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The current study tested object drawing, object naming, and object-in-scene perception. We tested older people with Alzheimer's dementia (AD) because their object drawings have often lost their typical contours. We investigated whether intensive practice could improve or recover deteriorated graphic object representations in three tasks, object naming, object-in-scene, and object drawing. Ten older participants with AD and 10 healthy controls practiced for 5 consecutive days always involving the same 10 objects (item-based learning). Patients with AD closed the gap to healthy controls as reaction time decreased and accuracy increased. Performance level and task difficulty were dependent on age, education, and length of retirement duration, but interactions between practice and task difficulty were not. In accuracy, the group difference disappeared earlier in object naming < object-in-scene < object drawing. During the 5 days of practice, lost graphic object concepts could reemerge. Multiple regressions testing synergistic effects between tasks showed that rapid object-in-scene judgment and drawing time relatively consistently and reliably predicted object drawing accuracy. However, when testing day-to-day progress of the drawing score, after the first repetition, only the object drawing score of the previous session significantly predicted the graphic object representation. Thus, while perceptual judgment of an object in an appropriate visual scene predicts object drawing—just as in previous research using the Witkin Embedded Figures Test—the fine motor skills involved in visually realistic drawing are likely to be the most important factor to generate a recognizable graphic object representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes a variety of clinical manifestations, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) have crucial functions in immune and inflammatory control. Therefore, this study highlights the impact of TLR2 gene polymorphism on the progression of HBV‐linked liver diseases (liver cirrhosis and HCC). Methods. In total, 170 chronic HBV patients and 50 healthy controls of comparable age and gender were included in this case‐control study. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging evaluations were conducted. ELISA was used to determine serum IL‐6 levels, and TLR2 (rs3804099) genotyping allelic discrimination assay was performed using real‐time PCR. Results. IL‐6 values were significantly higher in the HCC group, followed by the cirrhotic group, than those in chronic hepatitis and control groups (p < 0.001), with a significant correlation with disease activity and progression parameters. TRL2 homozygous TT was the most frequent in the control group, but the CC genotype was significantly more prevalent in the HCC group than that in the other groups. Furthermore, the CC genetic variant was associated with higher levels of IL‐6 and viral load in all HBV patients, whereas the TT genotype was associated with larger tumor size. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that in chronic HBV patients, viral load and TRL2 polymorphism are independent risk factors associated with the progression from chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis and to HCC. Similarly, the HBV viral load (p = 0.03, OR = 2.45, and 95% CI: 1.69–3.65), IL‐6 levels (p = 0.04, OR = 3.45, and 95% CI: 2.01–6.9), and TRL2 variants (p = 0.01, OR = 4.25, and 95% CI: 2.14–13.5) are independent risk factors associated with disease progression from cirrhosis to HCC. Conclusion. In chronic HBV patients, TRL2 polymorphism and higher IL‐6 levels were positively correlated with a higher likelihood of HCC and chronic hepatitis B disease activity and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florpyrauxifen‐benzyl (FPB) is a new arylpicolinate systemic herbicide that has been used to control or suppress the majority of herbicide‐resistant biotype weeds in rice. To our knowledge, the impact of FPB on the immune system remains undetected thus far. Hence, this work aimed to address the toxic effects of FPB and the possible related mechanisms on the spleen of exposed mice. Initially, an acute toxicological test was performed to ascertain the median lethal dose (LD50) of FPB for 24 h which was found to be 371.54 mg/kg b.wt. For mechanistic evaluation of FPB toxicity, three sublethal doses (1/20th, 1/10th, and 1/5th LD50) were orally administered to mice for 21 consecutive days. Changes in spleen relative weight, oxidative status, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, histopathological alterations were evaluated. Following the FPB exposure, significant (p < 0.05) decline in spleen index, apoptotic features, histolopathological changes were observed. Additionally, excessive oxidative stress in spleen tissues was monitored by downregulating antioxidant enzymes and upregulating the oxidant parameters. Furthermore, exposure to FPB resulted in notable activation of the NF‐қB signaling pathway, accompanied by elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (namely, IL‐1β and TNF‐α) as well as CD3 and CD19 levels have decreased significantly in spleen tissues. Collectively, FPB exposure exhibited apoptosis, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammatory response in a dose‐dependent manner, leading to spleen tissue damage and immunotoxicity. Further studies on FPB is recommended to outstand its hazards on ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the technological advancements in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and the notable lack of academic research regarding their application in the Arabic-translation context, this study aims to investigate the differences in translators’ performance when comparing traditional human translation and post-edited CAT tool-generated text in terms of speed and effort. This study investigates the performance of professional translators in Saudi Arabia through traditional translation from scratch (TFS) and postediting (PE) approaches. Data was collected from nine translators with 5–12 years of experience who had exposure to CAT tools. The participants translated an Arabic educational article into English using both methods. This study utilized Phrase CAT and Translog-II software to analyze the participants’ time and keystrokes. The results indicate that PE was significantly faster than TFS, with PE requiring 65.1% less time. PE also demanded significantly fewer keystrokes, suggesting lower technical effort. Correlations between keystrokes and time indicate a strong positive relationship in PE, implying that more technical effort correlates with increased temporal effort. These findings emphasize the efficiency of PE in enhancing productivity and suggest the importance of CAT tools and PE training for translators to meet industry demands effectively. Furthermore, this study underscores the need for continuous updates in CAT tool courses and the integration of PE training to prepare translators for constantly evolving technological landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential use of microRNA-138 (miR-138) as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer. The study found that breast cancer patients had higher levels of miR-138 expression compared to healthy controls, and high miR-138 expression was associated with better overall survival. Additionally, miR-138 expression was inversely correlated with tumor markers CEA and CA15.3. The study also analyzed various factors and biomarkers in breast cancer patients and found that certain factors, including metastasis status and high levels of CEA and CA15.3, were associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of relapse. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore their clinical implications. [Extracted from the article]

The Euphrates soft-shell turtle Rafetus euphraticus is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is thought to have recently undergone large population declines. Species information in Iraq is limited to a few rapid surveys with little detailed information on its breeding and distribution. Turtles have been recorded inside the water by setting nets in certain areas in the Central Marshes. Morphometric measurements were recorded in Euphrates soft-shelled turtles Rafetus euphraticus, sampled in the Central Marshes. According to nine morphometric ratios, the populations of R. euphraticus in the Central Marshes are smaller in size than previous specimens that have been recorded in neighboring countries. The carapaces length (CL) rang for current study was 70 to 560 mm, whereas it was 187 to 680 mm according to a previous study. The carapaces width (CW) rang for the current study was 63 to 420 mm, while in a previous study it was recorded to be 152 to 465 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic hydatid disease is a significant global health concern and a hazardous obstacle for public health and the livestock industry. The present investigation is aimed to determine the prevalence of hydatid cysts and economic losses in slaughtered animals (sheep, cattle, buffalo and camel) in Thi-Qar province, south of Iraq. This research was carried out from the beginning of February 2022 to the end of January 2023. The study focused on the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered animals from the central slaughterhouse of Nasiriyah city. The total cases (8847) were examined and the proportion of infection of hydatid cysts was: out of 2792 of examined sheep, 343 (12.29%) were infected, out 3209 of examined cattle, 288 (8.97.%) were infected, out of 1865 of examined buffalo 154 (8.26 %) were infected and out 980 of examined camels, 40 (4.08%) were infected. Among the infected animals in the Al-Nasiriyah abattoir, sheep recorded the highest prevalence, while camel abattoir recorded the lowest prevalence among other animals intermediate hosts. The incidence of hydatid cysts has a positive proportion to the age of animals. Regarding organ involvements, the liver and lungs were the most infected organs, the liver had a higher prevalence than the lung with infection rates of 62.3 % and 37.70% respectively. Females of sheep, cattle, buffalo, and camel were statistically higher than males, and were significant differences between the severity of infection and sex of hosts at (P≤ 0.05). Sheep was the highest fertility with 84.26%, this attributed to the sheep strains in this region have a higher morbidity rate compared to other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After its emergence in China, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has swept the world, leading to global health crises with millions of deaths. COVID-19 clinical manifestations differ in severity, ranging from mild symptoms to severe disease. Although perturbation of metabolism has been reported as a part of the host response to COVID-19 infection, scarce data exist that describe stage-specific changes in host metabolites during the infection and how this could stratify patients based on severity. Methods: Given this knowledge gap, we performed targeted metabolomics profiling and then used machine learning models and biostatistics to characterize the alteration patterns of 50 metabolites and 17 blood parameters measured in a cohort of 295 human subjects. They were categorized into healthy controls, non-severe, severe and critical groups with their outcomes. Subject's demographic and clinical data were also used in the analyses to provide more robust predictive models. Results: The non-severe and severe COVID-19 patients experienced the strongest changes in metabolite repertoire, whereas less intense changes occur during the critical phase. Panels of 15, 14, 2 and 2 key metabolites were identified as predictors for non-severe, severe, critical and dead patients, respectively. Specifically, arginine and malonyl methylmalonyl succinylcarnitine were significant biomarkers for the onset of COVID-19 infection and tauroursodeoxycholic acid were potential biomarkers for disease progression. Measuring blood parameters enhanced the predictive power of metabolic signatures during critical illness. Conclusions: Metabolomic signatures are distinctive for each stage of COVID-19 infection. This has great translation potential as it opens new therapeutic and diagnostic prospective based on key metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preeclampsia can lead to a number of adverse maternal and perinatal effects. The association between iron status [serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)], unsaturated iron-binding capacity, hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and preeclampsia is not fully understood. Objective: To assess the levels of iron status, hepcidin and interleukin-6 in women with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women. Method: A case-control study (60 women were recruited in each group) was conducted at Saad Abuelela Maternity Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered through a questionnaire. The levels of iron status, hepcidin and IL-6 were measured using applicable methods. Results: There was no significant difference in the median [interquartile range (IQR)] of age, parity or body mass index between the two groups. Moreover, the median (IQR) of the iron status, hepcidin and interleukin-6 did not differ between women with preeclampsia and healthy controls. There were no significant correlations between haemoglobin, hepcidin and IL-6. There were also no significant correlations between serum iron, serum ferritin, hepcidin and IL-6. However, there was a significant positive correlation between hepcidin and IL-6 (r = 0.393, p = 0.002). Conclusion: In this study, women with preeclampsia had levels of iron status, hepcidin and IL-6 similar to those observed in healthy pregnant women. There was no significant correlation between iron status, hepcidin and IL-6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium is an extremely dangerous heavy metal that can lead to disastrous consequences in all organisms. Several natural remedies reduce the toxicities of experimentally generated metals in animals. Strawberry Fragaria ananassa contains several bioactive compounds that may mitigate heavy-metal toxicity. The study aim was to evaluate the ability of a strawberry fruit methanol extract (SE) to reduce Cd toxicity and to identify and quantify the active constituents of SE. Forty Wistar rats were classified into four groups: the control group– 1 ml saline IP; SE group– 100 mg of SE/kg rats orally; cadmium (Cd) group–2 mg CdCl2/kg body weight/IP daily; and treated group– SE given 1 hour before Cd administration. Administration of Cd induced several histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in lung sections. Biochemical analysis of lung homogenates and mRNA levels of antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines indicated significant changes to the risk profile. SE administration significantly decreased the oxidative stress, inflammation, tissue damage, the mean area percentage of collagen fibers, and positive immuno-expressions of TNF-a and NF-kB induced by CdCl2. Moreover, the MDA, TNF-a, GM-CSF, and IL-1b levels in Cd-exposed rat lung tissue were significantly lower in the SE-treated group than in the Cd-group. SE significantly augmented lung GSH, SOD, HO‐1, GPx-2, and Nrf2 levels in Cd-exposed rats. SE mitigated Cd-caused oxidative stress and lung inflammation. Therefore, regularly consuming a strawberry-rich diet could benefit general health and help prevent and treat diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]