Assessment of sensory impairment in older adults with dementia.

Background: Over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. The rate of cognitive decline increases with age, and loss of senses may be a contributing factor.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze hearing, olfactory function, and color vision in patients with dementia.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia in the elderly - results of combined endovascular and surgical treatment. Primary study.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a sudden onset of impaired bowel perfusion. Has a high mortality rate and is difficult to diagnose. Therapy involves endovascular, surgical, or a combination of both.

High cumulative glucocorticoid dose is associated with increased levels of inflammation-related mediators in active rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leading to high cumulative doses in long-term treated patients. The impact of a high cumulative GC dose on the systemic inflammatory response in RA remains poorly understood.

Methods: We investigated long-treated patients with RA (n = 72, median disease duration 14 years) through blood counts and the serum levels of 92 inflammation-related proteins, and disease activity was assessed using the Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI).

CDK2-based CDK7 mimic as a tool for structural analysis: Biochemical validation and crystal structure with SY5609.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate cell cycle progression and transcription. CDK7 plays a pivotal role in cell division and proliferation, and the CDK7 gene often exhibits mutations or copy number loss in cancer. Pharmacological targeting of CDK7 has been proposed as a cancer treatment strategy and several inhibitors are currently in clinical trials.

Impact of antiphospholipid syndrome on placenta and uterine NK cell function: insights from a mouse model.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with recurrent pregnancy morbidity, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We performed multifaceted characterization of the biological and transcriptomic signatures of mouse placenta and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in APS. Histological analysis of APS placentas unveiled placental abnormalities, including disturbed angiogenesis, occasional necrotic areas, fibrin deposition, and nucleated red blood cell enrichment.

Sex-dependent efficacy of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist FTY720 in mitigating Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor deficits, cognitive decline and psychiatric disturbances. An early and significant morphological hallmark of HD is the activation of astrocytes triggered by mutant huntingtin, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators. Fingolimod (FTY), an FDA-approved sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory disease, and has shown therapeutic promise in other neurological conditions.

Burnout syndrome among general practitioners in the Czech Republic: a repeated survey study.

Background: Given the critical role of general practitioners (GPs), their insufficient medical density and the adverse effects of burnout on both practitioners and the quality of care provided, the prevalence estimates of GP burnout reported in the literature are highly concerning. This nationwide study builds on a 2023 survey that revealed a significant burden of burnout among Czech GPs. The primary objectives were to analyse the prevalence and determinants of burnout and to examine potential trends over time.

Metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in the soft tissue of the breast in a male patient: A case report.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents ~80% of all thyroid cancers, most frequently presenting in women in the third and fourth decade of life. The first clinical manifestation of PTC commonly includes a palpable mass in the thyroid area or cervical lymphadenopathy in cases of metastatic disease. Hematogenous distant metastases are a sign of an advanced stage of the tumour.

Oxidative DNA Damage and Arterial Hypertension in Light of Current ESC Guidelines.

A new insight into oxidative stress is based on oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. DNA is the pivotal biopolymer for life and health. Arterial hypertension (HT) is a globally common disease and a major risk factor for numerous cardiovascular (CV) conditions and non-cardiac complications, making it a significant health and socio-economic problem.

Comparative analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines in cardiac surgery: a survey in Czechia and Slovakia.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) in cardiac surgery significantly impact patient outcomes. This study examines cardiac antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines in Czech and Slovak hospitals, crucial for reducing SSI incidence.

Methods: An electronic survey was conducted across cardiac surgery departments in both countries, focusing on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) protocols, antibiotic choices, dosages, timing and postoperative infection rates.

Effect of bariatric endoscopy on liver fibrosis and steatosis and the course of NAFLD - a prospective interventional study.

Introduction And Objectives: With increases in obesity and metabolic syndrome because of lifestyle-related factors, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) also is increasing worldwide. In a subset of patients with NAFLD, an inflammatory process arises in the steatotic liver, known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, that leads to liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. In selected patients with obesity, bariatric surgery, and bariatric endoscopy are important therapeutic options.

Triterpenoid phthalimides as selective anti-cancer agents targeting mitochondrial apoptosis.

Starting from benzyl 30-oxobetulinate and 30-oxobetulin diacetate, substituted dienes were synthesized and subjected to Diels-Alder reaction, yielding a variety of triterpenoid phthalates, phthalimides, and related derivatives. A total of 55 new compounds were prepared and tested for in vitro cytotoxic activity against eight cancer cell lines and two non-cancerous cell lines. Four compounds with IC values of 5 μM or lower were selected for further investigation.

Complexity of synovial fluid-derived monocyte-macrophage-lineage cells in knee osteoarthritis.

Synovial fluid (SF)-derived monocyte-macrophage (MON-Mϕ)-lineage cells in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain poorly understood. We analyzed SF samples from 420 patients with KOA with effusion. The MON-Mϕ cells accounted for 47.

Impact of the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference Recommendations in Oral Cancer.

Objectives: Tumor budding was suggested as a valuable prognostic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) but lacks a standardized scoring system. This study evaluates tumor budding in OSCC using the scoring system recommended by the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016.

Materials And Methods: The study included 114 patients with resected OSCC.

Evaluation of corticoresistance in patients with thyroid eye disease and use of rituximab as a second-line treatment.

Purpose: High-dose intravenous glucocorticoids are the standard first-line treatment in active, moderate to severe and severe thyroid eye disease (TED). We evaluate the usefulness of clinical activity score (CAS) and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) as predictors and/or post-treatment markers of corticoresistance in patients with TED and the effect of rituximab in second-line treatment.

Methods: We enrolled 236 patients with an active TED into this retrospective single-tertiary-center cohort study.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training conditions, results from a pan-European survey: Between vision and reality.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) still has a relatively high complication rate, underscoring the importance of high-quality training. Despite existing guidelines, real-world data on training conditions remain limited. This pan-European survey aims to systematically explore the perceptions surrounding ERCP training.

Preparation and Complex Characterisation of Stabilised Gold Nanoparticles: Biodistribution and Application for High Resolution In Vivo Imaging.

The Turkevich method was optimized to prepare gold nanoparticles (AuNP) stabilized by polyethyleneglycol (PEG) for µCT. Using various independent modalities, we thoroughly characterized the optimized PEG-AuNPs. Here, we show that PEG-AuNPs are retained in the blood and provide a high contrast in the high-resolution µCT imaging of blood vessels and inner organs.

Acute polyneuropathy: a serious complication of levodopa/ /carbidopa intestinal gel treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

Aim Of Study: To determine whether a high dose of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), expressed as levodopa equivalent daily dose (LE daily dose), is a risk factor for acute polyneuropathy in patients treated with LCIG.

Clinical Rationale For Study: Treatment with LCIG is an effective device-assisted therapy in the advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Polyneuropathy is a well-known complication of PD treatment.