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Background: Galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding lectin, is involved in fibrosis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis, and has been proposed as a biomarker in thyroid diseases. This study evaluated serum Galectin-3 levels in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and explored its association with thyroid function parameters.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 96 participants categorized into three groups: hypothyroid (n=34), hyperthyroid (n=36), and euthyroid controls (n=26). Serum Galectin-3, TSH, and FT4 levels were measured using ELISA and standard biochemical methods. Data were analysed using SPSS software. ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation were applied to assess statistical significance and associations.

Results: Mean serum Galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients compared with euthyroid controls (p<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between FT4 and TSH (r=-0.428, p<0.01), while no significant correlations were identified between Galectin-3 and FT4, TSH, or age. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association between thyroid disease category and Galectin-3 level groups (p=0.047).

Conclusion: Elevated Galectin-3 levels are associated with thyroid dysfunction in general but do not distinguish between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Therefore, Galectin-3 may reflect underlying inflammatory or fibrotic activity rather than serve as a differential diagnostic biomarker between thyroid functional states.

Introduction: Eczema is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease. Its main symptom is intermittent pruritus, as well as xerosis of the skin and eczematous lesions caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors for development are also associated with skin barrier defects that reduce skin hydration (capacity) and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL). There are many studies and, in our analysis, we aimed to determine how TEWL scores differed significantly between patients with skin diseases, including eczema.

Aim: The specific aims of our systematic review and meta-analysis were: • To determine, by analyzing studies, the change in the level of the epidermal barrier in skin diseases, namely eczema. • To study the effect of changes in transepidermal moisture loss in patients with eczema, taking into account gender characteristics.

Methodology: By conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, we synthesized data from various studies that evaluated the association between TEWL scores and clinical severity of disease. Fifteen articles describing 1355 cases of eczema were included in our study.

Results: We found that the difference in TEWL levels between men and women was statistically significant. In the studies included in this meta-analysis, TEWL elevation in eczema patients ranged from 13.3% to 76.7%. Among the age group 19 to 44 years - 59.8% of eczema cases had TEWL elevation in contrast to other age groups.

Conclusions: Disruption of epidermal barrier permeability in eczematous conditions may also occur in other skin diseases. We have found that improvement in TEWL levels can prevent and alleviate the clinical severity of inflammatory dermatoses.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenfu Injection combined with Dapagliflozin in the treatment of septic heart failure (HF), and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical application.

Methods: A total of 40 patients with septic HF admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Qingdao Jiaozhou Central Hospital from July 2019 to June 2022 were selected and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, with 20 patients in each group. The control group was treated with Dapagliflozin tablets and basic anti-heart failure drugs, while the observation group was additionally given Shenfu Injection on the basis of the control group's treatment, with a course of 7 consecutive days. The changes of serum N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), inflammatory indicators (CRP, PCT, interleukin-6), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, and cardiac color Doppler ultrasound indicators [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume (SV)] were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated. Sample size calculation was based on the primary outcome indicator of LVEF improvement. Referring to previous similar studies, the expected mean difference in LVEF improvement between the two groups was 5%, with a standard deviation of 6%. Using a two-sided test with α=0.05 and power=80%, the calculated minimum sample size per group was 18. Considering a potential dropout rate of 10%, 20 patients were included in each group to ensure the statistical power of the study.

Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group (95.00%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (70.00%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of NT-proBNP, cTnI, CRP, PCT, interleukin-6 and APACHE Ⅱ score in both groups decreased significantly, while LVEF and SV increased significantly, and LVEDD and LVEDV decreased significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvement of the above indicators in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 after Bonferroni correction). No serious adverse reactions were observed in either group during the treatment period.

Conclusion: Shenfu Injection combined with Dapagliflozin can effectively improve the cardiac function of patients with septic HF, reduce the inflammatory response, and has good clinical efficacy and safety, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Background: The dental materials based on resin substances release small amounts of their unreacted monomer components which result in continuous exposure of oral epithelial cells to these substances. The scientific community lacks sufficient knowledge about molecular reactions which occur before cells show toxic damage.

Aim: The research aims to determine how Bis-GMA and TEGDMA and UDMA and HEMA concentrations below cytotoxic levels affect oral epithelial cells through oxidative stress and DNA damage and changes in genes that control cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods: The MTT assay helped researchers determine the specific concentration ranges which produced sub-cytotoxic effects. The DCFH-DA assay measured the amount of ROS which cells produced inside their cells. The alkaline comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage while qRT-PCR analyzed the relative mRNA levels of BAX, BCL-2, p53, c-Myc and Cyclin D1.

Results: The tested monomers at low concentrations did not affect cell metabolic activity but they all caused an increase in intracellular ROS levels. The two monomers Bis-GMA and TEGDMA generated the most significant increase in ROS levels among all tested compounds. The results showed oxidative imbalance because comet parameters showed increased DNA strand breakage and qRT-PCR results showed apoptosis-related gene expression with BAX and p53 showing elevated expression while BCL-2 levels decreased and c-Myc and Cyclin D1 showed no significant changes.

Conclusion: The research shows that oral epithelial cells experience oxidative and genotoxic stress when they encounter standard resin monomers at levels which do not result in major cell death. The research results confirm that additional studies need to investigate how biological responses develop from first molecular changes which occur when patients follow standard medical protocols.

Introduction: Early detection of chronic diseases is critical for reducing morbidity and alleviating the overall healthcare burden. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, risk prediction, and clinical decision support. This review synthesizes recent evidence on AI-driven diagnostic systems across diverse chronic diseases.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed English-language studies published between January 2020 and November 2025 were retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Embase.

Results: Thirty-two studies from 13 countries were included, with most originating from China, India, and Saudi Arabia. The studies examined metabolic/cardiometabolic conditions (20 studies), musculoskeletal disorders (3), pulmonary diseases (3), cancer/hematological conditions (3), neurodegenerative diseases (1), and ophthalmologic/dental conditions (2). Hybrid AI models were the most commonly used overall (56%), especially in metabolic diseases, followed by machine learning (25%) and deep learning (19%). Validation approaches included k-fold cross-validation, 80/20 train-test splits, electronic health record (EHR)-based validation, and external validation. Across subgroups, predictive performance was high, with AUC ranging from 0.7467 to 1.0, accuracy from 77.08% to 99.97%, sensitivity from 77% to 100%, and specificity from 59.2% to 100%.

Discussion: AI models, particularly hybrid approaches, demonstrate potential for early detection of chronic diseases by integrating laboratory, clinical, and imaging-based multimodal data. However, heterogeneity in datasets, retrospective study designs, limited external validation, and inconsistent reporting constrain generalizability. These findings highlight the need for prospective multicenter trials, standardized datasets, and improved methodological transparency to support clinical implementation.

Aim of study: To present a rare case of toxic epidermal necrolysis complicated by acute kidney injury and to discuss diagnostic challenges and therapeutic decision-making, including early continuous renal replacement therapy.

Material and methods: We report a clinical case of a 56-year-old male with severe toxic epidermal necrolysis following trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole exposure, complicated by acute kidney injury. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were analyzed in accordance with KDIGO criteria and current management guidelines.

Results: The patient developed extensive epidermal detachment, mucosal involvement, and uremic biochemical abnormalities. Despite the absence of classic indications for dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy was initiated early, allowing stabilization of metabolic parameters and safe administration of immunosuppressive therapy. Rapid clinical improvement and recovery of renal function were observed.

Conclusions: Concurrent toxic epidermal necrolysis and acute kidney injury represents a high-risk clinical scenario requiring early multidisciplinary intervention. Individualized treatment decisions, including early renal replacement therapy, may improve outcomes even in the absence of standard dialysis indications.

Introduction: Modern oral surgery requires objective and reproducible tools for assessing soft tissue healing. The Palatal Mucosal Open Healing Index (PMOHI) is a clinical parameter that enables standardized monitoring of epithelialization and tissue repair following surgical interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of the Palatal Open Healing Index as a clinical criterion for monitoring and predicting soft tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: A total of 192 patients diagnosed with localized gingival recession underwent clinical examination and surgical treatment. Following free gingival graft harvesting, patients were divided into six groups according to the management technique of the palatal donor site. Palatal donor site healing under open wound conditions was assessed using the Palatal Mucosal Open Healing Index (PMOHI).

Results: Clinical evaluation of donor site healing was performed on postoperative days 7 and 14. Healing without coverage was assessed using a 5-point scale according to the PMOHI. On day 7, in group 1: 21.9% of cases were scored as 1 (very poor healing: initial epithelialization <10%, bleeding); 68.7% scored 2 (poor healing: epithelialization ≤20%, fibrin coating); 9.4% scored 3 (satisfactory healing: epithelialization up to 40%). In group 6 (with protective stent): 84.4% scored 4 (good healing: epithelialization up to 70%), and 3.1% scored 5 (complete healing). These differences between groups were statistically significant (p≤0.001). Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that group 6 (with stent protection) had significantly better outcomes than groups 1, 2, and 5 (open healing). In most patients, open wound management on day 7th was associated with poor or very poor healing.

Conclusion: The palatal open healing index is an informative and versatile tool that provides a standardized assessment of regenerative processes, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy, prognosis, and the effectiveness of treatment strategies in surgical dentistry.

Aim of the study: To compare tissue responses to xenoperitoneum-derived extracellular matrix (ECM), UltraPro mesh, and preserved dura mater in a rat model of implant-associated Escherichia coli infection.

Methods: Abdominal wall repair was performed in 42 rats using ECM, UltraPro mesh, or preserved dura mater with intraoperative E. coli contamination. Histological and morphometric evaluations were conducted on postoperative days 10 and 20, assessing inflammation, abscess formation, necrosis, neovascularization, and tissue integration.

Results: On day 10, all groups demonstrated acute inflammation. Abscess and necrosis were significantly lower with UltraPro than with ECM and preserved dura mater (p<0.05). By day 20, UltraPro maintained minimal tissue damage and showed the highest neovascularization and tissue integration, while preserved dura mater exhibited persistent inflammation. ECM demonstrated reduced necrosis and signs of tissue remodeling at later stages.

Conclusion: UltraPro mesh provides superior early resistance to infection-related tissue damage, whereas potential advantages of ECM appear context-dependent and are more evident at later stages.

Immediate implant placement with immediate loading in the esthetic zone is a predictable treatment option when strict surgical and prosthetic protocols are followed. This case report describes the clinical management of a 50-year-old systemically healthy, non-smoking male treated with two immediately placed implants in the maxillary central incisor region (teeth 11 and 21). Following atraumatic flapless extraction due to extensive root caries (tooth 11) and a chronic periapical granulomatous lesion with insufficient residual root length (tooth 21), two tapered implants (3.5×13 mm; Hiossen) were placed. Primary stability was achieved with insertion torque values of 40 Ncm (D.11) and 45 Ncm (D.21) fulfilling accepted criteria for immediate loading. Guided bone regeneration was performed using a 50:50 mixture of autogenous bone harvested from the mandibular retromolar area and xenograft material, without the use of a barrier membrane. Immediate screw-retained provisional restorations were placed out of occlusion. Clinical and radiographic evaluation at six months after final prosthesis delivery demonstrated stable peri-implant bone levels, preserved interdental papillae, and satisfactory esthetic integration. The limited follow-up duration represents a limitation for long-term esthetic evaluation.