A global prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among students: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 4,189,145 subjects.

Background: The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, vape pens, hookah pens, e-cigars, and e-pipes, has grown in popularity worldwide, particularly among young individuals. However, these products are not without risks, as their emissions may contain harmful substances such as diacetyl (a flavoring agent linked to specific pulmonary problems in high concentrations), tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and volatile organic compounds with unknown long-term effects on lung health.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of ENDS use among school and college students on a global scale.

The Association between Maternal Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure during Pregnancy and the Incidence of Male Urogenital Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The increasing incidence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism, coupled with the widespread presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), has raised concerns about the potential impact of these environmental factors on male urogenital development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between maternal exposure to various EDCs and the risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from inception until May 2024.

Sitagliptin ameliorates L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis via modulating inflammatory cytokines expression and combating oxidative stress.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition that resolves spontaneously, but occasionally, develops into systemic inflammation, organ failure and mortality. Oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory pathways represent major players in AP pathogenesis. Current management of AP relies on attenuating injuries to the pancreas and putting the inflammatory process under control.

IL-6 at the center of cytokine storm: Circulating inflammation mediators as biomarkers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: The management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients depends largely on controlling the intensified inflammatory response known as the cytokine storm. Candidate inflammatory cytokines can serve as new biomarkers for the management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Patients (80) were recruited into three groups: room air (RA), oxygen (OX) and mechanical ventilator (MV).

Alpha-Mangostin ameliorates acute kidney injury via modifying levels of circulating TNF-α and IL-6 in glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis animal model.

Alpha mangostin (AM), isolated from G. mangostana, showed beneficial effects in several disorders due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Acute kidney injury (AKI) due to different etiologies can develop into severe complications, resulting in high mortality rates.

Generation of Combinatorial Lentiviral Vectors Expressing Multiple Anti-Hepatitis C Virus shRNAs and Their Validation on a Novel HCV Replicon Double Reporter Cell Line.

Despite the introduction of directly acting antivirals (DAAs), for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, their cost, patient compliance, and viral resistance are still important issues to be considered. Here, we describe the generation of a novel JFH1-based HCV subgenomic replicon double reporter cell line suitable for testing different antiviral drugs and therapeutic interventions. This cells line allowed a rapid and accurate quantification of cell growth/viability and HCV RNA replication, thus discriminating specific from unspecific antiviral effects caused by DAAs or cytotoxic compounds, respectively.

A study of the hepatoprotective effect of Plantago psyllium L. seed extract against Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rats.

Background: The liver is the main metabolic organ involved in disposal and detoxification of various molecules. Plantago psyllium L. seed has been reported to exert positive effects in some pathological conditions.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of gum resin in CCl-induced hepatotoxicity.

The present study aims to investigate the potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of Boswellia serrate (BS) gum resin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver damage. Four groups consisting of eight rats each were designated: Group I, normal healthy control; group II, CCl-induced liver fibrosis; group III, CCl-induced liver fibrosis followed by BS treatment daily for two weeks; and group IV, CCl-induced liver fibrosis followed by silymarin treatment daily for two weeks. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were assessed, in addition to histopathological and fibrotic changes in liver tissues isolated from the rats.

Molecular Mechanisms of Natural Honey Against H. pylori Infection Via Suppression of NF-κB and AP-1 Activation in Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Background And Aims: Natural honey has been used as a medicine since ancient times. Honey is widely known for its antibacterial properties against H. pylori; however, the mechanisms of its antibacterial activity are not fully known.

Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Salix subserrata against CCl4-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats.

Background: The liver performs diverse functions that are essential for life. In the absence of reliable liver protective drugs, a large number of natural medicinal preparations are used for the treatment of liver diseases. Therefore the present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Salix subserrata Willd flower ethanolic extract (SFEE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage.

Experimental evidence for the therapeutic potential of tempol in the treatment of acute liver injury.

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in the acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Since 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, known as tempol, has powerful antioxidant properties, we investigated its potential hepatoprotective effects and the underlying mechanisms that may add further benefits for its clinical usefulness using an acute model of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. One hour after CCl4 induction of acute hepatotoxicity, mice were treated with a daily dose of 20 mg/kg/day tempol for 3 days.

Comparative effects of Aliskiren and Telmisartan in high fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

Fructose is a commonly used sweetener associated with diets that increase the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been consistently demonstrated to reduce MS. However, there has been no direct comparison among different pharmacological modes of inhibiting the RAS concerning their effects on MS.

Estimation of leucine aminopeptidase and 5-nucleotidase increases alpha-fetoprotein sensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cases.

Purpose: To find parameters that can increase alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) sensitivity and so help in accurate diagnosis and rapid management of hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC), as AFP has limited utility of distinguishing HCC from benign hepatic disorders for its high false-positive and false negative rates.

Materials And Methods: Serum levels of AFP, 5'-nucleotidase enzyme activity (5-NU) and leucine aminopeptidase enzyme (LAP) activity were measured in 40 individuals.

Results: LAP and 5'NU were elevated in HCC at p<0.

Curcumin ameliorate DENA-induced HCC via modulating TGF-β, AKT, and caspase-3 expression in experimental rat model.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In laboratory animal models, diethylnitrosamine (DENA) is a well-known agent that has a potent hepatocarcinogenic effect that is used to induce HCC. As curcumin has a potent anti-inflammatory effect with strong therapeutic potential against a variety of cancers, our present study aims to investigate its curative effects and the possible mechanisms of action against DENA-induced HCC in male rats.

Tempol ameliorates cardiac fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: role of oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Long-standing diabetes is associated with increased oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis. This, in turn, contributes to the progression of cardiomyopathy. The present study was sought to investigate whether the free radical scavenger, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinoxyl (tempol) can protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy and to explore the specific underlying mechanism(s) in this setting.

Cardioprotective effects of nicorandil, a mitochondrial potassium channel opener against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat solid and haematopoietic tumours. Its use is limited by a major side effect of cardiotoxicity. It was reported that doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is mediated through oxidative stress coupled with impaired NO bioavailability and NF-κB activation.

Overexpression of hepatoma-derived growth factor in melanocytes does not lead to oncogenic transformation.

Background: HDGF is a growth factor which is overexpressed in a wide range of tumors. Importantly, expression levels were identified as a prognostic marker in some types of cancer such as melanoma.

Methods: To investigate the presumed oncogenic/transforming capacity of HDGF, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing HDGF in melanocytes.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor-related protein-3: a new neurotrophic and neurite outgrowth-promoting factor for cortical neurons.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor-related proteins (HRPs) make up a family of six members. Hepatoma-derived growth factor-related protein-3 (HRP-3) is the only family member whose expression is almost restricted to nervous tissue. Here we show that soluble HRP-3 acts as a novel neurotrophic factor for cultured primary cortical neurons.

Misfolded endoplasmic reticulum retained subunits cause degradation of wild-type subunits of arylsulfatase A heteromers.

Arylsulfatase A is an oligomeric lysosomal enzyme. In the present study, we use this enzyme as a model protein to examine how heteromerization of wild-type and misfolded endoplasmic reticulum-degraded arylsulfatase A polypeptides affects the quality control of wild-type arylsulfatase A subunits. Using a conformation sensitive monoclonal antibody, we show that, within heteromers of misfolded and wild-type arylsulfatase A, the wild-type subunits are not fully folded.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor-related protein-3 interacts with microtubules and promotes neurite outgrowth in mouse cortical neurons.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor-related proteins (HRP) comprise a family of 6 members, which the biological functions are still largely unclear. Here we show that during embryogenesis HRP-3 is strongly expressed in the developing nervous system. At early stages of development HRP-3 is located in the cytoplasm and neurites of cortical neurons.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is dispensable for normal mouse development.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is suggested to be involved in organ development and exhibits proliferative, angiogenic, and neurotrophic activity. The in vivo functions are, however, so far unknown. In this study, we generated HDGF-deficient mice, in which parts of the HDGF gene were replaced by a gene encoding green fluorescent protein (eGFP).

Expression of hepatoma-derived growth factor family members in the adult central nervous system.

Background: Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) belongs to a polypeptide family containing five additional members called HDGF related proteins 1-4 (HRP-1 to -4) and Lens epithelial derived growth factor. Whereas some family members such as HDGF and HRP-2 are expressed in a wide range of tissues, the expression of others is very restricted. HRP-1 and -4 are only expressed in testis, HRP-3 only in the nervous system.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor. Significance of amino acid residues 81-100 in cell surface interaction and proliferative activity.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) has proliferative, angiogenic, and neurotrophic activity. It plays a putative role in the development and progression of cancer. When expressed in cells, the mitogenic activity of HDGF depends on its nuclear localization, but it also stimulates proliferation when added to the cell culture medium.

Expression patterns and different subcellular localization of the growth factors HDGF (hepatoma-derived growth factor) and HRP-3 (HDGF-related protein-3) suggest functions in addition to their mitogenic activity.

HDGF (hepatoma-derived growth factor) and the HRPs (HDGF-related proteins) comprise a family of six proteins which display high identity in their N-terminus, but differ at the C-terminus. Here we investigate the patterns of expression of HDGF and HRP-3, by generating antisera specifically recognizing each growth factor. Whereas HRP-3 protein is expressed only in brain, HDGF can be found in a broad range of tissues, with highest levels in brain, testis, lung and spleen.