Emerging Biomarkers for Assessing Thrombotic Risk in Patients Receiving Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs).

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) have transformed the management of thrombotic disorders, offering a more convenient and effective alternative to traditional vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). However, assessing thrombotic risk in patients treated with DOACS remains crucial due to the potential for recurrent events. Current clinical risk scores have limitations in predicting and monitoring venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in specific DOAC populations.

Comparative transcriptomics reveal a novel tardigrade-specific DNA-binding protein induced in response to ionizing radiation.

Tardigrades are microscopic animals renowned for their ability to withstand extreme conditions, including high doses of ionizing radiation (IR). To better understand their radio-resistance, we first characterized induction and repair of DNA double- and single-strand breaks after exposure to IR in the model species . Importantly, we found that the rate of single-strand breaks induced was roughly equivalent to that in human cells, suggesting that DNA repair plays a predominant role in tardigrades' radio-resistance.

Operational nurse managers' perceptions on the competence of community service nurses in public settings in the Western Cape.

Background: Community service nurses placed in the Western Cape Government public health facilities render essential healthcare to underserved populations. Anecdotal evidence from operational nurse managers indicated concerns that community service nurses may lack competence in basic required nursing competencies.

Objectives: To investigate operational nurse managers' perceptions of the competence of community service nurses in public health facilities in the Western Cape.

Molecular characterisation and morphological description of two new species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) infecting leukocytes of African leopards Panthera pardus pardus (L.).

Background: The African leopard Panthera pardus pardus (L.) is currently listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species due to ongoing population declines. This implies that leopard-specific parasites are also vulnerable to extinction.

PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL FORMS OF MALARIA AMONG FEBRILE HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN SEEN AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA.

Background: Malaria and HIV infections are major health problems facing the world today. Sub-Saharan Africa with 10 percent of world's population harbors more than half the burden of the scourge. The present study determined the prevalence and clinical forms of malaria among febrile HIV-infected children aged 3months to 15years, seen in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.

Exploration and evaluation of proton source-assisted photocatalyst for hydrogen generation.

The present paper reports about the superior performance of some amine-based proton sources in enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of Fe2O3-TiO2 composite during a water-splitting reaction. The band gap of the Fe2O3-TiO2 catalyst is tuned to 2.3 eV by varying the Fe content.

Establishment of an in ovo chick embryo yolk sac membrane (YSM) assay for pilot screening of potential angiogenic and anti-angiogenic agents.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing vessels, is essential for growth and development. Development of drugs that can accelerate or decelerate angiogenesis in the context of various diseases requires appropriate preclinical screening. As angiogenesis involves complex cellular and molecular processes, in vivo studies are superior to in vitro investigations.

Fe(III)-montmorillonite catalysed one pot synthesis of 5-substituted dihydropyrimidine derivatives as potent antimicrobial agents.

Objectives: This paper aims to describe the synthesis of a series of novel 5-substituted dihydropyrimidine derivatives using Fe-(III)-montmorillonite as an efficient and reusable catalyst.

Methods: The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy methods. The title compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity, and molecular docking studies were conducted.

Intramuscular Myxoma - A Rare Tumor.

Introduction: Intramuscular myxoma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor involving the musculoskeletal system. The incidence is reported as varying from 0.1 to 0.

The International Classification of Function Disability and Health (ICF) in adults visiting the HIV outpatient clinic at a regional hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In 2005, 16.6% of South Africans between 15 and 49 years of age were HIV positive. The advent of anti-retroviral therapy has led to improved longevity, CD4 counts and clinical well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty with Kissing Stents Technique for Aorto-iliac Bifurcation Disease.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty using the technique of kissing stents is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for treating aorto-iliac occlusive disease. We present case reports of three patients who successfully underwent this procedure.

Hormonal responses in ethanol-induced hypoglycemia.

Seven patients with clinical alcoholic hypoglycemia showed suppressed pretreatment plasma insulin levels and raised concentrations of somatotropin, hydrocortisone and pancreatic glucagon. A prolonged intravenous glucose infusion failed to elicit adequate insulin output and marked hyperglycemia supervened.

Metabolic responses to selective beta-adrenergic stimulation in man.

The responses of plasma free fatty acid, glucose, lactate, insulin and growth hormone to intravenous administration of the predominantly β-2 stimulant, salbutamol, were studied in nine normal subjects. Four subjects received the predominantly β-1 blocking agent, practolol, together with salbutamol. Salbutamol produced a marked rise in free fatty acid levels and there was also an appreciable increase in insulin values; lactate levels rose moderately and glucose values increased slightly; growth hormone levels were not affected.