Search

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one cause of death worldwide, with atherosclerosis, which is the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries, being the most common underlying cause. The activation of inflammatory events and endothelium dysfunction are crucial for the development and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) have been associated with severity of atherosclerosis. LDL can undergo oxidative modifications, resulting in oxidised LDL (oxLDL). OxLDL has been found to have antigenic potential and contribute significantly to atherosclerosis-associated inflammation by activating innate and adaptive immunity. Various inflammatory stimuli such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) play major roles in atherosclerosis. To date, studies have provided valuable insights into the role of oxLDL in the development of atherosclerosis. However, there remains a gap in understanding the specific pathways involved in this process. This review aims to provide and discuss the mechanisms by which oxLDL modulates signalling pathways that cause cardiovascular diseases by providing in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence. Its critical role in triggering and sustaining endothelial dysfunction highlights its potential as a therapeutic target. Advancing the understanding of its atherogenic role and associated signalling pathways could pave the way for novel targeted therapeutic strategies to combat atherosclerosis more effectively.

Overactivation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway leads to vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure. Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz is an herbal plant known for its antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic properties, with bioactive compounds that exhibit antihypertensive effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of the standardized aqueous extract of P. minor leaf (AEPM) through the ACE/AT1R pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). HUVECs were stimulated with PMA to induce ACE, with or without AEPM or captopril treatment, for 24 h. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression were measured. The results demonstrated that AEPM treatment significantly reduced ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. The modulatory effects of AEPM on the ACE/AT1R pathway were comparable to those of captopril. Ex vivo experiments further confirmed that AEPM reduced the contraction responses of rat aortic rings to PMA. In conclusion, P. minor effectively inhibits the ACE/AT1R pathway in PMA-induced HUVECs, suggesting its potential as a natural antihypertensive agent.

Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is known as common pathogen for endodontic infections and cause secondary and refractory pulp periapical periodontitis. The bacteria can opportunistically colonize periodontal pockets and presents a possibility of infection developing in other organs. This research will investigate the dissemination of E. faecalis from the gingival tissue to the heart and kidney., Materials and Methods: Three groups were formed, consisting of twelve male Sprague Dawley rats: a control group designated as 0-day, and experimental groups labeled as 7-days and 14-days. Periodontitis induced by concurrent infection with sterile wire 0.2 mm insertion and E. faecalis inoculation is performed into the gingival sulcus located between the maxillary right 1 st and 2 nd molar teeth area. After euthanasia, tissue samples around the maxillary gingiva, maxillary jaw samples, kidney and heart tissues were obtained for quantitative Real-Time PCR assay and histopathological analysis., Results: Results showed at 7-days, there was an upregulation of E. faecalis gene expression in the gingiva, heart, and kidney samples as well as infiltration of the inflammatory cells at 7-days post induction, which consequently decreased at 14-days., Conclusion: Thus, the study suggests dissemination of E. faecali s from gingival tissue to the heart, kidney which could be probable link between periodontal disease, heart, and kidney disease., (Copyright© 2024 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Introduction: Several necessary initiatives have been made to create a readily available vaccine against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic. However, the vaccination program's success is dependent on the population's willingness as well as their knowledge of vaccination. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and acceptance towards the COVID-19 vaccine among the community in Johor Bahru, Johor., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey between February and May 2022, with 423 respondents. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic, assessment of knowledge level and acceptance level towards COVID-19 vaccine. The descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests were employed to investigate the study outline objectives., Results: Of all 423 participants, 293 (69.3%) of the participants had a high level of knowledge about the COVID- 19 vaccine (median knowledge score 6; IQR = 3), and 239 (56.5%) were reported to have a low level of vaccine acceptance (median acceptance scores 4; IQR=2). The knowledge level towards the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with the vaccine acceptance level (p<0.001)., Conclusion: The community's level of knowledge towards COVID-19 vaccine was high; however, the vaccine acceptance was low.

Organotin (IV) dithiocarbamate has recently received attention as a therapeutic agent among organotin (IV) compounds. The individual properties of the organotin (IV) and dithiocarbamate moieties in the hybrid complex form a synergy of action that stimulates increased biological activity. Organotin (IV) components have been shown to play a crucial role in cytotoxicity. The biological effects of organotin compounds are believed to be influenced by the number of Sn-C bonds and the number and nature of alkyl or aryl substituents within the organotin structure. Ligands target and react with molecules while preventing unwanted changes in the biomolecules. Organotin (IV) dithiocarbamate compounds have also been shown to have a broad range of cellular, biochemical, and molecular effects, with their toxicity largely determined by their structure. Continuing the investigation of the cytotoxicity of organotin (IV) dithiocarbamates, this mini-review delves into the appropriate method for synthesis and discusses the elemental and spectroscopic analyses and potential cytotoxic effects of these compounds from articles published since 2010.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a broad spectrum of diseases afflicting the heart and blood vessels and remain a major cause of death and disability worldwide. CVD progression is strongly associated with risk factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. These risk factors lead to oxidative damage that results in various cardiovascular complications including endothelial dysfunctions, alterations in vascular integrity, the formation of atherosclerosis, as well as incorrigible cardiac remodeling. The use of conventional pharmacological therapy is one of the current preventive measures to control the development of CVDs. However, as undesirable side effects from drug use have become a recent issue, alternative treatment from natural products is being sought in medicinal plants and is gaining interest. Roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) has been reported to contain various bioactive compounds that exert anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-hypertension, antioxidative, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrosis effects. These properties of roselle, especially from its calyx, have relevance to its therapeutic and cardiovascular protection effects in humans. This review summarizes the findings of recent preclinical and clinical studies on roselle as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in attenuating cardiovascular risk factors and associated mechanisms., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funder has no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among diabetic patients worldwide. Hence, cardiovascular wellbeing in diabetic patients requires utmost importance in disease management. Recent studies have demonstrated that protein kinase C activation plays a vital role in the development of cardiovascular complications via its activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, also known as PKC-MAPK pathways. In fact, persistent hyperglycaemia in diabetic conditions contribute to preserved PKC activation mediated by excessive production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and oxidative stress. PKC-MAPK pathways are involved in several cellular responses, including enhancing oxidative stress and activating signalling pathways that lead to uncontrolled cardiac and vascular remodelling and their subsequent dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the recent discovery on the role of PKC-MAPK pathways, the mechanisms involved in the development and progression of diabetic cardiovascular complications, and their potential as therapeutic targets for cardiovascular management in diabetic patients.

Diabetes-induced vascular disorder is considered one of the deadly risk factors among diabetic patients that are caused by persistent hyperglycemia that eventually leads to cardiovascular diseases. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to high blood glucose levels activate signaling pathways such as AGE/RAGE, PKC, polyol, and hexosamine pathways. The activated signaling pathway triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis which later lead to vascular dysfunction induced by diabetes. Polyphenol is a bioactive compound that can be found abundantly in plants such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. This compound exerts therapeutic effects in alleviating diabetes-induced vascular disorder, mainly due to its potential as an anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic agent. In this review, we sought to summarize the recent discovery of polyphenol treatments in modulating associated genes involved in the progression of diabetes-induced vascular disorder.

Combination therapy emerges as a fundamental scheme in cancer. Many targeted therapeutic agents are developed to be used with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity effects. ABT-263, known as navitoclax, mimics the BH3-only proteins of the BCL-2 family and has a high affinity towards pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins (i.e., BCL-XL, BCL-2, BCL-W) to induce cell apoptosis effectively. A single navitoclax action potently ameliorates several tumor progressions, including blood and bone marrow cancer, as well as small cell lung carcinoma. Not only that, but navitoclax alone also therapeutically affects fibrotic disease. Nevertheless, outcomes from the clinical trial of a single navitoclax agent in patients with advanced and relapsed small cell lung cancer demonstrated a limited anti-cancer activity. This brings accumulating evidence of navitoclax to be used concomitantly with other chemotherapeutic agents in several solid and non-solid tumors that are therapeutically benefiting from navitoclax treatment in preclinical studies. Initially, we justify the anti-cancer role of navitoclax in combination therapy. Then, we evaluate the current evidence of navitoclax in combination with the chemotherapeutic agents comprehensively to indicate the primary regulator of this combination strategy in order to produce a therapeutic effect.

Introduction: Positive professional practice environments are crucial to safeguard a healthy and safe working conditions for health workforce, including nurses; so as to ensure provision of quality healthcare and safety of patient., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to assess nurses' perceptions towards nursing practice environment and factors associated with their perceptions. A validated Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PESNWI) questionnaire was administered to nurses working in two Ministry of Health hospitals. The questionnaire comprises of five subscales: Participation, Foundation, Managers Support, Workforce Adequacy and Physician/Nurse Relations. Mean scores of >2.50 were considered as favourable, and ≤2.50 were considered as unfavourable. Simple linear and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to identify factors associated with their perceptions. Analysis was carried out using STATA version 14.0., Results: A total of 366 respondents took part in the study, with a response rate of 98.4%. Majority were working shift (89.6%) and working extended hours (62.3%). In general, the nursing practice environments were rated as favourable. Overall mean score was 2.90±0.03 and four out of five subscales' mean scores were >2.50. Foundation for quality nursing care was perceived as the most favourable subscale, while workforce adequacy was perceived as the least favourable. There were statistically significant association between working extended hours, doing double shift and working during day off with perceived unfavourable workforce adequacy., Conclusion: Nursing practice environment was perceived as favourable in the studied hospitals. Policy makers, service providers, and hospital managers could explore further on human resource planning and management of nursing personnel to tackle the issue of nurse staffing in the country.

B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family proteins primarily work as a programmed cell death regulator, whereby multiple interactions between them determine cell survival. This explains the two major classes of BCL-2 proteins which are anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. The anti-apoptotic proteins are attractive targets for BCL-2 family inhibitors, which result in the augmentation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. BCL-2 family inhibitors have been studied extensively for novel targeted therapies in various cancer types, fibrotic diseases, aging-related as well as autoimmune diseases. Navitoclax is one of them and it has been discovered to have a high affinity toward BCL-2 anti-apoptotic proteins, including BCL-2, BCL-W and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large. Navitoclax has been demonstrated as a single agent or in combination with other drugs to successfully ameliorate tumor progression and fibrosis development. To date, navitoclax has entered phase I and phase II clinical studies. Navitoclax alone potently treats small cell lung cancer and acute lymphocytic leukemia, whilst in combination therapy for solid tumors, it enhances the therapeutic effect of other chemotherapeutic agents. A low platelet count has always associated with single navitoclax treatments, though this effect is tolerable. Moreover, the efficacy of navitoclax is determined by the expression of several BCL-2 family members. Here, we elucidate the complex mechanisms of navitoclax as a pro-apoptotic agent, and review the early and current clinical studies of navitoclax alone as well as with other drugs. Additionally, some suggestions on the development of navitoclax clinical studies are presented in the future prospects section., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Mohamad Anuar, Ugusman, Nor Hisam and Liew.)