Cross-Regional Elemental Comparison of Mussels Using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF).

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence for multi-element analysis in mussels, focusing on sensitivity, precision, and detection limits. Additionally, it offers a cross-regional comparison of elemental composition in mussels from aquaculture farms in Italy, Spain, and Chile. TXRF, using suspensions of mussel samples, proved effective in detecting minor and trace elements, with recovery rates over 80% for Fe, Cu, Zn, As, and Sr.

Limitations of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire in Assessing Severity in a Homogeneous Occupational Cohort.

: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy, often assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). The BCTQ evaluates symptom severity (SSS) and functional status (FSS) but has limitations in stratifying CTS severity, particularly in severe cases. : This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the BCTQ in a homogeneous cohort of female workers engaged in repetitive manual tasks, exploring its correlation with objective clinical measures and its performance in detecting CTS severity.

Functional Connectivity and MRI Radiomics Biomarkers of Cognitive and Brain Reserve in Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment Prediction-A Study Protocol.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is frequently associated with long-term post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and dementia. While the mechanisms behind PSCI are not fully understood, the brain and cognitive reserve concepts are topics of ongoing research exploring the ability of individuals to maintain intact cognitive performance despite ischemic injuries. Brain reserve refers to the brain's structural capacity to compensate for damage, with markers like hippocampal atrophy and white matter lesions indicating reduced reserve.

Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins Orchestrate All Hallmarks of Cancer.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins dynamically build the buffering and adapting interface between oncogenic mutations and environmental stressors, on the one hand, and cancer cell structure, functioning, and behavior. Aberrant PTMs can be considered as enabling characteristics of cancer as long as they orchestrate all malignant modifications and variability in the proteome of cancer cells, cancer-associated cells, and tumor microenvironment (TME). On the other hand, PTMs of proteins can enhance anticancer mechanisms in the tumoral ecosystem or sustain the beneficial effects of oncologic therapies through degradation or inactivation of carcinogenic proteins or/and activation of tumor-suppressor proteins.

A Rare Case of Neonatal Desmoid Tumor Leading to Severe Aortic Coarctation: Review of Literature and Case Report.

Desmoid tumors are a rare entity, especially in the pediatric population. There are no reports of such a tumor in newborns. They are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, even though they are benign soft tissue tumors.

Electroencephalographic Features of Presumed Hepatic Encephalopathy in a Pediatric Dog with a Portosystemic Shunt-A Case Report.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in dogs is a metabolic disorder of the central nervous system that occurs secondarily to liver dysfunctions, whether due to acquired or congenital causes. A portosystemic shunt is the presence of abnormal communications between the hepatic vessels (portal and suprahepatic veins). As a result of this, the blood brought from the digestive tract through the portal vein bypasses the liver, and the unmetabolized components of the portal bloodstream enter directly into systemic circulation, causing clinical symptoms of metabolic encephalopathy (HE).

Unlocking the Potential of Cecostomies: A Valuable Lifesaving Procedure in Emergency Surgery for Colonic Obstructions.

Background: Colonic obstructions present a serious medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. Cecostomy, a procedure involving the creation of an opening in the cecum to decompress the colon, serves as one surgical approach for managing these obstructions. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of cecostomies in emergency surgical settings, with a focus on recent clinical studies and case reports.

The Five-Year Outcomes of Breast Cancer Surgical Management at the Colentina Surgical Clinic, Bucharest, Romania: A Descriptive Retrospective Analysis Between 2019 and 2023.

Breast cancer still represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, accounting for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide. In Romania in 2020, breast cancer was the most common, with a share of new cases of 26.

Unique Subclavian Vascular Ring Anomaly: Insights from CT Angiography.

Aortic arch anomalies represent a range of congenital vascular malformations resulting from disruptions in the typical embryological development of the aortic arch and its branches. These anomalies, which vary widely in their presentation, can lead to significant clinical symptoms depending on their structure and position. We report the case of a 75-year-old male with intermittent hypertension, palpitations, and episodic warmth in the upper body.

Cabozantinib Cutaneous Toxicity-Comprehensive Review.

In the context of modern cancer therapy, the management of adverse effects of systemic therapies can lead to the avoidance of underdosing and withdrawal and increases in the quality of the therapeutic act and the quality of life. This review offers an overview of the skin-related toxicities associated with Cabozantinib, a multikinase inhibitor (MKI) that is approved for treating advanced kidney cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and medullary thyroid cancer. It covers the most common dermatological side effects, such as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, stomatitis, hair alterations, xerosis, scrotal erythema, and subungual splinter hemorrhages.

Thermographic Scan of the Thoracolumbar Area in Dogs with Acute Intervertebral Disc Extrusion (IVDE): A Retrospective Study.

Background: several authors have documented variations in local temperature in both horses and dogs presenting acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) along the entire spinal column. However, none have demonstrated distinct temperature differences between healthy animals and those with IVDE. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy of thermography at evaluating local temperature and thermal patterns in healthy dogs as well in those with IVDE across the T11-L3 area.

Histological Research and Phytochemical Characterization of Medik. from Bihor County, Romania.

Medik. (CBP) is a species with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and hepatoprotective effects. We have chosen to study this species because, although it is a common plant with a distinctive fruit appearance, its effects are not fully understood.

Reshaping Resistance: How Autovaccine Therapy Alters the Course of Recurrent Multidrug-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections.

Background/objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a considerable challenge due to high treatment failure rates and associated healthcare costs. This pioneering study evaluates the effectiveness of personalized autovaccine therapy in managing recurrent UTIs in patients with MDR bacteria, aiming to offer an innovative treatment that reduces antibiotic resistance and hospitalizations.

Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 40 patients with recurrent MDR UTIs received personalized sublingual autovaccines derived from their own bacterial isolates.

Multivitamin Supplementation and Fertility Outcome: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study and the Clinical and Medicolegal Value of Nutritional Counseling.

Resveratrol can beneficially affect growth and follicle development and lead to improved sperm function parameters in pre-clinical studies, while information from clinical studies is still inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the biological and clinical impact of a resveratrol-based multivitamin supplement on level II assisted reproduction cycles (IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]). A retrospective, case-control study, involving 70 infertile couples undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles, was conducted at the Assisted Reproductive Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit-Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital in Palermo.

The Role of IL-6 and TNF-Alpha Biomarkers in Predicting Disability Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Introduction: Inflammatory biomarkers, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), play a significant role in influencing stroke outcomes, particularly in the progression of post-stroke disability. While numerous studies have suggested a correlation between elevated levels of these cytokines and poor functional recovery, further investigation is needed to understand their prognostic value in acute ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 56 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke, evaluating IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels on days 1 and 7 post symptom onset.

Assessing Donor Site Morbidity and Impact on Quality of Life in Free Flap Microsurgery: An Overview.

Donor site morbidity remains a significant concern in free flap microsurgery, with implications that extend beyond immediate postoperative outcomes to affect patients' long-term quality of life. This review explores the multi-faceted impact of donor site morbidity on physical, psychological, social, and occupational well-being, synthesizing findings from the existing literature. Particular attention is given to the functional limitations, sensory deficits, aesthetic outcomes, and chronic pain associated with commonly utilized free flaps.

Variabilities in Retinal Hemodynamics Across the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Women Identified Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Numerous conditions, both physiological and pathological, can influence changes in the retinal vascular architecture. In order to be able to highlight pathological aspects of systemic diseases with ocular activity, it is necessary to understand how physiological fluctuations can influence circulation at the retinal level. The present study attempts to evaluate retinal and choroidal vascular and structural changes in healthy female subjects over the course of a menstrual cycle using OCT-A.

Comparison of Lung-RADS Version 2022 and British Thoracic Society Guidelines in Classifying Solid Pulmonary Nodules Detected at Lung Cancer Screening CT.

Background And Objectives: Lung cancer screening is critical for early detection and management, particularly through the use of computed tomography (CT). This study aims to compare the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) Version 2022 with the British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines in classifying solid pulmonary nodules detected at lung cancer screening CT examinations.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 224 patients who underwent lung cancer screening CT between 2016 and 2022 and had a reported solid pulmonary nodule.

Comparative, Cost and Multi-Criteria Analyses of Traditional Binders in the Composition of Hemp-Based Finishing Products.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of twelve compositions based on hemp shiv and four traditional binders used in the construction industry: cement, plaster, hydrated lime and clay, with the aim of using the resulting materials as final finishing products applicable to the raw area of walls, slabs and other construction elements for walls. Comparative, cost and multi-criteria analyses were carried out on the proposed compositions. The comparative analysis focused on acoustic, thermal, mechanical and fire characteristics, followed by a cost analysis and ending with multi-criteria analysis.

Can the Dimensional Optimisation of 3D FDM-Manufactured Parts Be a Solution for a Correct Design?

Additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, has emerged as a viable alternative in modern manufacturing processes. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which often involve complex mechanical operations that can lead to errors and inconsistencies in the final product, additive technology offers a new approach that enables precise layer-by-layer production with improved geometric accuracy, reduced material consumption and increased design flexibility. Geometrical accuracy is a critical issue in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medicine and consumer goods, hence the importance of the following question: can the dimensional optimisation of 3D FDM-manufactured parts be a solution for correct design? This paper presents a complex study of model parts printed from four common polymers used in fused deposition modelling (FDM) additive technology, namely ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), PLA (polylactic acid), HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) and PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol).

Behavior of YSZ (High YO Content) Layer on Inconel to Electro-Chemical Corrosion.

The high yttria content of a stabilized zirconia (YSZ) (38 wt% YO) coating was deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) from Metco 207 powders on an Inconel 718 (Ni-based superalloy) substrate. As a metal coating connection, a layer of cermet powder (Ni-20% Al-410NS) was used before the ceramic layer deposition. The electro-chemical corrosion resistance of these materials was tested using Inconel cylinders with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 1 mm, with and without the ceramic layer.

Antibacterial Properties of PMMA/ZnO(NanoAg) Coatings for Dental Implant Abutments.

Infections continue to pose significant challenges in dentistry, necessitating the development of innovative solutions that can effectively address these issues. This study focuses on creating coatings made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) enriched with zinc oxide-silver composite nanoparticles, layered to Ti6Al4V-titanium alloy substrates. The application of these materials aims to create a solution for the abutments utilized in complete dental implant systems, representing the area most susceptible to bacterial infections.

A Comparative Finite Element Analysis of Titanium, Autogenous Bone, and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-Based Solutions for Mandibular Reconstruction.

Unlabelled: Mandibular reconstruction is essential for restoring both function and aesthetics after segmental resection due to tumoral pathology. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of three reconstruction strategies for defects resulting from segmental mandibular resection, utilizing finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods: A digital model of the mandible was created from CBCT data and optimized for FEA.

Numerical Simulation of Compressive Testing of Sandwich Structures with Novel Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Cores.

Sandwich structures with triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) cores have garnered research attention due to their potential to address challenges in lightweight solutions, high-strength designs, and energy absorption capabilities. This study focuses on performing finite element analyses (FEAs) on eight novel TPMS cores and one stochastic topology. It presents a method of analysis obtained through implicit modeling in simulations and examines whether the results obtained differ from a conventional method that uses a non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) approach.

Microfluidic Integration of Magnetically Functionalized Microwires for Flow Cytometry Protein Quantification.

A novel approach to protein quantification utilizing a microfluidic platform activated by a magnetic assembly of functionalized magnetic beads around soft magnetic capture centers is presented. Functionalized magnetic beads, known for their high surface area and facile manipulation under external magnetic fields, are injected inside microfluidic channels and immobilized magnetically on the surface of glass-coated soft magnetic microwires placed along the symmetry axis of these channels. A fluorescent (Cy5) immunomagnetic sandwich ELISA is then performed by sequentially flowing the sample and all necessary reagents in the microfluidic channels.