The role of berberine in polycystic ovary syndrome - a summary of knowledge.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widely prevalent condition that affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age. Although first described in the 18th century, a detailed account of the disease was not provided until Stein and Leventhal's 1935 report. Due to the varied symptomatology of PCOS, treatment must be tailored and often involves using multiple drugs for optimal pharmacotherapy. Berberine, an alkaloid with a longstanding history of use, has gained popularity as a potential treatment option for PCOS. Previous studies have demonstrated that berberine can improve hormonal imbalances by reducing testosterone and FAI, increasing SHBG, and mitigating the clinical symptoms of androgen excess, including hirsutism and acne. Moreover, berberine enhances the therapeutic effects of other drugs commonly used in PCOS, such as metformin and oral contraceptive pills. It is generally well-tolerated with a favourable safety profile. However, further research is warranted to establish conclusive evidence regarding berberine's mechanistic underpinnings, therapeutic potential, and long-term safety as a PCOS treatment modality.

Numerical and physical modeling of breast cancer based on image fusion and artificial intelligence.

PURPOSE: The key problem raised in the paper is the change in the position of the breast tumor due to magnetic resonance imaging examinations in the abdominal position relative to the supine position during the surgical procedure. Changing the position of the patient leads to significant deformation of the breast, which leads to the inability to indicate the location of the neoplastic lesion correctly. METHODS: This study outlines a methodological process for treating cancer patients. Pre-qualification assessments are conducted for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 3D scans are taken in three positions: supine with arms raised, supine surgical position (SS), and standing. MRI and standard ultrasonography (USG) imaging are performed, and breast and cancer tissue are segmented from the MRI images. Finite element analysis is used to simulate tissue behavior in different positions, and an artificial neural network is trained to predict tumor dislocation. Based on the model, a 3D-printed breast with a highlighted tumor is manufactured. This computer-aided analysis is used to create a detailed surgical plan, and lumpectomy surgery is performed in the SS. In addition, the geometry of the tumor is presented to the medical staff as a 3D-printed element. RESULTS: By utilizing a comprehensive range of techniques, including pre-qualification assessment, 3D scanning, MRI and USG imaging, segmentation of breast and cancer tissue, model analysis, image fusion, finite element analysis, artificial neural network training, and additive manufacturing, a detailed surgical plan can be created for performing lumpectomy surgery in the supine surgical position. CONCLUSION: The new approach developed for the pre-operative assessment and surgical planning of breast cancer patients has demonstrated significant potential for improving the accuracy and efficacy of surgical procedures. This procedure may also help the pathomorphological justification. Moreover, transparent 3D-printed breast models can benefit breast cancer operation assistance. The physical and computational models can help surgeons visualize the breast and the tumor more accurately and detailedly, allowing them to plan the surgery with greater precision and accuracy.

Multimodality imaging in lobular breast cancer: Differences in mammography, ultrasound, and MRI in the assessment of local tumor extent and correlation with molecular characteristics.

Introduction: Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) is a diagnostic challenge due to the diversity of morphological features. The objective of the study was to investigate the presentation and local extent of ILC using various imaging techniques and to assess the correlation between imaging and molecular profile. Materials and methods: We reviewed 162 consecutive patients with ILC found on vacuum-assisted biopsy, who underwent evaluation of the lesion morphology and extent using ultrasound (US), mammography (MMG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Radiographic features were compared with ILC intrinsic subtype based on the expression of Ki-67 and estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Results: A total of 113 mass lesions and 49 non-mass enhancements (NMEs) were found in MRI. Masses were typically irregular and spiculated, showing heterogeneous contrast enhancement, diffusion restriction, and type III enhancement curve. NMEs presented mainly as the area of focal or multiregional distribution with heterogeneous or clumped contrast enhancement, diffusion restriction, and type III enhancement curve. Lesion extent significantly varied between MRI and MMG/ultrasonography (USG) (P < 0.001) but did not differ between MGF and ultrasonography (USG). The larger the ILC, the higher the disproportion when lesion extent in MRI was compared with MMG (P < 0.001) and ultrasonography (USG) (P < 0.001). In the study group, there were 97 cases of luminal A subtype (59.9%), 54 cases of luminal B HER2- (33.3%), nine cases of luminal B HER2+ (5.5%), and two cases of triple negative (1.2%). The HER2 type was not found in the study group. We did not observe any significant correlation between molecular profile and imaging. Conclusion: MRI is the most effective technique for the assessment of ILC local extent, which is important for optimal treatment planning. Further studies are needed to investigate if the intrinsic subtype of ILC can be predicted by imaging features on MRI.

Aortoesophageal fistula as a complication of thoracic aorta aneurism stent grafting - a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent grafting is performed in patients with aneurysms of aorta or other major vessels. The procedure is considered to be generally safe, with a low risk of complications, the most common of which include endoleaks, stenosis or thrombosis at the stagraft and itsmigration. Very rare complications include aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistulas (0.5-1.7% cases). CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital with suspected aortoesophageal fistula. Two years prior, the patient had undergone a stent graft repair of the thoracic aorta at the local vascular surgery clinic. Both laboratory results and CT angiography revealed aortoesophageal fistula, which was also detected in endoscopic examination. Despite intensive treatment and preparation for surgery, the patient died 6 days after admission. CONCLUSIONS: Aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistulas are among the most dangerous and difficult-to-treat complications in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms by endovascular stent-grafting. This clearly indicates that preventive care and regular medical examinations are important to prevent their occurrence.