Aloe arborescens Standardized Glycosidic Fraction Suppresses Hepatocarcinoma by Modulating TIMP1, MMP9 Genes Expression, and Inflammation/Ki67/TGFβ1 Pathway.

(1) Background and aim: Aloe arborescens Mill. (A. arborescens) is one of the most widely distributed species in the genus Aloe and has garnered widespread recognition for its anticancer properties.

The immunomodulatory and antioxidative effects of curcumin-supplemented diets against the isolated Aeromonas hydrophila in Oreochromisniloticus.

Worldwide, Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) has become a significant foodborne pathogen, causing gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal infections in humans as well as severe economic losses in fish farms. Thus, we conducted this research in two experiments.

Correction: The longitudinal association between patient empowerment and patient-reported outcomes: What is the direction of effect?

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

Identification of novel allosteric sites of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) for the development of COVID-19 antivirals.

Coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 encode a conserved papain-like protease (PLpro) that is crucial for viral replication and immune evasion, making it a prime target for antiviral drug development. In this study, three surface pockets on SARS-CoV-2 PLpro that may function as sites for allosteric inhibition were computationally identified. To evaluate the effects of these pockets on proteolytic activity, 52 residues were separately mutated to alanine.

Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Premarital Screening Individuals in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Premarital screening is one of the most important strategies for preventing infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus in populations. This study aims to explore the prevalence of these viruses and their association with potential demographic factors among individuals undergoing premarital screening in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design using the National Healthy Marriage Program electronic registry in the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Influence of titanium and titanium-zirconium alloy as implant materials on implant stability of maxillary implant retained overdenture: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Long-term success of implant restoration depends on many factors one of them is the sufficient implant stability which is lowered in compromised bone density sites such as the maxilla as it is categorized as type III & IV bone, so searching for a new innovation and updates in implant material and features is very mandatory. So, the aim of this study was to compare between two implant materials (roxolid and traditional titanium) on the primary and secondary stability of implant retained maxillary overdenture.

Methods: Eighteen completely edentulous patients were selected.

3-chymotrypsin-like protease in SARS-CoV-2.

Coronaviruses constitute a significant threat to the human population. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2, is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has led to a global viral outbreak with an exceptional spread and a high death toll, highlighting the need for effective antiviral strategies.

Residues in the fructose-binding pocket are required for ketohexokinase-A activity.

Excessive fructose consumption is a primary contributor to the global surges in obesity, cancer, and metabolic syndrome. Fructolysis is not robustly regulated and is initiated by ketohexokinase (KHK). In this study, we determined the crystal structure of KHK-A, one of two human isozymes of KHK, in the apo-state at 1.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat's male reproductive system.

Background: Camel milk and silymarin have many different beneficial effects on several animal species. Meanwhile, Aflatoxins are mycotoxins with extraordinary potency that pose major health risks to several animal species. Additionally, it has been documented that aflatoxins harm the reproductive systems of a variety of domestic animals.

Nutritional impact of nano zeolite, probiotic, and fatty acids as feed additives on health status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

For human consumption, fish is a good and affordable source of several crucial elements. Growing aquaculture management and output is always necessary. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of probiotics, nano zeolite, and/or medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) on fish health and the chemical composition of the fish body.

Prehatching development of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica): Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies.

The adrenal glands play a key role in maintaining the physiological balance of birds and helping them to survive environmental changes. The objective of the present work was to give a detailed investigation of the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical findings of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail during the prehatching phase. The current study was performed on 45 healthy Japanese quail embryos at different prehatching periods.

Ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a major risk to both human and animal health because it contaminates food, feed, and grains. These dangerous effects can be mitigated using natural components. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin supplementation upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats.

Molecular prevalence and associated infection risk factors of tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial blood pathogens in small ruminants.

Background: Tick-borne blood pathogens cause highly pathogenic diseases, which are associated with substantial economic losses in ruminants. Despite this, epidemiological research on these pathogens remains neglected in many countries. This study initiated a regional epidemiological survey that included the detection of molecular prevalence, associated risk factors, and gene sequencing, combined with phylogenetic analysis, targeting the two main tick-borne blood protozoan and rickettsial pathogens of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma that infect small ruminants.

Effects of ginger extract and/or propolis extract on immune system parameters of vaccinated broilers.

Newcastle disease (ND), avian influenza (AI, H5N8), and infectious bronchitis (IB) are important diseases in the poultry industry and cause significant losses. Vaccination is the most practical method for controlling infectious diseases. To reduce vaccination costs and several disorders in poultry farms, using herbal water supplements for immunomodulation with vaccination is critical to improving or preventing some conditions in the poultry industry.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Type 1 Diabetes: True Association or Circumstantial?

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited heterogeneous respiratory disorder. The diagnosis of PCD is challenging and necessitates a multi-test diagnostic approach because there are no gold standard diagnostic tests available to confirm PCD. However, rapid advancement in understanding the molecular genetic basis of PCD has greatly improved PCD diagnosis.

Key Allosteric and Active Site Residues of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Are Promising Drug Targets.

The main protease of SARS-CoV-2, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), is a prominent target for antiviral development due to its essential role in the viral life cycle. Research has largely focused on competitive inhibitors of 3CLpro that target the active site. However, allosteric sites distal to the peptide substrate-binding region are also potential targets for the design of reversible noncompetitive inhibitors.

Post-hatching developmental changes in the adrenal gland of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica): Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies.

The adrenal glands are paired abdominal endocrine organs vital to the bird's health. The present research aimed to provide a comprehensive examination of the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigations of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail during the post hatching period. The current study was performed on 21 healthy Japanese quail chicks at different post hatching periods.

Ameliorating effect of probiotic on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and lipolytic gene expression in rabbits.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that affects about 24% of people worldwide. Increased liver fat, inflammation, and, in the most severe cases, cell death are all characteristics of NAFLD. However, NAFLD pathogenesis and therapy are still not clear enough.

Effectiveness of the STEPSTONES Transition Program for Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Adolescents with congenital heart disease transition from childhood to adulthood and transfer from pediatric-oriented to adult-oriented care. High-level empirical evidence on the effectiveness of transitional care is scarce. This study investigated the empowering effect (primary outcome) of a structured person-centered transition program for adolescents with congenital heart disease and studied its effectiveness on transition readiness, patient-reported health, quality of life, health behaviors, disease-related knowledge, and parental outcomes e.

pH profiles of 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) from SARS-CoV-2 elucidate its catalytic mechanism and a histidine residue critical for activity.

3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) is a promising drug target for coronavirus disease 2019 and related coronavirus diseases because of the essential role of this protease in processing viral polyproteins after infection. Understanding the detailed catalytic mechanism of 3CLpro is essential for designing effective inhibitors of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular dynamics studies have suggested pH-dependent conformational changes of 3CLpro, but experimental pH profiles of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and analyses of the conserved active-site histidine residues have not been reported.

MR Defecating Proctography with Emphasis on Posterior Compartment Disorders.

MR defecating proctography (MRDP) is a noninvasive examination that can be used for evaluating posterior compartment disorders. MRDP has several advantages over conventional fluoroscopic defecography. These benefits include high-contrast resolution evaluation of the deep pelvic organs, simultaneous multicompartmental assessment that is performed statically and dynamically during defecation, and lack of ionizing radiation.

The longitudinal association between patient empowerment and patient-reported outcomes: What is the direction of effect?

Background: Theoretical literature and cross-sectional studies suggest empowerment is associated with other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, it is not known if patient empowerment is leading to improvements in other PROs or vice versa.

Aims: The present study aimed to examine the direction of effects between patient empowerment and PROs in young persons with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Selenium and/or vitamin E upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and parameters in broilers.

Background: In contrast to free radicals, the first line of protection is assumed to be vitamin E and selenium. The present protocol was designed to assess the roles of vitamin E and/or a selenium-rich diet that affected the blood iron and copper concentrations, liver tissue antioxidant and lipid peroxidation, and gene expression linked to antioxidants in the liver tissue of broilers. The young birds were classified according to the dietary supplement into four groups; control, vitamin E (100 mg Vitamin/kg diet), selenium (0.