Infective Endocarditis in Intravenous Drug Users: Surgical Treatment

Intravenous drug use is associated with infective endocarditis. Besides, it does appear that left-sided infective endocarditis is a feature of general population, whereas right-sided infective endocarditis is common in intravenous drug users. The most common etiology of right-sided infective endocarditis in intravenous drug users is Staphylococcus aureus in about 75% followed by streptococci, Gram-negative bacilli and fungi. In case of intravenous drug users with infective endocarditis, optimal treatment strategies lack a general consensus. Additionally, the best indication and timing of surgery are debatable. To overcome these problems, the early and complete surgical debridement of infected tissue together with microbial therapy assures a good prognosis in the long term

Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of human exposure to pesticide residues in honey and other bees' products

Background: The presence of pesticides in honey and related products is an increasing concern for consumers and producers, although there is lack of data on the current burden of exposure of the general human population through these products. We present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of contamination to insecticides, herbicides and fungicides of products from honeybees, and an estimation of how much the consumption of these products contributes to the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of selected substances. Objectives: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyse studies on the contamination to plant protection products in honey, royal jelly, beeswax and propolis, applying the Navigation Guide and WHO-ILO systematic review methodology as an organizing framework. Data sources: We will search electronic academic databases for potentially relevant records from PubMed, TOXNET and EMBASE. We will include quantitative studies analysing the contamination from insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in honey, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax. In particular, we will evaluate the presence of the following substances and classes of pesticides: Glyphosate, Chlorpyrifos, pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides, fungicides and acaricides. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: At least two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts at a first stage of review, and full texts at a second stage, of potentially eligible records against the eligibility criteria; data extraction of included studies will then be performed by at least two authors, in blind. At least two authors will assess risk of bias and the quality of evidence, using the most suited tools currently available. The data on prevalence of contaminated samples and concentration of pesticides in the products will be combined using meta-analysis: when more than three studies reporting the necessary measures to fit the models are available, meta-analysis will be performed separately by product and by exposure; otherwise, weighted descriptive analysis will be performed. We will report the results using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA)

EXPUNEREA OCUPAȚIONALĂ LA NANOPARTICULE - PROBLEMĂ DE SĂNĂTATE PUBLICĂ NEGLIJATĂ ÎN ROMÂNIA

Persons exposed to "natural" or "engineered" nanoparticles – either in production processes or during the transport of these materials, and especially when using nanoparticles/nanomaterials – are susceptible to their toxic action by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. The study aimed to analyse the legislation and concerns of international nanoscience agencies as compared to the provisions of the relevant legislation in Romania, in order to describe the current status quo of health policies in the field of occupational exposures to nanoparticles. European institutions are turning to modern and varied solutions to raise awareness of the risk that nanoparticle represent for public health, and to stimulate scientific research in the field; they also encourage Member States to pursue a similar policy. Romanian legislation has not yet taken on the European Union's recommendations regarding health protection for occupational exposure to nanoparticles.   Keywords: nanoparticles, nanomaterials, occupational exposure, public healthPersoanele expuse la nanoparticule ”naturale” sau ”fabricate”  fie în cadrul unor procese de producţie, fie pe parcursul transportului acestor materiale, dar mai ales în timpul utilizării nanoparticulelor/nanomaterialelor sunt susceptibili la acţiunea toxică a acestora, prin inhalare, ingestie sau contact cu pielea. Studiul și-a propus să analizeze legislația și preocupările agențiilor internaționale în domeniul nanoparticulelor, în comparație cu prevederile legislației în domeniu din România pentru a descrie status quo-ul actual în ceea ce privesc politicile de sănătate în domeniul expunerilor ocupaționale la nanoparticule. Instituțiile europene apelează la soluții moderne și variate pentru creșterea gradului de conștientizare a riscului nanoparticulelor asupra sănătății publice, stimulează cercetarea științifică în domeniu și încurajează statele membre să ducă o politică similară. Legislația din România nu a preluat încă recomandările Uniunii Europene în domeniul protejării sănătății ca urmare a expunerii ocupaționale la nanoparticule. Cuvinte cheie: Nanoparticule, nanomateriale, expunere occupațională, sănătate publică

Identification of Risk Genes Associated with Myocardial Infarction—Big Data Analysis and Literature Review

Acute myocardial infarction occurs when blood supply to a particular coronary artery is cut off, causing ischemia or hypoxia and subsequent heart muscle destruction in the vascularized area. With a mortality rate of 17% per year, myocardial infarction (MI) is still one of the top causes of death globally. Numerous studies have been done to identify the genetic risk factors for myocardial infarction, as a positive family history of heart disease is one of the most potent cardiovascular risk factors. The goal of this review is to compile all the information currently accessible in the literature on the genes associated with AMI. We performed a big data analysis of genes associated with acute myocardial infarction, using the following keywords: “myocardial infarction”, “genes”, “involvement”, “association”, and “risk”. The analysis was done using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data from the title, abstract, and keywords were exported as text files and imported into an Excel spreadsheet. Its analysis was carried out using the VOSviewer v. 1.6.18 software. Our analysis found 28 genes which are mostly likely associated with an increased risk for AMI, including: PAI-1, CX37, IL18, and others. Also, a correlation was made between the results obtained in the big data analysis and the results of the review. The most important genes increasing the risk for AMI are lymphotoxin-a gene (LTA), LGALS2, LDLR, and APOA5. A deeper understanding of the underlying functional genomic circuits may present new opportunities for research in the future

Clinical and Biological Data in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer vs. Chronic Pancreatitis—A Single Center Comparative Analysis

Introduction: In some patients with chronic pancreatitis, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be missed. The objective of the study was to identify clinical and paraclinical data with statistical significance in the differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study on a cohort of 120 patients hospitalized over 3 years. The patients were equally distributed in two groups: group A, with 60 patients with pancreatic cancer, and group B, with 60 patients with chronic pancreatitis. The statistical analysis was carried out by using the R program. Results. The comparative analysis of pancreatic cancer vs. chronic pancreatitis revealed a stronger link between pancreatic cancer, female gender (p = 0.001) and age over 60 years (p < 0.001). Patients with pancreatic cancer had higher serum values of aspartate aminotransferase (p 0.005), alanine aminotransferase (p 0.006), total bilirubin (p < 0.001), direct bilirubin (p < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (p 0.030), C-reactive protein (p = 0.049) and uric acid (p 0.001), while patients with chronic pancreatitis presented slightly higher values of amylase (p 0.020) and lipase (p 0.029). Conclusions: Female gender, advanced age, elevated aminotransferases, cholestasis markers and uric acid were associated with a higher probability of pancreatic cancer

Clinical and Biological Data in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer vs. Chronic Pancreatitis—A Single Center Comparative Analysis

Introduction: In some patients with chronic pancreatitis, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be missed. The objective of the study was to identify clinical and paraclinical data with statistical significance in the differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study on a cohort of 120 patients hospitalized over 3 years. The patients were equally distributed in two groups: group A, with 60 patients with pancreatic cancer, and group B, with 60 patients with chronic pancreatitis. The statistical analysis was carried out by using the R program. Results. The comparative analysis of pancreatic cancer vs. chronic pancreatitis revealed a stronger link between pancreatic cancer, female gender (p = 0.001) and age over 60 years (p p 0.005), alanine aminotransferase (p 0.006), total bilirubin (p p p 0.030), C-reactive protein (p = 0.049) and uric acid (p 0.001), while patients with chronic pancreatitis presented slightly higher values of amylase (p 0.020) and lipase (p 0.029). Conclusions: Female gender, advanced age, elevated aminotransferases, cholestasis markers and uric acid were associated with a higher probability of pancreatic cancer

Magnesium Filled Polylactic Acid (PLA) Material for Filament Based 3D Printing

The main objective of this research is to prove the viability of obtaining magnesium (Mg) filled polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites as filament feedstock for material extrusion-based additive manufacturing (AM). These materials can be used for medical applications, thus benefiting of all the advantages offered by AM technology in terms of design freedom and product customization. Filaments were produced from two PLA + magnesium + vitamin E (α-tocopherol) compositions and then used for manufacturing test samples and ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) screws on a low-cost 3D printer. Filaments and implant screws were characterized using SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR (fourier transform infrared spectrometry), and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) analysis. Although the filament manufacturing process could not ensure a uniform distribution of Mg particles within the PLA matrix, a good integration was noticed, probably due to the use of vitamin E as a precursor. The results also show that the composite biomaterials can ensure and maintain implant screws structural integrity during the additive manufacturing process