Autism is a global health problem, probably due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is emerging data that the gut microbiome of autistic children differs from the one of typically developing children and it is important to know which bacterial genera may be related to autism. We searched different databases using specific keywords and inclusion criteria and identified the top ten bacterial genera from the selected articles that were significantly different between the studied patients and control subjects studied. A total of 34 studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified. The genera Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Coprococcus, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Blautia exhibited the most substantial data indicating that their fluctuations in the gastrointestinal tract could be linked to the etiology of autism. It is probable that autism symptoms are influenced by both increased levels of harmful bacteria and decreased levels of beneficial bacteria. Interestingly, these genera demonstrated varying patterns of increased or decreased levels across different articles. To validate and eliminate the sources of this fluctuation, further research is needed. Consequently, future investigations on the causes of autism should prioritize the examination of the bacterial genera discussed in this publication.

Introduction: Cardiac fibrosis is the hallmark of atrial remodeling in atrial fibrillation. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker of fibrosis. It is well studied in heart failure, but the data about its role in atrial fibrillation are sparse.Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of Gal-3 in patients with atrial fibrillation after sinus rhythm restoration, to examine the association between this biomarker and other factors for developing atrial fibrillation and to assess its prognostic role.Materials and methods: We included 67 patients (35 male) at the mean age of 67.36±7.25 years, with Gal-3 test after sinus rhythm restoration, a subgroup of participants in placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of treatment with spironolactone. They were followed up for atrial fibrillation recurrence and hospitalizations. The effect of demographic parameters and other factors on Gal-3 levels were evaluated before and one year after treatment.Results: Mean Gal-3 at baseline was 16.9±6.8 ng/ml. Higher levels of Gal-3 were associated with female gender (р=0.008), increasing age (р=0.005), renal dysfunction (p<0.0001) and gout (р=0.002). Higher thromboembolic risk as assessed by CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly related to Gal-3. The levels of biomarker did not affect the number of atrial fibrillation recurrences (p=0.9) and hospitalizations. No correlation was found with treatment with spironolactone, antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive drugs.Conclusions: Higher Gal-3 in atrial fibrillation was associated with female sex, renal dysfunction, and history of gout. The levels of Gal-3 were not related to rhythm control. Treatment with spironolactone did not affect the biomarker of fibrosis Gal-3 in AF patients. Higher Gal-3 was related to high embolic risk.

To analyze the role of 14 base pair (bp) insertion (ins)/deletion (del) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) G/A polymorphisms as risk factors for spontaneous miscarriage in patients with two or more unsuccessful pregnancies and a group of control women with at least two normal live births. To investigate the role of these mutations, 50 patients with two or more idiopathic recurrent miscarriages and 50 normal fertile women were tested for the presence of human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) 14 bp ins/del and TNF-α -308 G/A variants. The frequencies of the studied polymorphisms were compared between the two groups. Individuals with a history of miscarriages had a significantly higher prevalence of 14 bp insertion alleles compared with control patients (p=0.04). There was also a two times higher relative risk for miscarriage among carriers of this variant. No statistical difference in allele frequencies of the TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphism was established between controls and study patients (p=0.78). The 14 bp ins HLA-G variant could be associated with a higher risk for unsuccessful pregnancy according to the results from the study. There is no association between the studied TNF-α -308 GA polymorphism and rate of spontaneous abortions.

Amajor challenge for the Regenerative Medicine is the development of bioengineered scaffolds, which have similar characteristics to the natural tissues in the body. The composite hydrogels, modified with additives as growth factors and high-performance materials, can be processed into complex three-dimensional structures, able to sustain and provide optimal conditions for the reproduction and differentiation of various cell lineages, including Mesenchymal derived lines. The aim of our project is to 3D print a Polysaccharide/nanosilicate hydrogel, supplemented with platelet lysate and FGF-2. The scaffold will be inoculated with bone marrow – derived MSCs, incubated into bioreactor system with cell culturing media and analysed via histological and cytochemistry methods. With this combination of materials and additives, we want to promote osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs, which will open the possibility for the integration of this method in the clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Various biomarkers are used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP). OBJECTIVES: To study and compare the prognostic value of MR-proADM, РСТ and CRP in predicting the severity and outcome of CAP. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 92 patients hospitalized with CAP in the Clinic of Pneumology and Phthisiatrics of MHAT “Saint Marina”–Varna in 2015 was conducted. The biomarkers were measured on admission. Midregional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and procalcitonin (РСТ) were measured by standard ELISA, and C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined by latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. CAP severity was assessed by CURB-65. RESULTS: Patients were on average 59.2±16.8 years of age; 68.5% of them were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 7.6%. The three biomarkers MR-proADM, РСТ and CRP were significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (0.918±0.045 ng/ml vs. 0.397±0.269ng/ml, р<0.001; 2.14±0.60ng/ml vs. 1.12±0.68ng/ml, р<0.001 and 215.12±96.39 mg/L vs.175.74±221.5mg/L, p<0.05 respectively). In patients who needed intensive care, the biomarkers were also significantly higher than those in patients treated in the general hospital unit (0.509±0.336ng/ml vs. 0.414±0.28ng/ml, р<0.05; 1.92±0.76 ng/ml vs. 1.15±0.70ng/ml, p<0.05 and 221.98±100.34 mg/L vs. 165.31±122.84 mg/L, p<0.05 resp.). MR-proADM and РСТ showed a moderate correlation with the CURB-65 (r=0.33, p<0.01 and r=0.30, p0.05). CONCLUSION: MR-proADM, РСТ and CRP were significantly higher in non-survivors and in patients treated in the intensive care unit. MR-proADM and РСТ showed a moderate correlation with the CURB-65, while the correlation coefficient for MR-proADM was higher. CRP did not correlate with the CURB-65.

Aim — Infertility is a global health problem. The next-generation sequencing and panel testing are offering new opportunities to further diagnose the reason for male infertility. The aim of this paper is to provide a better insight into the currently available panels for male infertility due to impaired spermatogenesis. Methods — We conducted research in the Genetic testing registry by using the keywords „infertility“, „male infertility“. We also gathered information about the number of tested genes, coverage of the panels, turnaround time, and any additional tests, which could be ordered. Results — As a result there were eleven laboratories, offering panel testing for male infertility, which tested for 230 different genes, but 65 genes (28.26%) from the different panels had an uncertain role for the tested condition. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator was the only gene, suggested by all laboratories. Conclusions — Next-generation sequencing could be extremely helpful in the diagnostic process of male infertility. However, clinicians should be aware that some of the included genes have an uncertain role for male infertility.