Search

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism contributing to the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in blood and urine were evaluated in relation to podocyte injury and proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction, as well as to a specific inflammatory response in normoalbuminuric DKD. A total of 150 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (52 normoalbuminuric, 48 microalbuminuric, and 50 macroalbuminuric ones, respectively) and 30 healthy controls were assessed concerning the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), biomarkers of podocyte damage (synaptopodin and podocalyxin), PT dysfunction (kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and N-acetyl-β-(D)-glucosaminidase (NAG)), and inflammation (serum and urinary interleukins (IL-17A, IL-18, and IL-10)). MtDNA-CN and nuclear DNA (nDNA) were quantified in peripheral blood and urine via qRT-PCR. MtDNA-CN was defined as the ratio of the number of mtDNA/nDNA copies via analysis of the CYTB/B2M and ND2/B2M ratio. Multivariable regression analysis provided models in which serum mtDNA directly correlated with IL-10 and indirectly correlated with UACR, IL-17A, and KIM-1 (R2 = 0.626; p < 0.0001). Urinary mtDNA directly correlated with UACR, podocalyxin, IL-18, and NAG, and negatively correlated with eGFR and IL-10 (R2 = 0.631; p < 0.0001). Mitochondrial DNA changes in serum and urine display a specific signature in relation to inflammation both at the podocyte and tubular levels in normoalbuminuric type 2 DM patients.

Females require at a certain period of life the administration or supplementation of specific hormones (estrogen, progesterone), for various needs, such as: prevention of unwanted pregnancies, decreased menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain in endometriosis, alleviation of symptoms associated with menopause, regulation of certain skin processes related to acne or aging and others. Also, hormones could act as oncogenes being known eloquent examples of estrogens labeled both as promoters of cell specific alteration or as mutagenic agents. The use of hormones and exposure to solar radiation is expected to cause a number of adverse changes to the body, especially due to their association with malignant processes. The current study was purported as a basis for understanding certain processes that occur with the administration of hormones and exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The animal model was made on healthy adult female BALB/c mice, which were separated into groups and treated with Ethinylestradiol (EES), Levonorgestrel (LNG) and their combination in the presence of UVB radiation. Changes in skin physiological parameters were analyzed by non-invasive methods, biochemical parameters related to changes in blood circulating system were evaluated by standard methods and histopathological analysis was conducted to point out the changes at the level of the internal body. Measurement of skin parameters such as erythema, melanin, skin hydration, has highlighted some changes in hormone-treated and exposed to UVB radiation groups which were significant only in the case of erythema. Biochemical parameters showed variations in terms of liver enzymes in groups treated with active substances. Histologically, aspects of internal organs revealed significant changes in the group treated with EES and LNG and exposed to UVB radiation.

Limited data are available regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in children. In this study, we assessed for the first time the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in children from Romania. Serum samples of 379 children were investigated for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies. Serologic tests were performed using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay that targets the nucleocapsid protein of the virus. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies was 46.70%. No significant difference was observed between seropositive and seronegative children according to age groups, gender, and area of residence. Our findings revealed a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Romanian children at the end of the third COVID-19 pandemic wave. Results suggest that children, regardless of age, gender, or area of residence, are susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence in children was similar to the seroprevalence reported in the adult population from Western Romania during the same period of time, March to June 2021.

Aims: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the pathophysiology of DKD involving actions of microRNAs (miRNAs). The aims of the study were to establish the involvement of selected lncRNAs in the epigenetic mechanisms of podocyte damage and tubular injury in DKD of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in relation to a particular miRNAs profile. Methods: A total of 136 patients with type 2 DM and 25 healthy subjects were assessed in a cross-sectional study concerning urinary albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR), eGFR, biomarkers of podocyte damage (synaptopodin, podocalyxin) and of proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction (Kidney injury molecule-1-KIM-1, N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase-NAG), urinary lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), urinary miRNA21, 124, 93, 29a. Results: Multivariable regression analysis showed that urinary lncMALAT1 correlated directly with urinary synaptopodin, podocalyxin, KIM-1, NAG, miRNA21, 124, UACR, and negatively with eGFR, miRNA93, 29a (p

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection were assessed among pregnant women in Western Romania. T. gondii seroprevalence was evaluated in 208 pregnant women by demonstration o...

The aim of the article was to determine the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte-ratio (NLR), clinical disease severity and joint effusion in patients with early knee osteoarthritis. We evaluated 79 patients with mild knee degeneration. We obtained NLR from routine hematology panels. As controls, 1260 hematology panels were also obtained. Clinical severity was evaluated from patient reported outcome scores: International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, Knee Disability And Osteoarthritis Outcome Score For Joint Replacement, Tegner-Lysholm scale and Euroqol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Joint effusion was determined by ultrasound. For the statistics software R, version 3.4.4 was used. There were differences in demographics but not in NLR between the study patients and controls (2.03 versus 1.98, p=0.606). There was no correlation between NLR and joint effusion (r2= - 0.121) or between NLR, joint effusion and any other parameter recorded (r2 from - 0.134 to 0.190). In the multiple regression model, NLR was minimally influenced by age (p=0.059) and KOOSJR (p=0.023). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is within normal limits in patients with early stage knee osteoarthritis and is not associated with clinical severity or with joint effusion.

Levonorgestrel is the most widely used synthetic hormone due in particular to strong progestin and anti-ovulatory effects, without estrogenic effects, being also used in hormone supportive therapy and found in preclinical studies for the prevention / occurrence of malignant processes. In order to be able to eliminate the adverse effects but to benefit at the same time from the beneficial biological effects, the posibility of obtaining effective and safe biocompatible formulations is studied. In the present research silver nanoparticles loaded with lenorgestrel were obtained and were subsequently included in a liposomal transporter system. Physico-chemical characterizations showed good stability of the liposomal systems obtained and dimensions compatible with the biological environment. In vitro data conducted on breast cells (MCF 10A and MCF7) revealed a dose-dependent influence in terms of cell viability with no significant changes at low concentration of samples (0.1 μM), while higher concentration was associated with a decrease of the viable breast adenocarcinoma cells especially in the case of silver nanoparticles.

The aim of this article is to show how thevpower of statistics and cheminformatics can be combined, in R, using two packages: rcdk and cluster.We describe the role of clustering methods for identifying similar structures in a group of 23 molecules according to their fingerprints. The most commonly used method is to group the molecules using a “score” obtained by measuring the average distance between them. This score reflects the similarity/non-similarity between compounds and helps us identify active or potentially toxic substances through predictive studies.Clustering is the process by which the common characteristics of a particular class of compounds are identified. For clustering applications, we are generally measure the molecular fingerprint similarity with the Tanimoto coefficient. Based on the molecular fingerprints, we calculated the molecular distances between the methotrexate molecule and the other 23 molecules in the group, and organized them into a matrix. According to the molecular distances and Ward ’s method, the molecules were grouped into 3 clusters. We can presume structural similarity between the compounds and their locations in the cluster map. Because only 5 molecules were included in the methotrexate cluster, we considered that they might have similar properties and might be further tested as potential drug candidates.

Aim: The involvement of proinflammatory interleukins (IL) in diabetic kidney disease of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was studied in relation to a particular miRNA profile. Materials & methods: A total of 117 patients with Type 2 DM and 11 controls were enrolled in a case series study. Serum and urinary ILs and miRNAs were assessed. Results: IL-1α correlated with miRNA21, 124, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and negatively with miRNA125a and 192; IL-8 with miRNA21, 124, eGFR and negatively with miRNA125a, 126 and 146a; IL-18 with miRNA21, 124 and negatively with miRNA146a, 192, eGFR. Conclusion: There is an association between specific serum and urinary ILs and serum and urinary miRNAs profiles in the inflammatory response in Type 2 DM patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The multi-modal infection control strategies designed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unintended positive effect on other hospital-acquired infections. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 prevention measures on healthcare-associated C. difficile infections in a large regional acute care center. Electronic databases were reviewed from the start of the pandemic (March) up to November 2020. Average values from the same months from 2019 and 2018 were used as controls. Using the ICD-10 discharge coding, 65 C. difficile cases per 25,124 patients were identified in 2020 compared to 151/43,126 from the 2018 and 2019 averages (P=0.0484). The C. difficile cases were found to be decreased after the implementation of COVID-19 infection control strategies compared to previous years, despite an increase in antibiotic use. Subset analysis during lockdown showed a clear decrease but the difference was not statistically significant. For the months of recovery after lockdown, the number of cases was comparable to previous years.

Oestrogen hormones play key roles in the human body, are involved in complex mechanisms, both beneficial and unwanted. Because semisynthetic oestrogens are commonly used today in various hormonal therapies, they has inevitably been linked to the appearance of certain carcinogenic processes, which are primarily based on oestrogen-based drugs, either as initiators or promoters. A promising alternative that can help reduce unwanted effects is to capture the active substance in a polymeric matrix that is capable of retaining its biological activity. In this study, activity on the viability of breast cancer cells with expressed oestrogen receptors of a polymeric formulation with ethinylestradiol and polylactic acid was evaluated.

Numerous plants are currently used for both their curative and preventive effects in a wide range of pathologies. They possess multiple beneficial effects, including the well-known antioxidant capacity. Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Filipendula spp., from the Rosaceae family have emerged as a potential source of phenolic constituents, showing antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to obtain ethanolic extracts from Agrimonia eupatoria L., Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Filipendula vulgaris Moench. collected from the West part of Romania and to determine their antioxidant capacity. Two DPPH assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the extracts, ethanolic solution of 1 and 0.1 mM DPPH. Our data indicated that all the extracts, regardless of the place of harvest possess significant antioxidant activity. The most potent activity was recorded for the extracts prepared from Agrimonia eupatoria L. collected from Bazia� � Locva Mountains in mixture with ethanolic solution of 0.1 mM DPPH, followed by Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim, using the same concentration of ethanolic solution of standard antioxidant.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) as a severe neurological emergency, is represented by variable conditions in its clinic presentation, onset, risk factors, neuroimagistic features and outcome. The genetic polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C was associated with CVST. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of MTHFR gene polymorphisms associated with cardiovascular risk factors in the group of patients with CVST. Also, we studied additional causes associated with CVST including local infections, general infections, obstetric causes (pregnancy, puerperium) and head injury. This is a retrospective study including 114 patients which referred to our hospital between February 2012&ndash, February 2020. The protocol included demographic (age, sex), clinical, neuroimagistic features, paraclinic (genetic polymorphism of MTHFR, factor V G1691A&mdash, Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, PAI-1 675 4G/5G, Homocysteine level, the lipid profile, blood glucose and Glycohemoglobin HbA1c, high- sensitive C- reactive protein- hsCRP) data, as well as treatment and outcome. The mean age was 37.55 years with a female predominance (65.79%). In the first group of patients with inherited thrombophilia (60 cases, 52.63%) we found genetic mutation includes MTHFR C677T (38.59%) and A1298C (14.03%), factor V G1691A- Leiden (15.78%), prothrombin G20210A (2.63%), PAI-1 675 4G/5G (42.98%), and hyperhomocysteinemia (35.08%). At the second group with other etiology of CVST, except thrombophilia, we included 54 patients (47.36%). The most common sites of thrombosis were the superior sagittal sinus (52.63%). Headache was the most common symptom (91.22%) and seizures were the main clinical presentation (54.38%). The MTHFR polymorphism was significantly correlated with higher total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.023), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p = 0.008), homocysteine level (tHcy) (p &lt, 0.001). Inside the first group with MTHFR polymorphism we have found a significant difference between the levels of homocysteine at the patients with MTHFR C677T versus MTHFR A1298C polymorphism (p &lt, 0.001). The high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was increased in both groups of patients, but the level was much higher in the second group (p = 0.046). Mortality rate was of 2.63%. Demographic, clinical and neuroimagistic presentation of CVST in our study was similar with other studies on the matter, with a high frequency of thrombophilia causes. MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) are increased in prevalence in CVST. PAI-1 675 4G/5G gene mutation seems to be involved in CVST etiology. Plasma C-reactive protein level and hyperhomocysteinemia should be considered as a prognostic factor in CVST.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of

Background and Aims Interactions among multiple molecules and signalling pathways contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the pathophysiology of DKD involving actions of microRNAs (miRNAs). The aim of the study was to establish the involvement of selected lncRNAs in the epigenetic mechanisms of podocyte damage and tubular injury in DKD of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs intervention were evaluated in relation to a particular miRNA profile. Method A total of 136 patients with type 2 DM and 25 healthy subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional case series study and assessed concerning urinary albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR), eGFR, biomarkers of podocyte damage (synaptopodin, podocalyxin) and proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction (Kidney injury molecule-1-KIM-1, N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase-NAG), urinary lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), and urinary miRNA21, 124, 93, 29a (quantified by a real-time PCR System). Results Multivariable regression analysis yielded models in which urinary lncRNA MALAT1 correlated directly with urinary synaptopodin, podocalyxin, KIM-1, NAG, miRNA21, 124, UACR, and negatively with eGFR, miRNA93 and 29a (p Conclusion In patients with type 2 DM lncRNAs exert distinct functions in different cell types, either deleterious or protective, at both glomerular and tubular level. LncRNAs may contribute to DKD through modulating miRNAs expression and activities. This observation holds true independently of albuminuria and DKD stage.

Background Antipsychotic medication, stress, gender, and age are factors that influence prolactin levels in patients with psychosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of prolactin response to antipsychotic treatment in acute patients, taking into account the total duration of psychosis. Methods and findings The study was conducted on 170 acute patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder. Subjects were divided into three subgroups according to the duration of the psychosis (less than 5 years, between 5 and 10 years and more than 10 years of disorder duration). The initial prolactin response under antipsychotic treatment was measured, while the severity of the psychiatric symptoms was assessed with the BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale). Hyperprolactinemia was found in 120 (70.6%) patients, amongst which 80 (66.7%) were females and 40 (33.3%) were males. The average increase in prolactinemia was 2.46 times the maximum value in women, and 1.59 times in men. Gender (β = 0.27, p

Background: The association of vascular remodeling in the kidney and the brain with a particular microRNAs (miRNA) profile is not well studied.Methods: Seventy-six patients with Type 2 diabetes and 11 healthy subjects were assessed concerning urine albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR), biomarkers of podocyte injury and of proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction. MiRNA were quantified in blood and urine by a real-time PCR System. Cerebrovascular ultrasound measurements were performed in the carotid and middle cerebral arteries.Results: MiRNA21 and miRNA124 correlated positively with nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), urinary kidney-injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), UACR, and negatively with eGFR; miRNA125a, 126, 146a, 192 correlated negatively with nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, urinary NAG, urinary KIM-1, UACR, and directly with eGFR. Plasma miRNA-21 and miRNA192 correlated directly with cerebral hemodynamics parameters of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. MiRNA-124, 125a, 126, 146a showed negative correlations with the same parameters.Conclusions: In Type 2 diabetes patients there is an association of vascular remodeling in the brain and the kidney with a specific miRNAs pattern. Cerebrovascular changes occur even in normoalbuminuric patients, with 'high-to-normal' levels of podocyte injury and PT dysfunction biomarkers. These phenomena may be explained by the variability of miRNA expression within the two organs in early DKD.

Materials based on acrylic resins are commonly used in dental practice. These are obtained through various technologies, which determine the chemical, physical and biological properties of the final product, which can influence the inflammatory processes in the periodontal tissue. To evaluate the effects of these materials, we identified the concentrations of TGFb1 and IL8 in crevicular fluid in 23 patients with temporary dentures made of polymethyl methacrylate by two polymerization methods: (1) a product processed immediately prior to application, wherein the polymerization of the material occurs in the oral cavity; and (2) a product processed in the dental laboratory from a prepolymerized block (block-type PMMA), and applied directly into the patient�s mouth. The results of our study revealed a significant correlation between the IL-8 inflammation marker and the clinical parameters in the periodontal tissue exposed to the polymerization of the material in the oral cavity.

Antihypertensives are widely prescribed in the geriatric population and could influence kidney stone risk but many aspects are still unknown. Thiazides are used to control lithogenic factors and recurrences in patients with calcium lithiasis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between essential arterial hypertension and stone disease, by studying the pharmaco-therapeutic effects of a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine + valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide (Aml + Val + HCTZ) 10/320/25 mg, on the urinary stone risk in a study group of hypertensive geriatric patients. A longitudinal, randomized, three years follow-up clinical and experimental study was conducted during June 1, 2014 - July 31, 2017. A number of 60 eligible geriatric patients, treated only with a fixed-dose combination of Aml + Val + HCTZ 10/320/25 mg, as a single-tablet, were enrolled in the study. All the patients were stone formers, with more than three episodes of crystalluria in the last two years. The patient�s age ranged between 55 and 65 years. Exclusion criteria: patients with heart failure, kidney chronic diseases, use of drugs known to affect renal function, patients with multi-morbidities. All patients had similar blood pressure values, and tension was well controlled throughout the whole study period. In the elderly patients, the treatment with 25 mg/day of hydrochlorothiazide (from the combination of Aml + Val + HCTZ 10/320/25 mg) has a beneficial and prolonged efficacy in treatment of recurrences in patients with calcium oxalate and phosphate lithiasis Our study reveals that in the elderly patients with hypertension and nephrolithiasis as a comorbidity, thiazides - 25 mg/day of hydrochlorothiazide (from the combination of Aml + Val + HCTZ 10/320/25 mg) has a beneficial effect in order to control lithogenic factors and recurrences in patients with calcium phosphate lithiasis.

The purpose of the study is to show the effects and evolution of patients with back pain treated with a different dose of betamethasone, analyzing both their evolution in terms of pain perception and lifestyle. In this study, 43 patients diagnosed with back pain in the lumbar region were included over a 12-month period. Patients were divided into two categories, depending on the dose of betamethasone administered. At 1 month control after the last injection, the first group of patients, a total of 22, given the local injection of betamethasone, trigger point injection, administering the usual dose: 1 ampoule of betamethasone 1 mL + 1 ampoule 1% xyline, at the clinical examination, they claimed that pain was reduced by about 70%, sustaining the improvement of the quality of life. The same group of patients, called for the final evaluation, at 3 month, claimed the pain was reduced by about 95%, as compared to the initial pain before starting the treatment. In the second category, where 21 patients were treated by local injections, trigger point injection, administering the modified dose of betamethasone: � ampoule of betanethasone 0.5 mL + 1 ampule 1% xyline, at 1 month control after the last injection, at the clinical examination they claimed thtat the pain was reduced with just 40%, sustaining an average quality of life. Even if a low dose of betamethasone shows significantly less systemic effects, a higher dose is required in the treatment of low back pain to have the desired effect and to significantly improve the quality of life of the patient.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for identification and quantification of diazepam and its major metabolite, desmethyldiazepam in plasma samples in psychiatric patients. Liquid - liquid extraction (LLE) procedure was applied in order to simplify the pre-analytical phase, followed by gas chromatography � mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection and gas chromatography � flame ionization (GC-FID) quantitation.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a severe complication of Type 2 diabetes. Tubular lesions may play an important role in its early stages. The aim of our study was to determine if atorvastatin protects the podocytes and the proximal tubule in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 63 patients with Type 2 diabetes completed this 6-months prospective pilot study. They were randomized to continue rosuvastatin therapy (control group) or to be administered an equipotent dose of atorvastatin (intervention group), and were assessed regarding urinary podocytes, podocyte-associated molecules, and biomarkers of proximal tubule dysfunction. Results: The patients from the intervention group presented a significant reduction in podocyturia (from 7.0 to 4.0 cells/ml, p

This study investigates for the first time the influence of four doses of rosuvastatin on total fatty acids (TFA) and free fatty acids (FFA) in human plasma and correlates their changes in concentration with changes in the concentration of other lipids involved in cholesterol homeostasis.This study was a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover experiment. The study used a single group of 16 men and consisted of 5 treatment periods lasting 4 weeks each with placebo and 4 doses of rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg). Each subject changed 5 medical treatments and received in each new treatment different tablets of rosuvastatin or placebo compared to those taken in previous treatments, in a random order. Between treatment periods there was a wash-out period of 2 weeks, without treatment.Changes in TFA and FFA were significant compared to placebo and between different doses of rosuvastatin. We found a continuous logarithmic decrease in levels of TFA, FFA, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and apolipoprotein B-100, and a continuous increase in levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 by increases the dose of rosuvastatin. Analysis of the correlation of TFA and FFA with the main lipids and lipoproteins in cholesterol homeostasis indicated a linear regression with high correlation coefficients and all P-values were less than .05 level.The concentrations of TFA and FFA are significantly influenced by the dose of rosuvastatin. They are strongly correlated with those of other lipids and lipoproteins involved in cholesterol homeostasis. The mechanisms of cholesterol homeostasis regulation are involved in changing the concentrations of TFA and FFA.

An analytical procedure for the rapid and selective derivatization of free fatty acids into methyl esters directly in plasma without transmethylation of lipid-bound fatty acids was developed for their analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The methyl esters of free fatty acids were obtained by reaction with methyl iodide in the solution of dipolar aprotic solvents and in the presence of solid bases. The mechanism of the methylation reaction with these reagents was investigated. Optimal conditions for the selective methylation of free fatty acids were established using different dipolar aprotic solvents and different solid bases. The possible transmethylation of covalently bonded fatty acids from plasma lipids has been investigated under different experimental conditions in order to be avoided. Total methylation of free fatty acids was achieved in 1 min at room temperature using methyl iodide and anhydrous potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate in dimethyl sulfoxide. Under these conditions, transmethylation of lipid-bound fatty acids was avoided. The methyl esters can be injected directly from the reaction solvents. A plasma volume of 50 μL was used without special purification. The detection limits were around 0.1 ng/μL. The proposed method avoids the drawbacks of the previous methods used for the one-step analysis of individual free fatty acids in human plasma.

Aims To evaluate if there is a link between inflammation (expressed by inflammatory cytokines) and the early stage of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), as shown by markers of podocyte damage and proximal tubular (PT) dysfunction. Methods In this study were enrolled 117 type 2 DM patients (36-normoalbuminuria, 42-microalbuminuria, 39- macroalbuminuria), and 11 healthy subjects. Serum and urinary IL-1 alpha, IL-8, IL-18, urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR), eGFR, biomarkers of podocyte damage (podocalyxin, synaptopodin, nephrin) and of PT dysfunction (KIM-1, NAG) were assessed. Results In multivariable regression urinary Il-1 alpha correlated positively with podocalyxin and NAG (p Conclusions Pro-inflammatory interleukins are associated with podocyte injury and PT dysfunction in early DKD. These could exert a key role in the pathogenesis of early DKD, before the development of albuminuria.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA species that are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The aim of the study was to establish a potential explanation of podocyte damage and proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction induced by deregulated miRNAs expression in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). A total of 68 patients with type 2 DM and 11 healthy subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and assessed concerning urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamininidase (NAG), urinary kidney injury molecule-1, urinary nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary miRNA21, miRNA124, and miRNA192. In univariable regression analysis, miRNA21, miRNA124, and miRNA192 correlated with urinary nephrin, synaptopodin, podocalyxin, NAG, KIM-1, UACR, and eGFR. Multivariable regression analysis yielded models in which miRNA192 correlated with synaptopodin, uNAG, and eGFR (R2=0.902; P2=0.881; P2=0.882; P

Aim The study assessed mRNA expression of podocyte-associated molecules in urinary sediments of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in relation to urinary podocytes, biomarkers of podocyte injury and of proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction. Methods A total of 76 patients with type 2 DM and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional study, and assessed concerning urinary podocytes, urinary mRNA of podocyte-associated genes, urinary biomarkers of podocyte damage and of PT dysfunction. Results We found significant differences between urinary mRNA of podocyte-associated molecules in relation with albuminuria stage. In multivariable regression analysis, urinary mRNA of nephrin, podocin, alpha-actinin-4, CD2-associated protein, glomerular epithelial protein 1 (GLEPP1), ADAM 10, and NFκB correlated directly with urinary podocytes, albuminuria, urinary alpha1-microglobulin, urinary kidney-injury molecule-1, nephrinuria, urinary vascular endothelial growth factor, urinary advanced glycation end-products (AGE), and indirectly with eGFR (p

Aims Detection of podocytes in the urine of patients with type 2 diabetes may indicate severe injury to the podocytes. In the course of type 2 diabetes the proximal tubule is involved in urinary albumin processing. We studied the significance of podocyturia in relation with proximal tubule dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 86 patients with type 2 diabetes (34-normoalbuminuria; 30-microalbuminuria; 22-macroalbuminuria) and 28 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study and assessed concerning urinary podocytes, podocyte-associated molecules, and biomarkers of proximal tubule dysfunction. Urinary podocytes were examined in cell cultures by utilizing monoclonal antibodies against podocalyxin and synaptopodin. Results Podocytes were detected in the urine of 10% of the healthy controls, 24% of the normoalbuminuric, 40% of the microalbuminuric, and 82% of the macroalbuminuric patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, urinary podocytes correlated with urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (p = 0.006), urinary nephrin/creat (p = 0.001), urinary vascular endothelial growth factor/creat (p = 0.001), urinary kidney injury molecule-1/creat (p = 0.003), cystatin C (p = 0.001), urinary advanced glycation end-products (p = 0.002), eGFR (p = 0.001). Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes podocyturia parallels proximal tubule dysfunction independently of albuminuria and renal function decline. Advanced glycation end-products may impact the podocytes and the proximal tubule.

The indoor air quality in public buildings is essential for the health of employees and visitors. To investigate the potential influence of airborne germ loads on human health, two sampling campaigns were conducted during 2009 in several public buildings in Timisoara (Romania). The quality of air revealed highly significant differences among different sites. Cluster analysis accurately classified the investigated buildings into three main groups and for most groups of aerial microorganisms, the measured values rarely fell below the normal concentrations in indoor environments. Although the structure of airborne flora varied widely among different locations, mesophilic bacteria and molds were the main determinants of indoor air quality in investigated buildings. It was found that these two factors explained over 90% of the overall average dissimilarity in the structure of indoor airborne microbiota. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed a strong positive relationship between these two factors, which is probably related to the number of daily occupants and visitors as well as to the building age. Further research is required to determine more accurately the relationship between ventilation performance and air quality. Key words: Indoor air quality, airborne germ load, public buildings, mesophilic bacteria, airborne molds.

This study aims to compare the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in children with those of adults from western Romania, and to determine the specifics of this disease in the younger population. The medical records of the patients diagnosed with CE and hospitalized during 2004-2010 in four western Romanian counties were retrospectively investigated. Overall, 82 children (mean age, 10.8 years) and 369 adults (mean age, 48 years) were diagnosed with CE during the study period. The yearly detection rate was 3.1/100,000 children and 3.4/100,000 adults. The incidence rate registered a peak in children aged 5-14 years (4.4/100,000) and adults aged 60-69 years (5/100,000). Female to male ratio was 1.6:1 in pediatric cases and 1.2:1 in adults. CE was almost twice more frequent in rural areas (4.4/100,000 children and 4.9/100,000 adults) as compared to urban regions (2.3/100,000 children and 2.6/100,000 adults). Hepatic cysts were found more frequently than pulmonary cysts, at a ratio of 3.6:1 in children and 12.8:1 in adults. Most of the cases had no complications (91.5% of children and 87% of adults). Children had higher eosinophil count (7%) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (29.7 mm/h) as compared with adults (eosinophil count, 5.3%, p

The purpose of this study is to bring new and important data regarding the epidemiology of ascariasis, enterobiasis and giardiasis in the Romanian largest county during a 14-year period. We have performed a retrospective collection and analysis of the available information provided by the general practitioners to the Statistics Department database of the Timis County Public Health Authority. The mean annual incidence of the studied parasitic diseases during 1993-2006 was the following: 194 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (range: 90-304) for ascariasis, 777 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (range: 417-1241) for enterobiasis and 1076 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (range: 93-1770) for giardiasis. Noteworthy is that Romania reported 90.8% of the total cases of giardiasis at the European Union's level during 2006-2008. The general trend of the incidences throughout the studied period was constant for ascariasis (R(2)=0.192, p=0.1), showed no statistically significant variation (R(2)=0.025, p=0.6) for enterobiasis and was upward for giardiasis (R(2)=0.6, p=0.001). Intestinal parasitoses represent an important public health concern in Romania due to the extremely high incidence rates reported. Special attention should be paid to the young population (0-14 years), where the negative disease consequences on children's health and their educational process may be traced for a long-term. Therefore, efficient educational programs and campaigns should be timely implemented.

Liver regeneration after loss of important cell population is a complex process involving all mature liver cell types.We study the response of hepatocytes in 24h and 48h after partial hepatectomy by microscopic and morphometricanalysis. Thirty adult male NMRI, 8 week old mice were used in the study. Liver regeneration after partialhepatectomy (68%) in mice is a complex process that is performed on account differentiated mature hepatocyteproliferation, as evidenced by the presence of nuclei hypertrophy, binucleate cells or polyploidy, and numerousmitotic figures. Morphometrical analysis of cell size showed increases in average dimension of the control comparedto the experimental groups. After this study, we can conclude that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy ismarked by the proliferation of liver cell population, while reducing the apoptotic process.

Background The critically ill polytrauma patient, apart from the primary, traumatic injuries and the secondary, port-traumatic injuries, presents with a series of molecular disasters. Dysfunctions of the biochemical pathways and molecular damage add to the worsening of the clinical status of these patients, one of the most well-known molecular phenomena being oxidative stress (OS), responsible for an escalation of the inflammatory status, multiple infections, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods For this study was analysed the literature available on PubMed and Scopus. The key words used in the search were "oxidative stress", "lipid peroxidation", "critically ill", "polytrauma patients", and "biomarkers oxidative stress". Results For the study we selected 47 science articles. The oxidative attack on lipids is responsible for the biosynthesis of an increased quantity of free radicals (FR), which further intensifies and aggravates the redox status in these patients. Conclusions One of the most aggressive redox mechanisms related to lipid molecules is known as lipid peroxidation (LPOX).