Oral Carnosine Supplementation Preserves Vascular Function of Sprague Dawley Rats on a High-Salt Diet via Restored Antioxidative Defence.

: Following previous findings on high-salt (HS)-intake-related increase of oxidative stress, this study explored whether carnosine (CAR; β-alanyl-L-histidine), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, enhanced antioxidative defence and vascular function following HS, potentially via the NRF2 or HIF-1α signalling pathway. : Sprague Dawley rats (64, 8-10 weeks old, both sexes) were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): CTRL (0.4% NaCl), HS (4% NaCl for 7 days), CTRL + CAR (0.

Theoretical Study of Antioxidant and Prooxidant Potency of Protocatechuic Aldehyde.

In this study, the antioxidant and prooxidant potency of protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) was evaluated using density functional theory (DFT). The potency of direct scavenging of hydroperoxyl (HOO) and lipid peroxyl radicals (modeled by vinyl peroxyl, HC=CHOO) involved in lipid peroxidation was estimated. The repair of oxidative damage in biomolecules (lipids, proteins and nucleic acids) and the prooxidant ability of PCA phenoxyl radicals were considered.

Decoding Pediatric Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Unraveling Symptoms Through Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH Insights.

The relationship between symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and objective reflux measurements obtained through multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between LPR symptoms and objective reflux episodes and possible associations between fibreoptic ENT findings, eosinophil counts, and serum IgE levels with reflux episodes detected by MII-pH. In this prospective study, MII-pH monitoring, fiberoptic laryngoscopy, nasal swabs for eosinophils, total serum IgE levels, and symptom assessment (Reflux Symptom Index, RSI) were performed in all children with suspected LPR.

White-Seeded Culinary Poppy ( L.) Se Biofortification: Oil Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, and Seed Yield.

The culinary poppy ( L.) has been used for centuries in everyday diets, especially for food, but also as a non-food source of health-promoting ingredients. In the present study, a field trial was set with white-seeded poppy varieties collected from farmers in Croatia.

Unlocking the Unique Potential of : Exploring the Efficacy of Supercritical CO Extraction, with and Without Pre-Treatments.

Since ancient times, many plant species within the genus have been used due to their numerous health benefits, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, or diuretic activity. While many of the species within this genus were well known and described, All. or Pannonian thyme remains relatively unexplored despite its unique chemical composition and activity.

Macronutrient Intake and Food Categories' Contribution to Daily Energy Intake According to BMI in Primary School Children in Croatia.

Background: Nutritional status in childhood is associated with a number of short- and long-term health effects. The rising prevalence of childhood obesity highlights the necessity of understanding dietary patterns in children. The study provides an assessment of energy and macronutrient intake and food categories' contribution to energy intake in Croatian primary school children, according to BMI status.

First Detection of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Vectors in Croatia.

The West Nile virus (WNV) has recently become more widespread, posing a threat to both human and animal health. In Western Europe, most outbreaks have been caused by WNV lineage 1, while in Eastern Europe, WNV lineage 2 has led to human and bird mortality. The ability to appropriately manage this threat is dependent on integrated surveillance and early detection.

Cathelicidin in Urinary Tract Diseases: Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential of an Evolutionary Conserved Antimicrobial Protein.

Despite being one of the most common infectious diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) still represent a challenge for clinicians to diagnose and treat, especially in the era of growing antibiotic resistance among uropathogenic bacteria. Recent studies investigating the pathophysiology of UTIs have discovered the prominent role of antimicrobial peptides in the urinary tract defense system. Cathelicidin is an evolutionary conserved antimicrobial peptide encoded by one single gene in humans.

Pilot Study on the Effects of a Cosmetic Serum Containing Niacinamide, Postbiotics and Peptides on Facial Skin in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The literature describes niacinamide, but also postbiotics and peptides, as ingredients that improve skin barrier function, but also affect melanin and sebum levels in individuals. However, the combined effects of these ingredients in a single cosmetic serum have not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled study, conducted at the University of Split School of Medicine (Croatia), was to evaluate the effects of cosmetic products containing these active ingredients.

The Interplay of Uterine Health and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review.

Uterine physiology encompasses the intricate processes governing the structure, function, and regulation of the uterus, a pivotal organ within the female reproductive system. The escalating prevalence of obesity has emerged as a significant global health issue, profoundly impacting various facets of well-being, including female reproductive health. These effects extend to uterine structure and function, influencing reproductive health outcomes in women.

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.

The Antidiabetic Effect of Grape Skin Extracts of Selected Indigenous Croatian White Grapevine Varieties.

Grape skin is an excellent bioactive compound source with numerous beneficial health effects. This study aimed to determine and compare the antidiabetic potential of the grape skin of indigenous Croatian white grapevine varieties. The grape skin extracts (GSEs) were assessed for total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and inhibition potential against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, enzymes responsible for carbohydrate metabolism.

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Activity, Chemical Composition, and Elements of Merlot Wine Stored in Toasted Oak Barrels.

Wine ageing represents an important stage during wine production when the final wine composition is formed. In this study, 2020 and 2021 vintage Merlot red wines were subjected to 12-month ageing in a stainless-steel tank, Excellence oak barrels with medium, medium-plus and medium-long toasting, and a Premium oak barrel with medium toasting. The aim was to investigate the influence of different ageing vessels on the main chemical composition, element content, phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and wine colour during ageing.

Evaluating Adverse Drug Reactions, Their Reporting Rates and Their Impact on Attitudes Toward Pharmacotherapy Among Female Patients with Schizophrenia: Insights and Implications from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/objectives: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder usually managed with antipsychotics, which can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that may impact patients' attitudes toward their treatment, as well as treatment adherence. This study aimed to assess the influence of ADRs and other factors on treatment attitudes among female patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Vrapče Psychiatry Clinic with 109 female schizophrenia patients.

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.

Relationship Between Psychological Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

Background: Low back pain has frequently been mentioned as the most common sort of chronic pain, and numerous studies have confirmed its influence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite a great deal of research demonstrating the important part that psychological factors play in explaining HRQoL, a therapeutic setting that prioritizes the physical domain still predominates. For this reason, the aim of this study is to assess the relationship between age, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, pain-related anxiety, chronic pain acceptance and the psychological and physical dimensions of HRQoL in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

The Role of Behavioral Factors on Chronic Diseases-Practice and Knowledge Gaps.

Behavioral factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, poor diet, and physical inactivity, but also sleep deprivation and negative social connections, play a critical role in the development and progression of major chronic diseases. These include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancers. : The objective of this review is to explore the influence of these modifiable risk factors on the global burden of chronic diseases and assess the potential impact of public health interventions and policy changes.

Factors affecting arsenic and mercury accumulation in fish from the Colombian Caribbean: A multifactorial approach using machine learning.

In marine ecosystems, arsenic (As) and total mercury (T-Hg) represent two of the major pollutants, particularly in fish due to their ecology and the affinity of these metal(loid)s with biological cycles. This study assessed the influence of total length, total weight, relative condition factor, and trophic levels of ten marine fish species from the Colombian Caribbean on As and T-Hg accumulation in muscle tissue, as well as the differentiation in accumulated amounts based on fish habitat type. In this context, Balistes capriscus exhibited the highest As median (7949.

Long-term effects of antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia, and peripheral BDNF levels are affected by the short-term antipsychotic treatment. However, the data on their long-term effects on BDNF levels are scarce, and there is no information whether BDNF levels change during sustained remission in relation to values in healthy individuals. The aim of the present study was to compare serum BDNF levels in patients in long-term remission and healthy controls.

The gender and age perspectives of allostatic load.

The role of chronic stress in the development of chronic diseases, especially multimorbidity, through the pathways of increasing allostatic load, and finally, allostatic overload (the state when a compensatory mechanism is likely to fail) is being emphasized. However, allostatic load is a dynamic measure that changes depending on sex, gender, age, level and type of stress, experience of a stressful situation, and coping behaviors. Many other factors such as race, ethnicity, working environment, lifestyle, and circadian rhythm of sleep are also important.

Expression of Wnt signaling proteins LEF1, β-catenin, GSK3β, DVL1, and N-myc varies across retinoblastoma subtypes and pRb phosphorylation status.

Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, has hereditary and non-hereditary forms. While TNM classification helps in prognosis, understanding molecular mechanisms is vital for the clinical behavior of retinoblastoma prediction. Our study aimed to analyze the expression levels of key Wnt pathway proteins, GSK3β, LEF1, β-catenin, and DVL1, and associate them to non-phosphorylated active form (pRb) and the phosphorylated inactive form (ppRb) and N-myc expression, in retinoblastoma cells and healthy retinal cells, in order to elucidate their roles in retinoblastoma and identify potential targets that could help to improve diagnostic and therapy.

Personalized Ultra-Fractionated Stereotactic Adaptive Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Varian Ethos Therapy System.

We present a patient treated with personalized ultra-fractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the adaptive Varian Ethos™ system equipped with the novel HyperSight imaging platform. Three pulses of 12 Gy were separated by a pause of four weeks during which the tumor was given enough time to respond to treatment. Only initial planning computed tomography (CT) was acquired on a CT simulator (Siemens Somatom Definition Edge), whereas other pulses were adapted using online cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images (iCBCT Acuros reconstruction) acquired while the patient was lying on the treatment couch and delivered immediately.

Diagnosis of West Nile virus infections: Evaluation of different laboratory methods.

Background: The diagnosis of West Nile virus (WNV) is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia, flavivirus cross-reactivity, and long immunoglobulin M (IgM) persistence.

Aim: To evaluate different methods for WNV detection [reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), IgM/IgG antibodies, IgG avidity] in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.

Methods: The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection ( = 62), asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals ( = 22), and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies ( = 30).

Design and Characterization of Novel Naphthalimide Fluorescent Probe for HS Detection in Human Serum.

In this work, a novel fluorescent probe (compound 2) based on the Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism was designed and successfully applied to determine HS in human serum. Fluorophore 1,8-naphthalimide was chosen, while the azide group was the recognition group for HS determination. By introducing p-toluidine moiety on the imide part of the molecule, a donor-acceptor (D-A) conjugated system was formed.