Journal of Medicine and Life最新文献

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by diverse motor and non-motor symptoms. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) provide valuable insights into the neurological changes in PD. This study examines VEP latency to explore potential connections between visual processing and PD progression, focusing on whether inter-eye latency differences are influenced by disease severity and symptomatology. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 59 PD patients at the Neurology I Clinic, Cluj-Napoca County Emergency Clinical Hospital, from October 2019 to October 2021. Patients underwent neurological and psychological evaluations, including VEP testing with a reversal pattern technique. P100 wave latency was assessed for both eyes, and associations with clinical indicators like Hoehn and Yahr stages, UPDRS scores, and non-motor symptoms were analyzed. VEP latencies for the right and left eyes were 108.7 ± 10.6 ms and 108.4 ± 9.7 ms, respectively, with no significant inter-eye differences (P = 0.8). UPDRS item 4 scores correlated significantly with both latencies (P = 0.003 for the left eye and P <0.001 for the right). Latency differences between eyes were shorter in patients with symmetrical parkinsonism compared to those with unilateral predominance. Age correlated weakly with P100 latency, and a weak correlation was found between anhedonia scores and right-eye latency. VEP latency is sensitive to PD motor severity, with shorter inter-eye latency differences in symmetrical parkinsonism, suggesting balanced dopaminergic dysfunction. VEP latency differences offer insights into neurophysiological changes in PD, reflecting dopaminergic dysfunction and its impact on visual processing. These findings support the potential of VEPs as diagnostic and prognostic tools in PD assessment.

Endometrial cancer is a complex disease influenced by both somatic and germline mutations. While individual mutations in genes such as PTEN, PIK3CA, and members of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system have been extensively studied, comprehensive analyses comparing somatic and germline mutations within the same cohort are limited. This study compares these mutations using whole exome sequencing (WES) data from tumor and blood samples in patients with endometrial cancer. Thirteen female patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer were selected. Tumor tissues and matched blood samples were collected and subjected to WES at the CeGaT laboratory, followed by bioinformatics analysis and annotation using the Geneyx platform. WES revealed significant somatic and germline DNA mutations, with key pathogenic variants identified in genes such as PTEN, PIK3CA, TP53, MLH1, and MSH2. Comparative analysis showed distinct and overlapping mutation profiles, highlighting the importance of integrating somatic and germline data in endometrial cancer research.

Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgical procedures, mainly due to the recent developments in surgical instruments and intraocular lens (IOL) measurements. Understanding the nature of axial length (AL) and keratometry readings (K) in patients with cataracts has significant implications for accurate postoperative IOL size selection. This study aimed to measure AL and K in patients undergoing cataract surgery in Saudi Arabia. This retrospective study included patients who underwent cataract surgery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of adult patients between May 2022 and May 2023 were reviewed, and those with a history of retinal detachment, refractive surgery, or trauma were excluded. The AL and K readings were obtained from the patient's IOL master results. A total of 691 eyes from 451 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 64.54 years old. Most of the patients were women (55%). The mean AL, K1, and K2 values were 23.27, 43.42, and 44.69, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to measure the relationship between AL and K, revealing an inverse relationship in our findings. As AL increased by one unit, the mean K was estimated to decrease by 0.548, with a 95% confidence interval. Our results demonstrated an inverse relationship between AL and K, implying that when AL increases, K decreases, or the corneal curvature becomes flat. Further studies are needed to investigate the biomechanical mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Individual personality refers to the Ego and the interpersonal sector. The Ego corresponds to consciousness and self-esteem, including the capacities for emotional self-regulation, self-control, self-evaluation, and self-direction in relation to personal goals. When neoplastic and psychiatric diseases coexist, a patient's quality of life is significantly impacted. While there are somatic differences in disease progression, how the illness is perceived and mainly experienced depends on personality traits. In this study, we administered the DECAS Personality Inventory (a Romanian-validated instrument based on the Five-Factor model of personality) to a group of 121 patients diagnosed with breast cancer to explore the relationships among their personality traits. Descriptive statistics revealed that the mean T scores for openness, extroversion, and emotional stability were low, while the scores for conscientiousness and agreeableness were at an average level. Our findings suggest that, in the studied group, low levels of emotional stability, extroversion, and openness were unfavorable personality dimensions that should be a primary focus of therapeutic strategies, as they significantly affect the quality of life in patients with breast cancer.

This study analyzed the effectiveness of root canal filling removal in lower molars performed by beginner operators using optical microscopy. A total of 55 mandibular first and second molars with mesial roots exhibiting an average curvature of 10-20° were selected based on preoperative radiographs. Instrumentation was done with ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Sirona) up to F2 (25/.08), using 2ml of 2.5% NaOCl irrigation solution after each file. Root canal obturation was performed using gutta-percha points with cold lateral condensation and Sealapex (Kerr Dental). Coronal fillings were made with composite resin and stored in distilled water for two years. Removal of the root canal fillings was performed with AF Retreatment Rotary (AFRR) and AF Blue R3 (AFBR3) (Fanta Dental Materials) under reciprocating motion with 2.5% NaOCl irrigation. Cross-sections of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds were analyzed at 40x magnification using a STEINDORFF POL microscope with a digital camera. Image analysis was conducted using Image J software, version 1.54, to determine the efficiency of root canal filling removal by percentage. Statistical analysis via one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between distal and mesial roots (P < 0.05). Specifically, for mesial roots, the removal efficiency was 70.65% in the coronal third, 54.66% in the middle third, and 21.32% in the apical third. Significant difficulties were noted due to fractured files, calcifications, and debris accumulation in the isthmuses. The study concluded that the protocol using Fanta files demonstrated significant differences in removal efficiency correlated with root curvature, compounded by the inexperience of beginner operators. The findings highlight the challenges faced by novice practitioners in achieving effective root canal filling removal.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of dental restorations using laboratory microscopic techniques, focusing on the positioning of restorations relative to cavity edges and identifying common errors, such as incomplete or excessive coronal restorations. A total of 41 extracted lateral teeth, previously treated in vivo with Class I or II composites, were analyzed. Thirty-three of these teeth were sectioned medio-distally or buccal-orally and examined under a research laboratory microscope. Marginal areas were measured using eyepieces with a graduated scale and calibration slide, and a frequency statistical analysis was conducted. The analysis revealed that the teeth had fractious edges, deficient marginal closure, excess composite, incorrectly restored occlusal cusps, and marginal adaptation errors, with approximately half of these errors involving excess material. It was observed that restoration procedures in distal areas are particularly challenging, and clinical errors with excess material occur more frequently than those with a deficit. These findings underscore the need for improved techniques and precision in dental restorations to minimize such errors.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive inherited disorder caused by genetic mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. It is a multisystem condition that primarily induces abnormal mucus accumulation in the respiratory system and obstructs the intrapancreatic common bile duct, causing a reduction in the delivery of digestive enzymes to the small intestine. Thus, patients with CF are characterized by maldigestion, malabsorption, and recurrent airway bacterial infections. Clinical monitoring of the health status of patients with CF is mandatory for increasing the patients' lifespan. To assess the feasibility of monitoring life quality (LQ) in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to explore the relationship between biochemical parameters and clinical symptoms, our study analyzed inflammatory responses related to CF, medication, and pulmonary bacterial infections in 52 patients diagnosed with CF. Blood, hypo-pharyngeal exudate, and fecal samples were analyzed using clinical biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology techniques at the Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health central laboratory in Bucharest, Romania. All the participants adhered to their prescribed outpatient CF regimens and appeared clinically stable. The overall clinical status of patients with CF was observed and compared with that of a healthy control group, which consisted of individuals similar in number and age. The screened patients with CF presented an impaired lipid status and chronic infections with various bacteria, iron, and vitamin (A, D, and E) deficiencies. Our findings provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of CF and suggest that tailored monitoring and personalized therapeutic strategies could improve patient management.

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract hosts a significant microbial symbiont community, an intriguing feature of this complex organ system. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against Enterococcus faecalis infection in the stomach at a dose of 10⁶ CFU in Swiss mice. A total of 30 mice were randomly assigned to three groups of ten mice each. Group I was the negative control, Group II was infected orally with E. faecalis for 18 days, and Group III was infected with E. faecalis and treated with CAPE orally at a daily dose of 4 mg/kg for 18 days. We assessed the antioxidant activities of stomach homogenate and the immunohistochemical expressions of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Histopathological examination was performed on the stomachs of all mice. Group II had decreased levels of antioxidant activity and positive expressions of NF-κB and PCNA. Histological observations revealed an increase in mucosal and glandular thickness compared with Group I. Group III, treated with CAPE, showed a significant increase in antioxidant activities and a significant decrease in NF-κB and PCNA immunoreactivities compared with Group II. In addition, Group III showed restoration of the normal thickness of the non-glandular and glandular parts of the stomach. Our results revealed that E. faecalis infection has damaging effects on the stomach and proved that CAPE has promising protective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against E. faecalis. Further studies may investigate the potential therapeutic effects of CAPE against E. faecalis infection.

The study sought to systematically compare the expression of molecular markers in benign cutaneous lesions and squamous cell cervical carcinoma associated with HPV infection to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in HPV-related lesions and their progression to malignancy. We included 200 patients recruited from a gynecological clinic divided into two groups: 100 patients with positive HPV tests presenting with cutaneous lesions and 100 patients diagnosed with squamous cell cervical carcinoma and testing positive for HPV. The participants were selected to ensure diverse ethnic and demographic representation. The study utilized different statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests to assess associations between categorical variables and logistic regression to evaluate factors influencing lesion progression and compare marker expressions across different lesion types. The results indicated significant differences in the expression of specific molecular markers between cutaneous lesions and cervical carcinomas, highlighting distinct molecular pathways involved in HPV-related lesion development. Notably, markers such as p16, p53, and E-cadherin showed varying expression, suggesting their potential role in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions. The findings emphasize the significance of molecular marker profiling in improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HPV-related lesions. The differential expression of molecular markers can offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of HPV-induced lesions and help develop targeted interventions to prevent malignant transformation. Further research is necessary to validate these markers in larger cohorts and diverse populations.