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Histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia is one of the most widely used methods of cardioplegia. This solution is hyponatremic compared to blood, and the rapid infusion of a substantial volume of hyponatremic solution will result in a notable reduction in serum natrium (Na) levels. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in serum Na concentration following HTK cardioplegia infusion in aortic valve surgery, and to investigate the association between hyponatremia and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery.

The diet is an important factor that can influence the structures and function of the population of germs that compose the intestinal microbiota. This review presents current data on the response of the intestinal microbiota depending on the diet. While many studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota is influenced by macronutrient and micronutrient compounds of the diet, the studies on healthy human subjects were fewer and showed only to a small extent the influence of cooked food on the intestinal microbiota. Additional research is still needed regarding the effect of the way food is cooked can have on the intestinal microbiota, before beneficial dietary recommendations can be made.

Introduction: Given the potential overlap in risk factors associated with both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs), we aimed to identify factors that may contribute to the development of both conditions, as well as recurrent lower urinary tract infections (RLUTIs). Our research also sought to explore overlapping symptoms and interactions between these two disorders. Materials and Methods: The study included young women with a history of urinary tract infections. Participants were divided into three groups: women with sporadic LUTIs (NRLUTIs), women with recurrent LUTIs (RLUTIs), and women with both a history of urinary infections (NRLUTI or RLUTI) and a diagnosis of IBS. The diagnosis of IBS is primarily clinical, relying on symptoms and the exclusion of other gastrointestinal disorders. Data from intestinal microbiota tests were combined with information on patients' symptom perception, dietary habits, lifestyle, and knowledge regarding their conditions. Results: Abdominal pain, constipation, insufficient knowledge about antibiotic and probiotic use, and nutritionally unbalanced diets were identified as common factors associated with both LUTI-IBS and RLUTI. Conclusions: Our research identified shared risk factors between LUTI, IBS, and RLUTI, suggesting a pathological interdependence between these conditions. Notably, women with RLUTIs often experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and constipation after consuming foods known to trigger IBS. This highlights that gut dysbiosis is both a risk factor and a potential consequence of RLUTI. The presence of either condition appears to exacerbate the symptoms of the other, further underscoring the intricate connection between RLUTI and IBS in affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the flare-up of ulcerative colitis (UC) is not clearly understood. CMV can cause similar symptoms in different clinical contexts, which may be attributed to the natural evolution of the viral infection, the patient's immune status, or its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to delineate the diverse manifestations of CMV-related lesions from clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological perspectives, alongside a brief narrative review of the literature. In managing IBD patients, it is crucial to be vigilant for signs of CMV reactivation, especially before the initiation of more intensive therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Heart transplant is currently the final step in treating patients with heart failure. The success of this procedure is strongly connected to potential complications such as postoperative heart failure, infections, graft rejection, graft vasculopathy, and kidney failure. Thus, identifying potential prognostic factors for patients' outcome is of utmost importance. We investigated the prognostic role of the postoperative ratio between the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) in patients who underwent heart transplantation in our center. Materials and Methods: The study included 46 adult patients from the Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant of Târgu Mureș, who underwent heart transplant between January 2011 and April 2023. By the use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we determined an optimal cut-off value for TAPSE/sPAP with regard to survival at 6 months. Differences in central tendencies of baseline characteristics in those who had a value lower than the cut-off value of TAPSE/sPAP and those who presented a value above it were investigated using the corresponding parametric or nonparametric tests. Results: A value for TAPSE/sPAP above 0.47 mm/mmHg was associated with 6-month survival (OR: 59.5, CI: 5.7–616.0). No significant differences in central tendencies for baseline characteristics were found between the patients who had a TAPSE/sPAP ratio below the cut-off and those who had a ratio above it. Conclusions: The TAPSE/sPAP ratio might prove to be valuable in the early identification of at-risk heart transplant patients. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are required for validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Elucidating the role of miRNAs (miRs) in ulcerative colitis may provide new insights into disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring We aimed to investigate whether plasma levels of miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p may be used to differentiate between patients with organic disease such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), and patients with functional disease such as irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). (2) Serological samples were collected to quantify miR-155 and -21 expression, which was carried out through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), from 84 patients: 34 with acute UC (group 1), 17 with CDI (group 2), and 33 with IBS-D (control group). (3) In this study, we found that the expression levels of miR-155-5p were almost the same for the two conditions and the control group (UC: 4.22 ± 1.61, CDI: 3.94 ± 1.62, IBS-D: 4.26 ± 1.26), with no significant differences either for ΔCt- or for ΔΔCt-derived parameters (p = 0.74 and p = 0.73, respectively). For miR-21, ΔCt levels presented significantly higher values among the ulcerative colitis group (p < 0.01), but the most important expression fold change was noticed in patients with CDI (UC:4.11 ± 8,46, CDI: 4.94 ± 9.68, IBS-D: 2.83 ± 5.41). (4) Circulating miR-155 and miR-21 were upregulated in UC, CDI, and IBS-D, but differentiation was not possible among them. But their involvement in the pathogenesis of the three diseases makes them suitable for improving the accuracy of diagnosis and facilitating the development of personalized treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exchange charge model of crystal field (which includes the covalent effects) is used to analyze the energy level schemes of Cr3+ ion in ZnAl2S4 and ZnGa2O4 crystals with spinel structure. Calculations of the overlap integrals and crystal field parameters were performed before getting the Cr3+ energy levels. The calculated energy level schemes are compared with available experimental data; a new interpretation of the absorption peaks is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a rising prevalence of obesity in Romania, and diet may be a major determinant of this. We aimed to assess differences in types and prevalence of food groups consumed by overweight and normal-weight people in Romania. Material and methods: For this observational study, we used an online questionnaire, which was completed by 988 people from different cities of Romania and was composed of 40 items on consumption frequency of the main food groups. Results: Study participants belong mostly the younger age group (18-24 years old) with a share of 45.49%, participation decreasing progressively with age, due to the low number of Internet users from age group over 45 years (7.49%). The majority being women with a share of 79.87% and from total subjects 61.46% had normal weight, 19.49% were overweight and 9.48% were obese. The proportion of underweight (14%) and normal weight(71%) is higher in age group between 18-24 years, the overweight proportion (57%) is higher in age group between 55-64 years and obesity predominates in age group between 45-54 years (31%). We noticed that there was no difference between the consumption of cereals and derived products, depending on weight status (p<0.001). Overweight/obese individuals were found to eat larger quantities of 4 food items compared with normal weight individuals. These included cooked meat (35.83% vs. 24,67%), cold cuts (41.74% vs. 36.12%), fried food and saturated fats (54.83% vs.49.34%), sweetened drinks (34.27% vs. 29.96%). Consumption of fresh fruits and oleaginous fruits was higher among normal-weight than among obese individuals (p<0.001). Conclusions: Overweight individuals were found to consume larger quantities of certain food items/groups compared with normal weight individuals. Interventions should aim at limiting overall food consumption among obese and overweight individuals and to promote nutritional counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia induces cardiac arrest through membrane hyperpolarization. Aortic valve pathology leads to pathophysiological changes in left ventricular vascularization that may prevent adequate cardioplegic distribution. The objective of the study was to ascertain whether the use of Bretschneider cardioplegia in aortic valve surgery yields different outcomes for male and female patients., Methodology: Our study compares the perioperative data of 300 adult patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between June 2023 and June 2024 at the Emergency Cardiac Disease and Transplant Institute, Tîrgu Mures, Romania. Concomitant procedures, age under 18 years, retrograde or combined cardioplegia, and emergency surgery were excluded. The main outcome was operative mortality, and secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and paraclinical data such as ejection fraction and cardiac enzymes., Results: Male patients comprised 190 (62%) of the sample. The most common age group was 61-70 years in both groups. The mortality rate was 6 (5.4%) for women compared to 9 (4.7%) for men. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was the primary covariate determining 30-day postoperative mortality. Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased by 2.2% in men and 1.1% in women 30 days after surgery., Conclusions: The myocardial adaptation to aortic valve pathology exhibits gender-specific differences. However, the utilization of HTK cardioplegia obviates this disparity., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Ethics Committee of Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Disease and Transplantation, Tîrgu Mures issued approval 3240, 15.04.2024. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Ghiragosian et al.)