Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a significant cause of liver related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The role of genetics in the host response to hepatitis C virus is not elucidated. Genetic ...variations in
gene are the most common cause of hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia-Gilbert syndrome. This is the first study investigating the association of
TA repeats promoter genotypes with the degree of liver injury, viremia and biochemical markers in CHC patients with advanced liver injury and late virological relapse.
Genetic testing of
TA repeats promoter genotypes was performed in 42 CHC patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis who achieved sustained virological response and 42 healthy blood donors. CHC patients were evaluated for clinical findings, laboratory tests and imaging.
*28 genotype (7/7 TA repeats) was observed in 23.8% CHC patients and 16.7% healthy controls with no significant difference in genotype frequencies (p=0.49). Pretreatment levels of ferritin and bilirubin were associated with the presence of
genotype, indicating its potential as a predictive marker. However, in our study, there was no correlation of
genotype with the degree of fibrosis or viremia. During antiviral treatment, dose reductions and treatment interruptions, as well as treatment success and occurrence of late virological relapse were not related to the presence of
genotype in CHC patients with severe liver injury.
Frequencies of
genotype are high in both Serbian CHC patients and healthy subjects. The presence of
genotype was not associated with ribavirin-related adverse effects and had no effect on long term outcome in CHC patients.
Summary
Background:
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a significant cause of liver related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The role of genetics in the host response to hepatitis C virus is not ...elucidated. Genetic variations in
UGT1A1
gene are the most common cause of hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia-Gilbert syndrome. This is the first study investigating the association of
UGT1A1
TA repeats promoter genotypes with the degree of liver injury, viremia and biochemical markers in CHC patients with advanced liver injury and late virological relapse.
Methods:
Genetic testing of
UGT1A1
TA repeats promoter genotypes was performed in 42 CHC patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis who achieved sustained virological response and 42 healthy blood donors. CHC patients were evaluated for clinical findings, laboratory tests and imaging.
Results:
UGT1A1
*28 genotype (7/7 TA repeats) was observed in 23.8% CHC patients and 16.7% healthy controls with no significant difference in genotype frequencies (p=0.49). Pretreatment levels of ferritin and bilirubin were associated with the presence of
UGT1A1*28
genotype, indicating its potential as a predictive marker. However, in our study, there was no correlation of
UGT1A1*28
genotype with the degree of fibrosis or viremia. During antiviral treatment, dose reductions and treatment interruptions, as well as treatment success and occurrence of late virological relapse were not related to the presence of
UGT1A1*28
genotype in CHC patients with severe liver injury.
Conclusions:
Frequencies of
UGT1A1*28
genotype are high in both Serbian CHC patients and healthy subjects. The presence of
UGT1A1*28
genotype was not associated with ribavirin-related adverse effects and had no effect on long term outcome in CHC patients.
Today's evolving macro environment conditions are characterized by hyper-production and hyper-competition. Remaining competitive requires differentiation through utility and emotional values, which ...is made possible by branding. Destination branding brings multiple benefits. Primarily helps achieve desired market placement and consequently builds an emotional connection with tourists that leads up to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. In order for the branding process to be successfully implemented, it is necessary to develop a strategic framework for communicating the values present in the foundations of the brand. Effective implementation of destination branding strategies presupposes the interactive involvement of the public and private sectors. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance andpotential of branding of Croatian islands. To this end, a secondary andprimary survey was conducted, i.e. an analysis of selected statistical indicators and a survey of managers of tourist boards on the islands of Cres, Mljet and Rab. The contribution of the research stems from the conclusion that the strategically driven branding process is a prerequisite for year-round tourist attendance.
Inovacije su pokretač društvenog i ekonomskog razvoja. Prema konceptualnim postavkama Swannova modela na kojima se temelji ovaj rad, ekonomski i društveno učinkovita inovacija procesno je ...strukturirana. Svaka faza inovativnog procesa zahtijeva različite osobine ličnosti njezinih dionika. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi u kojoj su mjeri zastupljene osobine ličnosti dimenzije ekstroverzije-introverzije sudionika HULT Prize natjecanja te kakvo je njihovo vrednovanje pojedinih faza i odrednica Swannova modela kako bi se učinkovitije usmjerila dinamika kreativnog procesa i inovativnog timskog rada. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom 2023. godine anketiranjem 291 sudionika HULT Prizea iz 12 zemalja. Ispitanici su podijeljeni u skupine, ovisno o razini inovativnosti zemalja iz kojih dolaze. Unutar obiju skupina prevladavali su introvertirani ispitanici i nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike u stavovima ispitanika o odrednicama Swannova modela. Intervjuiranjem dionika HULT Prizea postavljen je kontekstualni okvir rezultata kvantitativnog istraživanja s ciljem opisivanja interakcije dionika kreativnog procesa inovacije i njezina lakšeg upravljanja.
A problem with Croatian corporate leaders, government policy makers, and academic authorities, who represent the society, concerns the lack of innovative and implementable strategy to develop and ...transform technology and knowledge resources into the system that creates sustainable economic and social performances. In response to this problem, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive social networking system that aligns corporate, governmental, and academic aspects with society demands in Croatia. For data collection purposes, interactive interviewing methods and content analysis of the applied literature on practices, using examples of Triple Helix approach were used. Using data from interviews and content analysis, the descriptive case studies were created because they offer an overall picture of corporate, governmental, and academic practices in Croatia. The results of this study suggest that a social networking system should control the environmental, economic and social aspects of all stakeholders, especially with the strategic aspects of knowledge, innovation, and consensus. The practical application of this paper reflects the advantage of a social networking system (i.e. a new partnership among corporations, government, and universities), ensures sustainable economic development, utilizes corporate, governmental, and academic expertise, as well as increases economic and social performances in Croatia. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
is a common commensal fungus that colonizes the oropharyngeal cavity, gastrointestinal and vaginal tract, and healthy individuals' skin. In 50% of the population,
is part of the normal flora of the ...microbiota. The various clinical manifestations of
species range from localized, superficial mucocutaneous disorders to invasive diseases that involve multiple organ systems and are life-threatening. From systemic and local to hereditary and environmental, diverse factors lead to disturbances in
's normal homeostasis, resulting in a transition from normal flora to pathogenic and opportunistic infections. The transition in the pathophysiology of the onset and progression of infection is also influenced by
's virulence traits that lead to the development of candidiasis. Oral candidiasis has a wide range of clinical manifestations, divided into primary and secondary candidiasis. The main supply of
in the body is located in the gastrointestinal tract, and the development of infections occurs due to dysbiosis of the residential microbiota, immune dysfunction, and damage to the muco-intestinal barrier. The presence of
in the blood is associated with candidemia-invasive
infections. The commensal relationship exists as long as there is a balance between the host immune system and the virulence factors of
. This paper presents the virulence traits of
and clinical manifestations of specific candidiasis.
The growing emergence of antimicrobial resistance represents a global problem that not only influences healthcare systems but also has grave implications for political and economic processes. As the ...discovery of novel antimicrobial agents is lagging, one of the solutions is innovative therapeutic options that would expand our armamentarium against this hazard. Compounds of interest in many such studies are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which actually represent the host’s first line of defense against pathogens and are involved in innate immunity. They have a broad range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and viruses, with specific mechanisms of action utilized by different AMPs. Coupled with a lower propensity for resistance development, it is becoming clear that AMPs can be seen as emerging and very promising candidates for more pervasive usage in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, their use in quotidian clinical practice is not without challenges. In this review, we aimed to summarize state-of-the-art evidence on the structure and mechanisms of action of AMPs, as well as to provide detailed information on their antimicrobial activity. We also aimed to present contemporary evidence of clinical trials and application of AMPs and highlight their use beyond infectious diseases and potential challenges that may arise with their increasing availability.
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•New steroidal D-homo-3β-hydroxy-5α,6β-dibromo androstane derivative was synthesized.•New steroid compound showed cytotoxic activity against HT-29 and A549 cell lines.•Novel compound ...has the potential to induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells.•Ligand binding assay suggested a lack of significant estrogenic or androgenic properties.
New steroidal D-homo androstane derivative, 5α,6β-dibromo-3β-hydroxy-17-oxa-17a-homoandrostan-16-one was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. In silico ADME properties of this compound were assessed using the SwissADME online prediction tool. Six human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, PC3, HT-29, HeLa, and A549) and one human noncancerous cell line (MRC-5) were used for in vitro cytotoxicity testing. Novel steroidal dibromide was also tested for relative binding affinity for the ligand binding domain of estrogen receptor α and β or the androgen receptor using a published assay in yeast cells. Ligand binding domains of each steroid receptor were expressed in-frame with yellow fluorescent protein in yeast and the fluorescence intensity changes upon addition of test compound was measured. The new compound showed selective cytotoxic activity against HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma) and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines, as well as the potential to induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells, while results obtained from ligand binding assay in yeast suggested a lack of significant estrogenic or androgenic properties.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to increased negative emotional states among students. Physical activity is known to have positive impacts on mental health and well-being. ...However, due to the closure of gyms and other recreational facilities as a restrictive measure, students’ physical activity levels may decrease. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and physical activity among health-related students during the second partial COVID-19 lockdown. The study included 823 students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health of the University of Osijek in Croatia. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Questionnaire for Physical Activity (GSLTPAQ) questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms as well as physical activity. Two-thirds (59.2%) of students in health-related fields were insufficiently active, while the prevalence of depression (50.8%), anxiety (50.9%), and stress (49.9%) symptoms were high. Also, female respondents had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than their male counterparts. Graduate students had higher levels of all three negative emotional states, but only anxiety levels were significant. This study shows that students in health-related fields had reduced physical activity and a high prevalence of negative emotional conditions (depression, anxiety, and stress) during the second partial lockdown. The resulting symptoms were mostly of mild intensity; however, we consider this a significant mental health issue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, it is crucial to control and support students’ mental health, especially in more affected female individuals, in order to reduce the pandemic’s negative impact.
Chemically modified steroids have a long history as anti-neoplastic drugs. Incorporation of a lactone moiety in the steroid nucleus, as in previously obtained ...3β-acetoxy-17-oxa-17a-homoandrost-5-en-16-one (A) and 3β-hidroxy-17-oxa-17a-homoandrost-5-en-16-one (B), often results in enhanced anticancer properties. In this work, chitosan-based (Ch) nanoparticles were created and loaded with potent anticancer steroidal compounds, A and B. Changes to hormone receptor binding and cytotoxicity were then measured. In agreement with our previous results for A and B, A- and B-loaded Ch displayed cytotoxic properties against cancer cell lines. Both A-Ch and B-Ch showed activity toward estrogen negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and androgen negative prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3). Greater selectivity toward cancer cells versus healthy lung fibroblast (MRC-5) was observed for B-Ch particles. Cell viability and cytotoxicity measurements after a recovery period indicate more robust recovery of healthy cells versus malignant cells. Compounds A and B or their Ch-encapsulated forms were shown to have negligible affinity for the ligand binding domain of estrogen receptor β or the androgen receptor in a fluorescent yeast screen, suggesting a lack of estrogenicity and androgenicity. Steroid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles display strong cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 with a lack of hormone activity, indicating their safety and efficacy.
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•Two anti cancer steroid D-homo lactones were encapsulated in a chitosan (Ch) nano carrier.•Steroid-loaded Ch display selectivity toward MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cell lines.•Lack of estrogenicity and androgenicity was observed for Ch-encapsulated forms D-homo lactones.•Ch-encapsulated steroid lactones are good candidates for the design of anticancer treatments.
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