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Purpose: Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are present in most of the pathologic mechanisms underlying non-communicable diseases. Inflammation and redox biomarkers might therefore have a value in disease prognosis and therapy response. In this context, we performed a case–control study for assessing in whole blood the expression profile of inflammation and redox-related genes in elderly subjects with various comorbidities. Patients and Methods: In the blood of 130 elderly subjects with various pathologies (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia including hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus), kept under control by polyvalent disease-specific medication, we investigated by pathway-focused qRT-PCR a panel comprising 84 inflammation-related and 84 redox-related genes. Results: The study highlights a distinctive expression profile of genes critically involved in NF-κB-mediated inflammation and redox signaling in the blood of patients with cardiovascular disease, characterized by significant down-regulation of the genes NFKB2, NFKBIA, RELA, RELB, AKT1, IRF1, STAT1, CD40, LTA, TRAF2, PTGS1, ALOX12, DUOX1, DUOX2, MPO, GSR, TXNRD2, HSPA1A, MSRA, and PDLIM1. This gene expression profile defines the transcriptional status of blood leukocytes in stable disease under medication control, without discriminating between disease- and therapy-related changes. Conclusion: The study brings preliminary proof on a minimally invasive strategy for monitoring disease in patients with cardiovascular pathology, from the point of view of inflammation or redox dysregulation in whole blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as promising molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and responsive therapeutic targets in different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of 84 cancer-associated miRNAs in a cohort of 39 human samples comprising 13 peritumoral and 26 tumoral tissues from surgical specimens of CRC patients. KRAS mutations were detected in 11 tumoral samples. In a first analysis, we found 5 miRNAs (miR-215-5p, miR-9-5p, miR-138-5p, miR378a-3p, and miR-150-5p) that were significantly downregulated and one upregulated (miR-135b-5p) in tumoral tissues compared with the peritumoral tissues. Furthermore, by comparing miRNA profile between KRAS mutated CRC tissues respect to wild type CRC tissues, we found 7 miRNA (miR-27b-3p, miR-191-5p, miR-let7d-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-98-5p, miR-10a-5p, and miR-149-5p) downregulated in KRAS mutated condition. In conclusion, we have identified a panel of miRNAs that specifically distinguish CRC tissues from peritumoral tissue and a different set of miRNAs specific for CRC with KRAS mutations. These findings may contribute to the discovering of new molecular biomarkers with clinic relevance and might shed light on novel molecular aspects of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lndole-3- acetic acid (IAA) is a growth hormone from the auxin group, which produces multiple actions on plants. The research carried out on 3 species of terrestrial orchids, consisted in treating plants with solutions of different concentrations of IAA and measuring the physiological parameters at different variants, in order to establish the optimal concentration for growth and development. In all the variants studied, the intensification of the photosynthesis process, the increase of the stomatal conductance values, as well as the intensification of the transpiration have been determined. As a result of this fact, the plants on which it has been intervened with IAA treatments also need a supplementation of the water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale. Psoriasis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease with worldwide distribution affecting approximately 2% of the Caucasian population. There have been many population- and family-based studies that agree on the strong genetic component of this disease. Several studies have investigated the relationship between cytokine gene polymorphisms, psoriasis, and the occurrence of comorbidities but their data are conflicting. Objective. This study examines cytokine gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the context of psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, with a focus on the occurrence of comorbidities in psoriasis patients. The working hypothesis is that particular SNPs may predispose to an accelerated disease course and more comorbidities in psoriasis patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016 in the Dermatology Department of "Elias" University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest and included 82 psoriasis patients. Several clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded, and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was noted. Using real-time PCR, we tested for the following SNPs: rs361525, rs1800629, rs1800896, rs610604, rs17782313. Results. Disease severity was not significantly influenced by any of the five studied SNPs. Gene polymorphism of rs17782313 was found to influence the occurrence of psoriatic arthritis. In these patients, rs610604 and rs17782313 polymorphisms were associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, rs17782313 influenced the presence of obesity, heterozygotes being more at risk. Our data suggested that MetS occurred independently of the five studied SNPs. Discussion. The influence of certain cytokine gene polymorphisms on multiple organ systems is justification enough for further analysis of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of metabolic syndrome development in psoriasis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal strictures are an important complication of Crohn's disease (CD), with ~40% of patients developing symptomatic obstruction within 10 years of diagnosis. However, there is a paucity of research examining the mechanisms driving the development of fibrotic strictures in CD. The present study aimed to identify the mucosal markers associated with stricturing complications by examining the differences in the gene expression profiles of two patient cohorts: Patients diagnosed with inflammatory CD (n=12) and patients with stricturing CD (n=9). For each patient, a paired sample of inflamed and uninflamed mucosa was isolated and assessed by quantitative PCR using a large panel of genes associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The presents study revealed a significantly increased level of four genes in the mucosa of patients with strictures compared with the inflammatory pattern of the disease: Formyl-peptide receptor 1 [P=0.019; fold change (FC)=11.6], C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (P=0.035; FC=5.44), IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (P=0.037; FC=3.8) and C-C chemokine ligand 25 (P=0.048; FC=3.56). The augmented expression of these four genes in the CD stricturing phenotype, if confirmed in larger cohorts of patients, could help elucidate the mechanisms leading to disease-associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain heterotopia is a group of rare malformations with a heterogeneous phenotype, ranging from asymptomatic to a severe clinical picture (drug-resistant epilepsy, severe developmental delay). The etiology is multifactorial, including both genetic and environmental factors. In the present study, a cohort of 15 pediatric patients with brain heterotopia were investigated by clinical examination, electroencephalographic studies, brain imaging, and genomic tests. Most of the patients had epileptic seizures, often difficult to control with one antiepileptic drug; another frequent characteristic in the cohort was developmental delay or intellectual disability, in some cases associated with behavioral problems. The genomic studies revealed an interstitial 22q11.2 microduplication, an anomaly not reported previously in heterotopia patients. Comparing the cohort of the present study with that of a previous series of heterotopia patients, both adult and pediatric, similar aspects, such as the high frequency of drug-resistant epilepsy were observed as well as some differences, such as no systemic malformations and no cases with fatal evolution. The current findings add new data to existing knowledge on a rare heterogeneous disorder. The detailed clinical description, including the epilepsy phenotypes, and genomic profiles bring new insights into a group of disorders, yet to be fully understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific surface receptors for the Fc region of human immunoglobulin A (FcαR) were identified on the thymus cells of all 15 patients affected by myasthenia gravis. A large variation of the percentage of FCαR bearing thymus cells was recorded (9.5 66.0% mean value 279± 17.8) the high values being associated in most cases with the thymus hyperplasia and the low values with a lipomatosis of the organ. Even the lowest percentage of FcαR bearing cells recorded in myasthenia gravis are considerably higher than those found in normal subjects (0.4-4.1; mean value 1.8) demonstrating that the expression of FcαR on the thymus cells is the consequence of the disease. No attempts were made to identify the cell population bearing FCαR bus indirect results indicate that the cells belong to E-rosette forming population. and, in some cases, to a null cell population devoid of the ability to form E and EAC rosettes. EcαR can hind various IgA ligands and the binding is confined to a small fraction of IgA (not more than 5%) considered as cytophilic IgA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper attempts to attract high school pupils to practice a game (basketball), whose techniques were used as drive means for developing combined motor quality – speed regime skill - only for the experimental group (grade: 10th B). In the case of the control group (grade: 10th E), the development of speed and skill was achieved by conventional drive means, complying with the requirements of the specialized syllabus. Besides highlighting the progress achieved from one test to the other, as a hypothesis, it was also examined the extent of learning the game of basketball. The experiment took place at “Constantin Brâncoveanu - Târgovişte” Technological High School, during the 2013-2014 school year. The outcomes were compared both between the two tests (in the case of the experimental group the outcomes being significant, of p = 0.01) and between groups (the outcomes being significant for the experimental group, of p> 0.01). The manners of influencing the motor performance – speed regime skill - have proven effective, after applying the means in question an improvement being recorded in the case of the pupils belonging to the experimental group, those pupils assimilating more easily the game of basketball in comparison with the ones from the control group.

Background & Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Screening programs can reduce CRC mortality rates by up to 60%. In line with the European Union recommendations, Romania started the first four regional pilot screening programs in 2020 (the ROCCAS II projects). This study reports the interim screening performance indicators. Methods: People aged 50 to 74 years were invited to the screening program. General practitioners (GPs) evaluated CRC risk based on a survey. High-risk or symptomatic individuals were referred directly to colonoscopy. The average risk participants received a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Positive cases were invited to colonoscopy. Three regions were screened using the OC-SENSOR® (South-Muntenia, Bucharest-Ilfov, South-East) and one region (South-West) used the FOB GOLD®. The data was collected in the ROCCAS screening electronic registry. The following FIT parameters were evaluated: rates of return, invalidity, positivity, and colonoscopy acceptance rate according to age group, gender, region of provenience, and vulnerability status. Results: We included all cases screened between January 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. In total, 168,958 people received the FIT test within the projects. The global FIT return rate was 90%. Factors associated with a higher return rate were female gender (90.77% vs 88.83%, p<0.0001), vulnerable status (91.23% vs 88.83%; p<0.00001), and rural residence (91.84% vs 88.42%, p<0.00001). The overall positivity rate was 5.75%. It was higher in males (7.64% vs 4.57% in females, p<0.00001) and progressively increased with the age group. The total invalid FIT rate was 5.87%, significantly lower for OC-SENSOR® (2.24%) than for the FOB GOLD® (13.6%). The overall acceptability rate for colonoscopy was 51.3%. Conclusions: According to our preliminary data, GP's participation in the pilot programs ensured adequate adherence to screening through FIT. The rate for FIT return and positivity were acceptable for both tests, while the invalid rate was much higher in FOB GOLD® compared to the OC-SENSOR®. Moreover, colonoscopy acceptance needs to be improved. Our preliminary analysis revealed the screening performance indicators meet the EU recommendations and fulfill the premises for national-level expansion of the program starting in 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the oral mucosa. This disorder has been suggested to be related to an impairment of lipid metabolism and profile. A number of studies indicate a higher incidence of dyslipidemia in OLP patients compared to not-affected individuals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between lipid profile alterations and clinical features of oral lichen planus. Patients and methods: A total of 52 patients diagnosed with OLP were enrolled in this study. Data regarding the demography, symptoms, severity of lesions assesed by Thongprasom score and lipid profile status were collected from the medical charts. The study group was divided into two sub-cohorts: Group 1, which included OLP patients with lipid profile within the normal range, and Group 2 comprising OLP patients with alterations of the lipid status. Results: The comparative analysis between the two groups found a statistically significant association between the lipid profile and OLP symptoms. Thus, the most frequent symptom was pain, in OLP patients with normal lipid status (Group 1), and burning, in those with altered lipid status (Group 2) (p=0.050). Moreover, the presence of symptoms was reported by a higher percentage of patients from Group 2 (75%) than Group 1 (68.25%). Patients reporting burning symptomatology showed higher triglyceride levels than those who reported pain (p=0.032). Furthermore, we found that male OLP patients have higher levels of LDL compared with female subjects (p=0.021). Conclusions: Lipid profile changes are not associated with an increased severity of OLP lesions. A statistically significant association was found between burning sensation and higher lipid profile parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Although causal associations between oral leukoplakia (OL), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) have been speculated upon in several reports, conclusive evidence has not been presented. This study investigates whether the number of cases of HR-HPV in OL has increased over time and whether the prevalence of HR-HPV-positive OL differs in various parts of the world., Patients and Methods: A total of 432 patients with OL from Sweden, Brazil and Romania were analysed. Patients were divided into historical (1992-2002) and contemporary (2011-2017) cohorts from the respective countries. Seventeen patients with OL developed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A real-time PCR assay, targeting HPV sub-types 6,11,16,18,31,33,35,39,45,52,56,58 and 59, was performed to detect HR-HPV in patients with OL., Results: In the Swedish and Romanian cohorts, none of the investigated HPV sub-types were detected. In the Brazilian cohorts, five patients with OL (3%) were positive for HR-HPV, including four patients from the contemporary cohort (HPV 16, 31, 33) and one from the historical cohort (HPV 11). All the cases of OL that transformed into OSCC were HR-HPV-negative, as were the corresponding tumours., Conclusions: In summary, the prevalence of HR-HPV in OL is low in all the tested countries, and the incidence has not changed over time. HR-HPV in OL does not seem to be a driver of oncogenesis., (© 2020 The Authors. Oral Diseases published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We assessed Helper T-cell involvement and possibilities to quantify the cell-based immune response in systemic autoimmune diseases (SAID) in 14 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 7 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The goals of investigation were T-CD4+/T-CD8+ ratio, regulatory T cells (Treg) status and TH1/TH2 serum cytokine profiles (IFN-gamma and IL-2, respectively IL-4 and IL-6). SLE group proved significant decreased average Treg value as compared to RA group and controls and showed significant low Treg incidence (86% patients). The distribution of high T-CD4+/T-CD8+ ratio registered no significant distinction among LES and RA groups. SAID patients presented low serum IFN-gamma (86% RA, 60% SLE), high IL-2 (57% RA) and high IL-6 (53% LES), but no significant IL-4 modification. We conclude that Treg percentage remains the only cellular criterion for SAID immune evaluation. In the same time, different secretion mechanisms seem to be involved in SAID, i.e. TH2 in SLE and TH1 in RA.

Purpose: To emphasize the correlation between TGF beta2 and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)., Methods: Observational clinical study on two groups of patients: group I--17 patients with POAG who need surgical approach and group II--16 patients without glaucoma. The groups were homogeneous regarding age and sex. The exclusion criteria were any associated systemic pathology. The concentration of TGF beta2 in the aqueous humor of each patient of both groups was measured by ELISA method., Results and Discussions: After the comparative analysis we observed that TGF beta2 was more increased in patients with POAG than in patients without the disease. The changes of trabecular extra cellular matrix are induced by many factors. TGF beta2 is a special cytokine witch is believed to increase the fibronectin concentration in the trabecular meshwork and alter the extra cellular matrix turn-over with a final profibrotic effect.