Ultrasound's role in differentiating camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP) syndrome from inflammatory arthritis in children. A narrative review.

Camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a combination of congenital flexion contractures of the fingers (camptodactyly), non-inflammatory joint swelling (arthropathy), hip deformities (coxa vara), and recurrent pericarditis. In early childhood, the clinical presentation is dominated by the articular manifestations that can easily mimic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, often leading to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatments. Although not pathognomonic, ultrasound may provide specific ultrasound characteristics of joint involvement in CACP syndrome that help differentiate it from inflammatory arthropathies.

Diagnostic accuracy of 2D-SWE ultrasound for liver fibrosis assessment in MASLD: A multi-level random effects model meta-analysis.

Background Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) imposes significant healthcare burdens. Early detection of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in MASLD is essential due to their unfavourable outcomes. This multi-level random-effects meta-analysis aimed to provide the best evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in detecting liver fibrosis in biopsy-proven MASLD.

Analysing Digital Engagement Patterns: A Machine Learning Investigation into Social Anxiety Among Adolescents with ADHD.

The relationship between screen time and mental health among adolescents, particularly those identified as "digital natives", has become increasingly pertinent, especially in the context of heightened digital engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the associations between digital engagement patterns, ADHD severity, and anxiety symptoms in adolescents aged 11-18. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 97 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.

Assessing Fat Grafting in Breast Surgery: A Narrative Review of Evaluation Techniques.

Fat grafting has gained prominence in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, necessitating accurate assessment methods for evaluating graft volume retention. This paper reviews various techniques for assessing fat and fat grafts, including their benefits and limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) scanning offers highly accurate, non-invasive volumetric assessments with minimal interference from breathing patterns.

The Influence of L. Extract and Ellagic Acid on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Bone Regeneration Biomarkers.

Bone regeneration is a highly dynamic and complex process that involves hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal cells, collagen fibers, non-collagenous proteins and biomolecules from extracellular matrices, and different cytokines and immune cells, as well as growth factors and hormones. Some phytochemicals due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can modulate the bone signaling pathways and improve bone healing and thus can be a good candidate for osteoregeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of L.

Plant-Based Diets and Their Associations with Physical Performance in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Background: Plant-based diets are associated with various health benefits; however, their impact on physical performance in aging populations remains unclear.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between adherence to plant-based diets and physical performance, focusing on their potential protective effects against age-related declines in function.

Methods: Data were obtained from men and women aged 40 years or older in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) (mean ± SD age: 68 ± 13 years at the first dietary visit; n = 1389).

Somatic Changes of Maternal High-Fat Diet on Offspring-Possible Deleterious Effects of Flavonoids?

: The rapidly increasing rate of obesity has become an extremely important public health problem, particularly in developed countries. Obesity is associated with a range of health problems, often referred to as the metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is now regarded as an endocrine organ responsible for the hormonal secretion of adipokines, which are cytokines involved in various physiological processes.

Inhibitory Effects and Composition Analysis of Romanian Propolis: Applications in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture.

Propolis is a sustainable and environmentally friendly agrochemical of natural origin, a resinous mixture produced by honeybees. It is used as a natural remedy in multiple pathologies., but it is also a natural defense enhancer, a phytostimulator that helps to bind, bloom, and pollinate plants.

Novel Immunohistochemical Profiling of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Correlations Between Tumor Subtypes and Immune Microenvironment.

Background/objectives: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with an emerging molecular classification based on the expression of the transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3. This study aimed to explore the relationship between these novel subtypes and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), particularly CD8+ and CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).

Methods: In 51 cases of patients with SCLC, immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, CD56, Ki67, CD8, and CD4 were performed.

Unlocking Chemotherapy Success: The Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Breast Cancer Treatment.

This study investigates the role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. A Diffusion Tensor Imaging magnetic resonance imaging (DTI MRI) sequence, evaluating water diffusion along tissue structures, was performed before and after two chemotherapy cycles. This study included 23 patients with 27 malignant masses, comparing changes in DTI parameters with Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) scores.

Diagnostic Value of Nuclear Hybrid Imaging in Malignant Struma Ovarii: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

Background: Struma ovarii is a rare tumor, a type of ovarian mature teratoma consisting over 50% of its mass in thyroid ectopic tissue; 5% to 10% of cases, as described in the literature, are malignant and well known as malignant struma ovarii or thyroid cancer from struma ovarii. Due to the limited number of malignant struma ovarii cases, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of malignant struma ovarii lacks in standardization.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search on the English language PubMed and Google Scholar.

Curve-on-curve technique is more reliable than free-floating technique for tibial components positioning in posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty using symmetrical tibial components in varus osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Malrotation of the tibial components in total knee arthroplasties is a common cause of pain and functional impairment. There are multiple methods used to establish the tibial component rotation, but there is still no consensus which method is the best.The objective of this study was to compare two of the most commonly used techniques, that is the use of self-alignment during passive range of motion (free-floating technique) versus the anterior cortex referencing method (Curve-on-curve technique).

Implausible, not impossible: delayed supradiaphragmatic thoracic migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a 17-month-old.

Background: Intrathoracic migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a phenomenally rare complication, with the supradiaphragmatic intercostal variant even more so. Whereas it can prove debilitating or even fatal via massive hydrothorax, the causative mechanism and proper management of this occurrence are undefined.

Case Presentation: A 17-month-old girl who had undergone VPS insertion at one month of age was brought to our department for somnolence and dyspnea, which had a sudden onset.

Distinguishing subclinical from clinical keratoconus by corneal measurements.

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the stability of topographic and tomographic indices measured with Pentacam and to evaluate the biomechanical parameters measured with Corvis ST in the diagnosis of subclinical keratoconus (sKCN) and clinical keratoconus (KCN).

Methods: This is a single-center cohort study with a retrospective review of topographic and tomographic indices and biomechanical parameters on adult patients with subclinical keratoconus (sKCN), clinical keratoconus (KCN), and healthy subjects (control group). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was used to identify the cutoff values for evaluated indices able to distinguish between subjects with sKCN and those with KCN.

Fermented black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) products - A systematic review on the composition and current scientific evidence of possible health benefits.

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) is recognized for its potential health benefits, largely attributed to its high phenolic content. However, many phenolic compounds possess a low bioavailability, potentially limiting their beneficial effects.

Exploring the Inhibitory Potential of Phytosterols β-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, and Campesterol on 5-Alpha Reductase Activity in the Human Prostate: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach.

Steroidal 5α-reductase type 2 (S5αR2) is a key enzyme involved in the conversion of testosterone (TST) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a crucial process in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Phytosterols (PSs), natural plant-derived compounds, have been proposed as potential inhibitors of S5αR2, but studies on their efficacy are limited. This study evaluates the inhibitory effects of three PSs (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol) on S5αR2 activity using a combined in vitro and in silico approach.

Investigating Nanoscale Interactions of Host-Guest Complexes Formed Between CB[7] and Atenolol by Quantum Chemistry and Ultrasensitive Vibrational Spectroscopy.

In addition to the course of over 20 years of cucurbit-7-uril (CB[7]) in the pharmaceutical industry, the present study brings together the most recent observations from the perspective of ultrasensitive Raman spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) related to the interaction of this molecule with atenolol (Ate) enantiomers during the formation of these host-guest complexes. Quantum chemistry calculations based on DFT were first used to understand the interaction geometry between CB[7] and Ate. These results were further confirmed by ultrasensitive vibrational spectroscopy.

Lower Levels of Vitamin D Are Associated with Higher Vasoactive-Inotropic Scores in Major Cardiac Surgery.

Background: The vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) predicts unfavorable outcomes after cardiac surgery in both children and adults. In our adult population, we investigated whether preoperative levels of vitamin D can predict the VIS and whether both vitamin D and the VIS can predict adverse outcomes following major heart surgery.

Methods: Between 1 October 2021 and 28 February 2022, 300 patients underwent major cardiac surgery at our institution.

Management of COVID-19 Infection Associated Lung Abscess with Secondary Pleural Empyema Using Percutaneous Intracavitary Drainage: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

: COVID-19-related pulmonary complications, such as lung abscesses and pleural empyema, are rare but serious. This study presents a case series of three patients with COVID-19-associated lung abscesses complicated by pleural empyema, managed conservatively with percutaneous intracavitary drainage (ICD) and lavage. We assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment and compare our findings with the current literature.