Captopril attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation implicated in cisplatin-induced cognitive deficits in rats.

Rationale: One of the most debilitating drawbacks of cisplatin chemotherapy is neurotoxicity which elicits memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction (chemobrain). This is primarily triggered by oxidative stress and inflammation. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, has been reported as a neuroprotective agent owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Aspergillus foetidus as a potent producer for β-galactosidase utilizing lemon peels and coffee waste powder: production optimization, purification, kinetic and thermodynamic characterization.

Background: The main obstacle facing the utilization of microbial enzymes in industrial applications is the high cost of production substrates. As a result of the mentioned different wastes (coffee powder waste, dates nawah powder, molokhia stems, pea peels, lemon peels, and corn cobs) were investigated as low-cost nutritional substrates for the production of microbial β-galactosidase in this study. The purification of the enzyme and its kinetic and thermodynamics were investigated.

Assessment of podocyte detachment as a pivotal step in the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Background: Podocytopenia refers to a decrease in the number of podocytes. When podocytes are injured, they may detach leading to podocytopenia, which represents a critical step in the development of podocytopathy and subsequently deterioration of renal functions. Pathological assessment of podocytopenia plays a crucial role in diagnosing underlying kidney diseases.

Microbial markets: socio-economic perspective in studying microbial communities.

Studying microbial communities through a socio-economic lens, this paper draws parallels with human economic transactions and microbes' race for resources. Extending the 'Market Economy' concept of social science to microbial ecosystems, the paper aims to contribute to comprehending the collaborative and competitive dynamics among microorganisms. Created by a multidisciplinary team of an economist, microbiologists, and mathematicians, the paper also highlights the risks involved in employing a socio-economic perspective to explain the complexities of natural ecosystems.

Date nawah powder as a promising waste for β-mannanase production from a new isolate Aspergillus niger MSSFW, statistically improving production and enzymatic characterization.

β-Mannanase producing fungus was isolated from coffee powder waste and identified as Aspergillus niger MSSFW (Gen Bank accession number OR668928). Dates nawah powder as industrial and agricultural waste was the most inducer of β-mannanase production. The Plackett-Burman and Central Composite designs were used to improve β-mannanase titer.

Effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) on histopathological changes and gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in male rats: the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway.

The third most prevalent malignancy to cause mortality is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is activated by binding to the transmembrane receptor Patched-1 (PTCH-1), which depresses the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (SMO). This study was performed to examine the preventative and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol in adult rats exposed to diethyl nitrosamine (DENA)-induced HCC.

Lyme Disease Models of Tick-Mouse Dynamics with Seasonal Variation in Births, Deaths, and Tick Feeding.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States impacting the Northeast and Midwest at the highest rates. Recently, it has become established in southeastern and south-central regions of Canada. In these regions, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by an infected Ixodes scapularis tick.

Analyzing the Effects of Nano-Titanium Dioxide and Nano-Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Self-Cleaning Concrete.

The goal of this paper is to investigate the impact of nano-materials on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of self-cleaning concrete. Nano-titanium dioxide and nano-zinc oxide were used as additives for this purpose. Additionally, a comparative study on the effect of using these materials on the self-cleaning concrete's characteristics was conducted.

A Novel Nutrient- and Antioxidant-Based Formulation Can Sustain Tomato Production under Full Watering and Drought Stress in Saline Soil.

As a result of the climate changes that are getting worse nowadays, drought stress (DS) is a major obstacle during crop life stages, which ultimately reduces tomato crop yields. So, there is a need to adopt modern approaches like a novel nutrient- and antioxidant-based formulation (NABF) for boosting tomato crop productivity. NABF consists of antioxidants (i.

A promising microbial α-amylase production, and purification from Bacillus cereus and its assessment as antibiofilm agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogen.

Background And Aim: The purpose of the current study is to isolate a heavily amylase-producing bacteria of the genus Bacillus from soil samples, optimize the production of the enzyme, purify it, and evaluate its activity against biofilm-producing bacteria. A total of 12 soil samples were collected and screened for promising Bacillus species with good amylolytic activity. Isolation was done by serial dilution and plating technique and amylolytic activity was determined by starch agar plate method.

Optic Neuritis After COVID-19 Vaccination: An Analysis of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Background: To investigate the association of optic neuritis (ON) after the COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods: Cases of ON from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) were collected and divided into the prepandemic, COVID-19 pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccine periods. Reporting rates were calculated based on estimates of vaccines administered.

Reducing Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI): An Improvement Project in a Specialized Tertiary Hospital.

Introduction: Central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are preventable hospital-acquired infections that harm and prolong a patient's hospital stay and increase unnecessary hospital expenditure. In collaboration with infection control and hospital epidemiology, the quality management department initiated a performance improvement project to address 144 CLABSI events in 2017.

Methods: The performance improvement project team used brainstorming to create change ideas presented in a driver diagram.

Statistical optimization of enzyme cocktail production using Jew's mallow stalks residues by a new isolate Aspergillus flavus B2 via statistical strategy and enzymes characterization.

This study investigates the production of the enzyme cocktail by the isolated fungi Aspergillus flavus B2 (GenBank accession number OL655454) using agricultural and industrial (AI) residues as the sole substrate. Of all the AI residues tested, Jew's mallow stalk was the best inducer substrate for enzyme cocktail production without adding any nutrients. Statistical optimization using Response Surface Methodology enhanced the production by 5.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients during Infection and after Recovery in Saudi Arabia.

This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 and other factors on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Saudi patients during infection and after recovery using the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS instruments. An observational prospective study was conducted in November 2022, during which 389 COVID-19 patients were surveyed during their visit to a medical center. Two weeks after their recovery, they were contacted again to re-evaluate their HRQoL (192 patients either refused to participate or withdrew).

Xylanase covalent binding onto amidated pectin beads: Optimization, thermal, operational and storage stability studies and application.

Amidated pectin-polyethylene imine-glutaraldehyde (AP-PEI-GA) immobilizer was prepared. The ideal protocol that should be adopted during the immobilizer preparation was investigated via Box-Behnken design (BBD), and it comprised processing the AP beads with 3.4 % (w/w) PEI solution of pH 9.

A Survey on AI Techniques for Thoracic Diseases Diagnosis Using Medical Images.

Thoracic diseases refer to disorders that affect the lungs, heart, and other parts of the rib cage, such as pneumonia, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), tuberculosis, cardiomegaly, and fracture. Millions of people die every year from thoracic diseases. Therefore, early detection of these diseases is essential and can save many lives.

Association of TLR7 and TLR9 genes polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory, multiorgan, systemic autoimmune disease. It is characterized by the high production of autoantibodies against nuclear compounds. TLRs (toll-like receptors 7/9) are pattern-recognition receptors that recognize nucleic acids and induce proinflammatory responses by activating NF-kB and producing type I interferon, which play a role in eliciting innate/adaptive immune responses and developing chronic inflammation.

Skin colonization of Staphylococcus aureus harboring superantigen toxin genes and its correlation with serum IL-22 level in psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis is a chronic debilitating skin disease with an estimated prevalence reaching 2% of the worldwide population. Psoriatic disease is driven by the interactions among innate and adaptive immune systems with structural components of the skin. Interleukin (IL)-22 mediates keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal hyperplasia, and changes in the structure of skin flora can play a role in the secretion of IL-22.