Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is increasingly explored as a non-invasive neuromodulatory approach capable of inducing long-lasting plasticity with potential therapeutic value in age-rela Show more
Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is increasingly explored as a non-invasive neuromodulatory approach capable of inducing long-lasting plasticity with potential therapeutic value in age-related neurological and psychiatric conditions. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying iTBS protocols remain largely unknown, limiting its further therapeutic development. Here, we investigated the behavioral, structural, synaptic, and calcium-dependent effects of a 7-day iTBS600 protocol using a combination of Prolonged iTBS did not alter general locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, or short-term recognition memory, indicating preserved baseline behavioral function. Despite the absence of behavioral changes, prolonged iTBS induced robust structural plasticity in hippocampal CA1 neurons, increasing total spine density and selectively enhancing the proportion of thin, learning spines. Synaptosomal analysis revealed upregulation of GluN1 and GluN2A, elevated BDNF levels, and activation of downstream Akt, ERK1/2, and mTOR pathways. Prolonged iTBS also enhanced perineuronal net formation around PV Together, these findings indicate that prolonged iTBS drives coordinated structural, synaptic, and Ca Show less
Intensive care units (ICUs) are expert hospital areas that provide treatment and 24 h care for people who are very sick. Sepsis represents a serious, severe condition and it can lead to septic shock a Show more
Intensive care units (ICUs) are expert hospital areas that provide treatment and 24 h care for people who are very sick. Sepsis represents a serious, severe condition and it can lead to septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes and is one of the most common reasons for patients' hospitalization in ICUs. We wanted to explore the prognostic values of interleukin (IL) 33, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), IL 27, and galectin 3 in critically-ill patients. We assumed that these parameters in combination or alone could predict mortality in ICU patients. This research represents a clinical non-randomized prospective study, performed at the Medical Military Academy, a tertiary care hospital in Belgrade, Serbia. The patients were divided in four groups: patients with sepsis (peritonitis, pancreatitis, trauma) and patients without sepsis (trauma). Total number of patients enrolled in the study was 151 and average years of patients were 56.48. The values greater than the cut-off were the predictors of mortality. The IL-33, IL-27 as well as galectin-3 can successfully predict the outcome of critically-ill patients in ICUs. The sST2, cannot predict death in critically-ill patients as a single prognostic factor. However, the combination of at least two biomarkers: IL-33, sST2, IL-27, and galectin-3, gives very significant results in predicting the outcome in patients admitted to ICUs. Show less
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disease that affects approximately one in 500 people. HCM is a recognized genetic disorder most often caused by mutations Show more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disease that affects approximately one in 500 people. HCM is a recognized genetic disorder most often caused by mutations involving myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) and β-myosin heavy chain (MYH7) which are responsible for approximately three-quarters of the identified mutations. As a part of the international multidisciplinary SILICOFCM project ( www.silicofcm.eu ) the present study evaluated the association between underlying genetic mutations and clinical phenotype in patients with HCM. Only patients with confirmed single pathogenic mutations in either MYBPC3 or MYH7 genes were included in the study and divided into two groups accordingly. The MYBPC3 group was comprised of 48 patients (76%), while the MYH7 group included 15 patients (24%). Each patient underwent clinical examination and echocardiography. The most prevalent symptom in patients with MYBPC3 was dyspnea (44%), whereas in patients with MYH7 it was palpitations (33%). The MYBPC3 group had a significantly higher number of patients with a positive family history of HCM (46% vs. 7%; p = 0.014). There was a numerically higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the MYH7 group (60% vs. 35%, p = 0.085). Laboratory analyses revealed normal levels of creatinine (85.5 ± 18.3 vs. 81.3 ± 16.4 µmol/l; p = 0.487) and blood urea nitrogen (10.2 ± 15.6 vs. 6.9 ± 3.9 mmol/l; p = 0.472) which were similar in both groups. The systolic anterior motion presence was significantly more frequent in patients carrying MYH7 mutation (33% vs. 10%; p = 0.025), as well as mitral leaflet abnormalities (40% vs. 19%; p = 0.039). Calcifications of mitral annulus were registered only in MYH7 patients (20% vs. 0%; p = 0.001). The difference in diastolic function, i.e. E/e' ratio between the two groups was also noted (MYBPC3 8.8 ± 3.3, MYH7 13.9 ± 6.9, p = 0.079). Major findings of the present study corroborate the notion that MYH7 gene mutation patients are presented with more pronounced disease severity than those with MYBPC3. Show less