Search Results (219)

This technical report presents a compelling case for the use of very-high-power, very-short-duration (VHPSD) radiofrequency ablation as a promising and efficient strategy for treating symptomatic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The patient with frequent, symptomatic PVCs and a 24% burden underwent successful ablation using a 90 W/4 s recipe via the QDOT MICRO™ catheter. The procedure resulted in immediate and sustained elimination of PVCs, with only 4 s of ablation time, near-zero fluoroscopy, no complications, and no PVC recurrence at 6 months. VHPSD ablation, though originally developed for atrial fibrillation, demonstrated remarkable procedural efficiency, precision, and lesion efficacy in this case. Compared to standard power, long-duration (SPLD) ablation, VHPSD offers the potential to significantly reduce procedural time, minimize tissue edema, and lower complication risk, particularly advantageous in anatomically challenging areas or in situations where maintaining stable catheter contact for extended periods is difficult or unfeasible. This technical report suggests the transformative potential of VHPSD as a first-line ablation strategy for RVOT-PVCs, provided careful mapping and appropriate technique are used. It underscores the need for further prospective studies to validate its broader safety, efficacy, and role in PVC management, particularly in cases involving intramural origins. Full article

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with uncontrolled urine leakage and is treated as a serious disability that prevents the fulfillment of life roles and negatively affects quality of life. Many women do not have knowledge about the nature of UI and treatment options, and the embarrassing nature of the disease makes it difficult to seek specialist care. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life among women with UI and how it affects various areas of their daily functioning. Defining factors that modify the impact of UI on quality of life can provide prognostic information about functional limitations, which will facilitate the rapid implementation of preventive and therapeutic measures. Methods: This study included 158 women with UI. Patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires, including the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale (RUIS), King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (Mini-COPY), and Set of Scales for Self-Assessment of the relationship with a partner. Results: Based on the analyses, it was determined that women with MUI experienced a lower quality of life, greater limitations in daily activities, and greater physical limitations compared to women with UUI and SUI. There was a correlation between the severity of UI, the duration of the disease, the level of acceptance of the disease, the education level of the subjects, and quality of life in all areas of functioning. Conclusions: Numerous functional limitations and reduced quality of life have been observed among patients with UI. As part of UI management in clinical practice, it seems reasonable to include measures aimed at identifying patients who are likely to experience more severe consequences of UI so that they can receive targeted care. Full article

Although oily sludge is an industrial waste and difficult to separate, its calorific value can still reach 6000 cal/g, thus possessing significant recycling value. This study compares various types of non-thermal plasma for refining oily sludge. The pre-treatment technology utilized filtration combined with solvent extraction to extract the oil portion from the oily sludge. Subsequently, two types of non-thermal plasma, DC streamer discharge and dielectric plasma discharge, were used to crack and activate the oily sludge under different operating conditions. The fuel compositions and properties of the refined fuel treated by two types of non-thermal plasma were compared. The elemental carbon and oxygen of the oily sludge after treatment in a direct DBD plasma reactor for 8 min were 1.96 wt.% less and 1.38 wt.% higher than those of commercial diesel. The research results indicate that the pre-treatment process can effectively improve the refined fuel properties. After pre-treatment, the calorific value of the primary product from the oily sludge can reach 10,598 cal/g. However, the carbon residue of the oily sludge after pre-treatment remained as high as 5.58 wt.%, which implied that further refining processes are required. The streamer discharge plasma reactor used a tungsten needle tip as a high-voltage electrode, leading to a rather small treated range. Corona discharge and arc formation are prone to being produced during the plasma action. Moreover, the addition of quartz glass beads can form a protruding area on the surface of the oily sludge, generating an increase in the reacting surface of the oily sludge, and hence an enhancement of treatment efficiency, in turn. The direct treatment of DBD plasma can thus have a wider and more uniform operating range of plasma generation and a superior efficiency of plasma reaction. Therefore, a direct DBD type of non-thermal equilibrium plasma reactor is preferable to treat oily sludge among those three types of plasma reactor designs. Additionally, when the plasma voltage is increased, it effectively enhances fuel properties. Full article

Wound healing is a very complex process composed of several phases in which precise events occur, both temporally and specially. However, when these processes go awry, biofilm-forming bacteria become installed in the healing tissue, and the patient has comorbidities, so the wounds do not heal and become chronic. In this review, we describe the importance of high levels of oxidative stress (OS) and bacteria from the skin microbiome in the initiation and development of chronic wounds. The skin microbiome is diverse in humans, and its composition is dependent on the environment in the specific areas of the body. OS is critical for wound healing as it stimulates the immune system to destroy pathogens and secrete cytokines and growth factors that stimulate healing. When OS levels become high in the wound and the bacteria of the skin install themselves in the wound, chronicity ensues. However, neither OS nor the bacteria of the skin alone can initiate chronicity. However, when present together, chronic wounds develop. Given the complexity of chronic wound initiation, developing treatment for these wounds has been difficult. Here, we also discuss the challenges of treating chronic wounds and offer a potential sequence of approaches to treating these wounds after debridement. Full article

Firework-related injuries remain a serious public health issue in Germany, especially during New Year’s Eve. While many injuries are minor, the misuse of illegal or homemade fireworks can cause severe trauma resembling military combat injuries and can heavily burden emergency services. Notably, injury rates declined during the COVID-19 firework bans, underscoring the impact of preventive measures. We report two cases of young males with severe injuries from illicit fireworks. The first is a case of a 16-year-old that detonated an illegal Polish firework ball bomb, sustaining 9% total body surface area (TBSA) burns (second- to third-degree), hand fractures, compartment syndrome of the hand, and soft-tissue trauma. He underwent multiple surgeries, including fasciotomy, osteosynthesis, and skin grafting. The other case presented is a 19-year-old man who was injured by a homemade device made of bundled firecrackers, suffering deep facial and bilateral hand burns. He required prolonged ventilation, surgical debridement, and treatment with Kerecis^® fish skin and Epicite^® dressings. Both required intensive ICU care, interdisciplinary management, and lengthy rehabilitation. Total hospital costs amounted to €58,459.52 and €94,230.23, respectively, as calculated according to the standardized German DRG. These cases illustrate the devastating impact of illegal fireworks. The devastating consequences of explosive trauma are often difficult to treat and may lead to long-term functional and psychological impairments. Prevention through public education, stricter regulations, and preparedness is essential. Pandemic-era injury reductions support sustained policy efforts. Full article

Arsenic contamination in aquifers poses a significant global health risk due to its toxicity and widespread presence in groundwater used for drinking. Although several approaches for arsenic removal exist, many are either expensive or logistically difficult. This study assesses the efficacy of native limestones from two arsenic-contaminated regions in Mexico as a sustainable treatment alternative. Tested in batch and column experiments using synthetic solutions, as well as natural and arsenic-enriched groundwater, the limestones were characterized mineralogically (XRD) and chemically (XRF). Surface area, particle size, average pore volume in rocks, and competing anions (i.e., bicarbonate and sulfate) in groundwaters played important roles in removal performance. The results show that smaller particle sizes improve arsenic retention. Up to 87.6% of the arsenic was removed from groundwater containing 1.29 mg/L of arsenic when treated with rock particles smaller than 0.062 mm. Natural groundwater, however, in general, exhibited lower efficiency than synthetic solutions due to anion interference. Although site-specific evaluations are essential, these results indicate that limestone may be a cost-effective and locally accessible solution for addressing arsenic (As) contamination in regions with abundant limestone outcrops. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a challenging condition often associated with bisphosphonate use, leading to impaired bone healing and difficult clinical management. Given the lack of predictable therapeutic options, this study investigated the effects of systemic ozone therapy on MRONJ healing. This study aimed to analyze the effects of systemic ozone therapy on oral hard and soft tissue healing in senescent rats with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) induced by antiresorptive therapy. Methods: Twenty-eight senescent Wistar rats, aged eighteen months and weighing ~350 g, were used for this study. The animals were divided into four groups. The negative control (SAL) group received saline applications, while the control-treated (SAL+OZ) group received saline applications and ozone therapy (0.7 mg/kg). The MRONJ (ZOL) group received Zoledronate, an intravenous antiresorptive drug (100 μg/kg), and the MRONJ-treated (ZOL+OZ) group received zoledronate application and was treated with systemic ozone therapy (0.7 mg/kg). All rats underwent molar extraction in the third week of the experiment and were euthanized in the seventh week of the experiment. The mandibles were resected, reduced, and prepared for microtomographic analysis, histopathological/histometric analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Results: The ZOL group presented characteristics of vitreous, non-vital, and dense bone, poor vascularization, and high values of inflammation markers compatible with MRONJ. In contrast, the ZOL+OZ group exhibited improvement in alveolar bone and soft tissue healing, a decrease in nonvital bone area, and modulation of local inflammation. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Ozone therapy improved oral hard and soft tissue healing of MRONJ in senescent female rats subjected to antiresorptive drugs and might be considered for future clinical applications. Full article

Objectives: Chemotherapy improves survival in breast cancer patients but increases the risk of myocardial dysfunction and heart failure. Since early prediction of cardiomyopathy remains difficult, biomarkers are needed for detecting myocardial damage before heart failure develops. This study examines the association between oxidative stress biomarkers and myocardial dysfunction in a chemotherapy-induced rat model. Methods: Forty-two rats were randomized into four groups: control (n = 7), doxorubicin only (n = 7), doxorubicin plus trastuzumab (n = 7), and doxorubicin plus trastuzumab with cardioprotective intervention (n = 21). Doxorubicin and trastuzumab were administered sequentially over 28 days. Echocardiography with speckle-tracking was utilized to measure longitudinal strain (LS, −%). Reduced LS was defined by a LS with a median value less than 23% on day 28. Blood samples were collected for biomarker analysis, focusing on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). Myocardium fibrosis was assessed using Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: Thirty-four rats survived and underwent LS analysis. All rats treated with doxorubicin and trastuzumab exhibited reduced LS, while those receiving cardioprotective intervention maintained preserved LS on day 28. The reduced LS group had significantly lower SOD and higher GSH levels compared to the preserved LS group. SOD and GSH correlated strongly with LS (SOD, r = 0.590, p = 0.001; GSH, r = −0.590, p = 0.003), and LS correlated with fibrosis area (r = −0.660, p < 0.001). SOD and GSH effectively predicted reduced LS. Conclusions: In a rat model of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, oxidative stress biomarkers correlated with myocardial dysfunction, as indicated by LS. These findings highlight the potential of biomarker monitoring to improve early detection and prevention strategies for chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. Full article

Hard-to-treat areas in psoriasis vulgaris, i.e., the scalp, nails, genital area, palms, and soles, are less commonly diagnosed and treated. Our understanding of the complex etiopathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis vulgaris has advanced considerably in recent years. After performing an English literature search, the present article is a comprehensive review based on several relevant articles. The articles included met the following criteria: they mentioned the “hard-to-treat areas, special sites, difficult-to-treat areas” or the specific body location of psoriasis, and they reported the psoriasis prevalence and/or patients’ quality of life. Despite the extensive information about psoriasis, there are still many limitations and challenges regarding the appropriate approach to psoriasis in these special locations. But emerging directions such as precise severity scores, new biomarkers for disease monitoring, and treatment decisions or forthcoming therapies represent solutions to improve the lives of those affected. Although they affect a small area, the impact on the quality of everyday life is significant, causing physical and mental disability. In this review, we try to highlight the need for more information about hard-to-treat areas, including their prevalence, a more rapid diagnosis, and a correct classification based on their real severity and their specific treatment before a significant impact on patients’ quality of life occurs. By presenting these challenges, we hope to contribute to efforts at improving disease control. Full article

Honeybee venom (HBV) is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. HBV has multiple pharmacological effects, making it a promising therapeutic agent in several medical areas. In addition, HBV has many potential cosmetic applications as an anti-aging agent and for the treatment of various skin conditions. HBV’s antioxidant properties are also of great interest, as oxidative stress contributes to the onset and progression of many diseases. Several attempts have been made to assess HBV’s antioxidant activity, mainly using the DPPH assay. However, variability in experimental protocols and the lack of experimental details make the interpretation of results difficult. In this study, we aim to address the source of this variability by investigating the antioxidant activity of HBV in a detergent-based buffer across a range of pH values (from 3 to 7.5). We also analyze the contribution of melittin, the major component of HBV. Our results demonstrate that the DPPH radical scavenging activity of HBV is strongly influenced by the solvent used and by pH. Specifically, we show, for the first time, that HBV exhibits antioxidant activity under mildly acidic conditions, following a complex fast + slow reaction pattern. Interestingly, melittin contributes only partially to the total antioxidant activity of HBV. Overall, this work provides new insights into the antioxidant properties of HBV. Full article

Maxillofacial bone defects can have a profound impact on both facial function and aesthetics. While various biomaterial scaffolds have shown promise in addressing these challenges, regenerating bone in this region remains complex due to its irregular shape, intricate structure, and differing cellular origins compared to other bones in the human body. Moreover, the significant and variable mechanical loads placed on the maxillofacial bones add further complexity, especially in cases of difficult-to-treat medical conditions. This review provides a brief overview of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), highlighting the medication-induced adverse reactions and the associated clinical challenges in treating this condition. The purpose of this manuscript is to emphasize the role of biotechnology and tissue engineering technologies in therapy. By using scaffold materials and biofactors in combination with autologous cells, innovative solutions are explored for the repair of damaged facial bones. The ongoing search for effective scaffolds that can address these challenges and improve in vitro bone preparation for subsequent regeneration in the maxillofacial region remains critical. The primary purpose of this review is to spotlight current research trends and novel approaches in this area. Full article

The aim of the circular economy is to treat waste as a valuable raw material, reintegrating it into the industrial economy and extending the lifecycle of subsequent products. Efforts to reduce the production of hard-to-recycle waste are becoming increasingly important to manufacturers, not only of consumer goods but also of specialized items that are difficult to manufacture, such as medical supplies, which have now become a priority for the European Union. The purpose of the study is to manufacture a novel human-purified type I collagen membrane from bone remnants typically discarded during the processing of cortico-cancellous bones in tissue banks and to evaluate its mechanical properties and effectiveness in regenerating bone-critical mandibular defects in rabbits. To prepare the novel membrane, cortico-cancellous bone chip samples from a local tissue bank were processed to isolate collagen by demineralization under agitation in HCl, cast into a silicone mold, and air-dried at room temperature and UV irradiation. The average thickness of the four batches analyzed by SEM was 37.3 μm. The average value of Young’s modulus and tensile strength obtained from the specimens was 2.56 GPa and 65.43 Mpa, respectively. The membrane’s efficacy was tested by creating a critical bicortical and bilateral osteoperiosteal defect in rabbit mandibles. The right-side defects were covered with the collagen membrane, while the left-side defects were left untreated as a control. Nine weeks post-surgery, clinical, radiological, and histological analyses demonstrated new bone formation in the treated areas, whereas the control sites showed no bone regeneration. This innovative approach not only contributes to sustainability in healthcare by optimizing biological waste but also exemplifies efficient resource use in line with the circular economy, offering a cost-effective, biocompatible option that could benefit national health systems. Full article

Because of their high persistence, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found in a wide range of settings and pose a health risk to both humans and other organisms. Degradation of PAHs is an essential part of environmental management. By combining biological metabolism and electrochemical processes, bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) can degrade PAHs and provide important applications by converting the chemical energy of pollutants into electrical energy for energy conversion and recovery. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to PAH degradation by BESs, including PAH sources, degradation effects of BESs, performance enhancement methods, degradation pathways, and dominant microorganisms. By focusing on the relevant research in recent years, the main innovative research focuses on the optimization of the configuration, the electrode preparation, and the media additions to improve the removal performance of PAHs. It demonstrates the potential of BESs in the field of environmental remediation, especially their effectiveness in treating difficult-to-degrade pollutants such as PAHs, by concentrating on the application and mechanism of BESs in PAH degradation. This review is intended to provide the inexperienced reader with an insight into this research area and to point out directions for future research, especially in the design optimization of BESs and microbial community analysis. Full article

Background: Diagnosis of nevoid melanoma (NeM) is often difficult because NeM closely resembles a common nevus clinically and histologically. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 110 patients diagnosed with and/or treated for primary nevoid melanoma at the Veneto Institute of Oncology and at the University Hospital of Padua from August 1999. Results: Mean Breslow thickness was of 1.4 mm. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was conducted in nearly half of the patients, and positivity was detected in 16.7% of them. Twenty-four clinical and 23 dermoscopic pictures were collected. Papular and macular lesions prevailed over nodular and plaque-type lesions. Different hues of brown, pink, and red color were most represented. Twenty nevus-like NeMs and four multicomponent-pattern NeMs were observed. The Most frequent dermoscopic patterns for nevus-like NeM were atypical pigmented reticulum, irregular globules and dots, and hyperpigmented blotches. Atypical vessels, asymmetric peripheric striae, blue-white veil, and areas of regression were less frequent and prevailed in multicomponent pattern NeM. A structureless pattern was also featured. Many patients in the series had multiple melanomas. However, none of them had numerous multiple nevoid melanomas. Conclusions: NeM should not be regarded as a separate biological entity from classical melanoma, and the same histological and clinical prognostic factors apply to NeM. Clinically and dermoscopically, it often resembles benign nevi, although some clues such as evolution and some dermoscopic patterns could suggest malignancy. Clinical suspicion might prove crucial to further pathological analysis and recognition. Full article

Amphetamine abuse is a global health epidemic that is difficult to treat due to individual differences in response to environmental factors, including stress reactivity and anxiety levels, as well as individual neuronal differences, which may result in increased/decreased vulnerability to addiction. In the present study, we investigated whether the Wistar rats behavioral traits of high (HR) and low (LR) locomotor activity to novelty influence motivational behavior (induced feeding model; iFR by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area; Es-VTA) supported by amphetamine injection into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) (HR_Amph, n = 5; LR_Amph, n = 5). A correlation was found between the novelty test’s locomotor activity score and the frequency threshold percentage change (p < 0.001, Rs = −0.867). In HR_Amph, there was a shortening (−24.16%), while in LR_Amph, there was a lengthening (+51.84%) of iFR latency. Immunofluorescence studies showed differential neuronal density (activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase, and cFos protein) in the selected brain structures in HR_Amph and LR_Amph animals as well as in comparison to a control group (HR_ACSF, n = 5; LR_ACSF, n = 5). These results contribute to expanding the state of knowledge of the behavioral and neuronal propensity to take drug abuse. Full article