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Background Methods Results Conclusions Clinical Significance Two intra‐coronal preparation designs with varying extensions of cuspal coverage can perform differently regarding their fracture resistance against introral forces.Two materials (IPS e‐max CAD [EX], VITA ENAMIC [EN]), and two different preparation designs (EX‐D1), (EX‐D2), (EN‐D1), and (EN‐D2) were investigated to compare their fracture resistance. A total of 40 (n = 40) caries free human mandibular molars were used. All the prepared samples were scanned using CEREC Omnicam scanner and the preparations were checked by the software for any sharpness and undercuts before restoration designing and fabrication. All restorations were milled using Cerec MCXL 4.4 milling machine. Duo‐Link resin cement was used for cementation. After thermocycling and chewing simulation, all samples were loaded in the Universal testing machine in order to evaluate fracture resistance of all samples.Fracture resistance testing revealed that e‐max CAD (2134 N) showed statistically significantly higher mean fracture resistance values than Vita Enamic (1728 N). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference between mean fracture resistances between the two tested designs.Within the confines of this investigation, it can be said that although preparation design had no appreciable impact on fracture resistance, the CAD/CAM ceramic material utilized did.When restoring compound cavitties indirectly; a conservative defect oriented approach should be used. Glass Ceramic are prefered as restorative material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment or recovery of waste ink constitutes a significant process for the printing and packaging industries, particularly in the flexographic printing of packaging materials. This poses a substantial challenge in the field of waste management science. The application of waste ink recovery, ensuring a safe environment and human health, along with the recovery and sustainability of Earth's resources, has garnered significant global attention. The present research is solely devoted to creating innovative trends without technological barriers for synthesizing a tri-copolymer to be applied as an effective sorption system for waste ink. The Polyethyleneimine-Poly Glycidyl methacrylatepolyethylene glycol diacrylate tri-polymer (PEI-PGMA-PEGDA tri-polymer) was synthesized and thoroughly investigated using FTIR, TGA, and DSC to confirm its chemical structure, thermal stability, and the shift in melting point affected by radiation dose, respectively. SEM analysis showed significant morphological differences in PEI-PGMA-PEGDA tri-polymer samples before and after treatment with flexographic printing ink waste, offering effective strategies for adsorbing waste printing inks from organic solvents. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the investigated materials and their potential applications. Additionally, the kinetic study of the sorption efficiency of flexographic ink by two sets of tri-copolymers with doses of 20 and 40 kGy indicated that 40 kGy has a more efficient capacity. The highest sorption capacity, approximately 97.6%, was observed for a sample of GMA 15% irradiated by 40 kGy with a sorption amount of 2.5 g L-1. This suggests that the current new treatment strategy can be categorized as highly effective waste ink management and should be advocated for in such domains to ensure a safe environment and preserve Earth's resources. The treatment of printing ink for packaging materials is a crucial step towards achieving green printing technology, which must be supported and advanced through research and industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The aspect of sexual differentiation and the mechanism controlling the position of genitalia, which represents one of the most substantial differences between the sexes, is still poorly understood. Minor cases and some variants of penoscrotal transposition (PST) are unreported, and obvious cases were classified broadly and confused with other unrelated anomalies. Methodology: Relevant literature published till 2022 were reviewed then organized, recapitulated, and presented in comparison with the findings and data of 65 child diagnosed with PST. So, an integrated comprehensive approach to this uncommon condition enabled a new classification including few unreported variant cases, which were complemented. Results: PST is classified herein into a cephalic or caudal scrotal migration, the cephalic type subdivided into major and minor subtypes the latter type subdivided into bilateral, unilateral or central subtypes. Cases of caudal scrotal regression is an unreported anomaly in which the scrotum located caudally, as constant association with epispadias/exstrophy anomalies leaving a wide distance between the fixed penis and the scrotal sacs. Conclusion: PST is not rare as it was believed, it occurs in two directions; cephalic and caudal directions. Scrotal caudal regression anomaly was not described before, as well the PST presented as an inguinal hernia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Opioid use has increased globally, dramatically increasing opioid overdose, dependence, abuse and mortality. Limited research is available on opioid use patterns in older adults in New Zealand and internationally. This study aims to address this gap by determining the incidence and prevalence of opioid use among older adults (age ≥65 years) in New Zealand from 2007 to 2018. Methods: This was a population‐based retrospective cohort study conducted using New Zealand national administrative healthcare databases. The annual opioid use incidence (2008–2018) and prevalence (2007–2018) in older adults were determined and stratified by sex, age, and opioid type and strength. We used descriptive statistics to summarise the patterns of opioid dispensing. Data analysis was conducted using MS Excel, and data linking was performed using SQL software. Results: A total of 820,349 older adults were initiated on opioids during the study period. The overall incidence of opioid use in older adults showed a steady increase from 2008 to 2015; similarly, the prevalence steadily increased from 2007 to 2015, and thereafter, both rates fluctuated. A slight decrease in both prevalence and incidence rates was observed in 2018. Codeine and tramadol were the most commonly dispensed opioids during the study period. Females had a higher incidence and prevalence of all opioids than males. Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of opioid dispensing increased in New Zealand older adults over time. Monitoring the trends of opioid use in older adults is critical to enable clinicians and policymakers to deliver early interventions to prevent future opioid‐related adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surgical plume has known potential occupational health hazards. This study compares nanoparticle concentrations in surgical plumes generated between different pediatric tonsillectomy surgical techniques and assesses the efficacy of mitigation measures. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study performed at a tertiary care academic center. Extracapsular or intracapsular tonsillectomy was performed in 60 patients using four techniques and in 10 additional patients using mitigation measures. Two nanoparticle counters were used to measure particulate concentrations: CPC™ and DiSCmini™. Tonsillectomy techniques included: (1) microdebrider (MD), (2) Bovie with manual suctioning by an assistant (B), (3) Bovie with built‐in smoke evacuation system (BS), and (4) Coblator™ (CB). An additional Yankauer suction was used in the mitigation groups (BSY) and (CBY). Comparative analysis was performed using one‐way ANOVA on ranks and pairwise comparisons between the groups. Results: The mean concentrations (particles/cm3) and coefficient of variants for the DiSCmini particulate counter were MD: 5140 (1.6), B: 30700 (1.5), BS: 25001 (0.8), CB: 54814 (1.7), CBY: 2395 (1.3) and BSY: 11552 (1.0). Mean concentrations for the CPC particulate counter were MD: 1223 (1.4), B: 3405 (0.7), BS: 5002 (0.9), CB: 13273 (1.0), CBY: 1048 (1.2) and BSY: 3046 (0.6). The lowest mean concentrations were noted in cases using MD and the highest in cases using CB. However, after mitigation, CBY had the lowest overall levels. Conclusion: Tonsillectomy technique does impact the levels of nanoparticles emitted within the surgical plume, which may present an occupational hazard for operating room personnel. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2444–2448, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common and carries significant personal and societal burden. Accurate assessment is necessary for good clinical and research practice but is highly dependent on the assessment technique used. Current practice with regards to UK/international clinical assessment is unknown. We aimed to capture current clinical practice, with reference to contemporaneously available guidelines. We further aimed to compare UK to international practice. Design: Anonymous online questionnaire with cross‐sectional non‐probability sampling. Subgroup analysis according to subspeciality training in rhinology ('rhinologists' and 'non‐rhinologists') was performed, with geographical comparisons only made according to subgroup. Participants: ENT surgeons who assess olfaction. Results: Responses were received from 465 clinicians (217 from UK and 17 countries total). Country‐specific response rate varied, with the lowest rate being obtained from Japan (1.4%) and highest from Greece (72.5%). Most UK clinicians do not perform psychophysical smell testing during any of the presented clinical scenarios—though rhinologists did so more often than non‐rhinologists. The most frequent barriers to testing related to service provision (e.g., time/funding limitations). Whilst there was variability in practice, in general, international respondents performed psychophysical testing more frequently than those from the UK. Approximately 3/4 of all respondents said they would like to receive training in psychophysical smell testing. Patient reported outcome measures were infrequently used in the UK/internationally. More UK respondents performed diagnostic MRI scanning than international respondents. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive UK‐based, and only international survey of clinical practice in the assessment of OD. We present recommendations to improve practice, including increased education and funding for psychophysical smell testing. We hope this will promote accurate and reliable olfactory assessment, as is the accepted standard in other sensory systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer‐related deaths. However, the surgical control of the CRC progression is difficult, and in most cases, the metastasis leads to cancer‐related mortality. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) with potential translational applications in regenerative medicine have been widely researched for several years. MSCs could affect tumor development through secreting exosomes. The beneficial properties of stem cells are attributed to their cell–cell interactions as well as the secretion of paracrine factors in the tissue microenvironment. For several years, exosomes have been used as a cell‐free therapy to regulate the fate of tumor cells in a tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the recent advances and current understanding of assessing MSC‐derived exosomes for possible cell‐free therapy in CRC. Significant statement: The current analysis explores the potential contribution of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in colorectal cancer through the release of extracellular vesicles. These vesicles' contents play a significant role in fostering tumor microenvironments, stimulating cancer cell proliferation, prompting stromal cell differentiation, encouraging angiogenesis, fostering premetastatic niche establishment, and facilitating invasion. Additionally, extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in modulating immune system responses and influencing resistance to anticancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted agents. Beyond their role in promoting cancer advancement, these vesicles also contribute to cell invasion and metastasis, making them potential biomarkers for monitoring cancer progression. Consequently, both mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their extracellular vesicles hold promise as prospective cell‐free therapies in the context of colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In cardiac T1 mapping, a series of T1‐weighted (T1w) images are collected and numerically fitted to a two or three‐parameter model of the signal recovery to estimate voxel‐wise T1 values. To reduce the scan time, one can collect fewer T1w images, albeit at the cost of precision or/and accuracy. Recently, the feasibility of using a neural network instead of conventional two‐ or three‐parameter fit modeling has been demonstrated. However, prior studies used data from a single vendor and field strength; therefore, the generalizability of the models has not been established. Purpose: To develop and evaluate an accelerated cardiac T1 mapping approach based on MyoMapNet, a convolution neural network T1 estimator that can be used across different vendors and field strengths by incorporating the relevant scanner information as additional inputs to the model. Study Type: Retrospective, multicenter. Population: A total of 1423 patients with known or suspected cardiac disease (808 male, 57 ± 16 years), from three centers, two vendors (Siemens, Philips), and two field strengths (1.5 T, 3 T). The data were randomly split into 60% training, 20% validation, and 20% testing. Field Strength/Sequence: A 1.5 T and 3 T, Modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) for native and postcontrast T1. Assessment: Scanner‐independent MyoMapNet (SI‐MyoMapNet) was developed by altering the deep learning (DL) architecture of MyoMapNet to incorporate scanner vendor and field strength as inputs. Epicardial and endocardial contours and blood pool (by manually drawing a large region of interest in the blood pool) of the left ventricle were manually delineated by three readers, with 2, 8, and 9 years of experience, and SI‐MyoMapNet myocardial and blood pool T1 values (calculated from four T1w images) were compared with conventional MOLLI T1 values (calculated from 8 to 11 T1w images). Statistical Tests: Equivalency test with 95% confidence interval (CI), linear regression slope, Pearson correlation coefficient (r), Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The proposed SI‐MyoMapNet successfully created T1 maps. Native and postcontrast T1 values measured from SI‐MyoMapNet were strongly correlated with MOLLI, despite using only four T1w images, at both field‐strengths and vendors (all r > 0.86). For native T1, SI‐MyoMapNet and MOLLI were in good agreement for myocardial and blood T1 values in institution 1 (myocardium: 5 msec, 95% CI [3, 8]; blood: −10 msec, 95%CI [−16, −4]), in institution 2 (myocardium: 6 msec, 95% CI [0, 11]; blood: 0 msec, [−18, 17]), and in institution 3 (myocardium: 7 msec, 95% CI [−8, 22]; blood: 8 msec, [−14, 30]). Similar results were observed for postcontrast T1. Data Conclusion: Inclusion of field strength and vendor as additional inputs to the DL architecture allows generalizability of MyoMapNet across different vendors or field strength. Evidence Level: 2. Technical Efficacy: Stage 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PF‐06835919, a ketohexokinase inhibitor, presented as an inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro (human primary hepatocytes), and static mechanistic modeling exercises predicted significant induction in vivo (oral midazolam area under the plasma concentration‐time curve [AUC] ratio [AUCR] = 0.23–0.79). Therefore, a drug–drug interaction study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multiple doses of PF‐06835919 (300 mg once daily × 10 days; N = 10 healthy participants) on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral midazolam 7.5 mg dose. The adjusted geometric means for midazolam AUC and its maximal plasma concentration were similar following co‐administration with PF‐06835919 (vs. midazolam administration alone), with ratios of the adjusted geometric means (90% confidence interval [CI]) of 97.6% (90% CI: 79.9%–119%) and 98.9% (90% CI: 76.4%–128%), respectively, suggesting there was minimal effect of PF‐06835919 on midazolam pharmacokinetics. Lack of CYP3A4 induction was confirmed after the preparation of subject plasma‐derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and conducting proteomic and activity (midazolam 1′‐hydroxylase) analysis. Consistent with the midazolam AUCR observed, the CYP3A4 protein expression fold‐induction (geometric mean, 90% CI) was low in liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.7–1.2) and non‐liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.7‐1.2) sEVs (predicted AUCR = 1.0, 90% CI: 0.9–1.2). Likewise, minimal induction of CYP3A4 activity (geometric mean, 90% CI) in both liver (1.1, 90% CI: 0.9–1.3) and non‐liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.5‐1.5) sEVs was evident (predicted AUCR = 0.9, 90% CI: 0.6‐1.4). The results showcase the integrated use of an oral CYP3A probe (midazolam) and plasma‐derived sEVs to assess a drug candidate as inducer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess the influence of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) on the nephrotoxicity induced by fractionated doses of gamma irradiation (Rad) and the cotherapy of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine in male rats. Adult rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I: Control, Group II: antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), Group III: AEDs +Rad and Group IV: AEDs + Rad + MSCs. Rats treated with AEDs and exposed to fractionated doses of γ‐irradiation displayed a discernible increase in serum urea, creatinine, kidney injury marker, kidney malondialdehyde, transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) and the relative expression of Smad3 along with a decrease in the relative expression of Smad7 and glutathione level. Alternatively, groups treated with BM‐MSCs with AEDs and Rad showed a substantial modification in the majority of the evaluated parameters and looked to be successful in reducing the hazards of the combination therapy of AEDs and radiation. The reno‐histopathological study supports the biochemical analysis. In conclusion, BM‐MSCs exhibited therapeutic potential against nephrotoxicity induced by fractionated doses of γ‐irradiation and AEDs. The outcome was brought about by the downregulation of the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. BM‐MSCs might be suggested as a valuable therapeutic strategy to overcome kidney injury induced by gamma irradiation during AEDs cotherapy. Significance statement: This work concerns the effect of stem cell treatment to eliminate the renal injury induced by gamma irradiation during antiepileptic drug cotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms frequently suffer negative effects from large doses of ionizing radiation. However, radiation is not as hazardous at lower doses as was once believed. The current study aims to evaluate the possible radio‐adaptive effect induced by low‐dose radiation (LDR) in modulating high‐dose radiation (HDR) and N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)‐induced lung injury in male albino rats. Sixty‐four male rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (control): normal rats; Group 2 (D): rats given NDEA in drinking water; Group 3 (DR): rats administered with NDEA then exposed to fractionated HDR; and Group 4 (DRL): rats administered with NDEA then exposed to LDR + HDR. In the next stage, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reduced (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the lung tissues were measured. Furthermore, the enzyme‐linked immunoassay analysis technique was performed to assess the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 (IRAK4), and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) expression levels. Histopathological and DNA fragmentation analyses in lung tissue, in addition to hematological and apoptosis analyses of the blood samples, were also conducted. Results demonstrated a significant increase in antioxidant defense and a reduction in MDA levels were observed in LDR‐treated animals compared to the D and DR groups. Additionally, exposure to LDR decreased TLR4, IRAK4, and MAPK levels, decreased apoptosis, and restored all the alterations in the histopathological, hematological parameters, and DNA fragmentation, indicating its protective effects on the lung when compared with untreated rats. Taken together, LDR shows protective action against the negative effects of subsequent HDR and NDEA. This impact may be attributable to the adaptive response induced by LDR, which decreases DNA damage in lung tissue and activates the antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory systems in the affected animals, enabling them to withstand the following HDR exposure. Significance statement: The present work was designed to evaluate the adaptive response of low doses of gamma radiation against high doses of gamma radiation‐induced toxicity in lung tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated a 'de Novo' medicinal herb, Ferula asafetida (FA), against toxoplasma encephalitis either alone or combined with spiramycin (SP). Female Swiss‐Webster mice (n = 72) were divided into three batches. Batch‐I received no DMS to serve as an immunocompetent control, batch‐II was immune‐suppressed with the DMS (0.25 mg/g/day) for 14 days pre‐infection, whilst batch‐III was immune‐suppressed with the DMS on the same day of infection. All experimental mice were inoculated with Toxoplasma gondii ME49 cysts (n = 75). Each batch was split into four subgroups: Mono‐SP, mono‐FA, combined drug (SP + FA), or neither. Therapies were administered on day zero of infection in batches (I and II) and 35 days post‐infection in batch (III). Treatments lasted for 14 days, and mice were sacrificed 60 days post‐infection. Histopathological changes, cysts load, and CD4 and CD8 T‐cells were counted in brain tissues. The cyst‐load count in mice receiving SP + FA was significantly (p <.0001) the least compared to the mono treatments in all protocols. Interestingly, the combined therapy demolished the T‐cell subsets to zero in immunocompetent and immunocompromised infected mice. In conclusion, F. asafetida might be a powerfully natural, safe vehicle of SP in the digestive system and/or across the brain–blood barrier to control toxoplasmosis even through immunodeficient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the association between experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) before or during incarceration and several postrelease negative mental health consequences in a cohort of men recently released from prison. The goal of the study was to explicate the variety of mental health–related issues incurring a TBI has on one's ability to successfully reintegrate back into society following incarceration. Using data from the LoneStar Project, we used ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms, stress, trauma flashbacks, and psychosis in a representative sample of men released from Texas prisons (N = 498) approximately 9 months post–prison release. Recently released men with a history of head injury exhibited higher levels of depression, B = 0.204, 95% CI [.071,.337]; stress, B = 0.266, 95% CI [.116,.416]; experiencing trauma‐related flashbacks, odds ratio (OR) = 2.950, 95% CI [1.740, 5.001]; and psychosis, OR = 3.093, 95% CI [1.601, 5.975], compared to their non–head‐injured counterparts. TBIs—whether sustained before or during incarceration—pose significant risks for adverse mental health outcomes, particularly for recently released individuals during the already challenging and strained period of reintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copolymer thin films with two types of functional groups have excellent performance as sensors, for example. The formation and deposition of allyl alcohol‐acrylic acid copolymer films by pulsed high frequency plasma is a complex process. As usual, the chemical composition of the top surface of the films was investigated by XPS and FTIR measurements. Furthermore, contact angle measurements with water were used to characterise the hydrophilicity and wettability of the polymer films. After plasma deposition, a significant decrease in functional groups (OH and COOH) was observed compared to the classically copolymerised equivalent. The remaining functional groups, i.e. the majority of these groups, were sufficient for application as sensor layers. Segmental mobility and conductivity, important for sensor applications, were analysed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being a leading lethal malignancy worldwide, the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has gained a lot of interest. Yet, underlying mechanistic basis of the liver tumorigenesis is poorly understood. The role of some coding genes and their respective translated proteins, then later on, some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs have been extensively studied in context of HCC pathophysiology; however, the implication of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in HCC is indeed less investigated. As a subclass of the ncRNAs which has been elusive for long time ago, lncRNAs was found to be involved in plentiful cellular functions such as DNA, RNA, and proteins regulation. Hence, it is undisputed that lncRNAs dysregulation profoundly contributes to HCC via diverse etiologies. Accordingly, lncRNAs represent a hot research topic that requires prime focus in HCC. In this review, the authors discuss breakthrough discoveries involving lncRNAs and circRNAs dysregulation that have contributed to the contemporary concepts of HCC pathophysiology and how these concepts could be leveraged as potential novel diagnostic and prognostic HCC biomarkers. Further, this review article sheds light on future trends, thereby discussing the pathological roles of lncRNAs and circRNAs in HCC proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. Along this line of reasoning, future recommendations of how these targets could be exploited to achieve effective HCC‐related drug development is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovative lead‐free formamidinium tin‐based perovskite solar cell structure is considered nontoxic and potentially more stable than lead‐based, although its performance is not yet excellent. This research aims to enhance the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells and reduce the recombination losses. According to device modeling, the FASnI3 perovskite solar cell demonstrates a packing conversion efficiency of 14.3% (open circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.899 V, fill factor (FF) = 58.9%, and current density (Jsc) = 26.06 mA cm−2) by employing Bi hole transporting layers, a copper oxide, and crystalline silicon layers. Some features that affect the device include the thickness of each layer, the doping density of copper oxide and a silicon layer, and the back contact metalwork function. It is proposed that Bi‐HTL reduce the carriers to enter hole transport layer (HTL) as the doping change so that decreasing charge carriers recombination and enhancing the device efficiency in tin‐based perovskite solar cell with the structure of ITO/TiO2/FASnI3/CuO/Si/C. Furthermore, the impacts of various charge transport layers on energy band alignment, recombination, electric field, and IV properties are thoroughly explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a very critical cause of death in the whole world. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces kidney damage by activating various deleterious inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Protocatechuic acid, a natural phenolic compound, has shown to exert beneficial effects against oxidative and inflammatory responses. The study aimed to clarify the nephroprotective activity of protocatechuic acid in LPS‐induced acute kidney damage in mice. Forty male Swiss mice were allocated in four groups as follows: normal control group; LPS (250 μg/kg, ip)‐induced kidney injury group; LPS‐injected mice treated with protocatechuic acid (15 mg/kg, po), and LPS‐injected mice treated with protocatechuic acid (30 mg/kg, po). Significant toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4)‐mediated activation of IKBKB/NF‐κB and MAPK/Erk/COX‐2 inflammatory pathways has been observed in kidneys of mice treated with LPS. Oxidative stress was revealed by inhibition of total antioxidant capacity, catalase, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) enzyme along with increased nitric oxide level. In parallel, focal inflammatory effects were shown in between the tubules and glomeruli as well as in the perivascular dilated blood vessels at the cortex affecting the normal morphology of the kidney tissues of LPS‐treated mice. However, treatment with protocatechuic acid reduced LPS‐induced changes in the aforementioned parameters and restored normal histological features of the affected tissues. In conclusion, our study uncovered that protocatechuic acid has nephroprotective effects in mice with AKI through opposing different inflammatory and oxidative cascades. Acute kidney injury is a major cause of death. The aim of the work is to study the protective effects of protocatechuic acid against oxidative and inflammatory responses in kidneys after lipopolysaccharide treatment using mice. Treatment with both doses of protocatechuic acid attenuated LPS‐induced changes in the aforementioned parameters and restored normal renal morphology. In conclusion, our study uncovered that protocatechuic acid has nephroprotective effects in mice with kidney injury through opposing inflammatory and oxidative cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Vitiligo is an immune‐mediated skin disorder that targets epidermal melanocytes leading to the appearance of depigmented skin patches. Different treatment modalities have been reported with varied efficacy. We tried to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional methotrexate in treating localized areas of vitiligo. Methods: Thirty participants with localized patches of vitiligo were recruited. They were treated with intralesional injections of methotrexate every 2 weeks for a maximum of six sessions. At the end of the study, the degree of repigmentation was categorized into: excellent improvement (>75% repigmentation), good improvement (50%–75% repigmentation), fair improvement (25%–50% repigmentation) and poor improvement (<25% repigmentation). Results: We included 7 males (23.3%) and 23 females (76.7%). Their mean age was 33.6 ± 8.6 years. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 22 years. Four patients had a family history of vitiligo. At the end of the study, there was a highly statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) after treatment regarding repigmentation. Conclusions: This study showed that intralesional methotrexate is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with localized vitiligo lesions. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to evaluate the long‐term effects of treatment and detect the ideal dose to be injected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To define and classify megameatus anomalies, the parameters of a considerable number of cases were investigated and compared with those of normal children. Methods: A total of 1150 normal babies were examined during routine nonmedical circumcision, and another 750 boys referred with hypospadias were examined during the previous 3 years. All patients were evaluated and assessed for the size, location, and configuration of the urinary meatus, and penile length and girth were measured. Children with normal size and location of the meatus were considered control group A, and 42 cases of different forms of megameatus were considered group B. Other penoscrotal, urinary, and general anomalies were examined and investigated accordingly. All data were analyzed by the SPSS 9.0.1 statistical package and compared by paired t tests. Results: Forty‐two uncircumcised patients aged from 1 month to 4 years (mean 18 months) were diagnosed with a urinary meatus that engrossed the whole ventral or dorsal aspects of the glans, exceeding half the width of the glans or penile girth with the complete vanishing of the glans closure in most cases. Megameatus is usually associated with the abnormal meatal position as hypospadiac, orthotopic, or epispadic. Additionally, megameatus may be associated with a normally intact or deficient prepuce. Consequently, we had four categories of megameatus, and the intact prepuce orthotopic megameatus subcategory has not been described before. Megameatus was also detected with deficient prepuce, and this was considered a hypospadiac variant. Conclusion: Megameatus is diagnosed precisely with penile biometry and is classified into 4 groups: hypospadiac, epispadic, and orthotopic or central, either with or without intact prepuce. This classification is applicable for expansion to other centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileriosis is a tick‐borne protozoal disease caused by a piroplasm of the genus Theileria. Hard ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that serve as vectors of Theileria spp. Studies of the presence of theileriosis in Egyptian dogs and associated ticks are scarce. This study was conducted to detect and identify Theileria spp. in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and to monitor the epidemiological data of this disease. The prevalence rates of Theileria equi infection were 12.02%, 0.73%, 2.93%, and 1.83% by microscopic examination of dog blood, tick hemolymph, tick midgut, and tick salivary smears, respectively. Conversely, the T. equi prevalence in dog blood and associated ticks assessed by PCR was 25.81% and 10.42%, respectively. Epidemiological data about Theileria infection revealed a significant difference in the infection between different seasons and different dog breeds (p value <0.05), whereas host, sex, and age of dogs had no significant effect on the infection. Sequencing of PCR products showed that all PCR positive samples were infected with T. equi. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) described the different stages of Theileria in the midgut and salivary gland of infected ticks. The current study confirmed that T. equi is not specific to equine hosts, and confirmed that dogs are a susceptible host to T. equi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saxagliptin (Saxa) belongs to a new generation of antidiabetic pharmaceutical compounds used in combination with healthy diet and exercise to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this work, we report for the first time a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based electrochemical sensor for the determination of Saxa. Computational calculations were performed, based on which five MIPs were synthesized using Saxa as a template, itaconic acid as a monomer, crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and Di methyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a porogen with different ratios. Non‐covalent interaction (NCI) analysis has been also conducted, and the obtained isosurface analysis was used for graphical visualization of NCI that could occur in real space as well as for the discrimination between hydrogen bond interaction, Van Der Waals attraction and spatial repulsion. The optimized polymer was incorporated as a modifier for designing an electrochemical sensor comprising MIP and Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MwCNT) within carbon paste electrode (CPE). The operational variables including incubation time, pH, scan rate, and accumulation time were optimized. The sensor showed linearity over the concentration range (1 × 10−9–1 × 10−15 M) with low limit of detection (LOD) 8 × 10−16 and 2 × 10−16 M on using DPV and EIS, respectively. The sensor was successfully applied for pharmaceutical formulations, urine, and human serum samples with recovery range between 97.45–100.64 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undesired dough adhesion is still a challenge during the production of baked goods. There are various methods for determining the adhesive texture properties of dough. In the majority of scientific papers, dough stickiness is measured analytically by the force‐distance recording of dough detachment. In this study, we describe a new multi‐scale approach to compare dough adhesion phenomena in a laboratory, pilot sale and human sensory assessment. In it, the adhesive material properties of dough were investigated using a pilot scale toppling device representing dough adhesion behavior in the production process, in the laboratory by texture analysis with the Chen–Hoseney method and furthermore with a new, implemented non‐oral human sensory analysis. To simulate different dough adhesion behavior, the dough mechanical and adhesion properties were varied by applying dough‐modifying enzymes and different dough storage times. The structural changes in the different wheat dough system were compared by rheological characterization. By characterizing the different adhesion phenomena of the doughs, the sample with bacterial xylanase showed the highest values after 80 min of storage time in all three methods. Correlation analysis revealed a strong relationship between the detachment time (pilot scale) and human sensory assessment attributes (Force R = 0.81, Time R = 0.87, Distance R = 0.92, Stickiness R = 0.80) after 80 min of storage time. Even though human sensory assessment showed limits in the detectability of differences in dough adhesion behavior compared to the Chen–Hoseney method, it was better suited to predict machinability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we worked on anticolon cancer effects and anti‐Alzheimer's disease with molecular docking studies. Hamamelitannin, flavokawain A, and triacetyl resveratrol compounds showed good inhibitory activities on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. The inhibition effects of flavokawain A, hamamelitannin, and triacetyl resveratrol on AChE and BuChE enzymes were determined spectrophotometrically conforming to Ellman. IC50 values of these enzymes were ranging between 0.95 ± 0.12 and 93.27 ± 8.14 nM for AChE and 5.71 ± 0.77 and 52.10 ± 8.41 nM for BuChE. The inhibitory activities of some chemical compounds such as flavokawain A, hamamelitannin, and triacetyl resveratrol were assessed by performing the molecular docking study in the presence of AChE and BuChE. Also, the features of the ligand–enzyme complex had value of −7.722 kcal/mol for flavokawain A against AChE and −5.530 kcal/mol against BuChE. The molecular docking calculations indicated the probable interactions and their characteristics at an atomic level. Due to the outcomes gained from docking, the affinity of the chemical compounds to the enzymes was considerable. In vitro cell viabilities of flavokawain A, hamamelitannin, and triacetyl resveratrol with various concentrations on SW620, DLD‐1, HT29, HCT8, and HCT116 were investigated by MTT assay with Doxorubicin as the control compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3‐dimensional printing is a novel processing method used for the design and manipulation of food textures. The systematic characterization and modulation of 3D printed food textures is imperative for the future design of sensory profiles using additive manufacturing. For 3D printed closed‐cell food foams, the clarification of the deformation behavior in relation to design parameters is of interest for the processing of customized food textures. For this reason, we studied the deformation behavior of 3D printed and thermally stabilized closed‐cell starch‐based foams beyond the elastic regime. Periodic spherical bubble configurations at different porosity levels were used to modulate the deformation behavior of the printed foams. From a processing perspective, the integration of in‐line thermal stabilization was used to eliminate post‐processing and to control the moisture content of the starch‐based system. Compression analysis combined with FEM simulations were performed to characterize the strain rate dependency of textural properties, the stress relaxation, and the foam's stress–strain behavior with respect to the design porosity and bubble distribution. Results showed that the stress relaxation is solely dependent on cell wall properties while different stress–strain regimes showed distinct dependencies on design parameters such as bubble size and distribution. Consequently, the precise control of the large deformation behavior of foods using 3D printing is challenging due to the superposition of structural and geometrical dependencies. Finally, through the presented approach, the structure‐deformation relations of 3D printed closed‐cell food structures are adequately described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric spectroscopy (DS) measurements were performed to probe the segmental dynamics and ion mobility of poly(vinyl chloride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐2‐hydroxypropyl acrylate) terpolymer dopped with different amounts of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate ([TBA] [BF4]) ionic liquid (IL). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also employed to trace the change in the glass transition temperature (Tg) at different loads of IL. The DSC measurements revealed a remarkable reduction in the PVVH Tg from 344 to 310 K just by adding 20 wt% of IL. The DS measurements revealed three relaxation processes named α, β1, and β2. The α‐process is related to the segmental motion of PVVH while the β1 and β2 are due to the restricted local dynamics of side chains. The segmental relaxation times (α‐relaxation) speed up with increasing the concentration of IL due to the plasticization effect of IL on polymer chains. The temperature dependence of α‐relaxation follows the Vogel‐Fulcher‐Tammann (VFT) relation with dynamic glass transition between 323 and 294 K in agreement with the DSC measurements. The β1 and β2‐relaxations have an Arrhenius temperature dependence. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity obeys the VFT behavior indicating the coupling between the segmental motion of PVVH chains and ion transport. Polaronic tunneling is the predominant conduction mechanism in PVVH and its composites. The specific capacitance increases with increasing both the temperature and IL concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the most prevalent skin disorders is acne vulgaris. It is a distressing problem among young adults and adolescents. The pathophysiology of AV is significantly influenced by certain immune response cells. Acne's localized tissue inflammatory reactions are brought on by the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes, which also causes the release of several inflammatory mediators. Aim of the Work: To measure the serum levels of IL‐1 and IL‐12, two pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, in AV patients and link those levels with the severity of the condition. Results: This study included 19 males and 23 females with AV(n = 42), with mean age of 21.79 ± 3.5. The control group included 19 males and 23 female (n = 42) with mean age of 22.05 ± 3.3 (p = 0.729). Serum levels of IL‐1β was significantly higher in patients with AV as than controls (p < 0.001). Similarly, the serum levels of IL‐12 were significantly higher in AV cases than controls (p < 0.001). On the contrary, the median IL‐10 was significantly lower in AV cases than controls (p = 0.015). The correlation between serum levels of IL‐1β and IL‐12 in AV patients and disease severity was insignificant (r = −0.04, p = 0.404) and (r = −0.19, p = 0.118, respectively). (r = −0.19, p = 0.118) On the contrary, there was a significant negative correlation between serum levels of IL‐10 in AV patients and disease severity (r = −0.43, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our results indicate significant alterations in the monocyte‐derived cytokine (MDCs) profile in patients with AV, IL‐1 and IL‐12 serum levels rose while IL‐10 levels fell, reflecting an increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in anti‐inflammatory cytokines. These highlight the important role played by monocytes in the pathogenesis of AV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) frequently occurs in dialysis patients; however, the risk factors of DD remain to be further explored in such a population. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume has proven to be an independent clinical risk factor for multiple cardiac disorders. Purpose: To assess whether EAT volume is an independent risk factor for DD in dialysis patients. Study Type: Case–control study. Population: A total of 113 patients (mean age: 54.5 ± 14.4 years; 41 women) who had underwent dialysis for at least 3 months due to uremia. Field Strength: A 3 T, steady‐state free precession (SSFP) sequence for cine imaging, modified Look–Locker imaging (MOLLI) for T1 mapping and gradient‐recalled‐echo for T2*. Assessment: All participants were performed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiogram. For MRI images analysis, borders of the EAT were manually delineated, as well as, pericardial adipose tissue (PeAT) and paracardial adipose tissue (PaAT), T1 mapping, T2* mapping, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and left atrial strain. For echocardiogram assessments, the thickness of PaAT, e' velocity, E velocity, E/e ratio, A velocity, and deceleration time were measured. Statistical tests: Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the independent risk factors for DD. P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Compared with the DD(−) group, the DD(+) group had significantly more epicardial tissue fat (18.5 ± 1.3 vs. 30.9 ± 2.3) In addition, EAT volumes increased significantly with the grades of DD (grade 1 vs. grade 2 and 3: 27.9 ± 15.9 vs. 35.4 ± 13.1). Moreover, EAT had significant correlations with T1 mapping, T2* mapping, GLS, left atrial strain, e' velocity, and E/e ratio. EAT accumulation added an independent risk for DD (Odds Ratio = 1.03) over conventional clinical risk factors including age, diabetes mellitus, and hemodialysis. Data Conclusion: EAT was associated with diastolic function, and its accumulation may be an independent risk factor for DD among dialysis patients. Evidence Level: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The baseband digital pre‐distortion (DPD) signal processing technique is the most cost‐effective linearisation method among other techniques to address the nonlinearity effect of the power amplifier. For communication systems containing DPD and power amplifier, it is difficult to acquire performance metrics closed‐forms for any DPD architecture since there was no mathematical expression for each DPD coefficient. Usually, researchers look for more efficient DPD algorithms for DPD coefficients (compared to the existing ones) in terms of computational complexity, delay, power consumption etc. Consequently, performance is evaluated through intensive simulation. In this paper, it is shown how one can exploit the results of the recent work to mathematically model the indirect learning architecture DPD and efficiently derive important measures in communication systems. Expressions of the normalised mean square error (NMSE) and achievable rate for the OFDM communication system are derived. The DPD is modelled mathematically by exploiting the DPD coefficients closed‐form expressions. The derived expressions of the NMSE and achievable rate are verified through numerical simulations. Furthermore, closed‐form expressions for the NMSE and achievable rate bounds for the OFDM communication system are derived. The performance measures bounds are found assuming a perfect linearisation scenario. The analytical expressions are validated through numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in separation and membrane technologies have shown a great potential in removing oil from wastewaters effectively. In addition, the capabilities have improved to fabricate membranes with tunable properties in terms of their wettability, permeability, antifouling, and mechanical properties that govern the treatment of oily wastewaters. Herein, authors have critically reviewed the literature on membrane technology for oil/water separation with a specific focus on: 1) membrane properties and characterization, 2) development of various materials (e.g., organic, inorganic, and hybrid membranes, and innovative materials), 3) membranes design (e.g., mixed matrix nanocomposite and multilayers), and 4) membrane fabrication techniques and surface modification techniques. The current challenges and future research directions in materials and fabrication techniques for membrane technology applications in oil/water separation are also highlighted. Thus, this review provides helpful guidance toward finding more effective, practical, and scalable solutions to tackle environmental pollution by oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many challenges in different applied fields of research, such as materials science, viscoelasticity, biological sciences, physics, and mechanical engineering, require the study of derivative operators using single singular or nonsingular kernels. Atangana and Baleanu (AB) constructed a novel fractional derivative without a singular kernel based on the extended Mittag–Leffler function to overcome the singular kernel problem seen in previous definitions of fractional‐order derivatives. In this article, we provide a novel mathematical thermoelastic heat conduction model that includes the fractional AB derivative operators. In addition, the Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) equation has been incorporated into the proposed heat transport model. The proposed model has been applied to study an infinite orthotropic material with a cylindrical aperture, and the thermal conductivity coefficient of the body depends on the temperature change. The Laplace transform approach has been used to solve the system of governing partial differential equations (PDEs). To assess the validity of the proposed model and for the purposes of comparison, the numerical results have been depicted in figures as well as in tables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acrylic acid‐styrene copolymer films were deposited plasma‐chemically more gently using the pulsed plasma mode instead of the continuous mode, with linear and some slightly branched chains and marginal crosslinking. Then, the styrene unit of copolymers was wet‐chemically sulfonated by chlorosulfuric acid. On exposure to air, the formed 4‐chlorosulfonic acid groups hydrolyze to sulfonic acid groups (–SO3H). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and broadband dielectric spectroscopy were employed to characterize the composition, structure, functional groups, and electrochemical performance of the copolymers. A high concentration of sulfonic acid‐containing groups was obtained in the sulfonated polystyrene sample. The values of the DC conductivity σDC for the sulfonated sample of the acrylic acid and styrene copolymer are ca. five orders of magnitude higher than that of the not‐sulfonated copolymer materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the potential downstream impacts in the event of a flood due to failure, either structural or operational, of the Grand Ethiopian renaissance dam (GERD). The following two failure scenarios were modeled as part of this study: Dam Break (DB) and MisGuided Dam Operation (MGDO) as a result of a false flood signature. The DB scenario shows that 40% of the intensively cultivated Gezira Plain would be inundated with average water depths of more than 10 m, resulting in catastrophic loss of highly productive farmlands, livestock, inhabitants, and infrastructure. This scenario did not model damage further downstream since for this magnitude flood it will require another flood routing model given the more complex geometry downstream of the Gezira Plain. In the MGDO scenario flood flows are lower and would have no impact on the Gezira Plain but would reach the High Aswan Dam (HAD) and fill it to its maximum allowable capacity for two and a half months and it would require emergency releases for more than 5 months. The required emergency releases from the HAD are expected to create significant flooding downstream. To accommodate the potential of extra releases from the GERD during flood events the operational rules for the HAD should be modified. However, providing more flood buffer at the HAD will limit the live capacity that is currently used for securing downstream flow requirements during drought periods. One of the expected impacts of increasing the flood buffer would be a reduction of the HAD's contribution to Egypt's GDP. Based on the results of this study the operational rules for the GERD and the HAD should be evaluated and possibly modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are at increased risk of future hospitalization. Contrast agents are often contra‐indicated in HFpEF patients due to the high prevalence of concomitant kidney disease. Therefore, the prognostic value of a noncontrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for HF‐hospitalization is important. Purpose: To develop and test an explainable machine learning (ML) model to investigate incremental value of noncontrast cardiac MRI for predicting HF‐hospitalization. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: A total of 203 HFpEF patients (mean, 64 ± 12 years, 48% women) referred for cardiac MRI were randomly split into training validation (143 patients, ~70%) and test sets (60 patients, ~30%). Field strength: A 1.5 T, balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) sequence. Assessment: Two ML models were built based on the tree boosting technique and the eXtreme Gradient Boosting model (XGBoost): 1) basic clinical ML model using clinical and echocardiographic data and 2) cardiac MRI‐based ML model that included noncontrast cardiac MRI markers in addition to the basic model. The primary end point was defined as HF‐hospitalization. Statistical Tests: ML tool was used for advanced statistics, and the Elastic Net method for feature selection. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was compared between models using DeLong's test. To gain insight into the ML model, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was leveraged. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: During follow‐up (mean, 50 ± 39 months), 85 patients (42%) reached the end point. The cardiac MRI‐based ML model using the XGBoost algorithm provided a significantly superior prediction of HF‐hospitalization (AUC: 0.81) compared to the basic model (AUC: 0.64). The SHAP analysis revealed left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RV) strains as top imaging markers contributing to its performance with cutoff values of 17.5% and −15%, respectively. Data Conclusions: Using an ML model, RV and LA strains measured in noncontrast cardiac MRI provide incremental value in predicting future hospitalization in HFpEF. Evidence Level: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complexes of (E)‐1‐([1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl]diazenyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol with manganese (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), and zinc (II) have been constructed. Elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moment measurements, spectral (IR, 1H, 13C NMR, EI‐mass, and UV–Vis), XRD, and thermal studies have all been used to determine the structure of complexes. Except for Ni (II), which has a tetrahedral geometry, the results demonstrated that all complexes have octahedral geometry. The molecular mechanic calculations used in the hyper chem. 8.03 molecular modeling program were used to determine the potential structures of metal complexes. To confirm the geometrical geometries of the investigated metal complexes, the bond lengths, bond angles, LUMO, HOMO, and dipole moments of the listed complexes were determined. At varied heating rates, the thermal analysis (TG) measurements are also investigated. Different integral equations were used to compute the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the thermal degradation processes. UV–Vis absorption titration was used to study the complexes' DNA binding mechanisms. The results revealed that the complexes attach to DNA in either intercalative or non‐intercalative manner. Azodye and its metal complexes were tested in vitro against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, and Mucor), and yeast (Malassezia furfur). The azodye and its metal chelates have shown potent antioxidant activities. The molecular docking analysis has been tested with Topoisomerase II protein code: 4CHT model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency general surgical patients are inherently at high risk of malnutrition. Early decision‐making with implementation is fundamental to patient recovery. For many patients, parenteral nutrition (PN) is the only feeding option available. The present study assessed the timing and outcomes of this decision‐making process. Methods: A sample of at least 10 consecutive adult patients admitted as a general surgical emergency to eight UK hospitals over 1 year who had received PN was identified. Patient demographics, basic descriptors and nutritional data were captured. Process measures regarding dates decisions were made or activities completed were extracted from records, as were outcome measures including PN complications. Six time frames examining the process of PN delivery were analysed. Associations between categorical and binary variables were investigated with a chi‐squared test with significance determined as p < 0.05. Results: In total, 125 patients were included. Intestinal obstruction was the most common diagnosis with 59% of all patients deemed high risk on nutritional assessment at admission. Median time to decision for PN was 5 days following admission (n = 122, interquartile range = 7). Patients received PN for a mean of 11 days. Eighty‐five percent of patients developed a complication, with a phosphate abnormality being the most commonly reported (54%). Only altered blood glucose levels appeared to correlate with a delay in starting PN (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The present study shows there are delays in the decision to use PN in the acutely ill surgical patient. Once initiated, the pathway is relatively short. There are high rates of electrolyte abnormalities in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Literature supports equivalent kidney transplant outcomes in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with those without SLE. However, there are conflicting and scant data on kidney transplant outcomes, as well as controversy over optimal timing of transplantation, in children and adolescents with SLE. Methods: Analysis included kidney‐only transplant recipients aged 2–21 years from 2000 to 2017 enrolled in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN). The relationship between diagnosis (SLE n = 457, non‐SLE glomerular disease n = 4492, and non‐SLE non‐glomerular disease n = 5605) and transplant outcomes was evaluated. The association between dialysis time and outcomes was analyzed in the SLE group only. Results: In adjusted models, SLE had higher mortality compared with non‐SLE glomerular recipients (HR 1.24 CI 1.07–1.44) and non‐glomerular recipients (HR 1.42 CI 1.20–1.70). SLE was associated with higher graft failure compared with non‐SLE glomerular (HR 1.42 CI 1.20–1.69) and non‐glomerular disease (HR 1.67 CI 1.22–2.28). SLE had a higher risk of acute rejection at 1 year compared with non‐glomerular disease (HR 1.39 CI 1.03–1.88). There was a decreased risk of delayed graft function compared with non‐SLE glomerular disease (HR 0.54, CI 0.36–0.82). There were no significant associations between dialysis time and transplant outcomes in the SLE group. Conclusion: SLE in children and adolescents is associated with worse patient and graft survival compared with non‐SLE diagnoses. Outcomes in children and adolescents with SLE are not associated with dialysis time. Further studies are needed to assess implications of potential earlier transplantation and shorter time on dialysis prior to transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This case‐controlled study aimed at evaluating whether enthesitis is possibly associated with acne vulgaris. Methods: This study was carried out on 90 patients with acne vulgaris and 30 normal individuals who were subjected to full history talking, acne scoring system, general, dermatological, musculoskeletal examination, and musculoskeletal ultrasonography with Doppler flow. Results: A significant relation (P < 0.05) was discovered between left femoral condyle tenderness, which increased left femoral condyle hypoechogenicity on ultrasound. Moreover, a highly significant relation (P < 0.001) was established between tenderness on clinical examination and hypoechogenicity on ultrasound at three sites (right humerus epicondyle, right femoral condyle, and left humerus epicondyle). An association between tenderness and ultrasound increased thickness was significantly reported in the left femoral condyle (P < 0.05). Hypoechogenicity on ultrasound examination was more statistically evident with increased acne severity at the left Achilles tendon (LA), while enthesis calcifications (enthesophytes) were significantly associated with increased acne severity in the left humerus epicondyle (LA) and the right Achilles tendon (RA) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a solid possibility acne is a systemic disease triggering other co‐morbidities beyond skin which needs to be fully elucidated by further research evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To measure surface roughness before and after wear‐tests of two different prefabricated composite veneers and compare them to ceramic veneers and human dental enamel. Materials and Methods: Roughness (Ra‐values) of two prefabricated composite veneers (Visalys Veneer Chairside (VIS) and Componeer (COM)) were compared to lithium disilicate Veneers (e.max CAD) and dental enamel (DENT) in vitro. In total n = 45 specimens per material and enamel samples were used for wear‐tests. Wear‐out tests were conducted by abrasion tests with a toothbrush simulator (22,000 strokes/ 100 g load; approximately equal to two years of cleansing) and erosion tests were carried out using citric acid (pH 1.57). Ra‐ and Sa‐values were detected by white light interferometer before and after wear‐tests. Data were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Games‐Howell post hoc test and t‐test (α = 0.05). Results: At baseline the lowest Ra‐ and Sa‐values were found in VIS (Ra: 0.01 µm; Sa: 0.04 µm) while DENT revealed significantly higher surface roughness (Ra: 0.11 µm, p < 0.05; Sa: 0.30, p = 0.186). COM had significantly higher Ra‐values (Ra: 0.10 µm; Sa: 0.22 µm) after abrasion, while e.max CAD was most resistant to the treatments (Ra: 0.01 µm, p < 0.05; Sa: 0.05 µm, p < 0.05). Compared to DENT all veneers were significantly less affected by citric acid (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Prefabricated composite veneers have demonstrated less wear after abrasion and erosion tests compared to DENT, nevertheless, they revealed more wear compared to e.max CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study has been designed to assess the role of Persea americana (P. americana) pulp extract on potassium dichromate‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats. P. americana pulp extract administration improved the hepatic vascular congestion, blood extravasation, inflammatory cellular infiltration, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, and nuclear changes. It also significantly ameliorated hepatic interstitial and peri‐portal fibrosis and caused retrieval of the PAS‐positive reaction in the liver parenchyma and around the central vein with restoration of the glycogen granules. P. americana also significantly attenuated the immunohistochemical expression of NF‐kβ p65 and its downstream inflammatory cytokines IL6 and TNFα in the liver parenchyma. The antioxidant effect of P. americana was evidenced by significant modulation of the three major components of the thioredoxin (Trx) antioxidant system, the Trx, the thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase along with significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and decrease in the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde. P. americana pulp extract also caused significant elevation of hepatic protein phosphatase 5 with subsequent down‐regulation of Apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase1 (ASK1) and its downstream signaling targets MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (p38‐MAPKs), the c‐JUN N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2). Also, In conclusion, P. americana pulp extract has anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects against potassium dichromate‐induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]