Dopaminergic Epistases in Schizophrenia.

The dopaminergic theory, the oldest and most comprehensively analyzed neurotransmitter theory of schizophrenia, remains a focal point of research. This systematic review examines the association between combinations of 14 dopaminergic genes and the risk of schizophrenia. The selected genes include dopamine receptors (DRD1-5), metabolizing enzymes (COMT, MAOA, MAOB, DBH), synthesizing enzymes (TH, DDC), and dopamine transporters (DAT, VMAT1, and VMAT2).

Lipidomic Signature of Plasma and Synovial Fluid in Patients with Osteoarthritis: Putative Biomarkers Determined by UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint condition causing pain and disability, especially in the elderly. Currently, OA diagnosis relies on clinical data and imaging, but recent interest in metabolomics suggests that early biochemical changes in biofluids, particularly synovial fluid (SF), could enable an earlier diagnosis and understanding of the disease.

Methods: In this regard, we conducted a lipidomics study in 33 plasma and SF samples from OA patients and 20 OA-free controls to assess the diagnostic value of various lipid metabolites, using UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS.

Involvement of the Expression of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Schizophrenia.

The expression of GPCRs has been associated with schizophrenia, and their expression may induce morphological changes in brain regions responsible for schizophrenia and disease-specific behavioral changes. The articles included in this review were selected using keywords and databases of scientific research websites. The expressions of GPRs have different involvements in schizophrenia, some increase the risk while others provide protection, and they may also be potential targets for new treatments.

Maternal Serum Amyloid A as a Marker of Preterm Birth/PROM: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Preterm birth, one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, occurs in between 5 and 18% of births. Premature birth can be induced by a variety of triggers, including infection or inflammation. Serum amyloid A, a family of apolipoproteins, increases significantly and rapidly at the onset of inflammation.

Osteoarthritis and microRNAs: Do They Provide Novel Insights into the Pathophysiology of This Degenerative Disorder?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative joint diseases in older adults and a leading cause of disability. Recent research studies have evidenced the importance of mi-croRNAs (miRs) in the pathogenesis of OA. In the present review, we focused on current literature findings on dysregulated miRs involved in the pathophysiology of OA.

Antimicrobial activity, in vitro anticancer effect (MCF-7 breast cancer cell line), antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potentials of Populus nigra L. buds extract.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, the in vitro anticancer effect (tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line), as well as the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potential of Populus nigra L. bud (Pg) extract collected from the western part of Romania.

Results: Populus nigra L.

Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Vertical Transmission and Neonatal Complications.

We designed and implemented a prospective study to analyze the maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with COVID-19 and determine the likelihood of viral transmission to the fetus and newborn by collecting samples from amniotic fluid, placenta, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk. The study followed a prospective observational design, starting in July 2020 and lasting for one year. A total of 889 pregnant women were routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in an outpatient setting at our clinic, using nasal swabs for PCR testing.

Uncovering the Roles of MicroRNAs in Major Depressive Disorder: From Candidate Diagnostic Biomarkers to Treatment Response Indicators.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurrent debilitating illness that represents a major health burden due to its increasing worldwide prevalence, unclear pathological mechanism, nonresponsive treatment, and lack of reliable and specific diagnostic biomarkers. Recently, microRNA species (miRs) have gained particular interest because they have the ability to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by modulating mRNA stability and translation in a cohesive fashion. By regulating entire genetic circuitries, miRs have been shown to have dysregulated expression levels in blood samples from MDD patients, when compared to healthy subjects.

Untargeted Plasma Metabolomic Profiling in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric illness with an increasing incidence and a shortfall of efficient diagnostic tools. Interview-based diagnostic tools and clinical examination often lead to misdiagnosis and inefficient systematic treatment selection. Diagnostic and treatment monitoring biomarkers are warranted for MDD.

Distribution of microRNAs associated with major depressive disorder among blood compartments.

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurrent disorder with an increasing incidence. Alterations in key signaling pathways of the nervous system, such as the Wnt and MAPK pathways, mediated through microRNAs (miRNAs) provide crucial information regarding the etiopathology of MDD. We aimed to analyze whether the heterogeneity of literature findings regarding differential expression of miRNAs in the blood could arise from their different distributions among blood compartments.

Triamcinolone acetonide induces sterile endophthalmitis in patients with intermediate uveitis: A case report series.

Due to their anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and antiedematous properties, corticosteroids have been commonly used in the treatment of retinal diseases. Intravitreal administration of steroids offers the maximal drug efficacy and the lowest risk of systemic side effects. The authors report three cases of presumed sterile endophthalmitis induced by triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in three eyes with intermediate non-infectious uveitis.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Activity Evaluation of S-Substituted 1-5-Mercapto-1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives as Antiproliferative Agents in Colorectal Cancer.

Colon cancer is a widespread pathology with complex biochemical etiology based on a significant number of intracellular signaling pathways that play important roles in carcinogenesis, tumor proliferation and metastasis. These pathways function due to the action of key enzymes that can be used as targets for new anticancer drug development. Herein we report the synthesis and biological antiproliferative evaluation of a series of novel S-substituted 1-3-R-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles, on a colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29.

The Cytotoxic Effects of Betulin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles as Stable Formulations in Normal and Melanoma Cells.

Gold nanoparticles are currently investigated as theranostics tools in cancer therapy due to their proper biocompatibility and increased efficacy related to the ease to customize the surface properties and to conjugate other molecules. Betulin, [lup-20(29)-ene-3β, 28-diol], is a pentacyclic triterpene that has raised scientific interest due to its antiproliferative effect on several cancer types. Herein we described the synthesis of surface modified betulin-conjugated gold nanoparticles using a slightly modified Turkevich method.

Effects of ursolic and oleanolic on SK‑MEL‑2 melanoma cells: In vitro and in vivo assays.

Among the triterpenoids, oleanolic acid (OA) and its isomer, ursolic acid (UA) are promising therapeutic candidates, with potential benefits in the management of melanoma. In this study, we aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo anti‑invasive and anti‑metastatic activity of OA and UA to determine their possible usefulness as chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents in melanoma. For the in vitro experiments, the anti‑proliferative activity of the triterpenic compounds on SK‑MEL‑2 melanoma cells was examined.

Selective in vitro anti-melanoma activity of ursolic and oleanolic acids.

Products of natural origin have become important agents in the treatment of cancer, and the active principles of natural sources could be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to increase their effects and to minimize their toxicity. Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids are intensely studied for their promising anticancer potential. The aim of this study was focused on the in vitro toxicological effects induced by UA and OA human mesenchymal stem cells and on melanoma, one of the most frequent cancers whose incidence is increasing every year.

Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activity Evaluation of Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pt(II) Complexes with Isoniazid-Derived Compound.

Hydrazone complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pt(II) with -isonicotinoyl-'-(3-metoxy-2 hydroxybenzaldehyde)-hydrazone () were synthesized and characterized by different physico-chemical techniques including elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar electric conductivity, as well as IR (infrared), ¹H-NMR and C-NMR (hydrogen and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible), FAB (fast atom bombardment), EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance), and mass spectroscopies. The crystal structure of ligand was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Spectral data showed that hydrazone behaves as an ONO tridentate ligand through the azomethine nitrogen, phenolate and keto oxygen atoms.

Improvement of ursolic and oleanolic acids' antitumor activity by complexation with hydrophilic cyclodextrins.

Ursolic and oleanolic acids have been brought into the spotlight of research due to their chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The most important disadvantage of ursolic and oleanolic acids is their weak water solubility which limits their bioavailability. Pentacyclic triterpenes can form inclusion complexes with different types of cyclodextrins which provide the hydrophilic matrix requested for the molecular dispersion of drugs in order to become more water soluble.

In Vivo Biological Evaluation of Polyurethane Nanostructures with Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids on Chemically-induced Skin Carcinogenesis.

Background/aim: Oleanolic and ursolic acids (OA and UA) are two pentacyclic triterpenes, ubiquitously spread in plants, previously known for their chemopreventive capacity on different types of cancer. The major pharmacological disadvantage of these phytocompounds is their poor water solubility, which often limits their applicability.

Materials And Methods: Using the interfacial polycondensation combined with spontaneous emulsification technique, polyurethane nanostructures (PU) were synthetized in order to improve this problem.

Perinatal characteristics and mother's personality profile associated with increased likelihood of postpartum depression occurrence in a Romanian outpatient sample.

Background: Postpartum depression represents an increasingly recognized psychiatric condition in new mothers, and even more so in recent years as its detection has improved.

Aims: This study aimed to reveal those maternal and perinatal parameters that are significantly associated with increased likelihood of postpartum depression in delivering mothers from our region.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 163 women between 6 and 8 weeks after delivery.

Stability and change in the clinical course of schizoaffective disorder.

Unlabelled: Schizoaffective disorder currently raises several questions, one of them being related to the stability of the clinical diagnosis over time. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical and evolutional particularities in the longitudinal course of schizoaffective disorder.

Material And Methods: 44 subjects with a current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder have been assessed prospectively.