Association of Pretreatment Albumin-bilirubin Grade With Hepatotoxicity and Efficacy in EGFR-TKIs Therapy for NSCLC.

Background/aim: The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade is an assessment tool for hepatic function and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its significance in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) remains unclear. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between pre-treatment ALBI grade and hepatotoxicity and treatment efficacy in patients with NSCLC receiving EGFR-TKIs.

Photoresponsive Adenosine Derivatives for the Optical Control of Adenosine A Receptors in Living Cells.

The use of photoresponsive ligands to optically control proteins of interest, known as photopharmacology, is a powerful technique for elucidating cellular function in living cells and animals with a high spatiotemporal resolution. The adenosine A receptor (AR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in various tissues; its dysregulation is implicated in severe diseases such as insomnia and Parkinson's disease. A detailed elucidation of the physiological function of AR is, therefore, highly desirable.

Crystal structure reveals the binding mode and selectivity of a photoswitchable ligand for the adenosine A receptor.

Rational synthetic expansion of photoresponsive ligands is important for photopharmacological studies. Adenosine A receptor (AR) is stimulated by adenosine and related in Parkinson's disease and other diseases. Here, we report the crystal structure of the AR in complex with the novel photoresponsive ligand photoNECA (blue) at 3.

Large lung mass lesion with spontaneous regression in a patient with IgG4-related lung disease.

IgG4-related lung disease (IgG4-RLD) may present with a variety of radiological findings, but large lung mass lesion are rare. Although steroid therapy is strongly recommended for IgG4-RLD with or without symptoms, respirologists should be aware that some patients may not need steroid therapy.

Bacterial Profile, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, and Associated Factors among Dental Caries-Suspected Patients Attending the Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Private Dental Clinic in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia.

Background: Dental caries is a major public oral infectious disease globally due to its high prevalence and significant social impact. Many studies have been conducted on dental caries in Ethiopia; however, they fail to convey the antimicrobial resistance in the oral environment.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and biofilm formation in the bacteria isolated from dental caries and its associated factors of dental caries in THE Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and private dental clinics located at Mekelle, Ethiopia.

[Small Volume of 50% Glucose Solution Pleurodesis for Management of Inoperable Patients with Pneumothorax].

This interim report presents the results of pleurodesis with 50 ml of 50% glucose solution for patients with inoperable pneumothorax. Twenty patients were enrolled, and treatment was performed for 22 sites in total. The degree of lung collapse was mild in 2 cases, moderate in 12 cases, and severe in 8 cases.

Soil salinity and its associated effects on soil microorganisms, greenhouse gas emissions, crop yield, biodiversity and desertification: A review.

Significant research has been conducted on the effects of soil salinity issue on agricultural productivity. However, limited consideration has been given to its critical effects on soil biogeochemistry (e.g.

Long-Term Survival of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Monotherapy in Real-World Settings.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy is more effective than cytotoxic chemotherapy in improving overall survival (OS) among patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, chemotherapy combined with ICI has been found to yield good outcomes. However, ICI monotherapy is still considered an important treatment option.

The impact of Tamarix invasion on the soil physicochemical properties.

The exotic Tamarix species, T. ramosissima and T. chinensis, were introduced into South Africa in the early 1900s reportedly either for ornamental or soil wind erosion control purposes in the mines.

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: End-Stage Kidney Disease, the most severe form of chronic kidney disease, is fatal if not treated by renal replacement therapy. Thus, patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease depend on hemodialysis as a lifesaving treatment for the remainder of their lives. However, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients on hemodialysis is much more underappreciated in resource limited countries.

Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review.

Background: Erectile dysfunction has remained as one of the major global health issues. Since the discovery of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, a significant portion of the patients has solved the issue of erectile dysfunction. However, the wide distribution of phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes at various sites of the body led phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors to cause various unnecessary outcomes.

Suitability of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration versus Paired Transbronchial Biopsy Specimens for Evaluating Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression in Stage III and IV Lung Cancer: A Comparative Retrospective Study.

Cancer cells usually escape tumor-reactive T-cell responses using immune checkpoint proteins, such as programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). These proteins can be blocked by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); the decision on ICI-based first-line treatment for advanced lung cancers depends on the PD-L1 levels in tumor specimens. Determining the PD-L1 expression conventionally requires histological specimens from resected tumors and core biopsy specimens.

Nivolumab-Induced Polymyalgia Rheumatica in a Patient with Lung Adenocarcinoma.

A 79-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage IV (cT1aN1M1, OSS) lung adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis of the right femur. She received nivolumab as a third-line treatment. She developed pain in the right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, and waist as well as a low-grade fever and morning stiffness, after five courses of nivolumab.

Late-onset programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor-induced pneumonitis after cessation of nivolumab or pembrolizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a case series.

Awareness of the immune-related adverse event of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor-induced pneumonitis is important. Herein, we report the clinical course of 3 patients suspected to have PD-1 inhibitor-induced pneumonitis after cessation of PD-1 inhibitor treatment. In case 1, a 62-year-old man was diagnosed with stage IVA adenocarcinoma.

[Immunoglobulin G4( IgG4)-related Fibrosing Mediastinitis Localized in the Retrosternal Area:Report of a Case].

An 84-year-old man was referred to our out-patient clinic with an elongated mass localized to the retrosternal area that was incidentally identified by computed tomography. On 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, this lesion showed intense tracer uptake. Thus, a surgical biopsy under thoracoscopy was performed.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of TLC Isolates from the Leaves of Baker in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders that are characterized by hyperglycemia which results from defects in insulin release or its efficient use by the human body. Although significant progress has been made to manage DM and related complications, it remains a major global health problem. To this end, the search for new antidiabetic drugs from traditionally claimed medicinal plants is important.

Successful Treatment of Advanced Thymic Carcinoma with Carboplatin plus -Paclitaxel and Maintenance Monotherapy with -Paclitaxel: Two Case Reports.

A standard chemotherapy regimen for advanced thymic carcinoma has not yet been established. We treated 2 cases of thymic carcinoma with carboplatin plus nanoparticle albumin-bound ()-paclitaxel, and -paclitaxel maintenance therapy. The first case was a 68-year-old female, admitted for dyspnea and left shoulder pain.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Cervical Cancer Screening and Associated Factors Among Women Aged 15-49 Years in Adigrat Town, Northern Ethiopia, 2019: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Cervical cancer, mainly attributed to persistent infection with a high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV), is one of the most common types of women's cancer globally, with more than 90% of new cases occurring in developing and resource-limited countries. In Ethiopia, cervical cancer ranks as the most frequent cancer among women and cause for 4732 deaths annually.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice towards screening on cervical cancer and associated factors among women aged 15-49 years in Adigrat town, northern Tigray Ethiopia.

Soil salinity and moisture content under non-native species.

This study investigated, soil salinity and moisture content under the exotic Tamarix in the Olifants River, South Africa, where they predominantly occur. Soil electro-conductivity (EC) was mapped using the electromagnetic induction (EMI) device (EM38 sensor), in three transects laid along the river from as close to the water source outward towards the bank of the River at 50 m apart. This was supported by three soil EC and moisture measurements from each of the three transects at a soil depth of 0-100 cm at intervals of 10 cm using soil EC meter and Amplitude Domain Reflectometry (ADR) sensor, respectively.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Aggressive Behavior among Patients with Schizophrenia at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Unlabelled: . Mental illness and aggression are often seen as inextricably linked. There is a growing body of evidence on aggressive behavior towards others by people with schizophrenia.

Real-World Efficacy of First-Line Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and High PD-L1 Tumor Expression.

Background: In clinical trials, first-line treatment with pembrolizumab improved overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score of ≥ 50%. However, data on the efficacy of this treatment between clinical trials and actual clinical practice are inconsistent.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-five patients with histologically diagnosed advanced or recurrent NSCLC and a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥ 50% who received pembrolizumab as first-line treatment were consecutively enrolled onto this multicenter retrospective study from February 2017 to December 2018.

Nickel Toxicity Targets Cell Wall-Related Processes and PIN2-Mediated Auxin Transport to Inhibit Root Elongation and Gravitropic Responses in Arabidopsis.

Contamination of soils with heavy metals, such as nickel (Ni), is a major environmental concern due to increasing pollution from industrial activities, burning of fossil fuels, incorrect disposal of sewage sludge, excessive manure application and the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. Excess Ni induces leaf chlorosis and inhibits plant growth, but the mechanisms underlying growth inhibition remain largely unknown. A detailed analysis of root development in Arabidopsis thaliana in the presence of Ni revealed that this heavy metal induces gravitropic defects and locally inhibits root growth by suppressing cell elongation without significantly disrupting the integrity of the stem cell niche.

Bacteriological profile, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of symptomatic urinary tract infection among students of Mekelle University, northern Ethiopia.

Background: Bacterial infection of the urinary tract is among the common reasons for seeking medical attention in the community. Rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance of uropathogens is resulting in limited treatment options. Therefore, knowledge of the current uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility is important for better treatment of urinary tract infection.