Publications by authors named "Karas R"

Background: For many years, teaching of anatomy has been based on traditional forms of teaching, but innovative solutions are currently being implemented on a large scale around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning have influenced the development of new technologies in teaching.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted among medical students who studied anatomy in the year preceding the analysis when the restrictions related to the pandemic had been lifted.

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Background: The radial nerve (RN) is a peripheral nerve that originates from the posterior bundle of the brachial plexus and carries C5-Th1 fibers. In the cubital fossa radial nerve divides into a superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) and a deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN). Next DBRN enters under the arcade of Frohse (AF) and changes its name to posterior interosseous nerve of antebrachii (PIN).

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Kazimierz Funk, born on February 23, 1884, in Warsaw, demonstrated an early inclination toward the field of human physiology. He charted his scientific trajectory within esteemed European scientific institutions, commencing at the age of 16 in Geneva, where he pursued studies in natural sciences. Subsequently, he continued his academic endeavors in Bern, culminating in the attainment of his doctorate in 1904.

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Background: The basis of teaching anatomy is the understanding of the body's structures using human cadavers. Body donation should be a fully conscious and voluntary act. There is a growing demand for human cadavers in medical universities.

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Diabetic wound healing is sluggish, often ending in amputations. This study tested a novel, two-punch therapy in mice-Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-to boost healing. First, a mouse model of diabetes was created.

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Sarcoidosis is a disease characterised primarily by lung tissue involvement. Extrapulmonary involvement, particularly in the genitourinary tract, is extremely rare, particularly when it comes to primary disease detection in this location. The gold standard in establishing a definitive diagnosis of sarcoidosis is a combination of the clinical picture, the results of imaging methods, and histopathological examination from the biopsy taken (thus ruling out other causes of granulomatous inflammation).

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Article Synopsis
  • The STEMI-DTU pilot study investigated the safety and practicality of using a trans-valvular pump for left ventricular (LV) unloading before reperfusion in patients with acute STEMI.
  • A total of 50 patients with anterior STEMI were enrolled, but only 32 completed the study after excluding those who didn't meet criteria; cardiac imaging was used to assess infarct size and microvascular obstruction.
  • Results showed that LV unloading did significantly reduce infarct size relative to the area at risk, particularly when performed within 180 minutes of symptom onset, but did not show a significant difference in microvascular obstruction between the two patient groups.
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Over the past thousands of years, diabetes has deprived people all over the world of their lives. Until 1922, mankind remained powerless. However, change came, with Frederick Banting (1891-1941), the discoverer of insulin.

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Laser eye protection (LEP) devices may alter how colors are perceived in visual displays. This study investigates changes in color perception experienced by color-normal observers while wearing LEPs. Color perception with and without LEPs was measured using clinical color tests: City University Color Assessment and Diagnosis, Konan Medical ColorDx CCT-HD, and Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue.

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Background: Reducing congestion remains a primary target of therapy for acutely decompensated heart failure. The VENUS-HF EFS (VENUS-Heart Failure Early Feasibility Study) is the first clinical trial testing intermittent occlusion of the superior vena cava with the preCARDIA system, a catheter mounted balloon and pump console, to improve decongestion in acutely decompensated heart failure.

Methods: In a multicenter, prospective, single-arm exploratory safety and feasibility trial, 30 patients with acutely decompensated heart failure were assigned to preCARDIA therapy for 12 or 24 hours.

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  • Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), like sildenafil, can improve heart failure by activating a protein called cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), but their effect on mitochondrial functions isn't fully understood.
  • In experiments with mice lacking PGC1α, a key mitochondrial regulator, sildenafil treatment still improved heart function and mitochondrial performance despite PGC1α's absence.
  • The study found that PKG helps induce PGC1α in heart cells, indicating that the PKG-PGC1α pathway is crucial for the benefits of PDE5i in treating heart failure.
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  • cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1α (PKG1α) supports heart function in response to pressure overload, but its activation often leads to hypotension, which limits its therapeutic use in heart failure.* -
  • The study found that mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) interacts with PKG1α and is crucial for maintaining left ventricle (LV) function without affecting blood pressure (BP), even in conditions of heart failure.* -
  • Results indicate that enhancing MLK3 activity could help improve heart function in heart failure patients while preventing the drop in blood pressure typically associated with PKG1α activation.*
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  • - New research reveals that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) heightens inflammation and MMP-9 activity in the kidney, underscoring a need for better understanding of this response.
  • - A study involving swine showed that using Impella support before heart reperfusion decreased MMP-9 levels and reduced kidney damage compared to ischemia-reperfusion or VA-ECMO methods.
  • - Impella support not only lessened heart injury but also mitigated harmful kidney signaling pathways, suggesting it may offer protective benefits during cardiac events like AMI.
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Background: Augmentation of NP (natriuretic peptide) receptor and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling has emerged as a therapeutic strategy in heart failure (HF). cGMP-specific PDE9 (phosphodiesterase 9) inhibition increases cGMP signaling and attenuates stress-induced hypertrophic heart disease in preclinical studies. A novel cGMP-specific PDE9 inhibitor, CRD-733, is currently being advanced in human clinical studies.

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Background: Myocardial damage due to acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a significant global health problem. New approaches to limit myocardial infarct size and reduce progression to heart failure after STEMI are needed. Mechanically reducing left ventricular (LV) workload (LV unloading) before coronary reperfusion is emerging as a potential approach to reduce infarct size.

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The endogenous presence of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) complicates the interpretation of results in cases where an exogenous dosing is suspected. Due to GHB's rapid metabolism and clearance following exogenous doses, hair has become a preferential matrix for confirmation of GHB exposure in drug-facilitated crimes. However, unlike blood and urine where an agreed-upon cut-off concentration for differentiation between endogenous and exogenous GHB has been made, there has been no consensus on a cut-off concentration for hair.

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While earlier studies have attempted to resolve the challenges encountered when interpreting gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) concentrations in hair (primarily due to its endogenous presence), few have had large sample sizes. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-individual variation of endogenous GHB concentrations. The second objective, to be detailed in another report, was to assess intra-individual variation and the impact on exogenous GHB discrimination.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study used genetically engineered mice to investigate how non-nuclear signaling from estrogen receptor-α protects the heart during pressure overload by activating a specific protein kinase G pathway.
  • The findings revealed that this estrogen signaling is crucial for the effectiveness of certain heart medications (like phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors) but not others (like soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators).
  • The results point to the importance of developing targeted heart failure treatments for women, especially post-menopause, given the differences in therapeutic effects observed.
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The variation in drug concentrations in human head hair from 22 donors was measured using a synthetic hair matrix (SMx™ hair). This matrix is being reported for the first time as a calibrator for an endogenous substance. In comparison to authentic hair or melanin, the synthetic hair provided a reliable batch-to-batch source of liquid matrix similar in composition to authentic hair, but without detectable concentrations of endogenous gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).

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  • * IVC occlusion decreased left ventricular pressures, volumes, cardiac output, and mean arterial pressure, while SVC occlusion mainly reduced left ventricular diastolic pressure and volumes without impacting cardiac output.
  • * The preCARDIA system, a new technology for SVC occlusion, showed promise in achieving stable cardiac function while reducing filling pressures, and will be further evaluated in the upcoming VENUS-HF trial.
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  • Acutely decompensated heart failure can cause serious health issues due to fluid overload affecting the heart and kidneys; the study aimed to see if temporarily blocking the superior vena cava (SVC) could help.* -
  • In a trial with eight patients suffering from systolic heart failure, temporarily occluding the SVC successfully lowered heart filling pressures without negatively impacting blood pressure or cardiac output.* -
  • The initial results showed that SVC occlusion was safe and well-tolerated, paving the way for further research to explore its potential as a treatment for acute heart failure.*
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There is abundant evidence that low circulating testosterone levels in older men are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes; however, the direction of causality is unclear. Although there is burgeoning interest in the potential of androgen therapy in older men, the effect of androgens on cardiovascular regeneration in aging males remains poorly defined. We investigated the role of androgens in age-related impairment in ischemia-induced neovascularization.

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Article Synopsis
  • The DTU-STEMI pilot trial explored the safety and feasibility of left ventricle (LV) unloading before reperfusion in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  • In the study, 50 patients were randomly assigned to either immediate reperfusion after LV unloading (U-IR) or delayed reperfusion after 30 minutes of unloading (U-DR).
  • Results showed no significant differences in major adverse events or infarct size between the two groups, indicating that LV unloading before reperfusion is a safe approach for STEMI treatment.
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Myocardial hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for heart failure (HF), yet the mechanisms underlying pathological cardiomyocyte growth are incompletely understood. The c-Jun NH-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade modulates cardiac hypertrophic remodeling, but the upstream factors regulating myocardial JNK activity remain unclear. In this study, we sought to identify JNK-activating molecules as novel regulators of cardiac remodeling in HF.

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Background: Acute heart failure refractory to medical therapy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The Aortix device (Procyrion Inc) is a percutaneously delivered entrainment pump positioned in the descending aorta.

Methods And Results: Using the newest generation Aortix device in 8 adult male Yorkshire swine, we tested the hypothesis that positioning in the abdominal aorta may provide superior hemodynamic effects than thoracic positioning in a swine model of postinfarct left ventricular injury.

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