Exploring the Association between Socioeconomic Environment, Eating Habits and Level of Nutrition in Children of High School Age: A Part of National Survey.

Background/objectives: One of the raising public health problems in the adolescent population is obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The aim of this work is to determine the prevalence of obesity in the population of children of secondary school, age 15 to 19 years in Serbia and the determinate connection with demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their eating habits and physical activity.

Methods: The research is part of the fourth National Population Health Survey conducted in 2019, which was conducted by the Republic Institute of Statistics, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia.

Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A and Free β-Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin in Relation with Oxidative Stress in Obese Pregnant Women: A Clinical Cross-Sectional Study.

: The pathophysiological mechanism underlying pregnancy complications is not entirely known. Although it is currently impossible to predict the occurrence of redox imbalance, it is possible to identify women with a high or medium risk of developing this disease prior to a negative outcome by non-invasive diagnostic methods. : This study aimed to examine the possible role of the parameter of oxidative stress (OS) measured in early pregnancy in the screening/treatment of obesity and its complications during pregnancy.

Comparison of Knowledge About Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Relation to Gender Among Healthcare Professionals and in the General Population.

Introduction: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are derived by reprogramming adult somatic cells using a forced expression of four specific transcription factors in a highly controlled artificial environment. The aim of this paper is to examine the knowledge about these cells of the general population and the population of health workers in relation to gender.

Methods: The research was designed as a cohort study conducted with a validated questionnaire to assess knowledge about iPSCs.

Trends in the treatment of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in Slovakia.

The optimal treatment of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently a subject of clinical research. This questionnaire study investigated current trends in the treatment of HPV-associated (HPV+) OPC in Slovakia with the incorporation of deintensification of oncological treatment into routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. The Slovak Cooperative Head and Neck Cancer Group (SCHNCG) developed a questionnaire aimed at identifying trends in the oncological treatment of HPV+ OPC intended for all radiation oncology (RO) facilities in Slovakia.

Novel Insight into the Association between Balneotherapy and Functional State and Health Perception in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Epidemiological data indicate that low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally in 2020, representing a significant health and economic burden. Additionally, chronic LBP (cLBP) strongly impairs quality of life and leads to disability and premature retirement, thus emphasizing the need for providing deeper insight into the factors that affect treatment outcomes and for offering thorough guidance for the assessment and management of this condition. Taking into consideration the rising prevalence of cLBP and the knowledge gap referring to the overall health benefits of balneotherapy (BT), the aim of this study was to assess the effects of BT on functional status, quality of life, and psychological symptoms in patients with cLBP.

Extract Loaded Gel: Formulation, and Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

The objective of the study was to develop a novel topical gel by mixing ethanolic extract, thermosensitive poloxamer 407, and carbomer 940 and evaluating its stability and rheological behavior. The irritation potential of the gel was evaluated in accordance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines 404. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of the developed gel were evaluated in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test.

Advanced neuroimaging and criminal interrogation in lie detection.

Hidden information is the key to many security issues. If there is a reliable method to determine whether someone withholds information, many issues of this type can be resolved. However, until now, no method has proven to be reliable, but technical discoveries in the field of neuroimaging have caused a surge of new research in this area.

Effects of combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems on immune cell-driven inflammation: Evidences from diabetic patients and multiple low dose streptozotocin-treated diabetic mice.

Considering detrimental impacts of combustible cigarettes (CCs) on the exacerbation of diabetes mellitus (DM), a significant number of DM patients have substituted CCs with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Herewith, we compared CCs and ENDS-dependent modulation of immune cell-driven inflammation in DM patients who used ENDS (DM), CCs (DM) or were non-smokers (DM), paving the way for the better understanding of ENDS-induced biological effects. Multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ)-induced mice model of DM was used to support clinical findings.

Novel Insights into Amlodipine-Induced Gingival Enlargement: A Clinical and Molecular Perspective.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement, assess quality of life, and analyze gingival tissue. This cross-sectional study involved hypertensive patients on amlodipine, divided into groups with and without gingival enlargement. Assessments included sociodemographic data, clinical evaluations, and clinical parameters.

Contemporary Speculations and Insightful Thoughts on Buckwheat-A Functional Pseudocereal as a Smart Biologically Active Supplement.

Today, food scientists are interested in more rational use of crops that possess desirable nutritional properties, and buckwheat is one of the functional pseudocereals that represents a rich source of bioactive compounds (BACs) and nutrients, phytochemicals, antimicrobial (AM) agents and antioxidants (AOs), which can be effectively applied in the prevention of malnutrition and celiac disease and treatment of various important health problems. There is ample evidence of the high potential of buckwheat consumption in various forms (food, dietary supplements, home remedies or alone, or in synergy with pharmaceutical drugs) with concrete benefits for human health. Contamination as well as other side-effects of all the aforementioned forms for application in different ways in humans must be seriously considered.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 in the Hippocampus of Aged Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia, causing the loss of cognitive function. Our previous study has shown, using a doubly mutated mouse model of AD (APP/PS1), that the neural adhesion molecule L1 directly binds amyloid peptides and decreases plaque load and gliosis when injected as an adeno-associated virus construct (AAV-L1) into APP/PS1 mice. In this study, we microinjected AAV-L1, using a Hamilton syringe, directly into the 3-month-old APP/PS1 mouse hippocampus and waited for a year until significant neurodegeneration developed.

Vertical Ex Vivo Dermoscopy in Assessment of Malignant Skin Lesions.

The role of vertical ex vivo dermoscopy relevant to clinical diagnosis has not been investigated yet. Study objectives were defining, describing, and determining the importance of the structures visible using vertical ex vivo dermoscopy in the diagnosis of malignant skin lesions, as well as determining their accuracy in the assessment of tumor margins. A prospective, descriptive study was conducted in two University centers.

Comparative Cardioprotective Effectiveness: NOACs vs. Nattokinase-Bridging Basic Research to Clinical Findings.

The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has brought a significant progress in the management of cardiovascular diseases, considered clinically superior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) particularly in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events. In addition, numerous advantages such as fixed dosing, lack of laboratory monitoring, and fewer food and drug-to-drug interactions make the use of NOACs superior to VKAs. While NOACs are synthetic drugs prescribed for specific conditions, nattokinase (NK) is a natural enzyme derived from food that has potential health benefits.

Estimating Dietary Protein and Sodium Intake with Sodium Removal in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

An increase in dietary protein intake (DPI) carries a risk with respect to increased sodium intake, which further leads to the development of cardiovascular morbidity in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Dialytic (DSR) and urinary sodium removal (USR) are potential indicators of sodium intake. In this single-center cross-sectional study with 60 prevalent PD patients, we analyze the correlation of DPI with sodium intake and the association between residual renal function (RRF) and comorbidity grade, expressed as the Davies score with sodium removal and protein metabolism indices such as normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) and lean body mass (LBM).

Our Journey from Individual Efforts to Nationwide Support: Implementing Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Serbia.

Innovative treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) yield the utmost advantages only within the presymptomatic phase, underlining the significance of newborn screening (NBS). We aimed to establish statewide NBS for SMA in Serbia. Our stepwise implementation process involved technical validation of a screening assay, collaboration with patient organizations and medical professionals, a feasibility study, and negotiation with public health representatives.

Proposal of a Modified Classification of Hypertensive Crises: Urgency, Impending Emergency, and Emergency.

Systemic arterial hypertension (HTN) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, and HTN crises contribute significantly to an unfavourable clinical course. For decades, HTN crises have been dichotomized into hypertensive emergency (HTN-E) and hypertensive urgency (HTN-U). The main difference between the two is the presence of acute hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) - if HMOD is present, HTN crisis is HTN-E; if not, it is HTN-U.

DNA interaction of selected tetrahydropyrimidine and its effects against CCl-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo: Part II.

Tetrahydropyrimidine (compound A = methyl 4-[4'-(heptyloxy)-3'-methoxyphenyl]-1,6-dimethyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate) was chosen for in vivo studies after exhibiting noteworthy in vitro activity against the K562 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, with IC values of 9.20 ± 0.14 µM and 12.

Antioxidative and cardioprotective effects of minocycline in ischemia/reperfusion injury in experimental model of hypertension.

Cardiovascular diseases remains leading cause of death and disabilities. Coronary artery occlusion and consequent ischemia leads to acute myocardial infarction, but restoration of blood flow, paradoxically, provokes further myocardial damage known as reperfusion injury. Minocycline is possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activity, immune-modulating and antioxidative properties besides its primary antibacterial effect.

Bioactive plant waste components targeting oral bacterial pathogens as a promising strategy for biofilm eradication.

The significance of this study lies in its exploration of bioactive plant extracts as a promising avenue for combating oral bacterial pathogens, offering a novel strategy for biofilm eradication that could potentially revolutionize oral health treatments. Oral bacterial infections are common in diabetic patients; however, due to the development of resistance, treatment options are limited. Considering the excellent antimicrobial properties of phenolic compounds, we investigated them against isolated oral pathogens using and models.

Accuracy of analytically determined fractional flow reserve derived from coronary angiography for non-invasive assessment of coronary artery stenosis.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) determined invasively has been globally accepted as the gold standard for determining the functional significance of coronary artery stenoses. However, despite its great importance, the invasive method has certain disadvantages, including the risk of vascular injuries, the need for vasodilation, and significant medical costs. That is why great attention was paid to the development of non-invasive methods that would enable reliable diagnosis without exposing patients to the risk of unwanted consequences.

Treatment of Acute Psychosis Caused by Isotretinoin: Systematic Review.

Background: Isotretinoin is an oral medicine prescribed for the management of severe acne that is insensitive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. Acute psychosis refers to a severe mental illness characterized by a loss of touch with realism, visions, delusions, confused thinking, and abnormal behaviors. The study aims to analyze and document these cases to better understand the potential relationship between isotretinoin use and the development of acute psychosis, as well as to find out which therapy is best for treating this problem.