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Abstract Objectives The objective of this study is to investigate the association between the use of beta‐adrenergic antagonist atenolol and risk of pathologic upgrade in patients on active surveillance, considering growing literature implicating adrenergic innervation with disease progression mediated through beta‐adrenergic signalling. Patients and Methods Men with low‐risk or favourable intermediate‐risk prostate cancer who were placed on an active surveillance protocol between 2006 and 2020 across three diverse urban hospitals were included. Exposure was duration of atenolol use, and outcome was pathologic grade group upgrading (to GG ≥ 3) on final prostate biopsy. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the associations between atenolol use and risk of upgrading with time, on a per‐examination basis. Results A total of 467 men with initial GG ≤ 2 were included. Postdiagnosis atenolol use was associated with a decreased risk of pathologic upgrade to GG ≥ 3 on final repeat biopsy (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.39–0.98). Longer duration of postdiagnosis atenolol use (>2 years) and greater cumulative atenolol dose (>730 defined daily doses) were associated with a more pronounced decreased risk of upgrade to GG ≥ 3 (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.05–0.88, and HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.99, respectively). Initiation of atenolol use prior to prostate cancer diagnosis had a slightly greater protective effect than drug initiation postdiagnosis (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.43–0.98, and HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.30–0.99, respectively). Conclusions Beta‐adrenergic blockade with atenolol use in men on active surveillance is associated with a reduced risk for clinically significant grade group pathologic upgrade.

Abstract Background Interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (IFIH1) is one of the main pattern recognition receptors that sense viral RNA and activate host cells to mount an effective antiviral immunity. Methods A case–control study (90 patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 and 90 matched controls) was performed to explore the association of two variants of the IFIH1 gene with COVID-19 risk using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase-chain-reaction method. The first is a missense variant, rs1990760 C/T, and the second is an intergenic variant, rs2111485 A/G. In addition, serum IFIH1 levels were assessed using an ELISA kit. Results Mutant alleles (T and G, respectively) and corresponding homozygous genotypes (TT and GG, respectively) of both variants were significantly associated with increased risk of COVID-19. IFIH1 levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls and were favorably affected by the rs1990760 and rs2111485 mutant-type genotypes. Conclusion IFIH1 protein showed up-regulated levels in the serum of patients with mild/moderate COVID-19. In addition, the IFIH1 gene variants rs1990760 C/T and rs2111485 A/G were associated with susceptibility to COVID-19, and the study suggests that their mutant-type genotypes are not only associated with increased risk of COVID-19 but also contributed to higher serum IFIH1 levels.

Abstract Background While TB-related mortality in the US declined four-fold from 1990 to 2019, country-level estimates of TB burden obscure within-state racial heterogeneity and changes in TB burden over time. In sixteen US Southern States and Washington DC, the effects of health inequities engendered by Jim-Crow laws enacted from the late 1800s to the 1960s have not been evaluated for TB-related mortality. We, therefore, sought to compare TB mortality rates and annualized rate of change (AROC) between 1990 and 2019 in former Jim-Crow vs. non-Jim-Crow states to help guide response efforts and inform resource prioritization to improve racial equity. Methods We evaluated whether TB-related mortality varied over time, from 1990 to 2019, between states that have a history of enacting Jim-Crow laws vs. states with no such history using estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019). TB mortality per 100,000 population and bootstrap 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were modeled using the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) framework with varying combinations of predictive covariates. For changes over time, we present age-standardized AROC as the percent difference in the natural logarithm of the rate in 1990 and 2019 divided by 30 (i.e., 100*[ln(2019 Rate/1990 Rate)/(30)) and the corresponding 95% UIs. Results TB-related mortality in all US states declined between 1990 and 2019. From 1990 to 2019, most former Jim-Crow states had higher mortality rates than states that did not enact Jim-Crow laws. The most significant decline in TB mortality was in Washington DC, with a six-fold decline from 2.69 (2.46–2.96) per 100,000 population in 1990 to 0.45(0.37–0.55) in 2019, corresponding to an AROC of -0.83% (-0.86;-0.79). The lowest decline was in Iowa, from 0.30 (0.27–0.33) to 0.09 (0.07–0.11) (AROC: -0.70% (-0.76; -0.63)). Eleven of the 16 states and Washington DC in the third tertile of TB mortality rate in 1990 (range 0.81–2.69) had a history of Jim-Crow laws, whereas none of the 17 states in the first tertile (range 0.30–0.51) had such history. Conversely, mortality decreased relatively slowly in former Jim-Crow states than in non-Jim-Crow states. Conclusions Even though the 1964 Civil Rights Act dismantled Jim-Crow statutes, racial inequities in TB burden experienced by past generations may still be felt in subsequent generations. Understanding the role of structural racism at the intersection of science and medicine shows the complex ways historical laws, such as Jim-Crow laws, continue to negatively impact health outcomes and warn of future dangers, such as COVID-19, to avoid.

الملخص: أهداف البحث: السكتة الدماغية هي أحد الأسباب الرئيسية للوفاة وضعف الوظيفة الجسدية. أصبحت عملية استئصال الخثرة داخل الأوعية الدموية الآن هي المعيار المعترف به لعلاج السكتة الدماغية الإقفارية الحادة في الدورة الدموية الأمامية مع انسداد الأوعية الدموية الكبيرة، وخاصة عندما تكون صور الدماغ المواتية واضحة في غضون 24 ساعة من ظهور الأعراض. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى توضيح الخصائص والملامح السريرية ونتائج المرضى الذين خضعوا لاستئصال الخثرة داخل الأوعية الدموية للسكتة الدماغية الإقفارية الحادة. طريقة البحث: في تصميم مجموعة مستندة إلى السجلات بأثر رجعي، قمنا بمراجعة السجلات الطبية للأفراد الذين خضعوا لاستئصال الخثرة داخل الأوعية الدموية بسبب السكتة الدماغية الإقفارية الحادة في مستشفى الملك فهد العام في جدة، المملكة العربية السعودية. شملت الدراسة، التي أجريت من يوليو 2022 إلى نهاية أكتوبر 2023، تحليلا شاملا للعوامل السريرية والإشعاعية والعوامل المرتبطة بالوقت والنتائج المتنوعة. النتائج: في مجموعة مكونة من 117 مريضا بمتوسط عمر 58.5 عاما، كان 81 مريضا (69.2%) من الذكور. كان ارتفاع ضغط الدم والسكري من أكثر عوامل الخطر شيوعا، حيث أثرا على 48.7% و41% من المجموعة على التوالي. كان لدى ما يقرب من نصف المرضى درجة مواتية وفق برنامج ألبرتا للسكتة الدماغية للتصوير المقطعي المبكر (7-10)، وتلقى 45.3% منهم منشط البلازمينوجين عن طريق الوريد. حقق ما يقرب من ثلثي المرضى درجة 2ب في العلاج المعدل للاحتشاء الدماغي أو أعلى، وأظهر 39.3% انسداد الشريان الدماغي الأوسط-إم1. كان معدل حدوث التحول النزفي المصحوب بأعراض حوالي 13%، بينما حقق ثلث المرضى نتيجة مواتية حسب مقياس رانكين المعدل (0-2). ارتبطت عوامل مثل التقدم في السن، وارتفاع درجات مقياس السكتة الدماغية للمعاهد الوطنية للصحة، والإقامة الطويلة في المستشفى بنتائج أسوأ. وعلى العكس من ذلك، فإن غياب ارتفاع ضغط الدم والرجفان الأذيني، إلى جانب ارتفاع مقياس انحلال الخثرة في احتشاء دماغي، زاد بشكل كبير من احتمالية تحقيق نتائج إيجابية. الاستنتاجات: في دراستنا، أظهر مرضى استئصال الخثرة من الأوعية الدموية الذين تم فحصهم فئة عمرية أصغر سنا، حيث أظهرت النتائج السريرية والشعاعية درجة معينة من التشابه مع المنشورات الأخرى. ومن الجدير بالذكر أن غياب ارتفاع ضغط الدم والرجفان الأذيني، جنبا إلى جنب مع درجة أعلى في اختبار انحلال الخثرة في احتشاء دماغي، كان مرتبطا بزيادة احتمالية تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية Abstract: Background: Stroke is a significant contributor to both mortality and compromised physical function. Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is now the recognized standard of care for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO), especially when favorable brain images are evident within 24 h of symptom onset. This study elucidated the characteristics, clinical profiles, and outcomes of patients who underwent EVT for AIS. Methodology: In this retrospective record-based cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of individuals who underwent EVT for AIS at King Fahad General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study, conducted from July 2022 through October 2023, encompassed a comprehensive analysis of clinical, radiological, and time-related factors and diverse outcomes. Results: In a cohort of 117 patients with a mean age of 58.5 years, 81 (69.2%) were male. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common risk factors, affecting 48.7% and 41% of the cohort, respectively. Approximately half of the patients had a favorable ASPECT Score (7–10), and 45.3% received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Nearly two-thirds achieved a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2b or higher, and 39.3% exhibited M1-middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The incidence of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation was about 13%, whereas one-third of the patients attained a favorable mRs outcome (0–2). Factors such as advanced age, higher NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and prolonged hospital stays were associated with poorer outcomes. Conversely, the absence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, along with higher TICI scores, significantly increased the likelihood of favorable outcomes, with P values of 0.015, 0.0490, and 0.025, respectively. Conclusions: In our study, the examined patients who underwent EVT were younger in age, with clinical and radiological outcomes showing some degree of comparability to other publications. Notably, the absence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, combined with a higher TICI score, was associated with an increased likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome.

Abstract Recently, nano-manufactured materials have been used to treat many diseases, such as healing wounds and other modern biological applications. This study investigates the positive effect of Punica granatum seeds extract on kidney and testicular toxicities induced by iron oxide nanoparticles. Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups; the 1st group was the control group. The 2nd group was dosed daily with PSE at 100 g per kg. The 3rd group was dosed with 10 doses of iron oxide nanoparticles at 30 mg/kg b.wt of a mouse per day, 10 times only, then this toxic substance was withdrawn for the rest of the experimental period (30 days). The 4th group was dosed with the same doses as the second and third groups. In this research, we focused on the possibility of using the positive curative effects of PSE, which were estimated at the level of blood chemistry biomarkers, as well as histological and histochemical examinations for the kidney and testis after exposure of mice to iron oxide nanoparticles. These aim to clarify the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on kidney and testicular morphology and their functions, as well as the potential ameliorative effects of PSE.

Abstract Background and aim Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), also known as recurrent implantation failure (RIF), is a distressing condition affecting women characterized by two or more consecutive miscarriages or the inability to carry a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks. Immunological factors and genetic variations, particularly in Vit D Binding Protein (VDBP), have gained attention as potential contributors to RPL. This study aimed to provide insight into the immunological, genetic, and metabolic networks underlying RPL, placing a particular emphasis on the interactions between VDBP, HLA-G1, CTLA-4, ENTPD1, and adenosine-fetal-maternal conflict crosstalk. Methods A retrospective study included 198 women with three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions. Exclusion criteria comprised uterine abnormalities, endocrine disorders, parental chromosomal abnormalities, infectious factors, autoimmune diseases, or connective tissue diseases. Immunological interplay was investigated in 162 female participants, divided into two groups based on their Vit D levels: normal Vit D-RPL and low Vit D-RPL. Various laboratory techniques were employed, including LC/MS/MS for Vit D measurement, ELISA for protein detection, flow cytometry for immune function analysis, and molecular docking for protein–ligand interaction assessment. Results General characteristics between groups were significant regarding Vit D and glucose levels. Low Vit D levels were associated with decreased NK cell activity and downregulation of HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 proteins, while CTLA-4 revealed upregulation. VDBP was significantly downregulated in the low Vit D group. Our findings highlight the intricate relationship between Vit D status and adenosine metabolism by the downregulation of SGLT1, and NT5E, key components of adenosine metabolism, suggests that Vit D deficiency may disrupt the regulation of adenosine levels, leading to an impaired reproductive outcome. HNF1β, a negative regulator of VDBP, was upregulated, while HNF1α, a positive regulator, was downregulated in low Vit D women after RPL. Molecular docking analysis revealed crucial residues involved in the interaction between Vit D and HNF1β. Conclusion Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of Vit D in modulating immune function and molecular pathways relevant to pregnancy maintenance, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions for improving pregnancy outcomes in individuals with Vit D deficiency and RPL.

Abstract By employing a synergistic blend of experimental and theoretical methodologies, we investigated the corrosion inhibition efficacy of a synthesized pyrazole derivative (BM-01) in a solution of hydrochloric acid (1 M). We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density functional theory (DFT), complexation, plus electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We conducted weight loss (WL) measurements from 298 to 328 K. Inhibition efficacy reached a maximum at a BM-01 concentration of 10−3 M, achieving 90.0% (EIS), 90.40% (WL), and 90.38% (potentiodynamic polarization (PDP)). SEM unveiled the shielding of the carbon-steel surface from acid-induced damage by BM-01. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm exhibited a robust fit with a low sum of squares, standard deviation, and a high correlation coefficient. PDP findings indicated that BM-01 acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly favoring the cathodic process, suggesting potential corrosion-mitigation properties. Theoretical analyses involving DFT, MD simulations, and radial distribution function were conducted to postulate a mechanism and identify an inhibitory layer. Theoretical outcomes aligned closely with experimental data, thereby reinforcing the validity of our findings.

Abstract Floods caused by dam failures can cause huge losses of life and property, especially in estuarine areas and valleys. In spite of all the capabilities and great improvements reached by man in the construction of dams and their structures, they will remain helpless before the powerful forces of nature, especially those related to tectonic activation, and the occurrence of earthquakes of different intensities. The region extending from the Ilisu Dam in Turkey to the Mosul Dam in Iraq was chosen as an area for this study, and the HEC-RAS application was used to simulate the collapse of the Ilisu Dam due to a major earthquake, to know the magnitude of the risks and losses that could result from this. The Ilisu Dam was built very close to a highly tectonically active fault system, particularly the East Anatolian Fault (EAF), which is one of the largest tectonically active faults in the world with a length of 500 km. This region has witnessed past and present earthquakes of high magnitude (M > 7), especially in the EAF, so the construction of the Ilisu Dam near the EAF fault system is of great concern, as it was built in a basin with very complex seismic activity and geology. Using the HEC-RAS simulation application, the study found that the flood resulting from the collapse of the Ilisu Dam would reach the edges of the Mosul Dam Lake in just 13 h. With a flow of more than 100,000 m3/s, more than 10 billion m3 of water will flow into the Mosul Dam Lake within four days of the disaster. This will lead to the collapse of the Mosul Dam and direct the flood wave of the collapse of these dams towards Baghdad through Mosul, Tikrit, and Samarra. This could pose risks to all Iraqi cities located within the Iraqi sedimentary plain (Mesopotamia), from south of the Mosul Dam up to Basra, in a scenario similar to Noah’s Flood.

Brain tumors are a significant health concern worldwide, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis for effective treatment planning and management. However, conventional methods for brain tumor identification through medical imaging analysis often face challenges related to accuracy, efficiency, and privacy concerns. Current approaches may struggle with limited datasets, privacy regulations hindering data sharing, and the need for specialized expertise in interpreting medical images. Accurately identifying brain tumors is pivotal in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient prognosis. This research proposes a novel approach for advancing brain tumor identification by integrating Synthetic Generative Adversarial Networks with federated convolutional neural Networks in medical imaging analysis. Federated-CNNs are a type of neural network architecture designed for federated learning scenarios. In federated learning, model training occurs locally on data distributed across multiple devices or institutions without exchanging raw data. Federated CNNs allow collaborative model training across these distributed datasets by aggregating local model updates rather than exchanging raw data. This approach ensures that sensitive data remain localized within each participating institution, thus addressing privacy concerns in medical imaging analysis. Our methodology harnesses the power of GANs to generate synthetic brain MRI images, addressing data scarcity issues commonly encountered in medical imaging datasets. These synthetic images are then utilized in conjunction with Federated-CNNs, enabling cooperative model training between many healthcare institutions while maintaining the anonymity and privacy of data. Moreover, integrating Federated CNNs ensures that sensitive medical imaging data remain localized within participating institutions, addressing data privacy concerns and fostering collaboration among medical professionals. The research advances medical imaging analysis by introducing a novel methodology that leverages existing technologies to improve brain tumor identification accuracy. Specifically, the feature extraction phase using DenseNet121, implemented in MATLAB, achieves an outstanding accuracy of 99.82 % and outperforms Various existing methods, including Inception-V3, ResNet-18, and GoogleNet, demonstrating the efficacy of our approach in capturing discriminative features from medical imaging data. This high accuracy underscores the potential of our methodology to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in neurology and oncology. The research offers a promising avenue for further exploration and innovation in medical imaging analysis, with significant implications for improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare practices.

Oral drug administration remains one of the most convenient routes due to its Simplicity, high patient compliance, and cost-effectiveness. However, many medicinal products available on the market exhibit poor water solubility, which adversely affects the dissolution rate of drugs in biological fluids. Drug loading is a promising strategy to produce highly stable amorphous drugs with improved dissolution rates, solubility, and bioavailability. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are particularly advantageous due to their tunable surface area, pore size, and pore volume, making them suitable to load various molecules such as drugs, genes, and proteins. The use of mathematical models is crucial for predicting and analyzing the release profile of active molecules and diffusion patterns within delivery systems. This enables the design and development of new systems with more desirable release patterns. This review provides an overview of MSNs and drug loading methods, discusses the mechanisms of drug release and release kinetic models using mesoporous carriers, and highlights critical considerations in designing MSNs, such as particle stability and cytotoxicity.

The removal of COD from wastewater generated by petroleum refinery has been investigated by adopting electrocoagulation (EC) combined with adsorption using activated carbon (AC) derived from avocado seeds. The process variables influencing COD removal were studied: current density (2-10mA/cm2), pH (4-9), and AC dosage (0.2-1g/L). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to construct a mathematical model of the EC/AC process. Results showed that current density has the major effect on the COD removal with a percent of contribution 32.78% followed by pH while AC dosage has not a remarkable effect due to the good characteristics of AC derived from avocado seeds. Increasing current density gives better results while neutral conditions are suitable for EC/AC. The optimized conditions for higher removal of COD adopting the combined process were a current density of 10 mA/cm2, AC dosage of 0.2 g/L, and pH of 6.8 in which a removal efficiency of 81.6% was attained. The combining of EC with adsorption showed that adding a suitable amount of AC derived from avocado seeds resulted in enhancement of COD removal from 63.45% to 81.4%. Based on this high removal efficiency, the EC/AC could be adopted instead of traditional EC.

Abstract Endocrine cells in the fundic stomach of Clarias gariepinus were characterized in this work using transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and histochemistry. Performic acid mixed with alcian blue pH2.5 and silver stain were among the histochemical stains used for endocrine cells. Endocrine cells can be found in the epithelium, lamina propria, submucosa, muscular layer, serosa, and the area between the stomach glands. Endocrine cells with one or more nuclei were found. Endocrine cells were studied using CD3, CD21, and CD68 in an immunohistochemistry analysis. The expression of the lymphocyte marker CD3 by endocrine cells is remarkable. In addition, they had a strong immunological response to CD21 and CD68, which are characteristics of phagocytic cells. Granules of varied sizes and electron densities are packed densely into the cytoplasm of the cells, as seen by transmission electron microscopy. We propose that endocrine cells play a crucial role in immune defense. The role of endocrine cells in the gut’s immune system is an area that needs further investigation.

In this charge we designated a Hilbert-Johnson process by coupling of heterocyclic N-silylated with benzyl chloride at 100°C using the calcined red algae (CRA) doped with ammonium sulfate (AS), AS@CRA as a heterogeneous catalyst. The resulting examination systems, which included atomic absorption, BET methodology and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), were employed to describe these catalysts. The effect of catalyst and alkylated agent were extensively studied. This catalyst can also be recycled several times in this condensation, and lastly, we suggested a probable answer mechanism for this process. Moreover, our molecular docking investigation revealed the anti-tuberculosis potential of the synthesized compounds. Notably, the drug isoniazid exhibited higher binding energies compared to the products 2a, 2b, and 2c. Additionally, the ADME study suggests that highly efficacious synthetic compounds may possess anti-tuberculosis properties.

Spontaneous spinal intradural hematoma is uncommon. It can mimic vascular or hemorrhagic neoplasms, as certain imaging features overlap. The distinction between spinal hematoma and neoplasm is crucial for the approach to management and might determine the outcome. The purpose of this report is to outline the radiological and pathological features of spinal hematoma. We present a case of a 62-year-old male patient presented with a short history of lower-limb weakness, back pain and both fecal and urinary incontinence. An examination revealed that his lower limb power was 0/5 bilaterally with his sensory level at T6. An enhanced MRI of the spine revealed a hemorrhagic posterior extramedullary mass at the level of T6-T7, which was thought to be a hemorrhagic meningioma or angiolipoma. Laminectomy and spinal cord decompression were performed with excision of the presumed tumor. The final pathology results revealed spinal hematoma. This case highlights that spinal hematoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic spine neoplasms, as the imaging features can overlap.

AbstractPhotovoltaic (PV) modules’ efficiency decreases due to the presence of external electrical potentials due to the phenomenon known as potential induced degradation (PID). Powerlines or other external sources can generate this potential, or solar cells themselves can generate it through their electric field. An electric field changes the internal electrical properties of a PV module, which can result in a 30% loss of efficiency. PID can be prevented by designing PV modules to be PID-resistant, or by designing the system to minimize the electric field. Materials such as insulating materials, coatings on PV modules, and shielding materials can achieve this. A literature review is presented here, which analyzes the proposed causes of degradation effects as well as the methodological approaches employed in the test. This article presents and compares studies conducted at the cell, microunit, and module level. Several possible preventive measures are also discussed to prevent PV modules from degrading. In addition, modern mechanisms and techniques for mitigating PID effects were reviewed and discussed. This review discusses the main results and analyzes the simulations adopted by the studies, in addition to providing information about the experiments carried out. For the development of solar technology and to increase its spread in the world, it is crucial to understand how photovoltaic cells degrade and to identify other challenges.

Abstract Bariatric surgery is an approved treatment for obesity that consistently improves metabolic syndrome, with well-documented beneficial effects on dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risk, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and glucose homeostasis. In this study, we determined the differential expression genes in three periods after bariatric surgery: short-term (4-months), medium-term (1- and 2-years), and long-term (5-years) periods. Two microarray profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the expression of adipose tissue genes before surgery compared to short, medium and long-term periods following surgery. Shared DEGs for the medium-term were evaluated by comparing the DEGs for both 1 and 2 years. 165, 65, and 59 DEGs were identified in short–medium–long periods. The protein–protein interactions were analyzed by STRING. A co-expression network was constructed by mapping the DEGs onto the GeneMANIA plugin of Cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and wikipathway analysis were done for each group of DEGs. Interleukin-8 receptor activity, complement receptor activity and opsonin receptor activity/N-formyl peptide receptor activity in GO Function enrichment and cellular response to interleukin-8, positive regulation of hippocampal neuron apoptotic process, and positive regulation of hippocampal neuron apoptotic process in GO Process showed the best scores in short-, medium-, and long-term periods, respectively. Eight genes, including CCL2 (Chemokine ligand 2), CXCR4 (CXC motif chemokine receptor 4), EGR2 (Early Growth Response 2), FPR1 (Formyl Peptide Receptor 1), IL6 (interleukin-6), RGS2 (regulator of gene protein signaling2), SELPLG (Selectin P Ligand), and THBS1 (Thrombospondin 1) were identified as shared DEGs in the three periods after surgery. Importantly, results of DAVID database analysis showed 7, 6, 4, and 4 of these genes have roles in immune/ cancer/cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarct, and atherosclerosis, respectively.

Introduction: We aimed to compare the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values of endosteal dental implants (DIs) inserted into narrow alveolar ridges via osseodensification (OD) versus manual screw expansion (SE). Methods: Nineteen patients were randomized into two groups. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 59 years, with 46 implant osteotomy sites and 41 DIs. Twenty DIs were installed using OD drilling (OD group), and 21 DIs were inserted using manual screw expander drills (SE group). Primary stability was measured at the surgery time, and secondary stability was measured at the 24th week using the Osstell ISQ device. A probability value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: No statistical difference was observed between the mean values of primary stability of the OD (ISQ: 67.06 ± 4.41) and SE (ISQ: 67.76 ± 4.79) groups (P = 0.518). No statistical difference was noted between the mean values of secondary implant stability of the OD (ISQ: 68.53 ± 6.70) and SE (68 ± 5.68) groups (P = 0.780). Conclusion: The OD technique is comparable with the manual SE counterpart in terms of primary and secondary stability.

Abstract Introduction Cholera remains a substantial public health challenge in Somalia. Ongoing droughts in the country have caused significant outbreaks which have negatively affected the lives of many individuals and overwhelmed health facilities. We aimed to estimate the costs associated with cholera cases for households and health facilities in Somalia. Methods This cost-of-illness study was conducted in five cholera treatment centres in Somalia and 400 patients treated in these facilities. Data collection took place during October and November 2023. Given that a significant portion of the patients were children, we interviewed their caregivers to gather cost data. We interviewed staff at the centres and the patients. The data obtained from the household questionnaire covered direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect (lost wages) costs, while direct costs were estimated for the health facility (personnel salaries, drugs and consumables used to treat a patient, and utility expenses). All costs were calculated in US dollars (USD), using 2023 as the base year for the estimation. Results The average total cost of a cholera episode for a household was US$ 33.94 (2023 USD), with 50.4% (US$ 17.12) being direct costs and 49.6% (US$ 16.82) indirect costs. The average total cost for a health facility to treat an episode of cholera was US$ 82.65. The overall average cost to households and health facilities was US$ 116.59. The average length of stay for a patient was 3.08 days. In the households, patients aged 41 years and older incurred the highest mean total cost (US$ 73.90) while patients younger than 5 years had the lowest cost (US$ 21.02). Additionally, 61.8% of households had to use family savings to cover the cost of the cholera episode, while 14.5% had to borrow money. Most patients (71.8%) were younger than 16 years– 45.3% were 5 years or younger– and 94.0% had never received a cholera vaccine. Conclusion Our study suggests that preventing one cholera episode in Somalia could avert substantial losses for both the households and cholera treatment centres. The findings shed light on the expenses associated with cholera that extend beyond healthcare, including substantial direct and indirect costs borne by households. Preventing cholera cases could lead to a decrease in this economic burden, consequently our study supports the need for preventive measures.

Abstract Background Associations between psoriasis and allergic diseases (asthma, rhinitis, and eczema) in children have been reported in a limited number of studies, and the association between psoriasis and multimorbidity (co-occurrence) of allergic diseases remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to assess the association between psoriasis and the co-occurrence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in adolescents. Methods This school-based cross-sectional study enrolled adolescents (n = 3,864) aged 11–14 years. Parents completed a questionnaire on doctor-diagnosed psoriasis as well as symptoms and clinical history of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Eight nonoverlapping groups comprising single and co-occurring current (past 12 months) asthma, rhinitis, and eczema were identified. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results In the analytical sample (n = 3,710; 1,641 male and 2,069 female participants), 3.5% reported doctor-diagnosed psoriasis, and 15.7%, 15.0%, and 10.3% had current asthma, rhinitis, and eczema symptoms, respectively. Doctor-diagnosed psoriasis was associated with “asthma only” (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.15–3.89), “eczema only” (6.65, 4.11–10.74), “asthma + eczema” (5.25, 2.36–11.65), “rhinitis + eczema” (3.60, 1.07–12.15), and “asthma + rhinitis + eczema” (7.38, 2.93–18.58). Doctor-diagnosed psoriasis was not statistically significantly associated with “rhinitis only” (1.42, 0.71-–2.84) and “asthma + rhinitis” (1.78, 0.69–4.56). Conclusion Our findings indicate that psoriasis is associated with the co-occurrence of allergic diseases among adolescents. However, further studies are required to investigate which biological mechanisms may be shared between psoriasis and allergic diseases.

Escherichia coli is a major cause of serious infections, with antibiotic resistance rendering many treatments ineffective. Hence, novel strategies to combat this pathogen are needed. Anti-virulence therapy is a promising new approach for the subsequent era. Recent research has examined the impact of sub-inhibitory doses of ascorbic acid and paracetamol on Escherichia coli virulence factors. This study evaluated biofilm formation, protease production, motility behavior, serum resistance, expression of virulence-regulating genes (using RT-PCR), and survival rates in a mouse model. Ascorbic acid significantly reduced biofilm formation, protease production, motility, and serum resistance from 100% in untreated isolates to 22–89%, 10–89%, 2–57%, and 31–35% in treated isolates, respectively. Paracetamol also reduced these factors from 100% in untreated isolates to 16–76%, 1–43%, 16–38%, and 31–35%, respectively. Both drugs significantly down-regulated virulence-regulating genes papC, fimH, ompT_m, stcE, fliC, and kpsMTII. Mice treated with these drugs had a 100% survival rate compared with 60% in the positive control group control inoculated with untreated bacteria. This study highlights the potential of ascorbic acid and paracetamol as anti-virulence agents, suggesting their use as adjunct therapies alongside conventional antimicrobials or as alternative treatments for resistant Escherichia coli infections.

Abstract Background Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is rapidly being employed as an effective substitute for CTA, particularly in situations of poor kidney function. We aimed to examine the inter-observer and inter-modality reliability of non-contrast MR angiography (NC-MRA) and CTA as a non-invasive tool for assessing the anatomical findings of potential living kidney donors. Results All potential donors were referred from specialized kidney transplantation center and underwent NC-MRA of the renal arteries using a respiratory-triggered magnetization prepared 3D balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) with inversion recovery pulses and fat saturation (Inhance 3D Inflow Inversion Recovery (IFIR)). Two experienced radiologists reviewed NC-MRA images and were asked to evaluate both renal arteries anatomy and their branching pattern, presence of accessory or aberrant renal arteries, and identify any anatomical variant. Lin’s correlation test was performed to test MRA readings by each of the two observers against CTA findings which considered as the gold standard for assessment of renal arteries. Additionally, observers were asked to assess the image quality. The study included 60 potential kidney donors (43 males and 17 females) with mean age ± SD of 31.3 ± 5.6 years. Excellent to very good inter-observer agreement was found between both observers in the assessment of renal arteries by NC-MRA. There was perfect concordance between MRA and CTA findings in detecting early arterial division, caliber, and length of left extra-parenchymal segmental branches. Moderate concordance was found in the assessment of the supplied segments of extra-parenchymal segmental renal arterial branches and substantial concordance between both MRA observers’ findings in the remaining variables of the study. There was excellent agreement between both observers in the assessment of image quality parameters. Conclusions NC-MRA for the renal arteries is an effective alternative for CTA without the risks of radiation or contrast media.

Abstract Background/Objectives Vitamin D status has been shown to be associated with prediabetes risk. However, epidemiologic evidence on whether sex modulates the association between vitamin D and prediabetes is limited. The present study investigated sex-specific associations between vitamin D and prediabetes. Subjects/Methods The Kuwait Wellbeing Study, a population-based cross-sectional study, enrolled nondiabetic adults. Prediabetes was defined as 5.7 ≤ HbA1c% ≤6.4; 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in venous blood and analyzed as a continuous, dichotomous (deficiency: 35 nmol/L. Conclusions Sex modified the association between vitamin D levels and prediabetes, with an inverse association observed among males, but not among females. Moreover, the observed sex-disparity in the prevalence of prediabetes was only pronounced at 25(OH)D levels of ≤35 nmol/L.

The extracardiac Fontan procedure is the final common pathway for palliation of patients with univentricular physiology. The procedure is typically performed on cardiopulmonary bypass with or without fenestration using an adequate-sized polytetrafluoroethylene graft as the extracardiac conduit. On a few occasions, some patients may develop narrowing of their conduit with or without calcifications, which is often managed by various transcatheter techniques. Rarely, some of these conduits must be replaced surgically. In the current report, we present an alternative to standard surgical replacement of the calcified Fontan conduit in a patient with dextrocardia.

Introduction Understanding the effect of statins on epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is important as it may help reduce the negative impact of EAT-derived molecules on the cardiovascular system and consequently on coronary artery disease. Thus, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of statin therapy on EAT. Methods The study utilized Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to gather relevant studies on the impacts of statins on EAT until September 5th, 2023. The data collected underwent meta-analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V4 software. Results In the meta-analysis, three studies involving 512 subjects were ultimately incorporated. The findings indicated a significant decrease in EAT after treatment with statins (standardized mean difference (SMD = –0.507, 95% CI: –2.536, 1.521, p = 0.021). Conclusions Statins appear to exert an additional cardiovascular therapeutic effect by reducing EAT.

Abstract Arterial stiffening is a critical risk factor contributing to the exponential rise in age‐associated cardiovascular disease incidence. This process involves age‐induced arterial proinflammation, collagen deposition, and calcification, which collectively contribute to arterial stiffening. The primary driver of proinflammatory processes leading to collagen deposition in the arterial wall is the transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐β1) signaling. Activation of this signaling is pivotal in driving vascular extracellular remodeling, eventually leading to arterial fibrosis and calcification. Interestingly, the glycosylated protein vasorin (VASN) physically interacts with TGF‐β1, and functionally restraining its proinflammatory fibrotic signaling in arterial walls and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Notably, as age advances, matrix metalloproteinase type II (MMP‐2) is activated, which effectively cleaves VASN protein in both arterial walls and VSMCs. This age‐associated/MMP‐2‐mediated decrease in VASN levels exacerbates TGF‐β1 activation, amplifying arterial fibrosis and calcification in the arterial wall. Importantly, TGF‐β1 is a downstream molecule of the angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling pathway in the arterial wall and VSMCs, which is modulated by VASN. Indeed, chronic administration of Ang II to young rats significantly activates MMP‐2 and diminishes the VASN expression to levels comparable to untreated older control rats. This review highlights and discusses the role played by VASN in mitigating fibrosis and calcification by alleviating TGF‐β1 activation and signaling in arterial walls and VSMCs. Understanding these molecular physical and functional interactions may pave the way for establishing VASN‐based therapeutic strategies to counteract adverse age‐associated cardiovascular remodeling, eventually reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract Lattice gauge theory should be able to address significant new scientific questions when implemented on quantum computers. In practice, error-mitigation techniques have already allowed encouraging progress on small lattices. In this work we focus on a truncated version of SU(2) gauge theory, which is a familiar non-Abelian step toward quantum chromodynamics. First, we demonstrate effective error mitigation for imaginary time evolution on a lattice having two square plaquettes, obtaining the ground state using an IBM quantum computer and observing that this would have been impossible without error mitigation. Then we propose the triamond lattice as an expedient approach to lattice gauge theories in three spatial dimensions and we derive the Hamiltonian. Finally, error-mitigated imaginary time evolution is applied to the three-dimensional triamond unit cell, and its ground state is obtained from an IBM quantum computer. Future work will want to relax the truncation on the gauge fields, and the triamond lattice is increasingly valuable for such studies.

Abstract Background The economic crisis that began in 2008 has severely affected Southern (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain) Western European (SWE) countries of Western Europe (WE) and may have affected ongoing efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of the economic crisis on the burden of HBV and HCV disease. Methods Global Burden of Diseases 2019 data were used to analyse the rates of epidemiological metrics of HBV and HCV acute and chronic infections in SWE and WE. Time series modelling was performed to quantify the impact of healthcare expenditure on the time trend of HBV and HCV disease burden in 2000–2019. Results Declining trends in incidence and prevalence rates of acute HBV (aHBV) and chronic HBV were observed in SWE and WE, with the pace of decline being slower in the post-austerity period (2010–2019) and mortality due to HBV stabilised in SWE. Acute HCV (aHCV) metrics and chronic HCV incidence and mortality showed a stable trend in SWE and WE, whereas the prevalence of chronic HCV showed an oscillating trend, decreasing in WE in 2010–2019 (p

Background and Aim: Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a serious health threat. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of peptide KW-23 against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa and its potential for enhancing the efficacy of conventional antibiotics. Materials and Methods: KW-23 was synthesized from nine amino acids, specifically three tryptophans and three lysines. The purity of the substance was analyzed using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The peptide was identified through mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of KW-23 in combination with conventional antibiotics against control and multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa were determined utilizing broth microdilution. The erythrocyte hemolytic assay was used to measure toxicity. The KW-23 effect was analyzed using the time-kill curve. Results: The peptide exhibited strong antibacterial activity against control and multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, with MICs of 4.5 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL, respectively. At higher concentration of 100 μg/mL, KW-23 exhibited a low hemolytic impact, causing no more than 3% damage to red blood. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrates KW-23’s safety, while the time-kill curve highlights its rapid and sustained antibacterial activity. The combination of KW-23 and gentamicin exhibited synergistic activity against both susceptible and resistant P. aeruginosa, with fractional inhibitory concentration index values of 0.07 and 0.27, respectively. Conclusion: The KW-23 synthesized in the laboratory significantly combats antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa. Due to its strong antibacterial properties and low toxicity to cells, KW-23 is a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics in combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic condition that causes organ dysfunction. The current experiment sought to determine the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in diabetic rats prompted by streptozotocin (STZ) (55 mg/kg body weight i/p). The animals were allocated into control, TQ (50 mg/kg B.W. orally administered for 4 succeeding weeks), Diabetic, and Diabetic + TQ groups. This study confirmed that TQ preserves the levels of insulin, fasting blood glucose, HOMA β-cell indices, HbA1c %, body weight, and lipid profile substantially relative to the DC group. Furthermore, hepatic antioxidant (CAT, GSH, and T-SOD) values were reduced. Conversely, the enzymatic activity of liver functions (AST, ALT, ALP, cytochrome P450, and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase), lipid peroxidation (MDA), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory marker (CRP) enhanced with STZ administration, which is substantially restored after TQ treatment. Relative to the diabetic rats, TQ reestablished the hepatic architectural changes and collagen fibers. Additionally, TQ downregulated the intensity of the immunohistochemical staining of pro-apoptotic marker (caspase-3), p53, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) proteins in hepatic tissues. Furthermore, TQ displayed abilities to interact and inhibit the binding site of caspase-3, interleukin-6 receptor, interleukin-1 receptor type 1, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, and TNF receptor superfamily member 1B in rats following the molecular docking modeling. All these data re-establish the liver functions, antioxidant enzymes, anti-inflammatory markers, and anti-apoptotic proteins impacts of TQ in STZ-induced DM rats. Founded on these outcomes, the experiment proposes that TQ is a novel natural supplement with various clinical applications, including managing DM, which in turn is recommended to play a pivotal role in preventing the progression of diabetes mellitus.

Biomass is an inexpensive adsorbent that has attracted considerable interest. The sol-gel process produced xerogel from Palm kernel shell biochar (PKSB). This study aims to synthesize and characterize palm kernel shell biochar xerogel (PKSBX) and compare it with commercial (AC). The synthesized xerogel, raw material, and AC were characterized using different characterization, including Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The FTIR spectrum analysis showed a wide range of bonds and confirmed the presence of C=C alkenes, amines N-H, and aromatic C-H functional groups. TGA analysis of samples was conducted at 10 ℃/min. The sample's thermal degradation undergoes several setups of loss mass. The degrades occurred between 50- 200 ℃ first setups, second between 200- 700℃, and third setups between 950- 1000 ℃. The surface morphological structure of each sample has been defined and compared using SEM data, which is further confirmed by XRD data. Based on the characterization findings, it can be determined that the xerogel obtained from the synthesis process using PKSB as the raw material exhibits favorable characteristics for its potential usage as an adsorbent.

The widespread occurrence of copper in water presents serious health hazards, requiring improvement of a method to monitor and remove copper ions in the field. In this study, a fresh approach is introduced that incorporates Cellulose Nanomaterials (CNMs) with a unique rod-like structure, offering a large surface area that is perfect for adsorbing cupral, a Cu(II) ion probe. By using this arrangement, toxic copper can be rapidly and visibly detected. Without any special tools, it's easy to see the color change from off-white to brown. The copper nano-antenna (CNA) has an impressively high sensitivity, detecting as low as 2.5 × 10–7 M through image analysis and 4.3 × 10–8 M with spectrophotometric methods. The values fall significantly below the WHO drinking water guidelines of 2 ppm. The CNA's ability to detect at low thresholds and be easily regenerated makes it an effective tool for initial water testing. According to the findings, the CNA could be a promising solution for enhancing safety in drinking water by allowing real-time visualization of copper ions, with only 5 mg required for measurements. Computational analysis has been conducted to study the structural properties of copper and its copper complex (Cu(CNA)2). There is a significant-close agreement between the theoretical and experimental results. The developed CNA material was tested in various environmental and real samples for detecting Cu2+ ions, especially in water and whitening cream samples showing the material application for real-world applications.

This paper presents an integrated approach to breast cancer diagnosis that combines unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. The method involves using a pre-trained VGG19 model to process sub-images from the BreaKHis dataset, divided into nine parts for comprehensive analysis. This will be followed by a complete description of the architecture and workings of the variational Autoencoder (VAE) used for unsupervised Learning. The encoder network maps the input features to lower dimensions, capturing the most essential information. VAE learns a compressed representation of sub-images, facilitating a more profound understanding of underlying patterns and structures. For this reason, we then employ k-means clustering on the encoded representation to find naturally occurring clusters in our data set comprising a histopathological image. Every single sub-image is later fed into the VGG19-SVM model for classification purposes. During magnification at 100x, this model has attained a fantastic accuracy rate of 98.56%. Combining unsupervised analysis with VAE/k-means clustering and supervised classification with VGG19/SVM can integrate information from both methods, thereby improving the accuracy and robustness of such a task as sub-image classification in breast cancer histopathology.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Extensive efforts have been invested to explicate mechanisms implicated in the onset and progression of CVD. Besides the usual suspects as risk factors (obesity, diabetes, and others), the gut microbiome has emerged as a prominent and essential factor in the pathogenesis of CVD. With its endocrine-like effects, the microbiome modulates many physiologic processes. As such, it is not surprising that dysbiosis-by generating metabolites, inciting inflammation, and altering secondary bile acid signaling- could predispose to or aggravate CVD. Nevertheless, various natural and synthetic compounds have been shown to modulate the microbiome. Prime among these molecules are flavonoids, which are natural polyphenols mainly present in fruits and vegetables. Accumulating evidence supports the potential of flavonoids in attenuating the development of CVD. The ascribed mechanisms of these compounds appear to involve mitigation of inflammation, alteration of the microbiome composition, enhancement of barrier integrity, induction of reverse cholesterol transport, and activation of farnesoid X receptor signaling. In this review, we critically appraise the methods by which the gut microbiome, despite being essential to the human body, predisposes to CVD. Moreover, we dissect the mechanisms and pathways underlying the cardioprotective effects of flavonoids.

ObjectivesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, essential health services experienced significant disruptions, impacting preventive and chronic care across the world.MethodsUtilizing the Pandemic Recovery Survey (PRS), conducted online with Facebook’s Active User Base across 21 countries between March and May 2023, this cross-sectional study identifies the magnitude of and key factors associated with unmet preventive and chronic care needs during the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsApproximately 28.2% of respondents reported unmet preventive care needs, and 42.1% experienced unmet chronic care needs, with key determinants including food insecurity (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.81–2.07 for preventive services; aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.68–2.03 for existing conditions) and distrust in health professionals (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.15 for preventive services; aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.41–1.66 for existing conditions).ConclusionThe findings underscore a widespread unmet need for health services, highlighting the impact of social determinants and trust in health professionals on service disruption. The results suggest that pandemic recovery efforts should focus on the most affected groups to bridge health disparities and ensure an equitable recovery.

This study investigates the molluscicidal properties of Salvia officinalis extracts against Melanopsis nodosa snails, with a focus on environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical molluscicides. Melanopsis nodosa, a common freshwater snail in Iraq, is an intermediate host for diseases affecting humans and animals. Traditional molluscicides, such as copper sulphate, pose environmental and non-target organism risks. S. officinalis, known for various medicinal uses, was explored for its potential molluscicidal activity. Snails were collected from Muhyii Canal, Baghdad, and exposed to different concentrations of S. officinalis extracts and copper sulphate in controlled laboratory conditions. The study evaluated mortality rates at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours exposure, using the WHO method for molluscicide testing and Probit analysis for mortality calculation. Results showed significant molluscicidal activity of S. officinalis extracts, with the LC50 values of 15.53 ppm (24 hrs), 6.821 ppm (48 hrs), 4.288 ppm (72 hrs), and 0.0735 ppm (96 hrs). Compared to copper sulphate, the extracts were less effective but still significant, indicating the potential of S. officinalis as an environmentally friendly molluscicide. This study contributes to the search for safer molluscicides, highlighting S. officinalis extracts' effectiveness against M. nodosa. These findings could aid in controlling snail populations, thereby reducing the spread of snail-borne diseases, with lower environmental impact compared to traditional chemical molluscicides. Further research is suggested to understand the exact mechanism of snail mortality caused by these extracts.

A series of benzothiazolopyrimidine-thiazole conjugates 7, 8, and 9 were produced through the reactions of 8-acetylbenzothiazolopyrimidine-thiosemicarbazone compound 6 with chloroacetone, (un)substituted phenacyl chlorides, and ethyl chloroacetate, respectively. Based on DFT study, the synthesized conjugates had a twisted shape, except for the parent benzothiazolopyrimidine 5 and its thiosemicarbazone compound 6, which were flat. The study of FMO's also showed that the substituted thiazole derivatives 7 and 8a-c have equivalent configurations of HOMO and LUMO, as well as exhibiting the least FMO's gap (ΔEH-L). The antimicrobic activeness of the constructed derivatives has been assessed against the two Gram's types of bacteria and fungi using the broth microdilution method. The benzothiazolopyrimidine-thiazole conjugate 8c exhibited the strongest inhibition towards Gram-negative E. coli (MIC

The main goal of the present paper is to introduce a new class of harmonic multivalent functions defined by a new linear operator in the open unit disc . Thus, some geometric properties have examined, including coefficient inequality, extreme points, convolution conditions, convex linear combinations, and integral transforms for the class .

Efficient signal identification in wireless communication systems is critical for optimal service provision. However, the complexity of contemporary criteria and factors such as noise and fading make it hard to do so. To address this problem, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used to classify signals using 3G, LTE, and 5G standards. This approach involves creating a range of datasets with different Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR) and introducing Rayleigh fading to represent real-world environments. Two CNN architectures for dependable assessment, VGG19 and ResNet18, with robust 5-fold cross-validation, are employed. To test model resilience, the dataset includes Poisson noise and Thermal noise. Despite noise and fading in the system, VGG19 and ResNet18 show high accuracies across all standards. However, ResNet18 demonstrates relatively better performance, especially under Poisson noise conditions. Both models also have good signal detection from among noises generated by Poisson thermal or Rayleigh distribution. ResNet18 demonstrates a commendable average accuracy of 99.52%, while VGG19 Net demonstrates 97.14%. CNNs effectively identify signals amidst noise scenarios and contribute to advancing deep learning techniques in signal processing, enhancing the reliability of wireless communication systems.

This study presents the operation and assessment of a solar-wind-biomass-hydro-electrolyser hybrid microgrid for different types of load variations by using a proprietary derivative-free algorithm (Model Predictive Deterministic Algorithm) and voltage IQ droop controller. The proposed hybrid microgrid integrates various renewable energy sources and an electrolyser to generate hydrogen and produce electricity. The objective is to optimize the microgrid’s performance and provide reliable power supply to meet varying load demands. The proprietary derivative-free algorithm is used to determine the optimal dispatch of power from each energy source to meet the load demand while minimizing the overall cost of energy. Additionally, a voltage IQ droop and voltage Q droop controller are employed to regulate the voltage, frequency and active power of the microgrid and maintain its stability during load variations. The proposed hybrid microgrid is assessed under different load scenarios for both grid tied and isolated modes. The results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid microgrid with the derivative-free algorithm and voltage droop controllers can effectively operate and provide reliable power supply under different load variations while maintaining the power system stability of the microgrid. Further, the mutual performances of the controller are compared to find the best controller for the specific microgrid. The findings of this study can contribute to the development of efficient and reliable hybrid microgrid systems for sustainable energy production and distribution.

BackgroundLiver cancer remains the leading cause of death and public health threat among the Mongolian population. So far, there has been no in-depth analysis to describe the burden of common attributable factors to liver cancer in Mongolia. Therefore, we aimed to explore the most prevalent causes of liver cancer and its trends from 1990 to 2019.MethodsWe extracted the primary liver cancer data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to examine the mortality and morbidity of liver cancer by its etiological types, which included alcohol, viral hepatitis B and C, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The data was extracted by sex and 5-year age intervals from 1990 to 2019. Data included mortality, incidence, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of liver cancer among the Mongolian population.ResultsMongolia had the world’s highest age-standardized DALYs for liver cancer (2558.1) in 2019. Alcohol-attributable DALYs (786.6) were 29 times higher than the global average (26.1), and liver cancer due to hepatitis C (752.6) and B (763.2) were 21.5 (35.0) and 10.9 (69.1) times higher, respectively. Over the past 30 years, there has been a steady increase in the incidence and number of deaths caused by liver cancer in Mongolia. In 2019, liver cancer incidence due to alcohol consumption was 3.1 times higher for males than females, and hepatitis B was 2.7 times higher for males than females. However, the incidence of hepatitis C and NASH were slightly higher for females. Deaths from liver cancer accounted for 9.51% (2365) of total deaths in Mongolia in 2019, with a continuously increasing trend in the fraction of death compared to 1990, which was 11 times higher than the global average (0.86%), particularly in females with a 319.6% (95% UI 234.9–435.7) increase observed during the study period. Liver cancer due to hepatitis B, C, and alcohol each shared about one-third of liver cancer deaths.ConclusionA comprehensive analysis of the burden of liver cancer in Mongolia reveals alcohol use as a primary cause of liver cancer mortality, particularly affecting men and significantly impacting the disease burden. Viral hepatitis continues to pose a major public health concern in the country. Although significant milestones have progressed, addressing the unique demographic and geographical challenges requires tailored approaches for specific target populations. The evidence generated from this analysis is crucial to support policy guidance, contribute to evidence-based decisions, guide public health prevention measures, and amplify population health promotion and disease prevention throughout Mongolia.

In this study, copper was removed from an aqueous solution through electromembrane extraction (EME), a new approach that utilises a two-chamber electrochemical cell. It consists of two electrodes (stainless steel cathode and graphite anode) and a solid liquid membrane (SLM). SLM is composed of supporting polypropylene membrane impregnated with1-octanol as an organic solvent and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (DEHP) as a carrier. The effects of process parameters such as applied voltage, pH and copper concentration on the removal of copper were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimise these parameters and their interactions. Results indicated that pH has the major effect on the removal of copper, followed by applied voltage. The squared interaction term in the RSM model has the highest contribution (70.5%), followed by the linear term, thereby confirming the significant interaction among the variables. The optimum conditions include an applied voltage of 60V, pH of 5.18 and initial copper concentration of 5 ppm, which yield to a removal efficiency of 80% after 6 hours of operation. The findings demonstrate the use of electromembrane extraction as an efficient method for the removal of heavy metals and provide valuable insights for future application to other environmental and water treatment processes.

Background:Vaginal infection is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching, and pain. A specific kind of vaginal inflammation known as bacterial vaginosis is roughing on by an overabundance of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina, which throws the body’s delicate equilibrium out of whack. Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection that affects the vagina and the vulva, the tissues at the vaginal opening, causing irritation, discharge, and severe itching.Objectives:Isolation, identification, and partial purification of bacteria and fungi that cause vaginal infection.Materials and Methods:In this study, 150 vaginal samples were collected from women aged 15–55 who did not have any chronic diseases in the city of Hilla, Iraq. Cultivation of samples of bacteria on MacConkey, mannitol salt, and Eosin-methylene blue culture media and fungi on potato dextrose agar medium and chromo agar for Candida and conducting diagnostic tests for them.Results:The samples were culture on different medium. Bacteria have a percentage (55.3%) and fungi percentage (54.7%). Types of bacteria that appeared are Escherichia coli 24.3%, Klebsiella 20%, and Staphylococcus aureus 55.7%. Fungi are Candida albicans 52.6%, Candida glabrata 23.7%, and Candida krusie 23.7% have all been identified as fungi in clinical cases. Biochemical tests were performed for each sample, whether bacteria or fungi and included an examination (indol, citrate, urease, catalase, oxidase, coagulase, and H2S).Conclusion:Through results appeared S. aureus papered was found to be more common than bacteria species and fungi in clinical cases. C. albicans was found to be more common than other Candida species.

Background:Gingerol is extracted from the rhizomes of ginger. It showed a clear effect on the bacteria and the Candida isolation from the vagina, and the highest effect was at a concentration of 30 mg/mL. The positive bacteria are more responsive to gingerol than the negative bacteria; gingerol is a great inhibitory activity compared to antibiotics on bacteria.Objectives:The aim of the article is to test the sensitivity of bacteria and Candida to gingerol and some antibiotics.Materials and Methods:In this study, we detected the presence of the phytochemical compounds present in the Zingiber officinale and the process of extraction of gingerol from ginger by HPLC technology, and tested different concentrations of gingerol for their effect on bacteria and fungi isolated from the vagina. Some antibiotics such as (tobramycin and kanamycin) on Staphylococcus aureus and ciprofloxacin and doxycycline on Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli and antifungal itraconazole and nystatin on Candida species.Results:Gingerol showed a clear effect on bacteria and Candida isolation from the vagina, and the highest effect was at a concentration of 30 mg/mL. Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus is more sensitive to gingerol than the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and Klebsiella. Gingerol has a great inhibitory activity compared to antibiotics on bacteria and the highest effect on Candida albicans more than Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei.Conclusion:Through the results, ginger contains many pharaohs and the most important of these is an active compound gingerol that has anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and Candida and had more impact on microorganisms than antibiotics.

Abstract Contract cheating, the act of students enlisting others to complete academic assignments on their behalf, poses a significant challenge in academic settings, undermining the integrity of education and assessment. It involves submitting work that is falsely represented as the student’s own, thus violating academic standards and ethics. The advent of artificial intelligence-based language models, such as ChatGPT, has raised concerns about the potential impact of contract cheating. As these language models can generate human-like text with ease, there are concerns about their role in facilitating and increasing contract cheating incidents. Innovative approaches are thus needed to detect contract cheating and address its implications for academic integrity. This study introduces a machine learning (ML) model focused on identifying deviations from a learner’s unique writing style (or their linguistic fingerprint) to detect contract cheating, complementing traditional plagiarism detection methods. The study involved 150 learners majoring in engineering and business who were studying English as a foreign language at a college in Saudi Arabia. The participants were asked to produce descriptive essays in English within a consistent genre over one semester. The proposed approach involved data preprocessing, followed by transformation using Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF). To address data imbalance, random oversampling was applied, and logistic regression (LR) was trained with optimal hyperparameters obtained through grid search. Performance evaluation was conducted using various metrics. The results showed that the ML model was effective in identifying non-consistent essays with improved accuracy after implementing random oversampling. The LR model achieved an accuracy of 98.03%, precision of 98.52%, recall of 98.03%, and F1-score of 98.24%. The proposed ML model shows promise as an indicator of contract cheating incidents, providing an additional tool for educators and institutions to uphold academic integrity. However, it is essential to interpret the model results cautiously, as they do not constitute unequivocal evidence of cheating but rather serve as grounds for further investigation. We also emphasize the ethical implications of such approaches and suggest avenues for future research to explore the model’s applicability among first-language writers and to conduct longitudinal studies on second-language learners’ language development over longer periods.

Abstract Background The aggressive nature of Fournier gangrene and the associated health issues can result in a more complex clinical course and potentially a longer hospital stay. This study aimed to assess factors that affect the length of hospital stay (LHS) and its relation to the outcome of Fournier gangrene patients. Methods A retrospective study was performed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Saudi Arabia, on patients diagnosed with Fournier gangrene between 2017 and 2023. Data about length of hospital stay (LHS), age, BMI, clinical and surgical data and outcome was obtained. Results The mean age of the studied patients was 59.23 ± 11.19 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.69 ± 7.99 kg/m2, and the mean duration of symptoms was 10.27 ± 9.16 days. The most common presenting symptoms were swelling or induration (64%), 88% had comorbidities with diabetes mellitus (DM) (84%), and 76% had uncontrolled DM. of patients, 24% had a poly-microbial infection, with E. coli being the most common (52%). The mean length of hospital stay (LHS) was 54.56 ± 54.57 days, and 24% of patients had an LHS of more than 50 days. Longer LHS (> 50 days) was associated with patients who did not receive a compatible initial antibiotic, whereas shorter LHS was associated with patients who received Impenem or a combination of vancomycin and meropenem as alternative antibiotics following incompatibility. Reconstruction patients had significantly longer LHS and a higher mean temperature. However, none of the studied variables were found to be predictors of long LHS in the multivariate regression analysis. Conclusion Knowledge of the values that predict LHS allows for patient-centered treatment and may be useful in predicting more radical treatments or the need for additional treatment in high-risk patients. Future multicenter prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to assess the needed variables and predictors of long LHS.

Abstract Background Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of depression due to hormonal and biological changes. Antenatal depression is understudied compared to postpartum depression and its predictors remain highly controversial. Aim To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and investigate factors associated with this condition including vitamin D, folate and Vitamin B12 among participants in the Kuwait Birth Study. Methods Data collection occurred as part of the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study in which pregnant women were recruited in the second and third trimester during antenatal care visits. Data on antenatal depression were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), considering a score of ≥ 13 as an indicator of depression. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Results Of 1108 participants in the Kuwait Birth Cohort study, 1070(96.6%) completed the EPDS. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 21.03%(95%CI:18.62–23.59%) and 17.85%(95%CI:15.60-20.28%) as indicated by an EPDS ≥ 13 and EPDS ≥ 14 respectively. In the multivariable analysis, passive smoking at home, experiencing stressful life events during pregnancy, and a lower level of vitamin B12 were identified as predisposing factors. Conversely, having desire for the pregnancy and consumption of fruits and vegetables were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion Approximately, one fifth of pregnant women had depressive symptoms indicating the need to implement screening program for depression in pregnant women, a measure not systematically implemented in Kuwait. Specifically, screening efforts should focus on pregnant women with unintended pregnancies, exposure to passive smoking at home, and recent stressful live events.

Abstract Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a complex manifestation of abdominal cancers, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Recent work identifying high concentrations of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6-Rα) in the peritoneal cavity of patients with PC has highlighted this pathway as an emerging potential therapeutic target. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the potential role of IL-6 in the development and progression of PC. We discuss mechansims by which the IL-6 pathway may contribute to peritoneal tumor dissemination, mesothelial adhesion and invasion, stromal invasion and proliferation, and immune response modulation. Finally, we review the prospects for targeting the IL-6 pathway in the treatment of PC, focusing on common sites of origin, including ovarian, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal and appendiceal cancer, and mesothelioma.

Abstract Background Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually present with disease impact on growth besides cardiovascular problems that not only impact the patient's health during childhood but also affect their adult life. We aimed to identify the diagnostic role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in CKD in pediatric using its metrics: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fraction anisotropy (FA). Results This prospective study was performed on thirty-five CKD patients (16 girls, 19 boys; mean age 12.3 ± 2.6 years) and 19 sex- and age-matched controls. Both groups underwent renal DTI and renal function tests. Based on renal biopsy, patients with CKD were further categorized into sclerotic CKD (n = 25) and non-sclerotic CKD (n = 10). Mean FA renal medulla/cortex in CKD (0.18 ± 0.18 and 0.20 ± 0.17) was lower significantly (p = 0.001) than volunteers' (0.31 ± 0.19, 0.27 ± 0.18). The cutoff FA of renal medulla/cortex used for CKD diagnosis was 0.22 and 0.23 with AUC of 0.828, 0.838 and accuracy of 80.8%, 82.8%. Mean of renal medulla/cortex ADC in CKD (2.13 ± 0.23 and 1.93 ± 0.22 × 10−3 mm2/s) was higher significantly (p = 0.001) than that of volunteers' (1.67 ± 0.15 and 1.64 ± 0.133 × 10−3 mm2/s. ADC cutoff value of renal medulla/cortex used for CKD diagnosis was 1.86 and 1.74 × 10−3 mm2/s with AUC of 0.827, 0.82, 0.827, and 0.911, and accuracy of 80.6%, 79.6%, 82.8%, and 84.2%. Renal medulla/cortex FA in sclerotic CKD was significantly different (p = 0.001) from non-sclerotic CKD (0.25 ± 0.07 and 0.26 ± 0.08). Cortical and medullary FA in CKD patients correlated with e-GFR (r = 0.363, r = 0.317) and serum creatinine (r = − 0.467, r = − 0.383). Conclusions Renal cortical/medullary FA can assist in diagnosing pediatric CKD, predict sclerotic CKD, and correlate with some serum biomarkers.