Search

The research questions in this study were to examine the contribution of negative automatic thoughts and negative emotions, measured by two newly-constructed questionnaires, to psychophysiological stress responses among more experienced military and less experienced recreational divers. Further, we examined whether daily variations in cortisol levels could be attributed to the impact of negative thoughts/emotions rather than diving experience. Altogether 15 recreational and 14 military male divers participated in the dive wherein stress responses were measured by anxiety measures (DASS-21 and STAI) and cortisol salivary concentrations. The results of factor analysis and principal component analysis demonstrated acceptable construct validity and internal consistency of both questionanires. Recreational and military divers did not differ significantly in the proportion of negative thoughts and emotions, while recreational divers had significantly higher levels of cortisol release after awakening and immediately before/after diving, indicating their more intense stress responses. A significant interaction between daily variations in cortisol secretion and negative emotions indicated a greater importance of emotions in response to diving stress rather than diving experience. Accordingly, using a multiple regression analysis showed that more pre-diving negative emotions predicted higher levels of pre-diving anxiety and depression as well as more cortisol release. More negative thoughts predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms, while belonging to a group of recreational divers was a significant predictor of higher pre-diving anxiety. This study points to the importance of considering cognitive and emotional experiences, particularly in recreational divers, for the purpose of prevention of negative psychophysiological stress responses prior to diving., Author(s): Mirela Zec [sup.1] [sup.2] , Vesna Anticevic [sup.2] , Linda Lusic Kalcina [sup.3] , Zoran Valic [sup.4] , Josko Bozic [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412721.3, 0000 0004 0366 9017, [...]

Background/Objectives: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), exacerbation of arterial hypertension, and progression to heart failure, but remains frequently unrecognized in clinical practice. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies by pooling data of patients undergoing CAG due to suspected or stable CAD that received a bilateral renal artery angiography. Results: A total of 31 studies with 31,689 patients were included (mean age 63.2 ± 8.7 years, 20.9% were female). Overall, 13.4% (95%CI 10.5–16.7%) of patients undergoing coronary angiography had significant RAS, with 6.5% (95% CI 4.5–8.9%) and 3.7% (95%CI 2.5–5.2%) having severe and bilateral RAS. The mean weighted proportion of patients with three-vessel coronary disease (3VD) was 25.1 (95%CI 19.6–30.9%) while 4.2% (95%CI 2.6–6.2%) had left main (LM) coronary disease. Patients with RAS compared to those without RAS were significantly older (mean difference, MD 4.2 years (95%CI 3.8–4.6)). The relative risk of RAS was greater for the female sex (risk ratio, 95%CI; RR 1.3, 1.03–1.57), presence of diabetes (RR 1.2, 1.10–1.36), arterial hypertension (RR 1.3, 1.21–1.46), dyslipidemia (RR 1.1, 1.06–1.14), peripheral artery disease (PAD) (RR 2.1, 1.40–3.16), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR 2.6, 2.04–3.37), 3VD (RR 1.6, 1.30–1.87), and LM disease (RR 1.8, 1.28–2.47). Smoking had a neutral effect on the risk of RAS occurrence (RR 1.0, 0.94–1.06). Conclusions: RAS is common in patients undergoing coronary angiography. CKD, PAD, older age, and severe CAD were among the strongest predictors for the presence of significant RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, microRNAs (miR) were identified to have potential links with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) oncogenesis, specifically miR-21. Since HPV is a major risk factor for the development of these diseases, we aimed to search the literature regarding miR-21 expression in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. The search was performed in the PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases. The research question was as follows: Is there a difference in the tissue expression of miR-21 between patients with HPV-positive and those with HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC? After conducting a meticulous search strategy, four studies were included, and they had a pooled sample size of 621 subjects with OSCC and/or OPSCC. Three studies did not find any significant difference in miR-21 expression between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. The findings of this systematic review showed that there are no differences in miR-21 expression between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC/OPSCC. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that there are still insufficient studies regarding this important subject, because understanding how HPV influences miR-21 expression and its downstream effects can provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC/OPSCC development and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that often requires prescription therapy and is associated with adverse reactions. Omega fatty acids have been recognized for their anti-inflammatory effect and could serve as a safer option in contact dermatitis treatment. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled study, conducted at the University of Split School of Medicine, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega fatty acids containing topical products in an experimental model of irritant contact dermatitis. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials (NCT06189144) and is closed. The primary outcomes were levels of transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, and skin erythema, all measured using an MPA6 device in 25 healthy participants. A significant difference was observed between the hydration values of the intervention (45.7 ± 12.4) and control groups (31.6 ± 12.3) (p < 0.05) on final measurements (day 10). Moreover, higher erythema levels were observed in participants who were smokers, compared to non-smokers. No adverse drug reactions were observed during the study period. In conclusion, omega fatty acids topical product use shows promise in the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis, and further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy in a larger sample of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by massive proteinuria, called nephrotic range proteinuria (over 3.5 g per day in adults or 40 mg/m2 per hour in children), hypoalbuminemia, oncotic edema, and hyperlipidemia, with an increasing incidence over several years. Nephrotic syndrome carries severe morbidity and mortality risk. The main pathophysiological event in nephrotic syndrome is increased glomerular permeability due to immunological, paraneoplastic, genetic, or infective triggers. Because of the marked increase in the glomerular permeability to macromolecules and the associated urinary loss of albumins and hormone-binding proteins, many metabolic and endocrine abnormalities are present. Some of them are well known, such as overt or subclinical hypothyroidism, growth hormone depletion, lack of testosterone, vitamin D, and calcium deficiency. The exact prevalence of these disorders is unknown because of the complexity of the human endocrine system and the differences in their prevalence. This review aims to comprehensively analyze all potential endocrine and hormonal complications of nephrotic syndrome and, vice versa, possible kidney complications of endocrine diseases that might remain unrecognized in everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remain challenging in terms of understanding their causes and in terms of diagnosing, treating, and monitoring patients. Modern diagnosis combines biomarkers, imaging, and endoscopic methods. Common biomarkers like CRP and fecal calprotectin, while invaluable tools, have limitations and are not entirely specific to IBD. The limitations of existing markers and the invasiveness of endoscopic procedures highlight the need to discover and implement new markers. With an ideal biomarker, we could predict the risk of disease development, as well as the possibility of response to a particular therapy, which would be significant in elucidating the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent research in the fields of machine learning, proteomics, epigenetics, and gut microbiota provides further insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and is also revealing new biomarkers. New markers, such as BAFF, PGE-MUM, oncostatin M, microRNA panels, αvβ6 antibody, and S100A12 from stool, are increasingly being identified, with αvβ6 antibody and oncostatin M being potentially close to being presented into clinical practice. However, the specificity of certain markers still remains problematic. Furthermore, the use of expensive and less accessible technology for detecting new markers, such as microRNAs, represents a limitation for widespread use in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the need for non-invasive, comprehensive markers is becoming increasingly important regarding the complexity of treatment and overall management of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]