Identification of DNA methylation signatures in follicular-patterned thyroid tumors.

Background And Aims: Follicular-patterned thyroid tumors (FPTTs) are frequently encountered in thyroid pathology, encompassing follicular adenoma (FA), follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvPTC). Recently, a distinct entity termed differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma has been described by the 5th edition of the WHO classification of the thyroid tumors, categorized as either high-grade fvPTC, high-grade FTC or high-grade oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid (OCA). Accurate differentiation among these lesions, particular between the benign (FA), borderline (NIFTP) and malignant neoplasms (FTC and fvPTC), remains a challenge in both histopathological and cytological diagnoses.

Identifying the location-dependent adipose tissue bacterial DNA signatures in obese patients that predict body weight loss.

Recent sets of evidence have described profiles of 16S rDNA sequences in host tissues, notably in fat pads that are significantly overrepresented and can serve as signatures of metabolic disease. However, these recent and original observations need to be further detailed and functionally defined. Here, using state-of-the-art targeted DNA sequencing and discriminant predictive approaches, we describe, from the longitudinal FLORINASH cohort of patients who underwent bariatric surgery, visceral, and subcutaneous fat pad-specific bacterial 16SrRNA signatures.

The Impact of Heart Failure Chronic Treatment Prior to Cardiac Transplantation on Early Outcomes.

: Cardiac transplantation represents the option for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF), providing the best survival rate. However, the postoperative complications of transplant patients remain a challenge for clinicians. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative chronic HF treatment on the occurrence of in-hospital complications.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Gestational Hypertensive Disorders in a Cohort of Romanian Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) treated with levothyroxine in pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertensive disorders (GHDs) (gestational hypertension and preeclampsia).

Methods: 96 pregnant women with GDM were enrolled in this study and grouped as per the European Thyroid Association criteria into the SCH (n = 21) and euthyroid groups (n = 75). All subjects were tested for anthropometric parameters, maternal glucose homeostasis parameters, lipid levels, thyroid function tests, and blood pressure.

Insights into the Overlap of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Sleep Apnea: Experience from the Clinic of Pneumology, Târgu Mureș.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a severe impact on patients' health and can lead to multiple complications.

Material And Methods: We analyzed the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in COPD patients hospitalized in the Pneumology Clinic of Târgu Mureș, Romania.

Results: A total of 150 COPD patients were investigated by clinical examination, STOP-BANG and Epworth questionnaires, ventilatory polygraphy (PG), EKG, cardiac ultrasound, blood lipids, and sugar.

Edible Insects: Consumption, Perceptions, Culture and Tradition Among Adult Citizens from 14 Countries.

Although edible insects (EIs) are encouraged as a sustainable source of protein, their consumption is not as generalised as other types of food that are internationally accepted. While in some regions of the world, EIs are part of the gastronomic and cultural traditions, in other regions, people are not so receptive to this type of food, and some people even express some disgust towards it. Hence, this research focused on the habits of the participants regarding the consumption of insects as well as their perceptions about EIs being or not a part of the local culture or gastronomic patrimony.

Evaluation of a multimodal ctDNA-based assay for detection of aggressive cancers lacking standard screening tests.

Cancers lacking standard screening (LSS) options account for approximately 70% of cancer-related deaths due to late-stage diagnosis. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for multi-cancer early detection. We previously developed SPOT-MAS, a multimodal ctDNA-based assay analyzing methylation and fragmentomic profiles, effective in detecting common cancers (breast, colorectal, liver, lung and gastric).

Correlation between Overweight, Obesity, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Adipokines (Adipolin and Adiponectin), and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Pilot Study.

: The prevalence of overweight (OW), obesity (OB), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been increasing worldwide in recent years. Adipolin is a new adipokine with reduced circulating levels in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). : Our prospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the maternal serum levels of adipolin and adiponectin, metabolic parameters, and anthropometric characteristics at the time of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 Kg/m and correlate them with newborn adipolin, adiponectin levels, and anthropometric characteristics of the newborns, and secondly to evaluate pregnancy outcomes.

Effects of Prostaglandin E1 and Balloon Atrial Septostomy on Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygenation in Newborns Diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries.

Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) is a critical congenital heart defect that can impact neurodevelopment due to cerebral perfusion and oxygenation disorders followed by alterations in synaptogenesis, gyrification, sulcation, and the microstructure. Brain injuries can occur both pre-operatively and postoperatively, especially white matter injuries, neuronal loss, and stroke. : In a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary center between 2016 and 2023, we investigated the early effects of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administration and balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) on cerebral blood flow and oxygenation in inborn neonates with D-TGA.

A Cross-Sectional Survey of Fixed-Dose Combination Antihypertensive Medicine Prescribing in Twenty-Four Countries, Including Qualitative Insights.

Background: Treatment inertia, non-adherence and non-persistence to medical treatment contribute to poor blood pressure (BP) control worldwide. Fixed dose combination (FDC) antihypertensive medicines simplify prescribing patterns and improve adherence. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with prescribing FDC antihypertensive medicines and to understand if these factors differ among doctors worldwide.

A Comparative Analysis of Enamel Surface Roughness Following Various Interproximal Reduction Techniques: An Examination Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy.

Interproximal enamel reduction (IER) is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure commonly used in orthodontics to address both functional and aesthetic issues. Its mechanical effects on enamel surfaces induce the formation of grooves, furrows, scratches, depressions, and valleys. The aim of this study was to assess the enamel surface roughness resulting after the application of currently available methods for interproximal reduction.

The impact of lutein-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles following topical application: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Antioxidant therapies are of interest in the prevention and management of ocular disorders such as cataracts. Although an active area of interest, topical therapy with antioxidants for the treatment of cataracts is complicated by multiple ocular anatomical barriers, product stability, and solubility. Entrapment and delivery of antioxidants with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles is a possible solution to these challenges, however, little is known regarding their effects in vitro or in vivo.

The Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Previous Ischemic Stroke in Cognitive Decline.

: Our study investigated the inverse relationship between cognitive decline (CD) and the presence of documented atrial fibrillation (AFib), ischemic stroke, heart failure, lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. : We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study between December 2016 and November 2019. A total of 469 patients were enrolled who underwent cognitive evaluation with three cognitive tests (Montreal Cognitive Assessment-MOCA, Mini-Mental State Examination-MMSE, and General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition-GPCOG).

Serum Levels of Adipolin and Adiponectin and Their Correlation with Perinatal Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

: This study aimed to investigate the serum level of adipolin and adiponectin in healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the second trimester, the prepartum period, and in the newborns of these patients. : A total of 55 women diagnosed with GDM and 110 healthy pregnant women were included in this study. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the association of adipolin and adiponectin with anthropometric markers of obesity (body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), tricipital skinfold thickness (TST)), inflammation markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP)), and maternal glucose homeostasis parameters (fasting glucose, insulin, C peptide, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Insulin Resistance-Homeostatic Model Assessment (IR HOMA)).

New insides into chimeric and hybrid azines derivatives with antifungal activity.

During the last decades, five or six member rings azaheterocycles compounds appear to be an extremely valuable source of antifungal agents. Their use seems to be a very attractive solution in antifungal therapy and to overcome antifungal resistance in agriculture. The present review highlights the main results obtained in the field of hybrid and chimeric azine (especially pyridine, quinoline, phenanthroline, bypyridine, naphthyridine and their fused derivatives) derivatives presented in scientific literature from the last 10 years, with emphasis on antifungal activity of the mentioned compounds.

Associations between Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Other Risk Factors in Women with a History of Urinary Tract Infections.

(1) Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among otherwise healthy women represent a problem that requires additional understanding and approaches. Evidencing the link between dysbiosis and UTIs and the associated potential risk factors could lead to therapeutic approaches with increased efficiency under the conditions of reducing the risks associated with antibiotic treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dysbiosis and other potential risk factors in women with a history of urinary tract infections; (2) Methods: Fecal dysbiosis tests were performed comparatively in two groups of women.

Laryngeal Mask Airway in Neonatal Resuscitation: A Survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies.

Introduction: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use in neonatal resuscitation is limited despite existing evidence and recommendations. This survey investigated the knowledge and experience of healthcare providers on the use of the LMA and explored barriers and solutions for implementation.

Methods: This online, cross-sectional survey on LMA in neonatal resuscitation involved healthcare professionals of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

Comparative Evaluation of Dental Enamel Microhardness Following Various Methods of Interproximal Reduction: A Vickers Hardness Tester Investigation.

Interproximal enamel reduction, also known as stripping, is a common orthodontic procedure that reduces the mesiodistal diameter of teeth, allowing for a balance of available space in dental arches. The aim of this study was to assess the enamel surface microhardness resulting from the application of currently available methods for interproximal reduction. Forty-two extracted human permanent teeth were divided into six different groups, each subjected to a therapeutic stripping procedure using various methods (i.

Drug Promotions Between Ethics, Regulations, and Financial Interests.

Background: The promotion of the latest medicines produced by the pharmaceutical industry is an important issue both from an ethical point of view (the level of accessibility, the way research is carried out) and from the point of view of marketing and especially from the lobbying issues raised.

Areas Of Uncertainty: The ethical dilemmas raised by the promotion of new drugs revolve between the need to discover new molecules important for treating a wide range of diseases and the need to establish a battery of ethical rules, absolutely necessary for regulations in the field to be compliant with all ethical principles.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted through PubMed, MEDLINE, Plus, Scopus, and Web of Science (2015-2023) using combinations of keywords, including drugs, medical publicity, and pharma marketing plus ethical dilemma.