Bratisl Med J
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Acute biliary pancreatitis is the most common form of acute pancreatitis worldwide. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) may be helpful in detecting common bile duct stones and in indicating more invasive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examinations or determining rarer aetiologies of acute pancreatitis. ⋯ The use of EUS in patients with acute pancreatitis is very helpful in determining the treatment strategy (ERCP indication) and may reduce hospital mortality (Tab. 2, Ref. 14).
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Numerous studies have been conducted on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, how the mental health of health workers will be affected among the number of peaks during the pandemic has not been evaluated yet. The study aims to investigate the effects of the first, second, and third peaks of COVID-19 on anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms in healthcare workers. ⋯ Our findings show that as the peak number rises, so do the levels of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers. As a result, it is possible to assert that prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic worsens mental problems (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 35).
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Cancer ranks first among the causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world, and it is expected to continue to be the main cause of death in the coming years. Therefore, new molecular targets and therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. In many cases, some reports show increased levels of endocannabinoids and their receptors in cancer, a condition often associated with tumour aggressiveness. Recent studies have suggested that cannabinoid-1/2 receptors contribute to tumour growth in a variety of cancers, including pancreatic, colon, prostate, and breast cancer. Understanding how cannabinoids can regulate key cellular processes involved in tumorigenesis, such as: cell proliferation and cell death, is crucial to improving existing and new therapeutic approaches for the cancer patients. The present study was aimed to characterize the in-vitro effect of L-759633 (a selective CB2 receptor agonist), ACPA (a selective CB1 receptor agonist) and ACEA (a selective CB1 receptor agonist) on the cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and apoptosis in pancreatic (PANC1) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. ⋯ Our data suggests that CB1/2 agonists have the therapeutic potential through the inhibition of survival of human PANC1 pancreatic and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and also might be linked with further cellular mechanisms for the prevention (Fig. 5, Ref. 49).
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Adipose tissue is involved in the synthesis of hormones that have an impact on food intake regulation, control of insulin sensitivity or regulation of inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of adipocytokines and interleukins levels for the development of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) after kidney transplantation (KT). ⋯ We confirmed that elevated leptin level 12 months after KT is associated with the development of PTDM (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 22). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: adipocytokines, interleukins, post-transplant diabetes mellitus, kidney transplantation, leptin.
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Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1 (PCH1) is characterized by a central and peripheral motor dysfunction associated with anterior horn cell degeneration, similar to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). ⋯ This EXOSC3 variant is rare among the general population but most likely frequent also among Roma people in Slovakia. PCH1B should be considered for a differential diagnosis in infants manifesting SMA-like phenotype, especially if of Roma origin (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 22). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: pontocerebellar hypoplasia, PCH1B, EXOSC3, SMA plus syndromes, pathogenic sequence variant.