Interconnected Pathways: Exploring Inflammation, Pain, and Cognitive Decline in Osteoarthritis.

The relationship among inflammation, pain, and cognitive decline in osteoarthritis (OA) patients is complex and has not been sufficiently explored; therefore, we undertook this research to evaluate how OA-related inflammation and pain affect cognitive functions, as well as to examine the potential of urinary markers as indicators of these conditions. This study examined fifty OA patients through clinical and cognitive assessments, morphological analyses, urinary biomarkers, and bioinformatics. Morphologically, 24% of patients had moderate to high synovial inflammation, which was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms, pain intensity, and self-reported anxiety.

IgA class-switched CD27-CD21+ B cells in IgA nephropathy.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterised by the production of galactose-deficient IgA1 (GdIgA1) antibodies. As the source of pathogenic antibodies, B cells are central to IgAN pathogenesis, but the B cell activation pathways as well as the potential B cell source of dysregulated IgA-secretion remain unknown.

Methods: We carried out flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood B cells in patients with IgA nephropathy and control subjects with a focus on IgA-expressing B cells to uncover the pathways of B cell activation in IgAN and how these could give rise to pathogenic GdIgA1 antibodies.

The Initial Experience of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension in Latvia.

: Treatment options for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or persistent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) include targeted medical therapy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). BPA is an emerging treatment modality that has been reported to improve functional capacity, pulmonary hemodynamics, and right ventricular function. Reports from expert centers are promising, but more data are needed to make the results more generalizable.

Age-Based Comparative Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Colonoscopy Screening Findings.

: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rapidly emerging among individuals <50 years, termed as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). This study aimed to probe variations in tumorigenic pathology and relevant manifestations (polyp and adenoma incidence) between suspected cases of EOCRC and late-onset CRC (LOCRC; ≥50 years of age). : Between September 2022 and February 2023, colonoscopy-based screening data from 1653 patients were included in this study.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury: Treatment Options.

Soon after haemodialysis was introduced into clinical practice, a high risk of cardiac death was noted in end-stage renal disease. However, only in the last decade has it become clear that any renal injury, acute or chronic, is associated with high overall and cardiovascular lethality. The need for early recognition of kidney damage in cardiovascular pathology to assess risk and develop tactics for patient management contributed to the emergence of the concept of the "cardiorenal syndrome" (CRS).

Baseline Clinical Characteristics and Incidence of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Patients in Latvia, 2019-2020.

: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare and progressive condition; however, the true characteristics of CTEPH are still unknown, as notable regional variations exist in terms of patients' age, baseline hemodynamic data, and management choices. This report aims to investigate the baseline clinical characteristics, incidence, and risk factors associated with CTEPH patients in Latvia from 2019 to 2020. : The data were analyzed from a prospective, nationwide, Latvian pulmonary hypertension registry for incident CTEPH cases.

Vitamin D Intake and Serum Levels in Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

Maternal vitamin D deficiency, which is highly prevalent in pregnant women in Europe, is linked to adverse health effects for both the mother and child. The objective was to assess vitamin D status in pregnant women by evaluating their dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake, serum vitamin D levels, parathyroid hormone levels, and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study, with a total of 735 participants (145 pregnant and 590 up to the seventh day postpartum), took place in Latvia.

Culprit versus Complete Revascularization during the Initial Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Using a Virtual Treatment Planning Tool: Results of a Single-Center Pilot Study.

The revascularization strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with multivessel (MV) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains controversial. Certain gaps in the evidence are related to the optimal timing of non-culprit lesion revascularization and the utility of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) in the management of MV ACS intervention. The major benefits of iFR utilization in MV ACS patients in one-stage complete revascularization are: (1) the possibility to virtually plan the PCI, both the location and the extension of the necessary stenting to achieve the prespecified final hemodynamic result; (2) the opportunity to validate the final hemodynamic result of the PCI, both in culprit artery and all non-culprit arteries and (3) the value of obliviating the uncomfortable, costly, time consuming and sometimes deleterious effects from Adenosine, as there is no requirement for administration.

The Role of an Artificial Intelligence Method of Improving the Diagnosis of Neoplasms by Colonoscopy.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Colonoscopy is the gold standard examination that reduces the morbidity and mortality of CRC. Artificial intelligence (AI) could be useful in reducing the errors of the specialist and in drawing attention to the suspicious area.

The Effect of General Bone Mineral Density on the Quantity and Quality of the Edentulous Mandible: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

Background: Osteoporosis is a disease which is characterized by a decrease in general bone mineral density (BMD), resulting in decreased bone strength and an increased risk of bone fractures. The effect of reduced BMD on the jawbones is still not fully understood. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of BMD on the quality and quantity of the edentulous mandible.

Changes in ionized calcium in ethylene glycol poisoning.

Ethylene glycol is a sweet-tasting toxic alcohol contained in a variety of chemical preparations. In patients poisoned with ethylene glycol, diagnosis is often based upon clinical suspicion and nonspecific tests. Hypocalcemia is often present due to calcium oxalate crystals formed by oxalic acid metabolite complexation.

Assessment of Iodine and Selenium Nutritional Status in Women of Reproductive Age in Latvia.

Adequate dietary intake of iodine and selenium is essential during pregnancy. While iodine is vital for maternal thyroid function and fetal development, selenium contributes to the regulation of thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity. This study aimed to assess the consumption of iodine- and selenium-containing products by women of reproductive age and the iodine and selenium nutritional status of pregnant women in Latvia.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Mimicking Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension which is often caused by recurrent emboli. The reported prevalence in Latvia is 15.7 cases per million inhabitants.

Gray values of the cervical vertebrae detected by cone beam computed tomography for the identification of osteoporosis and osteopenia in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether the gray values (GVs) of the second and third cervical vertebrae in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are affected by general bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and to evaluate whether CBCT can be used for predicting the risk of osteoporosis.

Study Design: The present cross-sectional study included 127 edentulous postmenopausal women (average age, 70.4 ± 8.

Thioredoxin-1 and Correlations of the Plasma Cytokines Regarding Aortic Valve Stenosis Severity.

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) develops not only with a pronounced local inflammatory response, but also oxidative stress is involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of thioredoxin-1 (TRX1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), chemerin, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, and -9 in acquired AS patients as well as to clarify the correlations of TXR1 and the plasma inflammatory biomarkers regarding AS severity. AS patients were classified into three groups: 16 patients with mild AS stenosis, 19 with moderate and 11 with severe AS, and 30 subjects without AS were selected as a control group.

Glutathione Reductase Is Associated with the Clinical Outcome of Septic Shock in the Patients Treated Using Continuous Veno-Venous Haemofiltration.

At present, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) in the early treatment of septic shock. This study focuses on the association between survival and different parameters of oxidative stress (RedOx). Thereby, we evaluated whether RedOx markers are associated with the outcome of septic shock in patients under early-initiated CVVH treatment.

Plasma circulating microRNAs in patients with stable coronary artery disease - Impact of different cardiovascular risk profiles and glomerular filtration rates.

Background And Aim: Plasma circulating microRNA (miRNA)-126, -145, and -155 are associated with vascular remodeling, atherosclerotic lesion formation, and plaque vulnerability. In this study, we evaluated the levels of plasma circulating miRNAs in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), different cardiovascular risk profiles, and different glomerular filtration rates (GFR).

Methods And Results: Forty patients with stable CAD admitted for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in a prospective study.

Prognostic Utility of Circulating Growth Factors in Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Pilot Study.

: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) develops with a pronounced local inflammatory response, where a variety of growth factors are involved in the process, and may have a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether circulating growth factors: growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) could be proposed as clinically relevant biomarkers to improve risk stratification in AS patients. : AS patients were classified into three groups: 16 patients with mild AS stenosis; 19 with moderate and 11 with severe AS, and 30 subjects without AS (echocardiographically approved) were selected as a control group.

Dickkopf-related protein 1 expression in bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients: correlation with bone disease and plasma cell malignancy type.

Background: Previous studies have pointed out the role of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK 1) - Wnt inhibitor, which is essential for osteoblast functioning, in the development of osteolytic lesions in multiple myeloma (MM).

Aim: To assess the DKK 1 expression displayed by myeloma cells in bone marrow trephine biopsies of patients with and without osteolytic lesions, and in different malignancy grades of the disease.

Methods: The expression level of DKK 1 was assessed immunohistochemically in bone marrow of 49 MM patients presented with and without osteolytic lesions (the 1 and the 2 group, respectively).

Circulating plasma microRNA-126, microRNA-145, and microRNA-155 and their association with atherosclerotic plaque characteristics.

Aims: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as biomarkers for several diseases. Dysregulation of miRNA-126, microRNA-145, and microRNA-155 has been shown to be associated with atherosclerotic lesion formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between atherosclerosis-related miRNAs and unfavorable atherosclerotic plaque characteristics.

Current Echocardiographic Techniques for Evaluation of the Right Ventricle.

The review is dedicated to the new echocardiographic techniques in the assessment of right ventricular (RV) function, such as twodimensional speckle tracking and determining the RV volume by a three-dimensional model. Subclinical changes in RV function are of great importance for the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis of multiple cardiovascular as well as non-cardiac pathologies. Two-dimensional speckle tracking allows to assess longitudinal strain of the RV myocardium and to detect pathological changes before their clinical manifestations.