Association of Gene Polymorphism with the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background: The low-density lipoprotein receptor () is essential for regulating intracellular cholesterol levels. Mutations in the gene can cause a increase in LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, elevating the vulnerability to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study evaluated the correlation between the rs688 polymorphism and CVD risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Development and nutritional evaluation of pomegranate peel enriched bars.

Pomegranate peel powder is used as a functional ingredient in the development of nutritional bars. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is well known fruit belongs to punicaceae family having multiple health benefits, not only limited to its edible parts but also in its non-edible parts mostly the peel. Fruit wastes are rich source of nutrients, and can be used for the development of functional food products.

Correction: Molecular surveillance based on anaplasmosis in domestic small ruminants: First report on zoonotic Anaplasma capra and phylogenetic insights from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Prevalence and Spectrum of β-Thalassemia Mutations in Baghdad, Iraq: Data from the Premarital Screening Program.

The knowledge of the prevalence and molecular basis of β-hemoglobinopathies constitutes an important prerequisite for an effective prevention program. To address this issue in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, a total of 12526 individuals (6263 couples) attending three main Premarital Screening centers were enrolled. Individuals were labeled as β-hemoglobin disorders based on full blood counts and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Novel yeast Pichia kudriavzevii alleviates aflatoxins induced toxicopathology in broiler chickens through immunomodulation and antioxidant enhancement.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Pichia kudriavzevii (PK), a newly discovered yeast strain, in alleviating the deleterious effects induced by aflatoxins on broilers. Eighty one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups and subjected to various combinations of aflatoxin dosages at 300 μg/kg of feed alongside PK supplementation at 1 g/kg of feed. Assessment encompassed a comprehensive array of parameters including performance metrics, hepatic and renal biomarkers, interleukin concentrations, blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, antibody response to sheep red blood cells, lymphoproliferative response to PHA-P, phagocytic response utilizing the carbon clearance assay system, as well as evaluation of oxidants and antioxidants.

Color Masking Ability of Guided Enamel Regeneration with a Novel Self-Assembling Peptide and Resin Infiltration on Artificial Enamel Lesions Under Various Challenges: An In Vitro Spectrophotometric Analysis.

The color masking ability of resin infiltration (RI) and curodont repair fluoride plus-self-assembling peptide (CRFP-SAP) was investigated under various simulated oral challenging conditions. Sixty-four extracted caries-free human canines were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (RI) and Group 2 (CRFP-SAP). The baseline color values of samples were recorded using a spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Advance 4.

ELISA based seroprevalence and risk factors for three zoonotic parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Echinococcus granulosus and Trichinella spiralis) in humans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Zoonotic parasitic infections can affect both animal and human health, while also having food safety and economic implications. These pathogens can also pose occupational risks for certain groups, including veterinary professionals, animal handlers, and butchers. This study was conducted in the district of Swabi located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of northwestern Pakistan.

Robotic carotid artery stenting: a multicenter, propensity score-matched analysis of clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Objective: Preclinical studies suggest that robotic carotid artery stenting (CAS) could be superior to manual CAS. However, very limited comparative data exist for patients who have undergone robotic versus manual CAS. In addition, no data exist comparing the costs of manual and robotic CAS.

Synergistic anticancer effects of interleukin-21 combined with therapeutic peptides in multiple cancer cells.

Background: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine produced by various cell types, including T cells, natural killer cells, myeloid cells, and B cells, and has a broad range of potential applications in cancer therapy. To improve the therapeutic index, we explored the use of fusion technologies that involved linking other anticancer peptides to the IL-21 gene using specific linkers.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the anticancer potential of IL-21 and IL-21 fusion proteins.

Pretreatment factors associated with symptomatic stroke in Moyamoya disease patients: A multicenter study.

Objectives: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disorder marked by the progressive steno-occlusion of the bilateral internal carotid arteries and the formation of abnormal collateral vessel networks at the base of the brain. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors predictive of postoperative complications to improve patient management. This study aims to identify pretreatment factors associated with post-bypass symptomatic strokes in MMD patients.

Bacillus licheniformis as a protective agent in broiler chicken concurrently exposed to mycotoxins and necrotic enteritis: Toxicopathological and hematobiochemical perspectives.

Mycotoxins negatively impact intestinal cell viability, leading to the depletion of beneficial bacteria and rendering birds susceptible to intestinal infections such as necrotic enteritis (NE). Furthermore, they impair the effective digestion and absorption of nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis supplementation on broiler birds exposed to mycotoxins and subsequent necrotic enteritis infection.

Rheumatoid arthritis associated recurrent pleural effusion.

Pleural effusions and pulmonary nodules are known complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) though pleural extra-articular manifestations without clinical arthritis are rare. We present a 66-year-old male with dyspnea and weight loss, whose imaging revealed pleural effusions and lung nodules, multiple exudative pleural effusions, and a thoracoscopic biopsy showing chronic pleuritis and granulomatous inflammation. Subsequent joint stiffness and positive rheumatoid markers led to a RA diagnosis.

Comparative Outcomes of Unilateral vs Bilateral Revascularization in Moyamoya Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background And Objectives: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by progressive steno-occlusion of the internal carotid arteries, leading to compensatory collateral vessel formation. The optimal surgical approach for MMD remains debated, with bilateral revascularization potentially offering more comprehensive protection but involving more extensive surgery compared to unilateral revascularization. This study aims to compare bilateral revascularization and unilateral revascularization short-term safety profile in the treatment of MMD.

The Factors Associated With Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Positivity in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Study From a Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan.

Objective In this study, we sought to elucidate the relationship between demographic and clinical factors and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) positivity in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer at a tertiary care center in Pakistan. Methods This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2020 to July 2023 at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab. The study included 70 consecutive patients with advanced-stage lung cancer, and aimed to identify common EGFR mutations (Exon 19 deletion and Exon 21 L858R mutation), determine their frequency, and correlate EGFR-TK mutation positivity with clinical and non-clinical factors.

Dietary Chlorella vulgaris mitigates aflatoxin B1 toxicity in broiler chicken: Toxicopathological, hematobiochemical and immunological perspectives.

Mycotoxins are the chemical substances, produced as the secondary metabolites of some toxigenic species of fungi which cause critical health issues in humans, birds and different animal species while Chlorella vulgaris (CV) is a unicellular microalga which contains plenty of important nutritional ingredients. This study was planned to evaluate the toxicopathological, hematobiochemical and immune changes incurred by dietary supplementation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and their mitigation through CV in broilers. For this study to be conducted, 180 broiler birds of one day old were uniformly distributed into six (06) groups and administered various combinations of AFB1 (200 μg/kg) or CV (0.

Li-Fraumeni-associated osteosarcomas: The French experience.

Purpose: Describe clinical characteristics and outcome of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS)-associated osteosarcomas.

Methods: TP53 germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant carriers diagnosed with osteosarcoma in France between 1980 and 2019 were identified via the French Li-Fraumeni database at Rouen University Hospital. Sixty-five osteosarcomas in 52 patients with available clinical and histological data were included.

Use of Metallic Nanoparticles Against Eimeria-the Coccidiosis-Causing Agents: A Comprehensive Review.

Coccidiosis is a protozoan disease caused by Eimeria species and is a major threat to the poultry industry. Different anti-coccidial drugs (diclazuril, amprolium, halofuginone, ionophores, sulphaquinoxaline, clopidol, and ethopabate) and vaccines have been used for their control. Still, due to the development of resistance, their efficacy has been limited.

Cutting-Edge Perovskite-Based Flexible Pressure Sensors Made Possible by Piezoelectric Innovation.

In the area of flexible electronics, pressure sensors are a widely utilized variety of flexible electronics that are both indispensable and prevalent. The importance of pressure sensors in various fields is currently increasing, leading to the exploration of materials with unique structural and piezoelectric properties. Perovskite-based materials are ideal for use as flexible pressure sensors (FPSs) due to their flexibility, chemical composition, strain tolerance, high piezoelectric and piezoresistive properties, and potential integration with other technologies.

Factors associated with elevated SARS-CoV-2 immune response in children and adolescents.

Background: Understanding the distinct immunologic responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection among pediatric populations is pivotal in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and informing future public health strategies. This study aimed to identify factors associated with heightened antibody responses in children and adolescents to identify potential unique immune dynamics in this population.

Methods: Data collected between July and December 2023 from the Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (Texas CARES), a statewide prospective population-based antibody survey among 1-to-19-year-old participants, were analyzed.