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An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including global relation of Pirandello and Szentkuthy to phenomenon of modernity, elements of ancient drama as a source of inspiration for European playwrights, and short story by Maurice Carême.

Highlights of right ventricular characteristics of left ventricular noncompaction using 3D echocardiography. The aspects of right ventricular volumes and function investigated with 3D echocardiography in a large cohort of left ventricular noncompaction morphology (LVNC) population remains unclear. The objective of our research was to study the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular parameters using 3D echocardiography and analyze the clinical features of a LVNC population with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF > 50 %) in comparison with healthy controls (HC). We selected 41 LVNC subjects with preserved LV function (EF: 52.91 ± 3 %, male n = 26) and without any comorbidities and compared them with an age and sex-matched HC. Three dimensional endocardial contours were evaluated to determine the following LV and RV parameters: end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes, stroke volume, EF, LV global longitudinal and circumferential strain and RV septal and free wall longitudinal strain. Regarding the clinical characteristics, the family involvement had a notable proportion, accounting for 51%. The EF and strain values of the LVNC population were significantly decreased in both RV and LV compared to HC. Although the LV volumes of the LVNC group were significantly elevated, the RV volumetric parameters did not differ significantly compared to controls. We found significant correlations between LV and RV volumetric and functional parameters and linear regression models showed that LV EDV and LV ESV determined the RV volumetric values. While the alteration and relationship of the RV parameters may represent the potential of biventricular involvement, clinical characteristics of the LVNC group underlines the necessity of monitoring this population, even with preserved EF., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with oral Candida albicans infection, although it is unclear whether the fungus promotes the genesis and progression of OSCC or whether cancer facilitates fungal growth. In this study, we investigated whether C. albicans can potentiate OSCC tumor development and progression. In vitro , the presence of live C. albicans, but not Candida parapsilosis, enhanced the progression of OSCC by stimulating the production of matrix metalloproteinases, oncometabolites, protumor signaling pathways, and overexpression of prognostic marker genes associated with metastatic events. C. albicans also upregulated oncogenes in nonmalignant cells. Using a newly established xenograft in vivo mouse model to investigate OSCC-C. albicans interactions, oral candidiasis enhanced the progression of OSCC through inflammation and induced the overexpression of metastatic genes and significant changes in markers of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Finally, using the 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) murine model, we directly correlate these in vitro and short-term in vivo findings with the progression of oncogenesis over the long term. Taken together, these data indicate that C. albicans upregulates oncogenes, potentiates a premalignant phenotype, and is involved in early and late stages of malignant promotion and progression of oral cancer. IMPORTANCE Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a serious health issue worldwide that accounts for 2% to 4% of all cancer cases. Previous studies have revealed a higher yeast carriage and diversity in oral cancer patients than in healthy individuals. Furthermore, fungal colonization in the oral cavity bearing OSCC is higher on the neoplastic epithelial surface than on adjacent healthy surfaces, indicating a positive association between oral yeast carriage and epithelial carcinoma. In addition to this, there is strong evidence supporting the idea that Candida contributes to carcinogenesis events in the oral cavity. Here, we show that an increase in Candida albicans burden promotes an oncogenic phenotype in the oral cavity.