The effect of citric acid on mineralisation and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion from apical papilla stem cells.

Objective: To investigate the influence of citric acid on the osteogenic and angiogenic potential of stem cells from apical papillae (SCAPs).

Materials And Methods: Stem cells from apical papillae were isolated from freshly extracted third permanent molars. These cells were treated with 20 and 100 μM citric acid.

Cranial ultrasound in neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis.

Neonatal infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) is associated with significant morbidity, high mortality, and long-term neurological sequelae. We report the clinical case of an infant with HSV encephalitis, where the initial diagnosis was established based on cranial ultrasound (CUS) findings. These findings revealed localized, asymmetrically distributed hyperechoic areas in the parenchyma and signs of brain swelling.

A Review of Stem Cell Attributes Derived from the Oral Cavity.

Oral cavity stem cells (OCSCs) have been the focus of intense scientific efforts due to their accessibility and stem cell properties. The present work aims to compare the different characteristics of 6 types of dental stem cells derived from the oral cavity: dental pulp stem cells (DPSC), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC), stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC). Using immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques, we analysed the cells for stem cell, differentiation, adhesion, and extracellular matrix markers; the ability to proliferate in vitro; and multilineage differentiation potential.

Plasma KL-6 as a Potential Biomarker for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants.

Background: KL-6 is a biomarker of interstitial lung injury and increases during repair.

Aim: Our aim was to determine the predictive value of plasma KL-6 for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants.

Methods: Ninety-five extremely preterm infants (EPIs), born at <28 gestational age (GA), were divided into two main BPD groups as follows: the moderate/severe and the no/mild group.

Validation of the Sw71-spheroid model with primary trophoblast cells.

Problem: Human implantation is a limiting factor for the success of natural and IVF reproduction since about 60% of pregnancy losses occur in the peri-implantation period. The in vitro modeling of human implantation challenges the researchers in accurate recreation of the complex in vivo differentiation and function of human blastocyst in the peri-implantation period. In previous studies, we constructed Sw71-spheroid models, which like human blastocyst undergo compactization, attaches to the endometrial epithelium, invade, and migrate.

Twist1-IRF9 Interaction Is Necessary for IFN-Stimulated Gene Anti-Zika Viral Infection.

An efficient immune defense against pathogens requires sufficient basal sensing mechanisms that can deliver prompt responses. Type I IFNs are protective against acute viral infections and respond to viral and bacterial infections, but their efficacy depends on constitutive basal activity that promotes the expression of downstream genes known as IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Type I IFNs and ISGs are constitutively produced at low quantities and yet exert profound effects essential for numerous physiological processes beyond antiviral and antimicrobial defense, including immunomodulation, cell cycle regulation, cell survival, and cell differentiation.

Placentа of BCG-Vaccinated Women in early Pregnancy is Colonized with Non-Immunogenic Mycobacterial L-forms.

Problem: Long-lived mycobacterial L-forms (mL-forms) could be detected in the blood of BCG-vaccinated people. We have previously found mL-forms in term placentas and blood of neonates, delivered by healthy BCG-vaccinated mothers as first formal demonstration that BCG vaccination in the childhood of the woman could affect her placentobiome during pregnancy. Of note, the isolated mL-forms reverted to the cell-walled state of the parental BCG bacilli in vitro.

Functional HLA-C expressing trophoblast spheroids as a model to study placental-maternal immune interactions during human implantation.

In healthy couples over half of the conceptions result in failed pregnancy and around 30% of them occur during implantation defining it as a rate-limiting step for the success of native and in vitro fertilization. The understanding of the factors regulating each step of implantation and immune recognition is critical for the pregnancy outcome. Creation of 3D-cell culture models, such as spheroids and organoids, is in the focus of placental tissue engineering in attempt to resemble the in vivo complexity of the maternal-fetal interface and to overcome the need of laboratory animals and human embryos.

Lung ultrasound in premature infants as an early predictor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Purpose: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a widely used technique in neonates to diagnose a lot of acute diseases. However, its role in the diagnosis of chronic lung conditions is still to be evaluated. We aimed to describe the changes in ultrasound images as well as the appearance of lung consolidations (LC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

The effect of antithrombotic therapy on the recurrence of placenta-mediated diseases in pregnancy.

Objectives: To analyze the recurrence rate of placenta-mediated diseases (PMDs) such as preeclampsia (PE) and/or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and placental abruption (PA) in high-risk patients on antithrombotic therapy (AT) because of a previous obstetrical history for such complications.

Methods: The study group (SG) included 150 patients to whom either 100 mg of aspirin or low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was administered due to a previous history of PMDs. The AT in the SG was started before 16 gestational weeks (g.

Early Pregnancy Human Decidua is Enriched with Activated, Fully Differentiated and Pro-Inflammatory Gamma/Delta T Cells with Diverse TCR Repertoires.

Pregnancy is a state where high and stage-dependent plasticity of the maternal immune system is necessary in order to equilibrate between immunosuppression of harmful responses towards the fetus and ability to fight infections. TCR γδ cells have been implicated in the responses in infectious diseases, in the regulation of immune responses, and in tissue homeostasis and repair. The variety of functions makes γδ T cells a particularly interesting population during pregnancy.

Influence of the Type and Amount of Liver Resection on the Survival of the Patients with Colorectal Metastases.

Introduction: Colorectal liver metastases have a poor prognosis, and only 2% have an average 5-year survival if left untreated. Despite radical resection, the average five-year survival is between 25% and 44%.

Aim: To explore the experience of the Clinic in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases, comparing it with data from the literature and based on the comparison to determine the influence of the type and extensity of resection survival after radical surgical treatment of patients.

A familial case of severe infantile nephronophthisis explained by oligogenic inheritance.

Renal cysts are common malformation during the prenatal and postnatal period and frequent cause of chronic kidney or ESRD. More than 70 genes have been shown to play role in their pathology. Part of them are responsible for the structure and function of the cilia, which assigns a large proportion of the renal cystic diseases in the ciliopathies.

A rare case with synchronous gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, and uterine leiomyoma.

Background: Although gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, they comprise less than 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the gastro-enteropancreatic system are also rare, representing about 2% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. Pancreatic localization of NET is extremely uncommon-these tumors are only 1-5% of all pancreatic cancers.

Novel Hypomorphic Mutation in FANCD2 Gene Observed in a Fetus with Multiple Congenital Anomalies.

Congenital anomalies affect 1% to 2% of the newborns. The urinary tract and the kidneys are involved in 4-5% of the cases while upper-extremities abnormalities are present in 10%. Certain anomalies occur in isolation, whereas others are associated with systemic conditions.

A rare case of IgG4-related disease: a gastric mass, associated with regional lymphadenopathy.

Background: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized disorder, characterized by massive IgG4+ lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, storiform fibrosis, causing enlargement, nodules or thickening of the various organs, simultaneously or metachronously. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is very rare and can be presented as a diffuse wall thickening or polyp or mass-like lesion. Up to now, there have been reported only a few cases of isolated gastric IgG4-RD.

A rare combination between familial multiple lipomatosis and extragastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Rarely, GISTs can be located in mesentery, retroperitoneal space, omentum or pancreas. In these cases, the neoplasm is defined as "extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors" (EGISTs).

Rosai-Dorfman disease involving gallbladder and liver-Report of a case.

Introduction: Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare histiocytic disorder of unclear etiology. Lymphadenopathy commonly affects the lymph nodes of the neck and the head, but extranodal involvement has been observed too.

Presentation Of Case: We describe an unusual case of RDD with involvement of the gallbladder, liver and cystic lymph node, clinically manifested as an exacerbated cholecystitis.

Comparative analysis of current diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: To compare current guidelines for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to identify the ones that are the most relevant for application among pregnant Bulgarian population.

Methods: A total of 800 pregnant women at high risk for GDM underwent 75 g oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation as antenatal screening. The results were interpreted and classified according to the guidelines of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG), American Diabetes Association (ADA), Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, New Zealand Society for the study of Diabetes and World Health Organization.

Profile of chromosomal aberrations in different gestational age spontaneous abortions detected by comparative genomic hybridization.

Objective: To determine the frequency and type of chromosomal aberrations in different gestational age spontaneous abortions.

Study Design: In the study, 106 spontaneous abortions (SAs) were studied by comparative genomic hybridization.

Results: The frequency of detected chromosomal aberrations was 37.

Introduction of the QF-PCR analysis for the purposes of prenatal diagnosis in Bulgaria--estimation of applicability of 6 STR markers on chromosomes 21 and 18.

Objective: The aim of our study was to estimate the observed heterozygosity and informativeness of 6 STR markers on chromosomes 18 and 21 in the Bulgarian population. We have evaluated the applicability of these markers used from other investigators for QF-PCR prenatal diagnosis of the most common autosomal aneuploidies in Bulgaria.

Methods: DNA samples (n = 486) were extracted from different fetal tissues (amniotic fluid cells, chorionic villus samples, and fetal tissue after abortions).

[Second trimester sonographic screening for Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities].

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of second trimester sonographic screening for Down syndrome [DS] and other chromosomal abnormalities [ChrA].

Materials And Methods: In 1157 singleton pregnancies (15-21 weeks of gestation), including 18 with ChrA (13-DS, 5-other) an expert level detailed sonographic study was performed. The following parameters were analyzed: incidence and type of abnormal sonographic findings in chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses, sonographic screening sensitivity and specificity (for DS and for other ChrA), positive predictive value [PPV] for DS of the most frequent sonographic markers, negative predictive value [NPV] of the normal genetic sonogram.