European review for medical and pharmacological sciences最新文献

Objective: The advancement of telecommunication technology and devices promptly transformed mobile phones into indispensable objects in our day-to-day lives, but their biological effects remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential histopathological changes induced by mobile phone radiation in the parotid gland and the nearby tissues.

Materials and methods: Thirty female Rattus Norvegicus rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (exposed for 30 days), group 2 (exposed for 60 days), and control group (non-exposed). Each subject was exposed to mobile phone radiation in the form of a phone call for two hours every day for their subsequent exposure time. The exposure was always directed towards the same side of the face throughout the whole exposure period. At the end of the exposure period, a comprehensive examination was conducted, including inspection of the orofacial structures, tissue sections of the parotid glands, overlying skin, oral mucosa, and cervical lymph nodes, as well as obtaining smears from the oral cavity. To highlight the presence of micronuclei within the exfoliated squamous cells of the oral epithelium, Feulgen stain was performed.

Results: The results showed a significant activation of the fibroblasts in the parotid gland septa, in both exposed experimental groups, compared to the control group. We also detected significant cervical lymph node reactive changes, hyperkeratosis of the oral epithelium, and activated fibroblasts in the dermis and oral mucosa lamina propria in both experimental groups. Dermal fibrosis and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second experimental group, compared to the control group. Moreover, vascular congestion in the parotid gland, dermal, and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second study group compared to the first one.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that exposure to mobile phone radiation may lead to pathological changes in the parotid gland and nearby tissues of experimental rats.

The article "MicroRNA-613 attenuates the proliferation, migration and invasion of Wilms' tumor via targeting FRS2" by H.-F. Wang, Y.-Y. Zhang, H.-W. Zhuang, M. Xu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (15): 3360-3369 - PMID: 28829507 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/19E8759FF9D86F9AB839B4FCE08C62), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The authors have been informed about the journal's investigation but remained unresponsive and have not provided the study's raw data. The journal's investigation identified numerous duplications within Figure 2, as well as duplications between Figure 2 and figures from previously published articles (https://doi.org/10.1111/cas.12656, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2019.03.011). Duplications were also found within Figure 3 and between Figure 3 and previously published articles (doi: 10.12659/msm.921288, doi: 10.12659/msm.903462). Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/13201.

Objective: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a significant complication of ulcerative colitis, affecting roughly 25% of patients and increasing the risk of colectomy and hospital mortality. While intravenous steroids are a primary treatment, only 67% of patients respond, necessitating rescue therapy for non-responders. Data on ASUC in the Vietnamese population are scarce. This study aims to provide insights into the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of Vietnamese patients with ASUC.

Patients and methods: We conducted a prospective case series on ASUC patients admitted to the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City from January 2021 to June 2023. Steroid response was assessed using the Travis Oxford criteria. We evaluated clinical features, in-hospital steroid response rates, endoscopic remission, and colectomy rates 12 months post-hospitalization.

Results: Seventeen patients with a median age of 42 years (70.6% male) were included. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was six weeks, and 47.1% had a history of ulcerative colitis. Median CRP value was 75.8 mg/L, and 76.5% had fecal calprotectin concentrations above 800 µg/g. All patients had a Mayo endoscopic subscore of ≥2, with 12.5% showing deep ulcers. Eleven patients (64.7%) responded to in-hospital steroid treatment, while 6 (35.3%) required rescue therapy with infliximab or tofacitinib. After one year, 10 of 11 (90.1%) achieved mucosal healing, and no patients underwent colectomy.

Conclusions: Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone for initial ASUC therapy, though many patients do not respond. Anti-TNF agents and tofacitinib show potential benefits for those unresponsive to steroids. This study highlights the effectiveness of corticosteroids and biologics in managing ASUC in Vietnam.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021; 25 (18): 5801-5806-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202109_26798-PMID: 34604971 published online on September 30, 2021. The methodology section of this research article incorrectly stated that the lexi-interact checker program is freely accessible. The study was conducted at Uludağ University using university-access computers. As a result, the lexi-interact program, provided through UpToDate and accessed via the university's subscription service, was mistakenly described as a free resource. Therefore, the sentence "pDDIs, defined using the lexi-interact (a free online interaction checker, provided from UpToDate, 2020, https://www.uptodate.com/drug-interactions), were classified based on the significance of the interaction level (minor, moderate, major)" has been corrected as follows: - pDDIs, defined using the lexi-interact (an online interaction checker, provided from UpToDate, 2020, https://www.uptodate.com/drug-interactions), were classified based on the significance of the interaction level (minor, moderate, major). There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/26798.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the expression pattern of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) mRNA in cumulus cells (CCs) isolated from metaphase II oocytes of women with unilateral endometrioma undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHa) protocol.

Patients and methods: A total of 60 CC samples, 30 from the affected ovary and 30 from the contralateral ovary, were collected from 12 patients with unilateral endometrioma who underwent flexible GnRHa protocol with recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) trigger. Thirty CC samples collected from the left ovary of 12 women with male factor infertility were used as external controls. Long PTX3 mRNA expression in each group was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Relative gene expression (fold-change) was calculated according to the 2-ΔΔCt equation. Fertilization rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were recorded for each group.

Results: CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the unilateral endometrioma group was significantly lower than the mRNA expression of the disease-free ovary (0.90±0.01 vs. 0.25±0.02, p<0.01). CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of MII oocytes of the disease-free ovary was found to be similar to the control group (1.02±0.03 vs. 0.90±0.01, p=0.107). A significant 3.6-fold downregulation was observed in the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of the endometrioma group compared to the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the contralateral ovary. CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the endometrioma group was downregulated 4.08-fold compared to the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of the control group (1.02±0.03 vs. 0.25±0.02, p<0.001). The cumulus morphologies of the endometrioma group with low CC-PTX3 expression and the groups with normal CC-PTX3 levels were similar. Fertilization rates of the endometrioma group were similar to the contralateral ovary and control groups.

Conclusions: Unilateral endometrioma reduces CC-PTX3 expression but does not affect disease-free ovaries. The GnRHa protocol improved the fertilization rates, suggesting that failed CC-PTX3 expression is an in vivo pathology.

The article "The inhibitory effect of miR-375 targeting sp1 in colorectal cancer cell proliferation" by X.-H. Liu, J. Wang, Y.-H. Dong, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (2): 405-411 - PMID: 29424897 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/DF4072237DD0F624A7AE9B34B4EB6D), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. Initially, the authors asked to retract this manuscript, but were not available for further comments during the investigation; therefore, raw data were not provided. The journal's investigation revealed Figure duplication within Figure 1 and between Figure 1 and Figure 2. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/14188.

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a serious obstetric condition that can be life-threatening, with various risk factors contributing to its development. In particular, in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques may lead to an increased rate EP. Additionally, also endometriosis seems to be related to this particular obstetrical condition.

Case report: We report a rare case of ectopic pregnancy on the uterosacral ligament (USL) along with a suspected coexisting tubal ectopic pregnancy following IVF. The patient is a 48-year-old woman in menopause, with a history of pelvic endometriosis, who experienced sudden abdominal pain and vomiting at eight weeks of amenorrhea after undergoing a double heterologous frozen embryo transfer. Thorough examination and pelvic ultrasound, we diagnosed a hemoperitoneum due to a suspected heterotopic EP on the left USL and contralateral tube. Due to the sudden worsening of the patient's condition, we opted for a surgical procedure. An urgent laparotomy revealed a severe hemoperitoneum caused by an EP implanted on the left USL and a malacic, bleeding contralateral tube, both of which were removed, and hemostasis was then guaranteed. The histopathologic exam confirmed the EP on the left USL and an edematous tube without product of conception (POC).

Conclusions: Comparing our case with others reported in the current literature, it appears that the etiopathogenetic mechanisms leading to this urgent obstetrical condition are various and not fully understood. Despite those circumstances, the present case highlights the importance of considering non-tubal ectopic pregnancies in the context of risk factors, including IVF techniques, endometriosis, and advanced age, in cases of abdominal pain and hemoperitoneum after a single or double embryo transfer. The treatment, which involves different professional figures, should be executed as soon as possible, with the aim of preserving the patient's life and any future desire for pregnancies.

Objective: Molecular docking studies were conducted to assess the binding affinities of five potential inhibitor candidates [PDB (Protein Data Bank) ID: 6L6E] against Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), with Sildenafil used as the reference compound. The aim of this study is to reveal the potential inhibitory role of plant-derived compounds compared to Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor.

Materials and methods: Autodock Vina v. 1.2.5 software was used to dock the protein and each ligand individually. Molecular dynamics simulations assessed the binding affinity of two compounds to the Phosphodiesterase 5A1 (PDE5 A1) enzyme and were carried out using GROMACS 2022.2 RESULTS: Boesenbergin A exhibited the highest affinity at -8.8 kcal/mol, followed by Ginkolide B at -8.5 kcal/mol, Sildenafil at -8.1 kcal/mol, Montanol at -7.8 kcal/mol, Beta-sitosterol at -7.1 kcal/mol, and Eugenol acetate at -6.9 kcal/mol, ranked in descending order. As a result of molecular docking studies, molecular dynamic simulations were performed for Boesenbergin A, which has the highest affinity, and Sildenafil, which is the standard molecule.

Conclusions: Among the two ligands tested, Boesenbergin A exhibited superior binding affinity, surpassing even the standard molecule, Sildenafil. This suggests their potential for modulating enzyme activity and potential relevance in erectile dysfunction treatment.

Objective: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an endocrine tumor with low incidence and one of the most aggressive human malignancies. The median survival is only 3-10 months, and the optimal therapeutic approach as well as prognostic factors have not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival and good prognostic factors of patients with ATC.

Patients and methods: The retrospective study used our institution's single-center database system. 31 patients with histopathological confirmation of anaplastic thyroid cancer from January 2014 to June 2022 were included.

Results: 31 patients with ATC [11 males (35.5%), 20 females (64.5%); average age, 58.7 years] were identified, 32.3% were stage IVA, 32.3% stage IVB, and 35.4% IVC. The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 6.9 ± 1.45 months. The OS at two years was 12.1%. The female with no cervical lymph node metastasis, undergoing surgery, and tumor size < 6 cm were associated with improved OS. Patients undergoing surgery followed by chemoradiation therapy had the highest median OS (11 ± 1.83 months) and 21.8% of 2-year survival.

Conclusions: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor. Patients receiving surgical resection had better OS than patients without these treatments. The combination of surgery and chemoradiation could improve OS.

The article "MiR-15a-3p suppresses the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer cell by targeting Twist1" by B. Fan, L.-P. Chen, Y.-H. Yuan, H.-N. Xiao, X.-S. Lv, Z.-Y. Xia, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (5): 1934-1946-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201903_17232-PMID: 30915736 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. The authors contacted the journal, claiming that, after carefully examining the published article, they found that two of the figures in the article were duplicates. They also stated that they did not have access to the original figures. Therefore, they requested the manuscript to be retracted. After the authors' email, the journal started an investigation and found that the article was also questioned on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/3FA0DDA41DFC73C5E8E8E1C505DBAA). The journal's investigation uncovered a duplication between Figures 3D and Figure 6D. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. The authors have agreed upon the retraction. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17232.