM leads to primary immunodeficiency and greatly increased risk for lymphoid malignancies. The FATC domain is conserved in phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs). Truncation mutation in the FATC domain (R3047X) selectively compromised reactive oxygen species-induced ATM activation in cell-free assays.

Phytochemical characterization and effects on cell proliferation of Pinus nigra Arn. bark.

Pinus nigra Arn. bark extracts from Mokra gora (MG) and Tara mountains were analyzed with regard to their polyphenolic profile and antioxidative and antiproliferative activity. The ethanol extract from MG showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content when compared with the acetone and methanol extracts from both sites.

Transcriptional repression of NFKBIA triggers constitutive IKK- and proteasome-independent p65/RelA activation in senescence.

The IκB kinase (IKK)-NF-κB pathway is activated as part of the DNA damage response and controls both inflammation and resistance to apoptosis. How these distinct functions are achieved remained unknown. We demonstrate here that DNA double-strand breaks elicit two subsequent phases of NF-κB activation in vivo and in vitro, which are mechanistically and functionally distinct.

The Cancer-Associated ATM R3008H Mutation Reveals the Link between ATM Activation and Its Exchange.

ATM kinase is a tumor suppressor and a master regulator of the DNA damage response. Most cancer-associated alterations to ATM are missense mutations at the PI3-kinase regulatory domain (PRD) or the kinase domain. Expression of kinase-dead (KD) ATM protein solely accelerates lymphomagenesis beyond ATM loss.

Author Correction: AP-1 imprints a reversible transcriptional programme of senescent cells.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Ancient wheats: beneficial effects on insulin resistance.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two conditions that commonly co-exist in the context of metabolic syndrome. Several scientific advances in understanding this association have identified insulin resistance as the key point in the pathogenesis of both diseases. The first line treatment suggested in the management of these diseases is represented by lifestyle changes, and in particular, the modification of alimentary regimen, with the transition to a healthy diet.

H3K9me3-mediated epigenetic regulation of senescence in mice predicts outcome of lymphoma patients.

Lesion-based targeting strategies underlie cancer precision medicine. However, biological principles - such as cellular senescence - remain difficult to implement in molecularly informed treatment decisions. Functional analyses in syngeneic mouse models and cross-species validation in patient datasets might uncover clinically relevant genetics of biological response programs.

AP-1 imprints a reversible transcriptional programme of senescent cells.

Senescent cells affect many physiological and pathophysiological processes. While select genetic and epigenetic elements for senescence induction have been identified, the dynamics, epigenetic mechanisms and regulatory networks defining senescence competence, induction and maintenance remain poorly understood, precluding the deliberate therapeutic targeting of senescence for health benefits. Here, we examined the possibility that the epigenetic state of enhancers determines senescent cell fate.

Can environmental pollutant bisphenol A increase metabolic risk in polycystic ovary syndrome?

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), a widespread industrial substance is recognized as endocrine disrupting chemical and therefore could be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) related metabolic disturbances.

Patients: In this study 29 women of reproductive age with diagnosed PCOS were enrolled.

Methods: BPA in urine samples was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Could phthalates exposure contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome and liver disease in humans?

In the study, 305 patients of both genders were enrolled and divided into three groups: obese (BMI > 30 kg/m), patients who were diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and control, normal weight healthy volunteers. At least one of ten different phthalate metabolites was determined in the urine samples of 49.84% all enrolled participants.

Olive oil antioxidants and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to affect 25% of adult people worldwide. Nowadays, there is no definite treatment for NAFLD. International guidelines define an approach based on lifestyle changes, included a health alimentary regimen.