Histological Findings in Infective Endocarditis-A Retrospective Cohort Study Conducted at "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Emergency University Hospital in Bucharest.

Background: Histological findings of infective endocarditis (IEs) in mechanical valves present a complex diagnostic challenge owing to the lack of a precise definition. This ambiguity is further complicated by the natural degenerative processes that occur in the mechanical valves over time. Consequently, pathologists and clinicians face significant difficulties in distinguishing between genuine infective processes and the normal wear and tear of mechanical valves.

Histological Findings of Resected Tracheal Ring in SARS-CoV-2-Positive and -Negative Tracheostomized Patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the histopathological findings in the resected tracheal ring of tracheotomized critically ill patients with or without severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Material And Methods: This is a prospective case-control study. The data collection period was between May 2020 and 2022.

Surgical Treatment and Targeted Therapy for a Large Metastatic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) significantly increases the risk of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), a rare and aggressive malignancy for which treatment is clinically challenging. This paper presents the case of a 24-year-old male with an NF1 who developed MPNST with lung metastases. Due to the limited effectiveness of systemic therapy in the treatment of MPNST, the patient underwent radical surgical resection and radiotherapy.

Heart Disease and Pectus Excavatum: An Underestimated Issue-Single Center Experience and Literature Review.

Pectus excavatum (PE) can be associated with either congenital or acquired heart disease. This study highlights the importance of PE surgical repair in cases of severe chest depression on the heart in underlying cardiac diseases exacerbating cardiopulmonary impairment. From January 2023 to March 2024, four male patients underwent PE repair, having heart disease including pericarditis, mitral valve prolapse, ventricular fibrillation arrest and type 1 second-degree atrioventricular block.

The Effects of Antioxidant Cocktail on Ophthalmological Changes Induced by a 60-Day Head-Down Bed Rest in a Randomized Trial.

Neuro-ophthalmological changes have been reported after prolonged exposure to microgravity; however, the pathophysiology remains unclear. Furthermore, several countermeasures have been suggested to counteract the side effects of microgravity. The objectives of the present study were twofold: (1) to assess the neuro-ophthalmological impact of 60 days of head-down bed rest (HDBR) and (2) to determine the potential effects of an antioxidant cocktail.

Physical Performance of Geriatric Women and Its Impact on Fracture Risk and Bone Mineral Density Assessed with Radiofrequency Echographic Multispectrometry (REMS).

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical performance of geriatric women on their fracture risk and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed with radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS).

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study to assess the physical performance, BMD and fracture risk in 182 geriatric women aged 60 years and older. BMD was measured using REMS scanning (developed by Echolight S.

Assessment of Placental Antioxidant Defense Markers in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated COVID-19 Third-Trimester Pregnancies.

Background: Pregnancy has been identified as a risk factor for severe COVID-19, leading to maternal and neonatal complications. The safety and effects of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, particularly on placental function and oxidative stress (OxS), remain underexplored. We investigated the impact of vaccination on third-trimester placental antioxidant defense markers.

The Relationship Between the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and Electrocardiographic Parameters in Predicting Outcomes After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an essential treatment for patients with symptomatic heart failure and ventricular conduction abnormalities. Low-ejection-fraction (EF) cardiomyopathy often involves a wide QRS complex displaying a left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology and markedly delayed activation of the LV lateral wall. Following CRT, patients with heart failure and LBBB have better outcomes and quality-of-life improvements.

Sexual and Metabolic Differences in Hippocampal Evolution: Alzheimer's Disease Implications.

Sex differences in brain metabolism and their relationship to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's are an important emerging topic in neuroscience. Intrinsic anatomic and metabolic differences related to male and female physiology have been described, underscoring the importance of considering biological sex in studying brain metabolism and associated pathologies. The hippocampus is a key structure exhibiting sex differences in volume and connectivity.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic conditions with complex etiologies that may involve dietary factors. This study investigates the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of UC and CD, focusing on gender-specific differences.

Methods: A hospital-based case-control study, comprising 158 UC patients (93 men and 65 women), 245 CD patients (167 men and 78 women), and 395 controls without IBD (256 men and 139 women), was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Correction: Lin et al. ATF3-Expressing Large-Diameter Sensory Afferents at Acute Stage as Bio-Signatures of Persistent Pain Associated with Lumbar Radiculopathy. 2021, , 992.

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Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects of N-Methyl-N-Nitroso-Urea and Etoposide on the Differentiation Potential of MSCs from Umbilical Cord Blood and Bone Marrow.

The present study investigates the influence of nitrosamines and etoposide on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in a differentiation state- and biological age-dependent manner. The genotoxic effects of the agents on both neonatal and adult stem cell populations after treatment, before, or during the course of differentiation, and the sensitivity of the different MSC types to different concentrations of MNU or etoposide were assessed. Hereby, the multipotent differentiation capacity of MSCs into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes was analyzed.

Insulin Sensitivity Controls Activity of Pathogenic CD4+ T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Hyperinsulinemia connects obesity, and a poor lipid profile, with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we investigated consequences of insulin exposure for T cell function in the canonical autoimmunity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We observed that insulin levels correlated with the glycolytic index of CD4+ cells but suppressed transcription of insulin receptor substrates, which was inversely related to insulin sensitivity.

The Tumor Metabolite 5'-Deoxy-5'Methylthioadenosine (MTA) Inhibits Maturation and T Cell-Stimulating Capacity of Dendritic Cells.

Metabolite accumulation in the tumor microenvironment fosters immune evasion and limits the efficiency of immunotherapeutic approaches. Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), which catalyzes the degradation of 5'-deoxy-5'methylthioadenosine (MTA), is downregulated in many cancer entities. Consequently, MTA accumulates in the microenvironment of MTAP-deficient tumors, where it is known to inhibit tumor-infiltrating T cells and NK cells.

Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Regulates the Nociceptin Receptor but Not Nociceptin Itself.

The nociceptin receptor (NOP) and nociceptin are involved in the pathways of pain and inflammation. The potent role of nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) in the modulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β on the nociceptin system in human THP-1 cells under inflammatory conditions were investigated. Cells were stimulated without/with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA), TNF-α, IL-1β, or PMA combined with individual cytokines.

The Formyl Peptid Receptor Ligand Ac2-26 Improves the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Course of Pneumococcal Meningitis.

Background: The brain is protected from invading pathogens by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the innate immune system. Pattern recognition receptors play a crucial role in detecting bacteria and initiating the innate immune response. Among these are G-protein-coupled formyl peptide receptors (FPR), which are expressed by immune cells in the central nervous system.

Predictive Value of Flow Cytometry Quantification of BAL Lymphocytes and Neutrophils in ILD.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are pathologies affecting the pulmonary interstitium and, less frequently, the alveolar and vascular epithelia. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is commonly used in ILD evaluation since it allows the sampling of the lower respiratory tract. The prognostic value of BAL cell counts in ILD is unknown.

Subset of DN Memory B Cells Expressing Low Levels of Inhibitory Receptor BTLA Is Enriched in SLE Patients.

The dialogue between T and B cells can be regulated by different mechanisms, such as co-inhibitory receptors, which therefore play a crucial role in preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is a co-inhibitory receptor expressed on many myeloid and lymphoid cells. Although peripheral B cells express a very high amount of BTLA, previous works in the context of autoimmunity mainly focused on T cells, and whether BTLA expression on B cells plays a role in the lupus pathogenesis is still unclear.

Stem Cell-Associated Proteins and Extracellular Matrix Composition of the Human Atrioventricular Junction.

The human heart regenerates slowly through life, but how new cells are generated is mostly unknown. The atrioventricular junction (AVj) has been indicated as a potential stem cell niche region. Little is known about the protein composition of the human AVj.

Elevated IL-6 Expression in Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Regulates RANKL Mediated Inflammation in Osteoarthritis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to play a pivotal role in modulating cartilage regeneration and immune responses, particularly in the context of diseases that involve both degenerative processes and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis (OA). However, the precise mechanism through which IL-6 and other immune-regulatory factors influence the therapeutic efficacy of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transplantation in OA treatment remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the relationship between IL-6 expression in autologous ASCs isolated from OA patients and their impact on immune modulation, particularly focusing on the regulation of Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-Β Ligand (RANKL), a key mediator of immune-driven cartilage degradation in OA.

iPSC-Derived Biological Pacemaker-From Bench to Bedside.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived biological pacemakers have emerged as an alternative to traditional electronic pacemakers for managing cardiac arrhythmias. While effective, electronic pacemakers face challenges such as device failure, lead complications, and surgical risks, particularly in children. iPSC-derived pacemakers offer a promising solution by mimicking the sinoatrial node's natural pacemaking function, providing a more physiological approach to rhythm control.

Optimization and Standardization of Stable De-Epidermized Dermis (DED) Models for Functional Evaluation of Cutaneous Cell Therapies.

The human skin is a remarkable organ capable of extensive regeneration, especially after severe injuries such as burns and related wounds. The de-epidermized dermis (DED) model has become a valuable in vitro tool for skin regeneration studies, particularly for testing the mechanism of action and the efficacy of clinical cutaneous cell therapies. To further improve the quality and robustness of these applications, our study focused on optimizing and standardizing DED tissue preparation and storage, enhancing its effectiveness for clinical testing.

Changes in Toe Clearance Due to Adjusting the Dorsiflexion Angle of Ankle-Foot Orthoses: A Study in Healthy Individuals.

This study investigated the effects of ankle dorsiflexion angle adjustments in ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on the gait of healthy individuals. Fifteen healthy participants engaged in treadmill walking tasks while wearing AFOs with dorsiflexion angles set at 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°. Three-dimensional treadmill gait analysis was used to collect data during treadmill walking.

Impact of Deep Learning-Based Image Reconstruction on Tumor Visibility and Diagnostic Confidence in Computed Tomography.

Deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) has shown potential to enhance computed tomography (CT) image quality, but its impact on tumor visibility and adoption among radiologists with varying experience levels remains unclear. This study compared the performance of two deep learning-based image reconstruction methods, DLIR and Pixelshine, an adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-volume (ASIR-V) method, and filtered back projection (FBP) across 33 contrast-enhanced CT staging examinations, evaluated by 20-24 radiologists. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured for tumor and surrounding organ tissues across DLIR (Low, Medium, High), Pixelshine (Soft, Ultrasoft), ASIR-V (30-100%), and FBP.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?

Cell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditions. We cultured both JPCs and iMSCs (n = 3) under normoxic and hypoxic environments, with and without osteogenic differentiation, and on laminin- or gelatin-coated substrates.