Altered levels of sphingolipid metabolites in serum of locally advanced rectal cancer patients: A pilot study.

Background: Altered sphingolipid levels might contribute to rectal cancer development, progression and therapy response by regulating various biological processes, including apoptosis. This study aimed to analyse the serum sphingolipid profile in rectal cancer patients and investigate its association with the apoptotic status of tumour tissue and therapy response.

Methods: Ceramide (CER) and sphingomyelin (SM) serum levels were analysed in 22 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and 24 healthy individuals by ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Genetic Determinants of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer Identified by Whole Exome Sequencing.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is essential for treating locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), however response to nCRT varies, and reliable predictors are lacking.

Methods: This study used whole exome sequencing analysis to investigate genetic differences between tumors highly responsive and non-responsive to nCRT. Five patients with good response and two patients without response to nCRT were used as a discovery set.

Transcriptomic Landscape of Paclitaxel-Induced Multidrug Resistance in 3D Cultures of Colon Cancer Cell Line DLD1.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) significantly contributes to colon cancer recurrence, making it essential to understand its molecular basis for improved therapies. This study aimed to identify genes and pathways involved in resistance to standard chemotherapeutics by comparing transcriptome profiles of sensitive and paclitaxel-induced MDR colonospheres. Cell viability and growth were assessed following treatment with 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab, and cetuximab.

Transcript PHF19-207 May Be a Long Non-Coding RNA with Tumor-Promoting Role in Colon Cancer.

Recent pan-cancer transcriptome analysis has revealed differential activity of two alternative gene promoters in malignant versus non-malignant gut mucosa. One of these promoters upregulated in colon cancer leads to the expression of the PHF19-207 transcript, suggesting its potential role in tumor promotion. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of PHF19-207 using in silico tools and publicly available data, as well as to assess its expression in colon cancer.

Long-Term Trends in Laryngeal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Central Serbia (1999-2023): A Joinpoint Regression Analysis.

Laryngeal cancer (LC) accounts for 1-3% of all malignant neoplasms. The aim of this study was to analyze temporal trends in the incidence and mortality of LC in Central Serbia over a 25-year period (1999-2023). Data on newly diagnosed cases and deaths, stratified by sex and age group, were obtained from the Serbian Cancer Registry.

Transcript PHF19-207 as a Potential Biomarker for Colon Cancer Diagnosis and Screening.

A recent comprehensive pan-cancer study indicated the high translational potential of the transcript PHF19-207 as a biomarker for colon cancer. This study aimed to analyze the expression of PHF19-207 in colon tissue samples from two different settings to evaluate its clinical utility for diagnosis and screening. Surgical samples of colon tumor and non-tumor tissue were analyzed to determine the diagnostic value of PHF19-207 and its potential correlation with tumor characteristics.

Stress Echo 2030 Study: A Flagship Project of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Over the past decade, stress echocardiography has evolved from a test for assessing epicardial artery stenosis to a comprehensive functional test, targeting multiple cardiovascular parameters. The new approach includes several structured steps: (a) evaluating regional wall motion abnormalities to detect epicardial artery stenosis or vasospasm; (b) assessing pulmonary congestion and diastolic function via B-lines with lung ultrasound; (c) gauging preload and contractile reserve with volumetric echocardiography; (d) measuring coronary microvascular reserve using Doppler-based coronary flow velocity in the middistal left anterior descending artery; and (e) determining cardiac sympathetic reserve by tracking heart rate reserve on an ECG. This evolution was supported extensively by the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI), which played a key role in five areas: (1) developing the initial, curiosity-driven project; (2) disseminating protocols and results at national and international conferences, supporting logistic infrastructure and publication expenses; (3) establishing a digital platform (customized Redcap) for data entry and storage; (4) facilitating patient recruitment across 19 Italian centers; and (5) offering formal endorsement through six presidencies, adding credibility and reach beyond any single institution.

Anomalous Right Coronary Artery in the Setting of Active Tuberculosis: A Multidisciplinary Management Challenge.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly, with an uncertain prevalence and often diagnosed incidentally. This case report presents a 62-year-old male with ARCAPA diagnosed during an evaluation for chest surgery. The patient had a history of colon cancer and active tuberculosis, complicating the clinical management.

Cone reconstruction after carpentier repair in ebstein anomaly: yes we can!

The management of recurrent tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after initial tricuspid valve (TV) repair in patients with Ebstein's anomaly (EA) represents a complex challenge. Traditionally, tricuspid valve replacement has been the first-line option for these patients. The use of Cone Repair for recurrent TR remains under-reported.

AKR1B1 Expression in the Colorectal Tumor Microenvironment Contributes Towards Its Prognostic Significance.

Background: AKR1B1, a member of the aldo-keto reductase enzyme family involved in the polyol pathway of aldehyde metabolism, is aberrantly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous studies demonstrated that AKR1B1 knockdown reduced the motility and proliferation of CRC cell lines, and its elevated expression was correlated with increased mesenchymal marker expression, inflammation, and poor prognosis in CRC patient cohorts. However, whether stromal cells also express AKR1B1 and whether stromal expression can affect clinical outcomes has not been examined.

Diagnostic Potential of CD44, CD133, and VDR in Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: Association with Histopathology Parameters.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly contribute to heterogeneity, malignancy, and therapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Recent studies emphasize the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in regulating cell differentiation and stemness in various types of cancer. This study aims to determine the expression levels of CD44, CD133, and VDR in epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs) and to compare these levels across different tumor types, including benign, atypical proliferative tumors, and five types of malignant phenotypes, in order to evaluate their potential as diagnostic tools for malignancy.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Serbia: Insights from a Single-Center Registry.

Congenital heart disease (CHD), affecting approximately 1% of live births, has transitioned to a chronic condition due to advances in diagnostics and surgery, resulting in an increasing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. This study characterizes the clinical and demographic profiles of ACHD patients in Serbia, focusing on congenital anomalies, mortality rates, and key clinical factors to identify opportunities for improving care and outcomes. This observational single-center study was conducted at the Cardiovascular Institute "Dedinje" in Belgrade, Serbia, involving patients diagnosed or treated for CHD between 2006 and 2022.

First Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation With Myval Octacor Into a Failed Biological Prosthetic Aortic Valve in Serbia.

The natural progression of bioprosthetic valve degeneration over time requires further interventions for those experiencing symptomatic prosthesis dysfunction. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) emerges as a promising therapeutic option to alleviate symptoms in such patients. The valve-in-valve (ViV) technique eliminates the necessity for repetitive open-heart surgical procedures, offering particular advantages for individuals with higher surgical risks.

Analysis of TNS3-203 and LRRFIP1-211 Transcripts as Oral Cancer Biomarkers.

Introduction: A recent pan-cancer transcriptome analysis indicated differential activity of alternative promoters of genes TNS3 and LRRFIP1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma compared to non-cancerous tissue. The promoters upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma regulate expression of transcripts TNS3-203 and LRRFIP1-211.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the biomarker potential of TNS3-203 and LRRFIP1-211 transcripts in oral cancer, the most common type of head and neck cancer.

Left Coronary Artery-Right Ventricle Fistula Case Report: Optimal Treatment Decision.

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare congenital anomalies, presenting in 0.05-0.9% of cases, characterized by an aberrant connection between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or great vessel.

Left Ventricular Elastance With Resting Volumetric Transthoracic Echocardiography Identifies Different Phenotypes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Retrospective Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous entity including different phenotypes of near normal, normal, and supernormal left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to assess the value of resting LV elastance (also known as force) using transthoracic echocardiography to identify HFpEF phenotypes.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 2,380 patients with HFpEF were recruited from July 2016 to May 2024.

Comparative Analysis of Basal vs. Apical Left Ventricular Aneurysms: Impact on Ejection Fraction and Cardiac Function.

: Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is associated with a decline in cardiac function, evidenced by a lower ejection fraction (EF), due to the reduction in the proportion of functional myocardium. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), the left ventricular aneurysm volume (LVAV), and the LVAV/LVEDV ratio show a strong correlation with the EF. The aim of this study was to determine LVA characteristics post-myocardial infarction (basal vs.

Dysregulation of transcripts SMAD4-209 and SMAD4-213 and their respective promoters in colon cancer cell lines.

The pervasive role of alternative promoters in context-specific isoform expression and the importance of promoter choice over its level of transcriptional activity have been recently implied based on pan-cancer studies. We aimed to explore this phenomenon at the cellular level on the example of a major tumor suppressor SMAD4 in search of molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer that could be exploited for novel biomarkers or therapeutic approaches. Multi-omics technologies, tools and functional assays were applied to analyze the transcripts expression and the alternative promoters' function of the SMAD4 gene in colon cell lines HCEC-1CT, HCT116, DLD-1, SW480 and SW620.

Characteristics of Akinetic and Dyskinetic Left Ventricular Aneurysms in the Context of Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Treatment Selection.

. Distinct pressure curve differences exist between akinetic (A-LVA) and dyskinetic (D-LVA) aneurysms. In D-LVA, left ventricular (LV) ejection pressure decreases relative to the aneurysm size, whereas A-LVA does not impact pressure curves, indicating that the decrease in stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output is proportional to the size of dyskinesia.

Markers of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Mucinous Histology Are Significant Predictors of Disease Severity and Tumor Characteristics in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

Approximately 20% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are diagnosed with a mucinous subtype of this tumor, have a worse prognosis, and often show resistance to available therapies. Molecules from the mucin family are involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which significantly determines the cancer aggressiveness. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of mucinous histology and EMT markers in patients with early-onset CRC and their association with disease severity and tumor characteristics.

A Morphology-Preserving Algorithm for Denoising of EMG-Contaminated ECG Signals.

Clinical interpretation of an electrocardiogram (ECG) can be detrimentally affected by noise. Removal of the electromyographic (EMG) noise is particularly challenging due to its spectral overlap with the QRS complex. The existing EMG-denoising algorithms often distort signal morphology, thus obscuring diagnostically relevant information.

Manufacture of Low-Na White Soft Brined Cheese: Effect of NaCl Substitution with a Combination of Na-K Salts on Proximate Composition, Mineral Content, Microstructure, and Sensory Acceptance.

All over the world, especially in Western societies, table salt intake that is inordinately higher than the acceptable level has been observed. An excess of Na in the human diet, mostly from processed foods, is becoming the "number one killer", leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, the food industry is faced with a need to reduce Na in human nutrition in an effort to raise public health protection to a higher level.

Confronting Views of Companies and Authorities on Food Safety Issues-A Cross-Country Survey.

This study investigated food safety issues as perceived by food companies and food safety authorities in six countries in Europe and Central Asia. A total of 66 companies and 16 authorities participated in the survey. The results provide important insights related to what the main food safety priorities are, how they are addressed in the countries that participated in the survey, and what the role of the main stakeholders is in the food value chain.