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The aim of the present study was to identify agents that reduce the anthracyclines-induced cardiovascular and renal damage and have the potential to enhance their therapeutic effects. Three fractions of Lycium barbarum (Goji berry), pectin-free, polysaccharide and a combination of the two (1:1, w/w), were tested on rat models of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardio- and nephrotoxicity. They were administered p.o. as doses of 2 mg/kg. DOX was applied at a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg (i.p.). Different biomarkers for cardiotoxicity (creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB fraction, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase), nephrotoxicity (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid) and the serum potassium levels were evaluated. Histological analysis of hearts and kidneys was performed. The male Wistar rats treated only with DOX showed a drastic increase in all biomarkers for toxicity. Meanwhile, in all cohorts receiving simultaneously any of the plant fractions, the biomarkers for heart and kidney tissue damage were significantly reduced (p

In the first part, we presented the concept of curriculum and analysed aspects related to the introduction of school-based curriculum in secondary education in Romania. The objective of this study was to analyse the curriculum of a Geoinformatics optional course, the "annual plan", the "learning unit plan", the learning activities included in the Geoinformatics optional course, the students' achievement in this course and their views on the subject matter. In order to identify the students' opinions about the course, we used the questionnaire as the survey method. We concluded that this optional course met the students' expectations and interests, being correlated to the prospects of evolution of the knowledge-based society.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of virtual autopsy using whole‐body postmortem ultra‐high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 Tesla (T), using a short T2‐weighted imaging (T2‐WI) protocol, compared with classical autopsy, for detecting structural abnormalities in small second‐trimester fetuses. Methods: Thirty consecutive fetuses at 13–19 weeks' gestation (weight, 17–364 g) were included following spontaneous pregnancy loss or termination of pregnancy. After fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution (48 h to 1 week), all fetuses were scanned using a two‐dimensional turbo high‐resolution T2‐WI protocol with multislice relaxation time, followed by an invasive autopsy. The diagnostic accuracy of virtual autopsy vs classical autopsy was calculated for 990 anatomical structures (30 fetuses × 33 items). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and Cohen's κ coefficient of agreement, with their 95% CIs, as well as the McNemar test, were used to evaluate the accuracy and agreement of the two diagnostic methods. Analysis was stratified by anatomical segment (nervous, pulmonary, cardiovascular, digestive, renal, facial and skeletal) and across three gestational‐age intervals (13–14, 15–16 and 17–19 weeks). Results: Considering classical autopsy as the gold standard, virtual autopsy had a sensitivity of 92.04% (95% CI, 85.42–96.29%) and a specificity of 97.87% (95% CI, 94.64–99.42%), with a positive predictive value of 96.30% (95% CI, 90.78–98.56%) and a negative predictive value of 95.34% (95% CI, 91.61–97.45%), achieving a diagnostic accuracy of 95.68% (95% CI, 92.73–97.68%) for detecting structural abnormalities in second‐trimester fetuses. Cohen's κ for virtual vs classical autopsy was 0.907. The diagnostic ability of virtual autopsy at 7 T for malformed fetuses was superior to that of classical autopsy for analyzing the nervous system in small fetuses with pronounced autolysis, equivalent to that of classical autopsy when analyzing pulmonary, cardiovascular and renal systems and inferior when evaluating the fetal intestines. The sensitivity of virtual autopsy at 7 T for describing structural abnormalities increased with gestational age. Conclusion: Virtual fetal autopsy using 7‐T MRI and a turbo high‐resolution T2‐WI protocol with multislice relaxation time is a feasible postmortem diagnostic tool for the identification of fetal structural anomalies. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty, a very important role is played by the rehabilitation of deficient muscle strength, with the femoral quadriceps being one of the muscles that atrophies most rapidly. Purpose: This study aims to demonstrate the beneficial effects of early muscle stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle in patients with total hip prostheses in order to facilitate a quicker resumption of walking and to improve quality of life. Material and method: We included a total of 40 patients in the study, with 20 in the study group (physical therapy and muscle electrostimulation) and the remaining 20 in the control group (physical therapy only). The selection of the 40 patients with total hip prosthesis was based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and all provided written consent to participate in the study. The patients were evaluated biomechanically and functionally. Results: The results suggest that the rehabilitation program combined with electrostimulation has a positive effect on the quality of life, hip joint functionality, functional outcomes, and muscle strength in patients who have undergone hip arthroplasty. The intervention applied in the study group (GE1) demonstrated significantly greater efficacy in alleviating symptoms, improving physical functionality, mobility, and muscle strength compared to the control group (GC1). Conclusions: The effect of the rehabilitation program combined with muscle electrostimulation is favorable regarding the scores obtained on quality-of-life questionnaires and in testing the quadriceps femoris muscle. Subjects in the study group showed a favorable progression in their scores, while subjects in the control group did not achieve satisfactory results and even experienced a regression in muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to compare the accuracy of intraocular lens calculation formulas Barrett Universal II, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and SRK/T in the prediction of postoperative refraction for two widely used monofocal implants: SN60WF and ZCB00. All eyes were divided based on axial length (24.5 mm) and lens type. The mean and median of the absolute refractive error (AE) were calculated for all four formulas, using manufacturer-recommended lens constants as well as optimized constants. The subgroup analysis showed that the Barrett Universal II formula had the smallest mean absolute error in three groups (with short, medium, and long axial length) before and after lens factor optimization, and Holladay 1 had the best results in two groups (of medium and long axial length), and SRK/T in one short axial length group, as well as one medium AL group after A-constant optimization. This study hints at the versatility of the Barrett Universal II formula, a fourth-generation formula that is now widely available on most optical biometers and provides a useful tool of calculation for eyes of all axial lengths even without lens constant optimization.

The present study provides our clinical experience regarding the imaging diagnosis, management and postnatal outcome of neonates prenatally suspected of having developed ovarian cysts. This multicenter observational study included patients diagnosed prenatally with fetal ovarian cysts and follow-up in the postnatal period. Descriptive statistics were used to render the information regarding the prenatal imaging aspect of the fetal pelvic masses using ultrasound and/or MRI, prenatal surveillance and postnatal neonate’s immediate outcome, indications leading to surgery and pathologic aspect. The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 21 patients. The mean gestational age at the time of initial diagnosis was 31.28 weeks of gestation (WG). Only five out of 21 cysts regressed completely during pregnancy without postnatal complications. In addition, 11 out of 21 infant’s required surgical treatment in the first two weeks after birth, mainly for ovarian torsion. Five out of 21 neonates were referred to postnatal follow-up clinically and by ultrasound, but three out of five cases required emergency surgical treatment for acute complications. Ultrasound plays a major role in the diagnostic of fetal ovarian cyst. From our experience, MRI does not bring supplementary data or change the management. Spontaneous resolution of fetal ovarian cysts is to be expected but the ovarian mass could lead to serious complications, if resolution does not occur in due time.

The article presents a rare case of acute malocclusion produced by a unilateral partial tear of the lateral pterygoid muscle and an up-to-date literature review of the pathology. A 37-year-old female was examined; her chief complaints were pain on the right side of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area and mastication impairment associated with major occlusal modifications and anterior open bite. After magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the TMJ and subsequent MRI for soft tissue, the final diagnosis was a partial right lateral pterygoid muscle tear. The case shows the value of combined imaging in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and the importance of soft tissue evaluation in addition to articular examination, as the primary pathology might lie outside the joint. The authors' review of the current literature did not hitherto reveal a similar case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]