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Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in the field of character recognition, thanks to the revolutionary introduction of machine learning techniques. Among various types of character recognition, offline Handwritten Character Recognition (HCR) is comparatively more challenging as it lacks temporal information, such as stroke count and direction, ink pressure, and unexpected handwriting variability. These issues contribute to a poor level of precision,which calls for the adoption of anomaly detection techniques to enhanceOptical Character Recognition (OCR) schemes. Previous studies have not researched unsupervised anomaly detection usingMLP for handwriting recognition. Therefore, this study proposes a novel approach for enhanced English letter identification based on a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network and an anomaly detection method. The MLP neural network is trained on a massive dataset of letters, enabling it to achieve high accuracy in recognizing letters from different font styles. Additionally, to further enhance the performance of the system, an anomaly detectionmethod is employed to identify and eliminate any outliers or anomalies in the recognition process. The combination of these two techniques results in a highly accurate and robust letter recognition system that can be applied to a wide range of practical applications. The hybrid approach aims to increase the accuracy of English letter identification while minimizing misclassification, i.e., classification issues associated with recognizing English letters in images. To identify handwritten letters based on their underlying patterns, discriminant samples with extracted attributes were fed into a neural network,whichwas then used to categorize the data. This paper achieved significant improvements in English letter identification by coupling the anomaly detection algorithm and the multilayer perceptron neural network.When tested on the UCI-English letters dataset, this hybrid technique boosted the accuracy from 84.11% using themultiple neural networks to an impressive 92.84% with the proposedmethod.Moreover, the experimental results of the study have demonstrated that the hybrid method outperforms modern classification techniques for handwriting letter recognition. Overall, the proposed approach has tremendous potential to advance the field of character recognition, especially for offline handwritten character recognition, and can pave the way for developing more accurate and efficient OCR systems in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleft lip is a common craniofacial anomaly and aesthetic obstacle. Different procedures, techniques, and steps are required for repair. These procedures may result in secondary abnormalities or volume deficiencies that can be managed by different methods such as autologous fat grafting. We aim through this study to identify the technique of autologous fat graft in cleft lip deformity and the patient characteristics for selecting this particular technique. This systematic review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The study systematically reviewed MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases without time-limitation. A total of 14 articles published in the period between 2004 and 2022 were included, then patients in each study who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. A total of 519 patients who underwent autologous adipose tissue augmentation of cleft lip deformity were included and analyed. Autologous fat graft is found to be safe, effective in improving lip appearance as well as contour, and associated with high satisfaction rate among cleft lip patients. A selected patients with vermilion deficiency, whistle deformity, or overall lip volume deficiency is found to have a higher satisfaction rate. The most frequently reported complications were excess fullness, nodule formation, graft resorption, and nostril deformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli is a common cause of biofilm-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Biofilm formation in E. coli is responsible for various indwelling medical device-associated infections, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). This study aimed to reduce biofilm formation of E. coli ATCC 25922 by knocking out genes involved in quorum sensing (QS) (luxS) and adhesion (fimH and bolA) using the CRISPR/Cas9-HDR approach. Single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed to target luxS , fimH and bolA genes. Donor DNA for homologous recombination was constructed to provide accurate repairs of double-strand breaks (DSBs). A biofilm quantification assay (crystal violet assay) was performed to quantify the biofilm formation of mutant and wild-type strains. Morphological changes in biofilm architecture were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further application of the biofilm formation of mutant and wild-type strains on urinary catheter was tested. Crystal violet assay showed that the biofilm formation of Δ fimH , Δ luxS , and Δ bolA strains was significantly reduced compared to the wild-type strain (P value<0.001). The percentage of biofilm reduction of mutant strains was as follows: Δ luxS 1 77.51 %, Δ fimH 1 78.37 %, Δ fimH 2 84.17 %, Δ bolA 1 78.24 %, and Δ bolA 2 75.39 %. Microscopic analysis showed that all mutant strains lack extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production compared to the wild-type strain, which was embedded in its EPS matrix. The adherence, cell aggregation, and biofilm formation of wild-type strain on urinary catheters were significantly higher compared to Δ fimH , Δ luxS and Δ bolA strains. Altogether, our results demonstrated that the knockout of luxS, fimH, and bolA genes reduced EPS matrix production, which is considered the main factor in the development, maturation, and maintenance of the integrity of biofilm. This pathway could be a potential strategy to disrupt E. coli biofilm-associated UTIs. This study suggests that CRISPR/Cas9-HDR system may provide an efficient and site-specific gene editing approach that exhibits a possible antibiofilm strategy through intervention with the QS mechanism and adhesion property to suppress biofilm formation associated with UTI catheter infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This observational descriptive study that was carried out with the objective of exploring the contribution of the local pharmaceutical industry to the Saudi drug security. Using a drug formulary provided from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, containing all registered pharmaceutical products available in Saudi Arabia, we extracted information about drug class, drug type, country and place of manufacturing, shelf-life and price. Results showed that the majority of drugs in the market are manufactured in Europe (43.86%), followed by Saudi Arabia (22.55%), China and India (20.47%), Americas (10.24%), and other nations (2.61%). Most of the manufactured drugs were prescription drugs (90.62%). In this work, the local pharmaceutical industry with the highest percentage of contribution to local drug security was Pharmaceutical Solution Industries (PSI), representing the 5% of the items available in the Saudi market. The second highest percentage was 4% by TABUK Pharmaceutical Manufacturing CO., followed by SPIMACO (3%), JAMJOOM pharmaceutical company (2%), Riyadh pharma (2%), and Jazeera pharmaceutical industries (2%). In addition, results from this study provide information about the most essential pharmaceutical products that needs to be nationally manufactured or increased in production in order to rise the contribution of local pharmaceutical industries in Saudi drug security. Unfortunately, the small contribution of the Saudi pharmaceutical industry in local drug security increases the burden on the Kingdom's annual budget due to the over-reliance on international pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commiphora gileadensis is a small tree belonging to the Burseraceae family. Previously, it was used in the treatment of symptoms such as fever and cough. Recently, several studies showed that Commiphora gileadensis promoted antibacterial activity for many Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Commiphora gileadensis methanolic extract on mice liver, heart and kidney after treatment with mixture of toxins. Forty Balb/c mice were randomly classified into four groups; normal control, Commiphora gileadensis, toxins, and Commiphora gileadensis + toxins. The weight of each mouse was obtained before the experiment began, after four weeks, and at the end of the experiment. After eight weeks, the blood samples were collected from each mouse for a complete blood count (CBC) as well as liver, kidney, and cardiac function tests. Moreover, the liver, kidney, and heart homogenates were obtained for the measurement of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histopathological examination was done for the liver, heart, and kidney of each mouse. The Commiphora gileadensis group showed a significant increase in weight after four weeks and at the end of the experiment compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The liver and cardiac function test results were significantly reduced in the Commiphora gileadensis + toxins group compared with the toxin group (p < 0.05). Moreover, LPO levels significantly decreased in the Commiphora gileadensis + toxins group compared with the toxin group in the liver, kidney, and heart homogenates (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), while GSH and GSH-Px significantly increased in the Commiphora gileadensis + toxins group compared with the toxin group (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). A histopathological study showed that Commiphora gileadensis restores the normal morphology of the liver, kidney, and heart after treatment with a mixture of toxins. The Commiphora gileadensis methanolic extract restores liver, kidney, and cardiac function as well as their normal architecture after treatment with a mixture of toxins as a result of its antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity of Commiphora gileaden-sis methanolic extract on mice treated with mixture of toxins (acetaminophen, gentamicin and Nerium oleander ethanolic extract). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of the poorly soluble drug raloxifene hydrochloride (3) in binary {dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (1) + water (2)} mixtures have been recorded at several temperatures under atmospheric pressure. Four different computational models were applied to model the experimental solubility values of studied drug. Raloxifene hydrochloride mole fraction solubility was improved with higher temperature and DMSO mass fraction in {(DMSO) (1) + water (2)} compositions. Pure DMSO had the maximum mole fraction solubility of raloxifene hydrochloride (5.05 × 10–2 at 323.2 K), while pure water had the lowest (1.051 × 10–5 at 298.2 K). The "van't Hoff, Yalkowsky-Roseman, Jouyban-Acree, and Jouyban-Acree-van't Hoff models" had mean percent deviations of 5.13%, 11.96%, 1.14%, and 1.37%, showing excellent correlations. According to the results of apparent thermodynamic analyses, the dissolution of studied drug was "endothermic and entropy-driven" in all {(DMSO) (1) + water (2)} mixtures studied. The main mechanism for raloxifene hydrochloride solvation in {(DMSO) (1) + water (2)} mixtures was uncovered as an enthalpy-driven process. In comparison to raloxifene hydrochloride-water, raloxifene hydrochloride-DMSO produced the most molecular interactions. Finally, these results showed that DMSO has a lot of potential for solubilizing a poorly soluble raloxifene hydrochloride in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of phenotypic and genotypic diversity is one of the principal and essential steps in plant breeding programs for detection tolerance of salinity stress. Lysimeter experiments during two growing seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 were carried out to investigate the responses to seawater stress among fifteen barley genotypes based on agronomical, physiological, and Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) marker analysis. Different levels of seawater were used (2.35 dSm-1 as a control and three salinities levels 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 dSm-1). The fifteen barley genotypes showed statistically significant responses to different salinity levels. High values of CAT activity were found in Giza 123, line 2, Giza 137, Giza 131, Giza 136 and line 5 as tolerant genotypes under three salinity treatments. Similarly, high values of proline content were found in Giza 136 and Giza 123 seawater. Ten SRAP combination primers were used, the percentage of polymorphism for each primer combination varied from 33.3% (me2+em2) to 80.0% (me5+em6). The highest PIC was related to primer me5+em6 (0.89%), indicating that this primer is highly informative. The dendrogram of SRAP markers had clustered all the genotypes into two major clusters include the closest genotypes together. The results showed that there were high genetic differences among barley genotypes response for different seawater levels, which are useful for their utilization in further barley breeding programs for detections of salt tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of water to a magnetic field increases its solubility, conductivity, and mineral content. Previous studies have shown that magnetized water can cause weight gain, increase milk production, and help treat diseases in livestock. This study aimed to evaluate magnetized water's antioxidant activity in oxidatively stressed mice by Nerium oleander ethanolic extract. Forty 6- to 8-week-old Blab/c mice were classified into four groups: control, magnetized water, Nerium oleander, and magnetized water plus Nerium oleander. The weight of each mouse was measured at the beginning of the experiment, after 3 and 6 weeks, and at the end of the experiment. After 6 weeks, a blood sample was collected from each mouse in plain and EDTA tubes to measure hematological and chemical parameters, respectively. Moreover, the mice were sacrificed, and then the liver, kidney, and heart were immediately collected and washed with saline and used for measuring oxidants and antioxidant parameters and for histopathological examination. In addition to serum ALT, AST, total CK, CK-MB, and c-troponin I levels, the following hematological parameters were measured: Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV. Moreover, lipid peroxidation (LPO), carbonyl carbon (CC), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in hepatic, kidney, and cardiac homogenates. After 6 weeks and at the end of the experiment, the mice in the magnetized water group had a significantly higher weight gain (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The hematological parameters did not show statistically significant differences among the groups. Serum AST, ALT, total CK, CK-MB, and c- troponin I levels showed statistically significant differences between the four groups (p < 0.01). In the cardiac homogenate, both LPO and CC levels were significantly reduced in the magnetized water group, while GSH was increased (p < 0.01). Moreover, catalase, GSH-Px, and SOD activities were significantly elevated in the magnetized water group in the same homogenate. In the hepatic homogenate, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, GSH- Px, and SOD was significantly increased in the magnetized water group (p < 0.05). Finally, the activity of catalase was significantly increased in the kidney homogenate of the magnetized water group (p < 0.05). The histopathologic appearance of liver and cardiac tissues induced by injection of mice with Ne- rium oleander were milder in group drinking magnetized water. The present study concludes that magnetized water increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. These enzymes increased the activity of antioxidant molecules and reduced glutathione, while they decreased lipid peroxidation and carbonyl carbon during oxidative stress in mice. Moreover, magnetized water caused a weight gain in these mice, resulting from the increased solubility of this water for minerals and vitamins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zamzam is a Muslim holy water from a well in Al-Haram in the holy city of Makkah. It has alkaline pH and high levels of minerals such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium. A previous study found that alkaline water induces antioxidant activity during oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate Zamzam's antioxidant activity during oxidative stress induced by Nerium oleander in mice. Forty 6-to 8-week-old Blab/c mice were classified into four groups: control, Zamzam water, Nerium oleander, and Zamzam water-Nerium oleander. The weight of each mouse was measured at the beginning, after 3 and 6 weeks, and at the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, a blood sample was collected from each mouse in plain and EDTA tubes for estimation of hematological and chemical parameters, respectively. Furthermore, the mice were sacrificed, and the heart, liver, and kidney were immediately collected and washed with saline. These organs were used for histopathological and biochemical tests. The hematological parameters (RBCs count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV, besides serum ALT, AST, total CK, CK-MB, and ctroponin I were measured for each mouse. Moreover, lipid peroxidation (LPO), carbonyl carbon (CC), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in cardiac, hepatic, and kidney homogenates. The mice in the Zamzam water group had significantly higher weight gain by the end of 3 and 6 weeks (p<0.05), and at the end of the experiment (p<0.01). The hematological parameters had no statistically significant differences between the four groups. Serum AST, ALT, total CK, CK-MB, and ctroponin I showed statistically significant differences among all groups (p<0.01). Both LPO and CC levels in cardiac homogenate were significantly reduced in the Zamzam water group (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, GSH level and catalase, GSH Px, and SOD activities were significantly elevated in the Zamzam water group in the same homogenate. In hepatic homogenate, GSH level and catalase activity were increased significantly in the Zamzam water group (p<0.05). Finally, the LPO level was significantly decreased (p<0.01), while catalase activity increased (p<0.05) in the Zamzam water group. Zamzam water has an antioxidant capacity during oxidative stress. This capacity may result from the induction of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, Zamzam's minerals and chemical elements have nutritional value that induces weight gain in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty broiler chicks were divided into five groups to study the antiviral and immune-stimulant effect of Allium cepa essential oils (ACEO). The effect of Allium cepa essential oils administration single or combined with NVD vaccine in broilers, more than one parameter was studied in this study i.e., the clinical symptoms that appeared on the chicks after the experimental infection with velogenic Newcastle disease virus, postmortem lesions, pathological lesions scoring, mortality rate (MR), and viral shedding, birds immunity was assessed by HI test and protection percent post-challenge with vNDV. Our result showed that mild clinical signs, lesion scoring, decreased viral shedding in ACEO treated groups 3 (G 3) more than control groups post-challenge with vNDV. Delayed onset of mild clinical signs in G3 followed by complete recovery 7th-day post-challenge (DPC). Low MR (40 and 0%) and high protection percent (100 and 60%) in ACEO treated G3 and G5, respectively. spleen, thymus, cecal tonsil, proventriculus, and cerebrum lesions scoring in G3 and G5 were significantly ((p ≤ 0.05).) lower than the control group, proving a decrease in NDV replication and effective antiviral activity of ACEO. HI titer significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) In G3, G4 and G5 compared with control groups. There is no significant difference in HI titer in ACEO treated groups and vaccinated groups. In conclusion, oral administration of ACEO combined with NDV vaccines significantly reduces or eliminates lethal clinical signs, lesions, viral shedding, and enhances immune response and protection percent after vNDV challenge proving the natural antiviral and immune stimulant effect of ACEO onion extract. Implementing such a regime might aid NDV control in broiler flocks in endemic areas and reduce the epidemiological load of NDV in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hand hygiene is one of the effective measures for reducing the transmission of infections. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing ethanol or isopropanol are considered efficient alternatives to handwashing with water and soap. Despite being effective against a broad-spectrum of microbes, fining an effective alternative to the alcohol-based hand sanitizers became a necessity owning to the limitations associated with their use, such as skin dryness, irritant contact dermatitis, and intoxication upon their accidental ingestion. Furthermore, in certain circumstances when the demand for alcohol exceeds the supply, like in the current COVID19 pandemic, formulating an effective non-alcoholic hand sanitizer would be a potential solution. Therefore, in this study, a non-alcoholic hand sanitizer containing benzalkonium chloride (BKC) as an active ingredient was prepared and evaluated as a less irritant and more persistent hand sanitizer gel. The hand gel was characterized by pH, viscosity, and spreadability. Results showed that this product has low viscosity, high spreadability and pH of 6.3, which is less likely to cause skin irritation. The antibacterial assessment (zone of inhibition) of the BKC-based hand sanitizer demonstrated antibacterial activities against nine out of eleven gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains, while the acceptability study on ten participants showed no signs of skin irritation nor redness upon its application. Consequently, this non-alcoholic based hand sanitizer is suggested as a potential alternative to alcohol-based hand gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of the coconut oil nanoemulsion against methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing Swiss albino mice. Methods: Forty mice were divided into four groups. Group I served as the untreated Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice while Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice in groups II-IV received an intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mL/kg coconut oil nanoemulsion, 20 mg/kg methotrexate as well as 0.2 mL/kg coconut oil nanoemulsion mixed with 20 mg/kg methotrexate, respectively. The toxicities of the treatments were assessed by determining the complete blood count, performing the serum analysis for liver and kidney functions, evaluating the oxidative status and visualizing histological changes in the liver and kidney tissues. Results: Treatment with methotrexate and coconut oil nanoemulsion markedly diminished the liver parameters including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin which were raised by methotrexate treatment (P < 0.05). Similarly, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as the indicators of kidney function, were dramatically lowered in the combination treatment group compared to the methotrexate group (P < 0.05). In addition, treatment with methotrexate and coconut oil nanoemulsion reduced the malondialdehyde and increased catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase, in the liver and kidney tissues (P < 0.05). The treatment with methotrexate and coconut oil nanoemulsion reduced white blood cell count and increased the hemoglobin amount (P < 0.05), but did not cause any change in platelets and red blood cell count. Conclusions: Coconut oil nanoemulsion as a nanocarrier has great potential in reducing the adverse side effects induced by methotrexate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate comparative outcomes of laparoscopic repair of groin hernia with and without mesh fixation.Methods: MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; CENTRAL; the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry; ClinicalTrials.gov; ISRCTN Register, and bibliographic reference lists were systematically checked. Combination of free text and controlled vocabulary search adapted were applied to thesaurus headings, search operators and limits in each of the above databases. Post-operative pain, procedure time, conversion rate, length of hospital stay, time taken to normal activities, overall complications, seroma formation, cost and recurrence were the outcome parameters. Combined overall effect sizes were calculated using fixed-effect or random-effects models. The work has been reported in line with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and AMSTAR (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) Guidelines. This protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42019139564).Results: We identified 13 randomized controlled trials reporting a total of 1731 patients (2021 groin hernia) evaluating outcomes of laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh fixation using stapler or tacker (n = 853 patients, 999 hernia) and without mesh fixation (n = 878 patients, 1022 hernia). Mesh Fixation was associated with significantly higher post-operative pain assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) (MD: 0.59; 95% CI, 0.05-1.13, P = 0.03) and longer procedure time (MD: 2.00; 95% CI, 0.98-3.02, P = 0.0001), compared to no fixation technique. However, there was no significant difference in length of hospital stay (MD:0.09; 95% CI, -0.05-0.23, P = 0.19), time to normal activities, (MD: 0.12; 95% CI, -0.37-0.61, P = 0.69), overall complications (OR: 1.05; 95% CI, 0.77-1.43, P = 0.76), seroma formation (OR: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.39-1.00, P = 0.05) and recurrence rate (RD: 0.00; 95% CI, -0.01-0.01, P = 0.84) between two groups.Conclusions: Avoiding mesh fixation with a stapler or tacker during laparoscopic groin hernia repair may reduce postoperative pain and procedure time. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate cost effectiveness of each approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases both have adverse effects on each other. We aim in the current study to investigate cardiac dysfunction including its prevalence, and associated factors in patients treated for breast cancer and lymphoma in a unique cardiac oncology center. A single-center retrospective study included 180 patients with cancer breast and lymphoma who presented and were treated at our oncology center from January 2019 to February 2022. Out of 180 consecutive patients, 155 patients (86 %) were diagnosed with cancer breast and 25 patients (14 %) were diagnosed with lymphoma. Patients with lymphoma were older age, less obese, and showed more prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.026, 0.05, and 0.04 respectively). They also showed more post-therapy left ventricular (LV) dilatation and lower values of global longitudinal strain (GLS); however, they did not develop more LV dysfunction compared to cancer breast patients. Moreover, lymphoma patients showed poor in-hospital outcomes (P = 0.04, 0.001, and 0.015 for infection, pericardial effusion, and mortality respectively). Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) was observed in 41 patients (23 %) of our population. The independent predictors of CTRCD in the current study were DM, low body mass index (BMI), and the use of trastuzumab. Some patients treated for breast cancer and lymphoma develop LV dysfunction. Lymphoma patients showed more subclinical LV dysfunction and poor in-hospital outcomes compared to patients with cancer breast. DM, low body mass index (BMI), and the use of trastuzumab were the independent predictors of cardiac dysfunction among our patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lunate dislocation is a rare and serious injury, frequently due to high-energy trauma. • Lunate dislocation is usually in the volar direction; however, dorsal dislocation of the lunate is extremely rare. • Such cases must be treated urgently to avoid complications such as avascular necrosis of the lunate and median nerve injury. • This case is one of few cases reported in the literature highlighting the rarity of this injury pattern. Lunate dislocation is a rare and serious injury, frequently due to high-energy trauma such as a fall from height or a motor vehicle accident. Lunate dislocation is usually in the volar direction; however, dorsal dislocation of the lunate is extremely rare. We report a case of 55-year-old male who sustained a high-energy trauma; he was hit by a car while crossing the street. The patient was referred to department of Plastic Surgery for left wrist dorsal dislocation of the lunate and bilateral multiple carpal bone fractures. He was managed by open reduction and internal fixation with scapholunate ligament repair for the left wrist, while the right wrist was treated conservatively. Such cases must be treated urgently to avoid complications such as avascular necrosis of the lunate, median nerve injury, complex regional pain syndrome, and chronic carpal instability. This case is one of few cases reported in the literature highlighting the rarity of this injury pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper sulfide nanoparticles with a grain dimension between 10 nm and 50 nm were obtained by a simple chemical process in the first step. The reaction of thiourea with different sources of copper in distilled water, and by adjusting the proportion of reactants was studied. The synthesis of the nanoparticles was made by simple modified hydrothermal route at 90 °C for 2 hour followed by annealing at 500 °C for 1 hour using different types of Cu-precursors to obtain numerous compositions and structures of copper sulfide CuxS (Cu2S: chalcocite, Cu1.95S: djurleite and CuS: covellite) for a fixed copper sulphur molar ratio. These nanopowders, in second step, were grown onto glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature. The optical and structural properties of the films were investigated. The obtained CuS films with a thickness of about 300 nm were polycrystalline textured, preferentially oriented with the (101) crystallographic direction. From optical study the films present a band gap of about 2 eV. The obtained layers are promising for photovoltaic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rutin is a bioactive compound that possesses anti-tumor activities through triggering apoptosis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is insensitive to targeted anti-tumoral drugs, and drug resistance in TNBC poses a challenge for a successful cure. The accumulation of misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) results in cellular stress that initiates a specialized response designated as the unfolded protein response. This study aimed to find potential ER stress targets in triple-negative breast cancer. The viability of cells was evaluated using an MTT assay. Cell migration and proliferation were done by wound scratch and colony formation assay. Cell cycle detection, measurement of ER stress, mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, and cell death identification was performed using flow cytometry. The interaction of rutin with ER stress proteins is predicted using in silico docking. The pattern of gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. The elevated rate of cell viability, cell cycle arrest, ER stress, MMP, and apoptotic induction was observed in combination treatment. Rutin exhibited the highest glide score with ASK1 and JNK. The results of qRT-PCR showed that rutin induced apoptosis through upregulation of ASK1 and JNK. The present study provides strong evidence supporting an important role of the ER stress response in mediating rutin-induced apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicine is extensively used in various therapeutic strategies. Althaea officinalis L. of the family Malvaceae exhibits many biological activities through its phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins and polysaccharides. In Lebanon, the flowers are consumed in hot infusions. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate chemical and biological properties of Lebanese Althaea officinalis L. flower water extract. Chemical characterization was performed by qualitative phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Anti-proliferative effect was evaluated in cancer cells by MTT assay. The mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzyme and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Cytoprotective activity was examined in red blood cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis. Antioxidant property was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, lignins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids and others. GC/MS analysis suggested that most of the phytocompounds are conjugated to sugars rather than free. LC/MS analysis identified 5 phenolic acids (syringic, gallic, caffeic, p-coumaric and trans-ferulic acids) and 8 flavonoids (catechin, apigenin, chrysin, quercetin, kaempferol, genistein, rutin trihydrate and galangin). Biological evaluation of the extract showed anti-proliferative effects on A549, EB, HCT-116, MCF-7 and HeLa 229 cells, anti-inflammatory activity illustrated by decrease in mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6, cytoprotective activity in red blood cells and antioxidant property. Althaea officinalis flowers rich in phytocompounds exert interesting biological activities and hold promise in the pharmacological field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Periodontal diseases are among the most common chronic disorders that have plagued humans for centuries and it is affected by social, economic and other factors. Periodontal diseases were more severe among patients with developmental disability. Objectives: to determine the prevalence of periodontal diseases among special needs children of schools of Kota Bharu in Kelantan, Malaysia and to determine the relationship between periodontal status and sociodemographic factors among these children. Methodology: Participants were examined for periodontal status by CPI. Questionnaires requesting sociodemographic information were distributed to all participants. Results: About 52.9% of children had calculus and 33.9% had gingival bleeding. There was association between prevalence of periodontal disease with age. There were no associations with other socio demographic factors. Conclusion: The periodontal disease prevalence was high 86.8% while the percentage of those with healthy periodontal condition was only 13.2%. There was association between prevalence of periodontal diseases and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]