(1) Background: In recent years, several studies have described various and heterogenous methods to sensitize nanoparticles (NPs) to pH changes; therefore, in this current scoping review, we aimed to map current protocols for pH functionalization of NPs and analyze the outcomes of drug-loaded pH-functionalized NPs (pH-NPs) when delivered in vivo in tumoral tissue. (2) Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed database was performed for all published studies relating to in vivo models of anti-tumor drug delivery via pH-responsive NPs. Data on the type of NPs, the pH sensitization method, the in vivo model, the tumor cell line, the type and name of drug for targeted therapy, the type of in vivo imaging, and the method of delivery and outcomes were extracted in a separate database. (3) Results: One hundred and twenty eligible manuscripts were included. Interestingly, 45.8% of studies (n = 55) used polymers to construct nanoparticles, while others used other types, i.e., mesoporous silica (n = 15), metal (n = 8), lipids (n = 12), etc. The mean acidic pH value used in the current literature is 5.7. When exposed to in vitro acidic environment, without exception, pH-NPs released drugs inversely proportional to the pH value. pH-NPs showed an increase in tumor regression compared to controls, suggesting better targeted drug release. (4) Conclusions: pH-NPs were shown to improve drug delivery and enhance antitumoral effects in various experimental malignant cell lines.

Acute organophosphate (OP) poisoning can be deadlier than any other type of chemical poisoning. So far, only a few cases have been described that include extensive neurological complications. We present an outstanding case of severe oral OP poisoning with intermediate syndrome developed on the fourth day after hospital admission. The clinical picture involved weakness of the proximal upper and lower limb muscles and several muscles supplied by motor cranial nerves, but, what is peculiar, the distal upper and lower limb muscles were also affected (forearms, hands, legs, and feet). To our knowledge, this is a unique presentation, as lower limb muscle weakness was reported only in the context of delayed polyneuropathy. Another remarkable feature was the involvement of six of the twelve cranial nerves, which makes this case of intermediate syndrome the first with such a spread of muscle weakness and provides new insights into the polymorphic clinical manifestations of acute OP poisoning.

Infective endocarditis is a severe infective heart disease, commonly involving native or prosthetic valves. It frequently presents with univalvular involvement and simultaneous double valve or multivalvular involvement is rarely described. The third leading cause of infective endocarditis worldwide is Enterococcus faecalis, which is associated with high mortality rates despite important advances in antimicrobial therapy. It develops secondary to enterococcal bacteremia, with its origin from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract and predominantly affecting the elderly population with multiple comorbidities. Clinical presentation is usually less typical, and the treatment is challenging. It can be marked by antibiotic resistance, side effects, and subsequent complications. Surgical treatment can be considered if deemed appropriate. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case-based narrative review of Enterococcus faecalis double valve endocarditis involving both the aortic native and prosthetic mitral valve, highlighting the clinical characteristics, treatment, and complications of this condition.

Analyzing colon biopsies is becoming time consuming and a financial burden as colonoscopy is now the main screening and diagnostic procedure of the main gastrointestinal diseases. Colon sampling can provide important information when used accordingly; otherwise it may only load the medical system unnecessarily. Our aim was to retrospectively analyze criteria for colon biopsies and correlate the diagnostic value of randomly sampling colon, especially in patients with diarrhea. This was a retrospective study on 2109 colonoscopies done over one year. Data was collected from the ENDORAD system and included variables such as: age, gender, quality of preparation, procedure, symptoms, biopsies (type, location), and endoscopy and histology findings. Data was analyzed in a descriptive manner. Out of 496 random biopsies, only 7.4% had positive histology findings. The main symptom was diarrhea and 186 cases of patients complaining of diarrhea with normal colonoscopy had random colon sampling. In 5.3% of these cases histology assessment showed changes of microscopic colitis. Fisher’s test was significant when correlating the odds of having random biopsies in patients with and without diarrhea and patients younger and older than 60. Random sampling of colon during colonoscopies should be done only in selected patients otherwise it has a low diagnostic value.

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