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Objective: The purpose of this 5-year longitudinal study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography (PR) in identifying oral pathology at a tertiary care facility. Methods: A retrospective review of patient files was done, encompassing those of patients who had PR for suspected oral lesions, followed by a biopsy. At various times, several diagnostic accuracy metrics were computed, such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Results: The research had 250 patients in total. In terms of identifying oral pathology, PR showed a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 90%. There were 80% and 92% PPV and NPV, respectively. With a computed DOR of 25, PR’s total discriminating power was found to be high. Conclusion: In summary, PR consistently demonstrates great diagnostic accuracy in identifying oral pathology at a tertiary care facility. These results confirm that PR is a useful screening technique for oral lesions in standard clinical practice. In order to overcome PR’s shortcomings and investigate methods for enhancing its diagnostic effectiveness, more investigation is necessary.

OBJECTIVE: Methyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 5-benzoxazoleacetate (MCBA), a synthetic benzoxazole derivative with established antipsoriatic efficacy, was investigated for potential antinociceptive effects. This study employs various nociceptive assays in mice to elucidate MCBA's antinociceptive mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: M CBA's a ntinociceptive potential was tested against various nociception models induced by formalin, glutamate, capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor agonist, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC) activator. It was then assessed using the hot plate test and examined within the acetic acid-induced writhing test. During the acetic acid-induced writhing test, MCBA was pre-challenged against selective receptor antagonists such as naloxone, caffeine, atropine, yohimbine, ondansetron, and haloperidol. It was also pre-challenged with ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor (glibenclamide) to further elucidate its antinociceptive mechanism. RESULTS: The results showed that oral administration of MCBA led to a dose-dependent and significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of nociceptive effects across all evaluated models at doses of 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg. Moreover, the efficacy of MCBA's antinociceptive potential was significantly counteracted (p < 0.0001) by specific antagonists: (i) directed at adenosinergic, alpha-2 adrenergic, and cholinergic receptors using caffeine, yohimbine, and atropine, respectively; and (ii) targeting ATP-sensitive potassium channels, employing glibenclamide. Antagonists aimed at opioidergic and serotoninergic receptors (naloxone and ondansetron, respectively) had poor utility in inhibiting antinociceptive activity. Conversely, the dopaminergic receptor antagonist haloperidol potentiated locomotor abnormalities associated with MCBA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MCBA-induced antinociception involves modulation of glutamatergic-, TRVP1 receptors- and PKC-signaling pathways. It impacts adenosinergic, alpha-2 adrenergic, and cholinergic receptors and opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical removal of tramadol hydrochloride from aqueous solutions has been investigated under several operating conditions using a Pb/PbO2 electrode. The optimum conditions of the treatment process are: current density of 1000 mA/cm−2, pH ≈6, temperature of 10 °C and initial tramadol hydrochloride concentration of 100 mg/L. The time of electrolysis is 25 min for degradation rate of tramadol hydrochloride and chemical oxygen demeaned (COD) removal is 22 h. The results were obtained by UV–Vis spectrophotometer and the presently designed electrode was coincident.

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BACKGROUND Cycas circinalis leaves are used to treat diabetes mellitus in local medicinal systems without any scientifically proved information on their medicinal potential and phytochemicals. In this study, the total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and inhibitory effects on α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase were determined for optimized hydroethanolic leaf extracts. Secondary metabolites were identified using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QTOF‐MS/MS). In vivo studies on diabetic albino mice were also carried out to evaluate the impact of the most active extract on their blood glucose levels. RESULTS: The 60% ethanolic extract showed the highest extract yield (209.70 ± 0.20 g kg−1) and total phenolic (154.24 ± 3.28 mg gallic acid equivalent) and flavonoid (78.52 ± 1.65 mg rutin equivalent per gram dried extract) contents and exhibited the maximum DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 59.68 ± 2.82 μg mL−1). The IC50 values for inhibition of α‐glucosidase (58.42 ± 2.22 μg mL−1) and α‐amylase (74.11 ± 1.70 μg mL−1) were also significant for the 60% ethanolic extract. The untargeted UHPLC–QTOF‐MS/MS‐based metabolite profiling confirmed the presence of iridoid glucoside, gibberellin A4, O‐β‐d‐glucosyl‐4‐hydroxy‐cinnamate, 3‐methoxy‐2‐phyenyl‐4H‐furo[2,3‐h]chromen‐4‐one, kaempferol, withaferin A, amentoflavone, quercitin‐3‐O‐(6″‐malonyl glucoside), ellagic acid, and gallic acid. Plant extract at a dose of 500 mg kg−1 body weight reduced the blood glucose level by a considerable extent and also improved the lipid profile of diabetic mice after a 28‐day trial. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed the medicinal potential of C. circinalis leaves to treat diabetes mellitus and provided the nutraceutical leads for functional food development. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented work, nano-crystalline titania (TiO2) was synthesized and evaluated as a novel chromatographic sorbent for the preparation of the medical99Mo/99mTc generator. TiO2was synthesized by dissolving TiCl4.6H2O with isopropyl alcohol to form a semisolid mass that was extensively dried and washed. The physicochemical parameters and surface area of the synthesized nano-crystalline TiO2were evaluated. TiO2was packed as a chromatographic column to study the sorption of99Mo-polymolybdate (VI) anionic solution by dynamic equilibrium. The maximum sorption capacity of99Mo was ~141±2mg Mo/g TiO2, thereby confirming its suitability for using low specific activity99Mo for the preparation of99Mo/99mTc generator. The elution performance of the prepared99Mo/99mTc generator based on Ti-99Mo was evaluated. It showed high radiochemical purity (≥ 97% TcO4−), high radionuclidic purity (≥ 99.99%99mTc) and high chemical purity; all of these specifications show the suitability for use in nuclear medicine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Equilibrium and kinetics of exchange of60Co and152+154Eu radionuclides on hydrous titanium oxide incorporated in polyacrylonitrile, TiO-OH-PAN, were studied. The capacities of TiO-OH-PAN for60Co and152+154Eu were found to be 2.35 and 2.69 meq/g respectively. Freundlich and Langmiur isotherms were investigated. The validity of the Langmuir isotherm over the specified concentration range indicates monolayer coverage of the surface of TiO-OH-PAN by cobalt and europium. Sorption data was treated with the Dubinin-Radushkevich equation. The results indicated that hydrous titanium oxide incorporated in polyacrylonitrile can be considered as a promising material for removal of cobalt and europium ions from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Eggshell material was used as low-cost and eco-friendly biosorbent for removal of Cs, Co and Eu radionuclides from aqueous solution. The eggshell material was calcined at 500 and 800 °C, and then characterized. Comparative studies on the natural and calcined eggshell for sorption of the three radionuclides were carried out. It was found that, the uptake is in the order: Eu(III) > Co(II) > Cs(I). Further, column chromatography was used in separation of Cs, Co and Eu using 0.15, 0.2 and 0.5 mol/l nitric acid, respectively. Eggshell material can be considered as a promising material for separation of radionuclides from radioactive waste solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion exchange behavior of some heavy metal ions, Pb2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+, onto amidoximated polyacrylonitrile based Ce(IV) phosphate was investigated. Polyacrylonitrile based Ce(IV) phosphate was prepared and followed by functionalization of the cyano group to amidoxime group with hydroxylamine. The amidoximated resin was characterized using FT-IR and SEM. Removal of Pb2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ions from aqueous solution was examined by studying some factors using the batch technique such as effect of pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature. Some kinetic and isotherm models had been applied. The calculated amount of the sorbed values in case of the pseudo-second-order model are closer to the experimental data than that of the pseudo-first-order model, and with a correlation coefficients R2 > 0.99. Therefore, the sorption of the three metal ions can be approximated more favorably by the pseudo-second-order model. The sorption process obeys the Freundlich isotherm model. The sorption has an endothermic nature which is indicated by the positive value of the enthalpy change, ΔH, the high positive values of the entropy change, and ΔS show the increased randomness at the solid/solution interface. The obtained negative values of free energy change, ΔG, indicate the feasibility and the spontaneous nature of the sorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a study of the kinetics of adsorption of Cs+, Co2+, and Sr2+ on four hydrous titanium oxides, prepared in different media, and designated as Ti-I, Ti-II, Ti-III, and Ti-IV, was carried out. In the aqueous medium, the internal diffusion coefficients, Di for Cs+ were found to be equal to 3.7×10-9, 3.7×10-9, 2.3×10-9, and 1.5-10-9 cm2/s, in Ti-I, Ti-II, Ti-III, and Ti-IV, respectively. For Co2+ and Sr2+, these values are equal to 0.96×10-9 and 0.64×10-9 cm2/s, respectively for Ti-IV. In Ti-IV, Di for all ions generally increases on adding methanol or propanol. This is probably due to greater dehydration, leading to faster ion diffusion, and, hence, to a decrease of ion mobility due to stronger interaction with the surface. In all media in Ti-IV, the order: Di(Cs+)>Di(Co2+)≥Di(Sr2+) was found which is due to a stronger interaction of the bivalent ions with the exchange sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present molecular dynamics simulation results for the diffusion coefficients and structure of water-methane mixtures in constant NPT ensembles, at T = 270, 300 K and P = 8.104 × 107 Pa. The systems we have studied consist of one, four and eight CH4 molecules and varying H2O molecules per unit cell, which correspond to methane concentration of 0.081, 0.324 and 0.643 mol/l, respectively. The intermolecular potentials used in all the simulations were the four-site TIP4P model of water [1] and the fitted Lennard-Jones 12-6 potential for CH4-H2O [2]. Our results show that the methane concentration has little impact on the structure of water and the formation of hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) between water molecules. The H-bond numbers, H-bond length and the H-bond angle are independent of the methane concentration at the temperatures and densities examined in this study. We also find that the number of H-bonds and angles are sensitive to the temperature. The rise of temperature produces a decrease in the number and an increase in the angle of the H-bonds. Enhanced structuring of the hydration-shell water molecules is indicated by an increase of the first and second peak in the water oxygen-oxygen radial distribution function as temperature is decreased. The self-diffusion coefficient of water is sensitive to the methane concentration and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal alteration of a quartz–K-feldspar rock is simulated numerically by coupling fluid flow and chemical reactions. Introduction of CO2 gas generates an acidic fluid and produces secondary quartz, muscovite and/or pyrophyllite at constant temperature and pressure of 300°C and 200 MPa. The precipitation and/or dissolution of the secondary minerals is controlled by either mass-action relations or rate laws. In our simulations the mass of the primary elements are conserved and the mass-balance equations are solved sequentially using an implicit scheme in a finite-element code. The pore-fluid velocity is assumed to be constant. The change of rock volume due to the dissolution or precipitation of the minerals, which is directly related to their molar volume, is taken into account. Feedback into the rock porosity and the reaction rates is included in the model. The model produces zones of pyrophyllite quartz and muscovite due to the dissolution of K-feldspar. Our model simulates, in a simplified way, the acid-induced alteration assemblages observed in various guises in many significant mineral deposits. The particular aluminosilicate minerals produced in these experiments are associated with the gold deposits of the Witwatersrand Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bullying is a serious problem for school youth. It is prevalent across the elementary and secondary school years and it has serious consequences for both bullies and victims. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and bullying behavior. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including children enrolled in two high schools in Sousse, Tunisia. The students were asked to complete two questionnaires: the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument witch is a multidimensional scale designed to assess bullying involvement both as target and perpetrator and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Results: We recruited 600 adolescent. The mean age of our population was 13.76 ±1.37 and the sex ratio was 1. More than 95% of adolescent who reported that they had been victims of bullying had a very low self-esteem comparing to those who stated that they had never been bullied (4.4%). Our results have also shown that bullies had a lower self-esteem than children who had not bullied others. Conclusions: We found that both victims and bullies tend to have low self-esteem. Our findings could help to understand better the role that individual characteristics and personal qualities such as self-esteem play on bullying, and provide the scientific knowledge to develop successful strategies to prevent this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience high levels of anxiety. However, inconsistencies between parent and child reports may complicate the assessment of anxiety in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate discrepancies between parent and self-reported anxiety among children with high functioning ASD. Methods: Children aged between 8 and16 years with high functioning ASD, followed in the outpatient unite of child psychiatry at the University Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia and their parents, were invited to complete the Arabic version of the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASC-ASD). The ASCASD is a 24-item questionnaire with six sub-scales, designed specifically for the assessment of anxiety symptomatology in children with ASD. A total score of ≥ 20 indicate significant levels of anxiety. Results: We recruited 66 children and their parents. The mean age was 10 years old. High rates of anxietywere found: children's reports revealed that 70% of them present anxiety and 60 % were coated anxious by parent's reports. Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty and Social Anxiety were the most frequent types of anxiety reported by both parents and children. We did not find a significant difference between the parents and children rating of anxiety except for the apprehension subscale. Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to compare between parent and self-reported anxiety among children with ASD using an autism-specific measure of anxiety. No discrepancies have been found between parents and children report, however others studies are needed to investigate discrepancies in children with severe ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psychiatry is a fascinating medical specialty. Many reasons may motivate early career doctors to choose this field. However, this experience could have a different impact on their quality of life and social functioning. Objectives: we aimed to assess the impact of psychiatry as a medical career, on the psychiatrist's quality of life, and to evaluate their feedback on their experience and how it effects their life. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 68 psychiatrists. An E-questionnaire has been sent via a psychiatrist's closed groups on social media. We collected sociodemographic data, we also used the stress perceived scale, and we explored the quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire. Results: The participants were mostly females with a mean age of 32 years (range25-65). Only 10% of psychiatrists had psychiatric history mostly depression. Concerning substance use, 15% were smokers, 17% used alcohol, 10% smoked occasionally cannabis and 23 % used different psychotropic drugs. 73% our sample were interested in psychiatry during their studies. 60% of our population considered the role of psychiatrists ambiguous among other colleagues. A very high perceived stress was noted in 90 % of our sample. Physical health status was in the average of standard deviation wether mental health status was below average among psychiatrists. The most frustrating situation mentioned was the absence of intermediate structures to receive psychotic patients. Conclusions: Tunisians psychiatrists are facing many obstacles during the practice of their job, that would transform their passion into demotivation and a desire to leave the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: School bullying is a serious problem among tunisian children and adolesent. In our every day practice, we see a considerable number of suicide attempts among bullying victims. Our study tries to provide more information on this phenomenon, in order to organize efficient preventtion measures. Objectives: Measuring the prevalence of bullying victimization in the town of Sousse-Tunisia Comparing the prevalence found through a validated measurement tool and a closed end question Methods: It is a cross-sectional study among a sample of 1127 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years old. The adolescents were divided in two groups the first group, composed of 527 adolescents, answered a closed end (yes/no) question "Have you been a victim of Bullying"; the second group, composed of 600 adolescents, responded to the "adolescent peer relation instrument". Results: The first group was composed of 48% of boys and 52% of girls with a mean age of 13,24 ± 0,96. The second group was composed of 50%of boys and 50% of girls with a mean age of 13.76 ±1.37. We found a bullying victimization prevalence of 11% for the first group versus 95.1% for the second group. For both groups we didn't find a significant difference in the prevalence of bullying victimization according to sociodemographic factors except the higher family income that was associates to less bullying victimisation for the first group (p=0,04) Conclusions: The high prevalence of bullying victimization we found using a validated measurement is alarming in terms of the urgency of interventions to prevent bullying in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: School Bullying is an educational and a health care issue that was kept hided for a long time. Despite, growing interest about this issue, it's still a topic that is not well known and well analysed in Tunisia. Objectives: - Evaluate the prevalence of school bullyingamongMiddle school students - Establish the psychological profile of harassers Methods: It's a cross sectional study including 600 students of 2 middle schools of the region of Sousse -Tunisia during the month of March 2020. "The adolescent peer relations instrument" was used to identify school bullying and its type. The "Child Behaviour Checklist" questionnaire was used to identify emotional and behavioural problems among children. Self esteem levels were evaluated by the "Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale". Results: The mean age of participants was 13 years and 9 months ±1 year and 4 months. 95.1 % of the participants have experienced school harassment, but also 92% of them harassed their peers. Boys were more frequently bullies than girls (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in self esteem levels between bullies and non-bullies adolescents. Among the 8 syndroms explored by the Child behaviour checklist, adolescents experiencing one of the 7 folllowing items (Anxious syndrome, Depressive syndrome, Aggressive behaviour, Attention problems, Social problem, Thoughts problems and Withdrawal problems) had significantly higher risk of being a bully (p values between 0.001 and 0.02). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the high prevalence of school bullying among adolescents in Tunisia. Most of the psychological problems explored in this study seem to be higher among bullies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection limit of tramadol hydrochloride was effectively improved by proper selection of a plasticizer and ion exchanger. Two plastic membrane electrodes for the determination of tramadol hydrochloride (TDCl) were fabricated and fully characterized in terms of composition, life span, usable pH range and working concentration range. The membranes of these electrodes consist of an ion-exchanger such as tramadolium-silicotungstate (TD-ST), silicomolybdate (TD-SM), dispersed in PVC matrix with different plasticizers, namely 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (2-NPOE), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEPh), dioctyl sebacate (DOS), tributyl phosphate (TBPh) and dibutyl butyl phosphonate (DBBPh). Experiments showed that DBP was the best plasticizer and TD-PT The best ion pair for their combination produced the lowest detection limit. The present electrodes show clear discrimination of tramadol hydrochloride from several inorganic, organic ions, sugars and some common drug excipients. The sensors were applied for determination of tramadol hydrochloride in urine, milk and pharmaceutical preparations using potentiometric determination, standard addition and the calibration curve methods. The results obtained were satisfactory with excellent percentage recovery comparable and sometimes better than those obtained by other routine methods for the assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of tramadol hydrochloride in urine, milk and pharmaceutical preparations using two modified carbon paste electrodes was developed. One electrode (sensor A) is based on ion-association of tramadol hydrochloride with phosphotungstic acid (TD-PT) and the other (sensor B) with a mixture of phosphotungstic acid (TD-PT) and silicomolybdic acid (TD-SM). Among seven different solvent mediators tested, 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) exhibited a proper behavior including Nernstian slopes of the calibration curve at 57.8±0.4 and 56.5±0.8mV per decade for sensors A and B. The response times were 8 and 5s; detection limits 6.2×10−6 and 1.8×10−6 M; the concentration range 9.2×10−6 to 1.0×10−1 M and 5.5×10−6 to 1.0×10−1 M respectively. The present electrodes show good discrimination of tramadol hydrochloride from several inorganic, organic ions, sugars and some common drug excipients. The sensors were applied for the determination of tramadol hydrochloride in urine, milk and pharmaceutical preparations using potentiometric determination, standard addition and the calibration curve methods. The results obtained were satisfactory with excellent percentage recovery comparable and sometimes better than those obtained by other routine methods for the assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microglia have been shown to proliferate and become activated following cranial radiotherapy (CRT), resulting in a chronic inflammatory response. We investigated the role of microglia in contributing to widespread volume losses observed in the brain following CRT in juvenile mice. To manipulate microglia, we used low-dose treatment with a highly selective CSF1R inhibitor called PLX5622 (PLX). We hypothesized that alteration of the post-CRT microglia population would lead to changes in brain development outcomes, as evaluated by structural MRI. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were provided with daily intraperitoneal injections of PLX (25 mg/kg) or vehicle from postnatal day (P)14 to P19. Mice also received whole-brain irradiation (7 Gy) or sham irradiation (0 Gy) at 16 days of age. In one cohort of mice, immunohistochemical assessment in tissue sections was conducted to assess the impact of the selected PLX and CRT doses as well as their combination. In a separate cohort, mice were imaged using MRI at P14 (pretreatment), P19, P23, P42 and P63 in order to assess induced volume changes, which were measured based on structures from a predefined atlas. We observed that PLX and radiation treatments led to sex-specific changes in the microglial cell population. Across treatment groups, MRI-detected anatomical volumes at P19 and P63 were associated with microglia and proliferating microglia densities, respectively. Overall, our study demonstrates that low-dose PLX treatment produces a sex-dependent response in juvenile mice, that manipulation of microglia alters CRT-induced volume changes and that microglia density and MRI-derived volume changes are correlated in this model., (© 2024 The Author(s). NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Magnetite nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers for biomedical uses, but their impacts on the reproductive system did not report. Here, we have studied the possible attenuation efficiency of quercetin against magnetite nanoparticles-induced apoptosis in ovarian. Forty female rats were divided equally into control, quercetin (100 mg/kg), magnetite nanoparticles (50 mg/kg), and magnetite nanoparticles+quercetin, where all rats received their doses for four weeks. Compared with the control, magnetite nanoparticles significantly reduced the serum hormonal levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) along with glutathione and superoxide dismutase in ovarian tissues. Moreover, magnetite nanoparticles markedly increased the ovarian malondialdehyde, and apoptotic gene expressions (Bax and caspase-3), and induced many histopathological changes. Significantly, co-treatment with quercetin markedly alleviated the hormonal profile, antioxidant disturbance, and ovarian apoptotic pathway of magnetite nanoparticles. Furthermore, our docking study revealed that quercetin could act as a caspase-3 inhibitor and allosteric agonist to follicle-stimulating hormone (Met520 and Val53), luteinizing hormone (Met517, Ala589, Ser604, and Lys595), estrogen (Met421, Phe425, and Ala350), and progesterone (Met759 and Met909) receptors. Those records reveal that the antioxidants and antiapoptotic characteristics are acceptable pointers for female infertility defenders of quercetin, especially during nanoparticle exposure.

Objective: The purpose of this 5-year longitudinal study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography (PR) in identifying oral pathology at a tertiary care facility., Methods: A retrospective review of patient files was done, encompassing those of patients who had PR for suspected oral lesions, followed by a biopsy. At various times, several diagnostic accuracy metrics were computed, such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)., Results: The research had 250 patients in total. In terms of identifying oral pathology, PR showed a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 90%. There were 80% and 92% PPV and NPV, respectively. With a computed DOR of 25, PR's total discriminating power was found to be high., Conclusion: In summary, PR consistently demonstrates great diagnostic accuracy in identifying oral pathology at a tertiary care facility. These results confirm that PR is a useful screening technique for oral lesions in standard clinical practice. In order to overcome PR's shortcomings and investigate methods for enhancing its diagnostic effectiveness, more investigation is necessary., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by progressive atrophy of the cerebral cortex. The neurobiology of obesity contributions to AD is poorly understood. Here we show with in vivo MRI that diet-induced obesity decreases cortical volume in mice, and that higher body adiposity associates with lower cortical volume in humans. Single-nuclei transcriptomics of the mouse cortex reveals that dietary obesity promotes an array of neuron-adverse transcriptional dysregulations, which are mediated by an interplay of excitatory neurons and glial cells, and which involve microglial activation and lowered neuronal capacity for neuritogenesis and maintenance of membrane potential. The transcriptional dysregulations of microglia, more than of other cell types, are like those in AD, as assessed with single-nuclei cortical transcriptomics in a mouse model of AD and two sets of human donors with the disease. Serial two-photon tomography of microglia demonstrates microgliosis throughout the mouse cortex. The spatial pattern of adiposity-cortical volume associations in human cohorts interrogated together with in silico bulk and single-nucleus transcriptomic data from the human cortex implicated microglia (along with other glial cells and subtypes of excitatory neurons), and it correlated positively with the spatial profile of cortical atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD. Thus, multi-cell neuron-adverse dysregulations likely contribute to the loss of cortical tissue in obesity. The dysregulations of microglia may be pivotal to the obesity-related risk of AD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Deficiency in the breast cancer type 1 (BRCA1) gene expression predisposes to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and ovarian cancer (OC). We previously identified by Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) array a gain in the 17q25.3 genomic region in 90% of the BRCA1 mutated TNBC tissues, where 17 genes were up-regulated. A second region (Chr19&#95;45681759&#95;54221324) was identified as the second most frequent gain in the BRCA1-mutated population and has not yet been described in the context of BRCA1 mutation. We thus aimed to validate the expression of the Casein kinase 1 delta (CSNK1D) gene of Chr17 in TNBC and OC cell lines and to investigate the expression of genes of Chr19 in TNBC cell lines and tissues as well as in OC cell lines. Expression level of the genes of the 17q25.3, 19q13.32,13.33 and 13.41 chromosomal regions was analyzed using RT-PCR in BRCA1 deficient TNBC and OC cell lines, as well as in 10 BRCA1-mutated TNBC tissues versus 10 wild type carriers. Our results revealed a significant upregulation of CSNK1D gene expression in BRCA1 deficient TNBC and OC cell lines when compared to control ones, and a significant aberration in the expression of the other six genes of Chr19 was observed. Interestingly, upregulation of kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) was detected among the BRCA1 deficient TNBC (cell lines and tissues) and OC cell lines. In conclusion, our results suggested that CSNK1D and KLK6 expression levels could be very promising in the search for biomarkers for BRCA1 deficient TNBC and OC.

Here, synthesis and thorough characterization of β-NaFeO 2 nanoparticles utilizing a co-precipitation technique is presented. XRD analysis confirmed a hexagonal-phase structure of β-NaFeO 2 . SEM revealed well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 45 nm. The FTIR spectrum analysis revealed weak adsorption bands at 1054 cm -1 suggested metal-metal bond stretching (Fe-Na). UV-Visible spectroscopy indicates a 4.4 eV optical band gap. Colloidal stability of β-NaFeO 2 was evidenced via Zeta potential (-28.5 mV) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements. BET analysis reveals a substantial 343.27 m 2 g -1 surface area with mesoporous characteristics. Antioxidant analysis indicates efficacy comparable to standard antioxidants, while concentration-dependent antibacterial effects suggest enhanced efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Streptococcus. The Photocatalytic activity of β-NaFeO 2 showed significant pollutant degradation (>90% efficiency), with increased degradation rates at higher nanoparticle concentrations, indicating potential for environmental remediation applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing public health concern, yet misconceptions about the condition are common. This study assessed awareness and social perceptions of AD in Jazan., Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 925 adults was conducted. Knowledge was assessed using a 30-item Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Social perceptions were evaluated using a 10-item questionnaire., Results: Many had misconceptions about AD epidemiology, causes, management, and care. The mean ADKS score was 8.89 ± 5.17 out of 30. Knowledge was poorest for symptoms, risk factors, treatment, caregiving, and life impact. Knowledge was highest in those aged >45 years (p = 0.018), in those with income > 15K SR (p = 0.004), in retired individuals (p = 0.023), and in those who learned about AD from books (p = 0.001), healthcare professionals (p = 0.001), or had an affected relative (p = 0.001). However, knowledge was low across all domains, averaging only 29% correct answers. Most respondents held positive social perceptions, yet sizable minorities saw isolation, legal intervention, and institutionalization as appropriate. Additionally, a portion of respondents associated stigma with individuals affected by AD and expressed a sense of burden associated with the condition., Conclusions: There are substantial knowledge gaps and some stigmatizing attitudes about AD in Jazan. Awareness regarding the causes, diagnosis, and management of AD was low. Misconceptions exist that AD only affects older people. Improved public education, especially for higher-risk groups, is needed to address misconceptions and promote social inclusion for those with dementia. Healthcare professionals can play a crucial role., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Hakami et al.)

This study addressed the challenge of accurately detecting mycotoxins in herbs and spices, which have gained popularity as alternative medicines but pose health risks due to potential contamination. We used a competitive direct ELISA kit (Art No. 8610), Veratox for Ochratoxin, to quantify Ochratoxin A in the herb and spice samples. The samples were first prepared using solid-liquid extraction with 70% methanol. The resulting filtrate was then subjected to ELISA analysis. The results of the analysis were then further analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). In this study, PCA was used to classify the concentration levels of Ochratoxin A based on various factors, such as the packaging type, country of origin, shelf life, and sample weight. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values indicate the lowest amount of Ochratoxin A that can be detected and quantified, respectively, with high accuracy and precision. The range of the LOD and LOQ values (0.43-0.58 µg/kg and 1.45-1.95 µg/kg, respectively) suggests that the method used was capable of detecting and quantifying Ochratoxin A in the herb and spice samples at different concentrations with a high degree of accuracy and precision. These results suggest that while most of the samples (73.33%) were below the maximum residue limit (MRL) for Ochratoxin A, a significant number of samples (26.67%) had concentrations of Ochratoxin A that were higher than the MRL. This highlights the importance of monitoring Ochratoxin A in herb and spice samples and ensuring the products are safe for consumption., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2023 JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE.)

Background: Mefenamic acid (MFA), a common analgesic, causes central nervous system (CNS) toxicity at high doses with a proposed activity on the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. However, it remains unknown whether flumazenil (FMZ), a GABA type A receptor (GABAAR) antagonist, can reverse MFA toxicity., Methods: The behavioral and neurophysiological effects of MFA were investigated in mice with and without FMZ pre-treatment. The elevated zero maze (EZM) and marble burying tests were used to assess anxiety-like behaviors and burying activities, respectively. The standard bar test was used to evaluate catalepsy, while the actophotometer test was used to measure locomotor activity. Seizure intensity was scored, and fatalities were counted., Results: Without FMZ pre-treatment, MFA induced behavioral and neurophysiological effects in a dose-dependent manner as follows: At a dose of 20 mg/kg, i.p, MFA-treated mice exhibited anxiety-like behaviors, which was determined by a significant increase in the time spent in the closed areas and a significant decrease in the number of entries to the open areas of the EZM apparatus. These mice also showed a significant decrease in the burying activity, manifested as a significant decrease in the number of buried marbles. At 40 mg/kg, i.p., MFA-treated mice showed catalepsy that was associated with a significant decrease in locomotor activity. At a dose of 80 mg/kg, i.p., mice developed fatal tonic-clonic seizures (seizure score = 4). Pre-treatment with FMZ (5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reversed the anxiety-like behaviors and restored marble-burying activity. Additionally, FMZ prevented catalepsy, significantly restored locomotor activity, reduced seizure intensity (seizure score = 0.3) and significantly reduced mortalities., Conclusions: The present study's findings indicate that activation of the GABAAR is involved in the CNS toxicity of MFA, and FMZ reverses MFA toxicity by interfering with this receptor., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

This paper documents changes in infant mortality (IM) rates in São Paulo, Brazil, between 2003 and 2013 and examines the association among neighborhood characteristics and IM. We investigate the extent to which increased use of health care services and improvements in economic and social conditions are associated with reductions in IM. Using data from the Brazilian Census and the São Paulo Secretaria Municipal da Saúde/SMS, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of panel data in all 96 districts of São Paulo for every year between 2003 and 2013. Our regression model includes district level measures that reflect economic, health care and social determinants of IM. We find that investments in health care have contributed to lower IM rates in the city, but the direct effect of increased spending is most evident for people living in São Paulo's middle- and high-income neighborhoods. Improvements in social conditions were more strongly associated with IM declines than increases in the use of health care among São Paulo's low-income neighborhoods. To reduce health inequalities, policies should target benefits to lower-income neighborhoods. Subsequent research should document the consequences of recent changes in Brazil's economic capacity and commitment to public health spending for population health.

Objective: Human exposure to multiple xenobiotics, over various developmental windows, results in adverse health effects arising from these concomitant exposures. Humans are widely exposed to bisphenol A, and acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter drug worldwide. Bisphenol A is a well-recognized male reproductive toxicant, and increasing evidence suggests that acetaminophen is also detrimental to the male reproductive system. The recent recognition of male reproductive system dysfunction in conditions of suboptimal reproductive outcomes makes it crucial to investigate the contributions of toxicant exposures to infertility and sub-fertility. We aimed to identify toxicity in the male reproductive system at the mitochondrial level in response to co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and we investigated whether melatonin ameliorated this toxicity., Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=10 each): a control group and groups that received melatonin, bisphenol A, acetaminophen, bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and bisphenol A and acetaminophen with melatonin treatment., Results: Significantly higher lipid peroxidation was observed in the testicular mitochondria and sperm in the treatment groups than in the control group. Levels of glutathione and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and manganese superoxide dismutase decreased significantly in response to the toxicant treatments. Likewise, the toxicant treatments significantly decreased the sperm count and motility, while significantly increasing sperm mortality. Melatonin mitigated the adverse effects of bisphenol A and acetaminophen., Conclusion: Co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen elevated oxidative stress in the testicular mitochondria, and this effect was alleviated by melatonin.

Serial reaction time tasks, in which subjects have to match a target to a cue, are used to explore whether non-human animals have multiple memory systems. Predictable sub-sequences embedded in the sequence of cues are responded to faster, demonstrating incidental learning, often considered implicit. Here, we used the serial implicit learning task (SILT) to determine whether rats' memory shows similar effects. In SILT, subjects must nose-poke into a sequence of two lit apertures, S1 and S2. Some S1 are always followed by the same S2, creating predictable sequences (PS). Across groups, we varied the proportion of PS trials, from 10 to 80%, and show that rats with more PS experience do better on them than on unpredictable sequences, and better than rats with less experience. We then introduced test trials in which no S2 was cued. Rats with more PS experience did better on test trials. Finally, we reversed some sequences (from predictable to unpredictable and vice versa) and changed others. We find that rats with more PS experience perseverate on old (now incorrect) responses more than those with less PS experience. Overall, we find a discontinuity in performance as the proportion of PS increases, suggesting a switch in behavioral strategies or memory systems, which we confirm using a Process Dissociation Procedure analysis. Our data suggest that rats have at least two distinct memory systems, one of which appears to be analogous to human implicit memory and is differentially activated by varying the proportion of PS in our task., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The elevated plus maze (EPM) and the marble burying (MB) tests are common behavioral tests used for behavioral phenotyping in mouse models for neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the behavioral effects of maternal separation (MS), a standard paradigm for early life stress in animals, in both the EPM and MB tests remain incompletely known., Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral effects of prolonged MS in the offspring of mice using the EPM and MB tests., Methods: Male BALB/c mice were isolated from their mothers for 4 h each day during the first 30 days after birth. On day 50 postnatal, groups of separated and non-separated mice ( n = 18/each group) were subjected to the EPM and MB tests for comparative behavioral evaluations. In addition, the locomotor activity of mice was evaluated using the actophotometer test., Results: The findings of the EPM test revealed that separated mice exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviors, as evidenced by a significant increase in the latency to closed arms and the time spent in the open arms compared with non-separated mice. Separated mice also showed compulsive burying activity in the MB test, as determined by a significant increase in the number of buried marbles. The results of the actophotometer test did not show any significant change in locomotor activity., Conclusions: Prolonged MS caused the adult offspring of mice to exhibit a decrease in anxiety state and increased compulsive burying activity, which were not associated with a change in locomotor activity. Further investigations with validated tests are needed to support these findings.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease with a high burden. We aim to be the first to investigate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in Syria and assess its risk factors., Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the public to identify fibromyalgia patients using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 modified criteria. Identified cases were matched using age with controls free from rheumatic disorders that were randomly sampled from the same population., Results: Out of 2966 participants, 350 (11.8%) satisfied the diagnostic criteria. Of these, only 29 (8.2%) were previously diagnosed by a physician, 239 (68.3%) were females, and 69 (19.71%) were diagnosed with depression. Female sex (OR = 1.31), diagnosis of major depressive disorder (OR = 2.62), irritable bowel syndrome (OR = 1.8), and Restless legs syndrome (OR = 1.72) were associated with a higher likelihood of fibromyalgia., Conclusion: Our study revealed one of the highest prevalence rates of fibromyalgia ever reported in the general population. Efforts must be intensified to increase awareness about this disease in Syrian society as well as among healthcare providers., (© 2022. The Author(s).)