Traditional risk factors and premature acute coronary syndromes in South Eastern Europe: a multinational cohort study.

Background: The age-standardized death rates under 65 years from ischemic heart disease in South Eastern Europe are approximately twice as high than the Western Europe average, but the reasons are not completely recognized. The aim of the present study was to address this issue by collecting and analyzing data from a large, multinational cohort.

Methods: We enrolled 70,953 Caucasian patients with first acute coronary syndrome, from 36 urban hospital in 7 South Eastern European countries and assessed their life expectancy free of acute coronary syndrome and mortality within 30 days after hospital admission from acute coronary syndrome as estimated in relation to dichotomous categories of traditional risk factors (current smoking, hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) stratified according to sex.

Confronting Views of Companies and Authorities on Food Safety Issues-A Cross-Country Survey.

This study investigated food safety issues as perceived by food companies and food safety authorities in six countries in Europe and Central Asia. A total of 66 companies and 16 authorities participated in the survey. The results provide important insights related to what the main food safety priorities are, how they are addressed in the countries that participated in the survey, and what the role of the main stakeholders is in the food value chain.

Core Outcome Set for IgE-mediated food allergy clinical trials and observational studies of interventions: International Delphi consensus study 'COMFA'.

Background: IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) is a global health concern with substantial individual and societal implications. While diverse intervention strategies have been researched, inconsistencies in reported outcomes limit evaluations of FA treatments. To streamline evaluations and promote consistent reporting, the Core Outcome Measures for Food Allergy (COMFA) initiative aimed to establish a Core Outcome Set (COS) for FA clinical trials and observational studies of interventions.

Identification of the DNA methylation signature of Mowat-Wilson syndrome.

Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MOWS) is a rare congenital disease caused by haploinsufficiency of ZEB2, encoding a transcription factor required for neurodevelopment. MOWS is characterized by intellectual disability, epilepsy, typical facial phenotype and other anomalies, such as short stature, Hirschsprung disease, brain and heart defects. Despite some recognizable features, MOWS rarity and phenotypic variability may complicate its diagnosis, particularly in the neonatal period.

Ixodid ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens of the Western Balkans.

Ixodid ticks are distributed across all countries of the Western Balkans, with a high diversity of species. Many of these species serve as vectors of pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Given the scattered data from Western Balkan countries, we have conducted a comprehensive review of available literature, including some historical data, with the aim to compile information about all recorded tick species and associated zoonotic pathogens in this region.

Differentinating between non-transfusion dependant β-thalassemia and iron deficinecy anemia in children using ROC and logistic regression analysis: two novel discrimination indices designed for pediatric patients.

Introduction: This cross-sectional study enrolled a group of 271 children with microcytic anemia in order to test the performance of 41 single and 2 composite formulas andindices in distinguishing between β-thalassemia (β-thal) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in the pediatric population.

Methods: Optimal pediatric cut-off values from the previously published formulas and indices were generated using ROC analysis. Logistic regression in R using generalized linear models (GLM) generated two new indices.

Cross-cultural validation and measurement invariance of anxiety and depression symptoms: A study of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in 42 countries.

Background: Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues experienced worldwide. However, whereas cross-cultural studies utilize psychometrically valid and reliable scales, fewer can meaningfully compare these conditions across different groups. To address this gap, the current study aimed to psychometrically assess the Brief Symptomatology Index (BSI) in 42 countries.

Engaging stakeholders to level up COPD care in LMICs: lessons learned from the "Breathe Well" programme in Brazil, China, Georgia, and North Macedonia.

Background: Effective stakeholder engagement in health research is increasingly being recognised and promoted as an important pathway to closing the gap between knowledge production and its use in health systems. However, little is known about its process and impacts, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This opinion piece draws on the stakeholder engagement experiences from a global health research programme on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) led by clinician researchers in Brazil, China, Georgia and North Macedonia, and presents the process, outcomes and lessons learned.

Optimizing 3D-printed workpieces for radiotherapy application: modelling the CT number and print time.

This study aims to analyze the influence of specific printing parameters, including infilling, print speed, and layer height, on the CT numbers and printing time of 3D-printed workpieces fabricated from Polylactic Acid (PLA). The primary objective is to optimize these parameters to attain desired CT numbers and print time for radiotherapy applications. To achieve this objective, we employed the Taguchi experimental design and regression analysis methodologies.

Combined approach in the treatment of comminuted lateral Hoffa fracture: a case report.

Coronal-plane intra-articular fractures of the femoral condyle (Hoffa fractures) are rare, and difficult to diagnose and treat. They mostly result as a consequence of high-energy trauma and are combined with concomitant fractures (patellar, tibia shaft) and/or soft-tissue damage. A plain X-ray can miss the diagnosis initially and therefore computerized tomography scan is recommended, which can also help in the preoperative planning.

Transcriptomic profile of the mechanosensitive ion channelome in human cardiac fibroblasts.

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) have mRNA transcripts that encode different mechanosensitive ion channels and channel regulatory proteins whose functions are not known yet. The primary goal of this work was to define the mechanosensitive ion channelome of HCFs. The most common type of cationic channel is the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, which is followed by the TWIK-related K channel (TREK), transmembrane protein 63 (TMEM63), and PIEZO channel (PIEZO) families.

Harnessing Attenuation-Related Mutations of Viral Genomes: Development of a Serological Assay to Differentiate between Capripoxvirus-Infected and -Vaccinated Animals.

Sheeppox, goatpox, and lumpy skin disease caused by the sheeppox virus (SPPV), goatpox virus (GTPV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), respectively, are diseases that affect millions of ruminants and many low-income households in endemic countries, leading to great economic losses for the ruminant industry. The three viruses are members of the genus of the family. Live attenuated vaccines remain the only efficient means for controlling capripox diseases.

X-ray Powder Diffraction and Supervised Self-Ogranizing Maps as Tools for Forensic Classification of Soils.

Due to its transferability, the soil has been commonly used as evidence in criminal investigations. In this work, 172 soil samples taken from five urban parks from the town of Tetovo (North Macedonia) and from additional four rural locations in its vicinity. The soil samples were examined using X-ray powder diffraction.

Low-grade malignancy glomus tumor of the abdominal wall: a case report and literature review.

Glomus tumors are painful neoplasms arising from the glomus body (responsible for body temperature and blood pressure regulation) in the skin. Although mostly present in the interdigital areas, glomus tumors can arise elsewhere. The vast majority of them are benign.

Large biloma as the initial presentation of gallbladder perforation: a case report and literature review.

Biloma is an encapsulated intra or extra-hepatic collection of bile after biliary tree trauma. Post-procedural and traumatic biliary damage are the most common etiologic causes. Gallbladder perforation due to acute cholecystitis rarely presents with biloma occurrence.

The Incidence of Lymphovascular and Perineural Invasion and their Impact on Survival in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

: Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI) and Perineural Invasion (PNI) represent undesirable but still realistic pathological features of rectal cancer, associated with poor prognosis and worse survival. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of LVI and PNI in patients treated for rectal cancer and the impact of LVI and PNI on patient survival. : This retrospective single center observational study, conducted in the period of 2016-2019, includes patients with rectal cancer treated with/without long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Effectiveness of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2B in High-Risk Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms- Evaluation of Clinicohaematologic Response, and Safety Profile: Single Centre Experience.

requires individualized approach depending on multiple factors. Novel pegylated Interferon (IFN) formulations have become an attractive therapeutic option in young Ph- MPN patients associated with better patient compliance. : In this retrospective observational study a total of 16 high-risk Ph- MPN patients treated off-label with ropeginterferon alfa-2b given twice monthly, were included.

Survival in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Prospective Study.

: The differences in the survival time of cirrhotic patients reported by different studies are probably caused by the influence of many contributing factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the survival over a one-year period, to register the occurrence of acute decompensation (AD) and to determine the most frequent causes of death. : Out of 71 patients enrolled in the study, 63 completed the prospective one-year follow-up.

Emphysematous Calculous Cholecystitis Diagnosed with Abdominal CT in a Diabetic Female Patient - Case Report.

Emphysematous cholecystitis is reported to have a low incidence of less than 1% in all cases of acute cholecystitis and yet a high mortality rate of up to 15%. It is most commonly seen in male diabetic patients with advanced age. The diagnosis is established with the presence of gas in the gallbladder lumen and/or within its wall which can be seen on plain abdominal radiography, abdominal ultrasound, and abdominal computerized tomography.

Predictive Admission Risk Factors, Clinical Features and Kidney Outcomes in Covid-19 Hospitalised Patients with Acute Kidney Injury.

: In COVID-19 patients, acute kidney injury (AKI) is recognized as a cause of high mortality. The aim of our study was to assess the rate and the predictors of AKI as well as survival among COVID-19 patients. : We analyzed clinical and laboratory admission data, predictors of AKI and outcomes including the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and mortality at 30 days.

A step towards tuning the jute fiber structure and properties by employing sodium periodate oxidation and coating with alginate.

This paper outlines a novel simple protocol for tuning the structure and properties of jute using sodium periodate (NaIO) oxidation and coating with alginate. When compared to the raw jute, fabrics oxidized with a 0.2 or 0.