In vivo photobleaching kinetics and epithelial biodistribution of hexylaminolevulinate-induced protoporphyrin IX in rat bladder cancer.

In a previous paper, we showed that rat bladder instillations with 8 or 16 mM of hexyl aminolevulinate (hALA) result in diametrically opposed photodynamic therapy efficiency. Although the same fluorescent intensities were detected spectroscopically and by fluorescent microscopy in both conditions, while a given light dose resulted in tumor necrosis with an intact bladder wall after 8 mM hALA, bladders instilled with 16 mM showed total wall necrosis without impact on the tumor. The current study investigated the photobleaching and localization pattern of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) after both hALA intravesical instillations in tumor-bearing rat bladders.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With or Without Defibrillation in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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National approaches to managing cancer care: responses of countries in the MENA region to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges to cancer care because of the associated risks from the infection itself and the disruption of care delivery. Therefore, many professional societies have published recommendations to help manage patients with cancer during the current pandemic. The objective of our study is to assess the national responses of Middle East North Africa (MENA) countries in terms of publishing relevant guidelines and analyse various components of these guidelines.

Right ventricular lead location and outcomes among patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy: A meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been demonstrated to improve heart failure (HF) symptoms, reverse LV remodeling, and reduce mortality and HF hospitalization (HFH) in patients with a reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). Prior studies examining outcomes based on right ventricular (RV) lead position among CRT patients have provided mixed results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective observational studies comparing RV apical (RVA) and non-apical (RVNA) lead position in CRT.

Flavonoids-Macromolecules Interactions in Human Diseases with Focus on Alzheimer, Atherosclerosis and Cancer.

Flavonoids, a class of polyphenols, consumed daily in our diet, are associated with a reduced risk for oxidative stress (OS)-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and inflammation. The involvement of flavonoids with OS-related chronic diseases have been traditionally attributed to their antioxidant activity. However, evidence from recent studies indicate that flavonoids' beneficial impact may be assigned to their interaction with cellular macromolecules, rather than exerting a direct antioxidant effect.

Galantamine Quantity and Alkaloid Profile in the Bulbs of and cultivars () Grown in Israel.

Alkaloids produced by the bulbs of the are a source of pharmaceutical compounds. The main alkaloid, galantamine, is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and allosteric nicotinic receptor modulator, which slows cognitive and functional decline in mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Having a complex stereochemistry, the organic synthesis of galantamine for pharmaceutical uses is highly challenging and not always economically viable, and it is therefore isolated from bulbs.

Viral Clearance Course of COVID-19 Outbreaks.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral course and behavior remain unpredictable. This study describes incubation time and viral clearance of COVID-19 hospitalized cases in Northern Jordan.

Methods: All COVID-19 confirmed cases hospitalized from March 15 to June 09, 2020, were included.

Nafcillin-Induced Hepatic Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the Western world. While it requires a diagnosis of exclusion, it is exceedingly prevalent in patients taking multiple hepatotoxic agents, the foremost of which are antibiotics, followed by herbal and dietary supplements. Below we will discuss a case of nafcillin-induced liver injury suggested by a thorough work-up and rule-out of other hepatic and biliary pathologies.

Cellular pathology practice in the era of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns - Experience from a tertiary hospital: A retrospective observational study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had many implications on healthcare services, including cellular pathology. The pandemic-related lockdown was applied in Jordan from March to May 2020. King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) was chosen to provide care for COVID-19 patients during that period.

Toxicological Evaluation and Hepatoprotective Efficacy of Rosmarinic Acid-Rich Extract from L.

Exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl) induces acute and chronic liver injuries as well as oxidative stress in rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of rosmarinic acid-rich extract from (RAE). The acute and subchronic oral toxicity of RAE was evaluated in mice.

Fetal Ultrasound Challenges and Solutions for Scanning Pregnant People With Physical Disabilities: A Two-Year Initiative for Adaptation.

The Accessible Care Pregnancy Clinic provides consolidated pregnancy care, including ultrasound, for people with physical disabilities. Sonography was identified as likely presenting unique challenges for this population. Therefore, over a 2-year period, sonographers recorded notes describing ultrasound techniques and challenges on 136 scans from 23 patients.

Photosynthetically Controlled Spirulina, but Not Solar Spirulina, Inhibits TNF-α Secretion: Potential Implications for COVID-19-Related Cytokine Storm Therapy.

An array of infections, including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), trigger macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and subsequently hypercytokinemia, commonly referred to as a cytokine storm (CS). It is postulated that CS is mainly responsible for critical COVID-19 cases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recognizing the therapeutic potential of Spirulina blue-green algae (Arthrospira platensis), in this in vitro stimulation study, LPS-activated macrophages and monocytes were treated with aqueous extracts of Spirulina, cultivated in either natural or controlled light conditions.

OptiVol for Volume Assessment in Patients With Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device.

OptiVol (Medtronic PLC, Minneapolis, MN) is a diagnostic feature of some cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) based on changes in thoracic impedance (TI) over time. Changes in TI can predict heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and mortality in HF populations. However, the utility of this feature is unknown in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Research Priorities in Atrial Fibrillation Screening: A Report From a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Virtual Workshop.

Clinically recognized atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with higher risk of complications, including ischemic stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death. It is increasingly recognized that AF frequently is undetected until complications such as stroke or heart failure occur. Hence, the public and clinicians have an intense interest in detecting AF earlier.

Factors and outcomes associated with improved left ventricular systolic function in patients with cardiomyopathy.

Background: Many patients in the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) had a significant improvement (> 10%) in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during the course of the study, but the factors and outcomes associated with such improvement are uncertain.

Methods: We examined factors and rates of mortality, cause-specific mortality, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks associated with improvement in LVEF by analyzing patients in the SCD-HeFT who were randomized to placebo or an ICD and who had an LVEF checked during follow-up.

Results: During a median follow-up of 3.

Burnout in oncology: Magnitude, risk factors and screening among professionals from Middle East and North Africa (BOMENA study).

Background: Burnout (BO) among oncology professionals (OP) is increasingly being recognized. Early recognition and intervention can positively affect the quality of care and patient safety. This study investigated the prevalence, work and lifestyle factors affecting BO among OPs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Is the probable spillage of the lung surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine the ultimate source of diabetes type 1?

The lung surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) most probably leaks into the blood, settling on the luminal aspect of blood vessels to create active hydrophobic spots (AHS). Nanobubbles are formed at these spots from dissolved gas. We hypothesized that when a large molecule in the blood comes into contact with a nanobubble at the AHS, its tertiary structure is disrupted.

Association of CYP2C19, TNF-α, NOD1, NOD2, and PPARγ polymorphisms with peptic ulcer disease enhanced by Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between a number of genetic variations of CYP2C19, TNF-α, NOD1, NOD2, and PPARγ genes with the severity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections and peptic ulcers (PU).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional design was used in this study.