Xalnesiran with or without an Immunomodulator in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Xalnesiran, a small interfering RNA molecule that targets a conserved region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and silences multiple HBV transcripts, may have efficacy, with or without an immunomodulator, in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled, adaptive, open-label platform trial that included the evaluation of 48 weeks of treatment with xalnesiran at a dose of 100 mg (group 1), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg (group 2), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 150 mg of ruzotolimod (group 3), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 180 μg of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (group 4), or a nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA) alone (group 5) in participants with chronic HBV infection who had virologic suppression with NA therapy. The primary efficacy end point was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (HBsAg level, <0.

Assessing attitudes toward research and plagiarism among medical students: a multi-site study.

Background: Research involves the systematic collection and analysis of data to enhance understanding of a particular phenomenon. Participation in medical research is crucial for advancing healthcare practices. However, there has been limited focus on understanding the factors that motivate medical students to engage in research.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana L.) leaf juice encapsulated within polysaccharides-blend-based carriers: Characterization and application as potential antioxidants in mayonnaise production.

This study aimed to encapsulate cold-pressed horseradish leaf juice within maltodextrin/alginate (MD/AL), maltodextrin/guar gum (MD/GG), and maltodextrin/gum Arabic (MD/GA) by spray-drying, to characterize the encapsulates, and to test their potential as mayonnaise oxidation-preventing ingredients. The encapsulates exhibited desirable physicochemical, morphological, structural, and thermal properties, highlighting MD/GA-containing encapsulates, especially regarding high encapsulation yield (78.50 %).

Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Disability Self-Assessment Questionnaire: Criterion Validity, Construct Validity, and Internal Consistency.

: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a widely employed self-report tool for assessing upper extremity function. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the DASH by determining its criterion and construct validity, as well as internal consistency. : This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with hand and wrist disabilities at the Institute for Orthopedics "Banjica", Serbia.

Craft Beer Produced by Immobilized Yeast Cells with the Addition of Grape Pomace Seed Powder: Physico-Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Properties.

The aim of this study was to produce and to characterize craft beer fermented by immobilized yeast cells with the addition of Prokupac grape pomace seed powder (2.5% and 5%), to obtain a beer enriched with phenolic compounds and improved sensory characteristics. The immobilization of the yeast cells was performed by electrostatic extrusion, while the obtained calcium alginate beads were characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Manufacture of Low-Na White Soft Brined Cheese: Effect of NaCl Substitution with a Combination of Na-K Salts on Proximate Composition, Mineral Content, Microstructure, and Sensory Acceptance.

All over the world, especially in Western societies, table salt intake that is inordinately higher than the acceptable level has been observed. An excess of Na in the human diet, mostly from processed foods, is becoming the "number one killer", leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, the food industry is faced with a need to reduce Na in human nutrition in an effort to raise public health protection to a higher level.

Serbian Version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ): Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation Study Among Primary Health Care Users.

Background: As digital health services are increasingly developing and becoming more interactive in Serbia, a comprehensive instrument for measuring eHealth literacy (EHL) is needed.

Objective: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and investigate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ); to evaluate EHL in the population of primary health care (PHC) users in Serbia; and to explore factors associated with their EHL.

Methods: The validation study was conducted in 8 PHC centers in the territory of the Mačva district in Western Serbia.

Structural, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of the Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Bacterial Nanocellulose-Based Hybrid Composite.

This study presents an analysis of films which consist of two layers; one layer is PVDF as the matrix, along with fillers BaTiO (BT), and the second is one bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) filled with FeO. The mass fraction of BT in PVDF was 5%, and the samples were differentiated based on the duration of the mechanical activation of BT. This innovative PVDF laminate polymer with environmentally friendly fillers aligns with the concept of circular usage, resulting in a reduction in plastic content and potential improvement of the piezoelectric properties of the entire composite.

Reduction in Pathogenic Biofilms by the Photoactive Composite of Bacterial Cellulose and Nanochitosan Dots under Blue and Green Light.

In this study, nanochitosan dots (ChiDs) were synthesized using gamma rays and encapsulated in bacterial cellulose (BC) polymer matrix for antibiofilm potential in photodynamic therapy. The composites were analyzed for structural changes using SEM, AFM, FTIR, XRD, EPR, and porosity measurements. Additionally, ChiD release was assessed.

Comparative Studies of the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of the First Fullerene Derivative FD-C (Fullerenol) and Second Fullerene Derivate SD-C (3HFWC).

In order to maximally reduce the toxicity of fullerenol (the first derivative of C, FD-C), and increase its biomedical efficiency, the second derivative SD-C (3HFWC, Hyper-Harmonized Hydroxylated Fullerene Water Complex) was created. Several different methods were applied in the comparative characterization of FD-C and SD-C with the same OH groups in their core. FD-C as an individual structure was about 1.

Effects of Synthesis Parameters on Structure and Antimicrobial Properties of Bacterial Cellulose/Hydroxyapatite/TiO Polymer-Ceramic Composite Material.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure polysaccharide biopolymer that can be produced by various bacterial genera. Even though BC lacks functional properties, its porosity, three-dimensional network, and high specific surface area make it a suitable carrier for functional composite materials. In the present study, BC-producing bacteria were isolated from kombucha beverage and identified using a molecular method.

The Usefulness of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Histology Scoring System in Predicting Response to Proton Pump Inhibitor Monotherapy in Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated esophageal disease with rising incidence. While proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the first-line treatment, a significant proportion of patients do not respond. This study aimed to determine if the EoE Histology Scoring System (EoEHSS) can predict PPI responsiveness.

Dielectric and Structural Properties of the Hybrid Material Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Bacterial Nanocellulose-Based Composite.

In the search for environmentally friendly materials with a wide range of properties, polymer composites have emerged as a promising alternative due to their multifunctional properties. This study focuses on the synthesis of composite materials consisting of four components: bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) modified with magnetic FeO, and a mixture of BaTiO (BT) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The BT powder was mechanically activated prior to mixing with PVDF.

Hypoplastic arteries of the cerebral arterial ring in the blind spot of computed tomography angiography.

Background: Some variations of the cerebral arterial circle (CAC) are associated with an increased risk for the development of various pathological conditions. This paper aimed to determine the prevalence of hypoplastic arteries of CAC and to emphasize the limited possibility of their visualization by computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Materials And Methods: The research was performed on 400 adult cadavers by macro- and microdissection of the cerebral arteries.

Reconstruction of Moderately and Severely Atrophic Scalp-A Multicentric Experience in Surgical Treatment of Patients Irradiated for Tinea Capitis in Childhood and Surgical Algorithm.

: Before the introduction of griseofluvin, the use of X-ray radiation was the treatment of choice for tinea capitis. More than half a century later various types of tumors have been found to be associated with childhood irradiation due to tinea capitis, most commonly cancers of the head and neck, as well as brain tumors. The often unusually aggressive and recurrent nature of these tumors necessitates the need for repeated surgeries, while the atrophic skin with an impaired vascular supply due to radiation often poses an additional challenge for defect reconstruction.

Anticancer effect of novel luteolin capped gold nanoparticles selectively cytotoxic towards human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells: An in vitro approach.

Background: Although luteolin has been confirmed as potent anticancer agent, its potential application as therapeutic is limited by its water solubility. To overcome this shortcoming nanoparticle technology approach was applied. Owing to their proven low toxicity and the possibility to be easily functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were the nanosystem of choice used in this study.

First-in-human randomized study of RNAi therapeutic RG6346 for chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Background & Aims: RG6346 is an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated, double-stranded RNA interference agent targeting the HBV genome S-region. We investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of RG6346 in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic HBV infection (CHB).

Methods: This first-in-human, adaptive, randomized, double-blinded, phase I study recruited three groups of participants: Group A, 30 healthy volunteers received single-dose RG6346 at 0.

Influence of Ultrasonic and Chemical Pretreatments on Quality Attributes of Dried Pepper ().

This study investigates the effects of ultrasound, in combination with chemical pretreatments, on the quality attributes (total phenolic and carotenoid content, antioxidant activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH)), ferric-reducing ability (FRAP), CIE L* a* b* color, non-enzymatic browning, rehydration ratio, textural and morphological properties) of red pepper subjected to drying (hot air drying or freeze drying). The fractional factorial design was used to assess the impact of factors. The global Derringer desirability function was used to determine the optimal conditions for the best quality attributes of dried pepper.

Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Attitudes Towards Research Questionnaire.

Participating in research plays an essential role in improving the practice of healthcare. This cross-sectional study enrolled 100PhD students who attended the course "Informatics for researchers" at Medical Faculty University of Belgrade. The total ATR scale demonstrated excellent reliability (α=0.

Attitudes Toward Plagiarism Among PhD Medical Students in Serbia.

In this cross-sectional survey the Attitude Towards Plagiarism (ATP) questionnaire was administered to 100 PhD students to measure their attitudes towards plagiarism. The results showed that the students had low scores for positive attitudes and subjective norms, but moderate scores for negative attitudes towards plagiarism. Additional courses on plagiarism should be introduced in PhD studies to promote responsible research practices in Serbia.

Vitamin C and epigenetics: A short physiological overview.

In recent years, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has acquired great interest due to its multiple functions, which results in homeostasis of normal tissues and organs. On the other hand, it has been shown that epigenetic modifications may have an important role in various diseases and therefore are a focus of the extraordinary investigation. Ascorbic acid serves as a cofactor for ten-eleven translocation dioxygenases, which are responsible for deoxyribonucleic acid methylation.

Employing Gamma-Ray-Modified Carbon Quantum Dots to Combat a Wide Range of Bacteria.

Nowadays, it is a great challenge to develop new medicines for treating various infectious diseases. The treatment of these diseases is of utmost interest to further prevent the development of multi-drug resistance in different pathogens. Carbon quantum dots, as a new member of the carbon nanomaterials family, can potentially be used as a highly promising visible-light-triggered antibacterial agent.

Synthesis of octenyl succinic anhydride-modified levan and investigation of its microstructural, physicochemical, and emulsifying properties.

In this study, levan from Bacillus licheniformis NS032 was modified in an aqueous medium by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA), and the properties of the obtained derivatives were studied. The maximum efficiency in the synthesis reaction was achieved at 40 °C and a polysaccharide slurry concentration of 30 %. Increasing the reagent concentration (2-10 %) led to an increase in the degree of substitution (0.