Life

In the present study, two A. melanocarpa berry extracts were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). After the optimization of synthesis, the AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, EDX, DLS, and STEM analyses. The stability in different media, phytotoxicity, as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. The ideal synthesis conditions were represented by a 3 mM AgNO3 concentration, 1:9 extract:AgNO3 volume ratio, alkaline medium, and stirring at 40 °C for 120 min...

Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review of the evidence regarding the relationship between food regimens, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements and vascular health...

The present study used the adult earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides as a bioindicator species to look into the possible dangers of ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer. Two complementary toxicity tests were conducted to determine the LC50values, growth rate inhibition, morphological alterations, and histopathological texture of worms. The lethality test included four increasing concentrations of AS fertilizer (ranging from 2500 to 7500 mg/kg of dry soil weight (d.w.)), while sub-lethal concentrations were based on 10%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the 14-day median lethal concentration (LC50), with a control group included for both tests...

During the past 20 years, the use of ultrasound (US) in rheumatology has increased tremendously, and has become a valuable tool in rheumatologists' hands, not only for assessment of musculoskeletal structures like joints and peri-articular tissues, but also for evaluation of nerves, vessels, lungs, and skin, as well as for increasing the accuracy in a number of US-guided aspirations and injections. The US is currently used as the imaging method of choice for establishing an early diagnosis, assessing disease activity, monitoring treatment efficacy, and assessing the remission state of inflammatory joint diseases...

Italy was the first western country to be hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and has suffered nearly 200,000 deaths so far during the four years of the pandemic. In March 2020, Italy first deployed COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) to treat hospitalized patients. Despite this initial effort, the proportion of COVID-19 patients treated with CCP during the first two years of the pandemic (2020-2021) was very low (approximately 2% of individuals hospitalized for COVID-19). In this study, we estimated the number of actual inpatient lives saved by CCP treatment in Italy using national mortality data, and CCP mortality reduction data from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and real-world data...

UNLABELLED: Obesity is linked to the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), even among the pediatric population. Some inflammatory and cardioembolic indexes derived from routine laboratory tests have captivated the attention of the medical community. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether these markers are effective in distinguishing varying degrees of obesity and MetS in children and adolescents. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study...

Extremophiles, organisms thriving in extreme environments such as hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and hypersaline ecosystems, have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable adaptability and biotechnological potential. This review presents recent advancements in isolating and characterizing extremophiles, highlighting their applications in enzyme production, bioplastics, environmental management, and space exploration. The unique biological mechanisms of extremophiles offer valuable insights into life's resilience and potential uses in industry and astrobiology...

Nasturtium officinale R.Br. (Betong watercress) contains high levels of secondary metabolites that offer health benefits. However, fresh-cut watercress has a short shelf life. This study aimed to assess the effect of drying methods on the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, and anti-diabetic activity of Betong watercress. The watercress was dried using three methods: roasting (R, 50 °C, 40 min); roasting and drying (RD, 40 min roasting at 50 °C and 1 h drying at 80 °C); and blanching, roasting, and drying (BRD, 30 s blanching at 80 °C, 20 min roasting at 50 °C, and 1 h drying at 80 °C)...

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in interstitial lung disease (ILD) is relatively common, affecting up to 50% of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It occurs more frequently in advanced fibrotic ILD, although it may also complicate milder disease and carries significant clinical implications in terms of morbidity and mortality. Key pathological processes driving ILD-PH include hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodelling. While current understanding of the complex cell signalling pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying ILD-PH remains incomplete, there is evidence for an interplay between the disease pathogenesis of fibrotic ILD and PH, with interest in the role of the pulmonary endothelium in driving pulmonary fibrogenesis more recently...

Previous studies on the mountain plant Ranunculus kuepferi concluded that apomictic self-compatible tetraploids have experienced a niche shift toward a colder climate during the Holocene, which suggests a fitness advantage over the sexual, self-sterile diploid parents under cold and stressful high-mountain conditions. However, there is still a lack of information on whether reproductive development would be advantageous for tetraploids. Here, we report on microsporogenesis, megagametogenesis, the dynamics of flower and seed development, and the consequences for reproductive success in a common garden experiment along a 1000 m climatic elevation gradient and in natural populations...

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has seen a rise in prevalence, and the immune system's role in brain development is increasingly recognized. This study investigates the relationship between immune dysregulation and ASD by examining serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (CXCL8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in children. METHODS: Serum samples from 45 children with ASD and 30 controls, aged 2 to 12 years, were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence, chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, and chemiluminescent immunoassay...

The prognosis, outcome, and overall survival of melanoma patients improve with early diagnosis which has been facilitated in the past few decades with the introduction of dermoscopy. Further advancements in dermoscopic research, coupled with skilled, educated dermatologists in dermoscopy, have contributed to timely diagnoses. However, detecting amelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma remains a challenge even to the most skilled experts because these melanomas can mimic inflammatory diseases, numerous benign lesions, and non-melanoma skin cancers...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and the impact of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) on intraoperative decision-making, as there is still no standardized protocol for its use. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed multiple CE-IOUS performed in hepato-pancreatic-biliary surgery with respect to pre- and postoperative imaging and histopathological findings. METHODS: Data of 50 patients who underwent hepato-pancreatic-biliary surgery between 03/2022 and 03/2024 were retrospectively collected...

Skeletal muscle secretome, through its paracrine and endocrine functions, contributes to the maintenance and regulation of overall physiological health. We conducted a narrative review on the role of skeletal muscle and exercise in maintaining glucose homeostasis, driving insulin resistance (IR), and preventing type 2 diabetes in pediatric populations, especially in the context of overweight and obesity. Myokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-15, as well as irisin, myonectin, and myostatin, appear to play a crucial role in IR...

Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance (IR) are widespread yet often undetected in their early stages, contributing to a silent epidemic. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is also highly prevalent, increasing the chronic disease burden. Annual check-ups are inadequate for early detection due to conventional result formats that lack specific markers and comprehensive visualization. The aim of this study was to evaluate low-budget biochemical and hematological parameters, with data visualization, for identifying IR and MetS in a community-based laboratory...

The presence of Demodex spp. mites on the skin is a common phenomenon in the human population. In most people, it is an asymptomatic infestation, but in some patients, it can contribute to the occurrence of diseases such as demodicosis, rosacea, or blepharitis, as well as non-specific symptoms. In this study, the results of tests assessing the presence of Demodex spp. by direct microscopic examination (DME) in 2508 patients from northern Poland with the suspicion of demodicosis were retrospectively analyzed...

This study aims to develop and apply multistate models to estimate, forecast, and manage hospital length of stay during the COVID-19 epidemic without using any external packages. Data from Bellvitge University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, were analyzed, involving 2285 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe conditions. The implemented multistate model includes transition probabilities and risk rates calculated from transitions between defined states, such as admission, ICU transfer, discharge, and death...

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic challenges and management of relapsing polychondritis (RP) with airway involvement, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and effective intervention to prevent severe complications. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records from January 2011 through June 2024 at a single tertiary-care institution were reviewed. This study was approved by the institutional review board. A total of 34 patients were diagnosed with RP, among whom 4 presented with significant airway complications...

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Previous experimental findings have led to considerable interest in the beneficial effects on pulmonary hypertension (PH) produced by sildenafil and in the pleiotropic effects of rosuvastatin and their positive role in the process of pulmonary angiogenesis. However, magnesium sulfate, the most abundant intracellular cation, is essential in vascular endothelial functionality due to its anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. Therefore, the present study aims to assess these treatment regimens and how they could potentially provide some additional benefits in PH therapy...