Mitigating atherosclerosis: Integrating vaccines with gene targets.

The formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques occur through cellular dysfunction and remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the sub-endothelial space of vessels. The immunity against specific antigens is suggested to mitigate the atherosclerosis process. Primarily, studies have suggested that certain antigens, such as ox-LDL, ApoB-100, CETP, PCSK9, HSP60, MHC-II-derived peptides, and interleukins, are involved in atherosclerosis.

"Impact of Limberg Flap Reconstruction Following Abdominoperineal Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial.".

Background: Perineal wound complications after abdominoperineal resection (APR) for low rectal cancer remain a significant challenge. Effective reconstruction methods are critical to reducing morbidity and improving outcomes.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of primary closure versus Limberg flap reconstruction in managing perineal defects post-abdominoperineal resection.

Computational study of halbach-array-driven magnetic targeting for aortic tumor using Non-Newtonian blood flow models.

Aortic tumors are uncommon but aggressive and require thoughtful, focused treatment modalities. In this study, a novel computational study into magnetic drug targeting (MDT) for aortic tumors using a Halbach array to produce a non-uniform magnetic field was performed. Additionally, non-Newtonian blood flow properties, using Power-law and Carreau models were used in simulations.

Quality of life in pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism: clinical management gaps.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy affects a significant proportion of women, yet its impact on maternal well-being remains insufficiently explored. Current diagnostic and treatment guidelines focus primarily on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, often overlooking the broader implications of SCH on maternal quality of life (QoL). This narrow focus may lead to missed opportunities for interventions that could enhance the overall well-being of this population.

Evaluation and Comparison of Treatment Response and In-Hospital Prognosis of COVID-19-Related Guillain-Barre Syndrome with Non-COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused significant health and social impacts worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, can lead to neurological symptoms, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This study aimed to compare the clinical manifestations, electrophysiological characteristics, degree of disability, and treatment outcomes of GBS patients with COVID-19 (COVID-19-related GBS) with GBS patients without COVID-19.

Sonographic features of internal carotid artery in patients with opioid use disorder: Is opium a new risk factor for atherosclerosis of internal carotid artery?

Background: Opium use disorder (OUD) is prevalent worldwide. Despite its traditional use, recent studies suggest that OUD may exacerbate atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke. This study investigates the effect of OUD on internal carotid artery sonographic findings using B-mode Doppler sonography.

Gram-negative bacteria activate cellular pathways in plaque microenvironment; Systems biology approach.

Background: Inflammatory events followed by bacterial infections are related to the progression of the atherosclerosis process. The study investigated the signaling and metabolic pathways of endothelial cells (ECs), macrophages (MQs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and dendritic cells (DCs) after exposure to Gram-negative bacterial infections. Moreover, it aimed at cross-talking and enriching the pathways on the cellular and plaque networks.

Treatment-resistant inflammatory demyelinating pseudotumor with Marburg-like features: A narrative review-based treatment approach.

Inflammatory demyelinating pseudotumor (IDP) mimics intracranial neoplasms in terms of both clinical presentation and imaging features. IDP with Marburg-like features represents a severe form of inflammatory demyelinating encephalomyelitis, marked by a dramatic onset, aggressive course, absence of remission, and the presence of tumor-like central nervous system demyelinating lesions. Key features of IDP in brain magnetic resonance imaging include open or incomplete ring enhancement, low T2 rim, peripheral diffusion restriction, absent or mild mass effect, and perilesional edema.

Liver biomarkers as predictors of prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for 50% of heart failure cases, with increasing prevalence due to aging and risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. Liver dysfunction is common in HFpEF and may impact prognosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of liver function markers (albumin, bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP) in HFpEF patients.

Evaluation of folic acid-targeted gadolinium-loaded perfluorohexane nanodroplets on the megavoltage X-ray treatment efficiency of liver cancer.

The efficacy of radiation therapy can decrease due to the inherent radioresistance of different tumor cells. Gadolinium shows significant potential as a radiosensitivity enhancer due to its high atomic number. In this study, a novel theranostic nanoprobe based on folic acid-conjugated gadolinium-loaded nanodroplets (FA-Gd-NDs) has been introduced for ultrasound imaging (USI)-guided radiation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Heparin suppresses FoxO1/pFoxO1 signaling axis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: The atherosclerosis process relates to the dysfunction of different cells in the plaque microenvironment. The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in atherosclerosis. Since the FoxO family is reported to control cell growth, thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Heparin, Betulinic acid, and Ibrutinib on the FoxO1/pFoxO1 axis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Prognostic Impact of Right Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction (RVDD) increases the volume load on the right ventricle. We aimed to evaluate the association of RVDD with perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Methods: This single-center observational study included all consecutive isolated CABG patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)>40% from May 2022 to May 2023 who were evaluated for RV diastolic function by transthoracic echocardiography.

Delivery Mode and Neonatal Thyrotropin Levels: Insights From a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Optimal thyroid function is particularly crucial during infancy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between the mode of delivery and neonatal thyrotropin levels at birth.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies published up to 2023.

Injectable hyaluronic acid-based microcapsules loaded with human endometrial stem cells improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Therapeutic efficacy of human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) encapsulated in hyaluronic acid (HA)-based microcapsules for cardiac regeneration in a rat model of MI is investigated. Cell-enclosed microcapsules were made by loading hEnSCs within hydrogel membrane produced from modified HA possessing phenolic hydroxyl moieties (HA-Ph). The hEnSC-loaded HA-Ph microcapsules (≈150 μm) injected intramyocardially into the peri-infarct area post-MI.

Comparative analysis of the silver-gold and copper-titanium dioxide hybrid nanoparticles impact on flow and heat transfer of the pulsatile blood in occluded cerebral artery.

Arterial stenosis, which is the progressive narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels, severely compromises perfusion and leads to complex hemodynamic alterations. Evolving to address this challenge, hybrid nanofluids have emerged as a truly transformative solution due to their superior thermal and fluid properties. The present study numerically investigates the flow and heat transfer phenomena of two hybrid nanofluids, namely Silver-Gold (Ag-Au) and Copper-Titanium dioxide (Cu-TiO), in a bifurcated artery with 50% stenosis.

Misdiagnosis of a Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism in A Patient With Dextrocardia and a Pacemaker.

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is the third most common cause of acute cardiovascular disease, which can lead to high morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Anatomical and electrophysiological variations and obesity may complicate timely diagnosis and delay required management. While computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains the most accurate diagnostic tool, initial assessments using electrocardiography (ECG) or echocardiography can be helpful in early suspicion.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with acute retrobulbar optic neuritis and abducens nerve palsy: a case report.

Herpes zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) affecting the ophthalmic division (V1) of the trigeminal nerve. HZO may cause extraocular muscle palsies, with the third nerve being the most commonly affected and the fourth nerve the least. The combined involvement of the optic nerve and isolated paralysis of the eye muscle is very rare, with only limited case reports documenting this complication of ocular herpes zoster.

A positive psychotherapy group intervention to increase distress tolerance and reduce feelings of entrapment in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a central neurogenic demyelinating disease. This is one of the most common neurological diseases in humans and is the most debilitating at a young age. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include vision problems, balance problems, dizziness, sensory disturbances, chronic neuropathy, and fatigue.

Prognostic impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on short-term and long-term outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition that complicates major surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to evaluate the impact of COPD on the outcome of CABG. A registry-based retrospective cohort study included individuals who received CABG between 2009 and 2016.

A copula-based multivariate flood frequency analysis under climate change effects.

Floods are among the most severe natural hazards, causing substantial damage and affecting millions of lives. These events are inherently multi-dimensional, requiring analysis across multiple factors. Traditional research often uses a bivariate framework relying on historical data, but climate change is expected to influence flood frequency analysis and flood system design in the future.

Evaluation of the Relative Frequency of Preinjury Activity Recovery in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Replacement Patients: A Cohort Study.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has an incidence of 0.05-0.08 per thousand.

GULP1 as a Downstream Effector of the Estrogen Receptor-β Modulates Cisplatin Sensitivity in Bladder Cancer.

Background/aim: Precise molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to cisplatin-based chemotherapy remain unclear, while the activity of estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) has been suggested to be associated with chemosensitivity in urothelial cancer. We aimed to determine if GULP1, an adapter protein known to facilitate phagocytosis, could represent a downstream effector of ERβ and thereby modulate cisplatin sensitivity in bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: GULP1 expression and cisplatin cytotoxicity were compared in bladder cancer lines.

Association of Beverage Consumption with Cardio-metabolic Risk Factors and Alanine Transaminase Levels in Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-V Study.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the association of beverage consumption with cardiometabolic risk factors and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in children and adolescents.

Materials And Methods: This nationwide study is a part of the fifth survey of a national surveillance program in Iran. Overall, 4200 students, aged 7-18 years, were selected from 30 provinces by multi-stage cluster sampling.