Abnormal Tissue Research Articles

Common foot and ankle disorders in pregnancy: the role of diagnostic ultrasound.

Foot and ankle disorders are common during pregnancy, driven by significant physiological changes including weight distribution, hormonal fluctuations, and fluid balance. These changes often result in conditions such as varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), edema, overpronation, ankle sprains, metatarsalgia, stress fractures, ligament tears, synovitis, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, paratenonitis, plantar fasciitis, and Morton's neuroma. This paper emphasizes the diagnostic utility of ultrasound for these conditions, given its safety, non-invasiveness, and real-time imaging capabilities without ionizing radiation. Ultrasound is particularly effective for diagnosing venous disorders like varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, leveraging Doppler ultrasound to assess vein structure and function. It is also instrumental in identifying DVT, detecting vein dilation, reflux, and thrombosis. For conditions such as edema, ultrasound helps differentiate physiological from pathological causes, ensuring accurate diagnosis and management. In cases of musculoskeletal issues like overpronation, ankle sprains, ligament tears, and tendon pathologies, ultrasound provides detailed images of soft tissues, allowing for precise diagnosis and effective treatment planning. It is equally useful for detecting metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and Morton's neuroma, offering insights into soft tissue abnormalities and guiding therapeutic interventions. Ultrasound's role extends to diagnosing foreign bodies in the foot and ankle, where it demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity. The accessibility and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound make it an invaluable tool in various healthcare settings, ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis and management of foot and ankle disorders during pregnancy, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.

Towards laryngeal cancer diagnosis using Dandelion Optimizer Algorithm with ensemble learning on biomedical throat region images

Laryngeal cancer exhibits a notable global health burden, with later-stage detection contributing to a low mortality rate. Laryngeal cancer diagnosis on throat region images is a pivotal application of computer vision (CV) and medical image diagnoses in the medical sector. It includes detecting and analysing abnormal or cancerous tissue from the larynx, an integral part of the vocal and respiratory systems. The computer-aided system makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) through deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) models, including convolution neural networks (CNN), for automated disease diagnoses and detection. Various DL and ML approaches are executed to categorize the extraction feature as healthy and cancerous tissues. This article introduces an automated Laryngeal Cancer Diagnosis using the Dandelion Optimizer Algorithm with Ensemble Learning (LCD-DOAEL) method on Biomedical Throat Region Image. The LCD-DOAEL method aims to investigate the images of the throat region for the presence of laryngeal cancer. In the LCD-DOAEL method, the Gaussian filtering (GF) approach is applied to eliminate the noise in the biomedical images. Besides, the complex and intrinsic feature patterns can be extracted by the MobileNetv2 model. Meanwhile, the DOA model carries out the hyperparameter selection of MobileNetV2 architecture. Finally, the ensemble of three classifiers such as bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM), regularized extreme learning machine (ELM), and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) models, are utilized for the classification process. A comprehensive set of simulations is conducted on the biomedical image dataset to highlight the efficient performance of the LCD-DOAEL technique. The comparison analysis of the LCD-DOAEL method exhibited a superior accuracy outcome of 97.54% over other existing techniques.

Epicardial and liver fat implications in albuminuria: a retrospective study

BackgroundAlbuminuria is considered an early and sensitive marker of kidney dysfunction, but also an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Considering the possible relationship among metabolic liver disease, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, we aimed to evaluate the risk of developing albuminuria regarding the presence of epicardial adipose tissue and the steatotic liver disease status.MethodsA retrospective long-term longitudinal study including 181 patients was carried out. Epicardial adipose tissue and steatotic liver disease were assessed by computed tomography. The presence of albuminuria at follow-up was defined as the outcome.ResultsAfter a median follow up of 11.2 years, steatotic liver disease (HR 3.15; 95% CI, 1.20–8.26; p = 0.02) and excess amount of epicardial adipose tissue (HR 6.12; 95% CI, 1.69–22.19; p = 0.006) were associated with an increased risk of albuminuria after adjustment for visceral adipose tissue, sex, age, weight status, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, and cardiovascular prevention treatment at baseline. The presence of both conditions was associated with a higher risk of developing albuminuria compared to having steatotic liver disease alone (HR 5.91; 95% CI 1.15–30.41, p = 0.033). Compared with the first tertile of visceral adipose tissue, the proportion of subjects with liver steatosis and abnormal epicardial adipose tissue was significantly higher in the second and third tertile. We found a significant correlation between epicardial fat and steatotic liver disease (rho = 0.43 [p < 0.001]).ConclusionsIdentification and management/decrease of excess adiposity must be a target in the primary and secondary prevention of chronic kidney disease development and progression. Visceral adiposity assessment may be an adequate target in the daily clinical setting. Moreover, epicardial adipose tissue and steatotic liver disease assessment may aid in the primary prevention of renal dysfunction.

The Impact of Adenomyosis on Pregnancy.

Adenomyosis is characterized by ectopic proliferation of endometrial tissue within the myometrium. Histologically, this condition is marked by the presence of islands of benign endometrial glands surrounded by stromal cells. The myometrium appears thinner, and cross-sectional analysis often reveals signs of recent or chronic hemorrhage. The ectopic endometrial tissue may respond to ovarian hormonal stimulation, exhibiting proliferative or secretory changes during the menstrual cycle, potentially leading to bleeding, uterine swelling, and pain. Adenomyosis can appear as either a diffuse or focal condition. It is crucial to understand that adenomyosis involves the infiltration of the endometrium into the myometrium, rather than its displacement. The surgical management of adenomyosis is contingent upon its anatomical extent. The high incidence of the disease and the myths that develop around it increase the need to study its characteristics and its association with pregnancy and potential obstetric complications. These complications often require quick decisions, appropriate diagnosis, and proper counseling. Therefore, knowing the possible risks associated with adenomyosis is key to decision making. Pregnancy has a positive effect on adenomyosis and its painful symptoms. This improvement is not only due to the inhibition of ovulation, which inhibits the bleeding of adenomyotic tissue, but also to the metabolic, hormonal, immunological, and angiogenic changes associated with pregnancy. Adenomyosis affects pregnancy through disturbances of the endocrine system and the body's immune response at both local and systemic levels. It leads to bleeding from the adenomyotic tissue, molecular and functional abnormalities of the ectopic endometrium, abnormal placentation, and destruction of the adenomyotic tissue due to changes in the hormonal environment that characterizes pregnancy. Some of the obstetric complications that occur in women with adenomyosis in pregnancy include miscarriage, preterm delivery, placenta previa, low birth weight for gestational age, obstetric hemorrhage, and the need for cesarean section. These complications are an understudied field and remain unknown to the majority of obstetricians. These pathological conditions pose challenges to both the typical progression of pregnancy and the smooth conduct of labor in affected women. Further multicenter studies are imperative to validate the most suitable method for concluding labor following surgical intervention for adenomyosis.

Skeletal and Non-skeletal Phenotypes in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Although fractures are the defining characteristic of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), the disorder affects many tissues. Here we discuss three facets of the OI phenotype, skeletal growth and development, skeletal muscle weakness and the dental and craniofacial characteristics. Short stature is almost universal in the more severe forms of OI and is probably caused by a combination of direct effects of the underlying genetic defect on growth plates and indirect effects of fractures, bone deformities and scoliosis. Recent studies have developed OI type-specific growth curves, which allow determining whether a given child with OI grows as expected for OI type. Impaired muscle function is an important OI-related phenotype in severe OI. Muscles may be directly affected in OI by collagen type I abnormalities in muscle connective tissue and in the muscle-tendon unit. Indirect effects like bone deformities and lack of physical activity may also contribute to low muscle mass and function. Dental and craniofacial abnormalities are also very common in severe OI and include abnormal tooth structure (dentinogenesis imperfecta), malocclusion, and deformities in the bones of the face and the skull. It is hoped that future treatment approaches will address these OI-related phenotypes.

Anterior-Posterior Laxity in Midflexion After Posterior-Stabilized TKA Is Sensitive to MCL Tension in Passive Flexion: An in Vitro Biomechanical Study.

Knee instability in midflexion may contribute to patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Midflexion instability involves abnormal motions and tissue loading in multiple planes. Therefore, we quantified and compared the tensions carried by the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL) following posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA through knee flexion, and then compared these tensions with those carried by the native knee. Finally, we examined the relationships between collateral ligament tensions and anterior tibial translation (ATT). Eight cadaveric knees (from 5 male and 3 female donors with a mean age of 62.6 years and standard deviation of 10.9 years) underwent PS TKA. Each specimen was mounted to a robotic manipulator and flexed to 90°. ATT was quantified by applying 30 N of anterior force to the tibia. Tensions carried by the collateral ligaments were determined via serial sectioning. Robotic testing was also conducted on a cohort of 15 healthy native cadaveric knees (from 9 male and 6 female donors with a mean age of 36 years and standard deviation of 11 years). Relationships between collateral ligament tensions during passive flexion and ATT were assessed via linear and nonlinear regressions. MCL tensions were greater following PS TKA than in the native knee at 15° and 30° of passive flexion, by a median of ≥27 N (p = 0.002), while the LCL tensions did not differ. Median tensions following PS TKA were greater in the MCL than in the LCL at 15°, 30°, and 90° of flexion, by ≥4 N (p ≤ 0.02). Median tensions in the MCL of the native knee were small (≤11 N) and did not exceed those in the LCL (p ≥ 0.25). A logarithmic relationship was identified between MCL tension and ATT following TKA. MCL tensions were greater following PS TKA with this typical nonconforming PS implant than in the native knee. Anterior laxity at 30° of flexion was highly sensitive to MCL tension during passive flexion following PS TKA but not in the native knee. Surgeons face competing objectives when performing PS TKA: they can either impart supraphysiological MCL tension to reduce anterior-posterior laxity or maintain native MCL tensions that lead to heightened anterior-posterior laxity, as shown in this study.

Characterization of faecal microbiota and serum inflammatory markers in dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy or small-cell lymphoma: a pilot study

Dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy (CE) or small-cell lymphoma (SCL) exhibit marked differences in faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles compared with healthy dogs, as well as immune abnormalities in intestinal mucosal tissue. However, few studies have analysed trace organic acids, such as succinic acid, which have been suggested to be associated with IBD in humans. Therefore, in this study, we compared the faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles as well as serum inflammatory markers between dogs with disease (n = 11; 6 with CE and 5 with SCL) and healthy controls (n = 16). We also performed machine learning and correlation analysis to obtain more detailed insights into the characteristics of affected dogs. These results revealed that dogs with CE and SCL had lower levels of Erysipelotrichaceae (e.g. Turicibacter and Allobaculum), exhibited abnormalities in the succinic acid metabolism (i.e. succinic acid accumulation and decreased levels of Phascolarctobacterium as succinic acid-utilising bacteria) and increased levels of pathobiont bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella. Additionally, the presence of Dubosiella was significantly negatively correlated with Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index scores. These findings are expected to aid the development of microbiome-based medications and/or supplements, although further verification is needed.

Primary hyperparathyroidism: from guidelines to outpatient clinic.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease characterized by hypercalcemia due to inappropriately high parathyroid hormone secretion. While in the typical, symptomatic form of the disease diagnosis is set easily and standard management is surgical removal of the hyperfunctioning parathyroid (HP), this may not be the case in more subtle forms of PHPT, such as the asymptomatic and the normocalcemic PHPT. Localization of the HP could also be challenging, especially in small-sized adenomas, ectopic lesions or multiglandular disease. An experienced surgical team is essential to achieve curative parathyroidectomy. In this article, we used illustrative clinical vignettes to dissect the approach to the patient with PHPT, from the diagnosis establishment to the suggested investigation to identify classical and non-classical PHPT features and the methodology to locate the abnormal tissue. Accordingly, we elaborated on appropriate management, both surgical and conservative.

Reviewing the benefits and clinical outcomes of oral fibroblasts over mesenchymal stem cells for repairing periodontal defects during or after orthodontic tooth movement.

Orthodontic therapy applies forces to teeth, causing an inflammatory reaction in the periodontal ligament. This is repaired by remodeling of the periodontium, allowing tooth displacement. Although orthodontic therapy is mostly initiated during childhood and adolescence, the number of adults seeking this treatment is increasing as our society's esthetic awareness rises. However, adults may already have periodontal tissue abnormalities, rendering orthodontic treatment inefficient because a healthy periodontium is essential for success. Numerous risk factors have been linked to periodontal lesions, with orthodontic tooth movement possibly playing a minimal influence. Although such tissue damages are mostly of esthetic rather than functional concern for patients, restoration frequently requires invasive procedures. Autologous cells for the treatment of periodontal complications have grown in popularity as a less intrusive alternative. The present review analyzed the literature on the use of mesenchymal stem cells and oral tissue-derived fibroblasts for the healing of periodontal defects that may be related to orthodontic tooth movement. Furthermore, the advantages and challenges of the two cell types have been examined. Although the number of clinical studies is currently limited, our study demonstrates that oral fibroblasts have the potential to be the next emergent frontrunners for tissue engineering in the periodontium.

Fibrous Dysplasia: Clinicopathological Behavior and Its Management

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare disorder of bone in which normal bone is replaced by abnormal fibro-osseous tissue. It more commonly involves the long bones, craniofacial bones, ribs, and pelvis. The involvement of single bone is called as monostotic type of FD and if multiple bones are involved it is called polyostotic type of FD. Its occurrence is predominantly observed in teenagers, and it usually becomes static after adulthood. The incidence of monostotic FD (MFD) is four times more than that of polyostotic FD (PFD). The posterior region of the jaw bone is more prone and rarely crosses the midline. The malignant potential is 0.5% for cases that remain untreated. Here, we present a case of MFD involving the posterior region of the right side of the mandible in a 37-year-old female patient. The clinical diagnostic approach, different imaging modalities, and histological examination methods for definitive diagnosis have been elaborated. During the regular follow-up, the MFD lesion showed no obvious signs of progression or malignancy features.

Gut microbiota and rheumatic diseases: new insights into pathogenesis

Background: Rheumatic diseases are a group of disorders characterised by a loss of immune tolerance, which leads to chronic inflammation, degeneration or metabolic abnormalities in various organs or tissues. Despite the lack of clarity surrounding the causes of these diseases, both environmental and genetic factors play an important role. Recent research indicates that alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota, known as gut dysbiosis, may contribute to the development of a number of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic scleroderma and Sjögren's syndrome. The gut microbiota influences the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses, which may have important implications for the pathogenesis of these diseases. Furthermore, studies have indicated that the composition of the gut microbiota may be associated with the response to therapies used to treat rheumatic diseases, thus opening up new avenues for the development of microbiota-targeted treatments for these conditions. Aim of the study: The objective of this review is to investigate the impact of the gut microbiota on the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases and to evaluate potential therapies targeting the manipulation of the gut microbiota. Material and methods: The present study is based on literature available in scientific databases from 2019-2024, such as PubMed, Corchane Library and Google Scholar.Results and conclusions: A growing body of evidence suggests a potential link between the gut microbiota and rheumatic diseases. Patients often exhibit a reduced ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and abnormal numbers of Bacteroides. Molecular mimicry and a potential association with short-chain fatty acids have also been observed. Further human studies are needed to more fully understand the role of the gut microbiota and potential therapeutic interventions.

Plasma exosome-derived miR-455-5p targets RPS6KB1 to regulate cartilage homeostasis in valgus-varus deformity (Gallus gallus)

Valgus-varus deformity (VVD) is a common long bone deformity in broilers. Imbalance in cartilage homeostasis is the main feature of leg disease. Exosomes act as an important intercellular communication vector that regulates chondrogenesis by encapsulating specific nucleic acids and proteins. However, the exact mechanism of how plasma exosomal miRNAs regulate cartilage homeostasis in VVD broilers remains unclear. This study first demonstrated the structural disorder, growth retardation, and reduced proliferative capacity of VVD cartilage in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, VVD and Normal broiler plasma exosomes were collected for miRNA sequencing. Cartilage-specific miR-455-5p was extraordinarily emphasized by performing bioinformatics analysis on differential miRNA target genes and further validated by tissue expression profiling. PKH67 fluorescently labeled plasma exosomes were shown to be taken up by chondrocytes, deliver miR-455-5p, inhibit chondrocyte proliferation, and disrupt their homeostasis, and these effects could be inhibited by the miR-inhibitors. Mechanistically, MiR-455-5p targets Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase B1 (RPS6KB1) to inhibit RPS6 phosphorylation and reduce the synthesis of key proteins for cartilage proliferation, which in turn inhibits cartilage proliferation and disrupts its homeostasis. In conclusion, the present study identified abnormalities in VVD cartilage tissue and clarified the specific mechanism by which plasma exosome-derived miR-455-5p regulates cartilage homeostasis.

Development of huge keloid at donor site and recurrent keloid at graft site after excision of pubic keloid followed by split-thickness skin graft: A case report.

Keloids are the result of abnormal tissue scarring that occur after skin injuries leading to pain, psychological distress, and impaired quality of life. Despite the high recurrence rate after surgical treatment, excision is often inevitable for symptom control. A 32-year-old female presented with a huge keloid on the pubic area accompanied by severe pain, pruritus, and infectious discharge. She also had multiple keloids on her chest and shoulders, indicating a strong predisposition to keloid formation. While high potential for recurrence was anticipated, surgical excision was inevitable for symptom control. Complete keloid excision followed by split-thickness skin graft was performed. Pathological report revealed keloid accompanied by ruptured epidermal inclusion cyst. Although postoperative care was highly recommended for prevention of keloid recurrence, the patient refused any additional management due to her financial difficulties. At postoperative 8 months, mild degree of keloid or hypertrophic scar at marginal area of the graft was observed, suggesting the potential sign of keloid recurrence. The patient voluntarily discontinued the outpatient follow-up for 2 years, and then returned with huge keloid not only at the graft site but also at the donor site. Keloid with inflamed epidermal inclusion cyst can cause severe pain where surgical excision is unavoidable, regardless of the high potential for recurrence. Additional postoperative care is necessary to prevent recurrence. Furthermore, attempts to minimize new keloid formation at the donor site after split-thickness skin graft, such as thin skin harvest or selecting the scalp as the donor site, should be considered.

Angiopep-2 conjugated biomimetic nano-delivery system loaded with resveratrol for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction

Methamphetamine (METH) addiction can damage the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairment and memory deficits. Low target effects have limited the utility of anti-addiction drugs because the presence of the blood–brain barrier hinders the effective delivery of drugs to the brain. Angiopep-2 can recognize and target low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 1 (LRP-1) on the surface of cerebral capillary endothelial cells, causing cross-cell phagocytosis, and thus has high blood–brain barrier transport capacity. Resveratrol (RSV) has been found to be a neuroprotective agent in many nervous system diseases. In our study, we modified Angiopep-2 on the surface of the erythrocyte membrane to obtain a modified erythrocyte membrane (Ang-RBCm) and coated RSV-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-PEG) nanoparticles with Ang-RBCm (Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs) to treat METH addiction. Our results showed that Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs can penetrate the blood–brain barrier and accumulate in the brain better than free RSV. Besides, mice treatetd with Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs showed less preference to METH-paired chamber and no noticeable tissue toxicity or abnormality was found in H&E staining images. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs could elevate synaptic plasticity impaired by METH. These indicated that Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs has better anti-addiction and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, Ang-RBCm@RSVNPs has great potential in the treatment of METH addiction.

Combination of Periodontal and Aesthetic Surgery in Cases of Periodontal Tissue Abnormalities

Combination of Periodontal and Aesthetic Surgery in Cases of Periodontal Tissue Abnormalities

MRI Evaluation of Traumatic and Non-traumatic Pathologies of the Ankle Joint and Hindfoot: A Single-Center Observational Study.

Background Pathologies affecting the ankle joint and hindfoot can present with a variety of clinical symptoms and etiologies, necessitating accurate diagnostic tools for effective management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable imaging modality for assessing these pathologies, providing detailed visualization of bone, joint, tendon, and other soft tissue abnormalities. Objectives To evaluate MRI findings in a diverse cohort of 105 participants with pathologies affecting the ankle joint and hindfoot, focusing on the prevalence and types of bone, joint, tendon, and soft tissue abnormalities. Materials and methods A single-center observational descriptive study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India, over a period from August 2022 to July 2024, involving 105 participants (54.3% male, 45.7% female) with a mean age of 39.04 years. MRI scans were analyzed to assess the prevalence of bone, joint, tendon, and soft tissue pathologies. Clinical profiles, symptom duration, and etiological classifications were documented. Results Analysis of the results obtained from 105 (N = 105) study participants revealed that pain (94.3%, or 99 cases) was the most common symptom, followed by restricted movement (86.7%, or 91 cases), trauma history (75.2%, or 79 cases), and swelling (73.3%, or 77 cases). Traumatic causes (76.2%, or 80 cases) predominated, while inflammatory (48.3%, or 14 cases) and infective (34.5%, or 10 cases) causes were also significant. MRI findings showed marrow edema in 41.9%, or 44 cases, subchondral cysts in 22.9% (24 cases), fractures in 17.1% (18 cases), and erosions in 10.5% of participants (11 cases). Joint involvement was most frequent in the tibiotalar (76.2%, or 80 cases) and subtalar joints (58.1%, or 61 cases). Tendon pathologies included peritendonitis (55.2%, or 58 cases) and tendinosis (23.8%, or 25 cases), with the Achilles tendon being the most frequently affected (39%, or 41 cases). Ligament injuries were predominantly sprains (46.7%, or 49 cases), with less frequent partial (18.1%, or 19 cases) and complete tears (7.6%, or eight cases). Soft tissue findings included subcutaneous edema (76.2%, or 80 cases) and bursitis (24.8%, or 26 cases). Among the study participants who presented with non-traumatic pathologies, inflammatory pathologies (48.3%, or 14 cases) were the most common, followed by infective (34.5%, or 10 cases) and neoplastic (17.2%, or five cases) pathologies. Conclusion MRI effectively identifies a wide range of pathologies in the ankle and hindfoot, with marrow edema, joint effusion, and tendon pathologies being prevalent. The study underscores the utility of MRI in diagnosing and assessing various conditions in the ankle joint complex and highlights the need for accurate imaging to guide treatment decisions. Future research should focus on correlating MRI findings with clinical outcomes to enhance diagnostic accuracy and management strategies.

Hyper IgE Syndromes.

The Hyper IgE Syndromes are rare primary immunodeficiencies characterized by eczema, recurrent skin and respiratory infections and elevated serum IgE levels. Nowadays a geneticmolecular characterization is possible and allows the distinction in various monogenic pathologies, which share some clinical characteristics but also important differences. In addition to long-known STAT3 and DOCK8 gene mutations, in fact, also ZNF341, CARD11, ERBB2IP, IL6R and IL6ST genes mutations can cause the disease. The main clinical manifestations are represented by newborn rash, eczema similar to atopic dermatitis, bacterial and viral skin infections, cold abscesses, respiratory infections with possible pulmonary complications, allergies, gastrointestinal manifestations, malignancies and connective tissue abnormalities. Diagnosis is still a challenge because, especially in the early stages of life, it is difficult to distinguish from other pathologies characterized by eczema and high IgE, such as atopic dermatitis. Several scores and diagnostic pathways have been developed, but it is essential to seek a genetic diagnosis. Treatment is based on prevention and early treatment of infections, meticulous skincare, intravenous immunoglobulins and HSCT, which, in some HIES subtypes, can modify the prognosis. Prognosis is related to the affected gene, but also to early diagnosis, timely treatment of infections and early HSCT.

Mask region-based convolutional neural network and VGG-16 inspired brain tumor segmentation

The process of brain tumour segmentation entails locating the tumour precisely in images. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is typically used by doctors to find any brain tumours or tissue abnormalities. With the use of region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) masks, Grad-CAM and transfer learning, this work offers an effective method for the detection of brain tumours. Helping doctors make extremely accurate diagnoses is the goal. A transfer learning-based model has been suggested that offers high sensitivity and accuracy scores for brain tumour detection when segmentation is done using R-CNN masks. To train the model, the Inception V3, VGG-16, and ResNet-50 architectures were utilised. The Brain MRI Images for Brain Tumour Detection dataset was utilised to develop this method. This work's performance is evaluated and reported in terms of recall, specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and F1 score. A thorough analysis has been done comparing the proposed model operating with three distinct architectures: VGG-16, Inception V3, and Resnet-50. Comparing the proposed model, which was influenced by the VGG-16, to related works also revealed its performance. Achieving high sensitivity and accuracy percentages was the main goal. Using this approach, an accuracy and sensitivity of around 99% were obtained, which was much greater than current efforts.

Anti-obesity effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of the ethanolic extract of figs from Ficus hispida using high fat-fed wister rats

Obesity is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases and a substantial threat to public health. We investigated the effects of figs sourced from Ficus hispida on a high fat-fed experimental rat model. We found that a 500-mg dose of ethanolic extract of figs (EFH) reduced oxidative stress markers nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), which were increased in high fat-fed rats. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), found elevated in high fat-fed rats, were also normalized to nearly regular levels by fig treatment. Administration of EFH further reduced fat deposition and expression of adipogenic genes leptin, fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SERBP-1c). Our results suggest that figs have significant effects on reducing oxidative stress and mitigating obesity-associated liver and adipose tissue abnormalities via suppressing adipogenesis. Thus, we propose that F. hispida has potential benefits in reducing obesity.

The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represent chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders that, despite having distinct pathophysiological underpinnings, both feature airflow obstruction and respiratory symptoms. A critical component in the pathogenesis of each condition is the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a multifunctional cytokine that exerts varying influences across these diseases. In asthma, TGF-β is significantly involved in airway remodeling, a key aspect marked by subepithelial fibrosis, hypertrophy of the smooth muscle, enhanced mucus production, and suppression of emphysema development. The cytokine facilitates collagen deposition and the proliferation of fibroblasts, which are crucial in the structural modifications within the airways. In contrast, the role of TGF-β in COPD is more ambiguous. It initially acts as a protective agent, fostering tissue repair and curbing inflammation. However, prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as cigarette smoke causes TGF-β signaling malfunction. Such dysregulation leads to abnormal tissue remodeling, marked by excessive collagen deposition, enlargement of airspaces, and, thus, accelerated development of emphysema. Additionally, TGF-β facilitates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process contributing to the phenotypic alterations observed in COPD. A thorough comprehension of the multifaceted role of TGF-β in asthma and COPD is imperative for elaborating precise therapeutic interventions. We review several promising approaches that alter TGF-β signaling. Nevertheless, additional studies are essential to delineate further the specific mechanisms of TGF-β dysregulation and its potential therapeutic impacts in these chronic respiratory diseases.