What is in a label: Effects of labeling on the preference for plant-based products.

Our study investigated the effects of three labels on the preference for plant-based products: plant-based, vegan, and Lenten, referring to products appropriate to consume during religious fasting. We conducted two preregistered experiments to measure the effects of labeling on product preference (Study 1, N = 290) and actual tasting preferences (Study 2, N = 251) in a predominantly meat-eating European society (Serbia). We did not find statistically significant effects of labels on the preference for plant-based products in Study 1.

Survival of Patients with Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Cirrhosis-Usefulness of the New Liver Mortality Inpatients Prognostic Score.

Alcohol can directly damage the liver, causing steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. The aim of this study was to examine 28-day survival in hospitalized patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) cirrhosis, as well as to develop and validate a new survival prediction model. A total of 145 patients with ALD cirrhosis were included; 107 were diagnosed with acute decompensation (AD) and 38 with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

The effects of combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems on immune cell-driven inflammation and mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis.

Introduction: The effects of combustible cigarettes (CCs) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) on immune cell-driven colon inflammation and intestinal healing of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are still unknown and, therefore, were examined in this study.

Methods: Intracellular staining and flow cytometry analysis of immune cells isolated from UC patients who used ENDS (UCENDS), CCs (UCCC) and who were non-smokers (UCAIR) were performed to elucidate cellular mechanisms which were responsible for CCs and ENDS-dependent modulation of immune response during UC progression. Additionally, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-colitis was induced in ENDS/CC/air-exposed mice (DSSENDS/ DSSCC/DSSAIR groups) to support clinical findings.

Effects of Combustible Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products on Systemic Inflammatory Response in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.

Smoke derived from combustible cigarettes (CCs) contains numerous harmful chemicals that can impair the viability, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, affecting the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of cigarette smoking, many CC users have replaced CCs with heated tobacco products (HTPs). Due to different methods of tobacco processing, CC-sourced smoke and HTP-derived aerosols contain different chemical constituents.

Frequency of C9orf72, GRN, and MAPT pathogenic variants in patients recruited at the Belgrade Memory Center.

Most of the heritability in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is accounted for by autosomal dominant hexanucleotide expansion in the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in progranulin (GRN), and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) genes. Until now, there has been no systematic analysis of these genes in the Serbian population. Herein, we assessed the frequency of the C9orf72 expansion, pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in GRN and MAPT in a well-characterized group of 472 subjects (FTD, Alzheimer's disease - AD, mild cognitive impairment - MCI, and unspecified dementia - UnD), recruited in the Memory Center, Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia.

Therapeutic Potential of Palmitoylethanolamide in Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like bioactive lipid mediator belonging to the family of N-acylethanolamines, most abundantly found in peanuts and egg yolk. When the gastrointestinal (GI) effects of PEA are discussed, it must be pointed out that it affects intestinal motility but also modulates gut microbiota. This is due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory features.

Review of Spider Silk Applications in Biomedical and Tissue Engineering.

This review will present the latest research related to the production and application of spider silk and silk-based materials in reconstructive and regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, with a focus on musculoskeletal tissues, and including skin regeneration and tissue repair of bone and cartilage, ligaments, muscle tissue, peripheral nerves, and artificial blood vessels. Natural spider silk synthesis is reviewed, and the further recombinant production of spider silk proteins. Research insights into possible spider silk structures, like fibers (1D), coatings (2D), and 3D constructs, including porous structures, hydrogels, and organ-on-chip designs, have been reviewed considering a design of bioactive materials for smart medical implants and drug delivery systems.

Whole exome sequencing in Serbian patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of neurodegenerative diseases with a high genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Numerous HSP patients remain genetically undiagnosed despite screening for known genetic causes of HSP. Therefore, identification of novel variants and genes is needed.

RFC1 and FGF14 Repeat Expansions in Serbian Patients with Cerebellar Ataxia.

Background: The newly discovered intronic repeat expansions in the genes encoding replication factor C subunit 1 (RFC1) and fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) frequently cause late-onset cerebellar ataxia.

Objectives: To investigate the presence of RFC1 and FGF14 pathogenic repeat expansions in Serbian patients with adult-onset cerebellar ataxia.

Methods: The study included 167 unrelated patients with sporadic or familial cerebellar ataxia.

ANO10-Related Spinocerebellar Ataxia: MDSGene Systematic Literature Review and a Romani Case Series.

Background: Biallelic pathogenic variants in the ANO10 gene cause autosomal recessive progressive ataxia (ATX-ANO10).

Methods: Following the MDSGene protocol, we systematically investigated genotype-phenotype relationships in ATX-ANO10 based on the clinical and genetic data from 82 published and 12 newly identified patients.

Results: Most patients (>80%) had loss-of-function (LOF) variants.

Novel variants in established epilepsy genes in focal epilepsy.

Introduction: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has greatly expanded our understanding of genetic contributors in multiple epilepsy syndromes, including focal epilepsy. Describing the genetic architecture of common syndromes promises to facilitate the diagnostic process as well as aid in the identification of patients who stand to benefit from genetic testing, but most studies to date have been limited to examining children or adults with intellectual disability. Our aim was to determine the yield of targeted sequencing of 5 established epilepsy genes (DEPDC5, LGI1, SCN1A, GRIN2A, and PCHD19) in an extensively phenotyped cohort of focal epilepsy patients with normal intellectual function or mild intellectual disability, as well as describe novel variants and determine the characteristics of variant carriers.

Novel GATOR1 variants in focal epilepsy.

Introduction: Variants in GATOR1 genes are well established in focal epilepsy syndromes. A strong association of GATOR1 variants with drug-resistant epilepsy as well as an increased risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy warrants developing strategies to facilitate the identification of patients who could potentially benefit from genetic testing and precision medicine. We aimed to determine the yield of GATOR1 gene sequencing in patients with focal epilepsy typically referred for genetic testing, establish novel GATOR1 variants and determine clinical, electroencephalographic, and radiological characteristics of variant carriers.

Alcohol, Inflammation, and Microbiota in Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a consequence of excessive alcohol use. According to many studies, alcohol represents a significant socioeconomic and health risk factor in today's population. According to data from the World Health Organization, there are about 75 million people who have alcohol disorders, and it is well known that its use leads to serious health problems.

Humor Styles Are Related to Loneliness Across 15 Countries.

The relationships between self-report loneliness and the four humor styles of affiliative, aggressive, self-defeating, and self-enhancing were investigated in 15 countries (N = 4,701). Because loneliness has been suggested to be both commonly experienced and detrimental, we examine if there are similar patterns between humor styles, gender, and age with loneliness in samples of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Across the country samples, affiliative and self-enhancing humor styles negatively correlated with loneliness, self-defeating was positively correlated, and the aggressive humor style was not significantly related.

Aging of Liver in Its Different Diseases.

The proportion of elderly people in the world population is constantly increasing. With age, the risk of numerous chronic diseases and their complications also rises. Research on the subject of cellular senescence date back to the middle of the last century, and today we know that senescent cells have different morphology, metabolism, phenotypes and many other characteristics.