Breath Fingerprint of Colorectal Cancer Patients Based on the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

The human body emits a multitude of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via tissues and various bodily fluids or exhaled breath. These compounds collectively create a distinctive chemical profile, which can potentially be employed to identify changes in human metabolism associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and, consequently, facilitate the diagnosis of this disease. The main goal of this study was to investigate and characterize the VOCs' chemical patterns associated with the breath of CRC patients and controls and identify potential expiratory markers of this disease.

The Detection of Colorectal Cancer through Machine Learning-Based Breath Sensor Analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While CRC screening is already part of organized programs in many countries, there remains a need for improved screening tools. In recent years, a potential approach for cancer diagnosis has emerged via the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using sensor technologies.

The Association of Circulating L-Carnitine, γ-Butyrobetaine and Trimethylamine N-Oxide Levels with Gastric Cancer.

Our study aimed to evaluate the association between gastric cancer (GC) and higher concentrations of the metabolites L-carnitine, γ-butyrobetaine (GBB) and gut microbiota-mediated trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the circulation. There is evidence suggesting that higher levels of TMAO and its precursors in blood can be indicative of either a higher risk of malignancy or indeed its presence; however, GC has not been studied in this regard until now. Our study included 83 controls without high-risk stomach lesions and 105 GC cases.

Randomised clinical trial: comparison of efficacy and adverse effects of a standard triple clarithromycin-containing regimen with high-dose amoxicillin and bismuth therapy in Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: The clarithromycin-based triple therapy is the most prescribed Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen in Europe; it causes adverse effects in a significant proportion of subjects, leading to discontinuation. Alternative therapies are required because of increasing clarithromycin resistance or to decrease the adverse effects.

Aims: We compared the efficacy and spectrum of adverse effects of clarithromycin-based triple therapy with the high-dose amoxicillin/bismuth regimen.

Breath Sensor Technology for the Use in Mechanical Lung Ventilation Equipment for Monitoring Critically Ill Patients.

Background: The need for mechanical lung ventilation is common in critically ill patients, either with COVID-19 infection or due to other causes. Monitoring of patients being ventilated is essential for timely and improved management. We here propose the use of a novel breath volatile organic compound sensor technology to be used in a mechanical lung ventilation machine for this purpose; the technology was evaluated in critically ill COVID-19 patients on mechanical lung ventilation.

The activity of selective sigma-1 receptor ligands in seizure models in vivo.

Sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) is a ligand-regulated protein which, since its discovery, has been widely studied as a novel target to treat neurological disorders, including seizures. However, the roles and mechanisms of Sig1R in the regulation of seizures are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to test and compare effects of often used selective Sig1R ligands in models of experimentally induced seizures.

Selective inhibition of OCTN2 is more effective than inhibition of gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase to decrease the availability of l-carnitine and to reduce myocardial infarct size.

l-Carnitine is a cofactor in the energy metabolism pathways where it drives the uptake and oxidation of long chain fatty acids (LCFA) by mitochondria. LCFA lipotoxicity causes mitochondrial damage and results in an insufficient energy supply and a decrease in l-carnitine content limits LCFA flux and protects mitochondria. Here, we tested whether the inhibition of GBB dioxygenase (BBOX) or organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2) is the most effective strategy to decrease l-carnitine content.

Effects of meldonium on sexual performance, sperm motility, testes morphology and blood biochemical markers in boars.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of long term (90-day) administration of meldonium [3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate] (mildronate, quaterin, MET-88) on sexual performance, sperm motility, testes morphology and biochemical blood markers in boars. Boars were treated with 2.0g of meldonium daily for 90 days.

Expression of bioactive bone morphogenetic proteins in the subacromial bursa of patients with chronic degeneration of the rotator cuff.

Degeneration of the rotator cuff is often associated with inflammation of the subacromial bursa and focal mineralization of the supraspinatus tendon. Portions of the supraspinatus tendon distant from the insertion site could transform into fibrous cartilage, causing rotator-cuff tears owing to mechanical instability. Indirect evidence is presented to link this pathology to ectopic production and secretion of bioactive bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) from sites within the subacromial bursa.

Direct influence of mild hypothermia on cytokine expression and release in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Hypothermia is associated with elevated frequency of infectious complications. Dysfunction of the immune response caused by hypothermia has been demonstrated in both clinical and animal studies, but it still remains unclear to what extent immunocompetent cells are directly influenced by hypothermia. To estimate the direct influence of mild hypothermia on cytokine expression and release by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), primary cultures of PBMC were incubated at 34 degrees C or 32 degrees C activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).