A Successful Treatment of Broncho-Esophageal Fistula with Esophageal Stenting Using Direct Endoscopic Visualization.

Broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a severe yet relatively rare connection between the bronchus and esophagus usually caused by esophageal and pulmonary malignancies. We present a case report of a 49-year-old man diagnosed with terminal lung carcinoma who developed a BEF. The thoracic computed tomography scan detected a mass in the left bronchi that partially covers and disrupts the bronchial contour in certain regions and extends to the esophageal wall. After thoroughly evaluating alternative treatment approaches, we opt for the stenting procedure due to the advanced stage of the tumor and the significantly diminished quality of life. The treatment involves the use of a partially covered metal stent that is known to exhibit lower potential to migrate. The treatment is highly successful, resulting in a significant enhancement of the patient's quality of life, a lengthening in his survival, and the ability to pursue additional palliative treatment options. In contrast to the typical prosthesis implantation, our procedure uses a direct endoscopic visualization for the proximal deployment of a partially covered stent, offering a cost-effective and radiation-free alternative that can be particularly beneficial for BEF patients in facilities without radiology services.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma and Breast Cancer Cells.

Despite the notable advancements witnessed in the past decade in medical and health research domain, cancer remains a prominent global cause of mortality. Moreover, the conventional treatments employed to combat this disease have been found to considerably compromise the quality of life experienced by patients due to its severe side effects. Recent in vitro studies revealed encouraging findings on the potential beneficial effects of probiotics as adjuvants of anticancer therapy, and even as possible agents for the prevention and treatment of various types of malignancies. From this standpoint, the primary objective of this work was to investigate the anticancer properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) and elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. In order to investigate this matter, several doses of LP (ranging from 105 to 1010 CFU/mL) were examined in relation to melanoma cancer cell lines (A375) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The cell viability findings, which were substantiated by morphological investigations and annexin V/PI assay, indicated that LP exerted inhibitory effects on cellular activity and triggered apoptosis. Additionally, upon further investigation into its mechanism, it was observed through the apoptosis assay and Western blot analysis that the administration of LP resulted in an elevation of pro-apoptotic BAX protein levels and an upregulation of cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) protein expression. Conversely, the levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein were found to decrease in the A375 and MCF-7 cell lines. These findings provide insight into the pro-apoptotic mechanism of action of LP in these specific cell lines.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part I).

Triterpenic acids are phytocompounds with a widespread range of biological activities that have been the subject of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their underlying mechanisms of action in various pathologies are not completely elucidated. The current review aims to summarize the most recent literature, published in the last five years, regarding the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids (asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid), corelated with different biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial. All three discussed compounds share several mechanisms of action, such as the targeted modulation of the PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-kB, EMT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, while other mechanisms that proved to only be specific for a part of the triterpenic acids discussed, such as the modulation of Notch, Hippo, and MALAT1/miR-206/PTGS1 signaling pathway, were highlighted as well. This paper stands as the first part in our literature study on the topic, which will be followed by a second part focusing on other triterpenic acids of therapeutic value.

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges.

The last decade has witnessed a sustained increase in the research development of modern-day chemo-therapeutics, especially for those used for high mortality rate pathologies. However, the therapeutic landscape is continuously changing as a result of the currently existing toxic side effects induced by a substantial range of drug classes. One growing research direction driven to mitigate such inconveniences has converged towards the study of natural molecules for their promising therapeutic potential. Triterpenes are one such class of compounds, intensively investigated for their therapeutic versatility. Although the pharmacological effects reported for several representatives of this class has come as a well-deserved encouragement, the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules has turned out to be an unwelcomed disappointment. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel arrived with the development of nanotechnology, more specifically, the use of liposomes as drug delivery systems. Liposomes are easily synthesizable phospholipid-based vesicles, with highly tunable surfaces, that have the ability to transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic structures ensuring superior drug bioavailability at the action site as well as an increased selectivity. This study aims to report the results related to the development of different types of liposomes, used as targeted vectors for the delivery of various triterpenes of high pharmacological interest.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients aged ≥65 years in Western Romania.

Older age is known as a negative prognostic parameter in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we aimed to investigate age-related differences in treatment protocols, in-hospital and 1-year mortality. This retrospective observational single-center study enrolled consecutive AMI patients with an urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as the main method of myocardial revascularization. The patients divided were divided by age into group I (≥65 years) and group II (<65 years). The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality, the secondary endpoints were 1-year mortality and rehospitalization rates. Of the 522 admitted with AMI, 476 were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 67 ± 13 years; 62% were men. Group I patients had a significantly lower rate of performed PCI (65% vs. 79%, P < 0.001). 53 patients (12.3%) died during hospitalization, and this proportion was notably higher in the older population (20% vs. 6%, P < 0.0001). The cardiac causes of death were more frequent in group I patients (12% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.016). The multivariate logistic regression selected two variables as independent predictors for the risk of in-hospital death: age ≥65 years (P = 0.0170), and Killip class at admission (P < 0.0001). The 1-year mortality was 3.3%, slightly higher in group I patients (4.8% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.05). In conclusion, patients aged ≥65 years have three times higher in-hospital mortality, but similar 1-year mortality and readmission rates when compared with the younger patients. It is obvious that there is a large potential for improvement of the AMI care in this age group of patients.

Independent predictors of in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates in octogenarians with acute myocardial infarction.

Older age is known as a negative prognostic parameter in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. In this study, we aimed to explore age-associated differences in treatment protocols, in-hospital and 1-year mortality. This cohort observational study included 277 consecutive AMI patients, separated into 2 groups according to whether their age was ≥80 years or not. We found that group I patients (aged ≥80 years) had a notably lower rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed (P < 0.0001) and a notably higher in-hospital death rate (P < 0.003). The multivariate logistic regression analysis found that three variables were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality: age ≥80 years (P < 0.0001), LVEF <40% (P < 0.0001), and Killip class ≥3 (P < 0.0001). The 1-year death rate was again significantly higher in group I patients (P < 0.001) and was independently predicted by the triple-vessel coronary artery disease (P = 0.004) and an LVEF <40% at admission (P = 0.001). The 1-year readmission rate was superior in group I (P < 0.01) and independently predicted by an age ≥80 years (P < 0.001), and an history of congestive heart failure (P < 0.0001) or permanent atrial fibrillation (P < 0.001). We concluded that patients aged ≥80 benefit less often from a PCI and have higher rates of in-hospital mortality, as well as of 1-year readmission and mortality rates.

A novel approach to cardiovascular disturbances in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated with long-acting injectable medication.

PURPOSE: This research article assesses the cardiovascular impact of long-term injectable antipsychotic therapy on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In our study, we attempted to quantify the potential causes of cardiovascular damage, assess cardiovascular parameters, and correlate them with the time elapsed from the onset of the psychosis until the initiation of injectable antipsychotic therapy, as well as the duration of long-acting therapy, and finally, to compare two of the most utilized long-acting injectable (LAI) medications (olanzapine vs risperidone). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 64 patients of 2 outpatient clinics undergoing treatment with LAI antipsychotics for schizophrenic spectrum disorder. The study reports outpatients' clinical data, laboratory blood sample findings, routine echocardiography, as well as speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Among patients with longer durations of pre-long-acting antipsychotic treatment, body mass indices, mitral velocity wave values (E and A waves), and the global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurements significantly correlated with patients' myocardial contractility. The study also found that GLS was significantly lower in the group in which pre-LAI duration was prolonged, and was not influenced by the duration of LAI treatment. Furthermore, patients receiving olanzapine showed significantly improved myocardial contractility as measured by the aforementioned parameters, in comparison with patients treated with risperidone. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that patients suffering from schizophrenia and who are left untreated or poorly treated for a longer period of time may develop myocardial impairment. The changes may be both secondary to a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and may also be generated by the disease per se. The group who received olanzapine demonstrated improved results for a longer period of time without proper medication.

Prognostic impact of blood pressure and heart rate at admission on in-hospital mortality after primary percutaneous intervention for acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation in western Romania.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) on in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, after primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 294 patients admitted for STEMI. They were divided into five groups according to the SBP at admission: group I, <105 mmHg; group II, 105-125 mmHg; group III, 126-140 mmHg; group IV, 141-158 mmHg; and group V, ≥159 mmHg. Increased HR was defined as ≥80 beats per minute (bpm). In-hospital death was defined as all-cause death during admission and classified into cardiac and noncardiac death. RESULTS: Among the 294 patients admitted for STEMI, 218 (74%) were men. The mean age was 62±17 years. In-hospital mortality rate was 6% (n=18), with 11 (3.7%) deaths having cardiac causes. The highest mortality was registered in group I (n=9, 16%, P=0.018). Compared to the other groups, group I patients were older (P=0.033), more often smokers (P=0.026), and had a history of myocardial infarction (P=0.003), systemic hypertension (P=0.023), diabetes (P=0.041), or chronic kidney disease (P=0.0200). They more often had a HR ≥80 bpm (P=0.028) and a Killip class 3 or 4 at admission (P=0.020). The peak creatine phosphokinase-MB level was significantly higher in this group (P=0.005), while the angiographic findings more often identified as culprit lesions were the right coronary artery (P=0.005), the left main trunk (P=0.040), or a multivessel coronary artery disease (P=0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that group I patients had a significantly higher risk for both all-cause death (P=0.006) and cardiac death (P=0.003). Patients with HR ≥80 bpm also had higher mortality rates (P=0.0272 for general mortality and P=0.0280 for cardiac mortality). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that SBP <105 mmHg and HR ≥80 bpm at admission of STEMI patients are associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death, even after primary PCI.

Canada acute coronary syndrome score was a stronger baseline predictor than age ≥75 years of in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients in western Romania.

BACKGROUND: Several risk scores were developed for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, but their use is limited by their complexity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors at admission for in-hospital mortality in ACS patients in western Romania, using a simple risk-assessment tool - the new Canada acute coronary syndrome (C-ACS) risk score. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The baseline risk of patients admitted with ACS was retrospectively assessed using the C-ACS risk score. The score ranged from 0 to 4; 1 point was assigned for the presence of each of the following parameters: age ≥75 years, Killip class >1, systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg, and heart rate >100 bpm. RESULTS: A total of 960 patients with ACS were included, 409 (43%) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 551 (57%) with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). The C-ACS score predicted in-hospital mortality in all ACS patients with a C-statistic of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93-0.96), in STEMI patients with a C-statistic of 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-0.94), and in NSTE-ACS patients with a C-statistic of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98). Of the 960 patients, 218 (22.7%) were aged ≥75 years. The proportion of patients aged ≥75 years was 21.7% in the STEMI subgroup and 23.4% in the NSTE-ACS subgroup (P>0.05). Age ≥75 years was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in ACS patients (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.24-8.25) and in the STEMI subgroup (OR >3.99, 95% CI: 1.28-12.44). Female sex was strongly associated with mortality in the NSTE-ACS subgroup (OR: 27.72, 95% CI: 1.83-39.99). CONCLUSION: We conclude that C-ACS score was the strongest predictor of in-hospital mortality in all ACS patients while age ≥75 years predicted the mortality well in the STEMI subgroup.