Alpinetin Exhibits Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in C57BL/6 Mice with Alcoholic Liver Disease Induced by the Lieber-DeCarli Ethanol Liquid Diet.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a common non-communicable chronic liver disease characterized by a spectrum of conditions ranging from steatosis and alcohol-associated steatohepatitis (AH) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of ALD involves a complex interplay of various molecular, biochemical, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While the mechanisms are well studied, therapeutic options remain limited.

Gene Polymorphisms are Associated With Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in COVID-19 Patients in Serbian Population.

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a major regulator of adaptive response to hypoxia, common in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, HIF-1 alpha regulates the expression of the most important proteins necessary for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of cells. The study included 129 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Clinical validation of an artificial intelligence-based decision support system for diagnosis and risk stratification of heart failure (STRATIFYHF): a protocol for a prospective, multicentre longitudinal study.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome. Accurate risk stratification and early diagnosis of HF are challenging as its signs and symptoms are non-specific. We propose to address this global challenge by developing the STRATIFYHF artificial intelligence-driven decision support system (DSS), which uses novel analytical methods in determining the risk, diagnosis and prognosis of HF.

Oral Hygiene, Dietary Habits, and Saliva Properties in Relation to the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index of Dental Students: A Pilot Study.

: Caries development is associated with poor oral hygiene, inadequate dietary habits, quantitative and qualitative food content, and a high level of bacterial plaque. Physical and chemical changes in saliva composition and particularly changes in its buffering capability play a significant role in caries development. This study aimed to determine the predictors of poor oral health among a sample of second-year dental students.

Endurance Sports and Atrial Fibrillation: A Puzzling Conundrum.

The confirmed benefits of regular moderate exercise on cardiovascular health have positioned athletes as an illustration of well-being. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential predisposition to arrhythmias in individuals engaged in prolonged strenuous exercise. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart arrhythmia, is typically associated with age-related risks but has been documented in otherwise healthy young and middle-aged endurance athletes.

Survival Prognostic Factors of Non-Invasive Ventilation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease with high rates of disability and mortality. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is an effective method of treating patients, increasing life expectancy, but currently, predictors available to determine the best outcome of therapy in this category of patients are unknown. This systematic review aimed to determine the impact of prognostic factors on benefits from NIV application compared with non-NIV tools of treatment (invasive ventilation and standard care) in case of survival of ALS patients.

Valorizing Grape Pomace: A Review of Applications, Nutritional Benefits, and Potential in Functional Food Development.

Grape pomace (GP), a byproduct of winemaking, has gained significant attention as a sustainable and functional ingredient with applications in the food and nutraceutical industries. This review examines the potential of GP in meat products and analogs, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, highlighting its composition, health benefits, and role in enhancing nutritional and functional properties. Rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, essential fatty acids, and bioactive compounds, GP exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut health-promoting effects, making it suitable for various food applications.

Knowledge Management and Digital Innovation in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background/objectives: In recent years, knowledge management and digital innovation have become pivotal in transforming healthcare systems, driving efficiency and enhancing patient outcomes. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research trends at the intersection of knowledge management and digital innovation in healthcare, examining the scope, impact, and evolution of scholarly work in this domain.

Methods: Using a comprehensive dataset from the Scopus database, we analyzed 419 publications from 1985-2023 to identify influential authors, journal collaborations, and emerging topics and methodologies in the field.

Mortality Rate from Circulatory Diseases, Ischemic Heart Disease and Cerebrovascular Diseases in Serbia, 1998-2021.

Background: According to World Health Organisation data, on the top ten causes of death in the world in 2019, ischemic heart diseases ranked first, followed by stroke and chronic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to make cross-section of the current mortality rates of indicators of circulatory diseases, ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, access the trends of indicators in Serbia more than two decades and to find the correlation of these observed indicators between males and females.

Methods: Medical indicators were taken from the publicly available Health for all databases that deals with long-term evaluation and monitoring of indicators obtained from national authorities.

Predicting intermediate-risk prostate cancer using machine learning.

Purposes: Intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR PCa) is the most common risk group for localized prostate cancer. This study aimed to develop a machine learning (ML) model that utilizes biopsy predictors to estimate the probability of IR PCa and assess its performance compared to the traditional clinical model.

Methods: Between January 2017 and December 2022, patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values of ≤ 20 ng/mL underwent transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsies.

Long-term Follow-up Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Unprotected Left Main.

Background: Elective unprotected left main (ULM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has long-term mortality rates comparable to surgical revascularization, thanks to advances in drug-eluting stent (DES) design, improved PCI techniques, and frequent use of intravascular imaging. However, urgent PCI of ULM culprit lesions remains associated with high in-hospital mortality and unfavourable long-term outcomes, including DES restenosis and stent thrombosis (ST). This analysis aimed to examine the long-term outcomes and healing of DES implanted in ULM during primary PCI using high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

Predictors of survival and functioning of arteriovenous fistula in patients on hemodialysis during a one-year follow-up.

Introduction: The mortality rate of hemodialysis patients is extremely high and it is significantly affected by vascular access dysfunction. Our research aimed to determine predictive parameters of arteriovenous fistula functioning and survival in a one-year follow-up period.

Methods: The research was organized as a prospective, one-year study, which included 120 dialysis patients who were followed for one year.

Factors associated with low birth weight in low-income populations in the Western Balkans: insights from the multiple indicator cluster survey.

Introduction: Low birth weight, defined as a birth weight below 2,500 g, represents a significant public health concern with a multifactorial risk dimension. Socio-demographic factors and individual characteristics of women and their social environment could influence low birth weight. This study aimed to analyze the association between the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics of women living in low-income households and low birth weight in Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

Serious adverse effects of selected antiseizure medications used for treatment of focal onset seizures.

Introduction: The third-generation antiseizure medications used for the treatment of focal seizures, lacosamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, perampanel, brivaracetam, and cenobamate, may elicit serious adverse reactions which could be preventable if a prescriber is acquainted with the risk factors.

Areas Covered: The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and EBSCO databases, without time and language restrictions. Only clinical studies, observational human studies, case reports, and case series that reported serious adverse drug reactions and risk factors were considered.

Ion Channels as Potential Drug Targets in Dry Eye Disease and Their Clinical Relevance: A Review.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common multifactorial disorder characterized by a deficiency in the quality and/or quantity of tear fluid. Tear hyperosmolarity, the dysfunction of ion channel proteins, and eye inflammation are primarily responsible for the development and progression of DED. Alterations in the structure and/or function of ion channel receptors (transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and 4 (TRPV1 and TRPV4)), and consequent hyperosmolarity of the tears represent the initial step in the development and progression of DED.

Extracts of Achillea millefolium L. inhibited biofilms and biofilm-related virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria isolated from wounds.

Biofilm is a surface-attached community of bacterial cells implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic infections and is highly resistant to antibiotics. New alternatives for controlling bacterial infections have been proposed focusing on the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants. Achillea millefollium (Yarrow) is a widespread plant species that is widely used in traditional medicine, especially for wound healing.

Prospective evaluation of serum and peritoneal fluid markers as indicators of postoperative complications in patients with enteric anastomosis.

Background: Postoperative complications of colorectal cancer surgery contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in patients.

Objectives: Investigate the role of biochemical markers in serum and peritoneal fluid in the development of postoperative complications in patients with enteral anastomosis.

Design: Prospective.

The Predictive Significance of Doppler Parameters on the Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation for Hemodialysis-A Single Center Experience.

Background: Doppler ultrasound examination of blood vessels has a significant role in planning and identifying parameters that affect the functioning and maturation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Our goal was to determine the predictive parameters of Doppler ultrasound, measured at different time distances, which affect the maturation of AVF for hemodialysis.

Materials And Methods: The research was a retrospective cohort study.

Machine learning classification meets migraine: recommendations for study evaluation.

The integration of machine learning (ML) classification techniques into migraine research has offered new insights into the pathophysiology and classification of migraine types and subtypes. However, inconsistencies in study design, lack of methodological transparency, and the absence of external validation limit the impact and reproducibility of such studies. This paper presents a framework of six essential recommendations for evaluating ML-based classification in migraine research: (1) group homogenization by clinical phenotype, attack frequency, comorbidity, therapy, and demographics; (2) defining adequate sample size; (3) quality control of collected and preprocessed data; (4) transparent training, testing, and performance evaluation of ML models, including strategies for data splitting, overfitting control, and feature selection; (5) interpretability of results with clinical relevance; and (6) open data and code sharing to facilitate reproducibility.

The Importance of Biochemical Parameters, Immunonutritional Status, and Social Support for Quality of Life in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health problem and one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. The progressive nature of CKD is associated with serious complications that can reduce the quality of life in CKD patients. Additional factors that can worsen well-being include dialysis treatment, malnutrition, inflammation, and lack of social support.

Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition characterized by a decrease in tear production or an increase in tear evaporation, leading to inflammation and damage of the ocular surface. Dysfunction of ion channels, tear hyperosmolarity and immune cell-driven inflammation create a vicious circle responsible for the pathological changes in the eyes of DED patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult, rapidly proliferating stem cells that produce a large number of immunoregulatory, angiomodulatory, and growth factors that efficiently reduce tear hyperosmolarity-induced pathological changes, inhibit harmful immune response, and provide trophic support to the injured corneal and conjuctival epithelial cells, goblet cells and acinar cells in lacrimal glands of DED patients.