Vitamin D and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma-A Review of a Complicated Relationship.

Introduction: From the observation of a negative relationship between UV-B exposure and cancer rates, we hypothesized that vitamin D (VD) may play a protective role in oncogenesis. Moreover, repurposing a well-known and relatively safe drug for conditions with dismal prospects, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is a tempting idea. Thus, we aimed to summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of VD in the prevention and treatment of PDAC.

Etomidate alleviates ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Background: This study investigates the protective effects of etomidate against oxidative damage in an experimental model of ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: A total of 24 female rats were randomized into three groups. Group 1 served as the control.

Effects of ketamine on penile tissues in an experimental priapism model in rats.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological and biochemical effects of ketamine on penile tissues following ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by priapism.

Methods: Twenty-four male rats were randomized into three groups. Group 1 served as the control group.

Comparison of molecular analysis results determined by next-generation sequencing to immunohistochemical indicators and clinicopathological parameters in prostate adenocarcinomas.

Background: Prostate cancer is a common cancer in males, frequently leading to mortality. Multiple genetic factors play roles in prostate cancer pathogenesis. Demonstration of pathological pathways and customised treatment options have been possible with next-generation sequencing.

The effect of resolvin D1 on primary oral epithelial cell migration in vitro.

Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) are known for their anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions. The aim of the present study was to find new functions of the SPM resolvin D1 (RvD1) on oral epithelial cells. As a starting point, we used a dataset obtained by RNA high-throughput sequencing of oral epithelial cells exposed to TNF-α and RvD1 versus TNF-α alone.

Site suitability assessment for the development of wind power plant in Wolaita area, Southern Ethiopia: an AHP-GIS model.

The primary driver of economic growth is energy, predominantly derived from fossil fuels, the demand for which has experienced a significant increase since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. The emissions of hazardous gases resulting from the utilization of these fuels have been well acknowledged, therefore exerting a notable impact on the environment. In the context of Ethiopia, it is observed that despite the presence of ample renewable resources, the accessibility to power continues to be constrained.

Vital Pulp Therapy of Young First Permanent Molars: A Retrospective Study on Radiographic Findings 24 Months Post-treatment.

Purpose: With success rates comparable to that of root canal treatment, vital pulp therapy (VPT) has gained clinical interest and has been used in the management of young permanent teeth with inflamed pulps. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the radiographic success of VPT in young first permanent molars 24 months post-treatment and correlate findings with tooth and treatment-related characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Dental records of all patients with first permanent molars which received VPT in the Department of Paediatric Dentistry (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) were retrieved.

Combating Loneliness in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Volunteer-Based Program in Greece.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the feeling of loneliness, especially among older adults. This study aims to investigate any association between COVID-19 cases in Greece and the number of Loneliness Helpline calls at the Friendship at Every Age program and to assess whether the interconnection part of the program, which interconnects older adults with volunteers, can combat loneliness/social isolation in older adults. This is a supportive, volunteer-based, social intervention program.

RvD1 Downregulates the Transcription of Pro-Inflammatory Genes in Oral Epithelial Cells and Reverses Nuclear Translocation of Transcription Factor p65 after TNF-α Stimulation.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are multifunctional lipid mediators that participate in the resolution of inflammation. We have recently described that oral epithelial cells (OECs) express receptors of the SPM resolvin RvD1 and that cultured OECs respond to RvD1 addition by intracellular calcium release, nuclear receptor translocation and transcription of genes coding for antimicrobial peptides. The aim of the present study was to assess the functional outcome of RvD1-signaling in OECs under inflammatory conditions.

Investigation of the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar interfacial plane block in vertebral surgery: A prospective randomized clinical study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of thoracolumbar interfacial plane block (TLIP) on analgesic consumption and pain score in vertebral surgery.

Methods: All patients (64 patients undergoing vertebral surgery) were randomly allocated as Group T (patients with block, n=32) and Group C (patients without block, n=32). After surgery, patient-controlled analgesia using tramadol was administered to all patients.

Mean Platelet Volume to Platelet Count Ratio as a Predictor of Mortality in Unstable Pertrochanteric Fracture Treated with Short Proximal Femoral Anterograde Nail.

Introduction: The relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC, MPV/PC) has been studied in detail in various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the MPV/PC ratio in estimating the risk of postoperative mortality in unstable pertrochanteric fractures. In addition, serum biomarkers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) will be compared with the MPV/PC ratio in predicting mortality.

Expression and function of resolvin RvD1 receptors in oral epithelial cells.

Chronic inflammatory responses can inflict permanent damage to host tissues. Specialized pro-resolving mediators downregulate inflammation but also can have other functions. The aim of this study was to examine whether oral epithelial cells express the receptors FPR2/ALX and DRV1/GPR32, which bind RvD1 , a recently described pro-resolving mediator derived from omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and whether RvD1 exposure induced significant responses in these cells.

A Standardized Workshop for Peer-Teaching Simple Interrupted Sutures to Medical Students: Analysis of the Student Factors That Affect Outcomes.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether the implementation of standardized Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) suturing workshops can aid the attainment of a technically competent interrupted suturing technique by medical students. The European University Cyprus (EUC) Division of Surgery and the students of the EUC Surgery Club compiled a standardized 1 hour and 15 minutes suturing workshop. During a one-week period 14 peer-teacher school of medicine students trained 147 fellow students.

Methylene blue removal with ZnO coated montmorillonite: thermodynamic, kinetic, isotherm and artificial intelligence studies.

In this study, montmorillonite clay was coated with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The study's primary aim is to investigate the adsorption properties of zinc oxide coated montmorillonite adsorbent against methylene blue (MB), and determine ZnO's effectiveness in adsorption. First, the surface properties of the ZnO-coated montmorillonite (ZnO/MMT) adsorbent were determined by FTIR Spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM/EDS.

Flow visualization and force measurement of the clapping effect in bio-inspired flying robots.

In this paper, we perform experimental investigations of the aerodynamic characteristics due to wing clapping in bio-inspired flying robots; i.e., micro-air-vehicles (MAVs) that fly by flapping their wings.

Associations between postoperative analgesic consumption and distress tolerance, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing: a prospective observational study.

Background: Patients' postoperative treatment might be affected by their psychological state. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of anxiety, coping ability (stress tolerance), depression, and pain catastrophizing on analgesic consumption in patients scheduled for sleeve gastrectomy.

Methods: This prospective observational study consisted of 72 patients.

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators as Potential Regulators of Inflammatory Macrophage Responses in COVID-19.

The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV2 has emerged as one of the biggest pandemics of our century, with outrageous health, social and economic consequences globally. Macrophages may lay in the center of COVID-19 pathogenesis and lethality and treatment of the macrophage-induced cytokine storm has emerged as essential. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) hold strong therapeutic potentials in the management of COVID-19 as they can regulate macrophage infiltration and cytokine production but also promote a pro-resolving macrophage phenotype.

Host Modulation and Treatment of Periodontal Disease.

Periodontitis is the sixth-most prevalent disease in the world and the first cause for tooth loss in adults. With focus shifted to the inflammatory/immune response in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, there is a critical need to evaluate host modulatory agents. Synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are a cornerstone for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Composition of hemidesmosomes in basal keratinocytes of normal buccal mucosa and oral lichen planus.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease displaying ultrastructural disturbances in epithelial hemidesmosomes. The expression of several key hemidesmosomal components in OLP as well as in normal buccal mucosa is, however, unknown. The aim of the study was therefore to examine intracellular and extracellular components involved in hemidesmosomal attachment, in OLP (n = 20) and in normal buccal mucosa (n = 10), by immunofluorescence.

Tumors of the labial mucosa: a retrospective study of 1045 biopsies.

Background: To investigate the relative frequency of localized mucosal swellings of the upper and lower labial mucosa, the clinical-pathological diagnosis agreement and whether patient's age and gender and tumor's site and size may raise the suspicion of neoplasm.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on upper or lower labial mucosal tumors, histopathologically diagnosed between 2009-2018. The diagnostic categories developmental/reactive tumors, benign and malignant neoplasms were associated with patient's age and gender and tumor's site and size; clinical-pathological diagnosis agreement was, also, evaluated.

The use of digital technologies by small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and practice.

Scholars have highlighted the role of Digital Technologies (DT) in enhancing productivity and performance in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, there is limited evidence on the use of DT for dealing with the consequences of extreme events, such as COVID-19. We discuss this gap by (i) outlining potential research avenues and (ii) reflecting on the managerial implications of using DT within SMEs to deal with the repercussions of COVID-19 and securing business continuity.

Expression of keratins 8, 18, and 19 in epithelia of atrophic oral lichen planus.

Keratins form intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton in keratinocytes and have roles in cell structure, signaling, intracellular transport, and cell death. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an oral inflammatory disease with derangements in basal keratinocytes and disruption of the basal membrane. Here, we focused on epithelial expression of keratins 8, 18, and 19 because these proteins are known to modulate cell death.