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Objectives: The goal of this study was to analyze the quality of abstracts of RCTs regarding melatonin and sleep disorders. Materials and methods: This study assessed the reporting quality of abstracts on PubMed for melatonin and sleep RCTs. A search yielded 232 abstracts, with 13 exclusions. The CONSORT for abstracts checklist was used to assess various aspects including study design, methods, results and conclusions. Data was analyzed using MedCalc software. Results: Of the 232 abstracts initially found, 13 were excluded, leaving 219 abstracts for analysis. The median CONSORT score was 7, with a range of 6-9. Abstracts from higher ranked journals had higher scores. Significant differences in reporting were found between abstracts with significant and non-significant results. The most common components found in the abstracts were the objective, intervention and outcome, demonstrating their inherent importance. Conversely, aspects such as funding, type of randomization and trial registration were under-reported, suggesting opportunities for improvement. Conclusion: The review of abstracts from a PubMed search on melatonin and sleep revealed moderate reporting quality according to CONSORT. Notably, abstracts published in the top quartile had the highest CONSORT scores, while those in journals not indexed in the Web of Science (without quartile) had comparatively lower scores, highlighting the influence of journal prestige on reporting standards., Cilj istraživanja: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je analizirati kvalitetu sažetaka RCT-ova koji se odnose na melatonin i poremećaje spavanja. Materijal i metode: Ova studija procijenila je kvalitetu izvješćivanja sažetaka na PubMedu za melatonin i RCT-ove spavanja. Pretraživanje je dalo 232 sažetka, s 13 isključenja. Kontrolni popis CONSORT za sažetke korišten je za procjenu različitih aspekata uključujući dizajn studije, metode, rezultate i zaključke. Podaci su analizirani pomoću softvera MedCalc. Rezultati: Od ukupno pronađenih 232 sažetka, isključeno je 13, ostavljajući 219 sažetaka za analizu. Medijan CONSORT bodova bio je 7, s rasponom od 6 do 9. Sažetci iz časopisa višeg ranga imali su više bodova. Utvrđene su značajne razlike u izvještavanju između sažetaka s značajnim i nesignifikantnim rezultatima. Najčešći elementi u sažecima bili su cilj, intervencija i ishod, što ukazuje na njihovu inherentnu važnost. Nasuprot tome, aspekti poput financiranja, vrste randomizacije i registracije ispitivanja bili su nedovoljno prikazani, što ukazuje na mogućnosti za poboljšanje. Zaključak: Pregled sažetaka dobivenih pretragom na PubMedu o melatoninu i spavanju otkrio je umjereni kvaliteta izvještavanja prema CONSORT-u. Posebno se ističe da su sažetci objavljeni u prvom kvartilu imali najviše CONSORT bodova, dok su oni u časopisima koji nisu indeksirani u Web of Science-u (bez kvartila) imali relativno niže bodove, što naglašava utjecaj ugleda časopisa na standarde izvještavanja.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of randomized controlled trial abstracts on topical vitamin C. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials focused on local vitamin C. The quality of abstracts was assessed using the CONSORT checklist, which consists of 17 items. Results: During the observation period, there was no significant increase in the number of studies on the topical use of vitamin C products over the years. The proportion of articles in each year was 5.5%. The total CONSORT score ranged from 0 to 13 out of a possible 17 points, with a median score of 7 and an interquartile range of 5-9. The least frequently reported items were information on funding sources (2.8%) and randomization criteria (4.6%). There were significant differences between structured and unstructured abstracts in the reporting of several CONSORT items. Structured abstracts were more likely to include the term "RCT" in the title (67.9% vs. 32.1%, P=0.012). The last item for which a significant difference was observed was trial registration, with structured abstracts more likely to report the trial registration number and the name of the trial registry (100.0% vs 0%, P=0.032). Conclusion: Analysis of abstracts on the use of topical vitamin C indicates that the quality of abstracts in this area is generally low. The CONSORT checklist has proven to be a valuable tool for improving the readability, transparency, and reliability of articles. As more journals adopt CONSORT as their publication standard, it is desirable that it be used in the field of cosmetology., Naslov: Kvaliteta sažetaka randomiziranih kontroliranih ispitivanja topikalnog vitamina C. Ciljevi: Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio procijeniti kvalitetu sažetaka randomiziranih kontroliranih ispitivanja pokusa koji su ispitivali učinak topikalno korištenog vitamina C. Metode: Proveli smo presječnu analizu randomiziranih kontroliranih ispitivanja koja su se usredotočila na lokalni vitamin C. Kvaliteta sažetaka procijenjena je CONSORT kontrolnom listom koja se sastoji od 17 stavki. Rezultati: U promatranom periodu nije uočeno značajno povećanja broja istraživanja o lokalnoj uporabi proizvoda s vitaminom C tijekom godina. Udio članaka u svakoj godini bio je 5,5%. Ukupni rezultat CONSORT-a kretao se od 0 do 13 od 17 mogućih bodova, s medijanom rezultata od 7 i interkvartilnim rasponom od 5-9. Najrjeđe prijavljene stavke bile su informacije o izvorima financiranja (2,8%) i kriterijima randomizacije (4,6%). Postojale su značajne razlike između strukturiranih i nestrukturiranih sažetaka u izvješćivanju nekoliko CONSORT stavki. Strukturirani sažeci češće uključuju izraz "RCT" u naslovu (67,9% u odnosu na 32,1%, P=0,012). Posljednja stavka u kojoj je uočena značajna razlika bila je registracija ispitivanja, sa strukturiranim sažecima koji pokazuju jasniji registracijski broj i naziv registra ispitivanja u usporedbi s nestrukturiranim sažetcima (100,0% naspram 0%, P=0,032). Zaključak: Analiza sažetaka o korištenju lokalnog vitamina C pokazuje da je kvaliteta sažetaka u ovom području općenito niska. Kontrolni popis CONSORT pokazao se kao vrijedan alat za poboljšanje čitljivosti, transparentnosti i pouzdanosti članaka. Kako sve više časopisa usvaja CONSORT kao svoj standard objavljivanja, poželjno je da se koristi i u području kozmetologije.

Ciljevi: Primarni cilj provedenog istraživanja bio je utvrditi učestalost primjene i vrstu kortikosteroidne terapije COVID-19 bolesnika hospitaliziranih u KBC-u Split. Sekundarni cilj bio je pokazati korelaciju primjene kortikosteroidne terapije s komorbiditetima, odabranim laboratorijskim nalazima i smrtnim ishodom. Ispitanici i postupci: Retrospektivno istraživanje dio je multicentrične studije i provedeno je na kohorti od 282 bolesnika hospitaliziranih na Klinici za infektologiju u Splitu tijekom studenog i prosinca 2020. godine. Za svakog ispitanika pretraživano je 244 stavki iz otpusnih pisama, a u analizu su uključene varijable: dob i spol ispitanika, broj dana provedenih u bolničkom liječenju, podatci o prethodnom pobolijevanju, primijenjena kortikosteroidna terapija, dijagnosticirana pneumonija, vrijednost saturacije periferne krvi kisikom, vrijednosti sistoličkog i dijastoličkog arterijskog tlaka te laboratorijski nalazi: koncentracija ureje, kreatinina, ukupnog bilirubina, D-dimera te udjeli neutrofila i limfocita. Rezultati: Podatci o primjeni kortikosteroidne terapije odnose se na sve ispitanike uključene u istraživanje. Većina je ispitanika bila liječena kortikosteroidima (N = 214 (80%)). Pneumonija je dijagnosticirana u većine ispitanika kojima je primijenjena kortikosteroidna terapija. Saturacija periferne krvi kisikom bila je značajno niža kod ispitanika koji su primali kortikosteroidnu terapiju te je bila jednoliko raspodijeljena među spolovima. Kortikosteroid izbora bio je deksametazon, primijenjen u 169 (60%) bolesnika. Drugi najčešće primijenjeni kortikosteroid bio je metilprednizolon, primijenjen u 53 (19%) bolesnika. Samo jedan bolesnik liječio se hidrokortizonom (0,4%). Višestruku kortikosteroidnu terapiju primalo je 9 bolesnika. Koncentracija ureje, kreatinina, ukupnog bilirubina te D-dimera nije se razlikovala među bolesnicima obzirom na primjenu kortikosteroidne terapije. Bolesnici na kortikosteroidnoj terapiji nisu imali više komorbiditeta u odnosu na bolesnike bez terapije. Zaključci: Bolesnici na kortikosteroidnoj terapiji češće su imali više simptoma COVID-19 bolesti pri prijemu u bolnicu, češće su bolovali od pneumonije i imali hipoksemiju. Omjer neutrofila i limfocita bio je niži u ovih bolesnika. Unatoč tome što je arterijska hipertenzija bila učestali komorbiditet, arterijski tlak nije se razlikovao među bolesnicima koji uzimaju ili ne uzimaju kortikosteroidnu terapiju. Primjena kortikosteroidne terapije nije bila povezana s komorbiditetima niti sa smrtnim ishodom. Objectives: The primary objective of the research was to determine the frequency of use and type of corticosteroid therapy for COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the University Hospital Center Split. The secondary objective was to determine the correlation of corticosteroid therapy with comorbidities, selected laboratory findings, and death. Subjects and procedures: This retrospective study is part of a multicenter study and was conducted on a cohort of 282 patients hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Split during November and December 2020. For each subject, 244 items from the discharge letters were searched, and the variables included in the analysis were age and sex of the patient, number of days receiving treatment in the hospital, data on previous illness, receipt of corticosteroid therapy, diagnosed pneumonia. Additionally, measurements of peripheral blood oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, and laboratory findings, including the concentration of urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, D-dimer, and proportions of neutrophils and lymphocytes were assessed. Results: Data on the use of corticosteroid therapy refer to all subjects included in the study. Most subjects were treated with corticosteroids (N = 214 [80%]). Pneumonia was diagnosed in the majority of subjects who received corticosteroid therapy. Peripheral blood oxygen saturation was significantly lower in subjects receiving corticosteroid therapy and was equally distributed between the sexes. The corticosteroid of choice was dexamethasone used by 169 (60%) patients. The second most frequently used corticosteroid was methylprednisolone used by 53 (19%) patients. Only one patient was treated with hydrocortisone (0.4%). 9 patients received multiple corticosteroid therapy. The concentration of urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, and D-dimer did not differ between patients regarding their use of corticosteroid therapy. Patients on corticosteroid therapy did not have more comorbidities compared to patients without therapy. Conclusions: Patients on corticosteroid therapy more often had more symptoms of COVID-19 when admitted to the hospital, more often suffered from pneumonia, and had hypoxemia. The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes was lower in these patients. Although arterial hypertension was a frequent comorbidity, the arterial pressure did not differ between patients taking and not taking corticosteroid therapy. The use of corticosteroid therapy was not associated with comorbidities or death.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the available RCTs and systematic reviews regarding the efficacy and safety of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract and to examine if we could find enough evidence for this. Materials and methods: The Cochrane systematic review “Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract” was used as a base and according to its inclusion criteria we tried to find RCTs and systematic reviews published after it, yielding additional proof of the safety and efficacy of antioxidant vitamin supplementation regarding age-related cataracts. We searched PubMed, CENTRAL and DARE. After the search, we made a quality assessment of the systematic review using RAMSTAR. Results: The Cochrane systematic review involved nine trials, with 117,272 participants overall and an age range of ≥ 35 years. The trial follow-up ranged from 2.1 to 12 years and the trials were conducted in Italy, Finland, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and the United States. The antioxidant vitamins were dosed above the recommended daily allowance. No evidence was found supporting that antioxidant vitamin supplementation could reduce the risk of progression of cataract, cataract development, cataract extraction or that it could slow the loss of visual acuity. No evidence of effect of supplementation of beta-carotene in reducing the risk of cataract could be found in the pooled analysis (RR 0.99, 95%, CI 0.91-1.08; number of participants: 57,703) nor could be evidence found for a reduction of the risk of cataract extraction (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.91-1.10; number of participants: 86,836). For the supplementation with vitamin E no risk reduction in cataract incidence could be found in the pooled analysis either (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91-1.04; number of participants: 50,059) or of cataract extraction (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91 - 1.05; number of participants: 83,956). 7.4 - 15.8% of patients on beta-carotene developed hypercarotenodermia (yellowing of skin). Only one additional RCT was found involving 11,267 exclusively male participants from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with an age range of 50 years and older. Only part of this RCT was of interest for us, the part concerning supplementation with vitamin E. It lasted 5.6 years. Conclusion: Not enough evidence could be found to prove the safety and efficacy of supplementation with antioxidant vitamins for the slowing and the prevention of age-related cataract. Further research among non-well-nourished populations or well-nourished populations but regarding antioxidant blood levels rather than supplementation could be conducted in the future., Ciljevi: Cilj ove studije bio je procijeniti dostupne RCT-ove i sustavne preglede koji se odnose na učinkovitost i sigurnost suplementacije vitamina antioksidansa u prevenciji i usporavanju napredovanja katarakte povezane sa starenjem te ispitati možemo li pronaći dovoljno dokaza za to. Materijali i metode: Cochraneov sustavni pregled „Dopuna antioksidativnim vitaminima za prevenciju i usporavanje napredovanja katarakte povezane sa starenjem” korišten je kao osnova i prema njegovim kriterijima za uključivanje pokušali smo pronaći RCT-ove i sustavne preglede objavljene nakon Cochranovom sustavnom pregledu, koji su dali dodatne dokaze o sigurnost i učinkovitosti antioksidativnih vitaminskih suplementacija u pogledu katarakte povezane sa starenjem. Pretražili smo PubMed, CENTRAL i DARE. Nakon pretrage napravili smo procjenu kvalitete sistematskog pregleda pomoću R-AMSTAR-a. Rezultati: Cochrane sustavni pregled uključivao je devet ispitivanja s ukupno 117 272 osobe u dobi od 35 godina i više. Praćenje ispitivanja kretalo se od 2,1 do 12 godina, a ispitivanja su provedena u Australiji, Finskoj, Indiji, Italiji, Ujedinjenom Kraljevstvu i Sjedinjenim Državama. Doze antioksidativnih vitamina premašile su preporučenu dnevnu dozu. Nije bilo dokaza o učinku dodataka vitamina antioksidansa u smanjenju rizika od katarakte, ekstrakcije katarakte, progresije katarakte ili usporavanja gubitka vidne oštrine. U zbirnim analizama nije bilo dokaza o učinku suplementacije beta-karotena u smanjenju rizika od katarakte (dva ispitivanja) (relativni rizik 0,99, 95% interval pouzdanosti 0,91-1,08; broj ispitanika 57 703) ili u smanjenju rizika od ekstrakcije katarakte (tri ispitivanja). Udio sudionika koji su razvili hiperkarotenodermiju (žutilo kože) dok su uzimali beta-karoten kretao se od 7,4% do 15,8%. Pronađen je samo jedan dodatni RCT koji je uključivao 11.267 isključivo muških sudionika iz Sjedinjenih Država, Kanade i Portorika, s dobnim rasponom od 50 godina i više. Zanimao nas je samo dio ovog RCT-a, dio koji se odnosi na suplementaciju vitaminom E. Trajao je 5,6 godina. Zaključak: Ne može se pronaći dovoljno dokaza za sigurnost i učinkovitost antioksidativnih vitaminskih suplemenata za prevenciju i usporavanje katarakte povezane sa starenjem. U budućnosti bi se mogla provesti daljnja istraživanja među neuhranjenim ili dobro uhranjenim stanovništvom, ali u vezi s razinama antioksidansa u krvi, a ne suplementaciji.

Biološki učinci bijelih, a napose maceriranih bijelih vina jantarne boje i bogatog polifenolnog sadržaja, rijetko su istraživani. Stoga smo u ovom istraživanju ispitali i usporedili učinke standardnog i maceriranog bijelog vina na prirast tjelesne mase štakora te njihovu antioksidacijsku i vazodilatacijsku aktivnost in vitro. Prirast tjelesne mase ispitivan je u mlađih, brzo-rastućih, i starijih štakora koji su dosegli plato svoje težine. Štakori obje dobne skupine koji konzumiraju vino unose manje hrane i imaju manji prirast tjelesne mase u odnosu na štakore koji konzumiraju samo vodu. Ukupni je energetski unos najmanji u štakora koji konzumiraju macerirano vino. U usporedbi s intaktnim, macerirano je vino bolji antioksidans, što je potvrđeno primjenom više metoda utemeljenih na različitim mehanizmima, i bolji izravni vazodilatator noradrenalinom prekontrahiranih aortnih prstenova štakora. Međutim, macerirana vina, proizvedena bez konzervansa, podložna su oksidaciji. Stoga smo dodatno istražili utjecaj oksidacije povezane s izlaganjem maceriranog vina zraku do 48h na njegov kemijski sastav i in vitro biološke učinke. Unatoč 'smeđenju', kemijski sastav oksidiranih vina nije se značajno promijenio u odnosu na intaktno, a antioksidacijski i maksimalni vazodilatacijski učinci ostali su očuvani. Međutim, pri najnižim koncentracijama, kod ograničene raspoloživosti vazoaktivnih fenola, oksidirana macerirana vina ostvarila su, razmjerno duljini izloženosti zraku, slabiju vazodilataciju., Biological effects of white, and particularly amber-colored macerated white wines rich in polyphenolic content, are rarely investigated. Therefore, in this study, we examined and compared the effects of standard and macerated white wine on rats weight gain and their in vitro antioxidative and vasodilating activity. Body weight gain was studied in younger, fastgrowing, and older rats that almost reached their weight plateau. In both age categories, winedrinking animals consumed less food and gained less weight in comparison to water-only drinking controls. Total energy intake was the lowest in macerated wine-drinking rats. In comparison to standard, macerated wine was better antioxidant, as confirmed by several methods based on different mechanisms, and more effective direct vasodilator of noradrenaline-precontracted rat aortic rings. However, macerated wine produced without preservatives is highly susceptible to oxidation. Therefore, we additionally investigated the effects of oxidation associated with its exposure to air for up to 48h on its chemical composition and in vitro biological activities. Despite 'browning', chemical composition of oxidized wines did not change significantly in comparison to intact, and their antioxidant and maximal vasodilatory effects remained preserved. However, at low concentrations, when availability of vasoactive phenols was limited, vasodilatory potency increasingly weakened with exposure to air.