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Background Thymomas belong to rare tumors giving rise to thymic epithelial tissue. There is a classification of several forms of thymoma: A, AB, B1, B2, B3, thymic carcinoma (TC) and thymic neuroendocrine thymoma. In this meta-analysis study, we have focused on thymoma using articles based on the disease’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) genomic profiling. Materials and methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of studies that discovered the genes and variants occurring in the less aggressive forms of the thymic epithelial tumors. Studies published before 12th December 2022 were identified through PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and SCOPUS databases. Two reviewers have searched for the bases and selected the articles for the final analysis, based on well-defined exclusion and inclusion criteria. Results Finally, 12 publications were included in the qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. The three genes, GTF2I, TP53, and HRAS, emerged as disease-significant in the observed studies. The Odds Ratio for all three extracted genes GTF2I (OR = 1.58, CI [1.51, 1.66] p < 0.00001), TP53 (OR = 1.36, CI [1.12, 1.65], p < 0.002), and HRAS (OR = 1.02, CI [1.00, 1.04], p < 0.001). Conclusions According to obtained data, we noticed that the GTF2I gene exhibits a significant prevalence in the cohort of observed thymoma patients. Moreover, analyzing published articles NGS has suggested GTF2I, TP53, and HRAS genes as the most frequently mutated genes in thymoma that have pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNV) and Insertion/Deletion (InDel), which contribute to disease development and progression. These variants could be valuable biomarkers and target points specific to thymoma.

Background/Aim. An aggressive approach with radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy is the mainstay of the treatment in patients with renal tumors. The aim of this study was to present the results of such surgical procedures performed in the last 25 years at our institution. Methods. We made a retrospective analysis of radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy in patients with renal tumor and tumor thrombus (TT) extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) operated on at our institution between January 1995 and October 2021. Results. There were 92 patients (72 males and 20 females) aged 60.5 on average who were operated on in the mentioned period. A predominance of right-sided tumors was present in 73.33% of patients. Patients with TT in the renal vein (levels 0 and I) were not included. TT levels II, III, and IV were present in 32 (34.8%), 52 (56.5%), and 8 (8.7%) patients, respectively. One patient had thrombosis of the right pulmonary artery. Four patients had liver metastases, and ten had lymph node involvement. The surgical approach by subcostal incision was achieved in 8 (8.69%) patients, by chevron incision in only 11 (11.95%) patients, while in 73 (79.34%) patients, we performed median sternotomy and subcostal/chevron incision. Intraoperatively, there was one complication which was pulmonary thromboembolism. Six patient required re-exploration after the surgery due to the IVC hemorrhage. The three-year survival in patients with renal tumors and TT levels II?IV in the IVC was 43%. Conclusion. Surgery will remain the primary cure method in patients with renal tumors and TT in the IVC. Long-term survival in these patients can be achieved by complete surgical removal (radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy).

Herein we provide an assessment of cyanobacterial diversity and habitat preferences of potentially toxic and alien taxa, which could be an important tool for human health risk assessment regarding recreational and water-supply waterbodies. The diversity changes of cyanobacteria in waters intended for human consumption in Serbia were analyzed two decades after the first floristic study was published. The examination included phytoplankton and phytobenthic sample analysis from 35 localities in the period between 2012 and 2017, together with published literature records. The results indicate that the number of identified taxa doubled since the first Serbian Flora of Cyanobacteria was released two decades ago. The changes most likely occurred due to environmental factors, including hydrological transformations of habitats, cultural eutrophication and global warming. Many frequently recorded taxa are potentially toxic and bloom-forming. The spread of alien species with potentially invasive characteristics has also been noted. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicates that shallow waterbodies are the most vulnerable regarding the occurrence and expansion of bloom-forming, potentially toxic and invasive taxa. This shows the urgent need for a more detailed investigation. Additionally, although most of the research was focused on planktonic forms, benthic cyanobacteria represent an important component for public health risk assessment and therefore should be more frequently investigated.

This European Respiratory Society guideline is dedicated to the provision of good quality recommendations in lung cancer care. All the clinical recommendations contained were based on a comprehensive systematic review and evidence syntheses based on eight PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) questions. The evidence was appraised in compliance with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Evidence profiles and the GRADE Evidence to Decision frameworks were used to summarise results and to make the decision-making process transparent. A multidisciplinary Task Force panel of lung cancer experts formulated and consented the clinical recommendations following thorough discussions of the systematic review results. In particular, we have made recommendations relating to the following quality improvement measures deemed applicable to routine lung cancer care: 1) avoidance of delay in the diagnostic and therapeutic period, 2) integration of multidisciplinary teams and multidisciplinary consultations, 3) implementation of and adherence to lung cancer guidelines, 4) benefit of higher institutional/individual volume and advanced specialisation in lung cancer surgery and other procedures, 5) need for pathological confirmation of lesions in patients with pulmonary lesions and suspected lung cancer, and histological subtyping and molecular characterisation for actionable targets or response to treatment of confirmed lung cancers, 6) added value of early integration of palliative care teams or specialists, 7) advantage of integrating specific quality improvement measures, and 8) benefit of using patient decision tools. These recommendations should be reconsidered and updated, as appropriate, as new evidence becomes available.

Danas raditi na kreiranju publikacije nije jednostavan zadatak i posao jer postoji stalna bojazan autora da sadržaji i razmišljanja njom obuhvaćeni mogu brzo da zastare usled ekstenzivnih promena koje se odigravaju u savremenom svetu u svim oblastima i područjima. Ovo posebno važi za oblast obrazovanja od koga se očekuje da se kreće u skladu sa njima. Takođe, pred autora publika-cije postavlja se zahtev i očekivanje da jasno i razložno ponudi adekvatnu ana-lizu i sistematizaciju materije, ali i svojevrsan kritički osvrt na postojeće stanje, realno, nepristrasno i kompetentno. Mora se priznati da je u oba slučaja autorka ove publikacije pred velikim izazovom i odgovornošću.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) include several anterior mediastinal malignant tumours: thymomas, thymic carcinomas and thymic neuroendocrine cancers. There is significant variety in the biologic features and clinical course of TETs and many attempts have been made to identify target genes for successful therapy of TETs. Next generation sequencing (NGS) represents a huge advancement in diagnostics and these new molecular technologies revealed that thymic neoplasms have the lowest tumor mutation burden among all adult malignant tumours with a different pattern of molecular aberrations in thymomas and thymic carcinomas. As for the PD-L1 expression in tumor cells in thymoma and thymic carcinoma, it varies a lot in published studies, with findings of PD-L1 expression from 23% to 92% in thymoma and 36% to 100% in thymic carcinoma. When correlated PD-L1 expression with disease stage some controversial results were obtained, with no association with tumor stage in most studies. This is, at least in part, explained by the fact that several diverse PD-L1 immunohistochemical tests were used in each trial, with four different antibodies (SP142, SP263, 22C3, and 28-8), different definition of PD-L1 positivity and cutoff values throughout the studies as well. There is a huge interest in using genomic features to produce predictive genomic-based immunotherapy biomarkers, particularly since recent data suggest that certain tumor-specific genomic alterations, either individually or in combination, appear to influence immune checkpoint activity and better responses as the outcome, so as such in some cancer types they may complement existing biomarkers to improve the selection criteria for immunotherapy.

Due to the low consumption of chemicals, the absence of toxic residual side products, the procedure simplicity and time-saving aspects, gamma irradiation offers advantages over the classical chemical protocols. We successfully employed gamma irradiation in order to introduce N-atoms in Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs). By irradiating GQDs water dispersions in the presence of isopropyl alcohol and ethylenediamine, at doses of 25, 50 and 200 kGy, we attached amino groups onto GQDs in a single synthetic step. At the same time, a chemical reduction is achieved, too. Selected conditions induced incorporation of N-atoms within GDQs atomic lattice (around 3 at%), at all applied doses. Additionally, the C-atoms percentage was highly increased, from 63 to 79 at % or higher. The zeta potential of dots changed from −34.6 to +9.1 mV, due to the modification of functionalizing groups localized at the surface. Produced chemical changes lead to the desired alteration of the GQDs optical properties, such as an increased photoluminescence intensity, a higher photoluminescence quantum yields (from 2.07 to 18.40%) and a narrowing of the spectral features in the emission spectra. The ability of gamma-irradiated GQDs to quench free radical species was investigated and positively assessed; additionally, non-enzymatic optical detection of Cu(II) ions using GQDs as a sensor was studied and the detection limits areherein reported. These results suggest that GQDs can be potentially applied as smart photoluminescent sensors for metal cations. This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: S. Jovanović, Slađ. Dorontić, D. Jovanović, G. Ciasca, M. Budimir, A. Bonasera, M. Scopelliti, O. Marković, B. Todorović Marković, Gamma irradiation of graphene quantum dots with ethylenediamine: Antioxidant for ion sensing, Ceramics International (2020), 46, 15, 23611-23622 DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.06.133] The published version: [http://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3593]

Background Management of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is affected by regional specificities. The present study aimed at determining diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including outcome of patients with NSCLC stage III in the real-world setting in Central European countries to define areas for improvements . Patients and methods This multicentre, prospective and non-interventional study collected data of patients with NSCLC stage III in a web-based registry and analysed them centrally. Results Between March 2014 and March 2017, patients (n=583) with the following characteristics were entered: 32% females, 7% never-smokers; ECOG performance status (PS) 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 25%, 58%, 12% and 5%, respectively; 21% prior weight loss; 53% squamous carcinoma, 38% adenocarcinoma; 10% EGFR mutations. Staging procedures included chest X-ray (97% of patients), chest CT (96%), PET-CT (27%), brain imaging (20%), bronchoscopy (89%), endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) (13%) and CT-guided biopsy (9%). Stages IIIA/IIIB were diagnosed in 55%/45% of patients, respectively. N2/N3 nodes were diagnosed in 60%/23% and pathologically confirmed in 29% of patients. Most patients (56%) were treated by combined modalities. Surgery plus chemotherapy was administered to 20%, definitive chemoradiotherapy to 34%, chemotherapy only to 26%, radiotherapy only to 12% and best supportive care (BSC) to 5% of patients. Median survival and progression-free survival times were 16.8 (15.3;18.5) and 11.2 (10.2;12.2) months, respectively. Stage IIIA, female gender, no weight loss, pathological mediastinal lymph node verification, surgery and combined modality therapy were associated with longer survival. Conclusions The real-world study demonstrated a broad heterogeneity in the management o f stage III NSCLC in Central European countries and suggested to increase the rates of PET-CT imaging, brain imaging and invasive mediastinal staging.

Background/Aim. Peripheral nervous system affection in people with lung cancer is commonly associated with paraneoplastic neuropathy. However, clinical studies evaluating the frequency, clinical, and electrophysiological characteristics of peripheral neuropathies which are not related to onconeuronal antibodies, in this, on average, older population of patients, are very rare. The aim of this study was to define the frequency, as well as clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of idiopathic neuropathies in patients suffering from lung cancer in early stages of the diseases. Methods. Clinical and electrophysiological data of 105 elderly subjects (age 63.4 ± 7.8 years) suffering from lung carcinoma who underwent extensive neurological and electrophysiological evaluation (nerve conduction studies) between 2013–2018 were estimated. Exclusion criteria were “classical” paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with onconeuronal antibodies present, as well as patients with typical known causes of peripheral neuropathy (e.g. diabetes, alcoholism, chronic renal insufficiency, vitamin deficiencies, etc.). Results. There were 19.1% patients with clinically manifest neuropathies, with additional 37.1% patients with only electrophysiological abnormalities. The most frequent pathophysiological pattern was axonal pathology (71.2%) with predominantly distal and symmetrical distribution (86.4%). Conclusion. Patients with lung cancer in the early stages of the disease show a high incidence of clinically minor damage of the nerves, according to the pattern of chronic sensomotor distal neuropathy, with predominance of axonal damage. These findings underline the importance of a detailed clinical and electrophysiological evaluation in this category of patients who are without the typical etiological factors for peripheral neuropathies since, during cancer therapy, patients undergo a series of treatments with additional risk for the development/aggravation of neuropathy. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175046]

Background/Aim. Thymoma is the most common mediastinal tumor. The treatment procedures are based on the results from the research of retrospective studies because they are not frequent tumors. The aim of this work was to define common clinical features, therapeutic aspects, survival and recurrence free survival. Methods. This study was performed in the Clinic for Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade from January 1993 to December 2013. We analyzed 62 patients with histopathologically proven thymoma. The results were obtaind from medical history, physical exam, chest X-ray and/or computed tomography and operational findings or diagnostic procedure reports. Thymomas were clasiffied according to the World Health Organization classifying system, based on histopathological findings, and staged according to the Masaoka-Koga staging system. Results. There were more female (54.8%) patients. Patients were mostly in the seventh decade of life. One third (29%) of the patients were asymptomatic. Cough was the dominant symptom. Myasthenia gravis was the most common paraneoplastic syndrome (12.9%). Solitary tumor was the most common in our patients (61.3%), as well as the tumors larger than 5 cm (52.5%), and noninvasive thymomas (52.5%). The majority of patients (40%) were in the stage I of the disease. The operative approach was conducted in most of the patients (88.7%). A statistically significant difference in survival was in women, patients with solitary tumor, non-invasive thymomas, patients in the stage I of the disease, and those who were operated. The dimension of the tumor mass approached the conventional level of significance. Conclusion. In patients with thymomas, statistically significant survival rate predictors are gender, presence of solitary tumor mass, tumor invasiveness, clinical stage and surgical treatment of the disease.

Introduction. The systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) can cause a variety of pulmonary and pleural abnormalities. The aim of this paper is to review clinical and radiological characteristics of a series of patients with a systemic autoimmune disease hospitalized at a tertiary level facility. Methods. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical and imaging findings in patients diagnosed with SAD at the Teaching Hospital of Pulmonology during a nine-year period. Results. An 84-patient group (mean age of 53.8 years) consisted of 64 women and 20 men. Fifty-eight out of 84 patients suffered from collagen vascular disease (CVD) and 26/84 had systemic vasculitis. Fatigue was the dominant symptom (75.8% in CVD, and 69.2% in vasculitis). Cough, hemoptysis, and fever were more frequent in patients with vasculitis. Fibrosis was the most common radiological manifestation of CVD (26/58), followed by pleural effusion (18/58) and consolidation (10/58). Irregular opacities were dominant radiologic finding in vasculitis (10/26), followed by nodules (8/26). Histological confirmation of systemic autoimmune disease was obtained in 28.6% patients, in 58/84 patients the diagnosis was based on a positive serologic test and clinico-radiological manifestations, in two cases on clinical and radiological features according to defined criteria. Conclusion. Pleuropulmonary manifestations of SAD are usually expressed in the sixth decade of life, predominantly in women. Clinical findings and positive serologic tests suggest diagnosis of SAD. Fibrosis is the most common radiologic pattern found in almost one half of the patients with CVD and irregular opacities are the most common findings in vasculitis.

In order to compare spectroscopic properties between nanosized and that in single crystal form of YPO4:Pr3+, temperature-dependence of the red emission from 3P0 → 3H4 and 1D2 → 3H4 transitions of YPO4:0.1 at. % Pr3+ nanopowders has been investigated in details. The emission spectra of the sample in size of 20 nm, under selective excitation at 3P2, measured at different temperatures, T = 10, 100, 200 and 300 K have been recorded. The variation of emission intensity of each 3P0 → 3H4 and 1D2 → 3H4 against temperature has been investigated. Several spectral lines constitute 1D2 → 3H4 emission, assigned to transitions between 1D2 and 3H4 Stark levels are observed with no noticeable shifts between them and those observed at the single crystal. It is found that 1D2 → 3H4 emission intensity dominates that of 3P0 → 3H4 transition, pointing out the high efficiency of the multiphonon relaxation (MPR) process from 3P0 to 1D2. Fitting the temperature dependence of 3P0 → 3H4 emission intensity permits to estimate the phonons and their energies involved in non-radiatively transition between 3P0 and 1D2 levels, which are found different from single crystal. Also, fitting the multiphonon relaxation (MPR) rates against temperature, extracted from the measured 1D2 lifetime gives information that seven phonons can be involved to bridge the gap between 1D2 and 1G4. Furthermore, the possibility to use the YPO4: 0.1 at. % Pr3+ in the nano-thermometry application in temperature range T = 10–300 K was investigated.

Trihalomethanes (THM), a major class of disinfection by-products, are widespread and are associated with adverse health effects. We conducted a global evaluation of current THM regulations and concentrations in drinking water. We included 120 countries (∼7000 million inhabitants in 2016), representing 94% of the world population. We searched for country regulations and THM routine monitoring data using a questionnaire addressed to referent contacts. Scientific and gray literature was reviewed where contacts were not identified or declined participation. We obtained or estimated annual average THM concentrations, weighted to the population served when possible. Drinking water regulations were ascertained for 116/120 (97%) countries, with 89/116 (77%) including THM regulations. Routine monitoring was implemented in 47/89 (53%) of countries with THM regulations. THM data with a varying population coverage was obtained for 69/120 (58%) countries consisting of ∼5600 million inhabitants (76% of world's population in 2016). Population coverage was ≥90% in 14 countries, mostly in the Global North, 50–89% in 19 countries, 11–49% among 21 countries, and ≤10% in 14 countries including India, China, Russian Federation and Nigeria (40% of world's population). An enormous gap exists in THM regulatory status, routine monitoring practice, reporting and data availability among countries, especially between high- vs. low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). More efforts are warranted to regulate and systematically assess chemical quality of drinking water, centralize, harmonize, and openly report data, particularly in LMICs. We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023″ Program (CEX2018–000806-S) and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program, and from the University of South Carolina's Magellan scholarship and Honors College. This work was funded by the 7th Framework Programme EXPOSOMICS Project (Grant agreement 308610).

The International Thematic Proceedia titled „Psychology in the world of science” is a publication from the 16th International Conference “Days of Applied Psychology” held on September 25th & 26th 2020 at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš. This is a traditional annual nonprofit conference which has been organized since 2005 by the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš, with the support and co-financing of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia. The conference started with the idea of gathering researchers and practitioners who discuss the link between science and practice in different psychological areas. From the very start, this gathering has welcomed international participants, and year after year this number is on the rise. This scientific publication contains 18 peer-reviewed articles which can be classified as original scientific papers and as review papers. The authors of these manuscripts come from six countries: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Republic of Serbia.

[No Abstract Available]

Glycan structures are common posttranslational modifications of proteins, which serve multiple important structural roles (for instance in protein folding), but also are crucial participants in cell–cell communications and in the regulation of immune responses. Through the interaction with glycan‐binding receptors, glycans are able to affect the activation status of antigen‐presenting cells, leading either to induction of pro‐inflammatory responses or to suppression of immunity and instigation of immune tolerance. This unique feature of glycans has attracted the interest and spurred collaborations of glyco‐chemists and glyco‐immunologists to develop glycan‐based tools as potential therapeutic approaches in the fight against diseases such as cancer and autoimmune conditions. In this review, we highlight emerging advances in this field, and in particular, we discuss on how glycan‐modified conjugates or glycoengineered cells can be employed as targeting devices to direct tumor antigens to lectin receptors on antigen‐presenting cells, like dendritic cells. In addition, we address how glycan‐based nanoparticles can act as delivery platforms to enhance immune responses. Finally, we discuss some of the latest developments in glycan‐based therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells to achieve targeting of tumor‐associated glycan‐specific epitopes, as well as the use of glycan moieties to suppress ongoing immune responses, especially in the context of autoimmunity., Glycans are macromolecules that perform crucial roles in development, in cell–cell communication, and in the regulation of immune responses. In this review, we highlight how glycans can be exploited and empowered as treatment or vaccine modalities, particularly in the fight against cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Adults with systemic anaphylactic reactions (SAR) to insect sting show often multiple-positivity of serum-specific IgE (sIgE) to Hymenoptera venoms. Unnecessary long-lasting venom-specific immunotherapies (VIT) in false-positive patients increase the risk of recurrent SAR. This report aims to analyze the diagnostic importance of recombinant allergen IgE testing in patients with SAR to Hymenoptera sting.In 82 patients we measured sIgE to honeybee venom (HBV), wasp venom (WV) and hornet venom (HV) extracts, recombinant phospholipase A2 from HBV (sIgE-rApi m1), recombinant antigen 5 from WV (sIgE-rVes v5), and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants-CCD-bromelain by ImmunoCAP. We analyzed the correlation of ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot for HBV and WV extracts, rApi m1, and rVes v5 in 39/82 patients. According to the history of the culprit insect, we compared sensitivity and specificity between the two methods.The severity of the SAR does not depend on the sIgE level to venom extracts and recombinant allergens. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a multiple-positivity to HBV/WV or HBV/WV/HV extracts. Severe SAR and CCD-sIgE were more frequent in multiple-positive than single-positive patients. CCD-sIgE were more frequent in HBV allergic patients than WV and HV allergic patients. There was a significant correlation between levels of sIgE to venom extracts and recombinant allergens measured by ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot. ImmunoCAP has higher sensitivity and specificity than Immunoblot for diagnosis of SAR to Hymenoptera venoms.IgE testing to recombinant CCD-free allergens is necessary for the adequate selection of long-lasting VIT, especially in patients with multiple sensitivities to venom extracts.

Industrialization today leads to a significant increase in the environmental pollution, with number of phenols, pesticides, paints, solvents and other organic pollutants with potentially carcinogenic effect in natural resources. Investigation of some new semiconductor materials and their photocatalytic properties for removal of pollutants is a challenging work. However, limited usage of photoactive materials still requires the testing of new materials with photoactive properties. The current work introduces the swift and easy approach for synthesis of (metal–free) N–doped carbon quantum dots in water using microwave reactor. Synthesis was performed from glucose water solution by heating in microwave reactor for only 1 min, at low temperature and applied microwave power. The synthesized N–doped carbon quantum dots show remarkable photocatalytic activity for removal of toxic organic dye (Rose Bengal) under visible light irradiation. Almost 93% of the dye degradation is achieved after only 30 min of radiation. The uninspected result, that the pH of the medium has a significant effect on the performance of the synthesized material in the presence of organic dye, indicates that dots show dual behavior. In the neutral and basic conditions, they have the ability to degrade organic dye, whereas, by shifting the medium pH into acidic medium, they form a stable conjugate with Rose Bengal. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Defect-fluorite structured Eu 3+ -doped Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 nanoparticles (30–40 nm) were successfully prepared through a facile co-precipitation method without any organic additives or templates followed by calcination in air. Luminescent properties of the as-prepared Y 2-x Eu x Sn 2 O 7 (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) nanophosphors were fully characterized from an experimental and theoretical point of view (excitation, emission, lifetime, critical concentration, temperature-dependent luminescence and thermal stability, type of interactions and the Judd-Ofelt analysis). The nanophosphors showed relatively sharp excitation bands from 360 to 530 nm and exhibited characteristic emission bands with the most intensive emission centered at 612 nm. In addition, Gd 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 and Lu 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 samples were prepared in order to study how substitution of RE 3+ (Y 3+ with Gd 3+ and Lu 3+ ions) influences on luminescent properties of RE 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 and thermal stability of their luminescence. In order to understand better luminescent properties, the Judd–Ofelt analysis was applied to all the synthesized powders. The highest value of quantum efficiency, ~96%, was estimated for Lu 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 . To assess potential application in high-power LEDs, the temperature-dependent emission spectra of Y 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 , Gd 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 and Lu 1.98 Eu 0.02 Sn 2 O 7 nanophosphors were studied. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Introduction. Triple-positivity (TP) or double-positivity (DP) for serum-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) antibodies against hornet venom (HV), wasp venom (WV) and/or honeybee venom (BV) causes significant problem in a selection of appropriate venom immunotherapy. However, DP/TP can be caused by cross-reactions resulting either from partial sequence identity of protein allergens in the venoms, or may be related to cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Case report. A 60-year-old man was stung by a wasp and two days later by hornet. In both cases, within 15 minutes he developed hypotension and generalized urticaria and he was successfully treated with epinephrine, corticosteroids and fluids. After eight weeks, the examination revealed the negative skin prick test for all three venoms, but the sIgE-determination (ELISA, Biopharm) showed triple sensitization to native BV (0.55 IU/mL), WV (3.35 IU/mL) and HV (0.37 IU/mL). He was receiving the venom immunotherapy with venom mixtures for one year. In order to distinguish true multiple sensitization from cross-reactivity, the molecular-allergy testing by ImmunCAP with the CCD-free recombinant major allergens was performed. A high sensitization to Antigen 5-rVes v5 of WV (31.4 kU/L) was demonstrated while sIgE to phospholipase A2-rApi m1 of BV (0.15 kU/L) was negative; sIgE to CCDMUXF3- bromelain (0.75 kU/L) explained the sIgE-positivity for native BV. After these findings, a venom immunotherapy only with WV was initiated. Conclusion. In our patient, triple-IgE-positivity to native venoms detected by the ELISA was caused by cross-reactivity to CCDs. We recommend the molecular-allergy testing with the nonglycosylated recombinant allergens before starting the venom immunotherapy in patients with multiple-sIgE-positivity to native Hymenoptera venoms.

The purpose: In context of forthcoming implementation of palliative care in Serbia we aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms level of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caregivers and to analyze the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as the correlation of patients' quality of life with the quality of life of caregivers.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 200 caregivers and the patients they care for was undertaken in a three-year period. The Medical Outcomes 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (Serbian version) was used to measure caregivers and patient’s health-related quality of life and Standard 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was given to each study participant (patient and caregiver) in order to explore feelings and attitudes relating to general depressive status. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.Results of our study did not show a significant difference in most QoL domains and depressive symptoms of the two caregiver groups, but it did show a difference in the domain of general health (GH) and physical health (PHC) measured by the SF-36 (p=0.003 and p=0,038, respectively) in COPD caregivers. Conclusion: Particularly vulnerable caregiver group, the one that cared for patients with COPD, perceived their own general and physical health significantly worse compared to NSCLC caregivers. More depressed caregivers and those with a longer duration of unemployment (regardless of the disease type) reported poorer quality of life and represented a groups with greater support needs.

Nanomaterials are chemical substances or materials produced and used with one or more external dimensions, or an internal structure, on a scale from 1 to 100 nm. Nanomaterials can be found everywhere in nature such as volcanic ash, ocean spray, fine sand and dust, and even biological matter (e.g., viruses), whereas laboratory experiments involve the synthesis of nanomaterials with well-defined and controlled sizes and shapes. The development and use of novel nanomaterials for environmental protection, and water treatment in particular, has received widespread attention in recent years in view of their larger surface area-to-volume ratio and smaller particle size. One of the criteria for categorizing nanoparticles is their shape and the number of nanoscale dimensions. Here, a comprehensive systematic review of developments, classification, trends, and advances over the past three decades in research on low-dimensional, zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional nanomaterials is given. In this chapter, we give our perspective on the current status on the nanostructured materials, reported syntheses and processes of fabrication, physicochemical properties originating from their morphology and geometrical specifications, along with their applications in wastewater treatment.

Vaccination is one of the greatest achievements in biomedical research preventing death and morbidity in many infectious diseases through the induction of pathogen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Currently, no effective vaccines are available for pathogens with a highly variable antigenic load, such as the human immunodeficiency virus or to induce cellular T-cell immunity in the fight against cancer. The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has reinforced the relevance of designing smart therapeutic vaccine modalities to ensure public health. Indeed, academic and private companies have ongoing joint efforts to develop novel vaccine prototypes for this virus. Many pathogens are covered by a dense glycan-coat, which form an attractive target for vaccine development. Moreover, many tumor types are characterized by altered glycosylation profiles that are known as “tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens”. Unfortunately, glycans do not provoke a vigorous immune response and generally serve as T-cell-independent antigens, not eliciting protective immunoglobulin G responses nor inducing immunological memory. A close and continuous crosstalk between glycochemists and glycoimmunologists is essential for the successful development of efficient immune modulators. It is clear that this is a key point for the discovery of novel approaches, which could significantly improve our understanding of the immune system. In this review, we discuss the latest advancements in development of vaccines against glycan epitopes to gain selective immune responses and to provide an overview on the role of different immunogenic constructs in improving glycovaccine efficacy.

Approximately 5% to 15% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis develop neurological complications. However, the actual prevalence of subclinical disease may be higher. Symptoms are not specific, and may resemble those of other neurological diseases. Hydrocephalus occurs in 6% of patients with neurosarcoidosis. Acute hydrocephalus is extremely rare and when it occurs, it is usually difficult to diagnose, thus leading to possible complications. We present a patient who developed acute hydrocephalus due to neurosarcoidosis, for which he had to be operated on; soon after the operation, cranial infection developed that required definitive drainage system and ventriculoperitoneal shunt had to be implanted. In further complicated clinical course, after four years on corticosteroid therapy (corticosteroid dependent sarcoidosis), he had to be urgently operated on because of significant ventricular catheter adhesions, but several days after the operation he died in coma because of progressive brain edema not responding to treatment. As hydrocephalus due to neurosarcoidosis has high morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and proper treatment are of utmost importance., Oko 5% do 15% bolesnika sa sistemskom sarkoidozom razviju neurološke komplikacije. Međutim, stvarna učestalost subkliničke bolesti može biti veća. Simptomi nisu specifični, a mogu sličiti onima drugih neuroloških bolesti. Hidrocefalus se pojavljuje u 6% bolesnika s neurosarkoidozom. Akutni hidrocefalus je iznimno rijedak, a kada se pojavi obično se teško dijagnosticira, što dovodi do mogućih komplikacija. Prikazujemo bolesnika u kojega se razvio akutni hidrocefalus zbog neurosarkoidoze, zato je morao biti operiran, no ubrzo nakon operacije kranijuma razvija se infekcija koja zahtijeva definitivnu kanalizaciju, ugradnju ventrikularnog šanta. U daljnjem kompliciranom kliničkom tijeku, nakon četiri godine kortikosteroidne terapije (o kortikosteroidima ovisna sarkoidoza), morao je biti hitno operiran zbog značajnih priraslica na ventrikularnom kateteru, ali je nekoliko dana nakon operacije umro u komi zbog progresivnog edema mozga koji nije reagirao na liječenje. Kako hidrocefalus kod neurosarkoidoze ima visok pobol i smrtnost, rano otkrivanje i odgovarajuće liječenje osobito su važni.

Nowadays, a larger number of aggressive and corrosive chemical reagents as well as toxic solvents are used to achieve structural modification and cleaning of the final products. These lead to the production of residual, waste chemicals, which are often reactive, cancerogenic, and toxic to the environment. This study shows a new approach to the modification of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using gamma irradiation where the usage of reagents was avoided. We achieved the incorporation of S and N atoms in the GQD structure by selecting an aqueous solution of L-cysteine as an irradiation medium. GQDs were exposed to gamma-irradiation at doses of 25, 50 and 200 kGy. After irradiation, the optical, structural, and morphological properties, as well as the possibility of their use as an agent in bioimaging and photodynamic therapy, were studied. We measured an enhanced quantum yield of photoluminescence with the highest dose of 25 kGy (21.60%). Both S- and N-functional groups were detected in all gamma-irradiated GQDs: amino, amide, thiol, and thione. Spin trap electron paramagnetic resonance showed that GQDs irradiated with 25 kGy can generate singlet oxygen upon illumination. Bioimaging on HeLa cells showed the best visibility for cells treated with GQDs irradiated with 25 kGy, while cytotoxicity was not detected after treatment of HeLa cells with gamma-irradiated GQDs.

Graphene is an excellent material to anchor metal nanoparticles due to its large surface area. In this paper, we report the use of electrochemically exfoliated graphene as support to anchor gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs are synthesized via the reduction of chloroauric acid under gamma irradiation at low doses of 1, 5, and 10 kGy and directly deposited onto the graphene surface, making this procedure simple and fast. Good water dispersibility of exfoliated graphene, due to the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups in the structure of graphene, provides long-term stability of Au NPs - graphene composite dispersions. The majority of the Au NPs obtained by this method have sizes of up to 40 nm, while the increase in the applied dose leads to an increase in the amount of smaller nanoparticles. The increase of temperature of the prepared composite material upon irradiation with an 808 nm continuous wave laser was monitored. All samples show a temperature increase between 21.5 and 25.6 °C for 10 min of the laser exposure, which indicates that Au NPs - graphene composite can effectively be used in photothermal treatment for cancer therapy. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.

IntroductionThe finding that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) originating from tumor cells could be found in general circulation has prompted the idea to use lncRNAs as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of particular diseases. In this study we explored the expression pattern of circulating GAS5 (growth arrest-specific transcript 5) lncRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and its association with clinicopathological characteristics.Material and methodsExpression pattern of circulating GAS5 was analyzed in 58 plasma samples of NSCLC patients, and 15 healthy controls. Quantitative assessment was performed using the real-time PCR method and TaqMan chemistry.ResultsCirculating GAS5 expression level in NSCLC patients was not significantly decreased compared to control samples (p = 0.081). Statistically significant difference in GAS5 expression was found in relation to TNM stage of the tumor (p < 0.001), decreasing with progression of the tumor stage. Lower GAS5 expression was detected in patients with larger tumors (p = 0.006), and in patients with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic potential of circulating GAS5 expression, showing the highest predictive power in distinguishing between stage III/IV patients and control samples (AUC = 0.8; sensitivity 53%, specificity 93%), and also for separating patients between TNM stage I/II and stage III/IV (AUC = 0.82; sensitivity 73%, specificity 79%).ConclusionsOur study suggests that decreased expression of circulating GAS5 is closely related to the tumor size and TNM stage. Therefore the measurement of GAS5 expression level in plasma could be a promising noninvasive diagnostic molecular biomarker in NSCLC patients.

Background: A correlation of adverse events (AE), and the efficacy of EGFR TKIs in lung cancer patients (pts) is known. Similar AE are seen in IPF pts treated with triple TKI nintedanib (N) and pirfenidone (P). Post hoc analysis to assess the correlation between clinically outcomes in IPF pts from the real-world EMPIRE registry and AE to antifibrotics. Methods The analysis was performed 6 months after the initiation of antifibrotics according to AE. Correlation with mortality and progression-free survival-PFS, were assessed by the Kaplan–Meier survival function, correlation with AE by the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Out of 1,233 pts, 698 were treated with P and 535 with N; AE were observed in 96 pts (7.8%): dyspepsia in 2.1%, elevated liver enzymes in 1.6%, diarrhoea in 0.7%, nausea in 1.1%, photosensitivity,rash,vomiting in 0.3% each, fatigue in 0.2%. The occurrence of AE correlated with the PFS, for all pts (p= 0.004) and for treated with N (p= 0.015), but not mortality. PFS was significantly better in the group of pts with no AE. Fatigue in all pts (adjusted HR 6.0; 1.5–24.8;p= 0.012), in treated with P(5.0; 1.2–20.5;p= 0.027), nausea in pts with N (6.8;1.6–28.8;p= 0.010) correlated with higher mortality. The effect of AE on PFS were noted in all pts for nausea (2.2; 1.2–3.8; p= 0.006) and rash (4.1;1.5–11.0;p= 0.005); in pts on P for rash (4.2;1.5–11.2;p= 0.005);in pts on N for nausea (3.5;1.6–7.5; p= 0.001). Conclusion: The occurrence of AE correlates with PFS, but not with mortality. The occurrence of individual AE is associated with a poorer prognosis of pts.

Introduction Nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor, may be associated with increased bleeding risk. Thus, patients with an inherited predisposition to bleeding, or those receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulants or high-dose antiplatelet therapy, have been excluded from clinical trials of nintedanib in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Objective Our objective was to examine real-world bleeding events in patients with IPF treated with antifibrotics, including those receiving anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet therapy. Methods the European MultiPartner IPF Registry (EMPIRE) enrolled 2794 patients with IPF: group A (1828: no anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment), group B (227: anticoagulant treatment), group C (659: antiplatelet treatment), and group D (80: anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment). Overall, 673 (24.1%) received nintedanib and 933 (33.4%) received pirfenidone. Bleeding events and their relationship to antifibrotic and anticoagulation treatment were characterized. Results Group A patients, versus those in groups B, C, and D, were typically younger and generally had the lowest comorbidity rates. A higher proportion of patients in groups A and C, versus group B, received nintedanib. Pirfenidone, most common in group D, was more evenly balanced across groups. in patients with reported bleeding events, seven of eight received nintedanib (groups A, C, and D). Bleeding incidence was 3.0, 0, 1.3, and 18.1 per 10,000 patient-years (groups A, B, C, and D, respectively). Conclusion Real-world data from EMPIRE showed that patients on anticoagulant medications received nintedanib less frequently, perhaps based on its mechanism of action. Overall, bleeding incidence was low (0.29%: nintedanib 0.25%; pirfenidone 0.04%) and irrespective of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy received (P = 0.072)., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (BI)Boehringer Ingelheim; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbHBoehringer Ingelheim, This study was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (BI). Medical writing assistance was provided by Islay Steele, PhD, of Nucleus Global, which was contracted and funded by Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. Boehringer Ingelheim was given the opportunity to review the manuscript for medical and scientific accuracy as well as intellectual property considerations.