Identifying Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Artery Disease (LEAD) in Cardiology Patients: The Role of Ankle-Brachial Index Measurement.

Lower Extremity Artery Disease (LEAD) is a predictor of atherosclerotic plaques in other locations and significantly increases the risk of death from cardiovascular events. This study aimed to identify cardiology patient subpopulations that should undergo Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) measurement. A total of 800 patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology were included.

Synthesis, Anticonvulsant, Antinociceptive Activity and Preliminary Safety Evaluations of Novel Hybrid Imidazolidine-2,4-dione Derivatives with Morpholine Moiety.

This study aimed to design new hybrid compounds with imidazolidin-2,4-dione and morpholine rings as broad spectrum anticonvulsants. To achieve this goal, all compounds were evaluated in animal seizure models, namely the maximal electroshock (MES), the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ), and selected in the 6 Hz (32 mA) tests. The most promising compound, 5-isopropyl-3-(morpholinomethyl)-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (19), demonstrated broader anticonvulsant activity than phenytoin or levetiracetam, with ED50 of 26.

Applicability of AlphaFold2 in the modeling of dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric coiled-coil domains.

Coiled coils are a common protein structural motif involved in cellular functions ranging from mediating protein-protein interactions to facilitating processes such as signal transduction or regulation of gene expression. They are formed by two or more alpha helices that wind around a central axis to form a buried hydrophobic core. Various forms of coiled-coil bundles have been reported, each characterized by the number, orientation, and degree of winding of the constituent helices.

Polyelectrolytes Are Effective Cryoprotectants for Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been widely recognized as a heterogeneous group of membrane-coated submicrometer particles released by different types of cells, including stem cells (SCs). Due to their ability to harbor and transfer bioactive cargo into the recipient cells, EVs have been reported as important paracrine factors involved in the regulation of a variety of biological processes. Growing data demonstrate that EVs may serve as potential next-generation cell-free therapeutic factors.

The impact of genetic polymorphism on course and severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 is severe respiratory and systemic disease with complex pathogenesis and many clinical symptoms, including symptoms from respiratory system, immunology system, cardio-vascular system, haematopoietic system and neurological system. Severe character of the disease is associated with occurrence of respiratory failure, septic shock, multiple organ dysfunctions syndrome, which can lead to patients death due to cardiac arrest. Knowledge about interactions between the virus and human proteins as well as knowledge of immunological mechanisms against infection is a key to identifying the area of virus activity and severity factors of COVID-19.

Definitive Evidence for the Identification and Function of Renin-Expressing Cholinergic Neurons in the Nucleus Ambiguus.

Background: The importance of the brain renin-angiotensin system in cardiovascular function is well accepted. However, not knowing the precise source of renin in the brain has been a limitation toward a complete understanding of how the brain renin-angiotensin system operates.

Methods: Highly sensitive in situ hybridization techniques and conditional knockout mice were used to address the location and function of renin in the brainstem.

Inhibition of naproxen crystallization by polymers: The role of topology and chain length of polyvinylpyrrolidone macromolecules.

This paper presents an innovative approach that utilizes self-synthesized homopolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different architectures as effective matrices for inhibiting the crystallization of naproxen (NAP). We have thoroughly investigated amorphous solid dispersions containing NAP and (i) self-synthesized linear PVP, (ii) self-synthesized three-armed star-shaped PVP, and (iii) self-synthesized linear PVP with a mass (M) corresponding to the length of one arm of the star polymer, as well as (iv) commercial linear PVP K30 as a reference. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies, as well as molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to gain comprehensive insights into the thermal and structural properties, as well as intermolecular interactions in the NAP-PVP systems.

Discovery of New 3-(Benzo[]Thiophen-2-yl)Pyrrolidine-2,5-Dione Derivatives as Potent Antiseizure and Antinociceptive Agents-In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

: To address the unmet clinical needs in the treatment of epilepsy and pain, the continued development of more effective and safer anticonvulsants and analgesics is still necessary. Therefore, herein we report synthesis and antiseizure/antinociceptive evaluation of a focused series of 3-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives. : The anticonvulsant properties were investigated in acute models of seizures, namely the maximal electroshock (MES), the 6 Hz (32 mA), and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure models, whereas analgesic activity was tested in the model of a tonic pain/formalin test and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain (in CD-1-mice, i.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

Enhancement of Glutamate Uptake as Novel Antiseizure Approach: Preclinical Proof of Concept.

Objective: Excitotoxicity is a common hallmark of epilepsy and other neurological diseases associated with elevated extracellular glutamate levels. Thus, here, we studied the protective effects of (R)-AS-1, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of glutamate uptake in epilepsy models.

Methods: (R)-AS-1 was evaluated in a range of acute and chronic seizure models, while its adverse effect profile was assessed in a panel of standard tests in rodents.

The impact of prediabetes on preclinical atherosclerosis in general apparently healthy population: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The hypothesis that not only diagnosed diabetes (DM), but also milder dysglycemia may affect the development of atherosclerosis still requires further study. In our population-based study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of prediabetic state on preclinical atherosclerosis and whether it may affect the cardiovascular risk (CVR) in the general population.

Methods: The analysis was a part of the Bialystok PLUS cohort study and represented a random sample of Bialystok (Poland) residents aged 20-79 years at the time of sampling (July 2017-January 2023).

Light-Controlled Anticancer Activity and Cellular Uptake of a Photoswitchable Cisplatin Analogue.

A photoactive analogue of cisplatin was synthesized with two arylazopyrazole ligands, able to undergo -/- photoisomerizations. The photoisomer showed a dark half-life of 9 days. The cytotoxicities of both photoisomers of the complex were determined in several cancer and normal cell lines and compared to that of cisplatin.

Development of Novel Alaninamide Derivatives with Anticonvulsant Activity and Favorable Safety Profiles in Animal Models.

In our current study, we developed a focused series of original ((benzyloxy)benzyl)propanamide derivatives that demonstrated potent activity across in vivo mouse seizure models, specifically, maximal electroshock (MES) and 6 Hz (32 mA) seizures. Among these derivatives, compound emerged as a lead molecule, exhibiting robust protection following intraperitoneal (i.p.

How to teach students of medical and biological sciences electrophoresis in the spirit of physical chemistry - a laboratory exercise scenario.

Gel electrophoresis is one of the most important and most widely used tools in biomedical sciences. However, when students are acquainted with these techniques, information related to practical applications often neglects the physicochemical foundations of the occurring phenomena. The following article proposes a laboratory exercises scenario conducted in the problem-solving and decision-making strategies, which aims to familiarize beginner students with the physicochemical basis of electrophoresis in a simple and accessible way.

The relationship between brain structure volumes, depressive symptoms and body composition in obese/overweight and normal-/underweight women.

Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent and heterogeneous in women. Different brain structures might be associated with depressive symptoms and body composition in women with obesity/overweight and normal-/underweight, although the data is limited. The analysis included 265 women from Bialystok PLUS population study, untreated with antidepressive or antipsychotic medications.

Right-ventricle heart failure in PAH vs. HFrEF with secondary PH: Hemodynamic, ergospirometric, and organ function correlations.

Purpose: The goal of the study was to identify markers of organ function used in daily routines that could potentially aid in the overall evaluation of the cardiovascular system in patients with right-ventricle heart failure due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and left-ventricle heart failure. We analyzed correlations between parameters from right heart catheterization (RHC), cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and selected laboratory parameters of thyroid, liver, kidneys function and iron homeostasis.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis included 107 patients (mean age 57.

Expression Patterns of MOTS-c in Adrenal Tumors: Results from a Preliminary Study.

Adrenal tumors, such as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), adrenocortical adenoma (ACA), and pheochromocytoma (PCC) are complex diseases with unclear causes and treatments. Mitochondria and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are crucial for cancer cell survival. The primary aim of this study was to analyze samples from different adrenal diseases, adrenocortical carcinoma, adrenocortical adenoma, and pheochromocytoma, and compare them with normal adrenal tissue to determine whether the expression levels of the mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c (MOTS-c) gene and protein vary between different types of adrenal tumors compared to healthy controls using qPCR, ELISA, and IHC methods.

Discovery and Profiling of New Multimodal Phenylglycinamide Derivatives as Potent Antiseizure and Antinociceptive Drug Candidates.

We developed a focused series of original phenyl-glycinamide derivatives which showed potent activity across mouse seizure models, namely, maximal electroshock (MES) and 6 Hz (using both 32 and 44 mA current intensities) seizure models. Following intraperitoneal (.) administration, compound , which was identified as a lead molecule, demonstrated potent protection against all seizure models with ED values of 73.

Cardiovascular risk and preclinical atherosclerosis are associated with white matter hyperintensities in apparently healthy adults: the population-based cross-sectional BIALYSTOK PLUS study.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensities, present in patients and asymptomatic individuals, have been previously shown to be associated with atherosclerosis risk factors, such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and diabetes.

Objectives: Our aim was to examine the associations between the volume of white matter hyperintensities and cardiovascular risk factors in the general, apparently healthy population.

Patients And Methods: The analysis includes 735 participants (aged 20 to 79 years) without neurological or severe cardiac diseases.

Value of APACHE II, SOFA and CardShock scoring as predictive tools for cardiogenic shock: A single-centre pilot study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the value of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and CardShock scoring systems in predicting the risk of in-hospital, 30 day and 3 year mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS).

Methods: This was a single-centre observational study conducted between May 2016 and December 2017. Data from consecutive patients with CS admitted to the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) were included in the analysis.

Cardiovascular risk and the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based and case‒control studies.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with increases in morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 may cause cardiovascular (CV) complications are under investigation. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CV risk.