Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Serbian Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) Questionnaire (refers to r-axSpA) and its relations with disease activity and functional status indices.

Objectives: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Serbian Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire, e.g. according to the new nomenclature Radiographic-Axial Spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), and to relate it to disease activity and functional status domains.

In Vivo Measurements of Appendiceal Base - Implications on Pediatric Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Background And Objectives: Securing the base of the appendix is the most critical part of laparoscopic appendectomy in children. Determining the average values of the appendix, will facilitate the creation of suitable instruments, and will also have an impact on research in imaging studies.

Methods: One hundred and eight patients with the acute appendicitis were randomized into 2 groups: group I: children aged 2-10 years old, group II: children >10 years of age.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Knowledge and Consumption Patterns of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Among the Central Balkan Population-A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Unlabelled: Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3-FAs) represent a group of essential nutrients, but modern diets often do not allow for a balanced ratio between the intakes of ω-6-FA and ω-3-FA, which is vital for health. ω-3-FA can be found primarily in algae and fish, while the intake of ω-3-FA dietary supplements can be seen as an efficient way of providing nutrients important for many physiological functions.

Background/objectives: The aim of this research was to investigate the use of ω-3-FA-rich food and supplements, as well as the knowledge and attitudes on these nutrients among residents of the central Balkans-the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.

Goat's Milk Powder Enriched with Red ( L.) and Black ( Murray) Goji Berry Extracts: Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant Properties, and Prebiotic Activity.

The current trend in food innovations includes developing products containing plant ingredients or extracts rich in bioactive compounds. This study aimed to prepare and characterize skimmed thermally treated goat's milk powders enriched with lyophilized fruit extracts of Murray (GMLR) and L. (GMLB).

Dual-Double Stem Cell Ovarian Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach in Regenerative Medicine.

Dual-double stem cell therapy, which integrates mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), represents a cutting-edge approach in regenerative medicine, particularly for conditions such as ovarian decline, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and induced ovarian failure. This therapy leverages the unique properties of MSCs and HSCs, enhancing tissue repair, immune modulation, and overall regenerative outcomes. MSCs, known for their ability to differentiate into various cell types, provide a supportive microenvironment and secrete bioactive molecules that promote angiogenesis and reduce inflammation.

The Interplay Between High Cumulative Doses of Radioactive Iodine and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Complex Cardiovascular Challenge.

Starting from the metabolic profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we hypothesized that the mechanisms of ¹³¹I-induced cardiotoxicity differ between patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with/without T2DM, with metformin potentially acting as a cardioprotective agent by mitigating inflammation in patients with T2DM. To address this hypothesis, we quantified, using ELISA, the serum concentration of several key biomarkers that reflect cardiac injury (NT-proBNP, NT-proANP, ST2/IL-33R, and cTn I) in 74 female patients with DTC/-T2DM and 25 with DTC/+T2DM treated with metformin. All patients received a cumulative oral dose of I exceeding 150 mCi (5.

Herbal Waste from Filter-Tea Production as Eco-Friendly Ash for Sustainable Natural Rubber Composites.

Herbal dust, a waste byproduct from filter-tea production, was annealed to form ash that can be incorporated into natural rubber as an eco-friendly filler. Three types of herbal dust ash (HDA), green tea, hibiscus, and lemon balm, were added at two different contents, 2.5 and 5 phr, into the rubber compound, while the content of carbon black, as a filler, was maintained at 50 phr in all samples.

Phytochemical Characterisation of Species: Unveiling Flavonoid Profiles Related to Ploidy and Hybrid Origin.

The genetic, morphological and taxonomic diversity of the genus is due to homoploid and polyploid hybridisation, autopolyploidy and apomixis, which also influence the production and diversity of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships and variations of flavonoids in terms of hybrid origin and ploidy level between the parental species and their hybrid derivatives. The sampling design included leaf material of the following accessions from ten natural localities: parental taxa (di-, tri- and tetraploids of ; diploid and ) and their di-, tri- and tetraploid hybrid derivatives from crosses of × (subg.

Dapsone Alters Phenotypical and Functional Properties of Human Neutrophils In Vitro.

Dapsone is a sulfone used in treating inflammatory skin conditions. Despite its widespread dermatological use, the pharmacological actions of dapsone remain poorly understood. Here, we examined how different aspects of neutrophil functions are affected by dapsone.

The Protective Role of the FIFA 11+ Training Program on the Valgus Loading of the Knee in Academy Soccer Players Across a Season.

: Improper neuromuscular control with excessive dynamic valgus loading of the knee has been identified as one of the main anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the FIFA 11+ training program on the valgus loading of the knee in academy soccer players over a competitive season. : A prospective study was conducted on 85 players.

Functional and Lateral Asymmetry of the Knee Joint Muscles Measured Using Tensiomyography (TMG) in Professional Football Players of Different Playing Positions.

: The aim of this study is to determine whether different playing positions in football influence muscle asymmetry, which is a common cause of injuries in football. This study aimed to determine the difference in the functional and lateral asymmetry of the knee joint muscles measured using tensiomyography (TMG) between football players of different playing positions. : This study included 52 professional football players (25.

Changes in pulse pressure variation induced by passive leg raising test to predict preload responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with low tidal volume in ICU: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is limited in low tidal volume mechanical ventilation. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether passive leg raising (PLR)-induced changes in PPV can reliably predict preload/fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with low tidal volume in the intensive care unit.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were screened for diagnostic research relevant to the predictability of PPV change after PLR in low-tidal volume mechanically ventilated patients.

The role of resistin and adiponectin ratios with uric acid in assessing metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing global healthcare burden. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are more likely to acquire MetS than the general population. Recent research suggests that the interaction of adipose tissue products, such as adiponectin resistin and uric acid, is essential in MetS onset.

Vaginal versus caesarean delivery in fetal macrosomia-a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of macrosomic births over a 5-year period and to examine the childbirth complications for both mother and newborn.

Patients And Methods: During the study period there were a total of 16,126 deliveries, of which 1905 were macrosomic fetuses (defined as those with a birthweight of 4000 g or more). Data on the course of pregnancy and childbirth were collected from existing maternal and peripartum medical records.

Susceptibility of Mouse Brain to MCMV Infection and Neuroinflammation During Ontogeny.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) rarely infects the brain following infection of adult individuals. However, the virus readily infects the brain during congenital HCMV (cHCMV) infection, frequently causing severe neurodevelopmental and neurological sequelae. Interestingly, although the incidence of cHCMV infection is 0.

Wanted: Dead or Alive Cells with Propidium Iodide Staining in Liver Tissue.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of propidium iodide as a reliable marker for detecting dead or dying cells in frozen liver tissue sections. By comparing propidium iodide staining with the widely used Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, both methods showed consistent results in disease models such as alcohol-induced fibrosis and Western diet-induced fatty liver. Additionally, propidium iodide was successfully co-stained with other fluorescent markers, like phalloidin (for actin filaments) and antibodies targeting collagen, enabling detailed spatial analysis of dying cells within tissue.

Interaction of HERVs with PAMPs in Dysregulation of Immune Response Cascade Upon SARS-CoV-2 Infections.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genomic fragments integrated into human DNA from germline infections by exogenous retroviruses that threatened primates early in their evolution and are inherited vertically in the germline. So far, HERVs have been studied in the context of extensive immunopathogenic, neuropathogenic and even oncogenic effects within their host. In particular, in our paper, we elaborate on the aspects related to the possible correlation of transposable HERV elements' activation and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's presence in cells of COVID-19 patients or upon COVID-19 vaccination with implications for natural and adaptive immunity.

Graft Selection in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports and often require surgical intervention, e.g., ACL reconstruction (ACLR), aimed at restoring knee stability and enabling a return to pre-injury activity levels.

Relationship Between Population Density, Availability of Gynecological Services, and Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality Across Administrative Units in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina During 2016-2020.

: Burden of cervical cancer in Central and Eastern Europe is higher than in other parts of Europe. We analyzed cervical cancer epidemiology in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska) from January 2016 to December 2020, exploring the role of available sociodemographic factors and healthcare service parameters on incidence and mortality rates, using an ecological approach based on aggregated data. : Incidence and mortality rates are standardized using the method of direct standardization with the World-ASR-W.

Reliability and Sensitivity of Enode/Vmaxpro Sensor for Muscle Power Assessment.

(1) Background: Regardless of the level of physical activity, performance monitoring is a valuable component of the training process. The aim of this research was to assess the reliability and sensitivity of parameter measurements using the Enode/Vmaxpro sensor. (2) Methods: Metric characteristics were examined for average velocity, peak velocity, average power, peak power, movement length, and movement duration.

Effectiveness of Bobath Therapy vs. Conventional Medical Gymnastics in Psycho-Social and Cognitive Status Improvement in Children with Mild Neurodevelopmental Delay: A Randomized Double-Blinded Prospective Cohort Study.

The main objective of this research was to compare the Bobath concept and conventional medical gymnastics in psycho-social and cognitive habilitation of infants with mild neurodevelopmental delay, and determine whether there is a difference in their effectiveness. The study included 100 children up to 3 months of age who were diagnosed with a mild neuromotor disorder based on clinical examination, the Münich Functional Developmental Diagnostic Test for the first year of life, and the Ages and Stages questionnaire. The respondents were randomized into two groups, habilitated according to the Bobath concept or conventional medical gymnastics.

Investigating the Effectiveness of a Virtual-Reality-Based Mindfulness Intervention on Internet Gaming Disorder.

Novel treatment approaches for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) include the use of mindfulness and technology-based interventions. Mindfulness has been shown as a protective factor against IGD, but the treatment dropout rates are high due to long sessions and treatment duration. Pathological gamers show approach bias towards technological gadgets, and the inclusion of Virtual Reality has been effective in IGD treatment.

The VEGFA rs2010963 Gene Polymorphism Is a Potential Genetic Risk Factor for Myocardial Infarction in Slovenian Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a life-threatening condition caused by the chronic gradual narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels of the heart by atherosclerotic plaque with a strong genetic component. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the polymorphism rs2010963 and myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as the expression of VEGFA. A total of 1589 unrelated Caucasians with T2DM lasting longer than 10 years were divided into two groups: case group subjects with MI (484) and a control group without a history of CAD (1105).

Predicting Clinical Dishonesty Among Nursing Students: The Impact of Personal and Contextual Factors.

Background/objectives: Numerous studies have examined nursing students' academic dishonesty; however, there is still a gap in understanding the predictors of such behavior. This study aimed to identify personal (intrapersonal and interpersonal) and contextual factors predicting nursing students' dishonesty during clinical training.

Methods: A two-phase, prospective, predictive study was conducted at a nursing faculty in Croatia.