Introduction: Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are pointed as possible factors in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and non-enzymatic antioxidants concentration (albumin, bilirubin, uric acid, and ferritin) and their relation with the stage and histopathologic size (pT) of CRC. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC and the need for surgical treatment were included in a cross-sectional study. All patients were divided into groups according to the disease stage and depth of tumor invasion. The control group included 30 subjects with no signs of malignant and inflammatory bowel disease. The patients and controls did not receive vitamin supplementation. Peripheral venous blood was sampled before the surgical treatment of CRC patients and on the day of the examination of control subjects for determination of serum MDA and the concentration of the non-enzymatic antioxidants. Results: The serum levels of MDA were progressively increased in CRC patients with the highest level in the fourth stage of disease and pT4 group. Ferritin levels increased significantly with the CRC stage and decreased with the depth of bowel wall invasion. Serum albumin concentration significantly decreased with increasing stage and increasing depth of tumor invasion of the intestinal wall, while serum bilirubin level showed no change compared to the control group. Serum uric acid concentration was significantly higher in CRC patients, but no difference was observed with CRC progression. It was confirmed that serum albumin significantly negatively correlated with the CRC stage (rho = −0.649, p < 0.001), while serum MDA significantly positively correlated with the CRC stage (rho = 0.750, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that serum MDA concentrations are related to the progression of CRC, to which the imbalance in non-enzymatic antioxidants also contributes.

Usklađivanje privatnog života koji uključuje prije svega majčinstvo, brigu o djeci, kući i brojne druge obveze, i profesionalnog života koji obuhvaća obrazovanje, zapošljavanje, usavršavanje i posvećenost poslu, predstavlja iznimno složen problem s kojim se susreću žene na području rada i radnih odnosa. U današnje vrijeme žene su postale dvostruko ili višestruko opterećene. Pred njih se stavlja svojevrstan izbor između privatnog i profesionalnog života te ih se izlaže životnim izborima i izazovima koji nisu svojstveni muškarcima. Stoga žene radnice sve češće koriste minimum rodiljnog dopusta, a brigu o djeci, obitelji i domu prepuštaju drugim osobama ili ustanovama samo kako bi zadržale posao i omogućile profesionalno usavršavanje i napredovanje. Zbog konstantne izloženosti pritiscima i očekivanjima kako na planu privatnog, tako i na planu profesionalnog života istovremeno, kod žena radnica mogu se razviti određeni poremećaji i stanja koja u značajnoj mjeri mogu utjecati na njihovo mentalno zdravlje. Važeći propisi u Bosni i Hercegovini pružaju minimum prava, ali nedovoljno za uspostavljanje adekvatnog balansa između privatnog i profesionalnog života žena radnica.

Background. Immunocompromised individuals are highly susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Whether vaccine-induced immunity in these individuals involves the oral cavity, a primary site of infection, is presently unknown. Methods. Immunocompromised individuals (n=404) and healthy controls (n=82) participated in a prospective clinical trial encompassing two doses of the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Immunocompromised individuals included primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and secondary immunodeficiencies caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)/chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T), solid organ transplantation (SOT), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Saliva and serum samples were collected at four time points from the first vaccine dose until 2 weeks after second dose. SARS-CoV-2 spike specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses were quantified by a multiplex bead-based assay in saliva and correlated to paired serum IgG titers determined by Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay. Results. IgG responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike full-length trimeric glycoprotein (Spike-f) and S1 subunit in saliva in the HIV and HSCT/CAR-T groups were comparable to healthy controls. In contrast, PID, SOT, and CLL patients all displayed weaker responses which were mainly influenced by disease parameters or immunosuppressants. Salivary IgG levels strongly correlated with serum IgG titers on days 21 and 35 (rho=0.8079 and 0.7768, p=<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the predictive power of salivary IgG yielded AUC=0.95, PPV=90.7% for the entire cohort on D35. Conclusions. Saliva conveys humoral responses induced by BNT162b2 vaccination. The predictive power makes it highly suitable for screening low responding/vulnerable groups for revaccination.

Phytoremediation has proven to be a suitable method for removing heavy metals from the soil with the help of plants. To examine the phytoremediation potential, the experimental study monitored the influence of high and low concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) on Helianthus annuus L., as well as their accumulation in seeds, roots, stems and leaves. The experiment was carried out during one growing season in outdoor conditions, in pots with a volume of 5L in which Helianthus annuus L. was planted, and the soil was contaminated with these heavy metals in concentrations below and above the maximum allowable concentration prescribed by the Rulebook on Determining Permissible Quantities of Harmful and Dangerous Substances in Soil and Methods of Their Testing. After growth and development of the plant, the experimental research examined the accumulation potential of the plant, the growth of the plant itself and its ability to survive depending on different concentrations of heavy metals. By processing the obtained results, statistically significant differences of heavy metals were determined in individual parts of the plants, depending on the applied concentration. The highest concentration of Zn was recorded in the leaves of the plant in the amount of 18.21 mg/kg, and the lowest concentration in the stem, 3.92 mg/kg. The measured values of heavy metals Cd and Pb differ from the above because the lowest concentrations of these heavy metals were recorded in the seed, and were 12.02 mg/kg for Pb and 9.20 mg/kg for Cd, which is a statistically significantly lower determined value relative to other parts of the plant.

Introduction: The way of life in modern society goes along with new technological discoveries and achievements. This lifestyle leaves its positive and negative consequences on children. Such changes are especially reflected on health already in earliest stages of life. The studies show that most children have been using computers even since kindergarten and that children’s computer use is longer than recommended. It is more effective and cheaper to prevent musculoskeletal disorders than to cure them. Goal: To examine all risk factors concerning the development of musculoskeletal disorders connected with a long use of information and communication technologies by reviewing scientific literature. Material and methods: Non-experimental qualitative research into the risk factors of the development of musculoskeletal disorders connected with a long use of information and communication technologies based on relevant databases. Results and discussion: Based on a discussion of the attitudes and opinions of other authors, risk factors are divided in three basic groups: ergonomic, individual, and psychosocial risk factors. As it is shown in the discussion of this paper, a disbalance of the desk for a desktop computer, the non-ergonomic design of the furniture, the type and time of the ICT usage device, the sedentary way of using the ICT devices at school and at home are just some of the numerous risk factors to children’s health. Conclusion: By examining the risk factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders in children connected with an extended use of information and communication technologies, the presented evidence in the discussion section based on other authors’ attitudes and opinions, leads us to the conclusion that numerous risk factors that affect children’s health are due to a larger and more frequent use of computers, console games, tablets and mobile phones.

Background High-throughput assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) and interest (VOI) are a diagnostic alternative when whole genome sequencing (WGS) is unavailable or limited. Objective This study evaluated the clinical and analytical performance of the Seegene Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 Variants I assay, which detects the HV69/70 deletion, N501Y and E484K mutations of the S gene. Methods Genotyping was evaluated on -871 SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive specimens, 408 nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and 463 saline gargle (SG) specimens, with WGS used as the reference standard. Analytical performance was assessed including stability, reproducibility, limit of detection (LOD), cross-reactivity and interference with various respiratory microorganisms. Results The clinical study revealed sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 99.27%–100%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI 98.99%–100%) for HV69/70 deletion, sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 99.55%–100%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI 93.73% – 100%) for N501Y, and sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 98.94% – 100%) and specificity of 98.10% (95% CI 96.53% – 99.08%) for E484K mutation. The E484Q mutation was detected in 10 specimens of the Kappa variant (B.1.627.1). Analytical performance demonstrated stability and reproducibility over 7 days, and LOD was calculated at 698 cp/mL for NP swab specimens, and 968 cp/mL for SG specimens. No interference or cross-reactivity with other microorganisms was noted. Conclusion The Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 Variants I assay is acceptable for clinical use for the detection of variant of concern and variant of interest.

An increasing evidence suggests that vanadium compounds are novel potential drugs in the treatment of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Vanadium has also demonstrated activities against RNA viruses and is a promising candidate for treating acute respiratory diseases. The antidiabetic, antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, cardioprotective, antineoplastic, antiviral, and other potential effects of vanadium are summarized here. Given the beneficial antihyperglycemic and antiinflammatory effects as well as the potential mechanistic link between the COVID-19 and diabetes, vanadium compounds could be considered as a complement to the prescribed treatment of COVID-19. Thus, further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these favorable effects of vanadium treatment in COVID-19 patients, which appear not to be studied yet.

We investigated the role of the gold nanoparticles functionalized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP–AuNPs) on the innate immune response against an acute infection caused by Vibrio anguillarum in an in vitro immunological nonmammalian next-generation model, the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. To profile the immunomodulatory function of PVP–AuNPs (0.1 μg mL−1) in sea urchin immune cells stimulated by Vibrio (10 μg mL−1) for 3 h, we focused on the baseline immunological state of the donor, and we analysed the topography, cellular metabolism, and expression of human cell surface antigens of the exposed cells, as well as the signalling leading the interaction between PVP–AuNPs and the Vibrio-stimulated cells. PVP–AuNPs are not able to silence the inflammatory signalling (TLR4/p38MAPK/NF-κB signalling) that involves the whole population of P. lividus immune cells exposed to Vibrio. However, our findings emphasise the ability of PVP–AuNPs to stimulate a subset of rare cells (defined here as Group 3) that express CD45 and CD14 antigens on their surface, which are known to be involved in immune cell maturation and macrophage activation in humans. Our evidence on how PVP–AuNPs may stimulate sea urchin immune cells represents an important starting point for planning new research work on the topic.

With an exclusive diet of hard-shelled mollusks, the black drum fish (Pogonias Cromis) exhibits one of the highest bite forces among extant animals. Here we present a systematic microstructural, chemical, crystallographic, and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth to understand the structural basis for achieving the molluscivorous requirements. At the material level, the outermost enameloid shows higher modulus (Er = 126.9 ± 16.3 GPa, H = 5.0 ± 1.4 GPa) than other reported fish teeth, which is attributed to the stiffening effect of Zn and F doping in apatite crystals and the preferential co-alignment of crystallographic c-axes and enameloid rods along the biting direction. The high fracture toughness (Kc = 1.12 MPa•m1/2) near outer enameloid also promotes local yielding instead of fracture during crushing contact with mollusk shells. At the individual-tooth scale, the molar-like teeth, high density of dentin tubules, enlarged pulp chamber, and specialized dentin-bone connection, all contribute to the functional requirements, including confinement of contact compressive stress in the stiff enameloid, enhanced energy absorption in the compliant dentin, and controlled failure of tooth-bone composite under excessive loads. These results show that the multi-scale structures of black drum teeth are adapted to feed on mollusks. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : The black drum fish feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, which requires strong, tough, and wear-resistant teeth. This study presents a comprehensive multiscale material and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth in achieving such remarkable biological function. At microscale, the fluoride- and zinc-doped apatite crystallites in the outer enameloid region are aligned perpendicular to the occlusal surface, representing as one of the stiffest biomineralized materials found in nature, while these apatite crystals are arranged into intertwisted rods with crystallographic misorientation in the inner enameloid region for increased crack resistance and toughness. At macroscale, the molariform geometry, the two-layer design based on the outer enameloid and inner dentin, enlarged pulp chamber and the underlying strong bony toothplate work synergistically to contribute to the teeth's crushing resistance.

BACKGROUND Hemangioblastomas are well vascularized, benign CNS tumors and the third most common primary spinal cord tumor after astrocytoma/ependymoma, occurring sporadically or as a part of an autosomal dominant von Hippel-Lindau disease in which tumors are often multiple and prone to relapse. Spinal hemangioblastomas are commonly located in the cervical cord and associated with a syrinx formation. Due to location and growth trends, they may cause significant neurological deficit, impairing patient quality of life. We conducted a systematic review to understand better clinical insights of spinal hemangioblastoma in adults and compare spinal hemangioblastoma versus posterior cranial fossa hemangioblastoma. METHODS Followed PRISMA guidelines for conducting systematic reviews, we performed a review of the English literature on adult spinal hemangioblastoma in the MEDLINE/PubMed database over the last 40 years. RESULTS We reviewed 237 total scientific articles on adult spinal hemangioblastoma and analyzed national and continental distribution, clinical symptomatology, tumor location and presence of syringomyelia, treatment strategies and postoperative complications, histology and immunochemistry, as well as treatment outcomes. We also compared individual characteristics in both sporadic and von Hippel-Lindau Disease spinal hemangioblastomas. Finally, we compared features of posterior cranial fossa and spinal hemangioblastomas. CONCLUSION Spinal cord hemangioblastomas are most commonly located dorsally and intramedullary. Total surgical tumor resection is the first treatment option, while preoperative embolization may be performed to reduce intraoperative bleeding and surgical time. Hemangioblastomas located in the spine have decreased mortality and rate of infection, but increased rates of cardiopulmonary complications compared with those found in the posterior cranial fossa.

Introduction Current evaluation of patients suspected of a non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) involves the use of algorithms that incorporate clinical information, electrocardiogram (ECG) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-troponins). While primarily designed to rule out NSTE-ACS safely, these algorithms can also be used for rule in of NSTE-ACS in some patients. Still, in a substantial number of patients, these algorithms do not provide a conclusive work-up. These patients often present with an atypical clinical profile and low-range positive hs-troponin values without a characteristic rise or fall pattern. They represent a heterogeneous group of patients with various underlying conditions; only a fraction (30%–40%) will eventually be diagnosed with a myocardial infarction. Uncertainty exists about the optimal diagnostic strategy and their management depends on the clinical perspective of the treating physician ranging from direct discharge to admission for invasive coronary angiography. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive test that has been shown to be safe, fast and reliable in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. In this study, we will determine the usefulness of CCTA in patients with acute chest pain and low-range positive hs-troponin values. Methods and analysis A prospective, double-blind, observational, multicentre study conducted in the Netherlands. Patients aged 30–80 years presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain and a suspicion of NSTE-ACS, a normal or non-diagnostic ECG and low-range positive hs-troponins will be scheduled to undergo CCTA. The primary outcome is the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA for the diagnosis of NSTE-ACS at discharge, in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (registration number MEC-2017-506). Written informed consent to participate will be obtained from all participants. This study’s findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03129659).

BACKGROUND Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (SATMJ) is acute or chronic bacterial or fungal infection involving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) space. It is a disease with high mortality in whole body joints, and about three-fourths of survivors have residual malfunctioning of the affected joint. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to search systematically, evaluate and then summarize scientific literature about etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the SATMJ in adults. METHODS After registration at PROSPERO this systematic review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA checklist. The following databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE, EBSCO, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central), SCIndex, Scopus, Google Scholar and Registry of clinical studies with human participants. RESULTS In total 37 studies with 91 patients were included in the review. Dominant signs and symptoms of SATMJ were pain and trismus, while fever was infrequent. The most frequent isolates from the TMJ were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci; however, less than 20% of patients had data about susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics. Combination of third generation cephalosporin and metronidazole was the most frequently prescribed empirically, and antibiotics especially active against S. aureus (glycopeptides and anti-staphylococcal beta-lactams) were under-prescribed. Administration of antibiotics was prolonged (median over 30 days), although two weeks are sufficient treatment for SATMJ if right choice of antibiotics was made. There was high rate of repeated surgical interventions (53.5%), which were linked to higher risk of long-term functional defects. CONCLUSIONS The SATMJ is serious infection that requires early empiric administration of antibiotics with good coverage of Gram-positive bacteria, and subsequent correction of antibiotic therapy according to susceptibility of isolates. Appropriate antibiotic therapy decreases risk of long-term functional disorders.

Background and Objectives: Although vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is prevalent in children with allergic diseases, recommendations for supplementation dosing regimens are imprecise and variable in the literature, because clinical trials aiming to determine optimal doses were scarce in the past. This study aimed to investigate supplementation of vitamin D3 that may achieve therapeutically effective but not toxic serum levels in a subpopulation of children with allergic diseases and concomitant hypovitaminosis D. Materials and Methods: The retrospective, observational study with a cross-sectional design included 94 children suffering from allergic diseases and having vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency who were prescribed high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation by a pediatrician for at least 6 weeks and not more than 9 weeks. Serum levels of the major metabolite of vitamin D (25-(OH)D) were determined in all children twice: before and two weeks after the end of vitamin D3 supplementation. Results: An increase in serum level of the 25-(OH)D after supplementation was significant. However, if the subjects had higher serum levels of the 25-(OH)D before the supplementation, and if the supplementation lasted 8 instead of 6 weeks, the absolute increase in serum level of the 25-(OH)D was lower. Patients taking corticosteroids as inhalation or intranasally had a more intense effect of vitamin D3 supplementation, i.e., the absolute increase in levels of 25-(OH)D was higher than in patients not using such medication. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with allergic diseases can be treated with maximal recommended doses of vitamin D3 for a short period of time, especially if they were prescribed with inhalation or intranasal corticosteroids.