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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological condition that may develop in certain individuals following exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events. Distressing symptoms, including flashbacks, are characterized by disrupted stress responses, fear, anxiety, avoidance tendencies, and disturbances in sleep patterns. The enduring effects of PTSD can profoundly impact personal and familial relationships, as well as social, medical, and financial stability. The prevalence of PTSD varies among different populations and is influenced by the nature of the traumatic event. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a valuable model organism in studying various conditions and disorders. Zebrafish display robust behavioral patterns that can be effectively quantified using advanced video-tracking tools. Due to their relatively simple nervous system compared to humans, zebrafish are particularly well suited for behavioral investigations. These unique characteristics make zebrafish an appealing model for exploring the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern behavior, thus offering a powerful comparative platform for gaining deeper insights into PTSD. This review article aims to provide updates on the pathophysiology of PTSD and the genetic responses associated with psychological stress. Additionally, it highlights the significance of zebrafish behavior as a valuable tool for comprehending PTSD better. By leveraging zebrafish as a model organism, researchers can potentially uncover novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of PTSD and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted therapy, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has been approved to manage various cancer types. However, TKI-induced cardiotoxicity is a limiting factor for their use. This issue has raised the need for investigating potential cardioprotective techniques to be combined with TKIs. Ribosomal S6-kinases (RSKs) are a downstream effector of the mitogen-activated-protein-kinase (MAPK) pathway; specific RSK isoforms, such as RSK1 and RSK2, have been expressed in cancer cells, in which they increase tumour proliferation. Selective targeting of those isoforms would result in tumour suppression. Moreover, activation of RSKs expressed in the heart has resulted in cardiac hypertrophy and arrhythmia; thus, inhibiting RSKs would result in cardio-protection. This review article presents an overview of the usefulness of RSK inhibitors that can be novel agents to be assessed in future research for their effect in reducing cancer proliferation, as well as protecting the heart from cardiotoxicity induced by TKIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as an alternative to conventional tobacco products has raised concerns regarding their potential adverse effects. The cardiovascular system undergoes intricate processes forming the heart and blood vessels during fetal development. However, the precise impact of e-cigarette smoke and aerosols on these delicate developmental processes remains elusive. Previous studies have revealed changes in gene expression patterns, disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, and increased oxidative stress resulting from e-cigarette exposure. These findings indicate the potential for e-cigarettes to cause developmental and cardiovascular harm. This comprehensive review article discusses various aspects of electronic cigarette use, emphasizing the relevance of cardiovascular studies in Zebrafish for understanding the risks to human health. It also highlights novel experimental approaches and technologies while addressing their inherent challenges and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) offer targeted therapy for cancers but can cause severe cardiotoxicities. Determining their dose-dependent impact on cardiac function is required to optimize therapy and minimize adverse effects. The dose-dependent cardiotoxic effects of two TKIs, imatinib and ponatinib, were assessed in vitro using H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and in vivo using zebrafish embryos. In vitro, H9c2 cardiomyocyte viability, apoptosis, size, and surface area were evaluated to assess the impact on cellular health. In vivo, zebrafish embryos were analyzed for heart rate, blood flow velocity, and morphological malformations to determine functional and structural changes. Additionally, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed to measure the gene expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), established markers of cardiac injury. This comprehensive approach, utilizing both in vitro and in vivo models alongside functional and molecular analyses, provides a robust assessment of the potential cardiotoxic effects. TKI exposure decreased viability and surface area in H9c2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, zebrafish embryos exposed to TKIs exhibited dose-dependent heart malformation. Both TKIs upregulated ANP and BNP expression, indicating heart injury. The present study demonstrated dose-dependent cardiotoxic effects of imatinib and ponatinib in H9c2 cells and zebrafish models. These findings emphasize the importance of tailoring TKI dosage to minimize cardiac risks while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms and potential mitigation strategies of TKI-induced cardiotoxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) were synthesized by the seed-mediated wet chemical method using a binary surfactant system. AuNRs were stabilized with polyethylene glycol, then functionalized with 4-mercaptophenol (4-MPH) ligand by surface ligand exchange. The surface-functionalized AuNRs (4-MPH-AuNRs) exhibited a typical UV–vis spectrum of AuNRs with a slightly shifted longitudinal peak. Furthermore, 4-MPH-AuNRs demonstrated a similar Fourier-Transformed Infrared spectrum to 4-MPH and a fading of the thiol band, which suggests a successful functionalization through thiol-gold binding. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of 4-MPH-AuNRs were evaluated against a clinical isolate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results indicate that 4-MPH-AuNRs exhibit a bactericidal activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ~ 6.25 μ g/mL against a planktonic suspension of MRSA. Furthermore, 4-MPH-AuNRs resulted in a 1.8–2.9 log-cycle reduction of MRSA biofilm viable count over a concentration range of 100–6.0 μ g/mL. The bacterial uptake of the surface-modified nanorods was investigated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging; the results reveal that the nanorods were internalized into the bacterial cells after 6 h (h) of exposure. SEM imaging revealed a significant accumulation of the nanorods at the bacterial cell wall and a possible cellular internalization. Thus, 4-MPH-AuNRs can be considered a potential antibacterial agent, particularly against MRSA strain biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control chart is as a highly reputable statistical quality control tool in monitoring process stability. The classical control charts are designed on the basis of normality assumption, which is often not valid for real situations in industry; such violation of normality render the charts less accurate. This paper presents an alternative skewness correction S (SC- S) chart specifically developed to monitor process dispersion (e.g. S for standard deviation) for skewed distributions. Its false alarm rate (Type I error) is compared with those of various heuristics charts and standard S chart, while the probability of out-of-control (OOC) detection is evaluated along with the exact S chart. The proposed charts designed for process variables following Weibull and gamma distributions are assessed alongside the normal distribution. An extensive simulation study affirms that the SC- S chart performs well in regard to false alarm rate at wide range of skewness levels and sample sizes. Meanwhile, its probability of OOC detection is closer to that of the exact S chart in comparison to the established charts. In conclusion, the new SC- S chart outperforms the established ones in monitoring process dispersion for skewed distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control chart has been long-established among the highly reputable tools in statistical process control (SPC) with extensive industrial application. Shewhart chart is one of the most popular charts, but its reliability is arguable when dealing with skewed data, due to inflated false alarm rate (Type I error). In alleviating the problem, this study has developed a new X-bar control chart for monitoring of process mean using skewness correction (SC) method for skewed distributions, thus named as SCS X control chart. The SC method is incorporated into the standard Shewhart's X-bar chart, leading to the proposed univariate SCS X to monitor the process mean of skewed data. It offers asymmetric control limits using the usual three sigma and the same known function of the skewness estimated from subgroups without assuming any distribution. The chart's constants, and skewness correction factor are computed via numerical integration. To evaluate the strength and weakness of the charts, several conditions are created from different types of distributions and subgroup sizes. The SCS X performance evaluation based on the false alarm rates (FAR) and probability of out-of-control (OOC) detection are accomplished using Monte Carlo simulation in SAS version 9.4. To illustrate its applicability, a real data on healthcare is employed. Its FAR performance is compared to the established charts: weighted variance X-bar R (WV- ); weighted variance X-bar S (WVS X ); and standard X-bar S (STS X ). In aspect of the probability of OOC detection, the SCS X is contended by the exact S chart. Extensive simulation study shows that the proposed SCS X chart performs well in terms of FAR in almost all the degrees of skewness and sample sizes, n . In terms of the probability of OOC detection, it provides the closest values to those of the exact chart. It offers substantial enhancement over the established charts, and thus signifies as a preferred alternative especially in cases of skewed data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a model organism for cardiovascular research. Zebrafish have several advantages over mammalian models. For instance, the experimental cost of using zebrafish is comparatively low; the embryos are transparent, develop externally, and have high fecundity making them suitable for large-scale genetic screening. More recently, zebrafish embryos have been used for the screening of a variety of toxic agents, particularly for cardiotoxicity testing. Zebrafish has been shown to exhibit physiological responses that are similar to mammals after exposure to medicinal drugs including xenobiotics, hormones, cancer drugs, and also environmental pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals. In this review, we provided a summary for recent studies that have used zebrafish to investigate the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced cardiotoxicity. More specifically, we focused on the techniques that were exploited by us and others for cardiovascular toxicity assessment and described several microscopic imaging and analysis protocols that are being used for the estimation of a variety of cardiac hemodynamic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was comparison between digital radiography as the conventional method and Root ZX electronic apex locator (EAL) in measurement of root canal length in primary anterior teeth, and to clinically assess the influence of pulp status (vital or necrotic pulp) on the accuracy of Root ZX EAL. Thirty-five maxillary primary anterior teeth indicated for pulpectomy in 19 healthy pediatric dental patients were selected for the study. Electronic canal measurements were done using Root ZX electronic apex locator with file in place, and radiographs were taken to confirm the correct working length. Radiographic measurements were obtained by measuring the root canal length through digital ruler in Romexis software (Planmeca, 4.5.2.R). Root canals were cleaned, irrigated, dried, obturated and teeth restored. Considering that the clinically acceptable error tolerance of ±0.5 mm, 48.6% (17/35) canals showed acceptable differences between the two measurements. There was no significant (P>.05) effect of pulp condition on the measurement accuracy of Root ZX (EAL). Root ZX (EAL) could be used as an adjunct tool to radiographs during root canal therapy in primary anterior teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of machining parameters for machine tools using the criterion of maximum productivity rate is complex and, in many cases, an unresolved issue. The intensification of machining processes leads to changes in the productivity rate. In the case of multi-tool machining processes, engaging cutters simultaneously to define optimal machining parameters for the maximum productivity rate is an important problem. Such multi-tool processes are conducted in multi-spindle and multi-station machine tools, turret-type lathes, automated lines, etc. This paper is intended to formulate a mathematical model for the optimization of multi-tool cutting processes on machine tools based on the criterion of maximum productivity rate. The mathematical model of the new productivity rate equation (for machine tools with changes in cutting for the optimal multi-tooling operation with simultaneous action) is confirmed by practical test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated production lines of a parallel-serial structure are most productive in the manufacturing area. Designers of automated lines segment into sections with several stations place buffers between the series of sections that enable increasing the productivity rate. The failure of one station leads to stoppage of only one section of the automated line, while other sections continue to work and machine parts are stored or consumed from buffers. In real production condition, the capacity of a buffer is limited, and a buffer can compensate only in part stoppages of sections in an automated line. This article represents a new analytical approach for calculating the productivity rate of the section-based automated line of a parallel-serial action with embedded buffers of limited capacity. It enables to solve the problem of structural optimization of the line by the criterion of a maximal productivity rate, which yields the optimal number of serial and parallel stations, and the number of sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy has often been touted as one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy that should be used for people. Today, wind energy (mainly by propeller type wind turbines) produces less than one percent of the total energy used worldwide. Practically, a standard three-blade propellers efficiency of use of the wind energy is around twenty percents and this is due to its design and shape that use the wind lift force and a rotating turbine. In addition, these turbines are quite expensive due to the complex aerodynamic shape of the propellers which are made of composite materials. The new world boom for wind turbines obliges inventors to create new wind turbine designs that have high efficiency and are better than any known design. This paper proposes the new patented invention of the vane-type wind turbine which uses wind energy more efficiently and is only dependent on the acting area of the vanes. The vane wind turbine was designed to increase the output of a wind turbine that uses kinetic energy of the wind. Due to its high efficiency, simple construction and technology, the vane wind turbine can be used universally, apart from the fact that it is made from cheap materials. The new design of the vane-type wind turbine has quite small sizes than the propeller type one of same output power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculation of the productivity rate and optimization of the machining modes for machine tools today is complex, and in many cases an unresolved problem. Known equations for calculating the real productivity rate of machine tools and machining cost with changes in the machining modes consider only the change in the machining time and time losses owing to metal-cutting tool life change. These equations do not reflect the changes in productivity rate due to change of reliability of machine tool mechanisms with changes in the machining mode. This case study presents a new analytical dependency of the productivity rate for machine tools that includes changes in the reliability of the main mechanisms and components of the machine tools with changes in machining modes. A practical application of a new equation for the productivity rate for a machine tool with changes in the machining mode is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the impact of tobacco advertising policy on adult smokers' awareness of tobacco promotion in two developing countries--Malaysia and Thailand. Methods: Data from 2004 Malaysian and 2000 Thai adult smokers who participated in the baseline wave of the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia survey (ITCSEA). Respondents were asked in a face-to-face interview conducted between January and March 2005 to indicate their levels of awareness of tobacco advertising and promotional activities in the last six months. Results: Unprompted awareness of any tobacco marketing activities was very low in Thailand (20%) but significantly higher in Malaysia (53%; OR = 5.6, 95% Cl: 3.5 to 8.9, p

Data on adult risk factors associated with drug or chemical poisonings in Malaysia are scarce. The objective of the study was to identify possible risk factors associated with adult admissions to the Penang General Hospital (PGH) due to chemical poisoning and/or drug overdose. The present study was a case-control study, conducted over 18 weeks. One hundred acutely poisoned adult patients admitted to PGH during the period from September 2003 to February 2004 were considered as cases. Two hundred patients admitted to the same medical wards for other illnesses, during the same period, were matched for age and gender with the poisoned cases and thus selected as controls. McNemar test and binary logistic were used for univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis for multivariate analyses. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for each predictor variable. Positive histories of psychiatric illness and previous poisoning, problems in boy/girl friend relationships, family problems, marital problems, Indian ethnicity, Chinese ethnicity, living in rented houses and living in a household with less than five people were significant risk factors associated with adult admissions due to poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the main findings of a study of a sample of UK Doctorate Theses with a research focus on TQM. Amongst the main findings is that the research outputs are mainly in the form of guidelines and frameworks and little attempt is made to build upon previous research to create a meta model of TQM. It is also pointed out that the work undertaken is primarily retrospective and there is little attempt to speculate on what the next generation of quality tools, techniques, and paradigms will look like. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have recently attracted great interest in water pollution management. Using the zebrafish embryo model, we investigated the environmental impacts of two thermally (RGOTi)- and hydrogen (H2RGOTi)-reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 semiconductor photocatalysts recently employed in AOPs. For this purpose, acutoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, hematopoietic toxicity, and hatching rate were determinate. For the RGOTi, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC, mortality/teratogenicity score <20%) and the median lethal concentration (LC50) were <400 and 748.6 mg/L, respectively. H2RGOTi showed a NOEC similar to RGOTi. However, no significant mortality was detected at all concentrations used in the acutoxicity assay (up to1000 mg/L), thus indicating a hypothetical LC50 higher than 1000 mg/L. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service Acute Toxicity Rating Scale, RGOTi can be classified as "practically not toxic" and H2RGOTi as "relatively harmless". However, both nanocomposites should be used with caution at concentration higher than the NOEC (400 mg/L), in particular RGOTi, which significantly (i) caused pericardial and yolk sac edema; (ii) decreased the hatching rate, locomotion, and hematopoietic activities; and (iii) affected the heart rate. Indeed, the aforementioned teratogenic phenotypes were less devastating in H2RGOTi-treated embryos, suggesting that the hydrogen-reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 photocatalysts may be more ecofriendly than the thermally-reduced ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was comparison between digital radiography as the conventional method and Root ZX electronic apex locator (EAL) in measurement of root canal length in primary anterior teeth, and to clinically assess the influence of pulp status (vital or necrotic pulp) on the accuracy of Root ZX EAL. Thirty-five maxillary primary anterior teeth indicated for pulpectomy in 19 healthy pediatric dental patients were selected for the study. Electronic canal measurements were done using Root ZX electronic apex locator with file in place, and radiographs were taken to confirm the correct working length. Radiographic measurements were obtained by measuring the root canal length through digital ruler in Romexis software (Planmeca, 4.5.2.R). Root canals were cleaned, irrigated, dried, obturated and teeth restored. Considering that the clinically acceptable error tolerance of ±0.5 mm, 48.6% (17/35) canals showed acceptable differences between the two measurements. There was no significant (P>.05) effect of pulp condition on the measurement accuracy of Root ZX (EAL). Root ZX (EAL) could be used as an adjunct tool to radiographs during root canal therapy in primary anterior teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented to report that the use of the Neurotherm R F Lesion Generator JK25TC from RDG Medical during a percutaneous cervical cordotomy caused the patient to receive an electric shock.