Background and Objectives: Bone and mineral disease (BMD) is a prevalent complication of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The risk of fractures can be assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two imaging modalities in identifying bone mineral status in individuals with pre-dialysis chronic renal disease and to assess their correlation with bone turnover markers. Materials and Methods: This controlled cross-sectional study, conducted at a single center from 2019 to 2022, assessed two groups of individuals aged 18 to 50. The patient cohort consisted of individuals with stage 4–5 chronic kidney disease, whereas the control cohort consisted of healthy participants. The participants’ bone and mineral status was evaluated using both QCT and DXA methods. Diagnostic measurements of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, obtained using DXA and QCT, were compared. Z-scores were utilized to evaluate low bone mineral density, with low Z-scores identified in either lumbar spine or femoral neck measures being seen as indicative of low bone mineral density. Results: Data from 38 participants (patient group: 18; control group: 20) who underwent QCT and/or DXA were evaluated. Thirty-three subjects were assessed using both QCT and DXA (patient group: 14; control group: 19). The median age of the patient cohort was 44 (range: 22–50), whereas the median age of the control cohort was 42 (range: 27–48) (p = 0.72). Women constituted 33% of the patient cohort and 50% of the control cohort (p = 0.23). In the patient cohort, low bone mineral density was detected in four individuals (28%) through QCT, and in just two patients (14%) through DXA. Compared to DXA, QCT identified a higher number of cases of low bone mineral density in the CKD cohort; however, no statistically significant difference was observed (p = 0.06). In addition, our study found that TRACP5b had a strong negative correlation with the DXA L1–L4 Z-score. Conclusions: This study revealed that QCT may be more sensitive than DXA for detecting low bone density in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Additionally, DXA may overestimate lumbar spine BMD in this population, and the strong negative correlation between TRACP5b levels and the DXA L1–L4 Z-score highlights the potential role of biochemical markers in assessing bone status in CKD

Background and Objectives: Lymphedema is a progressive, chronic condition. Traumatic damage to the lymphatics, removal of lymph nodes, and/or radiation are the major causes of fibrosis and a subsequent pathological cascade. Macrophages play a crucial role in wound healing, with M1 macrophages known for their pro-inflammatory effects and M2 macrophages recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects, including improved angiogenesis, lymph angiogenesis, and tissue healing. This study aims to assess the use of calcitriol to alter the M2/M1 macrophage balance, reduce tissue fibrosis in a lymphedema model, promote new micro-lymphatic vessel formation, and evaluate the benefits of active vitamin D. Material and Methods: Forty-five rats were randomly divided into three groups: control surgery (group A), surgery with preoperative–postoperative calcitriol (group B), and postoperative calcitriol (group C). One week after the surgical ablation a total dose of 20 Gy radiation therapy was administered to the operated groin region. Micro-computed tomography was used for limb volume calculation, fluorescence lymphatic imaging was used to assess the presence of lymphedema, and histopathological analyses were conducted to evaluate the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, fibrosis accumulation, and lymph angiogenesis. Results: The micro-computed tomography evaluation revealed that 75% of the rats of group A exhibited long-lasting lymphedema. In group B, the initial lymphedema ratio was the lowest, affecting only 25% of the rats. After ligating the main vessels, a linear lymphatic microvascular structure was observed in groups B and C. Group B had a significant increase in M2 macrophages and newly formed lymphatic vessels (p < 0.05). However, group A showed a significant elevation of M1 macrophages and collagen accumulation (p < 0.05) in the surgically treated hind limb. Conclusions: Both histological analyses and clinical results reported a relevant influence of calcitriol administration. Among all groups, the most favorable outcomes were seen in group B (prophylaxis group). Hence, calcitriol administration could play a crucial role in enhancing the migration of M2 macrophages to the damaged tissue. Such migration may contribute to lymphedema resolution either by enhancing the organization of superficial lymphatic vessels or resolving fibrosis, or with a combination of both these mechanisms.

Background/Objectives: Licochalcone A (LA), a bioactive chalcone derived from Glycyrrhiza species, exhibits anticancer activity in several tumor models; however, its effects on endometrial cancer remain poorly understood. This study investigated the antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and antimigratory effects of LA in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells and characterized associated changes in Akt/mTOR- and LC3-related molecular responses. Methods: Metabolic activity, colony formation, cell cycle distribution, migration, and invasion were evaluated following LA treatment. Ki-67 and LC3-II immunoreactivity, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and MAP1LC3B transcript levels, and Akt phosphorylation were also assessed. Results: LA reduced metabolic activity and clonogenic capacity, decreased Ki-67 expression after prolonged exposure, increased apoptosis, and induced S-phase accumulation at higher concentrations. LA markedly reduced cell migration after 48 h, whereas no statistically significant change in invasion was detected. RT-qPCR revealed concentration- and time-dependent changes in PI3K, Akt1, mTOR, and MAP1LC3B transcript levels, with mTOR significantly reduced at all tested concentrations after 48 h. Akt phosphorylation was markedly reduced across all tested concentrations after 48 h, while MAP1LC3B transcript levels and LC3-II immunoreactivity showed concentration- and time-dependent changes. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and antimigratory effects of LA in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells and identify associated changes in Akt/mTOR- and LC3-related molecular responses.