In vitro and in vivo models of acute alcohol exposure

Alcohol abuse is a global problem due to the financial burden on society and the healthcare system. While the harmful health effects of chronic alcohol abuse are well established, more recent data suggest that acute alcohol consumption also affects human wellbeing. Thus, there is a need for research models in order to fully understand the effect of acute alcohol abuse on different body systems and organs. The present manuscript summarizes the interdisciplinary advantages and disadvantages of currently available human and non-human models of acute alcohol abuse, and identifies their suitability for biomedical research

Dereglările endocrine și metabolice la bolnavii cu chisturi osoase

IMSP Institutul Oncologic, Laboratorul Științific Oncologie Generală, USMF ”N.Testemițanu”,Catedra Oncologie Hematologie și Radioterapie,Clinica Oncologie Generală, Primul Congres Naţional al Societăţii Endocrinologilor cu participare internaţională dedicat jubileului de 50 ani de la fondarea serviciului endocrinologic din Republica Moldova 9-11 octombrie 2014Studiul elucidează probleme actuale privind incidenta chisturilor osoase, dereglarile endocrine și metabolice, aspecte clinice și terapeutice, inclusiv tehnologii contemporane de tratament cum ar fi alotrasplantarea și utilizarea de materiale din biocomponente moderne. Se prezintă date de experiență a Clinicii Oncologie Generala din Institutul Oncologic și USMF „N. Testemițeanu” în perioada anilor 2007 - 2014. Autorul subliniază importanța și necesitatea unei cercetări complexe a chisturilor osoase inclusiv a tehnologiilor de tratament, la bolnavii cu chisturi și defecte osoase și a dereglarilor endocrine și metabolice.Endocrine and metabolic disorders in patients with bone cysts The study highlights current issues on the incidence of bone cysts, endocrine and metabolic disorders, clinical and therapeutic aspects, including contemporary technologies such as alotrasplantarea and use of modern materials biocomponents. It presents data experience General Oncology Clinic of the Institute of Oncology and USMF “N. Testemiţeanu” during the years 2007-2014. Author emphasizes the importance and necessity of a complex research technologies including bone cysts treatment in patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders

Distinct Toll-like receptor expression in monocytes and T cells in chronic HCV infection

AIM: Hepatitis C virus often establishes chronic infections. Recent studies suggest that viral and bacterial infections are more common in HCV-infected patients compared to controls. Pathogens are recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to shape adaptive and innate immune responses. METHODS: In this study, to assess the ability of HCV-infected host to recognize invading pathogens, we investigated Toll-like receptor expression in innate (monocytes) and adaptive (T cells) immune cells by real-time PCR. RESULTS: We determined that RNA levels for TLRs 2, 6. 7, 8, 9 and 10 mRNA levels were upregulated in both monocytes and T cells in HCV-infected patients compared to controls. TLR4 was only upregulated in T lymphocytes, while TLR5 was selectively increased in monocytes of HCV-infected patients. MD-2, a TLR4 co-receptor, was increased in patients\u27 monocytes and T cells while CD14 and MyD88 were increased only in monocytes. CONCLUSION: Our data reveal novel details on TLR expression that likely relates to innate recognition of pathogens and immune defense in HCV-infected individuals

Tratamentul chirurgical al defectelor osoase provocate de tumori benigne şi afecţiuni pseudotumorale

În studiu sunt prezentate aspectele clinice, terapeutice şi metode contemporane de tratament chirurgical al defectelor osoase provocate de tumorile benigne şi afecţiuni pseudotumorale. S-au prezentat metode de tratament complex contemporan, precum şi experienţa practică din Clinica Oncologie Generală a USMF “Nicolae Testemiţanu” şi Institutului Oncologic în perioada anilor 2010 – 2015, folosirea în clinică a remediilor apărute noi, a biomaterialelor reparatorii sau substituenţilor de os, reprezentând în fond motivaţia de a efectua cercetări şi experienţe ştiinţifi ce în domeniu

Increased oxidative capacity of circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in non-diabetic NASH patients

Background: Inflammation and oxidative stress are key factors in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils are capable to produce significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the NADPH oxidase complex. Increased hepatic neutrophil infiltration has been described in steatohepatitis. We aimed to investigate the in vitro ROS generation by neutrophils of NASH patients and the hepatic NADPH oxidase activity in murine steatohepatitis. Material and methods: PMNs were isolated from peripheral blood of NASH patients (n=16) and healthy controls (n=16). In vitro ROS production was measured by luminol chemiluminescence after phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan stimulation. Hepatic lipid peroxidation and NADPH oxidase activation were measured in mice fed with methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) or -supplemented (MCS) diets. Results: PMA activated oxidative burst both in patients and controls. However, ROS production was significantly increased in non-diabetic NASH patients (n=9) compared to controls 30 min after the PMA stimulation. PMNs from NASH patients with diabetes mellitus (n=7) did not have higher ROS production after PMA-stimulation compared to controls. The PMA-induced peak chemiluminescence was significantly higher in the non-diabetic NASH patients compared to controls and diabetic NASH patients. No significant difference was observed without any stimulation and in opsonized zymosan induced chemiluminescence. Consistent with the increased oxidative capacity of PMNs in NASH patients, we found increased hepatic lipid peroxidation, higher expression and activation of the NADPH oxidase complex in MCD-steatohepatitis. Conclusion: Our finding supports the role of neutrophil oxidative stress in NASH. Our novel data suggests that the increased oxidative capacity of the PMNs it is not only localized to the liver but can have systemic effects and serve as a potential biomarker of NASH

Modern approach to pediatric asthma

Background: The article reviews aims to promote the communication between scientists engaged in basic research and clinicians working with children, in order to better understand the mechanism and work together towards an optimal management of this prominent pediatric condition. We reviewed the recent advancements in regards to pediatric asthma related to pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis, and peer-reviewed evidence for efficiency of pharmacological and non- pharmacological/alternative/adjuvant treatment; we also emphasize the importance of education of all parties involved in care, outpatient management, age-appropriate involvement of children in their own care, and asthma prevention measures in children. Clinically asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, dyspnea, and cough; at the pathophysiological level the airway wall thickness is increased and involves both smooth muscle and collagen tissue, the mucous glands and mucus production are increased, and the vascularity of the airways is increased, all leading to chronic inflammatory remodeling of the airways and resulting in reduction of lung function. Conclusions: Asthma among children has been on the rise for decades. With an estimated prevalence of 10-30%, asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease of pediatric population worldwide and one with a large health care burden. The approach to diagnosis and treatment of asthma in children is distinct from adults; so is the management, prevention and the education of parties involved in care. Recently there has been a significant progress in mechanistic understanding of asthma; further, asthma management in children is becoming a top priority

Hepatitis C virus NS4 protein impairs the Th1 polarization of immature dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) in chronic hepatitis C patients display impaired function, although the details remain unclear. To investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein that has the most impact on DC function, we compared five recombinant proteins and seven HCV protein genes in modulating DC phenotype and function. Immature DCs (iDCs) were established from healthy donor peripheral blood monocytes with granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-4. Lipopolysaccharide was used to establish mature DCs (mDCs). Cells were then pulsed with HCV recombinant proteins or transfected with HCV plasmids and subsequently assayed for cell surface marker expression by flow cytometry. For cytokine and proliferative T-cell response analysis, DCs were cultured with autologous CD4 T cells and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD). Mean fluorescent intensity of CD86 was reduced in HCV protein-pulsed iDCs. Proliferative T-cell responses and Th1 cytokine concentrations were reduced with HCV nonstructural proteins (NS), particularly with HCV NS4. HCV nonstructural proteins, particularly NS4, change the iDC phenotype and reduce antigen-specific T-cell stimulatory function with Th1 cytokine reductions

The combined method of surgical treatment of bone cyst of long tubular bones

Simpozion Naţional de Oncologie cu participare internaţională „Vigilenţa oncologică în activitatea medicală, depistarea precoce şi tratamentul tumorilor” dedicat aniversării de 40 ani de activitate a Catedrei de Oncologie, Hematologie şi Radioterapie a USMF “N. Testemiţanu”, IMSP Institutul Oncologic, or. Chişinău, Republica MoldovaSummary: The research includes the components of inventions in the treatment of bone cysts of the long tubular bones with expected medical effect, expressed by substitution of fully formed defect, sufficient bone consolidation, appropriate functionality, reduction of risk of pathological fractures. Резюме: Исследование включает инновационные компоненты в лечении костных кист длинных трубчатых костей с предсказуемым клиническим результатом: полное заполнение костного дефекта, удовлетворительная функциональность и костное сращивание, снижение рисков патологических переломов