Development of FluoAHRL: A Novel Synthetic Fluorescent Compound That Activates AHR and Potentiates Anti-Inflammatory T Regulatory Cells.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) ligands, upon binding, induce distinct gene expression profiles orchestrated by the AHR, leading to a spectrum of pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we designed, synthesized and evaluated three indole-containing potential AHR ligands (FluoAHRL: AGT-4, AGT-5 and AGT-6). All synthesized compounds were shown to emit fluorescence in the near-infrared. Their AHR agonist activity was first predicted using in silico docking studies, and then confirmed using AHR luciferase reporter cell lines. FluoAHRLs were tested in vitro using mouse peritoneal macrophages and T lymphocytes to assess their immunomodulatory properties. We then focused on AGT-5, as it illustrated the predominant anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, AGT-5 demonstrated the ability to foster anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg) while suppressing pro-inflammatory T helper (Th)17 cells in vitro. AGT-5 actively induced Treg differentiation from naïve CD4+ cells, and promoted Treg proliferation, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) expression and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. The increase in IL-10 correlated with an upregulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) expression. Importantly, the Treg-inducing effect of AGT-5 was also observed in human tonsil cells in vitro. AGT-5 showed no toxicity when applied to zebrafish embryos and was therefore considered safe for animal studies. Following oral administration to C57BL/6 mice, AGT-5 significantly upregulated Treg while downregulating pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Due to its fluorescent properties, AGT-5 could be visualized both in vitro (during uptake by macrophages) and ex vivo (within the lamina propria of the small intestine). These findings make AGT-5 a promising candidate for further exploration in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Sinonasal Hamartoma and Chronic Laryngeal Edema Causing Severe Dyspnea.

Background: Sinonasal hamartomas, according to the 5th edition of the World Health Organisation classification of head and neck tumours are divided into respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH), seromucinous hamartoma and chondromesenchymal hamartoma. Seromucinous hamartoma are benign proliferations of small eosinophilic glands surrounded by fibrous stroma and cuboidal cells. Hamartomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare entities, clinically presenting as sinonasal polyposis. Case Presentation: A 79- year-old female patient was referred to our emergency room due to severe dyspnea. Anterior rhinoscopy revealed unilateral greyish polypoid mass obstructing the middle, inferior and common nasal meatus. Systemic corticosteroids and oxygen therapy were administered under observation. Computerized tomographic imaging of the paranasal sinuses with contrast on all three planes showed an opacified polypoid mass in all meatus and the maxillary, anterior ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinus posteriorly extending to the choanae. On the coronal plane a widening of the olfactory clefts about 12 mm was described. FESS visualized that the polypoid mass originated from the posterior septum and extended to all meatus anteriorly and to the choanae posteriorly. The polypoid lesion was endoscopically completely excised. Histopathological analysis revealed a seromucinous hamartoma. Conclusion: Seromucinous hamartoma are rare benign tumors of the sinonasal region with potential of malignant alteration. Unfortunately, they share symptoms and clinical appearance with other benign conditions of the sinonasal region. Therefore, it is even more important to consider them as a differential diagnose.

Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix Analysis of Nuclear Textural Patterns in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Focus on Artificial Intelligence Methods.

Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) analyses are two contemporary computational methods that can identify discrete changes in cell and tissue textural features. Previous research has indicated that these methods may be applicable in the pathology for identification and classification of various types of cancers. In this study, we present findings that squamous epithelial cells in laryngeal carcinoma, which appear morphologically intact during conventional pathohistological evaluation, have distinct nuclear GLCM and DWT features. The average values of nuclear GLCM indicators of these cells, such as angular second moment, inverse difference moment, and textural contrast, substantially differ when compared to those in noncancerous tissue. In this work, we also propose machine learning models based on random forests and support vector machine that can be successfully trained to separate the cells using GLCM and DWT quantifiers as input data. We show that, based on a limited cell sample, these models have relatively good classification accuracy and discriminatory power, which makes them suitable candidates for future development of AI-based sensors potentially applicable in laryngeal carcinoma diagnostic protocols.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome with Pharyngolaryngeal Involvement Mimicking Acute Stroke: A Case Report.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a clinical manifestation of the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion after acute infection. It is commonly associated with an acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis, auricular vesicular eruption and acute sensorineural hearing loss. However, in some rare cases the involvement of other cranial nerves, especially the glossopharyngeal and vagal is described. We present a 56-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with acute pharyngitis. Two days later, the patient developed dysarthria, hoarseness, and left side facial weakness. Considering a patient's history of cardiovascular events, the acute stroke was suspected. Magnetic resonance imaging ruled out an acute cerebrovascular accident. The patient's otalgia aggravated and he reported hearing loss. Clinical examination revealed facial paralysis affecting the left side of the face, erythematous rash on the left auricle, multiple vesicles present on patient's left tympanic membrane, ulcerous lesion on the left side of the soft palate and ipsilateral velopharyngeal palsy. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed ulcerous lesions in the left side of the epiglottis and left vocal cord paralysis. The patient was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome with cranial polyneuropathy. Oral acyclovir and oral prednisolone were administered. Seven months after discharge, facial paralysis improved to lower grade and flexible laryngoscopy showed that the left vocal cord had resumed normal movement. Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be accompanied by involvement of other cranial nerves. Previous history of hypertensive crises and myocardial infarction may influence a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, especially when it has atypical presentation. However, this diagnosis should be considered in patients with unilateral multiple cranial nerve palsies.

Emergency Tracheostomy Due to a Myasthenic Crisis in a Post-COVID Patient: Report of a Case.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder caused by the production of antibodies that block either acetylcholine receptors or structural receptors of the neuromuscular junction. There is expanding evidence that novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) disease can lead to the development of an autoimmune response. Myasthenic crisis, a life-threatening respiratory muscle weakness severe enough to necessitate intubation or tracheostomy, can be a potential complication of myasthenia gravis. In this report, we describe the case of a 57-year-old man with acute respiratory insufficiency requiring emergency tracheostomy. His health condition rapidly deteriorated 1 week after initiating systemic corticosteroid treatment for a suspected adult-onset asthma exacerbation. The patient had a history of COVID-19 infection and thymectomy, which were noted in his medical records. Serological testing and electrodiagnostic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The patient was treated with plasma exchange, continuous neostigmine infusion, and prednisone. He was successfully decannulated and discharged with anticholinesterase inhibitors and long-term immunosuppression therapy. It is important to consider neurological disorders in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with respiratory insufficiency, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Late diagnosis of a submandibular gland carcinoma in Covid-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created exceptional challenges for patients and medical care systems. Among many factors influencing postponed cancer diagnosis, mask-wearing created difficulties in initial diagnosis of head and neck tumours. This report features a patient who had been covering a submandibular tumour under a surgical mask for more than 6 months. He visited his general practitioner due to a significant weight loss, but he neither took his mask off, nor was he asked to do so. When he reported to our emergency room, we noticed a massive ulcerous mass in the right submandibular region. Histological examination confirmed primary squamocellular carcinoma of submandibular salivary gland. During the Covid-19 pandemic, significant clinical observations may be missed if a surgical mask or respirator are not removed during examination with the potential for increased incidence of medical malpractice claims.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Caffeine Determination.

The determination of target analytes at very low concentrations is important for various fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, environmental protection, and the food industry. Caffeine, as a natural alkaloid, is widely consumed in various beverages and medicines. Apart from the beneficial effects for which it is used, caffeine also has negative effects, and for these reasons it is very important to determine its concentration in different mediums. Among numerous analytical techniques, electrochemical methods with appropriate sensors occupy a special place since they are efficient, fast, and entail relatively easy preparation and measurements. Electrochemical sensors based on carbon materials are very common in this type of research because they are cost-effective, have a wide potential range, and possess relative electrochemical inertness and electrocatalytic activity in various redox reactions. Additionally, these types of sensors could be modified to improve their analytical performances. The data available in the literature on the development and modification of electrochemical sensors for the determination of caffeine are summarized and discussed in this review.

Mental Health and Quality of Life among Dental Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Students are particularly vulnerable from the mental health aspect, which was especially recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to reveal the impact of COVID-19 on quality of life (QoL) and mental health among dental students. The study was conducted on a sample of 797 students (207 male and 592 female) with an average age of 21.7 ± 2.4, from the School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. The measurements used in the study were the Demographic and Academic Questionnaire, Questionnaire about exposure to COVID-19, COVID-19-Impact on QoL Questionnaire (COV19-QoL), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The mean total score for COV19-QoL was 2.9 ± 0.9, while the diagnostic criteria of GAD-7 and depression met 19.9% and 31.4% of students, respectively. There was a positive and strong correlation between QoL, anxiety, and depression. During COVID-19, predictors for lower perceptions of QoL were female gender and death of close relatives (p = 0.049, p = 0.005, respectively). At the same time, predictors for GAD were female gender, living in dormitories, and death of close relatives (p = 0.019, p = 0.011, p = 0.028, respectively), while for depression they were year of study, living with parents, and death of close relatives due to COVID-19 (p = 0.012, p = 0.008, p = 0.029, respectively). The study showed that students' QoL and mental health during the pandemic were at high risk.

Chemometric Approach to the Composition of Flavonoid Compounds and Phenolic Acids and Antioxidant Potential of Artemisia Species from Different Habitats.

Four Artemisia species from Serbia were selected for the study: A. annua L., A. absinthium L., A. vulgaris L. and A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. because of the proven excellent action in treating certain medical conditions and diseases. A. absinthium L., A. vulgaris L., A. annua L. and A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. collected from different habitats across Serbia (48 samples in total) were studied from the statistical aspect considering the phenolic and flavonoid contents, compositions, and antioxidant activities of methanol extracts in correlation with the soil type. The components were identified using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), while antioxidant activities were determined by seven assays (TP (Total phenolic content), TF (Total flavonoid content), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-based, ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical cation-based, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), TRP (Total Reducing Power), and CUPRAC (Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity). The results were processed using five statistical methods (PCA (Principal Component Analysis), ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance), DA (Discriminant analysis), and AHC (Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering)). Principal component analysis enabled very well separation of the analyzed Artemisia species based on the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and the values obtained from antioxidant tests, but not on the individual compounds identified and quantified by HPLC. The MANOVA analyses showed that for A. scoparia and A. annua there was a significant effect of soil type on the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant tests. In contrast, for A. vulgaris and A. absinthium, that effect was not significant. Additional MANOVA analyses showed a significant effect of soil type on phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the case of A. vulgaris, A. annua, and A. absinthium. The overall correct classification rate of all samples of four investigated Artemisia species by the discriminant analysis was 81.25 % using the training sample and 72.92 % the cross-validation results based on TP, TF, and antioxidant tests, but a much lower based on selected compounds identified and quantified by HPLC. MANOVA analyses based on particular Artemisia species show that soil is a significant factor affecting the measurable variables.

Polymicrobial Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Pseudomonas fluorescens in a Patient With Tetralogy of Fallot: A Case Report.

Disseminated gonococcal infections are rare clinical entities and a few progress to endocarditis. Endocarditis caused by Pseudomonasis even more infrequent, with the few reported cases associated with either intravenous drug use, prosthetic heart valves, or pacemakers. We report a case of a 25-year-old male patient with Tetralogy of Fallot presenting with anasarca and diagnosed with endocarditis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Pseudomonas fluorescens. To our knowledge, this is the first case of tissue-proven infective endocarditis due to P. fluorescens with concomitant N. gonorrhoeae bacteremia. Clinical management of polymicrobial endocarditis in young adults includes obtaining a detailed sexual history, using multiple diagnostic methods to confirm endocarditis, and promptly initiating broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in Serbian patients with head and neck cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) inpatients with head and neck cancers (HNCs).Material and Methods: In total, 345 patients with HNCs were interviewed. A self-report questionnaire was administered to collect data about demographic characteristics, health status, smoking, alcohol consumption habits,and HRQoL. It were used the EORTC Instruments - Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30-questions (QLQ-C30),Quality of Life Questionnaire - Head and Neck Module 35-questions (QLQ-H&N 35) and OHIP-14 instrument forHRQoL assessments. Clinical information and treatment data were collected from medical records.Results: Five groups of HRQoL predictors were identified: demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, psychophysical, and clinical/treatment. These HRQoL predictors had a strong (i.e., age, level of social support and socialcontact, level of education, depression, fatigue, presence of gastrostomy, comorbidities, and use of pain medications and supplements), a moderate (i.e., marital status, smoking, sexuality problems, time since diagnosis, presence of tracheostomy, and side effects outcomes of radio and chemotherapy) and a small impact (i.e., employment/financial difficulties, tumor site and stage, and surgical procedure).Conclusions: Study identified nineteen predictors that had significant, moderate and small impact on the HRQoL ofpatients with HNCs. Some of the predictors, like levels of social support and social contact, depression, and comorbidities could be targets for innervations to improve HRQoL. (AU)

Electrochemical determination of L-tryptophan in food samples on graphite electrode prepared from waste batteries.

One of the goals of this research was to develop an electrochemical sensor that had the ability to determine the target analyte and was both cheap and non-toxic. Another goal was to influence the reduction of electronic waste. In accordance with these, a graphite rod from zinc-carbon batteries was used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for the determination of L-tryptophan in Britton-Robinson buffer solution. Two electrochemical methods were used in the experimental research, differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of different parameters, including the pH value of supporting solution, scan rate, as well as the concentration of L-tryptophan on the current response, was studied. The pH value of Britton-Robinson buffer influenced the intensity of L-tryptophan oxidation peak, as well as the peak potential. The intensity of the current response was the highest at pH 4.0, while the peak potential value became lower as the pH increased, indicating that protons also participated in the redox reaction. Based on the obtained data, electrochemical oxidation of L-tryptophan at the graphite electrode was irreversible, two electron/two proton reaction. In addition, it was observed that the oxidation peak increased as the scan rate increased. According to the obtained electrochemical data, it was suggested that the oxidation of L-tryptophan was mixed controlled by adsorption and diffusion. The linear correlation between oxidation peak and L-tryptophan concentration was investigated in the range 5.0-150.0 µM and the obtained values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.73 µM and 5.78 µM, respectively. Also, the prepared electrochemical sensor was successful in determination of target analyte in milk and apple juice samples.

In Silico Study of Superoxide Dismutase Gene Family in Potato and Effects of Elevated Temperature and Salicylic Acid on Gene Expression.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important vegetable crop globally and is very susceptible to high ambient temperatures. Since heat stress causes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), investigations regarding major enzymatic components of the antioxidative system are of the essence. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) represent the first line of defense against ROS but detailed in silico analysis and characterization of the potato SOD gene family have not been performed thus far. We have analyzed eight functional SOD genes, three StCuZnSODs, one StMnSOD, and four StFeSODs, annotated in the updated version of potato genome (Spud DB DM v6.1). The StSOD genes and their respective proteins were analyzed in silico to determine the exon-intron organization, splice variants, cis-regulatory promoter elements, conserved domains, signals for subcellular targeting, 3D-structures, and phylogenetic relations. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed higher induction of StCuZnSODs (the major potato SODs) and StFeSOD3 in thermotolerant cultivar Désirée than in thermosensitive Agria and Kennebec during long-term exposure to elevated temperature. StMnSOD was constitutively expressed, while expression of StFeSODs was cultivar-dependent. The effects of salicylic acid (10-5 M) on StSODs expression were minor. Our results provide the basis for further research on StSODs and their regulation in potato, particularly in response to elevated temperatures.

The Arabinogalactan Protein Family of Centaurium erythraea Rafn.

Centaurium erythraea (centaury) is a medicinal plant with exceptional developmental plasticity in vitro and vigorous, often spontaneous, regeneration via shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, during which arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) play an important role. AGPs are highly glycosylated proteins belonging to the super family of O-glycosylated plant cell surface hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs). HRGPs/AGPs are intrinsically disordered and not well conserved, making their homology-based mining ineffective. We have applied a recently developed pipeline for HRGP/AGP mining, ragp, which is based on machine learning prediction of proline hydroxylation, to identify HRGP sequences in centaury transcriptome and to classify them into motif and amino acid bias (MAAB) classes. AGP sequences with low AG glycomotif representation were also identified. Six members of each of the three AGP subclasses, fasciclin-like AGPs, receptor kinase-like AGPs and AG peptides, were selected for phylogenetic and expression analyses. The expression of these 18 genes was recorded over 48 h following leaf mechanical wounding, as well as in 16 tissue samples representing plants from nature, plants cultivated in vitro, and developmental stages during shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. None of the selected genes were upregulated during both wounding recovery and regeneration. Possible functions of AGPs with the most interesting expression profiles are discussed.

Secondary Somatic Embryogenesis in Centaurium erythraea Rafn.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a developmental process during which plant somatic cells, under suitable conditions, produce embryogenic cells that develop into somatic embryos (se). SE is the most important method for plant propagation in vitro, having both fundamental and applicative significance. SE can be induced from different tissues and organs, but when se are used as explants, the process is recognized as secondary or cyclic SE. We induced secondary SE in Centaurium erythraea by application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU). A medium containing 0.1 mgL-1 2,4-D and 0.25 mgL-1 CPPU was optimal in terms of the number of primary SE explants forming se, the number of well-developed se per explant, and morphological appearance of the obtained se. These concentrations allowed SE to progress through three cycles, whereas at higher concentrations of 0.2 mgL-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mgL-1 CPPU, only two cycles were achieved. Histological analysis revealed that secondary se are formed both directly and indirectly. Secondary SE readily germinated and converted into plantlets. Induction of cyclic SE contributes to the conservation efforts of this endangered medicinal plant and expands the spectrum of in vitro developmental pathways described in centaury-an emerging model in developmental biology.

Molecular Characterization and Expression of Four Aquaporin Genes in Impatiens walleriana During Drought Stress and Recovery.

Aquaporins comprise a large group of transmembrane proteins responsible for water transport, which is crucial for plant survival under stress conditions. Despite the vital role of aquaporins, nothing is known about this protein family in Impatiens walleriana, a commercially important horticultural plant, which is sensitive to drought stress. In the present study, attention is given to the molecular characterization of aquaporins in I. walleriana and their expression during drought stress and recovery. We identified four I. walleriana aquaporins: IwPIP1;4, IwPIP2;2, IwPIP2;7 and IwTIP4;1. All of them had conserved NPA motifs (Asparagine-Proline-Alanine), transmembrane helices (TMh), pore characteristics, stereochemical properties and tetrameric structure of holoprotein. Drought stress and recovery treatment affected the aquaporins expression in I. walleriana leaves, which was up- or downregulated depending on stress intensity. Expression of IwPIP2;7 was the most affected of all analyzed I. walleriana aquaporins. At 15% and 5% soil moisture and recovery from 15% and 5% soil moisture, IwPIP2;7 expression significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Aquaporins IwPIP1;4 and IwTIP4;1 had lower expression in comparison to IwPIP2;7, with moderate expression changes in response to drought and recovery, while IwPIP2;2 expression was of significance only in recovered plants. Insight into the molecular structure of I. walleriana aquaporins expanded knowledge about plant aquaporins, while its expression during drought and recovery contributed to I. walleriana drought tolerance mechanisms and re-acclimation.

Effects of Exogenous Salicylic Acid on Drought Response and Characterization of Dehydrins in Impatiens walleriana.

Impatiens walleriana is a valued ornamental plant sensitive to drought stress. We investigated whether the foliar application of 2mM salicylic acid (SA) can protect potted I. walleriana plants from drought stress. The plants were divided into: watered plants, drought-stressed plants, watered plants treated with SA and drought-stressed plants treated with SA. The number of flowers and flower buds, relative water content (RWC), contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline (Pro) and the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases and peroxidases were recorded at different time points. Three dehydrin sequences were identified in de novo assembled leaf transcriptome: IwDhn1, IwDhn2.1 and IwDhn2.2. Drought stress caused wilting, floral abortion, reduction of RWC and increased MDA-an indicator of lipid peroxidation. In response to drought, Impatiens accumulated Pro and induced chloroplastic Cu/ZnSOD and two peroxidase isoforms. The most remarkable drought response was strong induction of IwDhn2.1 and IwDhn2.2. Rehydration restored RWC, Pro level, Cu/ZnSOD activity and dehydrins expression in drought-stressed plants approximately to the values of watered plants.SA had ameliorating effects on plants exposed to drought, including prevention of wilting, preservation of RWC, increased Pro accumulation, modulation of antioxidative activities and remarkable decrease of lipid peroxidation, but without effects on flowers' preservation.

Optimization and in vivo evaluation of quetiapine-loaded transdermal drug delivery system for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The prevailing studies were carried out to formulate and optimize the quetiapine transdermal matrix patch by the usage of Box-Behnken design for ameliorated bioavailability when contrasted with conventional drug delivery. The Box-Behnken design with three-level and three-factor was utilized to explore the intermingle impact of critical attributes on tensile strength, in vitro drug release, and flux. Optimized formulation was characterized for Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and skin irritation along with stability studies. The inference of the finalized batch (F14) depicted the flux of 51.81 ± 0.32 µg/h/cm2, TS of 6.46 ± 0.56 MPa, and the % drug release after 20 h of 82.98 ± 1.48% with no remarkable variation even after 6 months stability studies. Correlation between predicted and the observed values of the dependent variables was very closer. Optimized quetiapine transdermal patch did not exert any symptoms of skin irritation. The bioavailability of quetiapine was enhanced almost 4.59 times after topical delivery when contrasted with the conventional dosage form. The outputs of the research work divulged that the developed matrix patch of quetiapine for transdermal drug delivery can be a propitious opportunity that affords effective treatment of schizophrenia. Novelty statement The oral route is not suitable for the drugs having extensive first-pass metabolism which leads to reduced bioavailability. For the parenteral route, invasiveness causes the patient noncompliance while sterility contributes to the cost factor. Moreover, the treatment of schizophrenic patients is a challenging task for caregivers and doctors. Hence, the transdermal patch of quetiapine was developed to bypass the biotransformation of drugs and thereby to enhance the bioavailability as well as to provide sustained drug delivery which ultimately reduces the dosage frequency.

Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia.

Background and objectives: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students' knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Nis. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed awareness regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and inquired about the source of information about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: The average cervical cancer knowledge score was 16.35 ± 7.92 (min 0, max 30), with medical professional education, parents' education level, place of residence and relationship status having significant effects on the score. The awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine was low, with only 14.2% of students having heard about both HPV and its vaccine. The most commonly reported sources of information were the media, while the most competent one was organized health education. Conclusions: Health promotion campaigns and educational programs are necessary in order to reduce cervical cancer burden and should be directed particularly towards those who have demonstrated low cervical cancer knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.

Corrosion Behavior of Titanium in Simulated Body Solutions with the Addition of Biomolecules.

Titanium is one of the most used biomaterials for different applications. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of adenine, thymine, and l-histidine as important biomolecules in the human body on the corrosion behavior of titanium in simulated body solutions. Open circuit measurements, potentiodynamic measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, and quantum chemical calculations were employed during the investigation. All electrochemical methods used revealed that the investigated biomolecules provide better corrosion resistance to titanium in artificial body solutions. The increase in corrosion resistance is a result of the formation of a stable protective film on the metal surface. Also, quantum chemical calculations are in compliance with electrochemical test results and indicate that adenine, thymine, and l-histidine may act as corrosion inhibitors in the investigated solutions.