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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, pathological angiogenesis, and progressive joint destruction. Emerging evidence implicates the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) as key modulators of RA pathogenesis through regulation of inflammatory signaling, vascular remodeling, and osteoclastogenesis. This study explored the mechanistic interplay between RAS and NRP-1 signaling in a rat model of RA induced by complete Freund's adjuvant. Experimental groups received valsartan (VAL), an angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT-1R) antagonist; ramipril (RAM), an ACE inhibitor or methotrexate (MTX), the standard anti-rheumatic agent. NRP-1 ligand-binding (VEGF-165/Sema3A) and dimerization-associated domain expression were evaluated via immunohistochemistry and western blot. Transcriptional expression of VEGF-165, Sema3A was quantified using qRT-PCR, while RhoA, p-ERK protein levels were assessed by ELISA. Systemic inflammatory mediators (anti-CCP, TNF-α, IL-1β) and the bone resorption marker RANKL were also determined. Histopathological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses with morphometric evaluation assessed joint integrity. Both VAL and RAM significantly modulated NRP-1 signaling, influencing ligand-receptor interactions, dimerization, and downstream mediators (RhoA, p-ERK). These effects were accompanied by reduced inflammatory activity and preservation of bone and cartilage structure, suggesting that RAS blockade may confer chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits via modulation of the NRP-1 axis. Collectively, the findings highlight a potential mechanistic cross-talk between RAS and NRP-1 pathways, offering a promising direction for future studies aimed at developing novel adjunctive strategies for RA management.

ObjectiveTo describe associations between abnormalities in splenic tissue removed secondary to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) correction and histopathologic diagnosis of splenic malignancy.MethodsDogs treated with splenectomy secondary to GDV correction at any of 83 US veterinary referral hospitals between January 1, 2013 and May 1, 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Data related to signalment, visual, and tactile description of the spleen during surgery, and results from the splenic histopathology report were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize histopathologic diagnoses. Frequency proportions were estimated with 95% binomial confidence intervals.ResultsOne hundred thirty-eight dogs were included. The median (range) weight was 31.5 (6–99.7) kg; the median (range) age was 10.1 (1.6–15.1) years. Malignancy was diagnosed in 15 of 138 (10.9%; 95% CI: 6.2%−17.3%) dogs. The prevalence of splenic malignancy did not differ significantly across age or weight quartiles. Malignancy rates significantly differed by the number of visible lesions in the spleen. There were no (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%−7.7%) malignancies in 46 dogs without visible splenic lesions, 13 (19.1%; 95% CI: 10.6%−30.5%) malignancies in 68 dogs with solitary/single visible lesions, 2 (14.3%; 95% CI: 1.8%−42.8%) malignancies in 14 dogs with two visible lesions, and 0 (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%−30.8%) malignancies in 10 dogs with 3 or more visible splenic lesions.ConclusionThe number of lesions in spleens removed secondary to GDV correction was associated with identification of splenic malignancy.Clinical relevanceThe financial cost associated with splenic histopathology following splenectomy secondary to GDV correction may be warranted in spleens with one or two discrete masses.

In contemporary academic publishing, journal performance is increasingly discussed through numerical indicators such as impact factors, citation counts, and quartile rankings.While these metrics offer useful measures of visibility, they provide only a partial view of a journal's intellectual direction, editorial rigor, and contribution to clinical practice.For specialty journals affiliated with professional societies, the challenge extends beyond achieving visibility to ensuring that published content maintains sustained scientific relevance and practical value.Against this background, Thoracic Research and Practice represents an example of gradual and deliberate editorial evolution rather than abrupt transformation.The journal's origins date to 2001, when Trk Toraks Dergisi and Turkish Respiratory Journal independently served the respiratory medicine community.Their merger in 2008 under the title Turkish Thoracic Journal marked the transition to English-language publication, while the renaming to Thoracic Research and Practice in 2023 reflected an intention to broaden scope and strengthen international orientation. 1The journal's first inclusion in Journal Citation Reports in 2024 constituted an important indexing milestone.With an initial Journal Impact Factor of 0.6 and a Journal Citation Indicator of 0.20, Thoracic Research and Practice entered the global citation landscape of respiratory system journals. 2These figures are best interpreted as retrospective indicators of accumulated editorial effort rather than as determinants of future strategy.Metrics confirm presence, but they do not define editorial purpose.Within this context, the editorial board renewal at the end of 2025 represents an opportunity to clarify, rather than redefine, editorial priorities.Emphasis has been placed on maintaining clinical relevance, methodological transparency, and consistency in editorial standards across different submission types.The intention is not rapid metric optimization, but the preservation of a coherent editorial approach capable of supporting meaningful international engagement.Recent content published in the journal reflects this orientation, with studies grounded in real-world clinical practice, analyses addressing longer-term respiratory outcomes, and surveys highlighting variability in respiratory care across healthcare settings.Such contributions may not always generate immediate citation gains, but they contribute to cumulative clinical knowledge and practice-based evidence.As the official journal of the Turkish Thoracic Society, Thoracic Research and Practice occupies a balanced position.It serves as a platform for society-led scientific initiatives while adhering to the norms of international scholarly publishing.This balance requires editorial independence together with institutional responsibility.Within this framework, guidelines, task force reports, and consensus documents remain integral to the journal's mission, provided they meet the same transparent methodological and editorial criteria applied to original research.