Two Decades of Insights: Comprehensive Histopathological and Epidemiological Analysis of Conjunctival Tumors.

This study analyzed 2102 conjunctival lesions excised between 1981 and 2003 at a single tertiary center in Serbia, with the aim of evaluating their histopathological characteristics, anatomical localization, and demographic distribution. Of the total cases recorded, 55.1% were male, indicating a slight male predominance.

Reduced light exposure mitigates streptozotocin-induced vascular changes and gliosis in diabetic retina by an anti-inflammatory effect and increased retinal cholesterol turnover.

Diabetic retinopathy is not cured efficiently and changes of lifestyle measures may delay early retinal injury in diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of reduced daily light exposure on retinal vascular changes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of DM with emphasis on inflammation, Aqp4 expression, visual cycle and cholesterol metabolism-related gene expression in rat retina and RPE. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: 1.

The Effect of Liquid-Phase Exfoliated Graphene Film on Neurodifferentiation of Stem Cells from Apical Papilla.

Background: Dental stem cells, which originate from the neural crest, due to their easy accessibility might be good candidates in neuro-regenerative procedures, along with graphene-based nanomaterials shown to promote neurogenesis . We aimed to explore the potential of liquid-phase exfoliated graphene (LPEG) film to stimulate the neuro-differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP).

Methods: The experimental procedure was structured as follows: (1) fabrication of graphene film; (2) isolation, cultivation and SCAP stemness characterization by flowcytometry, multilineage differentiation (osteo, chondro and adipo) and quantitative PCR (qPCR); (3) SCAP neuro-induction by cultivation on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with graphene film; (4) evaluation of neural differentiation by means of several microscopy techniques (light, confocal, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy), followed by neural marker gene expression analysis using qPCR.

Raman microspectroscopy: toward a better distinction and profiling of different populations of dental stem cells.

Aim: To characterize stem cells originating from different dental tissues (apical papilla [SCAP], dental follicle [DFSC], and pulp [DPSC]) and test the capacity of Raman microspectroscopy to distinguish between the three dental stem cell types.

Methods: SCAP, DFSC, and DPSC cultures were generated from three immature wisdom teeth originating from three patients. Cell stemness was confirmed by inducing neuro-, osteo-, chondro-, and adipo-differentiaton and by mesenchymal marker expression analysis by flow-cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Putative cancer stem cells are present in surgical margins of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Recent evidence suggests that small subpopulations of stem-like cells are accountable for tumour initiation, progression and metastasis. Until now, studies were focused exclusively on the characterization of these cell populations within the tumour itself, while tumour margins were neglected, although it is known that the histological and molecular status of tumour margins may play a significant role in the course of the disease. Therefore, the aims of the study were to isolate cells from oral squamous cell carcinomas and their respective margins, to characterize these cells using specific markers, to assess their self-renewal potential and determine their chemoresistance.

Characterization of stem-like cancer cells in basal cell carcinoma and its surgical margins.

Background: Understanding the pathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and identifying the cells responsible for propagation and recurrence are crucial for the development of new treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to characterize the cells isolated from BCC and its margin.

Methods: Primary cultures were established from 10 BCCs, their respective close resection margins (3 mm) and 10 control tissues.

Differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla into neural lineage using graphene dispersion and single walled carbon nanotubes.

Stem cell-based therapies are considered a promising treatment modality for many medical conditions. Several types of stem cells with variable differentiation potentials have been isolated from dental tissues, among them stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP). In parallel, new classes of biocompatible nanomaterials have also been developed, including graphene and carbon nanotube-based materials.

RABIX: AN OPEN-SOURCE WORKFLOW EXECUTOR SUPPORTING RECOMPUTABILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY OF WORKFLOW DESCRIPTIONS.

As biomedical data has become increasingly easy to generate in large quantities, the methods used to analyze it have proliferated rapidly. Reproducible and reusable methods are required to learn from large volumes of data reliably. To address this issue, numerous groups have developed workflow specifications or execution engines, which provide a framework with which to perform a sequence of analyses.

High frequency of p16 and p14 promoter hypermethylation and marked telomere instability in salivary gland tumors.

Objectives: to investigate p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) tumor suppressor gene methylation status, determine telomere length and assess the importance of these epigenetic and genetic parameters in the development of pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid salivary glands.

Materials And Methods: Genomic DNA from paraffin-embedded samples of 50 pleomorphic adenomas and 10 carcinomas ex pleomorphic adenoma was subjected to methylation specific polymerase chain reaction for hypermethylation analyses and real time polymerase chain reaction for the relative telomere length calculations.

Results: Promoter hypermethylation of the two genes was a very frequent event in both neoplasms - between 60% and 90% of samples were hypermethylated - but without significant difference between the groups.

The influence of single and combined IL28B polymorphisms on response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near IL28B gene were shown to be highly predictive of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Objectives: This study attempted to demonstrate the role of single and combined IL28B polymorphisms (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs12980275) and other host and viral factors in predicting response to treatment, in Caucasian patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

Study Design: The IL28B genotypes at 3 SNPs were determined in 106 patients who underwent standard 48-week therapy and out of which 55.

The comparison of chronic hepatitis C treatment outcome between intravenous drug users and non-intravenous drug users.

Unlabelled: Despite the fact that the majority of prevalent and incident cases of HCV are associated with intravenous drug use (IVDU), these patients have largely been excluded from HCV care. The aim of this study was to examine the treatment outcome of chronic hepatitis C in IVDUs compared to non-IVDUs.

Patients And Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who initiated and completed combination antiviral therapy with pegilated interferon and ribavirin, at the Hepatology Department of the University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade, were retrospectively analyzed.

[Antiviral/immunomodulatory combination therapy: pegylated interferon alpha 2a and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection].

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to liver cirrhosis that causes bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, liver failure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Use of standard therapeutic option consists of recombinant pegylated interferon alpha 2a/b with ribavirin in order to eradicate virus and prevent complications.

Objective: The aim of investigation was to evaluate efficiency of combination therapy (pegylated interferon alpha 2a/b plus ribavirin) in patients with chronic HCV infection and to estimate predictive factors for successful treatment.

Atomic force microscopy stiffness tomography on living Arabidopsis thaliana cells reveals the mechanical properties of surface and deep cell-wall layers during growth.

Cell-wall mechanical properties play a key role in the growth and the protection of plants. However, little is known about genuine wall mechanical properties and their growth-related dynamics at subcellular resolution and in living cells. Here, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) stiffness tomography to explore stiffness distribution in the cell wall of suspension-cultured Arabidopsis thaliana as a model of primary, growing cell wall.

[Influence of depression on the quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C reduces the quality of life in patients causing fatigue, loss of self-confidence, reduced working capacity, development of depression, emotional problems, and cognitive dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the presence of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C, predicting factors for its expression, and the impact of depression on the quality of life in these patients.

Methods: During the prospective study, we used the Hamilton depression scale to investigate the presence of depression, generic 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Chronic Liver Diseases Questionnaire (CLDQ) to examine the quality of life in 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 30 patients with chronic liver disease nonviral aetiology and 50 healthy persons.

[Therapeutic approach to actinomycosis--experience gained at the department of infectious and tropical diseases].

Introduction: Actinomycosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by anaerobic, gram-positive microorganisms from the order of Actinomyce or Propionobacterium. The disease manifests iself mostly in cervicofacial form and less frequently in thoracic and abdominal form. The study was aimed at reviewing clinical manifestations and therapeutic approaches in treatment of patients with Actinomycosis.

Characteristics of patients dying from acute viral hepatitis in Serbia.

Background/aims: Acute viral hepatitis is complicated rarely with severe liver failure due to many factors associated with the etiology, patient age, and time of development of hepatic encephalopathy, etc. The aim of this study was to identify some of the clinical and laboratory features associated with a fatal outcome in patients dying from acute viral hepatitis in Serbia.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data from 47 patients hospitalized from January 1989 December 2006 were reviewed retrospectively.

[Quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus often causes chronic liver disease reducing physical, mental and social functions in these patients.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was analysis of the quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients compared to patients with other chronic liver diseases and healthy population, as well as investigation of the influence of socio-demographic factors on the quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: A generic Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Chronic Liver Diseases Questionnaire (CLDQ) were used in this prospective study for the investigation of the quality of life in 160 patients (100 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 30 patients with non-viral chronic liver diseases) and 50 healthy controls.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus MHR mutations and their correlation with genotypes and antiviral therapy in chronically infected patients in Serbia.

Understanding the prevalence and diversity of HBsAg variants in a population is fundamental to assay design and planning vaccination programs. It has been shown that mutations within the S gene, caused by selection or natural variation, can lead to false-negative results in assays for HBsAg, or have clinical implications, such as evading anti-HBV immunoglobulin therapy or vaccine-induced immunity. The region of HBsAg where most of these mutations occur is known as the major hydrophilic region (MHR).

Reduced quality of life in patients with chronic viral liver disease as assessed by SF12 questionnaire.

Background & Aim: Quality of life may be reduced in patients with chronic liver diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic viral liver disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Patients And Methods: Quality of life was prospectively investigated in 227 patients with chronic viral liver disease and 75 controls.

Older age at the time of liver biopsy is the important risk factor for advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Progression of chronic hepatitis C depends on the host and viral characteristics, duration of infection, co-infection with other viruses, etc. In this study, some of demographic, epidemiological and viral data as risk factors for a degree of liver fibrosis were evaluated.

Methodology: A total of 144 patients was investigated (89 males, ages from 16-65 years) classified into two groups, with fibrosis scores 0-3 and 4-6, using the Ishak scoring system.

Distribution of HBV genotypes, subgenotypes and HBsAg subtypes among chronically infected patients in Serbia.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into eight genotypes (some of them further divided into two or more subgenotypes) and nine HBsAg subtypes, distinctly distributed geographically. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the distribution of HBV genotypes, subgenotypes and HBsAg subtypes among HBV chronically infected patients in Serbia, since there were no previously published data on this subject. Eighty-nine plasma samples that gave a positive result in a nested PCR were included for genotype identification.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Serbia and Montenegro: the prevalence and clinical significance.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Serbia and Montenegro and their influence on some clinical characteristics in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Methods: A total of 164 patients was investigated. Complete history, route of infection, assessment of alcohol consumption, an abdominal ultrasound, standard biochemical tests and liver biopsy were done.

[Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: is there a correlation between HCV genotypes and the level of viremia?].

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA status and HCV genotypes have become extremely important for exact diagnosis, prognosis, duration of treatment and monitoring of antiviral therapy of chronic HCV infection.

Material And Methods: For the purpose of precise and objective assessment of virologic analyses, such as the determination of the number of virus copies and virus genotypes, 110 patients with chronic HCV infection were tested Genotyping of HCV isolates and HCV RNA quantification were performed by using the PCR method. Genotype 1b infection was verified in 49.

Histopathology of chronic hepatitis C in relation to virus genotype.

Background/aim: The natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is variable and the factors determining the course of the illness are unclear. There are geographical variations in the distribution of different HCV genotypes, and some of them are related to the specific infection routes. Regarding our country, the dominant genotype is genotype 1b.