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Endometriosis is a benign disease but with malignant behavior, sharing numerous features with cancers. Endometriosis is the development of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, with the presence of both glands and stroma. Approximately 10% of women of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis; it involves high social costs and affects the patient's quality of life. In this review, we attempt to capture the pathogenesis mechanisms that are common to endometriosis and cancer based on molecular biology, focusing more on the principle of immunological changes and stemness. Clinical applicability will consist of targeted treatments that represent future directions in these diseases, which impose a burden on the healthcare system. Unlike endometriosis, cancer is a disease with fatal evolution, with conventional treatment based on chemo/radiotherapy. Here, we focus on the niche of personalized treatments that target molecular pathways. Our findings show that, in both pathologies, the resistance to treatments is due to the stemness of the stem cells, which might play a role in the appearance and evolution of both diseases. More research is needed before we can draw firm conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the fluctuation in the time intervals between adjacent heartbeats. HRV is a measure of neurocardiac function that is produced by dynamic autonomic nervous system (ANS) processes and is a simple measure that estimates cardiac autonomic modulation. Methods: The study included 108 patients admitted to the Coronary Intensive Care Unit with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who did not undergo primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or systemic thrombolysis and followed conservative management. All patients underwent detailed clinical, biological, and paraclinical assessments, including evaluation of HRV parameters and echocardiographic measurements. The analysis of RR variability in both time and frequency domains indicates that the negative prognosis of patients with AMI is associated with an overall imbalance in the neuro-vegetative system. The HRV parameters were acquired using continuous 24 h electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring at a baseline, after 1 month, and 6 months. Results: Our analysis reveals correlations between alterations in HRV parameters and the increased risk of adverse events and mortality after AMI. The study found a significant improvement in HRV parameters over time, indicating better autonomic regulation post-AMI. The standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) increased significantly from baseline (median 75.3 ms, IQR 48.2–100) to 1 month (median 87 ms, IQR 55.7–111) and further to 6 months (median 94.2 ms, IQR 67.6–118) (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The root mean square of successive difference of RR (RMSSD) also showed significant increases at each time point, from baseline (median 27 ms, IQR 22–33) to 1 month (median 30.5 ms, IQR 27–38) and from 1 month to 6 months (median 35 ms, IQR 30–42) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Moreover, changes in HRV parameters have been associated with impaired left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS), indicating a relationship between autonomic dysfunction and myocardial deformation. GLS values improved from a baseline median of −11% (IQR 5%) to −13% (IQR 4%) at 6 months (p < 0.001), reflecting better myocardial function. Conclusions: HRV parameters and cardiac performance analysis, especially using GLS, offer a solid framework for evaluating recovery and predicting adverse outcomes post-MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Pregnancy induces significant physiological adaptations with substantial impacts on the cardiovascular system. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are connected to significant risks of maternal and fetal complications, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality across the globe. This study focuses on evaluating autonomic dysfunction by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) and assessing cardiac performance through global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography, as well as examining diastolic function in pregnant women with HDP compared to healthy pregnant controls. (2) Methods: A case–control study was conducted involving pregnant women diagnosed with gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia (PE), or severe preeclampsia (SPE) as the case group, and healthy pregnant women as the control group. HRV was measured to evaluate autonomic function, GLS was assessed using speckle tracking echocardiography, and diastolic function was evaluated through standard echocardiographic parameters. Data were analyzed to compare cardiac performance and autonomic regulation between the HDP and control group, as well as among the different HDP subgroups. (3) Results: The HDP group exhibited significantly reduced HRV parameters compared to healthy controls, indicating notable autonomic dysfunction. Speckle tracking echocardiography revealed lower GLS among women with HDP, particularly in those with SPE, compared to the control group. Diastolic dysfunction was also present in the HDP group. (4) Conclusions: HRV and GLS are valuable non-invasive tools for detecting autonomic dysfunction and cardiac performance impairments in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders. These findings suggest that autonomic and cardiac dysfunctions are prevalent in HDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid hormones have a pivotal role in controlling metabolic processes, cardiovascular function, and autonomic nervous system activity. Hypothyroidism, a prevalent endocrine illness marked by inadequate production of thyroid hormone, has been linked to different cardiovascular abnormalities, including alterations in heart rate variability (HRV). The study included 110 patients with hypothyroid disorder. Participants underwent clinical assessments, including thyroid function tests and HRV analysis. HRV, a measure of the variation in time intervals between heartbeats, serves as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity and cardiovascular health. The HRV values were acquired using continuous 24-h electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring in individuals with hypothyroidism, as well as after a treatment period of 3 months. All patients exhibited cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations or fatigue but showed no discernible cardiac pathology or other conditions associated with cardiac disease. The findings of our study demonstrate associations between hypothyroidism and alterations in heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. These results illustrate the possible influence of thyroid dysfunction on the regulation of cardiac autonomic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East-European data on cancer in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are scarce. This study aimed to assess the pattern of cancer and related mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing HD. Retrospectively analyzing data from 7 HD centers, this study examined 1377 incident HD patients divided into three groups: no-cancers (NoC), cancers that occurred prior to HD initiation (CPI) and de novo cancer developed after HD initiation (DNC). Mortality risk and survival trends within groups were analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods. In the cohort, 89.46% of the patients had no cancer (NoC group), 3.63% had cancer before (CPI group), and 6.89% had cancer after HD initiation (DNC group). The mean time from HD initiation to DNC diagnosis was 1 [2.75] years. Older age was associated with a higher risk of developing DNC (p < 0.001). Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN) is more prevalent in cancer patients. The most common cancer sites among DNC patients were the digestive (29.47%) and urinary tracts (18.95%), while those in CPI subjects were hematologic (22%) and digestive (20%). Cancer was an independent predictor of mortality risk (HR = 6.9, 95% [CI]:4.5–10.6, p < 0.001). East-European ESKD patients undergoing HD have a high incidence of de novo cancers whose primary cancer sites are the digestive and urinary tracts. Almost half of the HD patients with CPI have hematologic and digestive tract cancers. Age and CTIN were associated with cancer risk. Cancer is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of binary halogen-bonded co-crystals involving perfluorinated di- and triiodobenzene (1,2-ditfb, 1,4-ditfb and 1,3,5-titfb) and 1,3-azulenedicarboxaldehyde (azdicho) 1 and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)azulene (azbbpy) 2 are reported. The crystal structures of the six new co-crystals show primarily O⋯I or N⋯I interactions, and the subsidiary weak C–H⋯F and π–π interactions of the aromatic units. Because the halogen-bond acceptors contain different heteroatoms and length size, the supramolecular recognition in the co-crystal is quite different. Besides novel structural features formed via halogen-bonding interactions, our results showed that the azulene moiety plays a unique organizing role in the formation and stabilization of supramolecular aggregates through π–π stacking interactions. These non-covalent interactions are investigated by theoretical studies through Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations followed by topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the QTAIM approach. The co-crystals were also investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy through 19F-NMR and 1H,15N-HMBC experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offensive actions in cyberspace against both state institutions and citizens continue to have a significant presence in the dynamics of national security risks. The trend is upward, with the threat evolving both in terms of the number and complexity of cyberattacks. The recent evolution of cyber-attacks in our country places the cyber threat among the most dynamic current threats to national security, the issue of cyber security becoming a priority for all actors involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two [ZnLn] heterobinuclear complexes decorated with pyrene groups, [ZnEu(valpn)(hfac)2(pb)], have been obtained, in order to be deposited on graphene (LnIIIEuIII2a; TbIII2b); H2valpn is the Schiff base compartmental ligand resulted from the condensation reaction between o‐vanillin and propylenediamine (Hpb = 1‐pyrenebutiric acid; Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone). The two complexes have been obtained by replacing the acetato ligand in [ZnEu(valpn)(hfac)2(CH3COO)] (EuIII: 1a; TbIII: 1b) by pb− anions. The crystal structures of 1a, 2a, and 2b have been solved and described. Compounds 2a and 2b were grafted on monolayer graphene/quartz. The new hybrid materials, 2a/graphene and 2b/graphene, as well as the starting complexes are luminescent. The two hybrid materials have been characterized by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements, which confirm the presence of the complexes on graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury is one of the most extensively studied topics in cardiovascular research. Animal models of acute global or regional ischemia are critical for both understanding the underlying pathophysiology and testing novel cardioprotective strategies in the preclinical setting. The most extensively used isolated organ model is the Langendorff perfused mammalian heart. The setup consists of a heart whose coronary arteries are retrogradely perfused with heated and oxygenated buffer solutions through a cannula fixed in the ascending aorta, either at constant hydrostatic pressure (prefered for studies of ischemia) or at constant flow rate. The ventricles do not fill with the perfusate, but contract isovolumetrically after the insertion of an intraventricular latex balloon. Global ischemia is achieved by completely stopping the coronary flow followed by different reperfusion times. The isolated heart is particularly useful for the study of contractile function (recovery after global ischemia) as well as of the biochemical and metabolic events occurring during ischemia and early reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]