Search Results (5)

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa <Michx.> Elliot) represents a rich source of dietary polyphenols and other bioactive phytochemicals with pleiotropic beneficial cardiovascular effects. The present study was aimed at evaluating the ex vivo effects of two black chokeberry extracts (BChEs), obtained from either dry (DryAr) or frozen (FrozAr) berries, on oxidative stress and vascular function in mice aortic rings after incubation with angiotensin 2 (Ang 2), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and glucose (GLUC) in order to mimic renin–angiotensin system activation, inflammation and hyperglycemia. The identification of phenolic compounds was performed by means of liquid chromatography with a diode array detector coupled with mass spectrometry using the electrospray ionization interface. The BChE obtained from the FrozAr was rich in cyanidin glucoside, rutin and caffeic acid, while the one obtained from the dried berries was rich in rutin, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. Mice aortas were dissected and acutely incubated (12 h) with Ang2 (100 nM), LPS (1 µg/mL) or GLUC (400 mg/dL) in the presence vs. absence of the two BChEs (1, 10, 50, 75, 100, 500 µg/mL). Subsequently, the tissues were used for the assessment of (i) hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide production (using two methods, spectrophotometry and immunofluorescence), (ii) H₂O₂ scavenger effect and (iii) vascular reactivity (using the organ bath/myograph system). After exposure to Ang2, LPS or GLUC, both types of extracts decreased the H₂O₂ and superoxide levels in a concentration-dependent manner starting from either 50 µg/mL or 100 µg/mL. Also, in the highest concentrations (100 µg/mL, 150 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL), both extracts elicited a significant scavenger effect on H₂O₂ (similar to catalase, the classic H₂O₂ scavenger). Moreover, at 100 µg/mL, both extracts were able to significantly improve vascular relaxation in all stimulated aortic rings. In conclusion, in mice aortas, black chokeberry extracts in acute application elicited a concentration-dependent vasculo-protective effect through the reduction of oxidative stress and the alleviation of endothelial dysfunction in ex vivo conditions that mimic cardio-metabolic diseases. Full article

Background: This retrospective study evaluates patients with stage IV melanoma treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy from two regional oncology centers in Romania from the year 2019 to the end of 2022. Methods: The data were analyzed in SAS for Windows, V9.4. LDH means were stratified by the number of metastatic sites before treatment and compared using an independent sample T-test. The survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the survival distributions were compared with the log-rank test. The effects of the main clinical and pathological variables on OS and PFS were investigated with Cox regression. Results: The LDH mean for patients with three or more metastases before treatment was significantly higher than that for patients with only one metastatic site. The Kaplan–Meier curve of OS in all evaluable patients enrolled in the study resulted in a median OS of 346 days (95% CI: 150) and a median PFS of 211 days (95% CI: 113–430). A total of 45.3% of the patients experienced adverse events during the nivolumab + ipilimumab treatment, with some of them having multiple organ systems involved. Discussion: The OS values were lower than those reported in approved clinical trials, but the results show a marked improvement when compared to the results obtained by chemotherapy regimens previously used in these scenarios. Conclusion: This study provides real-world insights into the survival data and safety profiles of combination therapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. Full article

Background/Aim: Rapid onset of facial ptosis can impact physical appearance and compromise the outcomes of facelift procedures. The level of vitamin D has a potential correlation with collagen formation and its deficiency with inflammatory processes that affect the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between accentuated facial ptosis in women and low levels of vitamin D. Furthermore, it aims to explore preventive measures or strategies to slow down facial ptosis and enhance the longevity of facelift results. Materials and Methods: The study was focused on monitoring the vitamin D levels in women and men with advanced facial ptosis and comparing them with a control group. Results: Notably, a direct association between gender and serum vitamin D levels was observed, indicating less sustainable outcomes in women. Conclusions: Women face additional challenges in the aging process due to hormonal shifts after menopause or premenopausal, which are associated with osteoporosis and lower vitamin D levels. Full article

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is correlated with genetic and epigenetic alterations in the colonic epithelium. Genetic changes play a major role in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer through the development of gene mutations, but recent research has shown an important role for epigenetic alterations. In this review, we try to describe the current knowledge about epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as the role of non-coding RNAs as epigenetic regulators and the prognostic and predictive biomarkers in metastatic colorectal disease that can allow increases in the effectiveness of treatments. Additionally, the intestinal microbiota’s composition can be an important biomarker for the response to strategies based on the immunotherapy of CRC. The identification of biomarkers in mCRC can be enhanced by developing artificial intelligence programs. We present the actual models that implement AI technology as a bridge connecting ncRNAs with tumors and conducted some experiments to improve the quality of the model used as well as the speed of the model that provides answers to users. In order to carry out this task, we implemented six algorithms: the naive Bayes classifier, the random forest classifier, the decision tree classifier, gradient boosted trees, logistic regression and SVM. Full article

Aim: The need for predictive and prognostic biomarkers in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) brought us to an era where the use of artificial intelligence (AI) models is increasing. We investigated the expression of Claudin-7, a tight junction component, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of normal epithelial mucosa, and its potential prognostic role in advanced CRCs, by drawing a parallel between statistical and AI algorithms. Methods: Claudin-7 immunohistochemical expression was evaluated in the tumor core and invasion front of CRCs from 84 patients and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and survival. The results were compared with those obtained by using various AI algorithms. Results: the Kaplan–Meier univariate survival analysis showed a significant correlation between survival and Claudin-7 intensity in the invasive front (p = 0.00), a higher expression being associated with a worse prognosis, while Claudin-7 intensity in the tumor core had no impact on survival. In contrast, AI models could not predict the same outcome on survival. Conclusion: The study showed through statistical means that the immunohistochemical overexpression of Claudin-7 in the tumor invasive front may represent a poor prognostic factor in advanced stages of CRCs, contrary to AI models which could not predict the same outcome, probably because of the small number of patients included in our cohort. Full article