The Utility of Immuno-Nutritional Scores in Patients with Testicular Germ Cell Tumors.

Background: Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Score (HALP) is an accessible score that is easily reproducible from routine laboratory testing while also reflecting patients' immune-nutritional status. Along with other immuno-nutritional scores, such as the Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI), HALP has been associated with a number of clinical and pathological features. The goal of our study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of HALP and PNI scores in testicular germ cell cancer (GCT) patients.

The Effects of Six Weeks Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Functional and Psychological Outcomes in Long-COVID Patients: Preliminary Results from Serbian Single Center Study.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of six weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional and psychological outcomes in long-COVID patients. The prospective clinical study included 46 patients that were diagnosed with COVID-19. A respiratory rehabilitation program was implemented for six weeks.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Quality of Life in Penile Cancer Patients following Surgical Treatment.

Penile cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive disease, with a significant tendency for lymphatic spreading and subsequent development of distant metastases. The mutilating nature of PC surgical treatment has profound implications on the patient's body integrity and self-image, sexual life and intimacy, voiding and mental health. The aim of our study was to comprehensively evaluate PC patients' post-treatment quality of life (QoL), sexual activity, self-esteem, fatigue and fear of disease recurrence.

Understanding the Male Perspective: Evaluating Quality of Life and Psychological Distress in Serbian Men Undergoing Infertility Treatment.

The experience of an infertility diagnosis and treatment imposes a profound burden on affected individuals, encompassing not only physical and medical aspects but also a plethora of psychological, social, and emotional factors. By employing a multimodal assessment featuring validated self-report questionnaires, physical measurements, and clinical records, the present study aimed to explore the quality of life and psycho-emotional distress of men undergoing infertility treatment in Serbia, thereby addressing the dearth of research on the underrepresented male perspective in this domain. Findings revealed diverse semen abnormalities among participants (n = 96, average age 37.

Associations of fatty acids composition and estimated desaturase activities in erythrocyte phospholipids with biochemical and clinical indicators of cardiometabolic risk in non-diabetic Serbian women: the role of level of adiposity.

Introduction: Fatty acids (FAs) composition and desaturase activities can be altered in different metabolic conditions, but the adiposity-independent associations with clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations of FAs composition and estimated desaturase activities with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical cardiometabolic risk indicators in non-diabetic Serbian women, and to investigate if these associations were independent of the level of adiposity and other confounders.

Methods: In 76 non-diabetic, otherwise healthy Serbian women, aged 24-68 years, with or without metabolic syndrome or obesity (BMI=23.

Exposure to Phosphates and Nitrites through Meat Products: Estimation of the Potential Risk to Pregnant Women.

Diet during pregnancy is one of the most important nutritional challenges associated with some risks for the mother and the fetus. For the first time, the study aims to estimate long-term (2018-2022) exposure to nitrate and phosphates in Serbian pregnant women, based on individual consumption data and accurate values measured in frequently consumed meat products. For this purpose, seven types of meat products, consisting of 3047 and 1943 samples, were collected from retail markets across Serbia, to analyze nitrites and phosphorus content, respectively.

The Polymorphisms in Genes ( rs4925, rs156697, and rs2297235) Affect the Risk for Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Development: A Pilot Study.

Members of the omega class of glutathione transferases (GSTs), GSTO1, and GSTO2, catalyze a range of reduction reactions as a part of the antioxidant defense system. Polymorphisms of genes encoding antioxidant proteins and the resultant altered redox profile have already been associated with the increased risk for testicular germ cell cancer (GCT) development. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the individual, combined, haplotype, and cumulative effect of rs4925, rs156697, and rs2297235 polymorphisms with the risk for testicular GCT development, in 88 patients and 96 matched controls, through logistic regression models.

Prognostic Significance of Systemic Inflammation Markers in Testicular and Penile Cancer: A Narrative Review of Current Literature.

In contemporary clinical practice, biomarkers are indispensable in the assessment and management of oncological patients. Although established serum tumor markers (beta human chorionic gonadotropin (bHCG), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) have an indisputably important role in the management of patients with testicular cancer (TC), the application of these tumor markers may be accompanied with certain limitations, implying the need for additional biomarkers. Contrary to TC, there is a lack of established serological biomarkers for penile cancer (PC) and the management of this urological malignancy is based on multiple clinicopathological parameters.

Dietary Intake of Salt from Meat Products in Serbian Population.

Salt intake above 5 g/day correlates with prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CVD, the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, account for 45% of all deaths, while, in Serbia in 2021, CVD accounted for 47.3%.

The Role of Isoflavones in the Prevention of Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer.

This narrative review summarizes epidemiological studies on breast cancer and prostate cancer with an overview of their global incidence distribution to investigate the relationship between these diseases and diet. The biological properties, mechanisms of action, and available data supporting the potential role of isoflavones in the prevention of breast cancer and prostate cancer are discussed. Studies evaluating the effects of isoflavones in tissue cultures of normal and malignant breast and prostate cells, as well as the current body of research regarding the effects of isoflavones attained through multiple modifications of cellular molecular signaling pathways and control of oxidative stress, are summarized.

Magnesium supplementation and iron status among female students: The intervention study.

Background: Literature data indicate the benefit of magnesium (Mg) supplementation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of short-term Mg supplementation on iron status in healthy female participants.

Methods: One hundred healthy female students of the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy participated the study during eleven intervention days.

Evaluation of Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Status in 1-9-Year-Old Children Living in Serbia: National Food Consumption Survey according to the EU Menu Methodology.

The Serbian Food Consumption Survey among 1-9-year-old-children was conceptualized and conducted in compliance with the principles, established protocols, and guidelines of the EU Menu project between 2017 and 2021. Valid data were collected for 576 individuals (290 1-3-year-old toddlers and 276 3-9-year-old children). Regardless of age and gender category, the majority (68.

Interplay between Comprehensive Inflammation Indices and Redox Biomarkers in Testicular Germ-Cell Tumors.

Sustained and dysregulated inflammation, concurrent tumor-induced immune suppression, and oxidative stress are profoundly involved in cancer initiation, presentation, and perpetuation. Within this prospective study, we simultaneously analyzed the preoperative indices of systemic inflammatory response and the representative byproducts of oxidative DNA, protein, and lipid damage with the aim of evaluating their clinical relevance among patients diagnosed with testicular germ-cell tumors (GCT). In the analytical cohort (n = 88, median age 34 years), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly altered in patients with a higher tumor stage (p < 0.

The Polymorphisms of Genes Encoding Catalytic Antioxidant Proteins Modulate the Susceptibility and Progression of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor.

The simultaneous analysis of redox biomarkers and polymorphisms encoding for regulatory and catalytic antioxidant proteins was performed in order to evaluate their potential role in the development of testicular germ cell tumor (GCT), as well as the progression of the disease. (rs6721961), (rs1332018), (rs4880) and (rs8177412) polymorphisms were assessed in 88 patients with testicular GCT (52 with seminoma) and 88 age-matched controls. The plasma levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), thiol groups and the plasma activity of glutathione peroxidase were measured.

Implementation of Harmonized Food Consumption Data Collection in the Balkan Region According to the EFSA EU Menu Methodology Standards.

Initiatives in the Capacity Development in Nutrition Research in the Balkan region in the last decade have been toward the creation of contemporary, harmonized Research Infrastructure (RI) compliant with European standards. This study describes the process of creation and implementation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) EU Menu methodology in the Balkan region during the EFSA support projects for food consumption data collection in four countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia). This process entailed the application and improvement of an innovative tool, the DIET ASSESS and PLAN (DAP), a platform for standardized food consumption data collection and dietary intake assessment.

The Intake of Phosphorus and Nitrites through Meat Products: A Health Risk Assessment of Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia.

This study provides the data on dietary exposure of Serbian children to nitrites and phosphorus from meat products by combining individual consumption data with available analytical data of meat products. A total of 2603 and 1900 commercially available meat products were categorized into seven groups and analysed for nitrite and phosphorous content. The highest mean levels of nitrite content, expressed as NaNO, were found in finely minced cooked sausages (40.

Effects of short-term magnesium supplementation on ionized, total magnesium and other relevant electrolytes levels.

This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of three magnesium (Mg) dietary supplements containing mineral immediately available for absorption on Mg biochemical status indices (ionized and total Mg), as well as their effects on electrolytes levels in healthy female young adults (n = 61). After a 10-days intervention period supplementation with powder/granulate containing Mg oxide led to an increase in both ionized Mg concentration and % in total Mg in comparison with the baseline. Supplementation with Mg citrate was associated with the significant increase in % of ionized fraction and decrease in serum total Mg concentration.

Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 for Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia.

The present study was conducted to estimate the exposure and characterize the risk for the child population of Serbia to Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from milk and milk-based food. A total of 3404 samples comprising milk and different milk-based food samples were collected from various regions of Serbia from 2017 to 2019. Evaluation of AFM1 exposure was carried out using the deterministic method, whereas risk characterization was evaluated using the margin of exposure (MOE) and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Zinc Deficiency, Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Hemodialysis Patients: Is Supplementation Necessary?

Desaturation and elongation are critical processes in endogenous metabolic fatty acid pathways. Zinc (Zn) is a cofactor for desaturases and elongases enzymes. There is limited evidence regarding the relationships between biomarkers of Zn status, nutritional intake, plasma phospholipid fatty acid profile and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Vitamin D Status and Its Correlation With Anthropometric and Biochemical Indicators of Cardiometabolic Risk in Serbian Underground Coal Miners in 2016.

The status of vitamin D in underground working coal miners and its association with their cardiometabolic health is rarely studied. This study aimed to examine vitamin D (VitD) status in Serbian underground coal miners and to correlate it with anthropometric and laboratory indicators of cardiometabolic risk. Nutritional data (food frequency questionnaire, FFQ, and two times repeated 24 h recall), anthropometric data (including segmental analysis by bio-impedance analyzer TANITA BC-545N), arterial tension, and biochemical and hematological data of 103 coal miners (aged 22-63 years) were correlated with their late summer (early September) serum 25 (OH)D levels (measured by HPLC).

Association of meal timing with dietary quality in a Serbian population sample.

Background: The world-wide adoption of Western lifestyles and eating patterns is associated with adverse effects on nutrient intakes. Here we evaluated the relationships between timing of meals and diet quality in Serbia, a Balkan country with a traditional eating pattern that includes the largest meal of the day as a late lunch.

Methods: A dietary survey was done in the Republic of Serbia using a nationally-representative sample of 74 children and 260 non-pregnant adults.

FADS2 polymorphisms are associated with plasma arachidonic acid and estimated desaturase-5 activity in a cross-sectional study.

Polymorphisms in FADS genes are associated with plasma long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and modulate omega-6/omega-3 balance. We hypothesized that the FADS2 gene variants will be associated with lower product-to-precursor ratio in the fatty acid metabolic pathways. Thus, we explored FADS2 rs174593, rs174616, and rs174576 effects on plasma phospholipid fatty acid profile, markers of desaturase activities, and risk factors in a sample of apparently healthy Serbian adults.