The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids-enriched hen eggs consumption on IgG and total plasma protein N-glycosylation in healthy individuals and cardiovascular patients.

This study determined the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs)-enriched hen eggs consumption on immunoglobulin G (IgG) and total plasma protein N-glycan profiles and inflammatory biomarkers level in healthy individuals (N = 33) and cardiovascular (CV) patients (N = 21). Subjects were divided to Control-Healthy and Control-CV subgroups [consumed three regular hens' eggs/daily (249 mg n-3 PUFAs/day)], and n-3 PUFAs-Healthy and n-3 PUFAs-CV subgroups [consumed three n-3 PUFAs-enriched hen eggs/daily (1053 mg n-3 PUFAs/day)] for 3 weeks. Serum-free fatty acids profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6 and 10 (IL-6, IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured. Total plasma protein and IgG N-glycome have been profiled before and after dietary protocols. Serum n-3 PUFAs concentration significantly increased following n-3 PUFAs hen eggs consumption in both n-3 PUFAs-Healthy and n-3 PUFAs-CV. IL-10 significantly increased in both Healthy subgroups, whereas no change occurred in CV subgroups. Derived IgG N-glycan traits: bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (B) significantly decreased in n-3 PUFAs-Healthy, whereas agalactosylation (G0) and core fucosylation (CF) significantly increased in Control-Healthy. Derived total plasma protein N-glycan traits: high branching glycans, trigalactosylation, tetragalactosylation, trisialylation, tetrasialylation and antennary fucosylation significantly decreased, whereas G0, monogalactosylation (G1), neutral glycans (S0), B, CF and oligomannose structures significantly increased in n-3 PUFAs-CV. Digalactosylation significantly decreased, and G0, G1, S0, disialylation, B and CF significantly increased in Control-CV. n-3 PUFAs consumption alters IgG N-glycan traits and IL-10 in healthy individuals, and total plasma protein N-glycan traits in CV patients, by shifting them toward less inflammatory N-glycosylation profile.

Optic neuritis as a presenting feature of Behçet's disease: case-based review.

Behçet's disease (BD) is vasculitis affecting vessels of variable sizes characterized with recurrent oral and/or genital aphthous ulcers accompanied by cutaneous, ocular, articular, gastrointestinal, and/or central nervous system inflammatory lesions. The disease is characterized by recurrent attacks and remissions of different durations, which is one of the reasons why the diagnosis is, in most cases, made several years after the onset of first symptoms. We present a 24-year old male, with South Eastern European heritage, with relapsing bilateral optic neuritis as a first symptom of the disease, followed by aseptic meningitis 2 years, and vascular manifestation 3 years after onset, which finally led to the diagnosis of Behçet's disease. Vascular symptoms were thromboembolism of the right leg and aneurism of the right popliteal artery that due to the size required surgical treatment. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids, azathioprine and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy, that proved to be the best treatment options for all manifestations of the disease. Based on our literature review, optic neuritis is a known and rare clinical feature of BD. To our knowledge, there are only several literature reports in which optic neuritis is the initial symptom of BD. Our case report and literature review emphasize the importance of recognizing optic neuritis without inflammatory eye disease as a possible presenting symptom of BD and accentuate detailed medical history review at each patient's visit.

The Role of Perceived Social Support in Assessing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life in Veterans.

This study aims to establish the effect of self-perceived social support on the intensity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life (MHRQoL) in veterans more than two decades after exposure to trauma in the Homeland War in Croatia, which took place from 1990 to 1995. The sample comprised 259 Croatian Homeland War veterans diagnosed with PTSD, with at least 6 months of combat experience. Among them, 90 subjects had also experienced imprisonment in enemy prison camps (at least 1 month of captivity). The subjects were evaluated using the questionnaire on self-perceived social support, sociodemographic questionnaire, PTSD self-report checklist (PCL-5) and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey questionnaire. A general regression model analysis was performed to determine whether social support affected patients' MHRQoL and intensity of the PTSD symptoms. The obtained results showed that veterans who had a more positive perception of social support after the events of the war had less intense PTSD symptoms and better MHRQoL. Furthermore, captivity and socioeconomic status were shown to be important predictors of PTSD and MHRQoL. The nonimprisoned veteran group was more likely to develop more severe PTSD symptoms and have poorer MHRQoL compared to the group of former prisoners of war (ex-POWs). This could be due to better post-war care and social support, which ex-POWs received after their release from captivity.

Palliative and End-of-Life Care Conversations with Older People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Croatia-A Pilot Study.

Despite the progressive nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), its association of high morbidity and mortality with severe COPD, and the view that discussions between patients and clinicians about palliative care plans should be grounded in patients' preferences, many older patients do not receive timely end-of-life care (EOLC) discussions with healthcare professionals (HPs), potentially risking inadequate care at the advanced stages of the disease. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate EOLC discussions and resuscitation issues as a representative and illustrative part within EOLC in older patients with COPD in the University Hospital Center Osijek, Slavonia (Eastern Region), Croatia, as such data have not yet been explored. The study was designed as cross-sectional research. Two groups of participants, namely, patients at least 65 years old with COPD and healthcare professionals, were interviewed anonymously. In total, 83 participants (22 HPs and 61 patients with COPD) were included in the study. According to the results, 77% of patients reported that they had not had EOLC discussions with HPs, 64% expressed the opinion that they would like such conversations, and the best timing for such discussion would be during frequent hospital admissions. Furthermore, 77% of HPs thought that EOLC communication is important, but only 14% actually discussed such issues with their patients because most of them felt uncomfortable starting such a topic. The majority of older patients with COPD did not discuss advanced care planning with their HPs, even though the majority of them would like to have such a discussion. EOLC between HPs and older patients with COPD should be encouraged in line with patients' wishes, with the aim to improve their quality of care by anticipating patients' likely future needs in a timely manner and thereby providing proactive support in accordance with patients' preferences.

Oxidative Stress in Ischemic Heart Disease.

One of the novel interesting topics in the study of cardiovascular disease is the role of the oxidation system, since inflammation and oxidative stress are known to lead to cardiovascular diseases, their progression and complications. During decades of research, many complex interactions between agents of oxidative stress, oxidation, and antioxidant systems have been elucidated, and numerous important pathophysiological links to na number of disorders and diseases have been established. This review article will present the most relevant knowledge linking oxidative stress to vascular dysfunction and disease. The review will focus on the role of oxidative stress in endotheleial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and other pathogenetic processes and mechanisms that contribute to the development of ischemic heart disease.