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The study was conducted on seventy individuals of both genders who have been exposed to human cytomegalovirus, a common illness in Iraq. Total cases of human cytomegvirus associated with malignant brain tumors were detected by a real time PCR technique. This resulted in only thirty-six cases of true infection. Of these 24 cases were female, while 12 cases of male infected. The titer to assay the presence of anti- and pro-inflammatories was assessed in sera of all patients by using ELISA kits to evaluate cytokines. This indicated that the pro-inflammatory IL12, after seven days increased (1.67±0.23 pg/ml), while IL4, an anti-inflammatory, decreased to reach (0.39±0.16 pg/ml) (at p

Abstract: Secondary central nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) is a rare manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with a poor prognosis. We present updated data from a nationwide study on the incidence and clinical characteristics of SCNSL. The incidence of SCNSL was calculated considering death or relapse without SCNSL as competing risks. Risk factors associated with SCNSL were identified using a cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 1972 patients with DLBCL were included, of which 68 (3.4%) experienced SCNSL at the first relapse. The crude 1- and 2-year cumulative incidence of SCNSL was 2.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-2.7) and 2.6% (95% CI, 2.0-3.4), respectively. For patients with a high-risk central nervous system international prognostic index (CNS-IPI) score, the 1- and 2-year cumulative incidence was 6.4% and 7.5%, respectively. The number and location of extranodal (EN) sites were the most significant predictors of SCNSL. Specific EN sites associated with an increased risk were the bone marrow, heart, kidneys/adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and uterus. The median overall survival (OS) after SCNSL was 3.2 months. SCNSL within 6 months after the end of treatment (EOT) was associated with a higher baseline CNS-IPI score and worse OS than SCNSL >6 months after EOT. Patients with a combination of low-risk CNS-IPI and late-onset SCNSL had the most favorable prognosis. In conclusion, updated real-world population-based data on SCNSL at first relapse, adjusted for competing risks, demonstrated a lower incidence of SCNSL than previously reported, with the number and location of EN sites being the most significant predictors of SCNSL.

Pozzolanic materials, glass powder, and silica fume (SF) have all been used in concrete recently as a partial cement substitution to increase the strength of the concrete. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of waste glass powder (WGP) and SF combination on high-strength concrete (HSC) characteristics. The working methodology of the current research consists of using SF passed through sieve No. 200, and WGP particles that passed through sieve No. 400 (particle size less than 38 µm), maximum size of aggregate (14, 20) mm and W/C + p (0.25, 0.35, and 0.45). The used waste materials were in three different amounts of SF and WGP (5, 10, and 15%) by weight of cement. HSC was tested for compressive strength, density, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) with various glass powder and SF contents. The obtained results show that after 7 and 28 days, concrete specimens containing 15% glass powder and SF demonstrated an increase in density, UPV, and compressive strength, depending on the test results. Conversely, concrete specimens with 5% SF and WGP had decreased compressive strength, UPV, and density. It was detected that WGP gave high mechanical (compressive strength) and physical properties (density and UPV) than SF with a ratio of 15% and lower properties with a ratio of 5%. In HSC manufacturing, glass powder may be used instead of SF.

Abstract Currently, the International Prognostic Index (IPI) is the most used and reported model for prognostication in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). IPI-like variations have been proposed, but only a few have been validated in different populations (e.g., revised IPI (R-IPI), National Comprehensive Cancer Network IPI (NCCN-IPI)). We aimed to validate and compare different IPI-like variations to identify the model with the highest predictive accuracy for survival in newly diagnosed DLBCL patients. We included 5126 DLBCL patients treated with immunochemotherapy with available data required by 13 different prognostic models. All models could predict survival, but NCCN-IPI consistently provided high levels of accuracy. Moreover, we found similar 5-year overall survivals in the high-risk group (33.4%) compared to the original validation study of NCCN-IPI. Additionally, only one model incorporating albumin performed similarly well but did not outperform NCCN-IPI regarding discrimination (c-index 0.693). Poor fit, discrimination, and calibration were observed in models with only three risk groups and without age as a risk factor. In this extensive retrospective registry-based study comparing 13 prognostic models, we suggest that NCCN-IPI should be reported as the reference model along with IPI in newly diagnosed DLBCL patients until more accurate validated prognostic models for DLBCL become available.

Abstract Background Several clinical prognostic models for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have been proposed, including the most commonly used International Prognostic Index (IPI), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network IPI (NCCN‐IPI), and models incorporating beta‐2 microglobulin (β2M). However, the role of β2M in DLBCL patients is not fully understood. Methods We identified 6075 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated with immunochemotherapy registered in the Danish Lymphoma Registry. Results A total of 3232 patients had data available to calculate risk scores from each of the nine considered risk models for DLBCL, including a model developed from our population. Three of four models with β2M and NCCN‐IPI performed better than the International Prognostic Indexes (IPI, age‐adjusted IPI, and revised IPI). Five‐year overall survival for high‐ and low‐risk patients were 43.6% and 86.4% for IPI and 34.9% and 96.2% for NCCN‐IPI. In univariate analysis, higher levels of β2M were associated with inferior survival, higher tumor burden (advanced clinical stage and bulky disease), previous malignancy and increased age, and creatinine levels. Furthermore, we developed a model (β2M‐NCCN‐IPI) by adding β2M to NCCN‐IPI (c‐index 0.708) with improved discriminatory ability compared to NCCN‐IPI (c‐index 0.698, p

This study aimed to evaluate the hematoprotective effects of eugenol against iron overload in male rats. A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into six equal groups as follows: the control negative (C-) group I.P injection distal water. The control positive (C+) group received iron dextran (100 mg/kg-BW) I.P injection. The IE1 and IE2 groups received iron dextran 100 mg/kg-BW I.P and eugenol (50,100 mg/kg-BW) orally, respectively, and the E3 and E4 groups received eugenol (50,100 mg/kg-BW) orally. After 30 days of the experiment, the blood was collected to measure the experimental parameters. The results demonstrated a significant increase in RBCs, Hb percentage, WBCs, PCV, and PTL in the C+ group compared to the C- group. Also, there was a non-significant difference between IE1 and C+ in RBCs and Hb. Meanwhile, PCV decreased significantly in IE1 compared with C+. Conversely, the C+ group showed decreased MCV compared with IE1. Microscopic examination of blood smears indicated normal red blood cell morphology in the C- and iron dextran with eugenol-treated groups, while the C+ group exhibited microcytic hypochromic morphology. In conclusion, the ameliorative effect of eugenol against iron overload-induced hematotoxicity is achieved by restoring the hematological parameters near the normal control.

Objectives: Recent front‐line clinical trials used the International Prognostic Index (IPI) to identify trial‐eligible patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, many IPI‐like variants with improved accuracy have been developed over the years for rituximab‐treated patients. Methods: We assessed the impact of International Prognostic Indices on patient enrolment in clinical trials, aiming to exclude low‐risk IPI patients based on POLARIX/EPCORE DLBCL‐2 trial criteria. Results: We identified 2877 patients in the Danish Lymphoma Registry who would have been eligible for the POLARIX trial if patients with IPI 0–1 scores were included. IPI and NCCN‐IPI assigned 33.3% and 11.9% of patients to the low‐risk group, respectively. Shorter 5‐year overall survival (91.4% vs. 97.5%), higher relapse rate (9.9% vs. 4.4%), and more deaths (16.1% vs. 4.4%) occurred in the low‐risk IPI group compared with low‐risk NCCN‐IPI group. Analyzed models failed to identify true high‐risk patients with poor prognosis. Similar results were found in the confirmatory cohort developed based on EPCORE DLBCL‐2 trial eligibility criteria. Conclusion: True low‐risk patients are more optimal identified by NCCN‐IPI and should be excluded from front‐line clinical trials due to their excellent prognosis. However, additional high‐risk factors besides clinical prognostic models need to be considered when selecting trial‐eligible patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integration between the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing can potentially leverage the utilization of both sides. As the IoT-based system is mostly composed of the interconnection of pervasive and constrained devices, it can take advantage of the virtually unlimited resources of cloud entities, i.e., storage and computation services, to store and process its sensed data. In this study, we examine the design and implementation of IoT and cloud computing platforms. The proposed system consists of two main components: hardware and software. Many experiments are used to gather data and upload it to the framework. The software is an IoT2ALK platform that is designed and implementation using front- and back-end techniques that can connect any IoT applications to it. Several experiments are implemented to ensure the effectiveness of the platform. The platform depends on connecting the IoT devices to it and using communication protocols like HTTP to transfer the data from the IoT devices to the platform. Another way to gather data is by uploading a CSV file to the platform after filling it with the required data. The system can collect, store, analyze, and process the data in an efficient manner

Background: Coffee consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. Cafestol, a bioactive compound in coffee, has demonstrated glucose-lowering and insulin-secretory properties in cell and animal studies. The acute effects of cafestol on glucose metabolism in humans have only been briefly investigated, and longer-term effects have not been explored. This study aimed to assess the effects of purified cafestol on insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in healthy individuals with increased waist circumference at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods: A 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial was conducted with 40 participants. Insulin suppression tests, mixed meal tests, and MRI scans were performed before and after the intervention. Results: Administering 6 mg of cafestol twice daily did not alter insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance but led to significant reductions in body weight (2%), visceral fat volume (5%), and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels (15%) compared to the placebo. Conclusions: Cafestol may hold promise for weight and visceral fat reduction. Cafestol did not improve insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance in this study but might still contribute to the observed inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes. Future research should explore higher dosages and longer treatment durations, particularly in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveA link has been proposed between glucose homeostasis and bone metabolism. Bisphosphonates are first-line treatment of osteoporosis, and we aimed to investigate whether the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was associated with prior use of alendronate.Research Design and MethodsWe conducted a population-based nested case-control study through access to all discharge diagnoses (ICD-10 system) from the National Danish Patient Registry along with all redeemed drug prescriptions (ATC classification system) from the Health Service Prescription Registry. All cases with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes between 2008 and 2018 were matched on sex and age with 3 randomly selected controls by incidence-density sampling. Exposure was defined as ever use of alendronate and further grouped as effective and compliant use. ORs were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis with adjustment for several confounders and test for trend for dose-response relationship.ResultsWe included 163,588 patients with type 2 diabetes and 490,764 matched control subjects with a mean age of 67 years and 55% male subjects. The odds of developing type 2 diabetes were lower among ever users of alendronate (multiple adjusted OR: 0.64 [95% CI 0.62-0.66]). A test for trend suggested a dose-response relationship between longer effective use of alendronate and lower risk of type 2 diabetes.ConclusionThese results suggest a possible protective effect of alendronate in a dose-dependent manner against development of type 2 diabetes.

When water passes thru a magnetic field, its ions are arranged and organized because they are attracted to the magnet's poles. It was noted in previous research that when utilized in concrete, this water improves the features of fresh and hardened concrete. This research aims to study the features of concrete when it passes after mixing thru a magnetic field. For this purpose, a tube with a diameter of 4 inches was produced, surrounded by a magnet that provides a magnetic intensity of 3000 gauss in the center of the tube section. Three tubes of this type were produced: the first is surrounded by three units of magnets, four units of magnets surround the second, and five units of magnets surround the third, each unit providing a maximum magnetic intensity of 3000 gauss in the center of the tube section. It explored which of the produced tubes gave the best findings. The appropriate time for the concrete passage after mixing thru magnetic tubes was explored. The influence of the magnetic field was explored on concrete with different slumps. The findings illustrated that the more magnet units around the tube, the better findings were obtained. Also, the best time for the concrete to remain in the magnetic tube is 10 minutes. The concrete slump increased by 100%. At 7 and 28 days, the compressive strength of concrete increased by 17% and 7%, the tensile strength of concrete increased by 22% and 12%, and the modulus of elasticity of concrete increased by 9% and 18%, respectively. It was also noted that the better influence of magnets on concrete is when the concrete is mixed with the low slump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Teachers including university professors insist on keeping up to date with the updating of students' information and developing their scientific potentials, through use of diverse teaching strategies. Objectives. Identifying on the brain dominance and the hypocritical personality for students, knowledge effect SWOT and Kaizen strategy in the brain dominance and the hypocritical personality for student and knowledge the strategies which achieve more development in the brain dominance and reduce the hypocritical personality for students. Methods. Two methods were used the descriptive method in measurement of the brain dominance and hypocritical personality, and the experimental method to determine the effectiveness of using the SWOT and Kaizen strategies in developing the brain dominance and reduce the hypocritical personality with fourth stage students in Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, sample of the research 60 students and duration of the procedures 14 weeks. Results. The SWOT and Kaizen are of the important strategies. Teachers should use it with their students to learn and develop brain dominance and reduction hypocritical personality for students. Conclusion. Brain dominance and hypocritical personality is centered within the moderate normative level of the students, SWOT and Kaizen strategies play a small role in development of the brain dominance and effective in reducing the hypocritical personality for students, there is no difference between the Kaizen and SWOT strategies in developing the brain dominance and a SWOT strategy is better than Kaizen's strategy for reducing students' hypocritical personality.

Objectives: To describe the current content of low back pain (LBP) care in Danish general practice, the patients' self‐management activities, and the clinicians' experienced barriers to providing best practice care. Methods: This cross‐sectional observational study included adults with LBP seeking care in Danish general practice from August 2022 to June 2023. Patient‐reported information included demographics, pain intensity, medical history, treatments, and self‐management strategies. Clinicians provided data specific to each consultation, detailing the content of these consultations, and barriers to best practice in the specific cases. Results: The study involved 71 clinicians from 42 general practice clinics, with patient‐reported data from 294 patients, and clinician‐reported data from 283 (95%) consultations. The mean age for the included patients was 53 years, 56% were female, and 31% had been on sick leave for LBP during the previous 3 months. Moreover, 44% had seen two or more healthcare professionals in the previous month, 55% had previously undergone diagnostic imaging for LBP, 81% reported using any type of analgesics, and 14% reported using opioids. The majority (91%) reported engaging in self‐management activities to alleviate pain. Consultations typically included a physical examination (84%), information about the cause of the pain (74%), and management advice (68%), as reported by clinicians or patients. In general, clinicians reported consultation elements more frequently than patients. Clinicians reported providing best practice care in 84% of cases, with time constraints (23%) and patient expectations (10%) being the most common barriers. Conclusions: This study provides detailed insights into the management of LBP in Danish general practice. It reveals a complex landscape of patient engagement, varying management strategies, and differing perceptions of care content between patients and clinicians. Patients were often engaged in self‐management activities and clinicians reported few barriers to providing best practice care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Validated quantitative biomarkers for assessment of renal graft function during normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) conditions are lacking. The aim of this project was to quantify cortex microperfusion during ex vivo kidney perfusion using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and to evaluate the sensitivity of LSCI when measuring different levels of renal perfusion. Furthermore, we aimed to introduce LSCI measurements during NMP in differentially damaged kidneys. Methods: Eleven porcine kidneys were nephrectomized and perfused ex vivo. Cortex microperfusion was simultaneously monitored using LSCI. First, a flow experiment examined the relationship between changes in delivered renal flow and corresponding changes in LSCI‐derived cortex microperfusion. Second, renal cortical perfusion was reduced stepwise by introducing a microembolization model. Finally, LSCI was applied for measuring renal cortex microperfusion in kidneys exposed to minimal damage or 2 h warm ischemia (WI). Results: Cortex microperfusion was calculated from the LSCI‐obtained data. The flow experiment resulted in relatively minor changes in cortex microperfusion compared to the pump‐induced changes in total renal flow. Based on stepwise injections of microspheres, we observed different levels of cortex microperfusion that correlated with administrated microsphere dosages (r2 = 0.95–0.99). We found no difference in LSCI measured cortex microperfusion between the kidneys exposed to minimal damage (renal cortex blood flow index, rcBFI = 2090–2600) and 2 h WI (rcBFI = 2189–2540). Conclusions: Based on this preliminary study, we demonstrated the feasibility of LSCI in quantifying cortex microperfusion during ex vivo perfusion. Furthermore, based on LSCI‐measurements, cortical microperfusion was similar in kidneys exposed to minimal and 2 h WI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Ammar Al-Mashhadi [sup.1] , Antonio Checa [sup.2] , Nils Wåhlin [sup.3] [sup.4] , Tryggve Neveus [sup.5] , Magdalena Fossum [sup.3] [sup.4] , Craig E. Wheelock [sup.2] , Birgitta Karanikas [...], Objective Recent clinical studies have suggested an increased risk of elevated arterial pressure in patients with hydronephrosis. Animals with experimentally induced hydronephrosis develop hypertension, which is correlated to the degree of obstruction and increased oxidative stress. In this prospective study we investigated changes in arterial pressure, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis following correction of hydronephrosis. Methods Ambulatory arterial pressure (24 h) was monitored in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis (n = 15) before and after surgical correction, and the measurements were compared with arterial pressure measurements in two control groups, i.e. healthy controls (n = 8) and operated controls (n = 8). Markers of oxidative stress and NO homeostasis were analyzed in matched urine and plasma samples. Results The preoperative mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in hydronephrotic patients [83 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 80-88 mmHg] than in healthy controls (74 mmHg; 95% CI 68-80 mmHg; p < 0.05), and surgical correction of ureteral obstruction reduced arterial pressure (76 mmHg; 95% CI 74-79 mmHg; p < 0.05). Markers of oxidative stress (i.e., 11-dehydroTXB.sub.2, PGF.sub.2[alpha], 8-iso-PGF.sub.2[alpha], 8,12-iso-iPF.sub.2[alpha]-VI) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in patients with hydronephrosis compared with both control groups, and these were reduced following surgery (p < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a trend for increased NO synthase activity and signaling in hydronephrosis, which may indicate compensatory mechanism(s). Conclusion This study demonstrates increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which can be restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Once reference data on ambulatory blood pressure in this young age group become available, we hope cut-off values can be defined for deciding whether or not to correct hydronephrosis surgically.

Background. Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are major risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases; however, a causal link remains elusive. Animal models resembling human MetS and its complications, while important, are scarce. We aimed at developing a porcine model of human MetS. Methods. Forty pigs with familial hypercholesterolemia were fed a high fat + fructose diet for 30 weeks. Metabolic assessments and subcutaneous fat biopsies were obtained at 18 and 30 weeks, and fat distribution was assessed by CT-scans. Postmortem, macrophage density, and phenotype in fat tissues were quantified along with atherosclerotic burden. Results. During the experiment, we observed a >4-fold in body weight, a significant but small increase in fasting glucose (4.1 mmol/L), insulin (3.1 mU/L), triglycerides (0.5 mmol/L), and HDL cholesterol (2.6 mmol/L). Subcutaneous fat correlated with insulin resistance, but intra-abdominal fat correlated inversely with insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol. More inflammatory macrophages were found in visceral versus subcutaneous fat, and inflammation decreased in subcutaneous fat over time. Conclusions. MetS based on human criteria was not achieved. Surprisingly, visceral fat seemed part of a healthier metabolic and inflammatory profile. These results differ from human findings, and further research is needed to understand the relationship between obesity and MetS in porcine models.