Feasibility and Challenges of Pyeloureteral Magnetic Anastomosis Device in Domestic Pigs: A Stepwise Approach with Extended Observation.

Objective:  The pyeloureteral anastomosis remains the most challenging part of pyeloplasty. A purpose-built anastomotic device could simplify this step and potentially improve outcomes. The concept of a pyeloureteral magnetic anastomosis device (PUMA) was proven in minipigs, but only in short term.

The Effect of a Secondary Stressor on the Morphology and Membrane Structure of an Already Challenged Maternal and Foetal Red Blood Cell Population.

The red blood cell (RBC) membrane is unique and crucial for maintaining structural-functional relationships. Maternal smoking induces significant changes in the morphological, rheological, and functional parameters of both maternal and foetal RBCs, mainly due to the continuous generation of the free radicals. The major aim of this study was to follow the consequences of a secondary stressor, like fungal infection, on the already compromised RBC populations.

Intestinal Region-Dependent Impact of NFκB-Nrf Crosstalk in Myenteric Neurons and Adjacent Muscle Cells in Type 1 Diabetic Rats.

Background/objectives: Type 1 diabetes affects cytokines as potential inducers of NFκB signalling involved in inflammation and neuronal survival. Our goal was to assess the expression of NFκB p65 and its negative regulator, Nrf2, in myenteric neurons and adjacent smooth muscle of different gut segments after chronic hyperglycaemia and immediate insulin treatment.

Methods: After ten weeks of hyperglycaemia, intestinal samples of control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rats were prepared for fluorescent immunohistochemistry, immunogold electron microscopy, ELISA and qPCR.

Validation of a novel, low-fidelity virtual reality simulator and an artificial intelligence assessment approach for peg transfer laparoscopic training.

Simulators are widely used in medical education, but objective and automatic assessment is not feasible with low-fidelity simulators, which can be solved with artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. The effectiveness of a custom-made VR simulator and an AI-based evaluator of a laparoscopic peg transfer exercise was investigated. Sixty medical students were involved in a single-blinded randomised controlled study to compare the VR simulator with the traditional box trainer.

The Role of miR-137 in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect an increasing part of the population of modern societies, burdening healthcare systems and causing immense suffering at the personal level. The pathogenesis of several of these disorders involves dysregulation of gene expression, which depends on several molecular processes ranging from transcription to protein stability. microRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that modulate gene expression by suppressing the translation of partially complementary mRNAs.

Adherence to the CLOSE Protocol and Low Baseline Generator Impedance Are Independent Predictors of Durable Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is predominantly attributed to pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR). Predictors of AF recurrence have been widely studied; however, data are scarce on procedural parameters that predict chronic PVR. We aimed to study PVR rates and predictors of PVR.

Deep Learning-Derived Myocardial Strain.

Background: Echocardiographic strain measurements require extensive operator experience and have significant intervendor variability. Creating an automated, open-source, vendor-agnostic method to retrospectively measure global longitudinal strain (GLS) from standard echocardiography B-mode images would greatly improve post hoc research applications and may streamline patient analyses.

Objectives: This study was seeking to develop an automated deep learning strain (DLS) analysis pipeline and validate its performance across multiple applications and populations.

[What is adult ADHD after all?].

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset mental disorder, demonstrates genetical effects, and is characterized by attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD was previously only considered a childhood disorder, longitudinal studies over the past decades have proven that in a significant number of cases, the symptoms of the disorder can also be detected in adulthood, and therefore affects 2-4% of the adult population. In Hungary, adult ADHD programs started about 20 years ago and has been able to provide help to many adults living with ADHD.

Long-Term Durability of High- and Very High-Power Short-Duration PVI by Invasive Remapping: The HPSD Remap Study.

Background: High-power short-duration ablation has shown impressive efficacy and safety for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI); however, initial efficacy results with very high power short-duration ablation were discouraging. This study compared the long-term durability of PVI performed with a 90- versus 50-W power setting.

Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to undergo PVI with the QDOT catheter using a power setting of 90 or 50 W.

One-Day Interruption of NOAC Is Associated with Low Risk of Periprocedural Adverse Events during Pulmonary Vein Isolation If Combined with Left Atrial Thrombus Exclusion with Computed Tomography.

Background: Safety, efficacy, and patient comfort are the expectations during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We aimed to validate the combined advantages of pre- and periprocedural anticoagulation with non-vitamin K anticoagulants (NOACs) and rigorous left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) exclusion with computed tomography (CT).

Methods: This study included a population of consecutive patients, between March 2018 and June 2020, who underwent cardiac CT within 24 h before PVI to guide the ablation and rule out LAAT.

Cheap and clean dry balloon training model for laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

Simulation-based training (SBT) has a significant role in training in complex procedure like laparoscopic pyeloplasty. We propose a new training model for laparoscopic pyeloplasty which has been compared to other models. Trainees (n = 22) evaluated our balloon model (BM) and three other models -glove finger model (GFM), chicken thigh model (ChTM) and chicken crop model (ChCrM)- subjectively, based on a 5-point Likert scale.

There is more than just longitudinal strain: Prognostic significance of biventricular circumferential mechanics.

Introduction: Despite the significant contribution of circumferential shortening to the global ventricular function, data are scarce concerning its prognostic value on long-term mortality. Accordingly, our study aimed to assess both left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to determine their prognostic importance.

Methods: Three hundred fifty-seven patients with a wide variety of left-sided cardiac diseases were retrospectively identified (64 ± 15 years, 70% males) who underwent clinically indicated 3DE.

Thermodynamic Sensitivity of Blood Plasma Components in Patients Afflicted with Skin, Breast and Pancreatic Forms of Cancer.

According to the World Health Organization's 2018 Global Cancer Survey, cancer is the second leading cause of death. From this survey, the third most common is breast cancer, the fifth is melanoma malignum and pancreatic adenocarcinoma ranks twentieth. Undoubtedly, the early diagnosis and monitoring of these tumors and related research is important for aspects of patient care.

Paradoxical alteration of indocyanine green concentration in bile and the visibility of the intra-operative fluorescence cholangiography in pigs.

Background: A significant difference exists between the reported optimal timing of indocyanine green (ICG) injection during fluorescence cholangiography and ICG dissipation time from the serum. There are no reports on alterations in ICG concentration in biliary fluid over time. Herein, we measured the concentration of ICG and the fluorescence intensity ratio between the common bile duct (CBD) and liver, which was recognized as a parameter of the visibility of the CBD.

Long-term prognostic value of left atrial longitudinal strain in an elderly community-based cohort.

Despite the well-known importance of left atrial (LA) mechanics in diastolic function, data are scarce regarding the prognostic power of LA longitudinal strain and its potential added value in the risk stratification of an elderly population. Accordingly, our aim was to determine the long-term prognostic importance of 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) in a community-based screening sample. Three hundred and fourteen volunteers were retrospectively identified from a population-based screening program (mean age 62 ± 11 years; 58% female) with a median follow-up of 9.

Effectiveness and Treatment Compliance of Salmeterol-Fluticasone Easyhaler Among Patients with Asthma, COPD, or Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome: Real-World Study Findings.

Introduction: For inhalation therapies to be effective, it is crucial that patients manage inhaler use correctly in their everyday life and achieve treatment compliance. We investigated the effectiveness of the salmeterol-fluticasone propionate Easyhaler (SF EH) device-metered dry powder inhaler in a real-world setting in Hungary among adult patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACO).

Methods: A prospective, open-label, multicenter, noninterventional, investigator-sponsored study was conducted in outpatient pneumonology centers.

Esophageal Magnetic Anastomosis Device (EMAD) to Simplify and Improve Outcome of Thoracoscopic Repair for Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A Proof of Concept Study.

Background: We designed a new Esophageal Magnetic Anastomosis Device (EMAD) for thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) without the need of handheld suturing or additional gastrostomy.

Methods: Synthetic EA-TEF model: Spherical and tubular shaped rubber balloons and a term infant sized plastic doll were used. Medical students (n = 10) and surgical trainees (n = 10) were asked to perform thoracoscopic repair of an "EA" with a hand sutured anastomosis (HA) and with the EMAD.

An Implantable Magneto-Responsive Poly(aspartamide) Based Electrospun Scaffold for Hyperthermia Treatment.

When exposed to an alternating magnetic field, superparamagnetic nanoparticles can elicit the required hyperthermic effect while also being excellent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Their main drawback is that they diffuse out of the area of interest in one or two days, thus preventing a continuous application during the typical several-cycle multi-week treatment. To solve this issue, our aim was to synthesise an implantable, biodegradable membrane infused with magnetite that enabled long-term treatment while having adequate MRI contrast and hyperthermic capabilities.

The Effect of Dry Hopping Efficiency on β-Myrcene Dissolution into Beer.

The production of heavily hopped beers, such as Indian Pale Ale (IPA) styles, has been gaining momentum in recent years in the Central European markets. To this end, the dry hopping process is becoming increasingly popular, mostly in microbreweries, but also with larger manufacturers. In our research, we investigated the dissolution rate of the main volatile component of hops, β-myrcene with a modified dry hopping method.

[Peritoneum, the multifunctional membrane].

Introduction: Not only atraumatic surgical technique, precise bleeding control, removal foreign materials from the abdomen, but also avoiding desiccation or mechanical damage of peritoneal surface at abdominal surgery mean today evidence based expectation. Peritoneum with its extensive surface and special histological structure represents an important factor in normal physiological processes, furthermore as “Guard of abdomen” it has an important role to localise inflammatory reactions, useful as dialysing surface and provides also possibility for hyperthermic abdominal chemotherapy in tumour treatment. Largest part of peritoneal sac covers small intestine and colon.