Expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and Calcitonin Receptor-like Receptor in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most widespread types of cancer that still causes many deaths worldwide. The development of new diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as new therapeutic methods, is necessary. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) neuropeptide alongside its receptor calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) could represent future biomarkers and a potential therapeutic target. Increased levels of CGRP have been demonstrated in thyroid, prostate, lung, and breast cancers and may also have a role in colorectal cancer. At the tumor level, it acts through different mechanisms, such as the angiogenesis, migration, and proliferation of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to measure the level of CGRP in colorectal cancer patients' serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and determine the level of CGRP and CRLR at the tumor level after histopathological (HP) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, and then to correlate them with the TNM stage and with different tumoral characteristics. A total of 54 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal adenocarcinoma were evaluated. We showed that serum levels of CGRP, as well as CGRP and CRLR tumor level expression, correlate with the TNM stage, with local tumor extension, the presence of lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, and also with the tumor differentiation degree. CGRP is present in colorectal cancer from the incipient TNM stage, with levels increasing with the stage, and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker and may also represent a potentially new therapeutic target.

Correlations between Immune Response and Etiopathogenic Factors of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Cancer Patients Treated with Zoledronic Acid.

Impairment of the immune response in MRONJ (medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws) is one of the still unclear etiopathogenic mechanisms of this condition encountered in cancer patients treated with bisphosphonates, with negative effects on the patient's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to correlate the immune response with etiopathogenic factors via immunohistochemical evaluation of the maxillary tissues in zoledronic acid osteonecrosis. The retrospective study included a group of 51 patients with various types of cancers, diagnosed with stage 2 or 3 MRONJ at zoledronic acid and treated surgically. Immunohistochemical expressions of αSMA, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD79α, CD68, CD204, and tryptase were evaluated. Immunohistochemical markers expressions were statistically analyzed according to the duration of the treatment, the trigger factor, the location of the MRONJ, and the healing status. Analysis of the immune response included T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and mast cells. The duration of treatment significantly influenced the immunohistochemical expression of most markers (p < 0.05). For an increasing trend in treatment duration, a decreasing trend in marker score was observed, suggesting an inverse correlation. The expression of the markers was different depending on the trigger factor, on MRONJ localization (maxilla/mandible), and the healing status, being more intense in patients cured per primam compared to those who had relapses. The patient's immune response was negatively influenced by the duration of the treatment, the trigger factor, the location of the lesion in the mandible, and the recurrence of MRONJ.

Modifications of the Dental Hard Tissues in the Cervical Area of Occlusally Overloaded Teeth Identified Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Background and objectives: Occlusal overloads produce a series of manifestations in teeth, especially attrition and non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL). Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can highlight and evaluate tooth lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the changes of dental hard tissues in the cervical area because of occlusal overload by macroscopic examination and using in vitro Swept Source OCT examination. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 21 extracted teeth with occlusal trauma. After macroscopic and OCT examination, the 2D OCT images were transformed into 3D images using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis of macroscopic and OCT images was performed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: On 21 teeth, 88 cervical lesions (cracks) were identified. Upper premolars with an occlusal Smith and Knight tooth wear score of 2 had the most NCCL. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the median widths of cervical lesions between teeth with score 1 and score 3. Additionally, we obtained statistically significant differences in median widths between the buccal and oral surfaces. Conclusions: These cracks can be considered precursors of NCCL. NCCL can be located on dental surfaces in the cervical area other than the buccal one. A 3D reconstruction of OCT images emphasized that cracks are located especially at enamel level, evolving towards the enamel-dentin junction, with multiple ramifications.

The Role of Endothelium in COVID-19.

The 2019 novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is causing a global pandemic. The virus primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and raises the risk of a variety of non-pulmonary consequences, the most severe and possibly fatal of which are cardiovascular problems. Data show that almost one-third of the patients with a moderate or severe form of COVID-19 had preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, heart failure, or coronary artery disease. SARS-CoV2 causes hyper inflammation, hypoxia, apoptosis, and a renin-angiotensin system imbalance in a variety of cell types, primarily endothelial cells. Profound endothelial dysfunction associated with COVID-19 can be the cause of impaired organ perfusion that may generate acute myocardial injury, renal failure, and a procoagulant state resulting in thromboembolic events. We discuss the most recent results on the involvement of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in patients with cardiometabolic diseases in this review. We also provide insights on treatments that may reduce the severity of this viral infection.

Molecular Docking Evaluation of (E)-5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one Derivatives as Selective Bacterial Adenylate Kinase Inhibitors.

Multi-drug resistant microorganism infections with emerging problems that require not only a prevention strategy, but also the development of new inhibitory compounds. Six previously synthesized 5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one derivatives 1a⁻f, were screened for inhibitory activity on adenylate kinases of different origins by molecular docking. The compounds 1c and 1d were the most efficient inhibitors of bacterial and some archean adenylate kinases. Hydrogen bond interactions were observed with the residues belonging to the ATP binding site. Moreover human adenylate kinases are poor targets, suggesting that this selectivity offers promising prospectives for refining the structure of our compounds.

Aspects of Occlusal Recordings Performed with the T-Scan System and with the Medit Intraoral Scanner.

INTRODUCTION: Dental occlusion refers to the static and dynamic relationships that are established between the teeth of the two arches and is an important factor in the homeostasis of the dento-maxillary system. The objective of the present study was to compare two digital occlusal analysis systems: the T-Scan III system and the Medit I600 intraoral scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 20 students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine Craiova, whose dental occlusion was assessed with the T-Scan III system and with the Medit I600 intraoral scanner. Dental occlusion was assessed in the maximum intercuspation position, the edge-to-edge protrusion position, and the edge-to-edge position in right and left laterotrusion. The images of the 2D occlusal contact areas obtained by both methods were converted to .jpeg format and then transferred to Adobe Photoshop CS6 2021 (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA, USA) for comparison. The recorded data were statistically processed. RESULTS: Analyzing the data provided by the two digital occlusal analysis systems, it was found that the T-Scan III system provided data related to the amplitude of the occlusal forces, the surface on which they were distributed (the contact surface), the dynamics of the occlusal contacts, and the proportion in which they were distributed at the level of the two hemiarches, and the Medit I600 intraoral scanner performed an evaluation of the occlusal interface of the two arches, highlighting the extent of the contact areas with the degree of overlapping of the occlusal components. Although both methods of occlusal analysis recorded the highest values for the maximum intercuspation position, the results could not be compared. CONCLUSIONS: The two digital systems provide different data in occlusal analysis. As the T-Scan III system is considered the gold standard for occlusal analysis, more studies are needed to understand the data provided by the Medit I600 intraoral scanner and their significance.

A Microscopy Evaluation of Emergence Profile Surfaces of Dental Custom CAD-CAM Implant Abutments and Dental Implant Stock Abutments.

Recently, due to the high demand for dental implants, the use of dental implant stock abutments has increased significantly, especially dental custom CAD/CAM implant abutments milled by dental technicians in their laboratories. The purpose of this study is to analyze the surface quality of the emergence profile of dental custom CAD/CAM implant abutments made by a non-industrial milling machine, compared to original and compatible dental implant stock abutments made by industrial machines. Thirty dental implant abutments were divided into six study lots. Lot 1 (control group): original dental implant stock abutments-industrial machined; lot 2 (study group): compatible dental implant stock abutments-industrial machined; lots 3, 4, 5, and 6 (study groups): compatible custom CAD/CAM dental implant abutments-non-industrial milled with hyperDENT CAM software and Paragon Tools. The Nikon SMZ745T stereomicroscope was used to analyze the emergence profile surface of each dental implant abutment. The structure of the analyzed surfaces did not show significant differences between original and compatible abutments that were industrially machined. As for the customized dental implant abutments, the greatest similarity with the original was obtained for lot 6, and a significant statistical difference was obtained for lot 4. Stepover and Feed Rate parameters of the milling process influenced the surface roughness of the emergence profile for the customized dental implant abutments. The digital technology of non-industrial milling compatible custom CAD/CAM dental implant abutments is reliable and within the correct milling parameters.

Healing of Extraction Sites after Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Over time, numerous surgical procedures and biomaterials have been proposed for the reconstruction of post-extraction bone defects, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The main objective of this study was to evaluate dimensional changes in the alveolar bone 3 months after tooth extraction, before implant planning, comparing alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) with spontaneous healing. METHODS: A total of 84 patients with non-restorable molars were included in the study. Forty-two patients received ARP with advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) and spontaneous healing was evaluated in these patients. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis performed before and after surgical intervention was used to determine the changes in vertical and horizontal bone dimensions produced after tooth extraction. RESULTS: CBCT measurements showed reduction in both vertical and horizontal alveolar bone size in both groups. For the study group, the alveolar parameters (height, width) were higher compared to the control group. The percentage variations between dimensional differences from the two groups were 38.58% for height, and for width were 36.88% at 0 mm, 35.56% at 3 mm, 36.61% at 5 mm, and 38.73% at 7 mm. The differences were statistically significant (p ˂ 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained after ARP with A-PRF showed a reduced loss of bone volume compared to spontaneous healing.

Prevalence of Malocclusions among Schoolchildren from Southwestern Romania.

Malocclusions have a continuously increasing prevalence from one generation to another as a result of climate change, soil, atmosphere, and water pollution. All of these aspects have unfavorable consequences for the nutritional scheme. Thus, nutrition, together with other etiopathogenic factors, contributes to complex alterations in the somatic development of the entire organism and, implicitly, of the cephalic extremity. The study group included 4147 children from randomly selected schools from Vâlcea County, Romania. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of malocclusions in schoolchildren in Vâlcea County, Romania, according to the three main classes of malocclusions (according to Angle's classification), age groups (from 6 to 10 years old and from 11 to 14 years old), gender (male and female), and place of origin (rural and urban). For Angle class I malocclusions, we recorded the highest prevalence (48.78% of the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions), followed by Angle class II malocclusions (45.85% of the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions), and for Angle class III malocclusions we found the lowest prevalence (5.37% of the total number of schoolchildren with malocclusions). According to gender, we found the highest prevalence in the female gender (29.90% of the total number of female subjects), while in the male gender, we recorded a prevalence of 27.70% of the total number of male subjects. Regarding the place of origin, there is a higher prevalence of malocclusions in urban areas (29.16%). The study subgroup included 140 children randomly selected from the total number of subjects in the study group. They were included in a more advanced study. The aim is to find potential associations between the presence of malocclusions and various oral variables. Categorical variables were expressed as numerical values and percentages, and their association was evaluated with either the Chi-square test of association or homogeneity, or the Fisher Exact test. The acquired data were incorporated into a binomial logistic regression model to assess the likelihood of developing malocclusions in relation to the following variables: defective phonation, bruxism, frequency of teeth brushing, onychophagia, oral respiration, infantile deglutition, placing objects between the maxillaries, thumb sucking, and salivary aspects. It is also aimed at comparing the results obtained with similar ones from the specialized literature.

Clinical Efficacy Analysis of the Personalization of Prosthetic Abutments in Implant Supported Restorations in Comparison to Available Standard Titanium Abutments.

Personalized medicine has become an important direction to offer better solutions for health problems. In implantology, this trend was materialized through customizing dental abutments to each clinical situation. The demands for better esthetics and function of implant-supported restorations have imposed a more personalized variety of prosthetic abutments. This retrospective study compared clinical efficiency of personalized implant abutments with standard implant abutments in multiple implant restorations. Clinical data of patients who were admitted in a private clinic between 2011 and 2022 and received dental implant treatments were collected. All complications and undesired events from the patients' medical record charts were statistically analyzed. The implants were loaded using either standard or customized abutments. For complete arch rehabilitations with the SKY Fast & Fixed protocol, standard titanium prosthetic abutments were used. Our results suggest that the abutments choice for patients has moved throughout the years more towards the use of customized abutments. The number of customized abutments (414) was higher compared with the number of standard abutments (293). In our database, the most used abutments for the anterior area implants were made of titanium and zirconia, whereas for the posterior area, the preferred abutments were mostly titanium. The standard abutments were used almost entirely for immediate loading and implantation in both anterior and posterior areas (Fast & Fixed protocol). Complications were encountered mainly in restorations with standard abutments (9.22%) compared to customized abutments (2.7%), with titanium abutments being the most reliable, having only 1.79% complications.

An In Vitro Study regarding the Wear of Composite Materials Following the Use of Dental Bleaching Protocols.

Composite materials used in dental restorations are considered resistant, long-lasting and aesthetic. As the wear of restorations is an important element in long-term use, the aim of this study was to evaluate the surface condition of nanohybrid and microfilled composite resins, after being subjected to the erosive action of dental bleaching protocols. This paper reflects a comparative study between one nanofilled composite and three microfilled composites used in restorations. For each composite, three sets of samples (under the form of composite discs) were created: a control group, an "office bleach" group with discs bleached with 40% hydrogen peroxide gel, and a "home bleach" group with discs bleached with 16% carbamide peroxide gel. Wear was numerically determined as the trace and the coefficients of friction obtained using a tribometer, the ball-on-disk test method, and two balls: alumina and sapphire. For all composite groups, there were statistically significant differences between the wear corresponding to the control and bleaching groups, for both testing balls. Regarding the composite type, the largest traces were recorded for GC Gradia direct anterior, for all groups, using the alumina ball. In contrast, for the sapphire ball, 3M ESPE Filtek Z550 was characterized by the largest traces. With respect to the friction coefficients, the "office bleach" group recorded the largest values, no matter the composite or the ball type used. The 3M ESPE Valux Plus composite recorded the largest friction coefficients for the alumina ball, and 3M ESPE Filtek Z550 for the sapphire ball. Overall, the "office bleach" group was characterized by higher composite wear, compared to the "home bleach" protocol or control group. Nanofilled composite resins showed superior wear resistance to microfilled resins after undergoing a bleaching protocol.

Risk Factors for Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw-A Binomial Analysis of Data of Cancer Patients from Craiova and Constanta Treated with Zoledronic Acid.

MRONJ (Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw) is a condition observed in a subset of cancer patients who have undergone treatment with zoledronic acid in order to either prevent or treat bone metastases. The primary aim of this research was to establish the importance of risk factors in the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid therapy for bone metastases. The present study is an observational retrospective investigation conducted at two university centers, namely, Craiova and Constanța, and included cancer patients treated with zoledronic acid. The medical records of the patients were obtained over a four-year timeframe spanning from June 2018 to June 2022. The data analysis was carried out between January 2021 and October 2022. Patients were treated for cancer, bone metastases, and MRONJ according to the international guidelines. The research investigated a cohort of 174 cancer patients (109 females and 65 males) aged between 22 and 84 years (with a mean age 64.65 ± 10.72 years) seeking treatment at oncology clinics situated in Craiova and Constanța. The study conducted a binomial logistic regression to analyze ten predictor variables, namely, gender, age, smoking status, treatment duration, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, and hypertension (HT). The results of the analysis revealed that only five of the ten predictor variables were statistically significant for MRONJ occurrence: duration of treatment (p < 0.005), chemotherapy (p = 0.007), and hypertension (p = 0.002) as risk factors, and endocrine therapy (p = 0.001) and obesity (p = 0.024) as protective factors.

Analysis of Temperatures Generated during Conventional Laser Irradiation of Root Canals-A Finite Element Study.

The success of endodontic treatment is dependent on the removal of bacteria. A modern strategy to reduce bacterial load is laser irradiation. During this procedure, there is a local increase in temperature with possible side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal behavior of a maxillary first molar when performing the conventional irradiation technique using a diode laser. For this study, a 3D virtual model of a maxillary first molar was created. The preparation of the access cavity, the rotary instrumentation of the palatal root canal and the laser irradiation protocol were simulated. The model was exported in a finite element analysis program where the temperature and heat flux were studied. Temperature and heat flux maps were obtained, and the temperature increase on the internal wall of the root canal was analyzed. The maximum temperature value exceeded 400 °C and was maintained for less than 0.5 s. The obtained temperature maps support the bactericidal effect of diode laser and the limitation of damage to surrounding tissues. On internal root walls, the temperature reached several hundred degrees Celsius, but for very short durations. Conventional laser irradiation is an adjuvant method of decontamination of the endodontic system.

Clinical and Histopathological Aspects of MRONJ in Cancer Patients.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a major complication of bisphosphonate treatment in cancer patients, and its etiology is not completely clarified. The study's goal is to find connections between the clinical and histopathological characteristics of osteonecrosis and bisphosphonates in a cohort of cancer patients who had osteonecrosis treated surgically. The retrospective study includes 51 patients of both sexes, aged 46 to 85 years, who underwent surgical treatment for MRONJ in two oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics (Craiova and Constanța). Demographic, clinical, and imaging data from the records of patients with osteonecrosis were analyzed. The surgical treatment removed the necrotic bone, and the harvested fragments were analyzed from a histopathological perspective. The histopathological examination data were evaluated and statistically processed to look for viable bone, granulation tissue, bacterial colonies, and inflammatory infiltrate. In the study groups, MRONJ was found particularly in the posterior regions of the mandible. Tooth extraction, but also periapical or periodontal infections, represented the trigger factors in most of the cases. The surgical therapy consisted of sequestrectomy or bone resection, and the histopathological examination of the fragments revealed osteonecrosis-specific features, such as the lack of bone cells, the development of an inflammatory infiltrate, and the existence of bacterial colonies. MRONJ in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid is a severe complication that significantly lowers quality of life. Since these patients are not usually monitored by the dentist, they are identified in advanced stages of MRONJ. For these patients, thorough dental monitoring could reduce the incidence of osteonecrosis and its related complications.

Comparative Study of Dental Custom CAD-CAM Implant Abutments and Dental Implant Stock Abutments.

The implementation of CAD-CAM systems in dentistry has significantly influenced the evolution of dental implantology and implant-supported prosthetics within the past three decades. Implant-supported prostheses are comfortable and aesthetic. The prosthetic abutment has also faced a rapid design evolution, from the individualization of standard stock abutments offered by various manufacturers to a modern customization process using CAD-CAM technology. This paper presents a comparative study between 20 dental custom CAD-CAM implant abutments and 20 dental implant stock abutments, based on a set of measurements performed on the digital casts obtained from 24 cases of prosthetic rehabilitation on implants. The statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) revealed significant differences between these two types of abutments: the incisal margin line diameter dimensions for custom abutments were significantly improved compared to standard abutments at the cervical level (U = 343.00, z = 3.868, p < 0.0005) and the incisal/occlusal level (U = 352.00, z = 4.112, p < 0.0005), while the inclination angle of the custom abutments relative to the 0-axis was significantly smaller than that of standard abutments (U = 115.50, z = -2.286, p = 0.022). The use of custom abutments leads to an increase in the final size of the abutment, an improvement in the retention of the prosthetic work, and reduces the angulation of the abutment in relation to the implant axis, thus decreasing the risk of unscrewing or fracturing the dental screw.

Early Retinal Microvascular Alterations in Young Type 1 Diabetic Patients without Clinical Retinopathy.

The purpose of this study is to identify and quantify preclinical changes with the help of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) within the retinal microcirculation of young type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients without clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare these results with those obtained from healthy age-matched subjects. OCTA is currently used for monitoring diabetic retinopathy; however, there is no current consensus on which OCTA parameter alterations predict the first clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy. The main challenge that young patients with T1D face during the course of the disease is that they can rapidly progress to the development of DR, especially during adolescence. Moreover, they also present an increased risk of rapid progression toward advanced stages of DR and vision loss compared to type 2 diabetes patients, indicating the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. The limitations of the currently used screening procedures that led to the conceptualization of our study are the difficulties in performing fluorescein angiography tests for diagnosing the clinical signs of DR on young patients, namely the invasive procedure of dye injection, the risk of allergic reactions and the long duration of the examination. Moreover, given the long life expectancy of young T1D patients, it is essential to identify the preclinical changes in retinal microvasculature before reaching the first clinical signs quantifiable by FFA. The clinical study enrolled 119 subjects aged between 4 and 30 years old with a mean age of 13 years old, comprising 61 T1D patients with a mean duration of the disease of 4 years and 8 months and 58 healthy age-matched subjects for the control group. OCTA scans were performed using the RevoNX 130 OCTA device (Optopol) to evaluate the following retinal parameters: foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, perimeter and circularity, overall foveal thickness, and superficial and deep vessel densities. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were identified for the following parameters: the FAZ area in the T1D group (0.42 ± 0.17) was larger than the control group (0.26 ± 0.080), the FAZ circularity (0.41 ± 0.11) was decreased compared to the control group (0.61 ± 0.08) and the FAZ perimeter was larger (3.63 ± 0.97) compared to the control group (2.30 ± 0.50). The overall foveal thickness was decreased in the T1D group (222.98 ± 17.33) compared to the control group (230.64 ± 20.82). The total vessel density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) on an investigated area of 6 X 6 mm centered around the fovea was decreased in the T1D group (37.4164 ± 2.14) compared to the control group (38.0241 ± 2.44). Our data suggest that specific imaging biomarkers such as FAZ perimeter, area and circularity, decreased overall foveal thickness and decreased vessel density in the SCP precede the clinical diagnosis of DR in young T1D patients and represent useful parameters in quantifying capillary nonperfusion in T1D patients without clinical signs of DR.

Aspects of Dental Occlusion Assessed with the T-Scan System among a Group of Romanian Dental Students in a Cross-Sectional Study.

This study evaluated the occlusal relationships in students with bruxism, using the T-Scan III system, and their correlation with the activity of the masticatory muscles assessed through surface electromyography (sEMG). The study group was divided into two subgroups (based on self-reporting): 20 participants with possible bruxism and 20 participants without possible bruxism; all participants underwent the following evaluations: sEMG recordings using the dia-BRUXO device for masticatory muscles assessment, as well as static and dynamic occlusion using the T-SCAN III system. The analysis of the maximum intercuspidal (MI) position revealed a positive moderate association between the values of the occlusal forces in MI distributed along the two hemiarches, and the number of grinding events during daytime, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The analysis of protrusion movements reflected statistically significant differences between the non-working interferences and sEMG parameters specific to bruxism (p < 0.05). The analysis of laterotrusion movements indicated that participants with anterolateral guidance presented higher values of awake bruxism indexes and higher values of clenching events during nighttime. For all three mandibular movements, their duration was higher for the study group compared to the control group. Therefore, this study confirmed the utility of sEMG recordings in the bruxism diagnosis process, as well as the association between dental occlusion and bruxism.

Correlation of the Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, Inflammatory Markers, and Tumor Markers with the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most important global health problems, being in the top 3 neoplasms in terms of the number of cases worldwide. Although CRC develops predominantly from the adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence through APC gene mutations, in recent years, studies have demonstrated the role of chronic inflammation in this neoplasia pathogenesis. Cytokines are important components of chronic inflammation, being some of the host regulators in response to inflammation. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α are involved in tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis and seem to strengthen each other's mode of action, these being stimulated by the same mediators. In our study, we collected data on 68 patients with CRC and 20 healthy patients from the Gastroenterology Department of Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital, who were assessed between January 2022 and February 2023. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between increased plasma levels of the cytokines and the extent of the tumor, lymph nodes, and metastasis-(TNM stage), as well as the patients' prognoses. We also compared the plasma levels of cytokines and acute inflammatory markers, namely, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen, along with the tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9), in CRC patients. We showed that all the pro-inflammatory cytokines studied had higher levels in patients with CRC in comparison with the control group. We also showed that the acute inflammatory markers of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen, and the tumor markers of CEA and CA 19.9 can be useful in diagnosis and prognosis in patients with CRC. Considering the association between pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRC, the development of new targeted therapies against IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α can improve patient care and the CRC survival rate.

Metabolic Alterations in Acute Cerebral Ischemia.

Cerebral ischemia is a major health problem worldwide, that affects millions of people, leaving a major percentage of them with major disabilities, therefore becoming one of the most resource consuming pathology. Beside the blockage of blood supply of the brain that leads to loss of cellular function and neuronal necrosis, metabolic processes are modified in the whole body through mechanisms that are not fully explained yet. The results in the analysis of the 2 groups, one with 70 patients with stroke and another with 68 patients with no cerebral infarction, revealed that brain ischemia is more often found in patients with atrial fibrillation and higher blood pressure values. The metabolic changes, found in the stroke group, are represented by increased values of blood glucose, serum urea and lower levels of creatinine levels. Also, the value of leucocytes count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were shown to be increased in stroke patients, indicating that inflammation is highly present in cerebral infarction. In the regard of these findings, cerebral ischemia is associated with major systemic disruptions that could be significant pathogenic factors and also effects of the complex processes that take place in the affected brain region, but further investigation should be done in order to explain all the mechanisms involved and also the possible impact in prophylaxis and acute management of stroke.

Similarity Analysis for Medical Images Using Color and Texture Histogramss.

Medical databases usually contain a significant volume of images, therefore search engines based on low-level features frequently used to retrieve similar images are necessary for a fast operation. Color, texture, and shape are the most common features used to characterize an image, however extracting the proper features for image retrievals in a similar manner with the human cognition remains a constant challenge. These algorithms work by sorting the images based on a similarity index that defines how different two or more images are, and histograms are one of the most employed methods for image comparison. In this paper, we have extended the concept of image database to the set of frames acquired following wireless capsule endoscopy (from a unique patient). Then, we have used color and texture histograms to identify very similar images (considered duplicates) and removed one of them for each pair of two successive frames. The volume reduction represented an average of 20% from the initial data set, only by removing frames with very similar informational content.