The healing effects of the topical mesenchymal stem cells application on colonic anastomosis subjected to ischemia reperfusion injury

Intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a challenging problem and it adversely affects the healing of colonic anastomosis. Our experimental study aimed to investigate the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) administration in the healing of colonic anastomosis. A total of 33 rats were grouped as Control, IRI and MSC treatment groups. Three rats were reserved for obtaining MSCs. Colonic resection and anastomosis procedure was performed in all groups. Anastomotic line was wrapped with MSCs impregnated spongostan after colonic anastomosis in the rats of the MSC treatment group. All rats were sacrificed and anastomotic line were sampled for examination on the post operative seventh day. Tissue hydroxyproline (HP) levels and anastomotic bursting pressures were statistically compared. Anastomotic bursting pressures were found to be significantly high in MSC treatment group rats. The lowest anastomotic bursting pressure was detected in IRI group rats. Hydroxyproline content of the anastomotic sites were also found to be significantly higher in the rats of the MSC treatment group when compared with the IRI group rats. Our study showed that the detrimental effects of IRI on the healing process of colonic anastomosis in an experimental model may be alleviated with the treatment of MSCs. © 2021, Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi. All rights reserved

Analysis of MEFV exon methylation and expression patterns in familial Mediterranean fever

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MEFV mutations and decreased expression level of the gene are related to FMF pathology. DNA methylation at CpG islands is a well-known mechanism for transcriptional silencing. MEFV has a CpG island, spanning a part of the first intron and the whole of the second exon of the gene covering 998 bp region. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the MEFV transcript level in FMF patients correlates with its methylation level, and methylation, by allowing transcription silencing, has a role in FMF ethiopathogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study group was composed of pediatric FMF patients (N = 51) and age-gender matched healthy controls (N = 21). The relative expression level of MEFV was assessed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and bisulfite sequencing (BS) was performed to analyse the methylation level quantitatively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MEFV expression in FMF patients were decreased compared to healthy controls (<it>P </it>= 0.031). Methylation level of exon 2 of MEFV was found to be slightly higher in FMF patients compared to healthy controls (76% versus 74%) (<it>P </it>= 0.049). The expression level of the MEFV was negatively correlated with the methylation level of the CpG island in both FMF and healthy controls groups (cor = -0.29, <it>P </it>= 0.041) but more so in the FMF only group (cor = -0.36, <it>P </it>= 0.035).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, the relation between reduced MEFV expression level and FMF was confirmed. Observed slight increase in methylation in FMF patients, and correlation of methylation with expression might be indicative of its role in FMF, however a larger dataset is needed to confirm our preliminary findings.</p

What is required for AI to improve the assessment and treatment of patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction? ICI‐RS 2025

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to improve the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Its effective deployment requires prioritization, regulatory oversight, rigorous validation, and clinician and patient engagement. Methods The Think Tank at the International Consultation on Incontinence—Research Society (ICI-RS) 2025 evaluated key considerations for successful AI implementation into LUTD clinical care. The topics included clinical triage framework, regulatory and legal principles, levels of evidence required for validation, and clinician and patient engagement to guide development. The group developed a narrative of the pressing matters related to AI implementation and a list of proposed research questions, which, when addressed, will help shape the future of the field. Results LUTD topics that should be prioritized for AI implementation include high-burden conditions with high unmet need such as neurogenic LUTD, bladder outlet obstruction, and overactive bladder. Regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act and the U.S. “Software as a Medical Device” and its associated guidance promote safety, transparency, and accountability. AI solutions should be as rigorously evaluated as other clinical devices or drug agents. Patient and clinician engagement are paramount to ensure innovation aligns with the pressing needs of patients and clinicians. Conclusions AI's integration into LUTD care requires cross-disciplinary collaboration, prospective validation, and legal and ethical frameworks. AI must be developed and implemented with a strong focus on transparency, trust, and patient-centered care

Exposure to potentially inappropriate medications in Brazilian elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases

ABSTRACT Management of pharmacotherapy in elderly with metabolic diseases is challenging and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are risk factors for drug interactions and adverse events. The exposure to PIMs in elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases and its relationship with polypharmacy and other variables was investigated. PIMs prescribed to 207 elderly patients (aged 60 to 96 years) with metabolic diseases who attended a University Hospital of Sao Paulo city, Brazil, from April/2010 to January/2011, were evaluated. PIMs were detected using both 2003 Beers and 2008 STOPP criteria. The association between PIMs and age, gender and polypharmacy was also examined. 2008 STOPP criteria detected more PIMs (44.4 %) than 2003 Beers criteria (16.0%, p<0.001). Beers detected mainly PIMs antihypertensive (clonidine, 20.0%; doxazosin, 10.0%) and antidepressant (fluoxetine, 15.0%; amitriptyline, 10.0%) PIMs. Medicines used for cardiovascular (aspirin, 53.7%) and endocrine system (glibenclamide, 21.3%) were PIMs more frequently detected by 2008 STOPP. Unlike age and gender, polypharmacy increased the risk of PIMs by both 2003 Beers (OR: 4.0, CI95%: 1.2-13.8, p<0.031) and 2008 STOPP (OR: 6.8, CI95%: 3.0-15.3, p<0.001). Beers and STOPP criteria are important tools to evaluate the exposure to PIMs, which is strongly associated with polypharmacy in elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases