Aesthetic Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction in Laparoscopic vs. Open Incisional Hernia Repair: Have We Asked the Patients?

Background: Incisional hernias are predominantly treated through open or laparoscopic surgery, with each method influencing recovery and patient-reported outcomes. This underscores the need for reliable assessment tools such as the EuraHS-QoL questionnaire to evaluate quality of life after surgery. Methods: This prospective single-center study was aimed at evaluating aestethic outcomes and patient satisfaction following laparoscopic versus open hernia repair. It involved 222 patients categorized by type of approach. The EuraHS-QoL questionnaire was used preoperatively and at 1- and 3-months post-surgery, with data analysis performed using Origin Pro 2018 and SPSS software version 28.0. Results: Among the participants, 152 were females and 70 males, with 78% undergoing open surgery and 22% laparoscopic. Findings revealed superior patient outcomes with laparoscopic repair in terms of pain management, daily activities, and aesthetic satisfaction. Patients reported significantly lower pain levels and fewer restrictions in daily activities post-laparoscopic surgery. While initial postoperative cosmetic results favored laparoscopic methods, the perceived differences in abdominal shape diminished over time. Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair significantly improves quality of life compared to open surgery, as shown by EuraHS-QoL scores. These results support the use of laparoscopic techniques in appropriate cases due to their benefits in pain reduction and faster functional recovery.

Does the Rechallenge with Another CDK 4/6 Inhibitor in Breast Cancer Work? A Case Report and Literature Review.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors and endocrine therapy are the gold standards for systemic therapy for patients with hormone-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer. Following progression, no prospective randomized data exist to help guide second-line treatment. Moreover, there is a scarcity of data on rechallenge treatment strategies with another CDK4/6 inhibitor after prior limiting toxicity. We report a real-world experience of rechallenging with abemaciclib after the prior reaction of grade 4 liver toxicity to ribociclib, with high transaminases values of more than 27 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and unexpected grade 3 neutropenia and diarrhea after a few months of abemaciclib. After two years of treatment, the patient had stable oncological disease, with normal complete blood count, hepatic enzymes, and a very good performance status. We believe that our clinical case, along with others gathered from all around the world, will help with the consolidation of an unmet clinical need to readjust the treatment after experiencing toxicity to CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Particular Anatomy of the Hyperopic Eye and Potential Clinical Implications.

Background and Objectives: Hyperopia is a refractive error which affects cognitive and social development if uncorrected and raises the risk of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Materials and Methods: The study included only the right eye-40 hyperopic eyes in the study group (spherical equivalent (SE) under pharmacological cycloplegia over 0.50 D), 34 emmetropic eyes in the control group (SE between -0.50 D and +0.50 D). A complete ophthalmological evaluation was performed, including autorefractometry to measure SE, and additionally we performed Ocular Response Analyser: Corneal Hysteresis (CH), Corneal Resistance Factor (CRF); specular microscopy: Endothelial cell density (CD), Cell variability (CV), Hexagonality (Hex), Aladdin biometry: Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD), Axial Length (AL), Central Corneal Thickness (CCT). IBM SPSS 26 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the entire cohort was 22.93 years (SD ± 12.069), 66.22% being female and 33.78% male. The hyperopic eyes had significantly lower AL, ACD, higher SE, CH, CRF. In the hyperopia group, there are significant, negative correlations between CH and AL (r -0.335), CRF and AL (r -0.334), SE-AL (r -0.593), ACD and CV (r -0.528), CV and CRF (r -0.438), CH (r -0.379), and positive correlations between CCT and CH (r 0.393) or CRF (r 0.435), CD and ACD (r 0.509) or CH (0.384). Age is significantly, negatively correlated with ACD (r -0.447), CH (r -0.544), CRF (r -0.539), CD (r -0.546) and positively with CV (r 0.470). Conclusions: Our study suggests a particular biomechanical behavior of the cornea in hyperopia, in relation with morphological and endothelial parameters. Moreover, the negative correlation between age and ACD suggests a shallower anterior chamber as patients age, increasing the risk for PACG.

Drug-like molecules with anti-trypanothione synthetase activity identified by high throughput screening.

Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) catalyses the synthesis of N1,N8-bis(glutathionyl)spermidine (trypanothione), which is the main low molecular mass thiol supporting several redox functions in trypanosomatids. TryS attracts attention as molecular target for drug development against pathogens causing severe and fatal diseases in mammals. A drug discovery campaign aimed to identify and characterise new inhibitors of TryS with promising biological activity was conducted. A large compound library (n = 51,624), most of them bearing drug-like properties, was primarily screened against TryS from Trypanosoma brucei (TbTryS). With a true-hit rate of 0.056%, several of the TbTryS hits (IC50 from 1.2 to 36 µM) also targeted the homologue enzyme from Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi (IC50 values from 2.6 to 40 µM). Calmidazolium chloride and Ebselen stand out for their multi-species anti-TryS activity at low µM concentrations (IC50 from 2.6 to 13.8 µM). The moieties carboxy piperidine amide and amide methyl thiazole phenyl were identified as novel TbTryS inhibitor scaffolds. Several of the TryS hits presented one-digit µM EC50 against T. cruzi and L. donovani amastigotes but proved cytotoxic against the human osteosarcoma and macrophage host cells (selectivity index ≤ 3). In contrast, seven hits showed a significantly higher selectivity against T. b. brucei (selectivity index from 11 to 182). Non-invasive redox assays confirmed that Ebselen, a multi-TryS inhibitor, induces an intracellular oxidative milieu in bloodstream T. b. brucei. Kinetic and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that Ebselen is a slow-binding inhibitor that modifies irreversible a highly conserved cysteine residue from the TryS's synthetase domain. The most potent TbTryS inhibitor (a singleton containing an adamantine moiety) exerted a non-covalent, non-competitive (with any of the substrates) inhibition of the enzyme. These data feed the drug discovery pipeline for trypanosomatids with novel and valuable information on chemical entities with drug potential.

The Roles of miRNA in Glioblastoma Tumor Cell Communication: Diplomatic and Aggressive Negotiations.

Glioblastoma (GBM) consists of a heterogeneous collection of competing cellular clones which communicate with each other and with the tumor microenvironment (TME). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) present various exchange mechanisms: free miRNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), or gap junctions (GJs). GBM cells transfer miR-4519 and miR-5096 to astrocytes through GJs. Oligodendrocytes located in the invasion front present high levels of miR-219-5p, miR-219-2-3p, and miR-338-3p, all related to their differentiation. There is a reciprocal exchange between GBM cells and endothelial cells (ECs) as miR-5096 promotes angiogenesis after being transferred into ECs, whereas miR-145-5p acts as a tumor suppressor. In glioma stem cells (GSCs), miR-1587 and miR-3620-5p increase the proliferation and miR-1587 inhibits the hormone receptor co-repressor-1 (NCOR1) after EVs transfers. GBM-derived EVs carry miR-21 and miR-451 that are up-taken by microglia and monocytes/macrophages, promoting their proliferation. Macrophages release EVs enriched in miR-21 that are transferred to glioma cells. This bidirectional miR-21 exchange increases STAT3 activity in GBM cells and macrophages, promoting invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to treatment. miR-1238 is upregulated in resistant GBM clones and their EVs, conferring resistance to adjacent cells via the CAV1/EGFR signaling pathway. Decrypting these mechanisms could lead to a better patient stratification and the development of novel target therapies.

Inhibition of dengue virus replication by a class of small-molecule compounds that antagonize dopamine receptor d4 and downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.

UNLABELLED: Dengue viruses (DENV) are endemic pathogens of tropical and subtropical regions that cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. To date, no vaccines or antiviral therapeutics have been approved for combating DENV-associated disease. In this paper, we describe a class of tricyclic small-molecule compounds-dihydrodibenzothiepines (DHBTs), identified through high-throughput screening-with potent inhibitory activity against DENV serotype 2. SKI-417616, a highly active representative of this class, displayed activity against all four serotypes of DENV, as well as against a related flavivirus, West Nile virus (WNV), and an alphavirus, Sindbis virus (SINV). This compound was characterized to determine its mechanism of antiviral activity. Investigation of the stage of the viral life cycle affected revealed that an early event in the life cycle is inhibited. Due to the structural similarity of the DHBTs to known antagonists of the dopamine and serotonin receptors, we explored the roles of two of these receptors, serotonin receptor 2A (5HTR2A) and the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4), in DENV infection. Antagonism of DRD4 and subsequent downstream phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related kinase (ERK) were found to impact DENV infection negatively, and blockade of signaling through this network was confirmed as the mechanism of anti-DENV activity for this class of compounds. IMPORTANCE: The dengue viruses are mosquito-borne, reemerging human pathogens that are the etiological agents of a spectrum of febrile diseases. Currently, there are no approved therapeutic treatments for dengue-associated disease, nor is there a vaccine. This study identifies a small molecule, SKI-417616, with potent anti-dengue virus activity. Further analysis revealed that SKI-417616 acts through antagonism of the host cell dopamine D4 receptor and subsequent repression of the ERK phosphorylation pathway. These results suggest that SKI-417616, or other compounds targeting the same cellular pathways, may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of dengue virus infections.

Flaviviruses are sensitive to inhibition of thymidine synthesis pathways.

Dengue virus has emerged as a global health threat to over one-third of humankind. As a positive-strand RNA virus, dengue virus relies on the host cell metabolism for its translation, replication, and egress. Therefore, a better understanding of the host cell metabolic pathways required for dengue virus infection offers the opportunity to develop new approaches for therapeutic intervention. In a recently described screen of known drugs and bioactive molecules, we observed that methotrexate and floxuridine inhibited dengue virus infections at low micromolar concentrations. Here, we demonstrate that all serotypes of dengue virus, as well as West Nile virus, are highly sensitive to both methotrexate and floxuridine, whereas other RNA viruses (Sindbis virus and vesicular stomatitis virus) are not. Interestingly, flavivirus replication was restored by folinic acid, a thymidine precursor, in the presence of methotrexate and by thymidine in the presence of floxuridine, suggesting an unexpected role for thymidine in flavivirus replication. Since thymidine is not incorporated into RNA genomes, it is likely that increased thymidine production is indirectly involved in flavivirus replication. A possible mechanism is suggested by the finding that p53 inhibition restored dengue virus replication in the presence of floxuridine, consistent with thymidine-less stress triggering p53-mediated antiflavivirus effects in infected cells. Our data reveal thymidine synthesis pathways as new and unexpected therapeutic targets for antiflaviviral drug development.

Effect of UV-C Radiation on 3D Printed ABS-PC Polymers.

During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities experienced severe shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. Employing 3D printing to rapidly fabricate functional parts and equipment was one of the emergency solutions used to tackle these shortages. Using ultraviolet light in the UV-C band (wavelengths of 200 nm to 280 nm) might prove useful in sterilizing 3D printed parts, enabling their reusability. Most polymers, however, degrade under UV-C radiation, so it becomes necessary to determine what 3D printing materials can withstand the conditions found during medical equipment sterilization with UV-C. This paper analyzes the effect of accelerated aging through prolonged exposure to UV-C on the mechanical properties of parts 3D printed from a polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer (ABS-PC). Samples 3D printed using a material extrusion process (MEX) went through a 24-h UV-C exposure aging cycle and then were tested versus a control group for changes in tensile strength, compressive strength and some selected material creep characteristics. Testing showed minimal mechanical property degradation following the irradiation procedure, with tensile strength being statistically the same for irradiated parts as those in the control group. Irradiated parts showed small losses in stiffness (5.2%) and compressive strength (6.5%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed in order to assess if any changes occurred in the material structure.

A five-year (2017-2021) time series evaluation of patient-reported informal healthcare payments in Romania.

Low wages of health professionals are widely recognized as one of the drivers of informal payments in Romania's healthcare system. In January 2018, the government increased wages by an average of 70% to 172% in the public healthcare sector. This study examined the trends in patient-reported informal healthcare payments, discussing the effect of a one-time wage increase in 2018 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. It draws on monthly survey data of patient-reported informal payments collected between January 2017 and December 2021. We analyzed three periods: before the wage rise ("low pay"), between the wage rise and the COVID-19 pandemic ("high pay"), and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that patient-reported informal payments decreased between the "low pay" and "high pay" period but with a sharper decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The share of respondents willing to report informal payments increased during the "high pay" period, indicating a stronger willingness to voice dissatisfaction with health services and informal payments, but slowed down during the first lockdown in 2020. Informal payments were more frequently reported in larger hospitals and the poorest geographical areas. While the 2018 wage increase may have contributed to less prevalent informal payments, survey coverage and design must be improved to draw robust, system-level conclusions to inform tailored policy actions.

A Genome-Wide RNAi Screen Reveals Common Host-Virus Gene Signatures: Implication for Dengue Antiviral Drug Discovery.

Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease that in recent years has become a major international public health concern. Dengue is a tropical neglected disease with increasing global incidences, affecting millions of people worldwide, and without the availability of specific treatments to combat it. The identification of host-target genes essential for the virus life cycle, for which effective modulators may already exist, would provide an alternative path to a rapid drug development of the much needed antidengue agents. For this purpose, we performed the first genome-wide RNAi screen, combining two high-content readouts for dengue virus infection (DENV E infection intensity) and host cell toxicity (host cell stained nuclei), against an arrayed lentiviral-based short hairpin RNA library covering 16,000 genes with a redundancy of at least 5 hairpins per gene. The screen identified 1924 gene candidates in total; of which, 1730 gene candidates abrogated dengue infection, whereas 194 gene candidates were found to enhance its infectivity in HEK293 cells. A first pass clustering analysis of hits revealed a well-orchestrated gene-network dependency on host cell homeostasis and physiology triggering distinct cellular pathways for infectivity, replication, trafficking, and egress; a second analysis revealed a comprehensive gene signature of 331 genes common to hits identified in 28 published RNAi host-viral interaction screens. Taken together, our findings provide novel antiviral molecular targets with the potential for drug discovery and development.

Oral health, the patients' perspective during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Background and aims: On March 16, 2020, the state of emergency was established with drastic measures of isolation and quarantine. Among the measures taken in the context of the state of emergency was the closure of dental offices throughout the country. The aim of our questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was to identify the psycho-affective implications of the Romanian citizens induced by the COVID-19 pandemic period as well as their opinion related to the self-perceived oral health status during this period. Methods: An original questionnaire was designed consisting of 41 questions, which were distributed to the general population via the Internet. The first part of the questionnaire investigated the respondents' opinion regarding the impact of this COVID-19 pandemic period of isolation on their oral health and the attention paid by the subjects to oral hygiene during restrictions. The second part refers to their addressability to the dental services during this pandemic and the third part interrogates different characteristics, namely the presence of comorbidities, possible anxiety, and stress. Results: A total of 769 participants answered the questionnaire online. Conclusion: According to their responses most of the respondents were not afraid of the possibility of contracting Sars-Cov-2 during dental treatments, but were in certain periods deprived of accessing dental services due to lockdown restrictions. They are aware of their oral health problems and pay more attention to oral hygiene so that they do not get worse during restrictions.

Cost-Effectiveness of Cerebrolysin after Ischemic Stroke: Secondary Analysis of the CARS Study.

The cost-effectiveness of Cerebrolysin as an add-on therapy for moderate-severe acute ischemic stroke is a topic that remains understudied. This study aims to address this gap by performing a comprehensive cost-utility analysis using both deterministic and probabilistic methods from a payer perspective and within the Romanian inpatient care setting. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated using partial individual patient data from the 2016 Cerebrolysin and Recovery After Stroke (CARS) trial, utilizing three different health state valuation models. Cost data was extracted from actual acute care costs reported by Romanian public hospitals for reimbursement purposes for patients included in the CARS study. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for each treatment arm for the duration of the clinical trial. Deterministic analysis based on sample mean values indicates Cerebrolysin would be cost-effective at a threshold between roughly 18.8 and 29.9 thousand EUR, depending on valuation techniques. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis results indicate an 80% chance probability of cost-effectiveness of Cerebrolysin as an add-on therapy for acute ischemic stroke, considering a willingness-to-pay threshold of 50,000 EUR in a 90-day timeframe after stroke. Further economic evaluations of Cerebrolysin are needed to strengthen these findings, covering a timeframe of at least 12 months after the acute incident, which would account for treatment effects spanning beyond the first 90 days after ischemic stroke. These should be conducted to determine its cost-effectiveness under various care settings and patient pathways. Most importantly, modelling techniques are needed to answer important questions such as the estimates of population gain in QALYs after acute administration of Cerebrolysin and the potential offsetting of direct medical costs as a result of administering the intervention.

Cerebrolysin and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with traumatic brain injury: a three-arm randomized trial.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem affecting millions worldwide. Despite significant advances in medical care, there are limited effective interventions for improving cognitive and functional outcomes in TBI patients. Methods: This randomized controlled trial investigated the safety and efficacy of combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and Cerebrolysin in improving cognitive and functional outcomes in TBI patients. Ninety-three patients with TBI were randomized to receive either Cerebrolysin and rTMS (CRB + rTMS), Cerebrolysin and sham stimulation (CRB + SHM), or placebo and sham stimulation (PLC + SHM). The primary outcome measures were the composite cognitive outcome scores at 3 and 6 months after TBI. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results: The study results demonstrated that the combined intervention of rTMS and Cerebrolysin was safe and well-tolerated by patients with TBI. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in the primary outcome measures, the descriptive trends in the study support existing literature on the efficacy and safety of rTMS and Cerebrolysin. Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that rTMS and Cerebrolysin may be effective interventions for improving cognitive and functional outcomes in TBI patients. However, limitations of the study, such as the small sample size and exclusion of specific patient populations, should be considered when interpreting the results. This study provides preliminary evidence for the safety and potential efficacy of combining rTMS and Cerebrolysin in improving cognitive and functional outcomes in TBI patients. The study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in TBI rehabilitation and the potential for combining neuropsychological measurements and interventions to optimize patient outcomes. Conclusion: Further research is needed to establish these findings' generalizability and identify the optimal dosages and treatment protocols for rTMS and Cerebrolysin.

Collaborative Virtual Screening Identifies a 2-Aryl-4-aminoquinazoline Series with Efficacy in an In Vivo Model of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection.

Probing multiple proprietary pharmaceutical libraries in parallel via virtual screening allowed rapid expansion of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) around hit compounds with moderate efficacy against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. A potency-improving scaffold hop, followed by elaboration of the SAR via design guided by the output of the phenotypic virtual screening efforts, identified two promising hit compounds 54 and 85, which were profiled further in pharmacokinetic studies and in an in vivo model of T. cruzi infection. Compound 85 demonstrated clear reduction of parasitemia in the in vivo setting, confirming the interest in this series of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinazolines as potential anti-trypanosome treatments.

Mechanisms of Resistance to CDK4/6 Inhibitors and Predictive Biomarkers of Response in HR+/HER2-Metastatic Breast Cancer-A Review of the Literature.

The latest and newest discoveries for advanced and metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer are the three cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) in association with endocrine therapy (ET). However, even if this treatment revolutionized the world and continued to be the first-line treatment choice for these patients, it also has its limitations, caused by de novo or acquired drug resistance which leads to inevitable progression after some time. Thus, an understanding of the overview of the targeted therapy which represents the gold therapy for this subtype of cancer is essential. The full potential of CDK4/6i is yet to be known, with many trials ongoing to expand their utility to other breast cancer subtypes, such as early breast cancer, and even to other cancers. Our research establishes the important idea that resistance to combined therapy (CDK4/6i + ET) can be due to resistance to endocrine therapy, to treatment with CDK4/6i, or to both. Individuals' responses to treatment are based mostly on genetic features and molecular markers, as well as the tumor's hallmarks; therefore, a future perspective is represented by personalized treatment based on the development of new biomarkers, and strategies to overcome drug resistance to combinations of ET and CDK4/6 inhibitors. The aim of our study was to centralize the mechanisms of resistance, and we believe that our work will have utility for everyone in the medical field who wants to deepen their knowledge about ET + CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance.

The Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is an aggressive cancer characterised by an increased recurrence rate and an inadequate response to treatment. This study aimed to investigate the importance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker for long-term survival in patients with mRCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from 74 patients with mRCC treated at our medical centre with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We evaluated the predictive value of NLR for overall survival (OS) in these patients. RESULTS: The median OS was 5.1 months in the higher NLR group (≥3) and 13.3 months in the lower NLR group (<3) (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the OS between the TKI and ICI therapies in the low NLR group (12.9 vs. 13.6 months, p = 0.411) or in the high NLR group (4.7 vs. 5.5 months, p = 0.32). Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that a higher NLR was an independent prognostic factor of long-term survival in patients with mRCC treated with first-line therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that adding NLR to other Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) variables might improve the prognostic and predictive power of these models.

The economic burden of stroke: a systematic review of cost of illness studies.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the number of stroke cases is rising from one year to another, policymakers require data on the amount spent on stroke to enforce better financing policies for prevention, hospital care, outpatient rehabilitation services and social services. We aimed to systematically assess the economic burden of stroke at global level. Cost of stroke studies were retrieved from five databases. We retrieved the average cost per patient, where specified, or estimated it using a top-down approach. Resulting costs were grouped in two main categories: per patient per year and per patient lifetime. We extracted information from forty-six cost of illness studies. Per patient per year costs are larger in high income countries and in studies conducted from the payer perspective. The highest average per patient per year cost by country was reported in the United States ($59,900), followed by Sweden ($52,725) and Spain ($41,950). The highest per patient lifetime costs were reported in Australia ($232,100) for all identified definitions of stroke. Existing literature regarding the economic burden of stroke is concentrated in high-income settings, with very few studies conducted in South America and Africa. Published manuscripts on this topic highlight substantial methodological heterogeneity, rendering comparisons difficult or impossible, even within the same country or among studies with similar costing perspectives.

Ultrasonography of the larynx: Novel use during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Review).

Few articles have been published on the subject of laryngeal ultrasonography. However, considering the increased power and accuracy of ultrasound technology, this imaging modality should be reevaluated. The present review aimed to increase the awareness of fellow specialists regarding the use of this imaging tool in healthcare units that do not benefit from onsite ear, nose and throat (ENT) service. We illustrate the ultrasonographic examination protocol for the larynx along with the relevant anatomic landmarks. We review cases with laryngeal tumoral pathology that underwent ultrasonographic examination for improved management. All findings were confirmed through computerized tomography (CT) and endoscopy performed by the ENT specialist. The ultrasound of the larynx has potential utility in diagnosis (e.g., laryngeal abnormalities, speech and swallowing abnormalities, identification of endotracheal tube placement), treatment (e.g., guidance of percutaneous tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy) and prognosis (e.g., prediction of postextubation stridor and difficult intubation). This imaging modality could be useful in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemics in reducing the exposure to invasive maneuvers producing aerosol, such as endoscopy.

Urban allergy review: Allergic rhinitis and asthma with plane tree sensitization (Review).

Respiratory allergies represent a major public health issue in the modern world. Pollens are among the most significant causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, with pollens of wind-pollinated trees representing an important cause. Members of the Platanaceae family (Platanus acerifolia, Platanus orientalis) are well-recognized sources of allergenic pollens worldwide, due to their high capacity of sensitization and widespread usage as ornamental urban trees. Air pollution, characteristic to all important urban conglomerates in the world and provoked by diesel exhaust gases, industrial and domestic fumes, and biogenic volatile organic compounds represents another major public health issue. Plane trees, along with other species of trees, are one of the main sources of volatile compounds. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between air pollution and respiratory allergies, with airway chemical compounds intensifying the capacity of sensitization to allergenic pollens. This study presents an overview of the known negative elements on public health of the Platanus family.

Collaborative virtual screening to elaborate an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hit series for visceral leishmaniasis.

An innovative pre-competitive virtual screening collaboration was engaged to validate and subsequently explore an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine screening hit for visceral leishmaniasis. In silico probing of five proprietary pharmaceutical company libraries enabled rapid expansion of the hit chemotype, alleviating initial concerns about the core chemical structure while simultaneously improving antiparasitic activity and selectivity index relative to the background cell line. Subsequent hit optimization informed by the structure-activity relationship enabled by this virtual screening allowed thorough investigation of the pharmacophore, opening avenues for further improvement and optimization of the chemical series.