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Atiđa Selmani,1 Nives Matijaković Mlinarić,2 Salvatore Fabio Falsone,1 Ivan Vidaković,3 Gerd Leitinger,4 Ida Delač,5 Borna Radatović,5 Ivan Nemet,6 Sanda Rončević,6 Andreas Bernkop-Schnürch,7 Tomislav Vuletić,5 Karin Kornmueller,3 Eva Roblegg,1 Ruth Prassl3 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria; 2Laboratory for Precipitation Processes, Division of Material Chemistry, Institute Ruđer Bošković, Zagreb, Croatia; 3Division of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria; 4Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria; 5Center for Advanced Laser Techniques, Institute of Physics, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia; 6Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia; 7Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, AustriaCorrespondence: Ruth Prassl, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, MC2.H.3.31, Graz, 8010, Austria, Tel +43 (0) 316 385-71695, Email ruth.prassl@medunigraz.atBackground: Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient for maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have demonstrated improved bioavailability compared to both inorganic and organic forms of Se. Therefore, supplementing with elemental Se in its nano-form is highly promising for biomedical applications related to Se deficiency.Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the main gastrointestinal proteins on the physicochemical properties and stability of polymer-coated SeNPs.Methods: SeNPs functionalized with thiolated chitosan or hyaluronic acid were characterized based on their composition, morphology, size, and zeta potential. The stability of these particles was evaluated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Additionally, the interaction propensity between major gastric proteins, such as pepsin and pancreatin, and functionalized SeNPs was investigated with FTIR, fluorescence quenching titrations, and in situ adsorption measurements.Results: The composition of the media, including pH and ionic strength, the chemistry of polymers, and the presence of the proteins, influence the size and zeta potential of the SeNPs. The increase in NP size due to the formation of large agglomerates, along with the decrease in zeta potential magnitude, confirmed the formation of a protein corona. Both pepsin and pancreatin showed a strong affinity to the particle surface. Based on the values of the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant this affinity was more pronounced for positively charged thiolated chitosan coated SeNPs compared to those coated with negatively charged hyaluronic acid. The polymer coated SeNPs displayed antioxidative potential, which could be very beneficial for health conditions associated with Se-deficiency.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of exploring the characteristics of polymer-functionalized SeNPs under gastrointestinal conditions. Such investigations are important for developing nutritional supplements that can gradually release Se from SeNPs, thereby improving selenium absorption, bioavailability, and safety. Keywords: nanoparticles, thiolated chitosan, hyaluronic acid, gastrointestinal proteins, bio-nano interface, protein corona

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This research focuses on testing of abrasion resistance of boron- and vanadium-based coatings. Coating of samples with vanadium was completed by classic and duplex procedure with previous carburization. The samples were abraded by applying the ASTM G65-94 method of „dry sand/rubber wheel". The greatest wear was recorded on boron- based coating, and the least wear was exhibited by the vanadium-based coating with previous carburization. The dominant form of „zero" abrasion was determined by analyzing the sample wear traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the subjective experience of patients and their parents or relatives about the existing pectus excavatum deformity and to contribute to the definition of indications for surgical treatment of this deformity., Methods: The initial sample of psychosocial characteristics consisted of self-assessments and observations of patients (and parents) regarding their health, self-image, health care, possible environmental response to their physical appearance, expectations regarding treatment. A modified version of the original Nuss questionnaire on quality of life was used in the psychological part of the examination., Results: The study included a sample of 58 patients aged 10 to 30 years, and a sample of 58 family members of the patient (parents, relatives). The experience of poor emotional status, withdrawals, and bad self-image in patients older than 15 years than younger were significant. The tendency for female patients to have a worse experience is pronounced and significant. The largest percentage of parents have an 'indecisive' or 'weakly expressed' attitude towards surgery. Parents at a significantly higher rate show greater concern for female children., Conclusion: A systematic evaluation of the psychosocial perception of patients and their relatives (who will consent for the operation) may be a useful diagnostic assessment before correcting an anterior chest wall malformation., (© 2023 The Authors. ANZ Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate clinical results before and after vertebroplasty in the treatment of myeloma-induced vertebral fractures. Success of the surgery was defined by increased or reduced pain intensity before and after the treatment, as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). The study was designed as a retrospective-prospective study. The study included 26 patients, 14 women and 12 men. Data on patients treated for myeloma-induced vertebral fractures were collected at the Department of Orthopedics, Osijek University Hospital Centre. The following data were analyzed: gender, duration of illness, intensity of pain before and after treatment (using VAS), radiological changes before and after treatment, grade of vertebral fracture, and extracorporeal cement leakage from the vertebral body to the surrounding tissue during the procedure. Difference in pain intensity before and after the surgery was statistically significant. All patients complained of pain before the surgery (pain intensity median 8), whereas after the surgery, pain intensity decreased in all patients (pain intensity median 2). In conclusion, improvement in clinical results of the treatment of myeloma-induced vertebral fractures with vertebroplasty proved to be significant.