Modulation of placental angiogenesis by metformin in a rat model of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly disrupts placental structure and function, leading to complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GDM on placental histology, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress, as well as evaluate metformin's protective role in mitigating these changes. A total of 60 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, metformin-treated, GDM, and GDM with metformin.

A Rare Case Report of Extra-adrenal Pheochromocytoma Masquerading as a Pancreatic Head Malignancy.

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating outside the adrenal glands and can pose significant diagnostic challenges due to their variable presentations. This report highlights a case of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma masquerading as a pancreatic head malignancy. We underscore the importance of considering extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses, particularly when biochemical or clinical features suggest catecholamine excess.

Reducing the excessive inflammation after burn injury in aged mice by maintaining a healthier intestinal microbiome.

One in six people are projected to be 65 years or older by 2050. As the population ages, better treatments for injuries that disproportionately impact the aged population will be needed. Clinical studies show that people aged 65 and older experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality after burn injury, including a greater incidence of pulmonary complications when compared to younger burn injured adults, which we and others believe is mediated, in part, by inflammation originating in the intestines.

Comparative Evaluation of Diagnostic Performance: Standard E TB Feron ELISA vs QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Detection in Diverse Risk Groups in Bangladesh.

Background: Around one-quarter of the global population has latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). If left untreated, LTBI has 5-10% lifetime risk of developing into TB. Interferon-gamma release Assays (IGRAs) are more sensitive than the tuberculin skin test for LTBI detection.

Advanced Age Worsens Respiratory Function and Pulmonary Inflammation After Burn Injury and This Correlates With Changes in the Fecal Microbiome in Mice.

Cutaneous burn injury in the elderly is associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased pulmonary-related complications. We and others have shown that burn injury triggers a cascade of inflammatory mediators which increase gut permeability and dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota and this is more dramatic in the aged. Since crosstalk between intestinal microbes and the lung, termed the "gut-lung axis," impacts immunity and homeostasis in the airway, we hypothesized that the increased intestinal dysbiosis in age and burn injury may contribute to excessive pulmonary inflammation and poor prognosis after injury.