V-ATPase in glioma stem cells: a novel metabolic vulnerability.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor characterized by the glioma stem cell (GSC) niche. The V-ATPase proton pump has been described as a crucial factor in sustaining GSC viability and tumorigenicity. Here we studied how patients-derived GSCs rely on V-ATPase activity to sustain mitochondrial bioenergetics and cell growth.

Sonography of Salivary Gland Tumors and Disorders.

Diseases of the salivary glands are as common as they are diverse and can have different causes. Clinicians can differentiate salivary gland changes based on chronic systemic diseases, congenital and vascular malformations, and benign and malignant tumors. Acute infectious pathologies can also arise as a result of obstructive pathologies.

Impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors in acute coronary syndrome patients on endothelial function and atherosclerosis related-biomarkers: ATH-SGLT2i pilot study.

Little is known about the effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine if a 90-day intake of Dapagliflozin could improve atherosclerosis biomarkers (namely endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilatation [FMD] and carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT]) in diabetic and non-diabetic acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients when initiated in the early in-hospital phase. ATH-SGLT2i was a prospective, single-center, observational trial that included 113 SGLT2i naive patients who were admitted for ACS and who were prescribed Dapagliflozin at a fixed dose of 10 mg during their hospital stay for either type 2 diabetes or for heart failure.

Adropin/Tirzepatide Combination Mitigates Cardiac Metabolic Aberrations in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Implicating the Role of the AKT/GSK3β/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted metabolic and hormonal disorder in females of reproductive age, frequently associated with cardiac disturbances. This research aimed to explore the protective potential of adropin and/or tirzepatide (Tirze) on cardiometabolic aberrations in the letrozole-induced PCOS model. Female Wistar non-pregnant rats were allotted into five groups: CON; PCOS; PCOS + adropin; PCOS + Tirze; and PCOS + adropin+ Tirze.

Exploring the Impact of Digital Health Tools in Enhancing Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment in Long-term Blood Donors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Blood donation plays a critical role in public health, yet long-term donors (donating at least twice per year, for at least three years) often face challenges related to psychological adjustment and quality of life. Digital health tools could offer innovative solutions to address these issues by providing personalized support, tracking, and mental health interventions.

Aim: This study investigates the impact of digital health tools on the quality of life (QoL) and psychological adjustment of long-term blood donors in Saudi Arabia, with attention to demographic factors influencing engagement and perceptions.

Lower mini-sternotomy: an approach for treating all valvulopathies?

Background: Lower mini-sternotomy offers the advantage of providing excellent visualization of the 4 cardiac cavities, allowing surgical treatment of aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves as well as any intra-cavitary procedure. Technical issues, as well as safety and echocardiographic results of this approach, are lacking. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe outcomes of lower mini-sternotomy to treat valvulopathies and other intracardiac surgeries.

Mild autonomous cortisol secretion leads to reduced volumetric BMD at lumbar spine in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Objectives: Glucocorticoid cosecretion is more common in primary aldosteronism (PA) than previously thought. Chronic subtle cortisol excess in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) negatively affects bone health. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MACS on bone density and turnover markers in PA patients.

The Sixth Mass Extinction and Amphibian Species Sustainability Through Reproduction and Advanced Biotechnologies, Biobanking of Germplasm and Somatic Cells, and Conservation Breeding Programs (RBCs).

Primary themes in intergenerational justice are a healthy environment, the perpetuation of Earth's biodiversity, and the sustainable management of the biosphere. However, the current rate of species declines globally, ecosystem collapses driven by accelerating and catastrophic global heating, and a plethora of other threats preclude the ability of habitat protection alone to prevent a cascade of amphibian and other species mass extinctions. Reproduction and advanced biotechnologies, biobanking of germplasm and somatic cells, and conservation breeding programs (RBCs) offer a transformative change in biodiversity management.

Diversity of wasps (Hymenoptera) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) farms in Basrah Governorate, Southern Iraq.

Studies on the diversity of parasitoid wasps in agroecosystems exemplify the first stage of recognizing the best species to be used in biological control programs. There is an increased effort to recognize the diversity of pests in agroecosystems, but information on agricultural environments in Iraq is still unknown. This study is interested in the diversity of wasps in a cultivated area in Basrah governorate and the identification of dominant species for potential application in biological control studies.

Impact of psychological wellbeing and academic readiness on early medical student attrition: educators' perspective.

Objectives: Medical school attrition is a complex problem, and improvement can only be achieved through the integrated involvement of all stakeholders. Mental health disorders are perceived to be prevalent among medical students in UAE. This study aimed to explore educators' perspectives on the high rate of early medical school attrition in UAE.

Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma: A Case Report.

This case report describes a patient who presented with devastating stroke-like symptoms secondary to a cystic brain lesion that was confirmed to be glioblastoma without significant symptomatology before her dramatic presentation. It further highlights the aggressive nature and the swift growth of the tumor in a short period of time. A 55-year-old female with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department in a comatose state.

Streamlining management in thoracic trauma: radiomics- and AI-based assessment of patient risks.

Background: In blunt chest trauma, patient management is challenging because clinical guidelines miss tools for risk assessment. No clinical scale reliably measures the severity of cases and the chance of complications.

Aim: The objective of the study was to optimize the management of patients with blunt chest trauma by creating models prognosticating the transfer to the intensive care unit and in-hospital length of stay (LOS).

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing isolates causing hospital- and community-acquired infections in Tunisia (2001-2019): expansion of CTX-M-15-C2 and CTX-M-27-C1 ST131 subclades.

Unlabelled: The prevalence of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing (ESBL-EC) and carbapenemase-producing (CP-EC) is increasing worldwide. We investigated the epidemiology of ESBL-EC and CP-EC causing hospital-acquired (HA) infections in a large teaching hospital in Tunisia over the last two decades and compared it with a collection of 107 community-acquired (CA) ESBL-EC isolates. Between 2001 and 2019, the incidence of HA ESBL-EC increased significantly from 0.

Pathophysiological Markers of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Severity Are Correlated With Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch Measured by Electrical Impedance Tomography.

Objectives: Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch measured by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is associated with the outcome of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to verify the correlation between relevant pathophysiological markers of ARDS severity and V/Q mismatch.

Design: Prospective observational study.

The effects of multifactorial pharmacist-led intervention protocol on medication optimisation and adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomised control trial.

Background: Patient-related factors and limited medication adherence in patients with chronic diseases, are associated with poor clinical outcomes, long-term complications, and increased overall disease costs. Many methods have been tested with mixed results, and innovative approaches are needed to encourage patients to adhere to their prescribed drug regimens.

Methods: This randomised controlled trial examined a new multifactorial pharmacist-led intervention protocol (MPIP), including a medication therapy management (MTM) program with face-to-face counselling, patient-specific medication booklets, and a mobile application, from July 2021 to September 2022 in the Oud Al Touba diagnostic and screening ambulatory centre in 192 patients with type 2 diabetes in the United Arab Emirates.

Dual-Absorber Solar Cell Design and Simulation Based on SbSe and CZTGSe for High-Efficiency Solar Cells.

Inorganic solar cells based on the binary-type metal chalcogenide semiconductor, particularly SbSe, have recently garnered significant interest due to their abundant and nontoxic natural elements, strong thermal stability, and favorable optoelectronic properties. Single-absorber solar cells using antimony selenide have been the most common choice to date but have shown only limited efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. The primary aim of this research is to examine a device structure that demonstrates an enhanced efficiency.

Opalski syndrome: a rare variant of Wallenberg syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Background: Opalski syndrome is a rare variant of Wallenberg syndrome (lateral medullary syndrome) that demonstrates concomitant ipsilateral hemiplegia due to infarctions within the lateral medulla and the cervical spinal cord, which also extend to the post-pyramidal decussation to affect the corticospinal tract.

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old man initially presented with a unilateral headache with right cervical pain. Consequently, he developed symptoms that indicate Wallenberg syndrome: vertigo, dysphonia, dysarthria, right limb ataxia with a tendency to fall, and ptosis, in addition to ipsilateral hemiparesis.

Antral membrane balloon technique versus Densah bur in crestal sinus lift with simultaneous implant placement: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The posterior maxilla presents challenges for implant insertion because of the poor bone quality as well as the loss of vertical bone height. Indirect transcrestal sinus lift techniques are advised when a few millimeters of additional height are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of antral membrane balloon technique versus Densah burs for transcrestal maxillary sinus lifting with simultaneous implant placement.

Preventive effects of a nutraceutical mixture of berberine, citrus and apple extracts on metabolic disturbances in Zucker fatty rats.

Background: The prevention of obesity represents a major health and socio-economic challenge. Nutraceuticals are regularly highlighted for their beneficial effects in preventing the metabolic disturbances associated with obesity. However, few studies have described the combined action of nutraceutical mixtures combining polyphenols with alkaloids.

Design and Evaluation of ScanCap: A Low-Cost, Reusable Tethered Capsule Endoscope with Blue-Green Illumination Imaging for Unsedated Screening and Early Detection of Barrett's Esophagus.

Esophageal carcinoma is the sixth-leading cause of cancer death worldwide. A precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is Barrett's Esophagus (BE). Early-stage diagnosis and treatment of esophageal neoplasia (Barrett's with high-grade dysplasia/intramucosal cancer) increase the five-year survival rate from 10% to 98%.

Effect of structured diet with exercise education on anthropometry and lifestyle modification in patients with type 2 diabetes: A 12-month randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Lifestyle modification involving active engagement of specialised dietitian with diet and exercise education, can be effective as first-line treatment for diabetes.

Methods: 192 patients were enrolled with diabetes in a randomised controlled trial and followed up for one year. Ninety-four patients in the intervention group participated in a comprehensive structured diet and exercise education conducted by a specialised dietitian at ambulatory centre in the United Arab Emirates.

Patient eligibility for trials with imaging response assessment at the time of molecular tumor board presentation.

Purpose: To assess the eligibility of patients with advanced or recurrent solid malignancies presented to a molecular tumor board (MTB) at a large precision oncology center for inclusion in trials with the endpoints objective response rate (ORR) or duration of response (DOR) based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST version 1.1).

Methods: Prospective patients with available imaging at the time of presentation in the MTB were included.