Pathological Manifestations Research Articles

Psychiatric Gaslighting: The Surveillance of Mental Illness during Pregnancy

Abstract Women living with mental health symptoms face the dilemma of continuing psychotropic medication when pregnant or breastfeeding. Based on two years of observations in a mental health clinic focusing on reproductive health, we examine how patients living with mental health conditions exert reproductive agency during meetings with psychiatrists; how these clinicians respond to this engagement; and the consequences of this advocacy for medical decision-making. We find that psychiatrists psychologize patient advocacy by interpreting it as a manifestation of untreated mental pathology. This psychologization moves beyond imposing a professional vision on the interaction and beyond a paternalistic communication style to psychiatric gaslighting: patient engagement is invalidated and subverted under psychiatric professional vision to double-down on psychotropic medication. Psychiatric gaslighting is a sociological and institutional phenomenon; operating through cultural scripts about how both gender and mental illness shape credibility, incentive structures in medical practice, lingering epistemic problems in psychiatry, and psychiatry’s struggle for professional legitimacy. Within an unequal power relationship between health professionals aiming to safeguard their authority and a stigmatized population, patients are disempowered by psychiatric concepts that link mental health to good mothering. We conclude that the biomedical management of vulnerable populations serves professional interests.

Excess cement and peri-implant disease: A cross-sectional clinical endoscopic study.

Crown cementation is a common technique for implant-supported prosthodontics. However, for possible slipping of the cement below the mucosal margin, its thorough removal poses some issues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of submucosal cement residues in patients with peri-implant disease by endoscopic visualization and to investigate the potential correlation between the pathological scenario and the spatial position of cement residues. The study sample comprised 46 consecutive patients exhibiting clinical and radiographic signs of peri-implant disease around cement-retained crowns. When at first visit bleeding on probing was the only pathological sign, the area was debrided and then treated with antiseptic agents for 30 days. Only those patients for whom bleeding was still found at re-evaluation were included in the study. All implants were therefore endoscopically evaluated to identify possible submucosal cement residues. For all implants showing residual cement, the spatial position of the residual cement was recorded with respect to predefined points. Cement residues were detected in 80.4% of the patients and were predominantly located in the vestibular and lingual areas (88%). Analysis of the distances between the apical portion of the residues and anatomical landmarks revealed significant differences between mucositis and peri-implantitis patients (p=0.001). In cases of peri-implantitis, the cement residue was more apically located than in mucositis. The presence of cement residue was associated with peri-implant disorders in the majority of patients. A potential correlation between the position of residues and the peri-implant disease scenario is here suggested. A common method for fixing the crown on the dental implant is the use of specific cements. However, these products can slip below the gum line resulting in difficulties in their removal, which could cause peri-implant disease. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and location of residual cement hidden under the gums in patients with peri-implant disease, characterized by symptoms such as bleeding gums and, in some cases, bone loss around the dental implant. Using a small fiber-optic camera (endoscope), 46 patients were examined for any cement residue under the gums. The study showed that more than 80% of patients had cement residues, especially in the areas facing the cheeks and tongue. It was also found that in patients with a more severe form of inflammation (peri-implantitis), the cement was placed deeper than in those with a milder form (mucositis). This confirms that residual cement is common in patients with peri-implant disease, but also suggests that its location could influence the severity of the pathological manifestation. This finding highlights the importance of carefully removing all cement to prevent such complications.

Chinese and western medicine treatment of myocardial fibrosis drugs

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological manifestation of many cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and sudden cardiac death. It is characterized by excessive proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, transformation into myofibroblasts, and, eventually, excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, resulting in heart damage. Currently, modern drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, and β-blockers can improve myocardial fibrosis in clinical treatment, but their therapeutic effect on this disease is limited, with obvious side effects and high cost. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multiple targets, low cost, and few side effects. Traditional Chinese medicines, such as Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragalus, and Angelica extracts, and patent Chinese medicines, such as Qiliqiangxin capsules, Shenqi Yiqi dropping pills, and Tongxinluo capsules, can improve myocardial fibrosis. In this review, current Chinese and Western medicine methods for treating myocardial fibrosis are discussed. The signaling pathways and targets of Chinese and Western medicine are involved in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. This review aimed to provide valuable insights and ideas for both clinical treatment and basic research on myocardial fibrosis.

Molecular insights into Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Metformin's role and genetic pathways explored.

Background To explore whether there is a bidirectional relationship between Parkinson's disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), study the common pathogenic mechanisms, screen relevant genes involved in the pathological process, and predict the potential targets of metformin (Met), so as to develop new therapeutic strategies. Method A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between PD and T2DM. Common confounding genes identified in both PD and T2DM datasets were subjected to GO and KEGG analysis, PPI network analysis, and Hub gene identification. qPCR was used to verify the expression of hub genes in an animal model of T2DM complicated with PD. Subsequently, the analysis focused on whether metformin alleviates the behavioral and pathological manifestations of PD aggravated by T2DM. The intersection of metformin with T2DM and PD targets was identified, and the core targets and signaling pathways were analyzed. Finally, molecular docking analysis was performed between metformin and core proteins to identify the docking sites. Result Through MR analysis, a positive correlation between PD and T2DM was identified, indicating a mutual causal relationship. The hub genes RAC1, TPM2, MGA, and DENND3 are up-regulated in animal models of T2DM with PD. Met targets intersecting with T2DM and PD were analyzed, revealing 17 and 21 intersecting genes respectively, involved in various pathways related to oxidative stress, immune, and inflammation. PPI analysis identified hub genes for T2DM (MMP9, NCF1, CYCS, EIF4E, SOD2) and PD (GFAP, VIM, MOCOS, EIF1, TH, ACTA2, CDC42). Animal models validated the expression of these genes and pathways. Molecular docking analysis explored Met's binding sites on proteins, with lower binding energies indicating greater stability. Conclusion This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the co pathogenesis of PD and T2DM, and provides new insights into the role of metformin in this disease.

Ulcerative dermal necrosis of mature Atlantic salmon in the Kola and Tuloma rivers (Murmansk region): retrospective and prospects for studying the problem

The aim of the work is to analyze the results of virological and immunological studies, to track the dynamics of the entry and changes in external signs of pathology of Atlantic salmon into the Kola and Tuloma rivers.Methods used: fish size and weight indicators were determined using generally accepted methods. Methods for isolating viruses on continuous cell lines and their identification in RT-PCR reaction were used. Bactericidal activity of blood serum (BABS) was assessed using a nephelometric method. The content of non-specific immune complexes (IC) was established using a spectrophotometric method with selective precipitation with PEG-6000.According to the results of the work, it was revealed that in the Kola and Tuloma rivers, clinical manifestations of pathologies in fish have changed. Since 2021, typical symptoms of UDN have been replaced by signs of «red skin disease». The results of immunological studies indicate high activity of innate humoral immunity mechanisms in the examined individuals. The carriage of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Atlantic salmon populations living in the Kola and Tuloma rivers has been established. Clinical signs of pathology in Atlantic salmon are described in detail, and fish counting data for the Kola and Tuloma rivers are presented.The novelty of the work: for the first time, photographs of all noted typical signs of pathology, as well as the results of virological and immunological studies of Atlantic salmon in the Kola and Tuloma rivers for 2022–2024 are presented. A retrospective overview is given and prospects for studying the problem are outlined.Practical significance: the conducted research will allow creating a database on the results of comprehensive studies of Atlantic salmon diseases in the Kola and Tuloma rivers. Compare the results obtained in fish with and without clinical signs of pathologies over several years. Determine differences in the immune status of fish with different signs of pathology based on the results of long-term studies. This will help to understand how UDN disease develops over time and what causes it.

The major roles of intestinal microbiota and TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway in acute intestinal inflammation in mice, and the improvement effect by Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharide.

Acute enteritis, an intestinal disease with intestinal inflammation and injury as the main pathological manifestations. Inhibiting the inflammatory response is critical to the treatment of acute enteritis. Previous studies have shown that the Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharide (HRP) has strong immune-enhancing effects. However, their functions regarding the intestines and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. In this study, the role of HRP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute enteritis in mice and its related mechanisms are discussed from two aspects: intestinal inflammation and intestinal microbiota. Kunming mice were inoculated with LPS to establish animal models of acute enteritis. The results showed that HRP attenuated the histological damage and maintained the intestine mucosal barrier via up-regulating the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1), and suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)). The relative mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65) and tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in the intestine tissues of LPS-induced acute enteritis mice significantly increased, whereas these adverse changes were alleviated in the HRP intervention groups. Notably, HRP may regulate the expression of the TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway by affecting the diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Microbiota analysis showed that HRP promoted the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, including Clostridia_UCG-014, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Bacteroidota, Deferribacterota, and reduced the abundance of Atopostipes, Corynebacterium, Actinobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota. The studies conformed that the gut microbiota is crucial in HRP-mediated immunity regulation. HRP shows great potential as an immune enhancer and a natural medicine for treating intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Case report: a 3-year follow-up on nodal marginal zone lymphoma coexisting with disseminated Talaromyces marneffei infection in a non-endemic area

This case report presents the details of an elderly man in Zhejiang Province of China, who tested human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative and subsequently developed Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma (NMZL) along with T. marneffei disseminated infection. The study focuses on analyzing the distinct clinical symptoms and pathological manifestations in order to offer precise diagnosis and effective treatment for patients. A 76-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to recurrent fever. An enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed bilateral renal and adrenal mass, along with multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum. A chest un-enhanced CT showed flaky high-density shadows in the left lung, along with multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the lung hilar, mediastinal regions, and the left supraclavicular side. Subsequently, we conducted a biopsy of the left supraclavicular lymph node and confirmed the NMZL combined with T. marneffei infection. Over 3 years follow-up, there was no recurrence of T. marneffei infection and the lymphoma remained stable. Clinicians and pathologists should remain vigilant about the possibility of T.marneffei infection in non-prone areas. When encountering patients with unexplained fever, swollen lymph nodes, and multiple systems involvement, it is crucial to consider the possibility of lymphoma and fungal infections coexisting.

Physical Exercise: A Promising Treatment Against Organ Fibrosis.

Fibrosis represents a terminal pathological manifestation encountered in numerous chronic diseases. The process involves the persistent infiltration of inflammatory cells, the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within damaged tissues, all of which are characteristic features of organ fibrosis. Extensive documentation exists on fibrosis occurrence in vital organs such as the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, and skeletal muscles, elucidating its underlying pathological mechanisms. Regular exercise is known to confer health benefits through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects. Notably, exercise exerts anti-fibrotic effects by modulating multiple pathways, including transforming growth factor-β1/small mother decapentaplegic protein (TGF-β1/Samd), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB), reactive oxygen species (ROS), microRNAs (miR-126, miR-29a, miR-101a), and exerkine (FGF21, irisin, FSTL1, and CHI3L1). Therefore, this paper aims to review the specific role and molecular mechanisms of exercise as a potential intervention to ameliorate organ fibrosis.

Orderly Regulation of Macrophages and Fibroblasts by Axl in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a pathological manifestation that occurs upon lung injury and subsequence aberrant repair with poor prognosis. However, current treatment is limited and does not distinguish different disease stages. Here, we aimed to study the differential functions of Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressing on both macrophages and fibroblasts, in the whole course of pulmonary fibrosis. We used mice with Axl total knockout, conditionally knockout in macrophages or fibroblasts, or treating with Axl inhibitors in inflammation or fibrosis stages to examine the effect of temporary dysfunction of Axl on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Primary bone marrow-derived monocytes and primary fibroblasts from mice were used for cell-type-specific studies. Lung tissue and plasma samples were collected from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and healthy controls to assess the Axl levels. We found that Axl inhibited the M1 polarisation of macrophages; inhibition of Axl during acute phase exacerbated inflammatory response and subsequent pulmonary fibrosis. On the other hand, Axl promoted the proliferation and invasion of the fibroblasts, partially by accelerating the focal adhesion turnover; inhibiting Axl during the fibrotic phase significantly alleviated pulmonary fibrosis. Consistently, phosphorylated Axl levels increased in fibrotic foci in the lung sample of IPF patients. In contrast, the soluble Axl (sAxl) level decreased in their plasma as compared to healthy controls. These results indicate that Axl may sequentially and differentially regulate macrophages and fibroblasts in acute and fibrosis phases, implying the necessity of a stage-specific treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, the activated Axl on fibroblasts may be reflected by the lowered plasma sAxl level, which may act as a biomarker for IPF. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03730337.

Research progress of Sinomenium in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and suggestions for future research.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune joint disease. Its main pathological manifestations are joint cartilage, bone tissue injury, synovial hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation. At present, the pathogenesis of the disease has not been fully defined, and delaying the disease to improve joint function is the existing treatment. Sinomenium (SIN) is an effective ingredient in Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. et Wils., with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunosuppressive, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological activities, which is quite effective in the treatment of RA. There are many SIN compound preparations in the market, such as Zhengqing Fengtongning capsule, Zhubi Huoluo prescription, and Qinxitong tablet. They all exhibit good anti-RA effect with less adverse reactions. This study summarized the mechanism of action of SIN in the treatment of RA and further explored the possibility of SIN in the treatment of RA combined with other diseases for future research.

Serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity at the time of renal biopsy is associated with disease activity of lupus nephritis

Objective To investigate the correlations between serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and clinicopathological features, induction treatment response, and prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) patients. Methods In this retrospective study, biopsy-proven LN patients from October 2010 to September 2020 were tested for serum ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA and were divided into ANCA-positive group and ANCA-negative group. The clinicopathological data of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results Thirty-five of 115 patients (30.43%) were seropositive for ANCA. ANCA-positive patients had significantly higher systemic lupus erythematosus activity index and activity index scores, higher 24-h urinary protein, and lower complement three levels (p = 0.001, 0.028, 0.023, 0.009, respectively). The incidences of oral ulcers, thrombocytopenia, and leukocyturia, and the positive rates of anti-dsDNA antibody and anti-histone antibody were significantly higher in ANCA-positive group (p = 0.006, 0.019, 0.012, 0.001, 0.019, respectively). Class IV LN and fibrinoid necrosis/karyorrhexis were significantly more common in the ANCA-positive group (p = 0.027, 0.002). There was no significant difference in the total remission rate of ANCA-positive patients receiving cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil as induction therapies (83.33% vs. 66.67%, p > 0.05), while patients receiving cyclophosphamide as induction therapy had a higher total remission rate than those receiving other immunosuppressants (83.33% vs. 20%, p = 0.028). Conclusions LN patients with ANCA seropositivity at renal biopsy have a significantly higher disease activity, and their pathological manifestations are predominantly proliferative LN. These patients require a more active immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil to improve their remission rate.

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF PANCREATIC DYSFUCNTION MARKERS IN CRITICALLY ILL FULL-TERM NEONATES

The data of modern scientific literature and the results of clinical studies indicate that stress-induced disorders of the digestive system in newborns are associated with immaturity of digestion and absorption processes, as well as gastrointestinal motility. Hypoxic damage to the body is accompanied not only by intestinal dysfunction, but also leads to the involvement of other digestive organs, such as the hepatobiliary system and pancreas, in the pathological process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum markers of pancreatic dysfunction in critically ill term neonates. Materials and methods of the study. In the course of the study, 66 full-term newborns were subjected to a comprehensive clinical and paraclinical examination, of which 35 patients with manifestations of severe perinatal pathology formed the main study group (group I), and 31 healthy children formed the control group (group II). The activity of amylase, lipase, trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase and insulin levels were determined in the umbilical cord blood of the newborns in the German-Ukrainian laboratory "Bukintermed" (Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Cottbus, Germany). The study was conducted in accordance with the rules of ethical principles of scientific medical research on human subjects approved by the Declaration of Helsinki (1964-2013), ICH GCP (1996), EEC Directive 609 (24.11.1986), Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 690 from 23.09.2009 and confirmed by the conclusion of the Commission for Biomedical Ethics of the Bukovinian State Medical University. For statistical analysis of the results, we used the licensed programs Statistica (StatSoft Inc., Version 7) and MedCalc Software Ltd (Version 22.021). The study was conducted within the framework of the complex research of the Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Perinatal Medicine of the Bukovinian State Medical University on "Improvement of prognosis, diagnostics and treatment of perinatal pathology in newborns and infants, optimization of schemes of catamenial observation and rehabilitation" (state registration number 0115U002768, term 01. 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2019) and "Chronobiological and adaptive aspects and features of vegetative regulation in pathological conditions in children of different age groups" (state registration number 0122U002245, term of execution 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2026). Results of the study. The results obtained showed a statistically significant higher activity of amylase, lipase and trypsin, as well as insulin levels in the cord blood of term infants with severe perinatal pathology compared to healthy children. Thus, the activity of amylase in children of the main group was 0.39 ± 0.03 μmol/l*s, in children of the control group - 0.14 ± 0.01 μmol/l*s, p < 0.0001; lipase activity - 0.35 ± 0.01 and 0. 32 ± 0.01, respectively, p = 0.01; trypsin activity - 574.7 ± 23.1 and 400.8 ± 19.4 μg/l, respectively, p = 0.0001; insulin level - 12.85 ± 1.33 and 2.74 ± 0.2 μU/mL, respectively, p < 0.0001. Leucine aminopeptidase activity was not significantly different between the study groups. The most significant diagnostic tests for the detection of pancreatic dysfunction in term infants with severe perinatal pathology are increased insulin levels at a threshold > 4.7 μU/mL (AUROC 0.9 (CI 0.802; 0.96), p < 0.0001, SN 82.86%, SP 96.77%); increased amylase activity at a threshold > 24 μmol/l*s (AUROC 0.895 (CI 0.702; 0.957), p < 0.0001, SN 74.29%, SP 96.77%). 24 μmol/l*s (AUROC 0.895 (CI 00.795; 0.957), p < 0.0001, SN 74.29 %, SP 96.77 %); increased trypsin activity at a threshold of > 486 μg/l (AUROC 0.762 (CI 0.641; 0. 858), p < 0.0001, SN 62.86%, SP 83.87%); increased lipase activity at a threshold of > 0.35 μmol/L*s (AUROC 0.676 (CI 0.549; 0.786), p = 0.0084, SN 45.71%, SP 87.1%). Conclusion. In umbilical cord blood of term infants with severe perinatal pathology, statistically significant higher activities of amylase, lipase and trypsin as well as insulin levels were found compared to healthy infants. This may indicate stress-induced overactivation of pancreatic functions due to pathological hypoxic damage initiated during fetal development.

Oligodendroglia Are Primed for Antigen Presentation in Response to Chronic Stress‐Induced Microglial‐Derived Inflammation

ABSTRACTChronic stress is a major contributor to the development of major depressive disorder, one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Using a model of repeated social defeat stress in mice, we and others have reported that neuroinflammation plays a dynamic role in the development of behavioral deficits consistent with social avoidance and impaired reward responses. Animals susceptible to the model also exhibit hypomyelination in the medial prefrontal cortex, indicative of changes in the differentiation pathway of cells of the oligodendroglial lineage (OLN). We computationally confirmed the presence of immune oligodendrocytes, a population of OLN cells, which express immune markers and myelination deficits. In the current study, we report that microglia are necessary to induce expression of antigen presentation markers (and other immune markers) on oligodendroglia. We further associate the appearance of these markers with changes in the OLN and confirm that microglial changes precede OLN changes. Using co‐cultures of microglia and OLN, we show that under inflammatory conditions the processes of phagocytosis and expression of MHCII are linked, suggesting potential priming for antigen presentation by OLN cells. Our findings provide insights into the nature of these OLN cells with immune capabilities, their obligatory interaction with microglia, and identify them as a potential cellular contributor to the pathological manifestations of psychosocial stress.

Expanding the clinical spectrum of PPP3CA variants - alternative isoforms matter

Backgroundthe protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP3CA) gene encodes for the alpha isoform of the calcineurin catalytic subunit, which controls the phosphorylation status of many targets. Currently, 23 pathogenic variants of PPP3CA are known, with clinical manifestations varying by mutation type and domain.Resultsthrough whole exome sequencing, we found two de novo variants in PPP3CA: a frameshift variant predicted leading to a truncated protein in Pt.1 and a splicing variant in Pt.2 associated with mild phenotype. PPP3CA is ubiquitously expressed with tissue-specificity of; namely, splicing isoform 1 prevailing over isoform 2 in the central nervous system. By analyzing isoform distribution in patient-derived cell lines, we highlight a skewed expression of both isoforms in Pt.1, whereas only isoform 2 shows a moderate reduction in Pt.2. In contrast, we did not observe significant abundance changes at the protein level. Cell lines derived from Pt.1 showed a reduced proliferation, associated with an increase in cell death and the upregulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway.Conclusiondata suggest that an aberrant PPP3CA protein in Pt.1 could lead to UPR activation resulting in increased cell death. In Pt.2 an imbalance between the two main isoforms possibly explains the peculiar pathological manifestations, such as a moderate developmental delay.

The AICD interactome: implications in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration.

The pathophysiological mechanism involving the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the generation of amyloid plaques is of significant interest in research on Alzheimer's disease (AD). The increasing significance of the downstream AD-related pathophysiological mechanisms has sparked research interest in other products of the APP processing cascades, including the APP intracellular domain (AICD). The potential importance of AICD in various cellular processes in the central nervous system has been established through the identification of its interactors. The interaction between AICD and its physiological binding partners is implicated in cellular events including regulation of transcriptional activity, cytoskeletal dynamics, neuronal growth, APP processing and cellular apoptosis. On the contrary, AICD is also implicated in neurodegeneration, which is a potential outcome of the functional fluctuation of AICD-mediated neuronal processes within the neuronal network. In this review, we summarize the neuronal functions and pathological manifestations of the dynamic AICD interaction network.

Paranasal Sinus Mucoceles and their Ocular Impacts: A case report

Introduction: Paranasal sinus mucoceles are the build-up of mucous-containing, epithelium-lined, cystic lesions within the air-filled cavities in the bones surrounding the nasal cavity. An accumulation of mucous can occur in the sinus cavity when the normal drainage pathways are blocked, resulting in an increased volume of mucous. Case report: A 56-year-old Hispanic male complained of proptosis, periorbital edema, and pain in the right eye, accompanied by cluster headaches persisting for the past six months. Initial examination demonstrated uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes at distance and near. Clinical assessments further revealed Hertel exophthalmometry measurements of 21 mm in the right eye and 19 mm in the left (base of 108 mm), along with resistance to manual pressure in the affected right eye. Subsequent computed tomography imaging of the head and orbits identified a sizable, well-defined mass originating from the right nasal cavity, extending into multiple paranasal sinuses, and inducing structural alterations in the medial wall of the maxillary sinus, consistent with paranasal sinus mucoceles. Conclusion: Proptosis and lid edema can arise from various etiologies, encompassing intracranial masses, autoimmune disorders, or impaired venous return. This case report adds another consideration of a diagnosis in a patient with a history of sinus surgery. Comprehensive history gathering and meticulous clinical examination are paramount to discerning pathological manifestations in establishing an accurate diagnosis.

Особенности морфофункционального и физиологического состояния осетровых рыб с нефрокальцинозом в условиях садковой аквакультуры

When growing sturgeon fish in cages, which are especially valuable nowadays, great attention should be paid to their health. Along with other pathological manifestations of various natures, a disease such as kidney nephrocalcinosis can pose a potential danger to these aquaculture objects. This pathology was recorded in juvenile sterlet (age – 0+ years), in immature individuals of Russian sturgeon (age – 2 years), in which clinical and pathological examinations were carried out, including pieces of kidneys were selected for histological analysis, blood samples for carrying out hematological and biochemical studies. The appearance of nephrocalcinates in the kidneys of sturgeon fish was confirmed using histological methods: corresponding pathological transformations were found on micropreparations of the kidneys of Russian sturgeon and sterlet. Morphophysiological changes in the condition of the kidneys of the studied sturgeon fish can be assessed as moderate and minor, not life-threatening. Thus, 60% of the examined individuals of Russian sturgeon did not have any detected pathohistological changes in the organ; among sterlet there were 80% of such individuals. When analyzing hematological and biochemical blood parameters, deviations of some indicators were found. Thus, the sterlet had a low level of hemoglobin, all fish had an insufficient number of red blood cells in the blood; in Russian sturgeon, a high level of pathologically altered erythrocytes was determined, the amount of serum protein was increased, deviations were found in the ratio of its fractions, high levels of uric acid, low levels of triglycerides, β-lipoproteins, ALT and AST activity in the blood. Indirectly, these changes in the physiological state of sturgeon fish with nephrocalcinosis indicate that this disease most likely arose as a result of the influence of a complex of factors on the fish, among which the main ones may be disturbances in the hydrochemical regime and the balance of feeding.

Evidence of cortical vascular impairments in early stage of Alzheimer's transgenic mice: Optical imaging.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive cognitive decline, remains clinically challenging with limited understanding of etiology and interventions. Clinical studies have reported vascular defects prior to other pathological manifestations of AD, leading to the "Vascular Hypothesis" for the disorder. However, in vivo assessments of cerebral vasculature in AD rodent models have been constrained by limited spatiotemporal resolution or field of view of conventional imaging. We herein employed two in vivo imaging technologies, Dual-Wavelength Imaging and Optical Coherence Doppler Tomography, to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to vasoconstrictive cocaine and vasodilatory hypercapnia challenges and to detect resting 3D cerebral blood flow (CBF) in living transgenic AD mice at capillary resolution. Results showed that CVR to cocaine and hypercapnia was significantly attenuated in 7-10 months old AD mice vs controls, indicating reduced vascular flexibility and reactivity. Additionally, in the AD mice, arterial CBF velocities were slower and the microvascular density in cortex was decreased compared to controls. These results reveal significant vascular impairments including reduced CVR and resting CBF in early-staged AD mice. Hence, this cutting-edge in vivo optical imaging offers an innovative venue for detecting early neurovascular dysfunction in AD brain with translational potential.

Novel Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Fibroblasts to Improve Heart Disease.

Cardiac fibrosis represents the terminal pathological manifestation of various heart diseases, with the formation of fibroblasts playing a pivotal role in this process. Consequently, targeting the formation and function of fibroblasts holds significant potential for improving outcomes in heart disease. Recent research reveals the considerable potential of fibroblasts in ameliorating cardiac conditions, demonstrating different functional characteristics at various time points and spatial locations. Therefore, precise modulation of fibroblast activity may offer an effective approach for treating cardiac fibrosis and achieving targeted therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we focus on the fate and inhibition of fibroblasts, analyze their dynamic changes in cardiac diseases, and propose a framework for identifying markers of fibroblast activation mechanisms and selecting optimal time windows for therapeutic intervention. By synthesizing research findings in these areas, we aim to provide new strategies and directions for the precise treatment of fibroblasts in cardiac diseases.

The Study of the Relationship Between Temperament and Perfectionism of Employees in the Banking Sector

The article examines the relationship between individual psychological characteristics of employees in the banking sector and their level of work efficiency, focusing on perfectionism as a stable personal attitude. The theoretical part of the article examines the philosophical and psychological nature of perfectionism, from its origins in Ancient Greece to modern research. Existing concepts of perfection in various cultures and religious traditions are analyzed; the complexity and versatility of this phenomenon are emphasized. The opinions of famous philosophers and psychologists are discussed. The study was conducted among 46 employees of a financial and credit structure in Samara aged 27 to 35 years. In the process of diagnosis, two subgroups were identified based on the properties of the nervous system: the first is characterized by standard indicators, and the second by elevated ones. The results of the analysis showed that employees with high indicators of the properties of the nervous system have inflated indicators of perfectionism, which indicates its pathological manifestations. A scientific study has confirmed the existence of a reliable correlation between perfectionism and the nervous system property of excitability, which is most characteristic of cholerics. Thus, the findings of the study emphasize the importance of taking into account psychological aspects when forming HR strategies in the banking sector. The data obtained can be useful for developing programs to optimize working conditions and improve the efficiency of personnel, as well as for further research in the field of labor psychology.