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Genetically modified products (GM) have been sensitive topic in different societies. This paper looks at (GM) from one consumer group’s perspective; specifically, from the Ajara region of Georgia in February 2014. A survey of 603 consumers revealed that these respondents knew very little about genetic engineering but held a negative attitude towards GM products, expected the government to regulate both their import and production, and wanted GM to be identified as such. Even if priced lower than comparable foodstuffs, most consumers would not buy them. An empirical investigation based on analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated that education, income and social class were significant determinants of genetic engineering awareness among consumers, while age had no impact.

Myocardial infarction activates an intense fibro-inflammatory reaction that is essential for cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF). Bioactive peptide galanin plays a critical role in regulating cardiovascular homeostasis; however, its specific functional relevance in post-infarction fibro-inflammatory reprogramming remains obscure. Here, we show that galanin coordinates the fibro-inflammatory trajectory and mitochondrial integrity in post-infarction reperfusion injury. Aberrant deposition of collagen was associated with a marked increase in CD68-positive macrophage infiltration in cardiac tissue in mice subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) for 14 days compared to sham controls. Furthermore, we found that the myocardial expression level of a specific marker of M2 macrophages, CD206, was significantly down-regulated in I/R-challenged mice. In contrast, galanin treatment started during the reperfusion phase blunted the fibro-inflammatory responses and promoted the expression of CD206 in I/R-remodeled hearts. In addition, we found that the anti-apoptotic and anti-hypertrophic effects of galanin were associated with the preservation of mitochondrial integrity and promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis. These findings depict galanin as a key arbitrator of fibro-inflammatory responses to cardiac I/R injury and offer a promising therapeutic trajectory for the treatment of post-infarct cardiovascular complications.

Background: Excessive or inappropriate use of social media has been linked to disruptions in regular work, well-being, mental health, and overall reduction of quality of life. However, a limited number of studies documenting the impact of social media on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are available globally., Aim: This study aimed to explore the perceived social media needs and their impact on the quality of life among the adult population of various selected countries., Methodology: A cross-sectional, quantitative design and analytical study utilized an online survey disseminated from November to December 2021., Results: A total of 6689 respondents from ten countries participated in the study. The largest number of respondents was from Malaysia (23.9%), followed by Bangladesh (15.5%), Georgia (14.8%), and Turkey (12.2%). The prevalence of social media users was over 90% in Austria, Georgia, Myanmar, Nigeria, and the Philippines. The majority of social media users were from the 18-24 age group. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher education level was positively correlated with all four domains of WHOQoL. In addition, the psychological health domain of quality of life was positively associated in all countries. Predictors among Social Media Needs, Affective Needs (β = -0.07), and Social Integrative Needs (β = 0.09) were significantly associated with psychological health., Conclusion: The study illuminates the positive correlation between higher education levels and improved life quality among social media users, highlighting an opportunity for policymakers to craft education-focused initiatives that enhance well-being. The findings call for strategic interventions to safeguard the mental health of the global social media populace, particularly those at educational and health disadvantages., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Hemangiomas, also called infantile hemangiomas (IH) or hemangiomas of infancy are the most frequently seen benign vascular tumors of infancy. Different types of hemangiomas are described in the literature. The current approach is to assess the risk and, if needed, first line treatment is to initiate systemic propranolol., Case Presentation: A 3-month-old Caucasian female patient was brought as an outpatient. The main complaint was an infantile hemangioma in the facial area, which as per the parents' story appeared within a week of birth like a small reddish line and it rapidly grew. Systemic propranolol was proposed as a first-line treatment and the adverse effects were explained. The parents, afraid of the side effects, wanted to explore other possibilities such as topical timolol, however, since it had no effect, propranolol was initiated in the end. Hemangioma was completely reduced in size; however, a skin defect was detected. As per the dermatologist's counsel, topical cream was initiated. The skin defect was reduced but not fully healed. The child is still being monitored periodically., Conclusion: After successful treatment of hemangioma, we identified a skin defect, which was very similar to steroid-induced skin atrophy. However, we cannot attribute this to a single factor. The only thing that can be concluded is that the subject needs a thorough studying, since rate of infantile hemangioma is high, and pediatricians need a clear management strategy of how to approach skin atrophy after successfully treating the hemangioma itself., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

To comprehend the nature, implications, risks and consequences of the events of the COVID-19 crisis, individuals largely relied on various online information sources. The features of online information exchange (e.g., conducted on a massive scale, with an abundance of information and unverified sources) led to various behavioral and psychological responses that are not fully understood. This study therefore investigated the relationship between exposure to online information sources and how individuals sought, forwarded, and provided COVID-19 related information. Anchored in the stimulus-organism-response model, cognitive load theory, and the theory of fear appeal, this study examined the link between the online consumption of COVID-19-related information and psychological and behavioral responses. In the theory development process, we hypothesized the moderating role of levels of fear. The research model included six hypotheses and was empirically verified on self-reported data (N = 425), which was collected in early 2021. The results indicate that continuous exposure to online information sources led to perceived information overload, which further heightened the psychological state of cyberchondria. Moreover, the act of seeking and providing COVID-19 information was significantly predicted by perceived cyberchondria. The results also suggest that higher levels of fear led to increased levels of seeking and providing COVID-19-related information. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are presented, along with promising areas for future research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Apelin and vitamin E have been proposed as signaling molecules, but their synergistic role is unknown. The aim of this work was to develop vitamin E TPGS/Apelin system to test their cardioprotective and metabolic efficacy in vitro and in vivo., Methods: FDA-approved surfactant D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS-1000) and Apelin complex were characterized by physico-chemical methods (CMC determination, dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism). In vitro studies were carried out on H9C2 cardiomyoblasts and isolated murine cardiomyocytes. In vivo studies were performed in isoproterenol- and high-fat diet-induced cardiac remodeling models in mice., Results: We found that vitamin E TPGS/Apelin provide cardioprotective and metabolic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies revealed that vitamin E TPGS/Apelin reduces hypoxia-induced mitochondrial ROS production in cultured cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cardiomyoblasts. In addition, vitamin E TPGS/Apelin confers apoptotic response to hypoxic stress in cells. In a mouse model of isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury, TPGS is not able to affect cardiac remodeling, however combination of vitamin E TPGS and Apelin counteracts myocardial apoptosis, oxidative stress, hypertrophy and fibrosis. Furthermore, combination treatment attenuated obesity-induced cardiometabolic and fibrotic remodeling in mice., Conclusion: Together, our data demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of vitamin E TPGS/Apelin complex to combat cardiovascular and metabolic disorders., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A GC-MS method is described for the characterization of thebaol, a component of opium poppy. The method includes preliminary sample derivatization to TMS, TBDMS, TFA, PFP and HFB substituted products. Fragmentation of resulting derivatives is unique under electron ionization, and proceeds via consecutive loss of two radicals that violate the "even-electron rule". Peaks of [M-2CH 3 ] +. and [M-C 4 H 9 -CH 3 ] +. ions show maximum intensities in the spectra of trimethyl- and tert-butyldimethylsilyl-thebaols. Elimination of perfluoroalkyl and methyl radicals from M +. is characteristic for TFA, PFP and HFB thebaols. The same fragmentation peculiarity is characteristic for derivatives prepared from related natural compounds containing vicinal 2-methoxyphenol moieties. The unique fragmentation of trialkylsilyl and perfluoroacyl derivatives of thebaol can be successfully used for thebaol determination within complex mixtures. This is part 4 from the series "Analytical derivatives in mass spectrometry", parts 1, 2 and 3 see [1-3]., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the study was to study efficiency of diagnosis and surgical treatment of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors. Since 1990 to 2002, 28 patients with neurogenic tumors underwent surgical treatment in National Cancer Center and various clinics of Tbilisi. Age of the patients ranged from 14 to 65 years. The tumors located in the mediastinum in 20 patients, in the chest wall with intrathoracic growth--6 patients, and in the lung--2 patients. Radiology (X-ray, CT), endoscopy and cytology were used for diagnosis. It was demonstrated that CT, CT-guided fine-needle biopsy and videothoracoscopy improve diagnosis of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors. Radical surgery is the method of choice in surgical treatment of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors.