MTHFR C677T rs1801133 and TP53 Pro72Arg rs1042522 gene variants in South African Indian and Caucasian psoriatic arthritis patients.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is involved in homocysteine and folic acid metabolism. Tumour suppressor protein TP53 gene maintains cellular and genetic integrity. To date, no studies associated the MTHFR C677T rs1801133 and TP53 Pro72Arg rs1042522 with CRP levels and methotrexate (a folic acid antagonist) treatment outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.

Retinoic acid in Parkinson's disease: Molecular insights, therapeutic advances, and future prospects.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and progressively worsening neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal protein homeostasis and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The prevalence of PD has doubled in the past 25 years, now affecting over 8.5 million individuals worldwide, underscoring the need for effective management strategies.

Patulin alters alpha-adrenergic receptor signalling and induces epigenetic modifications in the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice.

Patulin (PAT) is a food-borne mycotoxin produced by Penicillium and Byssochlamys species. It is widely known for its mutagenic, carcinogenic, and genotoxic effects and has been associated with kidney injury; however, the mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a study to explore the changes in α-adrenergic receptor signalling pathways and epigenetic modifications induced by PAT in the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice during acute (1 day) and prolonged (10 days) exposure.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia at a Non-ECMO Center in Jordan.

Objectives: We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) admitted to a non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) center.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of neonates with CDH admitted to a University Hospital, in Amman, Jordan, between 2005 and 2019. Demographic characteristics and their management details were extracted and factors associated with survival were analyzed.

Potential molecular mechanisms underlying the ameliorative effect of Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. on insulin resistance in rat skeletal muscles.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. are among the common medicinal plants employed in traditional medicine for treating diabetes and its complications.

A comprehensive review on the global efforts on vaccines and repurposed drugs for combating COVID-19.

The recently discovered coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious and potentially lethal viral infection that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, an unprecedented number of COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been investigated for their potential to manage the pandemic. Herein, we reviewed vaccine development and the associated research effort, both traditional and forward-looking, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of their technology, in addition to their efficacy limitations against mutant SARS-CoV-2.

Kojic acid induces oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells.

The cosmetic industry makes extensive use of kojic acid (KA); however, the toxicity of KA in humans is not well known. By monitoring oxidative stress, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells after a 24 h exposure, this study aimed to identify the toxicity of KA. KA toxicity [4.

Antiretrovirals Promote Metabolic Syndrome through Mitochondrial Stress and Dysfunction: An In Vitro Study.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome MetS in HIV-infected patients on chronic antiretroviral (ARV) therapy continues to rise rapidly, with an estimated 21% experiencing insulin resistance. The progression of insulin resistance is strongly related to mitochondrial stress and dysfunction. This study aimed to draw links between the singular and combinational use of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), Lamivudine (3TC), and Dolutegravir (DTG) on mitochondrial stress and dysfunction as an underlying mechanism for insulin resistance following a 120 h treatment period using an system of human liver cells (HepG2).

Lam Leaf Extract Stimulates NRF2 and Attenuates ARV-Induced Toxicity in Human Liver Cells (HepG2).

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there are 37 million individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide, with the majority in South Africa. This chronic disease is managed by the effective use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. However, with prolonged use, ARV drug-induced toxicity remains a clinically complex problem.

Antiretrovirals Promote Insulin Resistance in HepG2 Liver Cells through miRNA Regulation and Transcriptional Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a non-communicable disease characterized by a cluster of metabolic irregularities. Alarmingly, the prevalence of MetS in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and antiretroviral (ARV) usage is increasing rapidly. Insulin resistance is a common characteristic of MetS that leads to the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Narrow beam breast CT: proof-of-concept.

Background: In breast CT, scattered photons form a large portion of the acquired signal, adversely impacting image quality throughout the frequency response of the imaging system. Prior studies provided evidence for a new image acquisition design, dubbed Narrow Beam Breast CT (NB-bCT), in preventing scatter acquisition.

Purpose: Here, we report the design, implementation, and initial characterization of the first NB-bCT prototype.

The effect of ARVs on the gene promoter, inflammatory cytokine expression and signalling in acute treated Jurkat T cells.

ARVs alter the methylation status of the gene promoter in acute treated Jurkat T cells with inflammatory outcomesInflammation is reduced in patients under going antiretroviral therapy; however the mechanism is not well understood. We investigated DNA methylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 () gene promoter in Jurkat T cells to determine whether the antiretroviral drugs, lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, dolutegravir, TLD (a combination of TDF, 3TC and DTG) and efavirenz modify the methylation status of the gene - a known stimulus of inflammation.Acute antiretroviral treatments (24 h) were not cytotoxic to Jurkat T cells.

Mitigates the Inhibition of Selected miRNAs that Promote Inflammation in HAART-Treated HepG2 Cells.

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the treatment of HIV/AIDS has recently gained popularity. In addition, the significant role of microRNA expression in HIV pathogenesis cannot be overlooked; hence the need to explore the mechanisms of microRNA expression in the presence of HAART and Spirulina platensis (SP) in HepG2 cells. This study investigates the biochemical mechanisms of microRNA expression in HepG2 cells in the presence of HAART, SP, and the potential synergistic effect of HAART−SP.

Atypical presentation of focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a chronic condition caused by granulomatous reaction to chronic renal infection. The diffuse form is more common where the kidney is enlarged while still retaining the reniform shape. The focal form is very rare and is pathologically similar to diffuse form but limited to one pole or less.

Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Associated with Antiretroviral Drugs in HepG2 Cells.

Lately, Spirulina platensis (SP), as an antioxidant, has exhibited high potency in the treatment of oxidative stress, diabetes, immune disorder, inflammatory stress, and bacterial and viral-related diseases. This study investigated the possible protective role of Spirulina platensis against ARV-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Human liver (HepG2) cells were treated with ARVs ((Lamivudine (3TC): 1.

A Review: Highlighting the Links between Epigenetics, COVID-19 Infection, and Vitamin D.

The highly transmittable and infectious COVID-19 remains a major threat worldwide, with the elderly and comorbid individuals being the most vulnerable. While vaccines are currently available, therapeutic drugs will help ease the viral outbreak and prevent serious health outcomes. Epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression through changes in chromatin structure and have been linked to viral pathophysiology.

The Potential of to Ameliorate HAART-Induced Pathophysiological Complications.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) comprises a combination of two or three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that are administered together in a single tablet. These drugs target different steps within the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle, providing either a synergistic or additive antiviral effect; this enhances the efficiency in which viral replication is suppressed. HIV cannot be completely eliminated, making HAART a lifetime treatment.

Multidisciplinary Difficult Airway Team Characteristics, Airway Securement Success, and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To investigate whether implementation of a multidisciplinary airway team was associated with improvement in (1) rate of successful airway securement at first attempt; (2) time to secure airway; and (3) overall complication rate in patients with a difficult airway, as compared with usual care.

Data Sources: Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central, and CINAHL databases.

Review Methods: Systematic review of literature on inpatient multidisciplinary team management of difficult airways, including all studies performed in inpatient settings, excluding studies of ventilator weaning, flight/military medicine, EXIT procedures, and simulation or educational studies.

The Potential of to Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most prevalent diseases globally. It is estimated that 37.7 million people are infected with HIV globally, and 8.

Factors affecting the use of long term and permanent contraceptive methods: a Facebook-focused cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In the Muslim world, the use and acceptance of long-term and permanent contraceptives were limited. Our aim was to investigate those limiting factors so we can help making these methods widely available and acceptable to the society.

Methods And Data Analysis: There were 1365 women from Facebook groups in the period 08/10/2020-8/11/2020.

Role of matrix metalloproteinases in mitral valve regurgitation: Association between the of MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 expression, degree of mitral valve insufficiency, and pathologic etiology.

Background: The pathogenesis of mitral valve insufficiency is not yet fully understood. Several studies stressed the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the emergence of valvular pathologies. The primary objective of the present study is to analyze the role of selected MMPs and their inhibitors in mitral valve insufficiency.

Fumonisin B Induces Mitochondrial Stress and Mitophagy in Human Embryonic Kidney (Hek293) Cells-A Preliminary Study.

Ubiquitous soil fungi parasitise agricultural commodities and produce mycotoxins. Fumonisin B2 (FB2), the structural analogue of the commonly studied Fumonisin B1 (FB1), is a neglected mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species. Mycotoxins are known for inducing toxicity via mitochondrial stress alluding to mitochondrial degradation (mitophagy).

Malnutrition and Dietary Habits Alter the Immune System Which May Consequently Influence SARS-CoV-2 Virulence: A Review.

COVID-19, resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a major pandemic that the world is fighting. SARS-CoV-2 primarily causes lung infection by attaching to the ACE2 receptor on the alveolar epithelial cells. However, the ACE2 receptor is also present in intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting a link between nutrition, virulence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19.