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Energy and Macronutrient Dietary Intakes of Serbian Adults 18–64 Years Old: EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey in Serbia (2017–2022)
No full textThis study offers a comprehensive analysis of the anthropometric and nutritional status among Serbian adults aged 18–64 years, using the data from the EFSA EU Menu food consumption survey conducted between 2017 and 2022. Based on a nationally representative sample of 1139 participants, this research utilized validated 24 h dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements. The results indicate significant dietary imbalances, characterized by a heavy reliance on energy-dense foods, such as grains, fats, and meat, with an underrepresentation of fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Men exhibited a higher total energy intake, obtaining more energy from meat and fats, while women consumed more fruits and vegetables but often did not meet the recommended protein intake. Approximately 67.8% participants had a insufficient dietary fiber intake, and 15.4% did not meet the protein recommendations, particularly women. Anthropometric measurements showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially among men. These findings highlight critical deficits in dietary adequacy and, from a clinical practice perspective, underscore the necessity for the formulation of policies, targeted public health strategies aimed at improving dietary habits, and provide evidence for the development of national dietary guidelines and clinical guidelines to support preventive healthcare strategies, especially in the management of diet-related conditions, such as obesity and metabolic disorders
Energy and Macronutrient Dietary Intakes of Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian Serbian Adults: Data from the EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey (2017–2022)
No full textThis study is the first to examine the diet and nutritional status of the adult vegetarian and semi-vegetarian population in Serbia, using data from the EFSA EU Menu Food Consumption Survey 2017–2022. The survey included 314 participants (63 vegans, 192 lacto-ovo vegetarians, 50 pescatarians, and 9 flexitarians), aged 18–74 years (166 women and 148 men, with no gender differences in dietary patterns) across all regions of Serbia. Collected data included anthropometrics (BMI) and intake of energy, macronutrients, and specific food groups (assessed through two 24 h dietary recalls). The study revealed multiple nutritional shortcomings across all three dietary patterns. The most significant was an insufficient protein intake (especially among vegans, but also among non-vegans), connected with an unsatisfactory protein quantity, quality, and availability in plant sources. There was also a high fat intake (particularly from omega-6 and trans-fats-rich sources), especially among non-vegans (but also among vegans), while the intake of omega-3 sources was low. Non-vegans consumed less carbohydrates, fiber, vegetables, and fruit, but more sweets, beverages, and alcohol. Our findings highlight the need for improved nutritional education of vegetarians/semi-vegetarians in Serbia and the development of national food system-based guidelines for this population
N-(9-Acridinyl) Amino Acid Derivatives: Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Activity
No full textBackground/Objectives: Acridine, an aromatic heterocyclic compound, serves as a basis for the synthesis of potent bioactive derivatives, displaying a broad spectrum of biological activity, such as antibacterial, antitumor, and antiparasitic activity. With the ability to undergo various types of electrophilic substitutions, introducing different side chains could lead to compounds being active towards various and potentially multiple biotargets. Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution, poses a major health threat, particularly in immunocompromised patients and fetuses. Current treatment options for toxoplasmosis are scarce, with notable limitations, especially regarding side myelotoxicity and inactivity towards T. gondii cysts, causing a need for novel drug candidates. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected N-(9-acrydinil) amino acid derivatives as potential anti-T. gondii agents. Methods: Synthesis of new derivatives was performed using a two-step method, with the initial mixing of 9-chloroacridine with methanol and sodium alkoxide solution and subsequent adding of appropriate amino acids. Cytotoxicity of the tested compounds was evaluated on the Vero cell line using a MTT assay, while their anti-T. gondii activity was investigated using T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. Results: CC50 values of the derivatives ranged from 41.72 to 154.10 µM. Anti-T. gondii activity, displayed as a reduction in the number of viable tachyzoites compared to the untreated control, ranged from 0 to 33.3%. One of the derivatives displayed activity comparable to the standard treatment option while retaining acceptable cytotoxicity. Esterification, presence of aromatic substituents and the length of the amino acid side chain were identified as key factors that affect both toxicity and activity of these derivatives. Conclusions: Promising results obtained throughout this study provide guidelines for further structural modifications of N-(9-acrydinil) amino acid derivatives in order to synthesize drug candidates competitive to standard treatment options for toxoplasmosis
Individual-Specific Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on 40-Hz Auditory Steady-State Responses
No full textTranscranial electrical stimulation (tES) has shown promise for modulating brain function and related behavioral performance, but evidence has been mixed thus far. The possibility of tracking brain activity changes following tES via neurophysiological markers would benefit a better understanding of tES effects and the future development of tES protocols. One promising marker is the auditory steady-state response (ASSR), an externally controlled oscillatory brain activity, typically at 40 Hz, evoked by a periodic auditory stimulus. This study examined the offline effects of different types of tES on 40-Hz ASSR. Participants underwent four conditions of tES, which were applied over the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC): transcranial direct current (tDCS), transcranial alternating current (tACS), oscillatory transcranial direct current (otDCS) and sham stimulation. Individually determined theta frequency was delivered in the tACS and otDCS protocols. Following the tES application, electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded during 40-Hz auditory click stimulation. Mixed-effects modeling revealed no significant group-level differences in phase locking or evoked amplitude between stimulation conditions. However, both baseline (sham) ASSR and the change in ASSR following tES had a substantial interindividual variability. Exploratory analysis showed that individuals with lower baseline ASSR had increased synchronization following tES. Furthermore, the increase in ASSR synchronization was linked to higher memory gain; however, the relationship was observed only in otDCS condition. The findings encourage future research focusing on individual factors that may contribute to tES outcomes
Editorial: Metabolic alterations in cancer: from targeting metabolism to cancer detection
No full textDifferences In Fatty Acid Profiles Reflect Differences In The Disease Course Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
No full textBiomaterijali iz humane amnionske membrane za inženjering mekih tkiva: razvoj 3D - bioprintabilnih nosača
No full textUvod: Rekonstrukcija dojke nakon mastektomije ilustruje ograničenja postojećih strategija za reparaciju mekih tkiva, koja su i dalje povezana sa komplikacijama i ograničenim uticajem na rizik od recidiva. Šire posmatrano, regeneracija mekih tkiva zahteva biomaterijale koji kombinuju struk-turnu potporu sa bioaktivnošću. Humana amnionska membrana (hAM) primenjuje se u regeneraciji kože, rožnjače i urogenitalnog trakta, a ispoljava antitumorska, antifibrotična, antiinflamatorna i imunomodulatorna svojstva.Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja je razvoj 3D-bioprintabilnog skafolda (nosača) od homogenata humane amnionske membrane (hAM-h), koji zadržava bioaktivna svojstva i obezbeđuje potporu za inženjer-stvo mekih tkiva, koristeći kao model primene rekonstrukciju dojke nakon mastektomije. Materijal i metode: hAM je izolovana iz placenti zdravih donorki, homogenizovana i analizi-ran je sadržaj citokina, komponente vanćelijskog matriksa i reološke osobine pomoću tenziometra, viskozimetra i zetasajzera. Bioaktivnost je ispitivana na mezenhimalnim matičnim ćelijama iz masnog tkiva (ATMSC). Formulacije hidrogelova optimizovane su korišćenjem alginata različitih viskoznosti i koncentracija, uz variranje parametara ekstruzione štampe i kroslinkovanja (učvršćavanja). Optimi-zovani alginati su potom kombinovani sa hAM-h radi formiranja bioinkova pogodnih za ekstruzioni bioprinting. Štampani skafoldi ukršteni su pomoću CaCl₂, mehanički okarakterisani, i testirani na adheziju ATMSC.Rezultati: hAM-h je sadržao visoke koncentracije faktora rasta, citokina, kolagena I/IV i matrik-snih metaloproteinaza (MMP). Uzorci su pokazali stabilan negativan površinski napon ( 0,5) i konzistentne reološke profile (gustina, površinski napon, viskoznost). hAM-h nije narušio vijabilnost ATMSC u 2D sistemu i podržao je njihovu adhe-ziju na 3D konstrukte. Mehanička ispitivanja skafolda pokazala su veću otpornost na kompresiju i bolju zadržanost mase u skafoldima na bazi alginata visoke viskoznosti u poređenju sa niskoviskoznim formulacijama.Zaključak: Dobijeni rezultati potvrđuju primenljivost bioinkova na bazi hAM-h/alginat za kreira-nje stabilnih, bioaktivnih skafolda koji zadržavaju bioaktivna svojstva hAM-h. Rezultati ističu njihov potencijal za inženjerstvo mekih tkiva, sa rekonstrukcijom dojke kao klinički relevantnom primenom
Nitrogen Responsiveness of Maize Hybrids Under Dryland Conditions
No full textNitrogen (N) plays a decisive role in the growth and yield of crops. Hence, a high maize grain yield depends upon substantial N inputs. In the present study, morphological traits and yield components, grain yield, rain use efficiency (RUE), and N partial factor productivity (NPFP) were analyzed in two maize hybrids (ZP666 and NS6030) for 2 yr using four N rates (0 (N0), 60 (N60), 120 (N120), and 180 (N180) kg N ha−1). In a climatically more favorable year (2022), the studied traits and NPFP were higher, while RUE was lower. Hybrid ZP666 had higher values of morphological traits and yield component traits, except 1000-grain weight, grain yield, RUE, and NPFP, than hybrid NS6030. The highest values for morphological traits, yield components, grain yield (9383 and 9456 kg ha−1), and RUE (27.1 and 27.2 kg ha−1 mm−1) were obtained at 120 and 180 kg N ha−1. The NPFP decreased significantly with increasing N input, from 137.6 (control) to 52.5 kg grain per kg fertilizer N (180 kg N ha−1). A suitable hybrid selection and the application of a moderate N fertilizer rate of 120 kg N ha−1 could contribute to high yields and lower nitrogen losses to the environment and promote sustainable agriculture
Quantification of changes in balance control with tasks and injury using detrending methods for time series analysis
No full textIntroduction: Human balance control is regulated by complex temporal processes that may be disrupted by injury or increased task difficulty.MethodsWe examined long-range temporal characteristics of force platform recordings during quiet standing in 76 physically active participants with or without lower-limb injury, and in 13 non-injured participants standing with eyes closed or on one leg. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and wavelet transform spectral analysis (WTS) were used to quantify the temporal dynamics of postural control.ResultsAll recordings showed long-range autocorrelated behavior, with a visible crossover point separating random fluctuations at small time scales from structured dynamics at higher time scales (100 ms to 1 s). Changes in scaling behavior occurred only above the crossover point in response to altered stance or injury. Specifically, standing on one leg increased DFA and WTS slopes, likely due to enhanced amplitudes of characteristic peaks at approximately 250 ms and 650 ms. Two distinct postural responses to injury emerged: (1) compensation - characterized by increased amplitudes of all high-scale WTS modes and a crossover shift to smaller scales; and (2) underachievement - marked by decreased amplitudes and a shift of the crossover to larger time scales.DiscussionThese findings support the potential of DFA, WTS, and similar time series techniques as sensitive tools for assessing subtle impairments in postural control
Current Evidence on the Impact of Diet, Food, and Supplement Intake on Breast Cancer Health Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy
No full textBackground/Objectives: The most common type of breast cancer (BRC) in women is estrogen/progesterone receptor positive. First-line treatment includes endocrine therapy, either with aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen to reduce estrogen levels. Among the side effects produced by this treatment, aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia is the most common, affecting the patients’ overall health and quality of life (QoL). The objectives here were to evaluate interventions examining the impact of modified diets, supplements, and/or some food components on health outcomes in BRC patients undergoing endocrine therapy. Methods: The literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from June 2024, as well as manually, through the end of November 2024. The search was limited to studies of women diagnosed with estrogen/progesterone-receptor-positive BRC with selected articles reporting interventions with diet, food, or supplement intake and examining the relevant health outcomes. Studies not focusing on BRC patients undergoing endocrine therapy or not including specific health outcomes were excluded. Results: The search uncovered 1028 studies; after the removal of duplicates, abstracts, and irrelevant studies, 53 were closely examined, with 26 evaluated and presented here. The outcomes were changes in bone and body composition, cardiovascular disease risks, inflammation, and QoL. Conclusions: The examined evidence suggests that adherence to dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean or a low-fat diet, and a higher intake of fruits and vegetables were beneficial for various outcomes. Additionally, supplementation with some foods/components (dried plum, red clover) contributed to improving/maintaining bone and body composition, especially in overweight/obese patients. Supplementation with vitamin D or omega-3 improved lipid and angiogenic parameters and QoL. Although these results are promising, the effects of each supplement/food cannot be summarized due to the diverse nature of study designs, patients, and supplement dosages. Further studies are needed to explore the effects of specific nutritional interventions (including the newest, like fasting-mimicking diets and whole-grain cereal diets) on various health outcomes in BRC survivors during endocrine therapy, and to derive universal recommendations