The Role of SHBG as a Marker in Male Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: Insights into Metabolic and Hormonal Status.

: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a spectrum of liver diseases linked to insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disorders. IR accelerates fat accumulation in the liver, worsening MAFLD. Regular physical activity and weight loss can improve liver function, reduce fat, and lower cardiovascular risk.

Assesment of Salivary and Serum Levels of HBD2 in Patients with Chronic Angioedema.

: Human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) is a protein that plays an important role in activating the immune system by modulating spinal pathways and the inflammatory response. According to previous research, HBD2 was proven to be important in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) (their values were significantly elevated in CSU patients, with a significant correlation between HBD2 levels and the percentage of peripheral basophils, suggesting that elevated HBD2 levels may be a potential marker of basophil and mast cell activation), which led us to additional research on the HBD2 molecule in isolated chronic angioedema. The aim of this research is to examine HBD2 values in the saliva and serum of patients with isolated angioedema, as a potential biomarker of the disease.

Expression of Wnt signaling proteins LEF1, β-catenin, GSK3β, DVL1, and N-myc varies across retinoblastoma subtypes and pRb phosphorylation status.

Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, has hereditary and non-hereditary forms. While TNM classification helps in prognosis, understanding molecular mechanisms is vital for the clinical behavior of retinoblastoma prediction. Our study aimed to analyze the expression levels of key Wnt pathway proteins, GSK3β, LEF1, β-catenin, and DVL1, and associate them to non-phosphorylated active form (pRb) and the phosphorylated inactive form (ppRb) and N-myc expression, in retinoblastoma cells and healthy retinal cells, in order to elucidate their roles in retinoblastoma and identify potential targets that could help to improve diagnostic and therapy.

Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music.

: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. : This study employed a single-center observational cross-sectional design, with a sample size of 36 subjects recruited from a tertiary referral audiology center. Between 2023 and 2024, the study recruited subjects with normal hearing, baseline salivary cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels.

The role of sphingolipid rheostat in the adult-type diffuse glioma pathogenesis.

Gliomas are highly aggressive primary brain tumors, with glioblastoma multiforme being the most severe and the most common one. Aberrations in sphingolipid metabolism are a hallmark of glioma cells. The sphingolipid rheostat represents the balance between the pro-apoptotic ceramide and pro-survival sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and in gliomas it is shifted toward cell survival and proliferation, promoting gliomas' aggressiveness, cellular migration, metastasis, and invasiveness.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in adults after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination: a retrospective study in the metropolitan area of Zagreb, Croatia (2010-2022).

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a severe form of illness caused by with high morbidity and mortality rate in the general population, particularly in children <5 years of age, adults ≥65 years of age and the immunocompromised. As known, pneumococcal vaccination lowers the risk of IPD so the aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination has influenced the incidence and mortality of IPD in adults in Croatia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among adult patients (aged ≥18 years) hospitalized due to IPD in the metropolitan area of Zagreb from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2022.

Redifferentiation Therapies in Thyroid Oncology: Molecular and Clinical Aspects.

Since the 1940s, 131-I radioiodine therapy (RIT) has been the primary treatment for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Approximately half of these patients respond favorably to RIT, achieving partial or complete remission or maintaining long-term stable disease, while the other half develop radioiodine-refractory DTC (RAI-R DTC). The main genomic alteration involved in radioiodine resistance is the activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which results in the loss of sodium iodide symporters (NIS).

YKL-40 as a risk stratification marker in acute pancreatitis: A prospective study.

Background/objectives: Increased systemic concentrations of YKL-40 are seen in various inflammatory conditions. We explored the relationship between the serum YKL-40 concentrations and subsequent disease severity in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: Consecutive adults with AP were prospectively enrolled, and classified as having mild, moderate or severe disease.

Midseptal and Anteroseptal Accessory Pathway Ablation in Children.

The goal of this study is to document outcomes of ablation for high-risk accessory pathways in paediatrics using 3D mapping systems with minimal to zero fluoroscopy. It is a cross-sectional, multicentre study, conducted between 2013 and 2023, and involving four different centres in Hungary, Croatia, Kuwait, and Slovenia. A total of 128 procedures were performed on 111 patients.

Systemic Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation as a Possible Driving Force of Fracture Non-Unions?

Introduction: Non-unions are fractures that do not heal properly, resulting in a false joint formation at the fracture site. This condition leads to major health issues and imposes a burden on national healthcare systems. The etiology of non-unions is still not fully understood; therefore, we aimed to identify potential systemic factors that may contribute to their formation.

[Ac]Ac-PSMA for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Approximately 10%-20% of prostate cancers progress to metastatic and castration-resistant forms (mCRPC). Radioligand (RLT) therapy with [Lu]Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an approved treatment for metastasized mCRPC. Moreover, Actinium-225 (Ac), an alpha-emitter isotope, has also been used to label PSMA and, recently, to treat mCRPC patients with encouraging results.

Diurnal changes of corneal epithelial and stromal thickness maps and visual quality in mild form of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the functional and structural daily variations in eyes with a mild form of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

Methods: This prospective study included 30 eyes with the mild form of FECD. Subjects underwent functional and structural testing at 8 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM.

Understanding Adult Central Nervous System Hemangioblastomas: A Systematic Review.

Background: Adult hemangioblastomas (HBs) are rare World Health Organization central nervous system (CNS) grade 1 tumors, particularly affecting the posterior cranial fossa. They exhibit a gender bias, impacting men in their fifth and sixth decades of life and manifesting sporadically or as part of von Hippel Lindau disease. Understanding the intricacies of CNS HBs is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Middle Ear Neuroendocrine Tumor: Case Report of a Tympanic Adenoma.

Middle ear neuroendocrine tumors (MeNETs) are an exceptionally rare occurrence. These benign tumors stem from the tympanic mucosa and can easily be misinterpreted by the clinician and the pathologist. Clinical characteristics, otoscopic findings and medical imaging in these cases are non-specific.

Pure arterial malformation of the fetal PCA treated with flow diverter stent-case report and literature review.

Introduction: Thirty-three-year-old female underwent diagnostic work-up for chronic headaches.

Case Report: Cerebral DSA on the right side showed fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) with unusually shaped arterial malformation on its proximal part. Malformation was formed by multiple convolutions and loops with no arteriovenous shunting.

Periodontal Disease in Patients with Ischemic Stroke - an Exploratory Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal disease parameters in patients with ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: The study included 21 patients with ischemic brain stroke and a control group that was matched in number, age, and gender. All participants underwent a standard periodontal examination.

Is Salivary Α-Amylase a Reliable Indicator of Psychological Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: a Case-Control Study.

Background/aims: The objectives of our study were to determine salivary α-amylase activity (stress biomarker) and its association with psychological status and quality of life (QoL), disease duration and intensity of symptoms (pain/burning) in patients with OLP.

Methods: A total of 50 subjects participated in this case-control study: 30 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP); 20 control subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected between 9 and 10 am to avoid diurnal fluctuations.

Glycemia and Coagulation in Patients with Glioblastomas.

Background: Glioblastomas are among the most malignant tumors which, despite aggressive treatment, currently have an abysmal prognosis. These lesions are known to cause local and systemic perturbations in the coagulation system, leading to neoangiogenesis and a high risk of venous thromboembolism. Indeed, there have been multiple proposals of the coagulation system being a possible target for future treatment of these patients.