Background and objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) as inflammation markers and prognostic factors in patients with known interstitial lung disease secondary to connective tissue diseases (CTD-ILD) compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients with known interstitial lung disease (21 with IPF and 21 with CTD-ILD) and 42 control matched healthy patients were included. The NLR was calculated as the absolute neutrophil count divided by the absolute lymphocyte count, and the SII was calculated as follows: SII = platelets × neutrophils/lymphocytes, with the data being obtained from the patients data charts at admission, before any treatment. Results: our hypothesis was that in patients with interstitial lung disease NLR and SII would have higher values compared with patients with CTD-ILD or control healthy patients. The mean NLR value was 3.01 (±1.35) among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and 2.38 (±1.08) among patients with CTD-ILD without significant statistical difference (p = 0.92). There was however a clinically significant statistical difference when compared with the control group, where NLR was 2.00 (±1.05) (p = 0.003). SII values were 619.37 (±329.51) in patients with IPF, 671.55 (±365.73) in CTD-ILD group and 569.73 (±326.67) in healthy subjects (p = 0.13) Conclusions: A mean NLR value of 2.8 and a SII value over 500 in patients with connective diseases can become a marker of pulmonary interstitial involvement. In the context of non-exacerbated interstitial lung disease, NLR and SII have reduced numerical values, without being statistically correlated with prognosis when we compared with patients with connective tissue diseases without exacerbation or with healthy people, the cut off being of 2.4. However subsequent studies in larger patient samples might provide changes in these cut-off values.

Wound healing is a complex process that is mediated and influenced by several cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine that plays a critical role in tissue regeneration. Our study is a systematic review that addressed the implications of IL-22 in the healing of wounds caused by external factors. Thirteen studies were included in our review, most of them being experimental studies. Three clinical studies underlined the potential role of IL-22 in day-to-day clinical practice. IL-22 plays a central role in wound healing, stimulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of the cells involved in tissue repair. However, overexpression of IL-22 can cause negative effects, such as keloid scars or peritoneal adhesions. The results of the presented studies are promising, but further research that validates the roles of IL-22 in clinical practice and analyzes its potential implication in surgical healing is welcomed.

Background: Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) is frequently encountered in ENT practice; however, there are no guidelines regarding its management. This study aims to analyse the results of endoscopic sinus surgery versus dental treatment in ODS. Additionally, we aim to demonstrate the benefit of associating endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to surgical closure of chronic oroantral fistulas (OAF) by comparing mean time to healing in patients who opted or not for concurrent ESS. Methods: Records of patients with ODS were reviewed. Group one consisted of patients with ODS caused by periapical pathology undergoing either endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) or dental treatment. Resolution of ODS was considered treatment success and was compared between the two treatment strategies. Group two included patients with ODS and associated chronic oroantral communication. Time to healing was compared between patients undergoing OAF closure alone versus patients receiving associated ESS, using the Log-Rank test to correlate Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: 25 patients from a total of 45 in group one underwent dental treatment alone, and 20 opted for exclusive ESS treatment. The failure rate was 40% for patients treated with ESS compared to 4% (one patient) for dental treatment. ODS resolved in all patients in the second group, but the mean time to healing was half (10 days) when ESS was complementary to OAF closure. Conclusion: The present study represents the first estimator of the role ESS plays in OAF treatment. Nonetheless, it provides proof of the importance of first addressing dental problems in odontogenic sinusitis.

Music has been proven to have therapeutic potential in neurological disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD), since rhythmic auditory cueing can partially replace the progressive loss of rhythmicity and automaticity. Several reports have highlighted improvements in motor outcomes in PD patients undergoing music therapy, but only a few studies have evaluated non-motor outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL), which deteriorates with disease progression. The current pilot study aims to examine the effects of a multimodal rehabilitation program centered on physical therapy combined with listening to music on self-reported QoL in people with PD, compared to the same rehabilitation program alone. The study was conducted on patients with idiopathic PD who attended a specific rehabilitation program with a duration of 2.5 h daily for 14 days. The patients were divided into the study group (16 patients), who listened to background music during the rehabilitation program sessions, and the control group who did not listen to music during sessions. The patients were assessed using the self-report Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) at the beginning of the program and 1 month after its initiation. The patients in the study group registered greater improvements in five of the eight areas of life assessed by PDQ-39 compared to the control group. In conclusion, listening to music combined with a multimodal rehabilitation program centered on physical therapy may be beneficial for the patients’ quality of life.

Background and Aims: In the last years increasing scientific evidence drew attention on the potential effects of anesthetic drugs on postoperative outcome in cancer patients. Local anesthetics, especially lidocaine, have been intensively studied in relation with postoperative outcome in colorectal cancer patients. Our study objectives were to investigate the effects of perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and short-term postoperative outcome. Additionally, we also looked at 1 year outcome after intended radical colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: 150 patients scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery were randomized to receive sevoflurane anaesthesia with or without 48 hours lidocaine infusion. Results: 73 patients were included in the group A (sevoflurane) and 77 in the group B (sevoflurane with lidocaine). Lidocaine infusion did not modify neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at 24 hours after surgery (p=0.58). Patients receiving intravenous lidocaine had significantly lower morphine consumption (p=0.04), faster mobilization time (p=0.001) and fewer days spent in the hospital (p=0.04). Moreover, at 1 year follow- up, patients in group B had a significant decreased rate of recurrences (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in 1 year survival (p=0.22). Conclusions: In our study, intravenous lidocaine infusion hastened the postoperative recovery of patients in terms of mobilization, hospital discharge and opioid consumption and reduced 1 year recurrence rate. Further studies on larger groups of patients are needed.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common and multifactorial endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, is strongly associated with insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and also affects up to one in four women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The current study explored the potential of Plantago ovata (P. ovata) seed ethanol extract (POEE) to modulate oxidative stress (OS), inflammatory responses, metabolic profiles, and hormonal levels in rat Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM and Letrozole (LET)-induced PCOS. Phytochemical analysis measured total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) using HPLC-DAD-ESI MS for compound identification. POEE’s antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro through DPPH, H₂O₂, FRAP, and NO scavenging assays. Rats received POEE, metformin, or Trolox (TX) for 10 days. PCOS confirmation was achieved via ultrasound and histopathology. Serum levels of OS markers (TOS, TAC, OSI, MDA, AOPP, 8-OHdG, NO, 3-NT, AGEs, and SH), inflammatory markers (NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-18, Gasdermin D, and IL-10), metabolic parameters (fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver enzymes), and hormone levels (LH, FSH, estrogen, testosterone, and insulin) were assessed. Additionally, the Triglyceride–Glucose index (TyG) and HOMA-IR were calculated. POEE had a medium content of polyphenols and a good in vitro antioxidant effect. In vivo, POEE administration in diabetic rats led to a reduction in OS markers and an increase in antioxidant levels, alongside decreases in inflammatory cytokines, blood glucose levels, and transaminase activity and improvements in lipid profile. In the PCOS model, POEE treatment effectively reduced total OS and lowered levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone, while elevating estrogen concentrations and reducing insulin resistance. These therapeutic effects were dose-dependent, with higher doses producing more pronounced outcomes, comparable to those observed with metformin and TX treatment.