Hybrid Data Augmentation Strategies for Robust Deep Learning Classification of Corneal Topographic MapTopographic Map.

Deep learning has emerged as a powerful tool in medical imaging, particularly for corneal topographic map classification. However, the scarcity of labeled data poses a significant challenge to achieving robust performance. This study investigates the impact of various data augmentation strategies on enhancing the performance of a customized convolutional neural network model for corneal topographic map classification.

Automated feature selection for early keratoconus screening optimization.

In this paper, an automated feature selection (FS) method is presented to optimize machine learning (ML) models' performances, enhancing early keratoconus screening. A total of 448 parameters were analyzed from a dataset comprising 3162 observations sourced from the swept source optical coherence tomography imaging system developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Automation (SS-1000 CASIA OCT) and electronic health records (EHR). To identify the most relevant features, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used in this study.

Navigating the Alzheimer's Biomarker Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fluid-Based Diagnostics.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects a significant portion of the aging population, presenting a serious challenge due to the limited availability of effective therapies during its progression. The disease advances rapidly, underscoring the need for early diagnosis and the application of preventative measures. Current diagnostic methods for AD are often expensive and invasive, restricting access for the general public.

Physical Exercise and the Gut Microbiome: A Bidirectional Relationship Influencing Health and Performance.

The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that can influence our health and exercise habits. On the other hand, physical exercise can also impact our microbiome, affecting our health. Our narrative review examines the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and the gut microbiome, as well as the potential for targeted probiotic regimens to enhance sports performance.

Immunotherapy for Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease: A Promising Disease-Modifying Therapy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are two neurodegenerative diseases posing a significant disease burden due to their increasing prevalence and socio-economic cost. Traditional therapeutic approaches for these diseases exist but provide limited symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying pathologies. This review examines the potential of immunotherapy, specifically monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), as disease-modifying treatments for AD and PD.

The effect of microbiome-modulating therapeutics on glucose homeostasis in metabolic syndrome: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of clinical trials.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a chronic disorder featuring overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, and dysfunction of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Microbiome-modulating probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) are promising adjunct therapies for improving parameters of glucose homeostasis and insulinemia.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions to investigate the effect of the abovementioned microbiome therapies on various biomarkers after screening clinical trials published through April 2023.

Experimental and computational investigation of the effect of Hsc70 structural variants on inhibiting amylin aggregation.

The misfolding and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), also known as amylin, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Heat shock proteins, specifically, heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70), are molecular chaperones that protect against hIAPP misfolding and inhibits its aggregation. Nevertheless, there is an incomplete understanding of the mechanistic interactions between Hsc70 domains and hIAPP, thus limiting their potential therapeutic role in diabetes.

The effect of microbiome therapy on COVID-19-induced gut dysbiosis: A narrative and systematic review.

Aims: Emerging evidence highlights the role of COVID-19 in instigating gut dysbiosis, with repercussions on disease severity and bidirectional gut-organ communication involving the lung, heart, brain, and liver. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in addressing gut dysbiosis associated with COVID-19, as well as their impact on related disease severity and clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We systematically review 27 studies exploring the efficacy of different microbiome-modulating therapies: probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation as potential interventions for COVID-19.

Real-time implementation of a novel MPPT control based on the improved PSO algorithm using an adaptive factor selection strategy for photovoltaic systems.

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is considered as one of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller algorithm developed for PhotoVoltaic system (PV) to guarantee a maximum power extraction under different climatic conditions of temperature and irradiation. Classical MPPT algorithms like Perturbe and Observe (P&O), PSO, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) are an effective method for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) for the PV systems, but the problems with these approaches that they are less stable, high oscillation around steady state and slower convergence to the MPP. Based on recent research, the purpose of this paper is to introduces a novel MPPT controller based on a modified version of heterogeneous multi swarm PSO algorithm using an adaptive factor selection strategy (FMSPSO), to overcome the previous shortcomings and compared with conventional PSO, ANFIS and classical P&O controllers.

A cord of four strands: Perspective of pre-medical and medical students on combined teaching modalities in undergraduate biochemistry.

Despite being a traditional coursework for pre-medical and medical students around the globe, biochemistry education suffers from a lack of positive appreciation due to the nature of the subject combined with deficiency of teaching modalities. A first semester biochemistry course was designed to include four different teaching modalities: lectures, recitations, case studies, and student presentations. A multi-item, anonymous, and voluntary questionnaire was distributed to students who had just completed the course and to those who had taken it the previous year.

Application of Box-Behnken Design in Production of Monoglyceride with Esterification of Glycerol and Oleic Acid.

Monoglyceride MG has a wide function in the food industry, in particular as a natural emulsifier, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, antioxidant, and antibacterial. Therefore, the production of polyol ester from esterification of acid (OA) and glycerol was investigated. The process optimization was performed using a Box-Behnken design, examining the effects of temperature, molar ratio, and catalyst amount.

Microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals ameliorate dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of clinical trials.

Aims: Type 2 Diabetes is intrinsically linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) via diabetic dyslipidemia, both of which remain global health concerns with annually increasing prevalence. Given the established links between gut microbiome dysbiosis and metabolic diseases, its modulation is an attractive target to ameliorate metabolic imbalances in such patients. There is a need to quantitively summarise, analyse, and describe future directions in this field.

Deep Brain Stimulation beyond the Clinic: Navigating the Future of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure that uses electrical neuromodulation to target specific regions of the brain, showing potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite similarities in disease pathology, DBS is currently only approved for use in PD patients, with limited literature on its effectiveness in AD. While DBS has shown promise in ameliorating brain circuits in PD, further research is needed to determine the optimal parameters for DBS and address any potential side effects.

Role of flavonoids in controlling obesity: molecular targets and mechanisms.

Obesity presents a major health challenge that increases the risk of several non-communicable illnesses, such as but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, sleep disorders, and cancers. Accounting for nearly 8% of global deaths (4.7 million) in 2017, obesity leads to diminishing quality of life and a higher premature mortality rate among affected individuals.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude of Healthcare Stakeholders on Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia in Qatar.

Dementia is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory impairment, and disability. Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 60-70% of cases, followed by vascular and mixed dementia. Qatar and the Middle East are at increased risk owing to aging populations and high prevalence of vascular risk factors.

Evaluating the inhibitory potential of natural compound luteolin on human lysozyme fibrillation.

Numerous pathophysiological conditions known as amyloidosis, have been connected to protein misfolding leading to aggregation of proteins. Inhibition of cytotoxic aggregates or disaggregation of the preformed fibrils is thus one of the important strategies in the prevention of such diseases. Growing interest and exploration of identification of small molecules mainly natural compounds can prevent or delay amyloid fibril formation.

Can probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation modulate the gut-liver axis in type 2 diabetes? A narrative and systematic review of clinical trials.

Background: Type 2 diabetes, one of the most common noncommunicable diseases, is a metabolic disorder that results in failed homeostatic control in several body systems, including hepatic function. Due to the gut microbiome's potential role in diabetes' pathogenesis, prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics have been proposed as complimentary therapeutic approaches aimed at microbiota readjustment.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library examining the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on hepatic biomarkers in patients with diabetes.

Renal Health Improvement in Diabetes through Microbiome Modulation of the Gut-Kidney Axis with Biotics: A Systematic and Narrative Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide, with over 20% of patients ultimately developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a complex nephropathic complication that is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Various clinical trials have utilized probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to attempt to positively modulate the gut microbiome via the gut-kidney axis, but consensus is limited. We conducted a multi-database systematic review to investigate the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on various biomarkers of renal health in diabetes, based on studies published through 10 April 2022.

An investigation into the potential action of polyphenols against human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide aggregation in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, results in significant disease burden and financial costs globally. Whilst the majority of T2D cases seem to have a genetic basis, non-genetic modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for T2D include obesity, diet, physical activity and lifestyle, smoking, age, ethnicity, and mental stress. In healthy individuals, insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β-cells is responsible for keeping blood glucose levels within normal ranges.

The effect of microbiome-modulating probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of clinical trials.

Aim/hypothesis: The globally escalating diabetes epidemic is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Microbiome-modulating nutraceuticals have been investigated for their potential to restore metabolic and floral homeostasis in type 2 diabetic patients METHODS: A systematic review, meta-analyses and meta-regressions were conducted to investigate the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on various biomarkers of glucose homeostasis based on a multi-database search of clinical trials published through April 10, 2022. Data was pooled using random effects meta-analyses and reported as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), followed by univariate linear model meta-regression.

The Promising Role of Microbiome Therapy on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic and Narrative Review.

Background: One in 10 adults suffer from type 2 diabetes (T2D). The role of the gut microbiome, its homeostasis, and dysbiosis has been investigated with success in the pathogenesis as well as treatment of T2D. There is an increasing volume of literature reporting interventions of pro-, pre-, and synbiotics on T2D patients.