Chitosan nanoencapsulation of Turbinaria triquetra metabolites in the management of podocyturia in nephrotoxic rats.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, which exhibits undesirable side effects. Chitosan nanoparticles are promising for drug delivery. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the brown alga Turbinaria triquetra ethyl acetate fraction and polysaccharides, either loaded on chitosan nanoparticles or free, against podocyturia and cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats.

Efficacy of Structured Exercise on Swallowing and Pulmonary Functions in Cervicogenic Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing difficulty caused by cervical problems, typically impacting swallowing function (SF) and pulmonary function (PF).

Objectives: To explore the effect of a structured exercise program comprising cervical stretching, strengthening, and stabilizing exercises on the SF and PF in patients with CD.

Participants: 32 patients (age 35-50 years) with CD were randomly allocated into a study group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 15).

Design, Synthesis and Pro-Inflammatory Activity of Palmitoylated Derivatives of Thioglycolic Acid as New Immunomodulators.

The immune system is essential for the defense against infections and is critically implicated in various disorders, including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, inflammation and cancer. The current study includes a new design of palmitoylated derivatives of thioglycolic acids (PTGAs) capable of triggering innate immune responses. The new series were accessible through a three-step synthetic route, including N-palmitoylation, Claisen-Schmidt condensation and thia-Michael addition.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy: usage patterns and response to treatment in Qatar over ten years.

Background: IVIg is a blood-derived antibody product initially designed as a replacement therapy in inborn errors of immunity (IEIs). However, over the last 50 years, IVIg has been used to treat a growing range of autoimmune, autoinflammatory, and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. The US FDA has licensed IVIg for use in the treatment of nine clinical indications; although, IVIg global usage extends to off-label indications with variable treatment responses.

A Coexisting Adjacent Intradural and Extradural Spinal Cavernoma: A Rare Case.

A 34-year-old female patient, with no comorbidities, presented with complaints of upper back pain across the shoulders, with altered sensation on the left side from trunk to lower limb, which was associated with reduced motor function and an acute symptom of urinary retention. On examination, there was reduced power in the left lower limb, reduced anal tone, a positive Babinski sign bilaterally, and reduced sensation in the perianal region. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted, where initially an upper thoracic lesion suggestive of an intramedullary cavernoma was found, and nearly a decade later, an adjacent extradural lesion causing cord compression was found incidentally through a surgical procedure.

Impact of Fingolimod Discontinuation Strategy on Recurrence of Disease Activity in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: For individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment interruption can result in relapse/recurrence of the disease activity. Currently, there are no consensus guidelines about whether an abrupt stop with a short washout period or gradual tapering is better for fingolimod (Gilenya) cessation. We investigated the impact of the fingolimod discontinuation strategy on the recurrence of disease activity and the rebound occurrence of symptoms during washout.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of cationic-based fluorescent-tagged polyacrylate copolymers for improving oil recovery.

The growing need for energy and the depletion of oil wells necessitate advanced Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques, particularly water and polymer flooding, which play a crucial role in augmenting hydrocarbon recovery rates. However, water flooding in high-permeability layers often leads to water breakthroughs, reduced sweep efficiency, and the formation of preferential channels, posing significant challenges to oil recovery and reservoir management. Conformance control treatments, including the use of polymer microspheres, offer a promising solution by sealing high-permeability zones and enhancing sweep efficiency.

Experimental and numerical investigations of double bracket to CHS column joints.

The primary objective of this study is to precisely characterize the behavior of double bracket-to-circular Hollow Section (CHS) column joints due to combined internal forces resulting from double tensile loading in opposite directions. In order to accomplish this goal, an experimental program consisting of eight test specimens has been carried out and numerical finite element modeling has been employed for the same specimens to analyze the stresses and deformations that occur within the vicinity of bracket-to-CHS joints. A total of 15 finite element models were constructed to simulate the initial study, addressing boundary conditions and facilitating verification and results comparison.

Does the placement of acetabular cups differ between right and left sides for a right-handed surgeon operating through a direct lateral approach? A comparative study.

Purpose: Although many factors were suggested to affect acetabular cup positioning during primary total hip arthroplasty, the effect of surgeon handedness was rarely evaluated. We aimed primarily to assess the difference in cup positioning (inclination and anteversion) between the right and left sides during primary THA. Secondly, to check the difference in the percentages of cups positioned in the safe zone for inclination and anteversion and if there will be a difference in cup positioning according to the type of cup fixation (cemented vs.

Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lidocaine-Derived Organic Compounds in a House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mouse Model.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease that significantly impacts the quality of life. Lidocaine is known to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effect of lidocaine analogs in a (DP)-induced AR mouse model.

No single safe zone exists for the valgus cut angle to reproduce neutral mechanical alignment in the presence of femoral bowing in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of femoral bowing in the Egyptian arthritic knees as a representative of the middle eastern population and to study the correlation between the femoral bowing and the degree of arthritis, varus deformity and the distal femoral valgus cut angle (VCA).

Methods: This is a single-center observational cross-sectional study. Out of 562 knees Scheduled for TKA, 124 knees were excluded leaving 438 knees eligible for the study.

Fracture resistance and fractographic analysis of pressable glass-ceramics with different partial coverage designs for maxillary premolars.

Background: Partial coverage concepts have met the main goal of conservative dentistry. Vonlays, which combine features of veneers and onlays, are a recent alternative to full coverage designs and overlay partial coverage restorations. This in vitro study was conducted to compare the fracture resistance of the newly introduced pressable zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate with pressable lithium disilicate ceramic and to determine the optimal preparation design for partial coverage on upper premolars.

Assessing the Quality and Reliability of AI-Generated Responses to Common Hypertension Queries.

Introduction: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly through language models like ChatGPT and ChatSonic, has gained substantial attention. This article explores the utilization of these AI models to address patient queries related to hypertension, emphasizing their potential to enhance health literacy and disease understanding. The study aims to compare the quality and reliability of responses generated by ChatGPT and ChatSonic in addressing common patient queries about hypertension and evaluate these AI models using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the Modified DISCERN scale.

Cerebral microbleeds in acute ischemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis and their impact on short term outcome of stroke.

Objectives: Strong evidence suggests the occurrence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in 5-13% of stroke patients within the first week after stroke onset. The aim of this work was to study risk factors associated with occurrence of CMBs in patients with stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis, and to clarify their impact on the clinical outcome.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 61 acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).

Selective targeting of chemically modified miR-34a to prostate cancer using a small molecule ligand and an endosomal escape agent.

Use of tumor-suppressive microRNAs (miRNAs) as anti-cancer agents is hindered by the lack of effective delivery vehicles, entrapment of the miRNA within endocytic compartments, and rapid degradation of miRNA by nucleases. To address these issues, we developed a miRNA delivery strategy that includes (1) a targeting ligand, (2) an endosomal escape agent, nigericin and (3) a chemically modified miRNA. The delivery ligand, DUPA (2-[3-(1,3-dicarboxy propyl) ureido] pentanedioic acid), was selected based on its specificity for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a receptor routinely upregulated in prostate cancer-one of the leading causes of cancer death among men.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in adults with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that significantly contributes to the worldwide disease burden. Restless legs syndrome is sleep-related movement disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs with an irresistible urge to move them. The aim of this study is to comprehensively assess the current evidence to estimate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adults with epilepsy (AWE) and to compare it to healthy controls.

Perlite incorporation for sedimentation reduction and improved properties of high-density geopolymer cement for oil well cementing.

Portland cement (PC) is known for its environmental and technical concerns and massive energy consumption during manufacturing. Geopolymer cement is a promising technology to totally replace the use of PC in the oil and gas industry. Although geopolymers are widely used in the construction industry, it is yet to see a full-scale application in the petroleum industry.

Prepartum behaviors as early indicators for postpartum energy associated biomarkers status in Holstein dairy cows.

Our main aim was to investigate the predictive value of prepartum behaviors such as total daily rumination (TDR), total daily activity (TDA) and dry matter intake (DMI) as early indicators to detect cows at risk for hyperketonemia (HYK), hypoglycemia (HYG) or high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) status in the first (wk1) and second week (wk2) postpartum. In a case control study, 64 Holstein cows were enrolled 3 weeks before the expected time of calving and monitored until 15 days in milk (DIM). Postpartum blood samples were taken at D3 and D6 for wk1 and at D12 and D15 for wk2 to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA and glucose concentration.

Measurement of Implant Insertion Torque in Intentionally Undersized Osteotomy Site Preparation in the Posterior Maxilla: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Achieving adequate primary stability for dental implants in the posterior maxilla is challenging due to the area's low bone density and fine trabecular bone. Low primary implant stability can compromise the long-term success of the implant. This study aims to evaluate the effect of intentionally undersized osteotomy sites on the insertion torque of implants placed in type 4 bone density in the posterior maxilla, regardless of the surgeon's tactile sense of the bone density.