Vascular Cognitive Impairment-The Molecular Basis and Potential Influence of the Gut Microbiota on the Pathological Process.

Cognitive impairment is a major healthcare challenge worldwide, with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) being its second leading cause after Alzheimer's disease. VCI is a heterogeneous group of cognitive disorders resulting from various vascular pathologies. Therefore, it is particularly difficult to determine its underlying cause and exact molecular basis.

Sedentary Lifestyle Is a Modifiable Risk Factor for Cognitive Impairment in Patients on Dialysis and after Kidney Transplantation.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment (CI), and this risk is the highest in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). As a multifactorial disease, CI may be influenced by several potentially modifiable lifestyle and behavioral factors that may reduce or increase the risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the known modifiable risk factors for dementia and the risk of CI in patients with ESKD treated with renal replacement therapy.

Multiple sclerosis: a narrative overview of current pharmacotherapies and emerging treatment prospects.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by pathological processes of demyelination, subsequent axonal loss, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. Despite the availability of numerous disease-modifying therapies that effectively manage this condition, there is an emerging need to identify novel therapeutic targets, particularly for progressive forms of MS. Based on contemporary insights into disease pathophysiology, ongoing efforts are directed toward developing innovative treatment modalities.

Cognitive impairment in patients awaiting kidney and liver transplantation-A clinically relevant problem?

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in both end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of CI in patients awaiting kidney and liver transplantation, and to identify its determinants.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, prospective study, 31 consecutive patients with ESKD and 31 consecutive patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis, all currently on transplant waiting lists, were screened for cognitive decline using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination.

Involvement of gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis-review of a new pathophysiological hypothesis and potential treatment target.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to demyelination and damage to the central nervous system. It is well known, the significance of the involvement and influence of the immune system in the development and course of MS. Nowadays, more and more studies are demonstrating that an important factor that affects the action of the immune system is the gut microbiota.

Organisation of paediatric echocardiography laboratories and governance of echocardiography services and training in Europe: current status, disparities, and potential solutions. A survey from the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC) imaging working group.

Background: There is limited data on the organisation of paediatric echocardiography laboratories in Europe.

Methods: A structured and approved questionnaire was circulated across all 95 Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology affiliated centres. The aims were to evaluate: (1) facilities in paediatric echocardiography laboratories across Europe, (2) accredited laboratories, (3) medical/paramedical staff employed, (4) time for echocardiographic studies and reporting, and (5) training, teaching, quality improvement, and research programs.

The Clock Drawing Task reveals executive dysfunction in the dialysis population - an underrecognized and underestimated problem.

Aim Of The Study: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of executive function impairment among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis, with no subjective cognitive problems and with normal global cognition on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We also investigated the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive test results.

Rationale For The Study: Patients with CKD, including those undergoing renal replacement therapy, are at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment (CI) than the general population.

Adult congenital heart disease training in Europe: current status, disparities and potential solutions.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the status of training of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cardiologists in Europe.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to ACHD cardiologists from 34 European countries.

Results: Representatives from 31 of 34 countries (91%) responded.

Long-term follow-up of percutaneous secundum-type atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer Septal Occluder since 1995: a single-centre study.

Introduction: The goal of this single-centre study was to evaluate long-term results of percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect using Amplatzer Septal Occluder with the follow-up to 25 years.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect between September 1995 and October 2012 in our institution was performed. All procedures were performed after fulfilling strict indication criteria.

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Unraveling the Role of Fusion and Fission Processes.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a diverse group of disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of neurons, leading to a range of neurological symptoms. Despite the heterogeneity of these conditions, a common denominator is the implication of mitochondrial dysfunction in their pathogenesis. Mitochondria play a crucial role in creating biomolecules, providing energy through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generated by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Current progress, strategy, and prospects of PD-1/PDL-1 immune checkpoint biosensing platforms for cancer diagnostics, therapy monitoring, and drug screening.

Recent technological advancements in testing and monitoring instrumentation have greatly contributed to the progress in cancer treatment by surgical, chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic interventions. However, the mortality rate still remains high, calling for the development of new treatment strategies with higher efficacy. Extensive efforts driven in this direction have included broadening of early cancer screening and applying innovative theranostic nanotechnologies.

Cognitive Impairment and Anxiety Are Prevalent in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), including kidney transplant recipients. Patients with cognitive problems may find it difficult to comply with medical recommendations after kidney transplantation (KT), which can be the cause of many complications, poorer prognosis, and increased hospitalization rates after transplantation. Additionally, some patients after KT may experience depression and anxiety, which are prevalent comorbidities in patients with ESKD.

Patterns of Cognitive Impairment in Hemodialysis Patients and Related Factors including Depression and Anxiety.

Introduction: Hemodialysis patients are at higher risk of developing cognitive impairment, but the pattern of affected cognitive domains is still undetermined. Little is also known about the symptoms of depression and anxiety in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 74 consecutive adult patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Associated Factors.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with chronic kidney disease, including those treated with renal replacement therapy, is a growing problem worldwide.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of CI and associated factors in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 18 consecutive patients with PD therapy and 15 controls were evaluated for CI using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III) test.

Percutaneous treatment of a huge patent ductus venosus and severe portal vein hypoplasia using a Figulla Flex II atrial septal defect occluder in a 2-year-old infant: a case report.

Background: Intra- or extrahepatic porto-caval shunts (PCSs) can account for multiorgan dysfunction with pulmonary arterial hypertension and portosystemic encephalopathy as the most serious consequences of bypass of the hepatic circulation. The ductus venosus (DV) represents a rare foetal PCS and might be persistently patent in newborns after birth. Treatment strategies include surgical ligation and percutaneous device closure.

Association Between Apelin and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With High Risk of Ischemic Stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high risk of stroke preventable by timely initiation of anticoagulation. Currently available screening tools based on ECG are not optimal due to inconvenience and high costs. Aim of this study was to study the diagnostic value of apelin for AF in patients with high risk of stroke.

Cyclophilins and Their Functions in Abiotic Stress and Plant-Microbe Interactions.

Plants have developed a variety of mechanisms and regulatory pathways to change their gene expression profiles in response to abiotic stress conditions and plant-microbe interactions. The plant-microbe interaction can be pathogenic or beneficial. Stress conditions, both abiotic and pathogenic, negatively affect the growth, development, yield and quality of plants, which is very important for crops.

Advanced glycation end products predict long-term outcome of catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Oxidative stress is an important contributor to the etiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our aim was to study oxidative stress biomarkers in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal AF with radiofrequency catheter ablation and to assess its prognostic value in predicting long-term PVI outcome.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we included 62 patients (mean age 55±8 years, 12 females and 50 males) with paroxysmal AF and implanted ECG loop recorders who underwent PVI.

Concentration of apelin inversely correlates with atrial fibrillation burden.

Aim: Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) detection and pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) outcome prediction remain challenging. Our aim was to study the association between apelin and paroxysmal AF in patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter PVI.

Methods: Sixty-three consecutive patients (55 ± 8years, 12 females) with paroxysmal AF without a structural heart disease and implanted ECG loop recorders undergoing PVI and healthy control group of 34 persons (41 ± 9.

Opening the internal structure for transport of ions: improvement of the structural and chemical properties of single-walled carbon nanohorns for supercapacitor electrodes.

We investigated the electrochemical performance of single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) for use as supercapacitor electrodes. For the first time, we used acid-treatment for oxidation of SWCNHs and hole creation in their structure. A detailed study was performed on the correlation between the oxidation of SWCNHs acid treatment and variable acid treatment times, the structural properties of the oxidized carbon nanostructures, and the specific capacitance of the SWCNH electrodes.

Association of apelin and AF in patients with implanted loop recorders undergoing catheter ablation.

Background: Previous studies showed an association between apelin and atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal AF on plasmatic apelin concentrations.

Methods: Nine consecutive patients (aged from 43 to 69 years, 3 females and 6 males) with documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and implanted loop recorders (ILR) for continuous ECG monitoring were included in this study.

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias during the intrauterine, neonatal, and infant period: A 10-year population-based study.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, type, and management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT) during the first year of life in a retrospective, population-based, single-center study during a 10-year period.

Methods: The analyzed patient cohort is based on data from the only specialized center managing all cases of neonatal and infant SVTs between 2009 and 2018 in the Slovak Republic (5.5 million population).

Nanostructural catalyst: metallophthalocyanine and carbon nano-onion with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity towards organic pollutants.

Metallophthalocyanine (MPc) and carbon nano-onion (CNO) derivatives were synthesized and characterized by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The unmodified CNOs and MPc-CNO derivatives were used as photocatalysts for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalytic studies revealed that the MPc-CNO nanostructural materials simultaneously exhibited a high absorption capacity and an excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity towards RhB.